Thai-Danish Trade News - March 2003

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Thai-Danish Trade News is oublished and distributed to selected Thai and Scandinavian business executives and officials with an interest in ThaFDanish relations by Danish-Thai Chamber of Commerce, Royal Danish Embassy and Scand-Media Coro.. Ltd.

Danish-Thai Ghamber of Commerce

Tom Sorensen

1402/2141h Fl , Glas Haus 1 Sukhumvit 25 Road, North Klongtoey, Wattana, Bangkok 1 011 0 Tel : (66) 0 2661 7762 Fax: (66) 0 2661 7764-5

Presrdenl Danish-That Chamber of Commerce

E-mail: contaci@dancham orth

President [,4r Tom Sorensen Tel : +66 (0) 2640 1614 Nilob : +66 (0) 1656 7497

E-mail: toms@loxinfo co th

legal Advisor

Protect yourself!

Santhapat Periera Tilleke & Gibbins lnternational Ltd Tel : +66 (0) 22637700 Faxr +66 (0) 22637710 E-mail; santhapat@tillekeandgibbins com

o

Ileasurer

o

Soren Presmann Presmann (Thailand) Co, Ltd. Tel : +66 (0) 2962 1151 Faxr +66 (0) 2962 1152 E-mail: soren@presmann co th

o

lV1r,

l\,4r

The value of fake goods in the global market is a full 1% of the world's GNP or equal to 250 billion US Dollars.

The market in Thailand for CD, DVD and cassettes is estimated to 15 million items but 1 billion CD's are in fact manufactured here 23"k of the goods confiscated by EU Customs (year 2001) came from Thailand. 18% came from China. No other countries were higher.

Foreign Ghambers'

Goordinating Committee Mr Peter Emil Romhild Berli Jucker Public Co , Ltd Tel : +66 (0) 2367 1111 Fax: +66 (0) 2367 1000 E-mail: bjc@berlijuckerco th

Members l\4r Henrik Friis DISA (Thailand) Ltd Tel: +66 (0) 27143989 Fax: +66 (0) 27143983 E-mail: disath@disa co th

Media Gommittee Mr Jorgen lb Hedes (Committee Chairperson) Sun Paratech Co, Ltd Tel : +66 (0) 3522'1010-8 Fax: +66 (0) 3522 1019 E-mail: floorings@access inet co th Mr AIlan Jensen APV (Thailand) Ltd Tel : +66 (0) 2367 5341-6 Fax: +66 (0) 2367 5019 E-mail: ajensen@apv co uk

Years ago one of the most recognized logos were, in fact still is, a small colored crocodile.

The logo of Lacoste. I am sure many still remember coming to Thailand, cruising the streets of Bangkok to find the popular polo shirts. The price was low, the quality equally so.

Over the years manufacturing of popular European brands have reached levels that are hard to believe. The production facilities of the people engaging in this dubious and illegal business are as excellent as any real and genuine company will be using. A Nike representative recently told me, that often it is impossible to determine a fake from a real running shoe, even taking the shoe to pieces.

It is of course encouraging to see the government paying attention to the serious problems faced by honest companies who in good faith have registered their company, paid their tax, registered their products and who continue to play by the rules. lt is no more a problem for foreign investors alone, Thai companies are increasingly seeing their products being copied

[./]r Bent Bjorlin Hansen XponCard International (Thailand) Ltd Tel : +66 (0) 2636 7890 Fax: +66 (0) 2636 6699 E-mail: beh@th xponcard com

The Intellectual Propefiy system in Thailand is regulated through various Acts dealing with Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and the most recent Trade Secrets. So far so good.

Events Gommittee

However, Thailand is getting more and more isolated - even compared with other Asian countries - as Thailand has not yet become a signatory to the Paris Convention for protection of industrial property as it is laid down by the Patent Co-operation Treaty (PCT) drafted some 30 years ago. Filing for trademark and patent would be so much easier for Thai companies. A company could file their application just once in Thailand and through the PCT governing body, the World Intellectual Properly Organisation, distributed to more than 100 desiqnated countries around the world.

l\4r Prasansak Suwanpotipra (Committee Chairperson) uanross ( | nailanoJ uo, LIo Tel : +66 (0) 2379 9800 Fax: +66 (0) 2379 9801 E-mail: prasansak@danfos com l\y'r Vitoon Lefort VL Intedrade Co , Ltd Tel : (66) 0 2541 6043-7 Fax: (66) 0 2541 s786 E-mail: vitoon @ likeitcollection com

Mr Kristian Strand Nokia (Thailand) Ltd Tel: +66 (0) 26427020 Fax: +66 (0) 22488259 E-mail: kristian strand@nokia com

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PS. The Dann/t //t,tr ()/ttru,lu'r /t.t. 1t't'rt it-s/rumenla/ in setting up the EU /PR Network in c/osc'cor,tpt'r,tlnurwr//r//tr'/t'/L'h'11.rltt,rt,trrdt/teEUMemberStates.Thisrsthebodythat

Commercial Seclion, 10 Soi Attakarn Pras t Sathorn Tai, Bangkok 1 0500 Tharland Tei : (66) 0 2343 1 1 00 Fex: \66) 0 2213 1752 Ms Tine Hylleberg Commercial Counsellor, Head 01 Section IVIr Atlakorn Saropala, Senior Comm Officer Ms Srisuda Vilyalai, Comm Ollicel

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-

New members of the DTCG Board elected lose to fifty members elected five new members forthe Board of the Danish-Thai Chamber of Commerce at the Annual General Meeting held on 06 March 2003 at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit.

The five new members selected to the board were Henrik Friis, Kristian Strand, Santhapat Periera, and Peter Romhild.

Retiring from the board were

Charlotte Parks, Leo Alexandersen, Peter Linnemann, Preben Hjortlund and Axel Blom -

Comm.erce were present ot thc Anntrul Gt trrrul Meetitt.q

heltl on 06 Mctrch 2003 at tltr She raton C rande Sukhumv i t.

Ascot and Poul Weber - who had

earlier in the evening also chaired the AGM.

who has been on the Board

A draw for a f ree SAS return

since 1992 and received a special thanks from Tom Sorensen for his tremendous contributions to the Chamber over the years.

ticket to Singapore was con-

After the AGM, members

sights. The ticket was won by

enjoyed a dinner with a presentation of Copenhagen and sur-

Some J'ifiy members of the Danish-Thcti C hambe r of

ducted among members, who had correctly guessed the most

popular Copenhagen tourist

DTCC President Tom e n exp re s,se d spe ciaI thanks to AxeL Bknt for the

So rerts

t

re me

ntl o u s c' ont

r

i

bution s

thut Mr Blont has given to the Chamber os tr member ol' the board since 1992. Mr Bktm retired from the board ctt the

AGM.

Jesoer Hansen.

roundings by Copenhagen Goodwill Ambassadors Michael

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So now you can enjoy the convenience without having to compromise on the LURPAK butter flavour.

The product is ideal for baking and cooking and it comes in a convenient packaging that is reclosable.

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6

New Membership Card launched at the AGM The design ofthe card blends Danish and Thai styles in a unique way with

DTCC President Mr. Tom Sorensen shows the new Membership Card, saying thnt the

traditional Thai silk contrasting the 1958

Chamber has - in

evergreen designs

addition to the traditional use as

oJ'

the

'Egg'andthe'Swan'by Arne Jacobsen.

identification - longer term plans,for more

sophisticated uses of

onths of work culmi-

Card'in its initial phase will be

the card.

nated with the presentation at the AGM of a

used to brand membership of the Chamber and as a traditional

new Membership Card which members received at the en-

identification, there are also longer-term plans for more so-

trance.

While the new Membership

These plans are still under de-

phisticated uses in the pipeline.

velopment and will be publicised when they are ready for implementation.

The machine for printing the membership cards has kindly been donated to the Chamber

by DTCC member dz card.

Peter Linnemann with his succe s s or Michel D e leu run

andAxel Blom at the AGM

New Maersk Managing Director Mr. Peter Linnemann. Managing Director of the Maersk Group of companies in Thailand, introduced his successor Michel Deleuran at the Annual General Meeting of the Danish -Thai Chamber of Commerce. Michel Deleuran will take over his new respon-

sibilities as per 1 May 2003.

Michel Deleuran comes from Maersk in the Philippines. As the guest of Peter

Linnemann at the AGM he had the chance to meet many of the current members of the

Chamber.

'Yes, I am looking fonrvard to this," Michel Deleuranconfirmed when asked if he was pleased with the transfer.

Peter Linnemann will be transferred to Amsterdam. He came to Bangkokthree years ago from Portugal to replace Mr. Anders Nielsen.

7

=-

8

Embassies ready for 'new' initiative Danish embassies in South East Asia are ready and eager to follow up on a new Danish govern-

ment initiative to oromote the usage of the facilities at the em-

bassies more intensively. Offering temporary office facilities to Danish comoanies at the Danish embassies, which is part of the new initiative, is however a problem at some embassies.

"We have not currently set aside an office forthis purpose," says Tine Hylleberg, Commercial Counsellor at the Royal Dan-

ish Embassy in Bangkok.

"But if we were to receive a request, we could cedainly accommodate this - or help the company find space at one of the other Danish companies in town."

What Tine Hylleberg would like to see enhanced, is the Dan_ ish companies awareness of the standing offer to use especially the excellent meeting facilities at

the embassy. "l have long wanted to promote the use of our excellent meeting facilities. Recently, we had for instance Arla Foods visiting their importers and distributors in Thailand. This meeting could have taken place here at the embassy with a short welcome by me or the Ambassador and ended with a light working lunch after Lars Moller Henriksen's presentation."

"Follow up telephone calls

on business meetings here is also a good option where we could assist the companies. lt does make a good impression if a call comes from the Royal Danish Embassy - and maybe even in Thai language!" she adds.

In Jakarta, renting out office space is nothing new. Currently Novo Nordisk is working out of an office rented at the embassy. ln Singapore, office space is not available at the embassy, but

the commercial deoartment could assist with finding facilities at elsewhere.

In Hanoi, Commercial Coun-

sellor Thomas Bo Pedersen confirms that office space would be available if reouested.

Tbm Sorensen,

Chaitman of the European Chambers of Commerce and the Danish-Thai Charnber of Commerce together

with Klauspetter Schmallenbach,

Ambassador-Head oJ the Delegatictn of the European Commission to Thailand at the inaugural meeting of the European Union IPR Network.

War on intellectual property abuse uropean private and

mission to Thailand said:

public sector represen-

"To make headway in the

tatives have joined

fight against IPR abuse in Thai-

forces in Bangkok to establish a European Union IPR Network, a new body set up to improve the protection of Intellectual Property Rights (lPR) in Thailand.

The EU IPR Network was officially launched 27th February

2003 by EU Ambassador, Mr Klauspeter Schmallenbach and the Chairman of the European Chambers of Commerce Thailand, Mr Tom Sorensen.

Bringing together some one hundred representatives of European companies, EU Member States embassies and the Delegation of the European Commission, the EU IPB Networkwill seek solutions to the IPR abuses

faced by many European businesses in Thailand. lt will also allow European companies to air their concerns and soeak with a single voice on IPR issues.

Speaking at the meeting, Klauspetter Schmallenbach, Ambassador-Head of the Delegation of the European Com-

land we need to present a united

front. Closer co-operation between the European private and public sectors through the EU IPR Network is one way we can do that."

