Thai-Danish Trade News - May 2004

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Thai-Danish Trade News is published and distrlbuied to selected Thai and Scandinavian business executives and officials with an intercst in Thai-Danish relations by Danish-Thai Chamber of Commerce, Royal Danish Embassy and Scand-Media Colp., Ltd,

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Daflish-Thai Chamber of Commerce 140212141h Fl, Glas Haus 25 Road, North Klongtoey, Waltana, Bangkok 10110 Tel.: (66) 0 2661 7762 Fax: (66) 0 2661 7764-5 E-mail: contact@dancham or th 1 Sukhumvit

Tom Sorensen President Danish-Thai Chamber of Commerce

President lvlr. Tom Sorensen Executive Recruitment Director Grant Thotnton Tel : +66 2 654 3330 Fax : i66 2 654 3339 Email : president@dancham orth

Legal Advisor Mr. Santhapat Periera Tilleke & Gibbins International Ltd fel +66 2263 7700 F ay +66 2263 77 10 santhapat@tillekeandgibbins com

Some good news... and some bad!

Treasurer

M[ Soren Presmann lvlanaging Director Presmann (Thailand) Co,, Ltd, Tel ; +66 2962 1151 Fax: +66 2962 1152 Email: soren @ presmann co.th Foreign Chambers' Coordinatin g Committee l\.4r Peter Emil Romhild Executive Vice President Berli Jucker Pub'ic Co., ltd Tel: +66 2367 11'11 Fax: +66 2367 1000 E-mail: bjc@ berlijuckenco.th

Members

Mr Michel Deleuran Managing Director l\ilaersk Bangkok Branch Tpl + AA 2752 qOOO t75, qg99 Fax: + 66 2752 9780-1 E-mail: thamkt@maersk-com

Media Mr Jorgen lb Hedes (Committee Chairperson) Senior Executive Vice President Sun Paratech Co , Ltd Tel; +66 35 221 O1O-8,221 663-4 Fax; +66 35 221 666,221 019 E-mail; floorings@access inet co th

Mr Allan Jensen Managing Director APV (Thailand) Co , Ltd Tel,: +66 2367 5341-6 Fax: +66 2367 5019 Email; ajensen @apv.co,uk Mr- Bent B Hansen General Area Manager XponCard International (Thailand) Ltd Tel: 66 2636 7890 Fn;66 2636 6699 Email: beh@th xponcard.com Events l\4r Henrik Friis (Committee Chairperson) Regional Director DISA (Thailand) Co , Ltd Tel: +66 2714 3989 Fax: +66 2714 3983 E-mail: disath@disa co th

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lvlr Monen B Jensen Deputy l\4anaging Director ECCO (Thailand) Co., Ltd. +66 35 716 601 Fax: 166 35 716 615-6

M[ Vitoon Lefort Managing Director

VL Intertrade Co , Ltd, Tel: +66 2541 6043-7 Fax: +66 2541 5786 E-mail; likeit@ likeit dk

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Boyal Danish Embassy Commercial Seciion, 1 0 Soi Attakarn Prasit Sathorn Tai, Bangkok 1 0500 Thailand Tel : (66) 0 2343 1100 Fax; (66) 0 2213 1752 1\/s Tine Hylleberg Commefcial Counsellor

We have some good news and some bad news for you. Would you say the headlines llsted below indicate increased business interests and strong performances by Danish companies and entrepreneurs in Thailand and the region?

. . . . . . . .

Thai energy SME successfully partners Danes Luxcare opens wastewater olants Euro-Center sees rapid growth Dane ensures safety in new Bangkok subway Ecco sales in Asia increase 787o Successful Danish business mission Thai furniture maker in alliance with Kofoed Innovative Dane on eleohant island

These headlines cover some of the stories which you can read in the May Trade News which you are holding in your hands. And please note that this is just one months' "good news". Actually I could also add that the Danish-Thai Chamber continues to sign up new members and still maintain its lead as the largest Nordic chamber.

Now you compare that with the story "Cutbacks at the Danish Embassy" which is also featured in this issue. The Danish Foreign Ministry has decided to cut back the position of Commercial Counsellor by not replacing the outgoing counsellor. lt is indeed with surprise and regret that the Chamber has learned about the decision taking effect this summer.