"Stroll through the streets of

Bangkok or browse its many shopping malls and you will encounter a huge variety of pirate goods. This is just the tip of the iceberg; the visible end of the

IPR infringement spectrum.

Less noticeable, but perhaps far

more worrying are counterfeit medicines, car parts, cosmetics,

spirits, tools and machinery

porl of the European Commission and the EU Member States embassies the Network will also actively work to improve the situ-

ation to the benefit of EU comoanies and consumers alike.

The Networkwill meet on a regular basis and will set up working groups to focus on enforcement, public awareness and information and communication issues.

Tom Sorensen, Chairman of

the European Chambers of Commerce invited all Eurooean companies facing IPR problems to join the Network. "lPR infringements not only

atfect European companies in this country, but also their performance elsewhere, as Thai-

they also put at risk the health

land is a major source of pirated products destined for other markets. Private companies are on the front line in the fight against

and safety of those buying these oroducts." he added.

will act as a catalyst for in-

The EU IPR Network will pool the knowledge, expefiise and experience of EU compa-

creased coooeration between them. lt will focus on the oroblems facing European compa-

which are also widely available.

Such copy products not only violate the rights of the IPR owner,

IPR violations and this network

nies in Thailand facing IPR prob-

nies and seek realistic solutions

lems. Through the official sup-

to them."

Danish mine clearing to Sri Lanka Danish Demining Group has

Demining Group's chief objec-

Eritrea and Somaliland, will

announced plans to sweep mines in Sri Lanka, bringing peace and security to a civilian population terrorized by

tive will be to ensure that the region's many internally dis-

lead the group's efforts in Sri

placed persons can return safely

two decades of civil war.

The group's mission to Sri

unabated civil war.

Danish Demining Group is expected to work closely with the Danish Refugee Council, which has already established a large-scale repatriation programme in Sri Lanka.

Lanka will been funded with re-

sources from Danida. Danish

home after nearly 20 years of Erik Willadsen, an experienced demining operator with hours logged on missions to

Lanka.

9

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10

Medicon Valley is Europe's fastest growing biotech cluster Medicon Valley, a cross-border region straddling both sides of the Oresund bridge linking Denmark and Sweden, is Europe's fastest growing biotech cluster.

According to an international report, Medicon Valley is now the 4th largest in Europe measured on number of drugs under development with UK, Germany and France respectively taking the top three places. And France is only ahead by a fraction.

Europe's largest investment

concern, UK's 3i, is currently considering new investments in Medicon Valley. The company has already invested in 10 biotech comoanies in the Nordic region (Scandinavia plus Fin-

Embassy seminar introduced clean Danish technology

By Gregers Mqller

Larsen ooened the seminar which was held at Pathumwan

he Royal Danish Embassy in Bangkok on January 22held a seminar on Danish Energy Experiences to promote energy conseruation and renewable energy.

Financial suppoft under a Dan-

ish government's scheme was also presented for future possibilities of business cooperation in Thailand.

Danish Ambassador to Bangkok H.E. Mr. Ulrik Helweg-

Princess Hotel.

The sessions began with an overview on the benefits of energy conservation and renewable energy. After that, Mr. Lars Moller, Long term Expert of Biomass One-stop Clearing House, gave his presentation on Danish experiences and background

in the business.

Participants in the seminar from the Thai industries were also told about a Danish govern-

ment suppofted scheme, Private Sector Partnership Facility. The programme aims to enable Thai

companies to access cleaner

technology through business cooperations with Danish comoanies.

Thai representatives from companies already engaged in this programme are also invited to conduct a case study on energy conservation technology through the partnership programme.

land and lceland) totalling around DKK 240 million (USD 35 million), of which four are located in Medicon Valley.

Orange first with GSM location service in Denmark Orange has chosen Denmark as the first country in which to offer its business customers the oo-

portunity to pinpoint the geographical location of their sales-

people, service staff or truck drivers. The system is called

Basis Tracking and uses Orange's GSM net to constantly track the position of a given mobile teleohone.

In urban areas the location radius can be as little as 200 meters while in rural areas it can vary from 500 meters to 2 coulometers depending on the density of the network masts. Basis Tracking is cheaper than known location solutions built on GPS technology, and when the system has been implemented each tracking will be no rnore expensive than the cost of an SMS. Basis Tracking has been developed by the Danish mobile ap-

olication

Unwiredfactory.

manufacturer

Danish companies may get US privileges anrsn

companres

eral Agreement on Trade in Ser-

fying Thai nationals access to

along with all other foreign companies in Thailand - stand a chance to get the same special privileges today given only US companies in Thailand. Alternatively Thailand

vices. To comply with its WTO

special visa categories E-1 (Treaty Trader) or E-2 (Treaty

may choose to cancel the US agreement and that way level the market conditions.

The reason is that Thailand is currently forced by its WTO membership to consider its options regarding the current special oreferential treatment which

US companies enjoy in Thai-

land. The significance of the Amity Treaty for US investors is that it grants qualifying US companies "national treatment".

Generally, national treatment means that the Thai government is today required to give eligible US companies the same rights and legalflexibility normally reserved for Thai firms, subject to

exceptions specified in the agreemenr.

commitments under the General

Agreement on Trade in Services. Thailand is reouired to grant Most Favoured Nation treatment to all WTO members

by Jan. 1, 2005.

One ootion for Thailand is to amend the law to allow all WTO members the same rights and privileges granted to US inves-

tors under the treaty. In other words, Thailand will be required to provide equal legal treatment to investors from all WTO member countries - among others Denmark.

Legal Counsellors in

the,

company's newsletter, this period can be extended almost in-

definitely so long as the Thai holder of the visa declares that

Another is to cancel the

he or she will deoart the US

treaty and that way give All WTO members equal status. Finally,

when the period of authorized

a third option is for Thailand to apply WTO for a continuation of

stay, including any unlimited extensions, terminates.

the treaty but it is doubtful whether this would be granted. lf the treaty is extended to cover also other WTO member another issue is the reciprocal

The whole issue centers

part which gives special visa

around Thailand's commitment

treatment to Thais in the US. In the US the Treaty allows quali-

to the WTO oursuant to the Gen-

Investor), which would ordinarily not be available.

A Thai national who obtains a visa either as a Treaty Trader or Treaty Investor is granted an initial period of stay in US of two years. According to an article by Mr. Michael Doyle, a paftner of the Bangkok law firm of Seri Manop and Doyle Ltd. Tax and

t1

ncess Alexand ra visited Unesco projects in Thailand Pri

Mlller

rad Hospital in Bangkok. The programme provides skilled

with each other if one didn't bring any because of herfamily's pov-

erty. In Denmark, we have the

- in February

training for this year 106 young women with poor backgrounds either rescued from or consid-

visited Thailand on her f irst overseas assignment as protector of

ered in high risk of sexual exploitation. Unicef conducts this

class mates. lt was just so amazing - they didn't seem ashamed

Unicef Danmark.

The purpose of the trip was

programme in cooperation with 17 leading hotels in Bangkok where the majority of the girls are given training to work in the tourism industry.

"What really has impressed me most on this trip is the community spirit I saw in the North, where it was perfectly natural for a family to take in the children

to help each other, be kind to

of their neighbours if they had

tion.

Prior to her official duties in

By Gregers

rincess Alexandra - married to Prince Joachim of

Denmark

to produce a documentary for the Danish Television Broadcasting Corporation. The program will be aired during the Easter holiday and will feature some of the projects in Thailand

for HIV/AIDS affected children which Unicef Danmark supports.

Most of the projects are in the North of Thailand, where the

majority of the more than 300,000 aids affected children in

passed away and there were no

other immediate family to take care of them," said about her

Thailand live. Some infected themselves, some orphaned because their oarents have

Asked if she would like to see this attitude transplanted to

passeo away.

Denmark, Princess Alexandra

In Bangkok, the Princess on Monday 24 February opened a special Youth Career Development Programme at Bumrung-

said it would be really great

t2

impressions from the visit.

if

this

was possible.

"ln the schools up North,

I

saw children sharing their lunch

opposite problem of school children mobbing one of their own

each other," she said.

Princess Alexandra will in the years to come be increasingly involved in Unicef's international campaigns. Among oth-

ers an upcoming attempt to eradicate the disease tetanus

among new born babies and their mothers through vaccina-

Thailand, Princess Alexandra had been vacationing with her husband, Prince Joachim and the couple's two children, Prince

Nikolai and Prince Felix first in her home town of Hong Kong, then for a week in the Thai seaside resort of Hua Hin. Here, relaxing at the classic Hotel Sofitel, the Royal couple

In the temple Wat Srisupan in Chiangmai Princess Alexandra was constantly surrounded by curictus students of the temple school.

Many of the children are infected by HIV while others have lost their parents to the disease. Photo: JJ FilmNS

Prince Felix, the younger of Princess Alexandra and Prince Joachim's tvvo sons. is trying to put on his father's sunglasses assisted by his older brother Prince Nikolai.

Photo: lan Mouritsen.

gave a lengthy interview to the Danish weekly BilledBladet. The feature was solashed over full six pages and illustrated with some of the best pictures ever taken of the royal family shot by the Thailand based Danish photographer Jan Mouritsen.

nce Joachim opens Hempel plant in Malaysia Pri

While Princess Alexandra visited Unesco projects in Thailand, Prince Joachim opened Hempel's latest expansion in South East Asia.

is Royal

Highness

Prince Joachim of Den mark on Tuesday 18

February opened a new manufacturing plant in Johore, Malay-

sia, of The Hempel Group, a

-

Denmark-based leading global independent producer of protective coatings for marine and industrial applications.

"We are honoured to have

His Royal Highness, Prince Joachim of Denmark officiate our opening ceremony," Mr Ditlev Engel, President and CEO

of Hempel Group said at the opening ceremony, in which also the Danish ambassador to Ma-

laysia, Mr. Lasse Reimann officiated.

Equipped with state-of-theart technology, the new Hempel plant has the capability of producing up to 7,000 tons of coatings annually. Hempel's investment exceeds RM22 million - an indication of the importance for Hempel of this production facility in the expansion of their business in Southeast Asia.

next few years," Mr Christian Vang says.

"The rise in production will enable Hempel to boost their sales in Malaysia in the years ahead. We anticipate a threefold increase in turnover which will bring us to a total of RM50 million in turnover per year."

Hempel believes that Malaysia has an attractive economical

presence in Europe, Middle East

and Americas. Given Hempel's long-term specific focus in corrosive protection solutions, it has

good infrastructure, educated

made paint systems for any

workforce and available incen-

needs.

tives for export expansions.

Hempel has been actively involved in Malaysia since the mid-1950s through trading partners. Since 1996, Hempel has

facilities in Malaysia since 1996 for protecting coasters, containers, factories and bridges for the Southeast Asian market. This plant signifies another milestone in the Group's development and is an important element in our globalstrategy," said Mr. Engel.

through Hempel Coatings (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, catering to Malaysia's increased need for innovative products and corro-

According to Mr Christian

Asia, Hempel SEA operates two

sive protective solutions for the

fast expanding marine and industrial sectors.

Elsewhere in Southeast

Vang, Regional Managing Direc-

production units - one each in

tor for Hempel Southeast Asia,

Singapore and in Indonesia. lts Asian operations is divided into two regional areas - China and South-East Asia (SEA). Hempel SEA covers Asia Pacific (except China) and inclusive of the In-

Hempel has invested over RM22 million in its new plant in Johor in Malaysia.

Photo: EastWest-PR

The

Hempel Group leveraging on its

climate with its strategic location,

had a permanent legal entity

subsequently expanding this manufacturing plant over the

an integrated part of

the best knowledge base available to select and specify tailor-

'The Hempel Group has had

the current plant is"only the beginning.

"Hemoel intends to increase production by three-fold and

southern part of Africa.

The SEA region has during the past five years more than tripled its turnover and acts as

The Hempel Corporate

Prince Joachim brushing the Lion's eye before the opening - of course using the paint from Hempel's new factory.

Photo: EastWest-PR Hempel hosted a luncheon all the guests after the opening of the factory.

Photo: EastWest-PR

for

Head office is located in Denmark. Today, The Hempel Group is represented in more than 90

countries worldwide creating more than 90% of its turnover outside of Denmark.

Today, Hempel protects one out of every five ships and one out of every three containers, at any given point of time in the world. lt also has a global presence for heavy-duty industrial coatings for oil and gas installations, pipelines, petrochemical complexes, nf rastructu ral f acilities, power plants, tank farms, windmills and any other relevant steel structures. i

dian sub-continent and the

t3

le Madsen, owner of Scaneast Co., Ltd. on the 18th of March celebrated his debut on the market for computer software with the launch of a new own-develooed product for online auctions - indeed a remarkable shift in business direction for a man, who has for over 30 years had his strength in steel trading.

The launch day was auspicious. lt was also Ole Madsen's 60 year birthday, which started with a surprise breakfast party 7:30 at his and Jaana Kopra's home on a quiet lane off Bangkok's busy Sukhumvit Road.

Ole Madsen first came to Thailand in 1966. "l arrived Bangkok by plane on 14 May 1966. I still remember how incredibly hot I thought it was on that very first day," Ole Madsen recalls.

For the next four years, Ole Madsen worked for SGS all over Thailand, inspecting and verifying among others oiltanks wnere

his Thai staff would lower him

ties was covering the Canton Fair held two times per year, where most everything going in and out of China was traded.

"The fair would start with two days in Hong Kong at the Mandarin Hotel, waiting for the visa to be granted. Then we would go by the Star Ferry across to the Kowloon train station, two coolies from the hotel, would carry our trunks, radio, some food and some bottles of booze

strung up on a bamboo pole from the hotel to the station. The lower deck of the Star Ferry was

exclusively for coolis carrying goods in those days, a sight not seen today. The train would take us up to Canton, where most of the foreign traders were required

to stay at Tung Fang Hotel - the

only decent option available," Ole Madsen recalls. "lt was a practical arrangement for the Chinese, because all communication with our clients was done by telex. To send it, you had to type the tape and hand it to the telex operator, and

down inside the tank.

Then in 1970 he set uo his own company called Madsen

the negotiations always knew

Ltd. Partnership. The partner

had to negotiate for about fifteen

was his friend Morup, who was at the time a consultant for Siam Cement. The business idea was to trade in mineral ore, especially tungsten, fluoride and antimony.

Later, when the new Thai business law was introduced in

'1972, this partnership was transformed into his current company

Scaneast Co., Ltd. with the required 51 percent Thai shareholding.

From 1970 to 75 one of Ole Madsen's major business activi-

somehow our counteroarts in

kapok, rice, sugar, and coffee.

Trading in steel - today his main business activity in terms of volume - was added in 1972.

From trading in rice, it was a natural move for Scaneast to start trading in machinery for rice

mills too. Less obvious was Ole Madsen's move into the freezer

business.

"We were for many years the

agent for the Swedish freezing equipment manufacturer Frigo Scandia. When we started, there was only one freezer installed in all of Thailand. lt was a good business. Most of the freezing plants you'll find today in all the seafood factories and chicken processing plants of the CP Group are for instance sold by us," Ole Madsen says.

But when Frigo Scandia was taken over by the American com-

pany FMC, all contracts with agents world wide were cancelled. In Thailand, FMC also took over Ole Madsen's staff.

New winds were also blowing within the markets for most of the

pany," he explains. As the broker between the Ukrainian steel company and the Asian steel mill

clients, it is the job of Scaneast to obtain the orders and solve any problems related to the delivery of the steel to the client.

"We sell and deliver about 70,000 tons of steel billets or slabs every month to most of the steel mills in Thailand." Ole Madsen says.

"As for scrap we currently sell around 300,000 tons per a year."

When the customer has placed his order, a vessel is chartered to transport the steel from Ukraine to Koh Si Chang.

Here, the cargo is loaded onto barges, which takes it up the river to the steel mills.

Ole Madsen's move into software started with a project in

2000 to launch one of the first ever e-commerce portals on the

Internet for trading in metals, called MetalMerge.

"My partners were a Greek and a Russian, and we thought we were going to make loads of money. The idea was good, but

agricultural commodities. The use of jute for bags and carpet backing declined with the intro-

the software available simply

days, until on the last day we

duction of nylon. The demand for kapok disappeared when rubber

could eventually close the deal."

foam was introduced. Rice

didn't work. Nobody could find out how to fill in all the informa-

where our limits were. Still we

As early as in 1972, Ole Madsen also had a chance to visit Beijing.

"l didn't get any business done, but it was very interesting to get a first hand impression of China at that time, whicn was during the years of the Cultural Revolution."

Ole Madsen early on diversified from mineral ore into agricultural commodities like iute.

started at an early stage to be traded directly without the need of brokers.

Steel remained, however, a good business. While 90 percent of brokers elsewhere in the world

closed down during the 90's, Ole

Madsen has remained firmly in business.

"We saw the development coming, and hooked oursetves up with a large Ukrainian com-

tion the system required. You have to remember that what you

are up against, is the time it takes to make a telephone call!

"The software people promised improvements and never delivered. We never had a customer who could use the software - and today the website is mainly a news site for market information."

By the time Ole Madsen pulled out of the project in Au-

Ole Celebrated In

the morning, Ole Madsen's birthday was marked

by a breakfast in his home for some thirty friends. In the evening, a splendid dinner was serued for more friends at the Pacific City Club with speeches and

musical performances.

Before dinner was seryed, all guests gathered at the main stairs for a group photo to commemorate the day.

14

gust 2001, he found himself

clock starts ticking, there is a real

stuck with a lot of computer hardware, a database with 7000 customers within bulk commodities, and a handful of lT people and

incentive

thought of how best to put the stuff to work.

"When we had been shopping around for the auction system for MetalMerge, we were always presented with demos, never an implemented system, so you never really knew, how it

worked in practice. And they charged to the tune of 130,000 dollars for their programs."

So Ole Madsen decided to set up his own software devel-

opment company

-

to re-calculate your

profit margin and move down/up

with them."

And as there is no room for private dealing, owners no longer need to wonder how their purchase manager's minor wife suddenly can afford a new car.

When Ole Madsen met his

wife Jaana, his first wife had three years before moved back to Denmark with their four children, two girls and two boys, who were all born during Ole Madsen's first six years in Bangkok.

"We met on the day after my

called

40 year birthday - in Patpong -

Onlisys.com, and the first program they would create, was

what it sounds.. lmean,

one he knew was in great demand: Afast and simple auction

Patpong..." Ole Madsen tries to explain.

program at a fraction of the cost he had been up against.

"You see, every Sunday there was a jazz band playing at the Napoleon, a restaurant

"lt should be a program, which people could download and try out themselves for seven days free of charge. And if they

decided to buy it, the price should be one tenth of the orice of the programs, we had been looking at!"

Real TimeAuction 1.0, which he launched on 18 March, took one year to be ready for marketing, but is still only priced at 10,000 dollars. lt takes two minutes to fill out the information needed to conduct an auction and invite your bidders. And once you have conducted one auction, you can keep it as a template for next time, and only

modify the few things which might have changed.

The program will easily pay for itself in reduced purchasing prices or higher sales prices.

The system doesn't

care

whether your requested best price is for pencils or animal feed.

"All the invited bidders who have logged in with each their unique password can see the

price move down/up as their competitors post their offers.

They don't know who is bidding, but as the last minutes on the

but it really wasn't anything like

there, and everybody used to go there to listen to jazz in the afternoon."

Jaana, who was in Bangkok

on vacation, has later frankly admitted that she first fell for the

tall Dane's handsome legs and deft dancing. When her vacation was over, she went back to Finland, but soon she came back to Bangkok to work as a tourist guide. Six years later, today 14 years ago, Jaana and Ole Madsen decided to get married.

When not spending his time with Jaana, Ole Madsen is known to be an active player in the golf section of the Scandinavian Society Siam, of which he was Chairman from 1995 to 1 996, and over the years he has also devoted much of his time to voluntary work within Rotary Bangkok South of which he was President from 1996 to 1997.

But also on this front, Ole Madsen seems to be ready for a major surprise move. "l had a chance to try Gokart

driving recently. lt is actually more fun than you might think. I have already decided to try to do some more of that in the future," he declares.

15

Business delegation to Vietnam

By Gregers Moller

n major Danish promotion is scheduled to take tA lplace in Vietnam from 1

3th to 21st of September 2003,

possibly headed by His Royal Highness Prince Henrik of Denmark who grew up in Vietnam during the years of French dominance.

The delegation willvisit both

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. lt is expected, that the participation of HRH Prince Henrik in the

arrangements will attract an added number of Vietnamese businessmen to the seminars and meetings which will take place during the week.

The organizers of the event are the Confederation of Danish Industries - Dl, the Danish Trade Council, the Royal Danish Embassy in Hanoi and other business associations in Denmark.

Focus will be on the traditional strong Danish export areas: Agriculture, Food production, Fisheries, Marine equipment, Environment and Energy.

The opening ceremony in Hanoi will take place on Monday 15 September. On Tuesday, the companies may have individual

business meetings while HRH Prince Henrik will lead companies within energy and environment to visit a water and sanitation project at Halong under the supervision of the Danish consultant company Kampsax and possibly also visit a Danish related company in Hai Phong.

The opening ceremony in Ho ww.bhl-bank.ch

Private Banking i BHF-BANK (Schweiz) Det ef ikke noget tilfalde, at nogle mennesker kommer hurtigere i m6l end andre. Vores kunder sat|er pris p6 vores ftemgangsmade; den er ikke ny, men den er succesrig.

Benyt Dem af chancen og proy os

-veksi

er vores m6l.

BHF-BANK (Schweiz) AG, Schuthau$trasse 6, CH-8027 Z0rich Tlt: +41 1 209 75 84, Fd: +41 1 28'l 06 35, E-Mait: tene.ioergensen@bhf.ch

t6

AG

Chi Minh City willtake place in the morning of Thursday 1 8 September. In the afternoon, a company visit to KMC Tapioca Starch Company will be included in the program as well as a visit to a

currently not yet selected company established with the support of the Private Sector facility of the Danish developmpnt cooperation agency, Danida.

The overall purpose of the promotional event is to facilitate contacts between Danish and Vietnamese businessmen and at a higher level than usually possible and in general strengthen the commercial relations between Denmark and Vietnam.