Considering the many public and private resources that are available to Danish companies, ranging f rom simple advice to providing funds for investments, questions must be asked what we are doing wrong? Why has Denmark not been able to take its fair share of the increasing exports to Thailand that we have seen over the last couple of years? lf we are to blame anyone, should we point our f inger at the companies themselves for being lazy and too comfoftable in Europe, blinded and fooled into a Chinese dream, not willing to risk or for being af raid to compete internationally? Have we reached a saturation point where there are basically no more Danish companies who have anything to sell and market in Thailand?

Or might the problem be at the organizations or bodies who claim they and their programmes exist to facilitate more Danish investments abroad? ls the support from these organizations too complicated to obtain, too much red-tape in the application phase? Have they priced themselves out of the market so companies choose third pafiies to do, say, feasibility studies? Are other options available for companies which are oerceived to add more value?

Whatever the answer may be, the Danish-Thai Chamber will look back to many years of close and excellent co-operation with the Commercial Counsellors. We do take solace in knowing that the commercial section at the Embassy will continue, though with a reduced but still ouaiified team.

Graphic Production & Marketing Scand-N4edia Corp Ltd 4141-42Moo3, Ramintra Soi 14, Bangkok 10230

Tel: (66) 0 2943 7166-8 Fax: (66) 0 2943 7169

EDITORIAL PHOTOS BY

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Ecco's sales in Asia increase 78o/o

By Knud Brix

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Sales of Ecco in Asia increased 78 percent last year, the Danish

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The Thaifurniture maker launched its

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"spring rocker" riding

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toy

for kids

last September and received its first order worth Btl5.6 millionfrom a Danish customen

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Thai firm in alliance with Koefoed Global brand furniture maker Koefoed last year closed down its plant in Denmark due to operating ditficulties. lt was also last year that the 70-year-old Danish company has formed a business alliance with Thai furniture maker,

OK Wood Product, who now manufactures and exports its products under the Danish firm's brandname.

Thanun Ounkomol, managing

director of the Bangkok-based firm, told Thai newspaper, The Nation, that the link with Koefoed has given the company access to

the EU, with particular focus on Denmark, other Scandinavian

guarantee that we only use natural wood to assure customers our

products are environmentally friendly," Thanun told The Nation.

Products from OK Wood include garden and outdoor furni-

Wood exports to Denmark under

ture as well as innovative toy, the "spring rocke/' riding toy for kids, which was officially launched at a furniture fair in Germany last September. The company received its

the Koefoed brand. and under

first order - worth US$400,000

Kircodan to other countries in the European Union.

"Our strength is to produce quality without any toxic or chemical residues in the wood. We

(8t15.6 million) from a Danish

members and Germany.

As part of the business alliance with the Danish firm, OK

cuslomer.

In addition, Koefoed placed its first orderworth US$500,000 with the company in October last year.

Under the business alliance, Koefoed has also provided more than 10 furniture designs, technical expertise and machinery to OK Wood.

OK Wood today produces a wide range of furniture, offering more than 200 designs to support its five-year business plan with the target to achieve total sales of Bt400 million a year and list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

The Thai furniture manufacturer has a registered capital of Bt50 million and is wholly owned

by Thanun. lts domestic and ex-

port sales currently generate combined annual revenue of around Bt150-200 million.

To support its expansion plans, OK Wood Products has a

100,000 cubic feet, enough raw material to support six months' output. This will ensure that orders will be shipped on time.

By Knud Brix

"If there is insufficient demand we

When Commercial Counsellor Tine Hylleberg returns to Den-

must cut down, " explains lhe Danish Ambassador to Thailand, Ulrik Helweg-Larsen.

in China and India, and tend to forget the possibilities in Thailand," the Ambassador says.

"We are doing consultant

"We expect to keep up the level of service that we supply to.

day, but obviously wlth tfvar "The overall exports to Thailand increased considerably over the last few years. But we must accept the fact that Danish companies haven't claimed their part of this increase. I believe that one reason for this could be that many

people, the remelnlng proplr

cenI.

The growth in sales was mostly collected in Ghina, but also

in Japan and Southeast Asia sales were growing in 2003.

"The good news is that our profit is once again going in the right direction, even though we still receive hard competition and

difficult market conditions. Our competitors have dumped the prices, while we enjoy our price strategy. At the same time we enjoy the fruits of new initiatives to raise the profit," said Mikael Thinghus, financial manager of the Ecco group, in addition to the presentation of the account.