Another purpose is to increase the general perception among Danish companies of the

current business climate in Viet-

nam. Although the transition from a centrally planned economy to a market economy is not fully completed, the process initiated in 1986 has today come further than many Danes are aware. Onlyfew know, that in its 10 year plan for 2001-2010 the Vietnamese government estimates a doubling of the current BNP based on among others structural changes within agriculture, industry and the service sector.

Danish companies are also

not generally aware of the groMh in the Vietnamese import sector. Vietnam accounts today only for 2 percent of the Danish exports to the ASEM countries, but if the current trend continues,

Vietnam will develop into an important export market for Danish companies.

The promotion in September will include production of a brochure with a presentation of all participating companies which will be mailed to potential Vietnamese companies in order to organize match-making meetings between the Danish participants and potential clients or business partners in Vietnam.

Further information may be obtained from the Boyal Danish Embassy in Hanoi, 19 Dien Bien Phu, Hanoi, Vietnam, ph: +84 (4)

I

231 888, fax: +84 (4) 8 231 999, Website: http://www.dkvn.dk/ Email: hanamb@um.dk or Dl - Confederation of Danish

Industries, att. Mrs. Hanne

Ramstedt, email hra@di.dk

Gas pipes to offshore project

By Gregers Mpller

of the pipes are their flexibility.

Although they are based on sev-

KT Flexibles is currently

delivering three 250 meter flexible pipes to the West Seno gas production field off the east coast of Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of

eral layers of iron, other metals and plastic materials, the pipes are still flexible contrary to what seems oossible."

"But when connected to a 300 meter long tanker which is

Borneo.

moving up and down on the sur-

The pipes are so-called risers, pipes which will transport the gas from the bottom of the sea up through the water to an

face it will follow the move-

oil platform or a tanker.

The Danish-Nonruegian com-

pany is one of only three companies world wide specialized in

production of flexible pipelines and approved of by the major oil comoanies of the world.

The Danish company has been active for seven years but the lndonesian order is its first in South East Asia.

The pipes being delivered to Indonesia are relatively short compared to other pipes delivered by NKT Flexibles, which has delivered flexible flowlines of several kilometers. A flowline is a pipe rolled out on the seabed following the levels of the bottom of the sea and even turning around corners.

"The longest pipe we have

ments."

Producing the pipes in one piece is of impoftance not only to the price but also to the technical vulnerability of the pipe.

NKT Flexibles success depends primarily on how many new offshore oil and gas exploration projects are established world wide, secondarily on whether the company is able to match the specifications of each individual project.

During the past few years, where the orice on crude oil has generally been low, the exploration comoanies have been reluc-

tant to invest in new production fields. Consequently, the three main suppliers world wide have

fought fiercely for the few projects which have been tendered.

"For NKT Flexibles, our orders have for some years been

far lower than our production

delivered so far is a 7,4 kilometers long flowline laid down in the British oart of the North Sea. But we expect to break this record

capacity," Michael Hjorth admits.

"We have, however, recently

this spring when we will deliver a 10 inches flowline of more than 8 kilometers produced in one piece," explains Mr. Michael C. Hjorth, Managing Director of NKT Flexibles.

"The unioue characteristics

towards a lower demand level.

scrapped our growth strategy and instead geared our business With the rising level of oil explo-

ration activity expected for the coming few years, we thus stand a good chance of improving our bottom line profitability," he adds.

17

"We are here and we have the

More IFU projects in the pipeline

By Gregers Moller

I fU lffre Industrialization I Fund for Developing CounI tries) has currently a number

money," says Poul Weber who would like more companies to be aware of the benefits of having IFU as a profe s sional and " safe " investment Dartner

According to Poul Weber, companies who should look into the IFU option could for instance

be Danish companies with an

One project, which is cur-

idea they believe is feasible to realize in Thailand. But local Thai companies with a project they believe would benefit from being established together with a Danish joint venture partner may also be of interest.

rently maturing, is a Danish

"lf we believe in their idea,

manufacturer of smallwood oel-

we might help identifying a suit-

lets interested in producing

able paftner company in Den-

these pellets in Thailand based on compressed saw dust. These pellets should then be exported to Europe where the product al-

mark," he says

of new potential Danish-Thai joint ventures in the pipeline of which at least some are expected in the coming years to become a reality.

ready exists and is used for heat-

ing in both industry and private homes.

Other potential new companies to join the ranks of ThaiDanish enterprises in Thailand include a company interested in

producing electricity saving

"lt is important to keep

in

mind that we can only enter a project if there is a Danish company involved - but this Danish company does not necessarily have to be located by the Thai company in advance." lf IFU after a professional evaluation of the project should decide to enter as a shareholder in the new company, they never

equipment, a manufacturer of

invest more than the Danish

batteries, a manufacturer of proteins and more.

company itself and IFU has set 25 percent as its maximum level of involvement.

"We are here and we have the money," says Poul Weber

having IFU as a professional and

Even with a small equity share, having IFU as co-investor may, however, be of high value for the new joint venture

"safe" investment partner.

when seeking additional financ-

who would like more comoanies

to be aware of the benefits of

ing from banks or financial insti-

tutions as well as help open many doors in the market place when the company starts its op-

eration.

Another important added value is also IFU's contribution as a professional member of the

Board of Directors of the new company. In Thailand, this duty has for many years been performed by Poul Weber who has actively contributed to the development of these company based on his vast business exoerience

and local network.

IFU's first investment in Thailand was in a furniture factory in the early 70's. Since then, some

of the most prominent Danish companies in Thailand have at one point or other taken advantage of the facility. DZ Card, Pongpara Codan Rubber, Carls-

berg, EgmonV Nation Multimedia Group to mention but a few.

In all these companies, existing or new shareholders have since ourchased the shares initially held by lFU. "When a project is consolidated, usually after 6 -8 years, IFU will typically sell its shares in the company to release funds for new investments. When this

time comes, the existing partners in the project are normally given first right of refusal," Poul Weber explains.

Royal Scandinavia Thailand is currently IFU's largest investment in Thailand. The company was established in 1998 and today the company has 216 employees. A new factory building

oI 4,250 sq.m. is currently under construction, scheduled for opening in November this year.

Then the number of employees will be expanded to 450 skilled silvers and gold ware workers.

Another company in Thailand in which IFU currently has equity is Pena Dansk Tekstil Tryk. This Herning-based company has developed a special technique for printing on garments and has already affiliates in also India and Pakistan.

The most recent IFU investment in Thailand is Caretex. The company established last year a factory in Laem Chabang to produce liners for containers.

Liners are out inside containers and bulk goods are then filled in the liner instead of directly in the container to protect the goods and facilitate the cleaning of the container afteruvards.

I ll

t8

"We can provide very long and beneficia! loan agreements, l5 20 years, at vei'y competitive rates," says NIB's Regional Manager, Mr. Soren Kjaer Mortensen.

GPV Asia

-

total solutions and sourcing

GPV Asia (Thailand) Co., Ltd. is the headquarters for the GPV Group's activities in Asia and is an important part ol the GPV Global Sourcing & Contracting concept.

The company is specialised in high-quality production of Metal parls, Cabinets and Enclosures, High precision machined parts, Wire harnish, Electronic and Mechanical assembly Complete customer solutions.

The GPV Group is a knowledge based technology and outsourcing

NIB loans also available for small proiects

By Christer Nilsson

I I I

t you have got a great idea,

product or service and

the company to deliver it but lack the funds to make it all haopen maybe you should talkto the Nordic Investment Bank, NlB, a

low-key institution for Nordic companies doing business in Asia and elsewhere.

Loans to governments ac-

partner who focus on long term strategic partnerships The GPV Group has headquarters in Denmark and several factories in Denmark and other European countries as well as in Asia

GPV Asia capabilities: Mechanic production: Shearing, CNC punching, CNC Laser cutting,

Recently NIB got a request from the ministry of agriculture in Vietnam for a list of Nordic agribusiness companies. Prolect credits are available in a general

loan package from the NIB to

zations for the names. This

of projects the majority are in fact

to go straight to the potential

Nordic SMEs. "Contrary to what many believe, most NIB projects in the region are with small- and medium sized Nordic companies,"

buyer of your products or services and tell them that you exist. In Asia, this source is often a ministry or a government credit institute," he explains.

The bank's financing is limited to cover not more than 50

Manager, Mr. Soren Kjaer Mortensen based in Singapore.

How do / know if my compa ny may b ene fit fro m N/B cred-

its?

"You can either approach us

directly if you have a pafticular project with a local counterpart.

But you may also approach e.g. the ministry of finance or the ministry of planning and development in the target country directly. They should know us well,

as most of our loans go to state institutions that in turn dispatch funds for projects in earmarked segments."

oercent of the total cost of a project and NIB therefore seeks

complementary financing sources in order to orovide full financing of projects. NIB-loans are offered on competitive terms and with long maturities. NIB acouires the funds to finance its

tive rates."

total amount is around USD

1

as

well as single machines for:

.

Seafood Processing Ptocessing Poultry Processing

. Meat

. .

credit rating from the leading rating agencies. The bank's loans

international portfolio. Still, the

can offer you complete, tailormade processing

lines

dic countries, has AAA/aaa

and beneficial loan agreements,

20 years, at very competi-

'W'e

lending by borrowing in the international capital markets.

NlB, an international finance institution owned by the five Nor-

in Asia has decreased since 1997 as a share of NIB's total

-

-1,

shows how imooftant it can be

"We can provide very long 15

GPV Asia (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 291 Moo 4, Bangpoo Industrial Estate, Soi 6 Phraksa, Sukhumvit Road, Samutprakarn 10280, Thailand Fax (+66) 2709 2555 /'709 2564 Tel. (+66) 2709 2550 E-mail:.lar@gpv-asia.co.th Homepage: www.gpv.dk

Vietnam.

"But we cannot provide that kind of information, so we had to tell the Vietnamese to aoproach the Nordic embassies, chambers and business organi-

count for some 80 oercent of all NIB loans in Asia. But in terms

says NIB's Regional Danish

CNC bending, Stamping, Welding, CNC Machining, CNC Turning, CMM measuring, Powder painting, Printing, Electrical wiring and Full assembly of products.

Electronic production: Cable & Wire configuration, Wire harnish, Electronic assembly with automatic SMT line, Autoinsertion and manual lines, lC and FunctionTest, Complete Electronic and Electro-mechanic assembly.

R&D department with mechanic and electronic engineers.

Freezing 6r Thawing

Please contact us for more information.

carnit carnitsch

7 Carn

mltech u.s. +1(206) . +66 2 379 4200

rel

com ch NorgeAs +47 70 13 63 20

&

903

Y1

551

Billion.

19

Janni comes Allan Jensen used his education within dairy to become first an expert for FAO, then a top sales manager with Danish Turnkey Dairies and at one point he even established his own dairy in Thailand. Today, the former rock band drummer is first and foremost a devoted single father for his daughter Janni.

By Bjarne Wildau

he setting is the Danish restaurant Admiralen in the heart of Bangkok's most well-known business street Sukhumvit Road. I have an ap-

oointment to interview Allan Jensen, today Managing Director of APV (Thailand) Ltc. Years ago, when I first met Allan Jensen, I wrote about his background as a drummer in the Danish rock band Sundanes.