Ecco's turnover in 2003 was DKK 3,169 billion, and the com-

pany sold 11.2 million shoes worldwide.

SAS route to

Bangkok survives

By Knud Brix The recent turbulence about flight reductions in the SAS group has now been settled, and the route to Bangkok and Singapore survrves,

buolneee," concluded a relieved

Axel Blom, General Manager Thalland, Indochina, Taiwan and tho Phlllpplnes.

"Wr have managed to conoludl rgreements with all our unlonr Ind can now look ahead,"

have to run faster," hc oonllnuaa, The new Head ol thr Com. mercial Sectlon wlll br Mr, Poul Skov Petorocn, who loday holdt

Axol Blom aald, quoting the press ol the SAS Group in whloh lho Dlan of action for the rurvlvrl ol tho airline is presented Turnnn)und 2005 Action Pro-

grrm,

the porltlon ae Commcrolrl

level of Danish investment and

Danish companies have ex-

Attach6 reaponalble lor Agrlcul. ture, Fleherlea, and Food Prod.

exoort to Thailand.

tremely high focus on the markets

uct8,

4

progress in proceeds of the con-

tinent was increased by 40 per-

"We are stlll very much in

mark in July, the commercial sector at The Royal Danish Embassy in Thailand will not have an external replacement to her position.

istry and is a consequence of overcapacity compared to the

In spite of declining foreign

exchange quotations the

massive wood stockpile of

Cutbacks at Danish Embassy

business on market terms, and if there is insufficient demand we must cut down," explains the Danish Ambassador to Thailand. Ulrik Helweg-Larsen, The decision to cut down was made at the Danish Foreign Min-

shoe manufacturer revealed in its results for 2003, which was published early March.

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Copenhagen & Stocl<ho just got more

Royal Executive Premium

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Euro-Center Thailand opened its doors in I9B9 as thefirst overseas Euro-Center with Ytt Prabha as the chieffrom day one. Despite her name, Ytt Prabha is Danish of origin.

From approximately 4-500 cases in the start in 1989, Euro-Center Thailand handled 9,000 cases in 2003. The ten employees at Euro-Center all together spealc ll different languages.

Euro-Genter sees rapid growth The number of insurance cases grows rapidly for Euro-Center Thailand, which services travellers and expatriates all over Asia.

By Jesper Kiby Denborg

Q

tomach ache, fatigue and

\.1

dog bites. That is part of the everyday life at the Euro-Center Thailand office, which is the representative office of six independent insurance companies in the Nordic countries, Germany and The Netherlands. The companies have different products but are all a part of European Travel Insurance Group, known as "Europa iske" in Denmark.

"The customer's needs are in focus here, where we can offer assistance on the soot. We know the customers contact us when they are in need ol assistance or advice. Quick action and empathy is essential for our service;

and good communication skills too," Ytt Prabha says, and adds that the ten employees at EuroCenter all together speaks 1 1 different languages.

Ytt Prabha is the Managing Director of Euro-Center Thailand.

Despite her name she is Danish of origin.

"My first name is from the Nordic mythology, and I have got

-

motorcycle accidents in a year especially at Phuket, Koh Samui and Bali.

"The number of theft cases

has decreased. The travellers have learnt to take better care of their belongings. You almost have to be more careful in Scandinavia than you have to be here," Ytt Prabha says.

the number of expatriate cases

a bogus insurance claim for a bro-

has increased.

ken leg. Often lshowed up in person to find him sitting in a bar with

"The business people are

more independent, so they handle the matters themselves and claim the cost later."

The expansion of business cases in China is the reason why Euro-Center Thailand half a year

pital bills look, but we have learned the cheaters' tricks," Ytt

Peking. In the future it will be an

Prabha says.

She estimates Euro-Center

independent Euro-Center.

"lt is important for us to

"Pre-Euro-Center SAS was oart of the assistance network for

European Travel Insurance.

Therefore you would often see the SAS offices packed with backpackers seeking on-the-spot assistance, which SAS found a bit problematic since they were introducing a new service for business travellers. Somehow the two concepts hardly matched."

The first years Euro-Center shared office space with SAS at Siam Square, but after six years Euro-Center moved to the oresent area. Since June last year the office was relocated to 318 Phyathai Road - just a few minutes from

Asia Hotel and Batchatevi Skytrain station.

"The locality of a Euro-Center is very important. We have many walk-in clients, and every taxi and tuk-tuk driver know Asia Hotel," Ytt Prabha says.

be

handles 40 swindle cases a year.

In the beginning Euro-Center

abreast of trends. There are big cultural and language barriers in China. The Peking office is man-

Euro-Center's high moral standards dictate "the benefit of the

Thailand mainly covered Thai-

aged by a Dane who speaks Chinese fluently, and that is a big ad-

of Scandinavian children are now born in China. Euro-CenterThai-

olains.

land can now call ourselves exoerts on the where and how's of deliveries," Ytt Prabha says with a laugh.

side there are around 20 fatal

a beer in his hand and in perfect health. We still receive false hospital bills, but we systematically check if they are real. lt is incredible how genuine the bogus hos-

ago opened a satellite office in

time marriage with a Thai architect and businessman," she ex-

9,000 cases in 2003. Most common illnesses are stomach ache and fatigue. On the more serious

internet to maximize their stav abroad.

customers were tourists and longterm travellers, but in recentyears

vantage. As a funny side note I can remark that a large number

500 cases in the staft in 1989, Euro-Center Thailand handled

seem to bother people," she tells.

She adds that today travellers are very well prepared and often have obtained information at the

"ln the beginning of EuroCenter's existence we were oestered by many swindle cases. lt could be a man who had send in

Until recently Euro-Center's

the family name from my long-

Euro-Center Thailand is growing rapidly. From approximately4-

travellers. Now the situation is back to normal again. Unlike SARS the bird flu crisis didn't

"SARS was the big issue last year. We had many enquiries from

companies and policy holders, so we were really busy. And we could feel a big drop in the numbers of

doubt always go to the customer."

'That is why I am proud to represent the company. We always assist the customers first and ask questions later." Ytt Prabha says.

Eu ro-Center Thailand was the

brainchild of former CEO of Europeiske Rejseforsikring

in

Denmark, Leif Poulsen. lt opened its doors in 1989 as the first overseas Euro-Center. Ytt Prabha has been the chief from day one.

Previously Ytt Prabha worked in SAS and the travel trade. She has had good use of her experiences from the travel business.

land. Now it covers 19 countries in Asia - from Jaoan in east and China in north to Pakistan in west and Indonesia in south.

80 oercent of the cases are from Nordic policy holders, and many of them travel individually with Thailand. Laos. Cambodia and Myanmar as the most popular destinations.

Euro-Center Thailand is open during ordinary opening hours.

When the office in Thailand is closed, calls are directed to either Euro-Alarm in Copenhagen, SOS

International in Amsterdam or Mercur Assistance in Munich.

7

Ms. Nuanla-ong Srichumpon

(first right). R&D Manager ol E nergt Maint enanc e S e rv ic e, and product manager Mr. Boonma Wpasdumrongkul (second right), introduced EnPro early last year at a seminar to launch the energlt management sys tem j o intly developed with Danish company Orbital A/5.

Thai energy SME partners Danes

By Teerapong Yodwanlop

larlv last vear EnPro - an en F l-ergy management system jointly developed by Energy Maintenance Service Co., Ltd. and Danish company Orbital fuS under Danida's Private Sector Partnership Facility (PF) programme went into commercial production. The power saving system is now used in many gas stations in Bangkok and its perimeter.

"Some forty JET and Q8 gas stations are currently using EnPro

-

solution, which is also currently being installed in 37 Caltex gas stations," says Ms. Nuanla-ong Srichumpon, R&D Manager of Energy Maintenance Service.

The energy conservation solution is designed to monitor and

While Orbital took pan in the project by working on hardware design and providing technical support, the Thai company used its local expertise to find out the

commercial possibility of the planned product.

'The great thing about the PF programme is that it takes into

manufacturer for assembly of

there to the environment if someone comes up with an invention that can hugely reduce the harms we do to the nature, but nobody has a chance to really use it?"

Initially established in 1998 as a software house, Energy Maintenance Service was registered

today employs altogether

in Phuket with a capital of Bt

3

The company's own premise is

among boilers available in the

million. When the company

now under construction and will be ready to move in during the third quarter of this year.

After about a year of launch-

Thai market," she says.

ing the product, the company still

of partnership with Lin-ka will

Seruice, it can help save up to 20 percent of power usage.

-

ware production for the energy

The company targets 50

1 00 orders a year out of the product line.