And about his new life as owner

of a Danish dairy in Thailand which none other than Danish Prime Minister at the time, Poul Schluter, came out to break the ground for.

Watching the entrance with a cold beer from the balcony of the restaurant I see him coming and a few second later he joins me. He is certainly bigger but also looks happierthan I remember him. Although I know he likes most good things in life, this afternoon he orders a glass of mineral water.

"Anything wrong?" I inquire.

fifteenth call was from his daugh-

to spot the professional and

all the rest. What did come as

ter Janni. When I interviewed

down-to-earth young Dane.

an unpleasant surprise was,

Allan last time, I stayed over in his home in Muak Lek where I enjoyed playing with his then five year old daughter. He was at that time engaged in a legal battle in

a Thai court to get the custody over Janni whose Thai mother

he had met after he was divorced from his first wife from Denmark.

"So you won the custody?" I asked him when he hung up.

"Yes. Luckily ldid!"

Over the next few minutes he revisits the time which is today mainly just memories of a tough past.

of minor dairies were estab-

than just producing the best milk.

lished in the vicinity of the Danish project. "l sold most of these dairies with the support of the other staff

in the organisation. Selling a dairy is never something you do alone - it's a team work," Allan says. "lt was a very special time. rememberwalking around in my I

ments, supermarket promotions

After a few years, there was a period where the ownership of

the dairy changed hands a couple of times. Still, Allan Jensen remained as the manager of the plant he had built himself.

The turning point came when

the multinational food company Nestle in 1996 bought the dairy "Nestle had already six dairies in Thailand at the time. Of

education in Denmark. When

I

wanted to invest in my dairy. But

during the court battle where her

came in the morning I would

with their multinational set-uo

mother kidnapped her, which

greet them with a Danish" God-

was the worst. lt stopped, however, when I had the police patrol the street out side my house a couple of times each day."

Allan Jensen's first posting

morgen, hvordan ster det til "and they would greet me back in

and orofit orientation there was really no room for someone like me who had become used to run things my own way."

"When they started saying " We appreciate your comments "l knew it was time to leave," he jokes.

That was when Allan received one of those phone calls

abroad was in Bangladesh.

Later he moved to the Philip-

dairy industry could be put to

20

- it all seemed more imponant

doubt that I would eventually win

"l entertain clients typically

Allan's mobile phone, when the

Bangkok. As the farmers developed in the area, soon a cluster

Thailand had been established

the case. lt was the few times

pines working for FAO and other countries in the region where his specialty in establishing a local

Twenty minutes later, I believe we must have been interrupted about founeen times by

in the 60's in Muak Lek north of

however, how brand name focussed the Thai market place was. Marketing, TV advertise-

in

wooden clogs from Denmark. So did many of the Thai dairy technicians who had mostly had their

"l was basically never in

"Nothing. ljust need a break.

Slow down and slim down," he says.

two or three times a week and it often becomes a rorigh ride. So frankly I enjoy plain water."

The first Danish dairy

gooo use.

Most of the equipment for the new dairy plants, he helped establish, came from the Danish company Pasilac. So when Pasilac one day needed a sales enoineer it wasn't hard for them

some Danish country-side dialect."

All the dairies he solfl made

good money for the owners.

There was plenty of milk of high quality available and the con-

sumer market was growing.

When Pasilac eventually was sold to the British APV, Allan

course I was proud that they

Jensen thought it was time for him to sell his last dairy - or so

which mysteriously always seem to come at the right time. lt was from his old company APV who had in the meantime been ac-

at last he thought - to himself and

quired by a larger corporation

investors and stan up on his own.

He had no problems producing a milk of a higher quality than

and was now named Invensys. "l ended up getting my former job back - only in a larger organization and with a new,

a group of

"We all run around being so busl' achieving a lot oJ

things which vve think are impo rtant. Br,tt rtotlting really cornpares to rhe importance and feeLings v,c have for our chilclren," say,s

Allan Jensen, who

w-a.s

aw*arded cLtstoth, over

his daughter Janni afier ct lengthy court battle v'ith

her Thai mother.

wide variety of products. We were not only to sell dairies, but

also plants for juice, tomato

create this line of thinking?"

We had left Admiralen and by the time he had told me about this incident, we had arrived at the pub Check In. Here Allan was - as it turned out - in fact also one of the shareholders.

It took the manager about five seconds to notice that Allan had arrived. She came up to him and stafted telling him about the lousy blues band, which had not

even finished unpacking their gear.

ketchup, breweries, condensed

"We'll have to do something

milk."

Ifvou are a shareholder in a Thai company, you can frnally get a proper certificate ofyour shareholding.

Recognized by the Thai authorities, the document states the [ull amount of shares and the number of

whichyou

Allan Jensen now moved to

about that," answered Allan

these shares,

Bangkok with his daughter Janni

Jensen.

Looking around he notices, that the ship owner he was supposed to meet tonight had not arrived yet. So he turns to the manager. They look at each other and in a split second they agree: Let's take a game of balut

hold, certified by the seal and signature of the

and a young girl he met while fighting the battle for custody over Janni. Today, she is however no longer staying with Allan

and Janni. He had encouraged her to take and education, and when she eventually graduated she felt ready for having a child of her own. When Allan had to say, that he wasn't, she decided to leave him to try to realize her dream of a family of her own.

"Children are so important," he reflects.

"We all run around being so busy achieving a lot of things which we think are important.

But nothing really compares to the impoftance and feelings we have for our children." "l rememberwhen we moved to Bangkok and I took Janni out to see a new international school

which I had been recommended.

We looked around and when

I

asked her if she liked it, she said

yes. We were sitting in the car on our way back, when she quietly said "Dad, I know it's a very expensive school. But l'll do my very best. I promise."

Allan Jensen freely admits that a tear welled up in his eyes.

"She was so young - just a child. Where in her mind did she

while waiting. Soon the dice were rolling and girls were hanging over his shoulders to cheer on the game.

Stunned by the complete change of setting I am watching in amazement this man efforllessly being both a serious businessman, a deeply devoted fa-

day, plus transponation, and

",:.'

-

comPany.

..,_

,.

.

If you are a Thai company

with foreign shareholders we suggestyou issue this certificate to all your shareholders, giving them a comfortable proof of their shareholding in the

.,'-,,

i: : j:

,-... "' .,,

comPany.

ther, and a fun-loving balut player waiting for this ship owner, who is late - and all at the same time.

When I resumed ourconversation, I asked him what his plans were for the future "l'll slow down when I turn 55.

That's in another four years. Today lwork at least'10 hours per

.

'

*-:. tt"'.-t'

t:'

' t''

'

t' .

'-'.

Place

your order by

email

to

shares@ scandrnedia.com

or by fax to Scand-Media Corp., Ltd.,.. .i:ii +66 (0) 29437166

I

' _., ' -'

am not going to do that forever.

-'ar--.,

It doesn't mean that l'll stoo working altogether, though." "l just don't want to rush out every morning. And maybe lcan stay a little longer in the summertime in our summer house on Samsg."

(Per certificate, only 120 Baht)

21

I

Which school to select is likely to be the single most important question for all Danes with children moving to or living in Thailand.

electing an appropriate school for ones children is one of the most imPor-

tant tasks expatriate Parents face. In this issue of Thai-Danish Trade News we Present an updated listing of some of thee

main international schools in

Thailand. Several of these schools are currently renovating their campus or even building a new camous.

The fee has been listed as

the first information for all the schools because moneY matters, no matter how much we love our children.

But many other factors are at work. Experienced "school shoppers" suggest that you talk to other oarents. visit the selected schools, consider Your " guts feeling" and most importantly talk to your children. Professional help is also available

as mentioned in the adicle on page 32.

Number of Scandinavian students: 5 Percentage of Thai students:

48% Year of Establishment: 1 997 Contact Detail: 158i 1 Moo 3,

Hang Dong-Samoeng Road, Hang Dong, Chiang Mai 50230 Tel: 053 365 303, 053 365 305 Fax: 053 365 304 www.apacinter.com apinter@cm.ksc.co.th

Baht for full boarding and tuition.

Facilities: ComPuter lab, library, science labs,25 M swimming pool, football pitch, gYmnasium, 500-seat auditorium, pottery kiln, darkroom, dance studio, fitness centqr, dining hall,

boys' & girls' dormitories, Home stay house (Gr. 1-5); 3 tennis PlaY-

ground, infirmary.

Number of students: 120 Curriculum: American with

Percentage of Thai students:

40% Year of Establishment: 1983

Contact detail: Sukhumvit 49-3 Bangkok 10110 Tel: (662) 662-4900 Fax: (662) 261-0330 info@asb.th.edu or 900 Bangna-Trad KM. 15, Bang-

plee, Samutprakarn 1 0540 Tel: (662) 312-5660 Fax: (662) 312-5797 info@asb.th.edu

Bangkok Patana School Fees/ year: 264,000 THB (nursery) to 432,000 THB (senior stu-

dents)

Baht. ESL and Boarding addi-

Fees/ year: 390,000- 440,000

22

ment courses offered Languages: Language of instruction is English (Thai, Mandarin and Japanese are also offered)

The Anneriean School of Bangkok Fees/ year: 94,800 to 160,600

American Pacific lnternational School

courts, driving range,

US college Advanced Place-

tional charge.

Facilities: Golf, Swimming, Soccer, Basketball, VolleYball, Music. Drama. Tennis and Art Classes Number of students: 500 Curriculum: American Curriculum

Languages: English, American, French, Chinese, Japanese Thai Language, and Thai Culture.

Number of Scandinavian students: 57

Facilities: Extensive, Purpose-built 108-rai camPus with

full technology, sports, librarY, perlorming and creative arts facilities.

Number of students: 1940

Khanong, Bangkok 10260 Tel: 02 398 0200, 02 399 3175 Fax:02 399 3179 Website: www.patana.ac.th Email: registrar@ patana.ac.th

Dulwich International Gollege Fees/ year: Annual tuition fees range from 135,000 THB for Kin-

dergarten to 330,000 THB for

year 13. Annual boarding fees

(available from year

4\ are

189,000 THB.

Facilities: Fully networked campus, including all classrooms and boarding houses: state-of-the-ar1 computing facilities with multimedia computers; well-resourced Science laboratories; fully-equipped Design & Technology unit: Music dePadment with practice rooms; large art studio and photograPhY labo-

ratory; extensive library and re-

Curriculum: UK National curriculum, IGCSE/GCSE, lB

source center; multi-purPose Auditorium; ESL and learning suP-

Language: English as in-

port units; Olympic-size swimming pool; 1600 sq.m. indoor sports hall; extensive PlaYing fields; English Summer School and Sports & Adventure CamP

struction language. Other languages in classes.

Number of Scandinavian students: 57 Percentage of Thai students:

19%

in April and July.