The partnership started in

.l

999 when the Thai company

joined the PF programme with a project to develop the energy management solution. The Danish Coooeration for Environment and Development (Danced), who was at that time the agency responsible for the programme, matched Thai company with Orbital, a Danish developer and

control system.

"We didn't want to form a new joint venture because we want to enjoy the BOI privileges that we have been earlier granted," says Ms. Nuanla-ong.

In June last year the Thai and Danish partners announces a

new shareholding structure in Energy Maintenance Service, which is now held 40 percent by Orbital. The registered capital was increased to Bt 5 million, in-

manufacturer of wind turbine and biomass combustion controllers.

The aim of the FF programme is to support transfer of Danish

jected by the Danish side. The Industrialization Fund for Developing Countries (lFU), under Dan-

environmental technology and

Funds, has also granted soft loan to the now Thai-Danish company, which today imports printed circuit boards from a Danish OEM

know-how to Thailand by means of commercially viable cooperation with the Thai private sector.

Maintenance Services has joined hands with Lin-ka Energy in West Jutland. Denmark. which Ms. Nuanla-ong believes is one of the best manufacturers of automatic boiler systems in the world.

account the commercial implementation possibility," Ms. Nuanla-ong says. "What use is

started production of EnPro early last year, the form of its partnership was discussed with Orbital to cope with the increased activities, which today includes hard-

manage power consumption in factory and office buildings. According to Energy Maintenance

Ms. Nuanla-ong during a work visit to Orbital in Denmark. Seen \\)ith her in the picture is (from left) Orbitalb owner Mr. Reiner Mr. Boonma of Energy maintenance Sertice, and Orbital's Dty. Managing Director Mr Wolfgang W. Meyer

ish International Investment

EnPro in Thailand.

Energy Maintenance Service 12

people at its Bangkok and Phuket offices. The Danish side regularly visits the two oflices for training and meetings.

Assembly of EnPro is done at the head otfice cum factory on Phuket, which is presently rented.

keeps itself busy with new orders and installations, among them is for forty branches of Thai Military Bank. But that does not stoo the company from doing new research and develooment works.

A new project submitted to the PF programme by the Thai firm has already begun.

"We are now in the'feasibility study phase of a project to develoo biomass combustion boiler system as an alternative for the Thai market," Ms. Nuanla-ong reveats.

She adds that almost half of the factories in Thailand use boil-

ers to generate steam for their production and servicing. They are used in almost every industry such as agricultural, textile, healthcare. hotel. etc.

In the new project, Energy

"Lin-ka's boiler yields a very impressive heating etficiency of up to 98 percent, compared to the

level of 60 oercent which is already considered to be very good

Energy Maintenance Service plans to complete its study phase in May this year. By then the form

have to be more seriously discussed again.

"The scale of investment for implementing production of biomass boilers will be much higher

than our first project with Orbital because of the much more mechanical works and skills reouired."

"A new joint venture may be established, but other forms of partnership have not yet been taken out of mind," she adds.

Similarly to the EnPro project, Danida will subsidise the production implementation in form of fi-

nancial support for machinery, equipment and construction of prototype boilers. Ms. Nuanla-ong also says the IFU is also interested in extending soft loans it the study proves that project can be commercially viable.

9

The company Food Specialize got a discount on the wastewater plant against

acting as test centrefor polential Luxcare customers.

"It's a great advantage

for

us to be able

to show new customers a system that already is set up,

so they can see how the system worlcs in practice, " says Niels Henrik Johansen,

civil enginee4 and chairman ofLuxcare.

First Luxcare wastewater plant

By Knud Brix

Instead of cutting the traditional red ribbon, Danish Ambassador to Thailand, Ulrik Helweg-Larsen opened Luxcareb new wastey)ater plant in the suburbs of Bangkok with a single louch on a mobile phone using an SMS.

a single touch on a mo \A/ith Y Y bile

ohone Danish ambassador to Thailand, Ulrik HelwegLarsen recently opened Luxcare's new wastewater Dlant. Instead of cutting the traditional red ribbon,

"Wth the new system Luxcare can

an SMS opened the new plant situated at Food Soecialize Ltd. in the suburbs of Bangkok.

SMS plays avital part in moni-

toring Luxcare's new waste water olant.