Number of students: 700

Curriculum: DIC delivers a

Year of Establishment: 1957 Contact detail: 2/38 Soi La

British and I nternational curricu-

Salle, Sukhumvit 105, Phra

lum in the English language to

I

I children of all nations from 18 months to 18 years, from preschool to pre-university, with external examinations being of-

fered in lB, IGCSE, GCSE, ABRSM and ClT. Language of tuition: English

Number of Scandinavian

Contact detail:

28912

Naradhiwas Rajanakarindra Soi

24, Chongnonsee, Yannawa, Bangkok, Thailand 10120 Tel: (+66) 26720123 Fax: (+66) 26720127 wwwharrowschool.ac.th his @ harrowschool.ac.th

Herlufsholm Kostskole en dansk skole med international og akademisk atmosftere

-

students:14 Percentage of Thai students:

50/" Year of Establishment: 1996 Contact details: 59 Moo 2, Thepkassatri Road, Koh Kaew,

Muang, Phuket 83200 Tel: 02 51 2 0466-7. 07 6 238

711

Fax:02 512 0468. 076238750 www.dulwich-phu ket.com @ dulwichphuket.com gdewey@dulwich.ac.th

info

Grace lnternational School Fees/ year:

lnternational Community School Fees/ year: 199,000 THB 213,700 THB 233,700 THB

K-5 6-8 9-12

Facilities: Meet WASC Standards.

Number of students: 479 Curriculum: American College Prep.

Language they teach in at school: English, Thai, Spanish

Number of Scandinavian students: None at the present time.

Average time their teachers

6-8

57,200 95,700 103,400

9-11 12

111,100 115,100

years: 4.2 years

K

1-5

Facilities: 270 Fl. pool K-12

have worked at this school

-

I

Percentage of Thai students: Year of Establishment: 1991 Contact 72 Soi Sribhumpen,

squash, tennis, basketball, and volleyball courls Number of students: 283 Curriculum: US Language of tuition: English

Rama lV Road, Sathon, Bang-

- det gsr en forskel!

kok 10120.

Tel:02 6797175-7

Fax:02287 4530 www.icsbangkok.com icsbkk @ loxinfo.co.th

KoNrlxr os

students: 8 Percentage of Thai students: 1',t%

Year of Establishment: 1999

Contact detail: 178/832 Moo 7, Chiang Mai-Hod Road, Hang Dong, Chiang Mai50230.

Tel:053 442185-6 Fax: 053 442 189

lnternational School Bangkok (lSBl Fees/ year:

RegistrationFee 200,000

Fee (KG-Gs) (G6-8) (Ge-12)

Annual Tuition Feelyear

44e,2o0

358,500 Baht, Boarding extra

60,000 + books, Videos, CDs Bookstore with Post Otfice, 158 campus-side classroom/ communal areas Media Monitors, 8 Workstations-Rolling Tech Cen-

Facilities: Full modern ber ECIS Number of students: 763

Curriculum: UK. Exams: IGCSE. A/S and A LEVEL

Language: English, Mandarin, Japanese, French, Thai Percentage of Thai students:

braries/ Media Centers with

ters/ digital video and VHS/ video, 850 computers-8 fullsized labs, 7 mini labs Music Tech. Lab, Kodak Photography Lab with Darkroom, Animation and 3 D Design/ Graphics Lab,

60% Year of Establishment: 1998

www.herlufsholn.dk

4o4,20o 440,000

Facilities: 750- seat Unocal Theatre and Exhibition Hall,2 Li-

school facilities. Associate Mem-

sA suNosn vr TNFoRMATIoNSMATERTALE OM KOSTSKOLEN OG VORES TJDDANNELSER. Bnsoc os pA sxor,rN rt,rsn pA INTERNETTET:

-

70,000

Harrow International School Fees/ year: Tuition - 244,115231,000-255,000 Baht

PA det dannelsesmessige omrAde

45"/"

Classrooms Tech Ed room Sports Complex - including

Number of Scandinavian

Herlufsholm Skole er mere end en uddannelsesinstitution.

Vi bestreber os pA at vere en skole, der gor en forskel for eleverne - pl alle livets omrAder - bAde nu og i fremtiden : I PA det akademiske og intellektuelle omrilde I Pl det ekskascolare omrAde

Hr,nrursxouvr Gudlsgt

4700

1565

Nestved

www.herluBholm.dk Skolens kontor: Tlf.55 75 35 00 . Fax 55 75 35 14

e-mail: rektorkontor@herluJsholm. dk Rektor privat: Tlf. 55 75 35 25 . Fax 55 75 35 26

continued on pg. 24

23

continued from pg. 23

Cisco Computer Networklng Lab, Science Labs, 2 Prlnt Bangkok Patana has a

solid background in serving the foreign c ommunitie s in Thailand.

The school was established 45 years ago and has

grown c onsiderably ye ar by year with an increasing number of students. This year among others 57 S

candinavian students.

Shops, Thai-style Multipurpose Building with internet acce88 Teacher Housing, Sushi Bar and

Sandwich Hut, 2 CafeteriaaAsian and Western selections In both Number of students: 1800 Curriculum: Americani Inter-

national Based Language they teach in at school: English

Number of Scandinavian students: 48 Percentage of Thai students: 20o/"

Patana r a popular Scandinavian choice in school and we encourage stu-

By Watanya C. angkok Pattana School seems to keep its position as one of the most preferred schools for the Scandinavian community in Thailand.

"This year, we have 57 Scan-

dinavian students," says headmaster Dr. Paul Beresford Hill.

"They're hard working and have very good language skills.

They usually pick up English very quickly. They do very well. lf possible, we would ceftainly

like to have more," says

Dr.

Beresford Hill.

Bangkok Patana has a solid background in serving the foreign communities in Thailand.

The school was established 45 years ago and has grown considerably year by year with an increasing number of students. "l believe one of our attractions is that we follow the British national curriculum. Combined with the broad cultural mix of our students we offer a high aca-

dents to speak English among each other. Many parents feel comfortable with this."

What are the nationalities of the other students?

"We have many French, Chi-

nese, Japanese, Spanish, Thai and German students. Some years ago we hired a teacher to teach German language after school primarily to the German students. lt was not a big group.

But then more students joined in and today we have a German teacher permanently employed

at the school. In the future, if

there should be students

enough interested in a special Scandinavian language class, we could do the same thing."

In cooperation with the par-

ents, the school is also known

demic standard. We tend to

for its many extra-curricular activities.

"We try to find themes that fit most students. Lately we arranged a National Day where each group of students repre-

speak English most of the time

sented their own nationalitv.

24

Then we invited the parents to a big buffet, where each group

orovided their own traditional food and all were dressed up fol-

lowing their own national traditions. A few years ago we had another interesting event, a Viking day. For 4-5 weeks leading up to this event all classes studied, researched, did artworks, wrote essays etc. all about the Vikings. Then on the Viking Day, we all dressed up like Vikings

and had traditional "Viking FOOO"."

Dr. Paul Beresford Hill be-

Year of Establishment:

Fax: 02 583 5432 www.isb.ac.th isbadmit @ isb.ac,th

International School Eastern Seaboard Fees/ year:

Pre-K3 Pre-K4

161,200 THB

197,600THB Kindergarten-Grade 5

Grade 6-8 Grade

9-12

332,800TH8 364,000TH8 384,800THB

Facilities: 36 air-conditioned classrooms, 4 science labs, 2 computer labs, 2 music rooms,

2 libraries, ESL center, auditorium/ cafeteria, 2 covered gyms.

Number of students: 300 Curriculum: American

Language they teach in at school: English

our job well they are not just ready to become world citizens - they should also have a high level of understanding and re-

Tel: 038 345 556-9 Fax:038 345 156

adds.

951

Nichada Thani, Samakee Road, Pak Kret, Nonthaburi 11120.

Tel: 02 963 5800

lieves students graduating from Bangkok Pattana are more than just well prepared for a higher education.

"We would naturally like to see them continue to universities. They are able to work independently and usually very self confident. But if we have done

spect for other cultures," he

1

Contact detail: 39/7 Sol

Number of Scandinavian students: 30 Percentage of Thai students: 17"/"

Year of Establishment: 1994 Contact delail:282 Moo 5,

Bowin Sub-district, Si Racha District, Chon Buri 20230.

wwwise.ac.th ise@ loxinfo.co.th

continued on pg. 26

BAI\GKOKPru

SCHOOL PT\TA

N

T\

continued Jrom pg. 24

New International School of Thailand (NrsT) Fees/ year: Annual tuition fees range from Bt 204,200 (Early Years)- Bt 392,400 (Senior Students) Facilities: 22 rai ot land lust off Sukhumvit Road in the heart of Bangkok, including 80 classrooms, gymnasia, resource centre, auditorium, information tech-

nology laboratories, science,

technology, art, music and The huge internatktnal sport center (ubove) and tlrc new Early Years Center (lefi) i.s a major Leap lbrward.for ltlew Inte rnational

Sc

hool Thailand ( l{lST).

drama facilities.

Number of students: 1250

Curriculum: Fully international and independent of any one country's education system.

International Baccalaureate (Primary Years, Middle Years and

Diploma programmes) and

New Sport Center and Early Years Center opened

IGCSE

Language they teach in at school: English. Additional languages offered include Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Mandarin, Korean, Spanish and French (other European languages are offered based on demand).

Number of Scandinavian students: 36 Percentage of Thai students:

30% Year of Establishment: 1992

By Watanya C.

the brand new gymnasium

the most imponant. Apart from basic knowledge taught in the

moved in and obviously enjoy

ew nternational School

which is very popular also for ac-

class room, students are re-

Thailand (NIST) last

tivities after school. The old

quired to engage in community services already in the middle years program to. This is in line

I

month inaugurated two

soorls facilities have been reas-

of the projects within its the am-

signed and are today used

bitious campus expansion

drama oroduction.

programme launched two years ago, a new Spotts Center and a Early Years Center.

The huge international spotl center was presented to ThaiDanish Trade News by Deputy Headmaster Ms. Anne Fowles.

It consists of three basketball courts, two tennis courts, a multipurpose room, a weight training room, a table tennis area, a climbing wall area, an aerobic

The second project is the Early Years Center for preschool children which among

room and a first aid room. In-

dents to NIST, Ms. Anne confirms that the school will main-

deed a big leap forward for NIST

and a major asset in its intense competition against other international schools in Thailand.

The students have already

26

others has and outdoor learning area with a splash pool.

Stillto be comoleted is a 4storey canteen with air condition,

an 75O-seat-auditorium and renovation of the existing 80 ctassrooms.

Although the new facilities will certainly attract more stu-

with the philosophy of the school that knowledge is not only to be

found in books but also in the surrounding society. NIST also emphasizes teaching students to be the better learners, prob-

lem solvers and independent thinkers.

For students at all levels, NIST offers to arrange for special tuition in Danish or any other mother tongue of their students.

For students choosing to graduate with International Baccalau-

tain its current limited amount of students in each class after the

reate (lB), students may even choose Danish as their "high level" language if they feel this

new campus is completed be-

will be more to their benefit than

cause the quality of education is

English.

Contact detail: 36 Sukhum-

vit Soi 15, Wattana, Bangkok 10110. Tel: 022533751

Fax:02 253 3800 www.nist.ac.th admissions @ nist.ac.th

Phuket lnternational School Fees/ year: 3-4 6+

3,300 $ 4,000 $ 6,200 $

Facilities: 10 classroom, library, sports fields, cafeteria

Number of students: 40 Curriculum: American Language they teach in at school: English

Number of Scandinavian students:

1

Percentage of Thai students:

507"

t'ontintred on ns. 28

?a;_ r:i::i:

A trulv int ernational edu cation J

'We

-I-h" New International School I oi Thailand offers a truly

the world.

international education to culturally diverse students aged 5 to 18.

and skills that will allow success in lifelong education.