"With the new system Luxcare can monitor the productivity and efficiency of the water treatment plant, and assist the client's technicians at the same time. lt's because of lack of operation expertise that many wastewater treatment plants in Thailand don' t work working at their optimum today," says Niels Henrik Johansen, civil engineer and chairman of Luxcare.

Luxcare is a joint venture between the Danish environmental engineer company Envicare and

the Thai engineer company Loxley Utilities Services Co.

The company was established in 2003 and has since specialized in producing advanced,

technological SBR-plants (Sequencing Batch Reactor) to the growing Thai market for wastewater treatment.

An additional three plants have already been sold and will come into use in May. So far Luxcare employs only eight people, as all production of the

monitor

water treatment plant is out-

ner. Otherwise it's very hard to

sourced to local suppliers. "lt means a lot to our customers that they have easy access to spare pafts, unlike if we delivered a system imported lrom Europe," says Luxcare's chairman.

break through the market barriers.

The cleansed wastewater from Luxcare's plant lives up to legal threshold limiting values.

Within the last few years Thailand has tightened up the limits of dis-

charge of wastewater, and this means a growing market for water treatment plants. "lt has become normal to talk about wastewater when you talk

Loxley is not in it for fast cash, but are really dedicated and wants a long-term cooperation.

Therefore we took the chance and put our Danish know-how in the project," he says.

In the food company, Food Specialize, this is actually the reason why they invested in a Luxcare olant.

"Luxcare is paftly owned by Loxley who is a well-known company in Thailand. This gives us a

certainty of their commitment," says Pichet Nakaratanakorn di-

about production in Thailand. The

rector in Food Specialize group.

authorities has really become

Food Specialize got a discount on the wastewater plant

aware of the imoortance in wastewatertreatment, and therefore we see big potential in the market," says Niels Henrik Johansen, and adds the Danish parent company, Envicare, originally didn't have plans about a division in Thailand.

But after a serious approach from Loxley and comprehensive feasi-

bility studies and research together with Danida, Luxcare was established.

"lt was extremely important for us to find a serious Thai oart-

against acting as test centre for ootential Luxcare customers. "lt's a great advantage for us to be able to show new customers a system that already is set up, so they can see how the system works in practice," says Niels Henrik Johansen. ln 2004 Luxcare expects to

reach a turnover of 25 million baht. Next year this turnover must be raised to 70 rnillion baht according to Niels Henrik Johansen.

lhe

productivity and

fficiency of the water treatment plant, and assist the clientb lechnicians at the same time. Itb because of lack of operation expertise that many wastewater treatment plants in Thailand donl work at their optimum today," says Niels Henrik Johansen.

"Of course we are not in the busindss for charity. We have a very tight business plan to follow, and naturally both our business

oartner and we wants return on the invested capital."

Niels Henrik Johansen is optimistic about Luxcare's future, but at the same time he reveals that the effects of the bird flu that hit Thailand earlier this year also affected the company.

"The bird flu has set us back three to four months, because the growth in the whole sector has stagnated. Wastewater treatment is the last link in the chain of production, and is not of high priority during a crisis. But we have some very promising project lying in the drawer, just waiting for the economical climate to unfreeze a bit before they can be realized."

11

Successful Danish Story by Gregers Maller

Photos by Kristian Holst Djurhuus

f

he first ever Danish business

I

deleoation to Cambodia left the capitil Phnom Penh on Tuesday 19 May with a sense of mission completed.

The 17 companies taking paft in the 'fact finding mission' were

to a large extent Thai Danish comoanies. but also Danish enterprises operating out of Vietnam

and Denmark participated. All with different reasons to be there, but surprisingly many were able to benefit from the tact-tinding trip.

The currently most experienced and successful Danish exporter to Cambodia is pharmaceutical supplier Missionpharma A/S based in Lynge, Denmark, with a yearly export to Cambodia of 15 million Danish kroner. Sales manager Mikkel Wakefield had

\ :'jri

r.

previously received invaluable assistance from the Embassv in

'h: :ir -l

I

,il Bangkok in securing a major public tender and was during the mission assisted by the ambassador

to see if the rules and regulations

Poul Haugaard Petersen from

were safe enough for IFU to cofinance possible Danish projects

in a separate meeting with the Ministry of Finance about a delay

in Cambodia. "lt's too early to tell, but we did see an opponunity," he

in releasing payment for cefiain

said.

orders. also on home tud in Phnom Penh.