NIST is independent of

For further information call NIST on 02-651 2065 or visit our

national systems, but incorporates the best in education from around

strive to achieve

the academic exceller'rce, attitudes

website at ww-w'nist.ac.th

Nerv International School of Thailand Itst. 1992 . United Nations - related . Accredited bv ECIS & NEASC 56 Sukhtrrnvit S,ri

l5

W;rt(;rrr;r l|,,,rgl.,rl. l0l l0 . Thailand. Ph: (+662) 6512065.Fax: (+662) 2533800.email: nist@nist.ac.th

continued from pg. 26

Year of Establishment: 2000-

2001

Contact detail: 81/4 Moo 4, Chaleomprakiet Road, Katoo, Phuket 8321 0.

Tel: 076 354 076 Fax: 076 354 077

The dining hall and prima ry,school buildin g of the new Harrow campus near Don Muang wilL be completed in

Prem Tinsulanonda lnternational School Fees/ year: 150,000 - 290,000 THB tuition fee 200,000 THB

April and the whole complex wiLl be ready bt, the end ofJune.

Harrow building its second campus near the airport fter over four years of

rapid growth at

its

present central-city site,

Harrow International School, Bangkok is now moving into its new phase of development with the construction of its own purpose-built campus on 76 acres in close proximity to the Bangkok International Airport (Don Muang).

The school's new, spacious

Asia Ltd. in Bangkok. The company currently operates, in association with Harrow School in London, an international cam-

their academic and social develooment and takes them for PSE. The School maintains a policy of recruiting high quality staff, pre-

ous on Narathiwat Ratcha-

dominantly British, from posts both in the UK and from other

campus will include specialist

nakarin Road, which opened in 1998. With 768 students currently enrolled lrom 27 different nationalities, the school is diversb community with a strong participation from the host community of Thailand.

Harrow School was founded

science, library, technology, per-

in England in 1572 under

a Royal Charter granted by Queen

National Curriculum, which fuS and A Level. Students study

completion in September this

Elizabeth 1 to her beloved subject, John Lyon. Since 1889,

year, the construction continues

twenty-three Princes of the

Mathematics and Science and in

to progress much ahead of

Royal House of Thailand have

addition, Modern Languages,

schedule.

The end of April will see the dining hall and primary school building completed, followed by the science laboratory building,

graduated from Harrow School, including Prince Mahidol, father of His Majesty The King.

In Thailand, Harrow International School was established and gained its license to operate in Thailand in 1998.

The school offers a comorehensive extra-curricular and activities programme in which all students are involved. Students

Thai Language and Culture, Information and Communications Technology, Computing, His-

forming and fine arts, sponing and residential facilities. Due for

main building and boarding house that should be completely build at the end of May. Completion of the soort hall. clock tower

and covered walkway are expected by the end of June.

The new camous is the second school of UK-based Harrow

work under the guidance of a oersonal Tutor who monitors

international schools.

The school's 86 full-time and 9 par-time faculty members, pre-

dominantly British, are led by Headmaster Dr. Mark Hensman.

Teaching and learning at the school is based on the English leads to qualifications in IGCSE,

the core subjects of English,

tory, Geography, Music, Art, Drama, Business Studies, and Physical Education.

From the age of 9, students are taught in specialist classrooms. All students are expected

to be fluent in English and support within and alongside the curriculum is available to EAL

boarding fee Facilities: The 90 acre campus offers space to learn, to grow and to play. Air - conditioned on-line classrooms, auditorium, amphitheater, aft gallery, music rooms, large gymnasium, Olympic size swimming pool, tennis, basketball and squash courts, athletics track and football field, all enrich classroom lessons, as well as the daily after school activities program.

The multi-media Library provides a 7 day resource centerfor day as well as for boarding stu-

dents. Computer Laboratory, P.C's. audio-visual room. seruice center, top quality book and pe-

riodical collections, and electronic library, all contribute to the Library's central role as the research heart of the school. lt can be accessed on-line from classrooms and from boarding apartments. Boarding in two bed

roomed en suite apartments each with kitchenette and on-line study lounge.

Number of students: 120 riculum: lnternational Bacca-

laureate Language they teach in at school: English

Number of Scandinavian students: 5 Percentage of Thai students:

18% Year of Establishment: 2001

Contact detail:

234 Moo 3, Huay Sai Sub-district, Mae Rim district, Chiang Mai 501 80

Tel:053 301 500-6 Fax:053 301 507 www.premcenter.org enquiry @ premcenter.org

students.

continued on pg. 30

28

.ir;

'*

ri{.

.,:;li"'

l;ri; iir :lililj lt:1ri Ii'its (]. rir irir.li\ irrrir,lii:,1: lrirli:,i,ii!

tfirittrii;',c i-]:iii,r,i l:lirr|::i

L-olil3.r

HARROW INTERNATIONAI- SC]HOOL I]AN(JKOK

continuedfrom pg. 28

school: English

Rarnkharnhaeng F,dventist lnternational $ehool

students: None

Number of Scandinavlan

British education at one ofAsia'sfinest day andboarding schools

boarding program... Safe, beautifully landscaped carnpus...From 18 months to 18 years old...Nursery to Year 13...IGCSE and

IB...Small class sizes...Boarding from 9 years old...

guage) 15,000THB

8

Department...Superb resources and facilities...Active, caring

only 80 minutes fi'om Bangkok!

8

Book Deposit (Refundable) 10,000 THB Facilities: 2 fully air-conditioned 4- storey building, auditorium, library, swimming pool, cafeteria, snack bar, science lab,

Sports & Adventure Camps, English Summer Schools

annually every April and July Join us for the Experience of a Lifetime!!

basketball courts, soccer field, health clinic, bookroom. On progress - 6 storey building Number of students: 450 Curriculum: Norlh American Adventist Curriculum Language they teach in at school: English

Number of Scandinavian students: 2 Percentage of Thai students: 74o/o

Year of Establishment: 1999

Contact detail: 643/6 Soi Ramkhamhaeng 119 Hua Mar, Bang kapi, Bangkok 10240.

Tel:02 370 0316-7 Fax'. 02370 0793 rais @ access.inet.co.th

Rasami lnternational School Fees/ year:

Pre-K K1-2 Year 1- 6 Year 7-9

45,000 THB/ term 55,000 THB/ term 73,000 THB/ term 80,000 THB/ term Year 10-13 83,000 THB/ term Facilities: The school is located in a large modern building. lt has a traditional Thai pa-

vilion, Swimming Pool, well equipped Library, Basketball Couft, Music Room, D.T. studio, science Lab, Access to a 5 hectares playing field.

Number of students: 95 Curriculum: National curriculum of England and Wales enriched with Thai language, music and culture, which caters for children f rom Pre-Kinderganen to Year 13 (aged 2-16).

Language they teach in at

30

Year of Establishment: 1994

Fees/ year:

Registration (New Students) 10,000 THB Tuition (per year) K2- Grade 70,000 THB Grade 9 80,000 THB EFL (English as a Foreign Language) 90,000 THB General Fees (per year) K2- Grade 17,500 THB 15,000 THB Grade 9 EFL (English as a Foreign Lan-

prestigious Dulwich College, London...Specialist ESL

Percentage of Thai students:

60% Contact detail:

48/2 Soi Rajavithi 2, Rajavithi

Road, Phayathai, Bangkok 1

0400.

Tel: 02 644 5291-2

Fax: 02 640 9527 www.rasami.ac.th rasami@ rasami.ac.th

The Regent's School Fees/ year:

u$D 1,125-2,340 Facilities: Full boarding Number of students: 504 Curriculum: English National Curriculum Language they teach in at school: English

Number of Scandinavian students: 18 Percentage of Thai students:

397"

Year of Establishment: 7 years Contact detail: 592 Pracha-Uthit Road, Huay Kwang, Bangkok 1 0320 Tel: 02 690 3777 Fax:02 690 3778 www.isr.ac.th enquiry@ isr.ac.th

St. Andrews International School.

Rayong Fees/ year: Range from 24,000 - 79,200 THB Facilities: Golf course, basketball court, tennis coun, swimming pool, equestrian center Number of students: 130 Curriculum: English National Curriculum Language they teach in at school: English, French, Thai, Dutch

Number of Scandinavian students:

1

Percentage of Thai students:

28% Year of Establishment: 1996

Contact detail: Rayong Green Valley Estate,23

Moo 7 Banchang- Makham Road (route 3376), Rayong 21330 Tel: 038 893 716-9

Fax:038 893720 wwwst-andrews.ac rayong

@

st-andrews.ac

guage, culture and dance, as required by the Thai Ministry of Education.

Language they teach in at school: English

Number of Scandinavian students: 2 Percentage of Thai students:

82% Year of Establishment: 1992 Contact detail: 1110/10-11

Vibhavadee Rangsit Road, Ladprao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 1

St John's International School Fees/ year: i) Annual tuition fees

189,000 (Nursery)

from Baht to Baht

296,000 (year 12-13). ii)A registration fee of Baht 5,000 is also payable (once only payment).

Facilities: Air-conditioned class-

rooms fully equipped with educational and media resources.

Specialist science, design technology, music, and ICT rooms and both primary and secondary libraries. Professional, all

weather running track and

assessed as requiring EAL (En-

grass-covered football and athletics field.

Number of students: 550

glish as an additional Lan-

Curriculum: National Cur-

guage), a fee of Baht 20,000 is payable per term.

riculum of England, with full provision for study of the Thai lan-

iii) For those children who are

0900.

(A Level) 54,605/ Term Annual Amortisation and Facilities Development Fees paid

in 3 installments of 3,000 per term. Student Insurance Fee (per year) 200.Number of students: 230 Curriculum: English National Curriculum Language they teach in at school: English

Number of Scandinavian students: None Percentage of Thai students:

Tel:02 513 8590

50%

Fax: 02 938 6068 www.stjohn.ac.th sjiadmin @ stjohn.ac.th

Year of Establishment: 1966 Contact detail: 36 Ramkhamhaeng Soi 18, Hua Mark, Bangkok10240.

Tel: 02 314 5250,023187174 Fax: 02 718 9152 Email: loxinco @ loxinfo.co.th

Traill International School Fees/ year: Tuition Fees: 1B (4 to 5 years) 31,200/ Term

Yearsl&2(6toSyears) 34,2001 Term, Years 3 & 4 (8 to 10 years) 37,600/ Term, Years 5

&

6

(10 to 12 years) 40,200/

Term,Years7&I(12lo14 years) 42,850/ Term, Years 9 & 10 (14 to 16 Years) 44,4501 Term, |.G.C.S.E & Pre - University Class 48,600/Term, Year 12

3l

Relocating executives

By Leo Alexandersen

I I I

n the 'good old days' it used

ecutives to Thailand. Today it's different. lt's become a serious business that requires careful planning and execution.

In the past, the large inter-

high-class international private classes have this year filled-up quickly, and the best schools

have waiting lists at several would depend on these circumstances. In any case, a professional and caring organization

expatriates here, had their own well founded support system, and operated more like a family,

rivals were quickly brought into the company's "family care system", with company housing, seruants, drivers, Thai teachers, and dedicated company personnel available to make the transition smooth and trouble free.

The expatriate spouses, usuallY

stays in hotels or serviced apartments.

There is a good selection of

schools. lrrespective of this,

national companies emPloYing

each other. New expatriate ar-

housing and can avoid long

director in Pacific Orientation Relocation Services Co. Ltd., a leading seruice provider in Thailand.

to be easier to relocate ex-

where everyone looked after

Leo Alexandersen is a

will support your move. Any leads to low productivity, frustra-

negative vibrations coming from

tion in professional and private life, and ultimately to an early

within yourself or your family members could be turned to

return.

positive thinking, when you take

the right steps.

ing them around, arranging cof-

Whereas the working part of the family may cope better, the spouse is usually the one who suffers most with the least support. Families break up. From the company's perspective, the losses resulting from employing unproductive expatriates or having to re-integrate early returnees, mount into millions of Baht

fee-mornings and other social

annually.

events. The company would provide memberships to social and sports clubs, and soon the new-

vices become not a luxury, but

housewives from the same country, took personally good care of the newcomers, show-

This is when relocation sera necessity for protecting the in-

comers would be well settled

vestment in a foreign posting

and feeling at home in Bangkok.

Today, newcomers are often

and ensuring its long-term effectiveness.

left much more on their own, sometimes with catastrophic conseouences.

I have experienced relocating executives, who were all too often inadequately prepared for

moving to Thailand, and left

Executives about to move to Thailand should insist on a previsit to the new location at least 1-2 months before the actual relocation. Bring along also Your family. This visit is as much for them as it is for you.

The First Step orientation program includes area familiarization, assistance with school selection and identification of housing options. lf you have 'no idea' how much you will be spending on housing, you will have no idea where to search for

grade levels. School search and

selection should be given the

first priority when considering moving school age kids to Bangkok.

Your employer will take care of your visa and work permit reouirements. lt used to take some time to obtain a work permit after your arrival. The process has now changed for the better. Your

employer can pre-apply and have the permit ready the day

you arrive. This means you could bring in your personal belongings duty free much earlier, even bring some along on the plane, and save the time you stay in a hotel. This is a big advantage for both you and your employer, but still overlooked by some.

This is all pafi of the "familY

care system". Your company

bY

may not have the necessary re-

Relocation is usually a ca-

now know your housing budget,

sources or time in-house, and

reer move in an international organization; maybe the seventh such move, or the first. Usually a move for suitability reasons -

and start preparing the home

might out-source these services to relocation professionals. Here

because you are supposedly very suitable for the new Post-

alone with their problems once they get here. The reason is almost always difficulty in adaPting to a strange new culture, lan-

ing or maybe because you were not so suitable for the last posting! You would know, the HR personnel would know, and your

guage and work habits. This

level of motivation for the move

a home either. You should

search in earnest. You need to address these issues during the pre-visit to avoid disappointment and frustration later on.

The housing market is still relatively accessible, except

is what you could exPect from your relocation counsellor (RC).

Relocation Profile. This predeparture questionnaire details your concerns, interests and

high-end apartments, which are in short supply and being rented as fast as they get on the market. The early birds get the best

ferred to as a "needs analysis".

This guides the RC to prepare all necessary arrangements for

specific needs. lt is often re-

B-K Medical (Thaitand) Ltd. Room 2603, 25th Ftoor,

Vi har Danmarki bedste priser og biludvalg til dig som udlandsdansker.

Ring, fax eller e-mail og fA et godt tilbud pA din feriebil i Danmark.

Avis ReservationsCenter Telefon: +45 33 26 80 80 Telefax: +45 33 26 80 81 E-mail: reservation@avis.dk

32

Jasmine InternationaI Tower,

200 Moo4, Chaengwattana Road, Pakkret, Nonthaburi

1 1

120,Thaitand

Tel.:

(+66

Fax:

(+66 2\ 962 7075

21 962 7071

the visit.

Pre-arrival Assistance, by any means of communication, telephone, sms, email, fax, will help prepare you and your family for the visit. This is a very critical stage when you have a million questions, are excited and anxious and maybe a little nervous about the move. The RC will encourage you to communicate all your concerns. This will become the first step in building a long lasting and trusting friendship between you and the RC. On Arrival you will receive a Welcome Information Bag. The package contains up-to-date rel-

evant information, including maps and a comprehensive Bangkok guide book.

Your first face-to-face meeting with your RC starts with an

Orientation Briefing. The first

Danish export up in 2002 anish export of goods increased in2OQ2 with 4,1

oercent over 2001 to reach a total of 442 bil. DKK.

Export of Goods to Asia in 2002 Countries

-23,5%

Armenien

14,70

-24,6%

Aserbajdsjan

53,70

90/%

'136,60

-0,7%

7,10

-33,6%

Usbekistan

51,80

-31,5%

Tadsjikistan

15,40

14,90/o

7,00

-23,1%

76,90

968J%

Kasakhstan Turkmenistan

Kirgisistan Afghanistan Pakistan

312,40

55,3%

1.055,50

-9,8%

190,70

-23,6Yo

20,70

-41,70/o

123,10

8,6%

17,30

-32,7%

Bhutan

1,10

10,jYo

Myanmar

8,60

-10,40/,

1.027,70

-3,40/o

3,30

-19,50/o

342,90

173%

6,70

-36,2Yo

lndien

shopping centers, hospitals,

Bangladesh

sports and recreational facilities, and other places of special interest to you.

Seeing is believing! The Orientation Area Tour is partly stan-

Maldiverne

dard and partly tailor-made to

Growth from 2001

58,50

egy is achieved through this

schools, popular housing areas,

Mill. dkr.

Georgien

step towards the settling-in strat-

briefing, which gives an overview of the city infrastructure in relation to location of work,

However, in Asia the combined expofts dropped 1,1 percent.

Below is the overview of Danish exports to all of Asia.

Sri Lanka Nepal

your needs. lt takes in the central business district, shopping areas, medical and recreational facilities, and popular housing

Thailand

areas. On the second day school and kindergarten visits may be

Vietnam

arranged, including preliminary registration, which is often subject to passing a test.

Cambodia lndonesien

515,00

-8,9Yo

When returning home, hopefully committed and encouraged to make the move, you will have

Malaysia

884,90

-6,5%

5,90

73,5%

1.472,70

-7,2%

496,50

2,4%

16,40

-65,8%

4.265,70

17,90/o

101,30

-5,2%

2.907,30

15,9%

13.378,50

-9,40/o

Taiwan

1.453,90

-7,9o/o

Hongkong

4.250,00

13,2%

14,10

-20,8%

33.293,90

-1 ,1Vo

Laos

Brunei

many new issues to resolve,

Singapore

such as temporary housing, fi-

Philippinerne

nal school registration, finding a home, employing maids, buying or renting a car, and getting a driver, to mention a few.

After-service.

Th roughout this process your RC and a team of experienced resident counsel-

lors will continue to support you.

Between them they will try to,

and usually do, find the answer to all pertinent questions and concerns.

Mongoliet Kina

Nordkorea Sydkorea Japan

Macao

Aslen

39 Sukhumvit Road, Soi8, Bangkok, Thailand.

Tel: +66 (0) 2653 0017 Fax: +66 (0)22535125 E-mail: hotel @stablelodge.com

www.stablelodge.com

33

ww\M.dancham.or.th r your own page!

A new interactive feature which

has been developed for the website www.dancham.or.th of

the Danish-Thai Chamber of Commerce now makes it possible for Corporate Members to update and correct themselves any information about their company.

The new feature has been made available in connection with the oresentation of all mem-

bers on their own page similar

to the page they have had for some years in the printed version of the Chamber Directorv

Every corporate member rutw has one Jull ltage on the intentet hosted on the chamber website wv,w.dancham.or.th

bers without their own home

map with their business location

Denmark in Thailand.

Members will use their new membership card number to log

page to buy a domain name like www.(company).com and have

for easy print-out or e-mailing

this directed to their page in the

The new facilities have been

into the page. Once logged

Directory.

Later, the Chamber will offer members more options like ad-

developed by Scand-Media

in

they can correct or add informa-

tion about their company.

The new on-line directory makes it also possible for mem-

ditional pages with information about each of their products, a

etc.

Corp., Ltd., which has been the

webmaster of the Chamber since it established its first website in January 2000.

Carlsberg Luncheon market, touching upon issues

The Chamber luncheon on Thursday 23 January 2003 at Admiral's Pub & Restaurant with one of Denmark's

such as the struggles that have faced the proud Danish beer, which over the years has de-

velooed from a local Danish star to a jewel in the interna-

prominent businessmen, Michael luul, former Executive Vice President of Carlsberg Asia Ltd and Carlsberg Breweries A,/S, was a major success.

tional market.

Mr. Michael luul pre-

Mr. Michoel luul enjoying oJ course - "probably the best beer in the world."

sented an interesting insight into Carlsberg's challenge to

oenetrate the Asian beer

-

BECOME A MEMBER OF THE DANISH-THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

I I I

I

Contact Name:

Mail or fax the coupon to:

Company name:

Danish-Thai Ghamber of Commerce

Address:

14021214th Fl.. Glas Haus I Sukhumvit 25 Road, North Klongtoey, Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Tel.: (66) 0 2661 7762 Fax: (66) 0 2661 7764-5 E-mail contact@dancham. or.th

I I I I

Telephone: Fill in

,h

34

Fax:

this coupon to receivefurther information and

afull applicationformfor membership

..t

.*

lJ.l

JJeiei

yeiJSr'

/t

'l

Michoel Moriegoord Ziirich

"Det gar De" Mc'rl irllt' irrvt'slt'r'ingt'r'lolgcr hAb, dromme og forventninger hos den enkelte invt'stor'. | )t'1 vt'tl vi. | )t'r'lor lokrrscrer vi hos jyske Bank Private Banking pA, at De altirl oplt'vt'r' lroil ('n1l.rs('r))('rrt fra Deres personlige rAdgiver. Vi tager os tid til at sir.ttt'()s ()r'(lt'rrllir',1 irrtl i lrvt'r't'rrkt'lt investors individuelle forhold og forventninger.

Vi tillrytlt,r (,n ()nrl,rllt'rrtlc r'.r'kkt' al irrvcsteringsverktajer i form af internationale itktit'r', irrvt'slt'rinl',slort'rrirrr',t'r', olrligationcr samt investeringslAn og aftalekonti. De fiir' l)t.l's ('11(.n l)('r:,()rrli1,,r' r,itlliivt'r', tlt'r'vil ve'jlede Dem i Deres investeringer med rrtl1l;rrrtisprrrrl.l i t )r'rr':; lorlrol.l or', lolvt'ttlttirtgcr - diskretion er en selvfolge.

)|lt.v ('n l)(,rsorrlil',

(lcl t'r' lirit'sii rrnik, som De

Kontakt mig allerede itlirg: Mitlr.rt'l M,rrit,1',.r,rr.l,lt'lt,lorr: r.lll,|(ri.i7'.\37,c-rnail:mariegaard@jyskebank.ch

(

r,irlr,,rr'nr11',,

er.

Private Banking ]yskt' f iirnk (Schweiz), Private Banking, Wasscrwt'r'kslr-irsst' 12, l'ostfach, CH-8035 ZlJrich,Schweiz, tt'lcfon: +47 73687373, fax: +41 136t] 7379, t'-rt,til: jyskebank@jyskebank.ch

www.ibpb.com