MPA security services have been

Carsten Moller of Green City Denmark was less secretive. He was supposed to obtain the license to build and operate a huge

ECCO (Thailand) Co., Ltd. were also openly exploring their interest in building a factory in Cambodia near the Thai border town Aranyaprathet. The idea was to shift labour intensive parts of the

offered for many years in Cam-

environmentally sustainable re-

bodia and his guards were visible outside main impoftant buildings all over Phnom Penh. His more than 1500 guards constitute 50% of the market.

Maftin M. Kristensen from IFU

sort on an entire island off

Henrik Hansen of MPA was

-

Cambodia's shore near the Viet-

namese border. The project,

the lndustrialization Fund for

when realized, will be a showcase for Danish environmental equipment - apart from an exclusive, luxurious five star resoft.

was there

Kitti Chaiwattanatorn and

Developing Countries

12

-

shoe production to this factory whereupon the semi-processed goods would be completed at the ECCO factory in Ayutthaya north of Bangkok.

Bjarne Skelmose of Kosan Crisolant held talks with the Cambodian authorities about possibly assisting them in establishing the regulations lor filling of tanks and

transportation ol cooking gas. lt is expected that cooking of food

in Cambodia will within a few years move from predominantly wood or charcoal fired stoves to gas fuelled stoves.

Henrik N. Andersen and Hans Milmann of Sea Saigon Shipping, a subsidiary of the Danish Fabricius Shipping Company and the

only foreign shipping company with license to operate domestic shipping transportation in Vietnam, were interested in signs of improvements in customs proce-

dures and for oossible local agents in Cambodia.

Frank Olesen of the Kjaer Group likewise came from his office in Vietnam. The Kjaer Groups sells currentlv over one hundred

business mission Main picture and inset: Ulrik Helweg-Larsen thanked Secretary of State Sok Siphana for his entertaining and informative introduction to doing business in Cambodia.

Below:

Kitti Chail4)attanatorn and Poul Haugaard

Petersen from ECCO (Thailand) were looking

seriously at establishing afactory in Cambodia near the Thai border town Aranyaprathet for producing s emi-manufactured shoe p arts.

Below, left page: The ) 7 companies taking part in the fact finding mission'were to a large extent consisting ofThai Danish companies, but also Danish enterprises operating out of hetnam and Denmark participated

his first chance to survey possible

Finally, Gregers Maller of

bassador Ulrik Helweg-Larsen and organized by Commercial Counsellor Tine Hylleberg as-

from the Council for the Development of Cambodia dubbed "The Socks". Their surprisingly colourful presentation left everybody in a high mood of optimism which was then later during meetings with hands on businessmen in the capital watered down with stories of corruption and lack of market transparency to the more realistic level that business oppoftunities were indeed there, but surprises might occur along the.

On Sunday night, the particioants met a selection of the Dan-

sisted by Stig Vagt Andersen of

ish business community and

Ben Adisti based in Bangkok. Stig Vagt Andersen represents Kuoni

cluding Danida representative

Denmark which is today the larg-

Mogens Laumand Christensen,

est travel operator sending

agricultural advisor Helge Brunse and water quality expert Henrik Garsdal.

Scand-Media was busy finding potential local advertisers or partners for the regional Scandina-

vian magazine, ScandAsia

-

when not covering the delegation together with journalist Knud Brix and photographer Kristian Holst Djurhuus for their own magazines and the daily Jernindustrien back in Denmark.

The mission was led by Am-

Danes, Swedes and Norwegians on visits to Thailand and Cambodia.

One of the highlights of the mission was an introduction to doing business in Cambodia by the Secretary of State of the Min-

cars to foreign governmental and non-governmental agencies operating in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam per year. His main interest was in exploring ways or partners which could improving the delivery of cars to clients in Gambodia who today have to take care of all import and registration procedures themselves.

Arne Christensen of Carnitech in Bangkok is currently doing very well in Vietnam and In-

donesia and wa's looking for projects within food processing in Phnom Penh.

Poul Erik Frey of BK-Medical

in Bangkok was surveying the health care se'ctor to see if there

istry of Commerce, Sok Siphana

and his "brothe/' Sok Chenda

projects in Cambodia.

NGO's working in Cambodia in-

Monday night some of the businessmen also managed to have a night on the town collecting impressions of the free enterprise by night in the bustling city.

were plans to build or expand public hospitals where his ultrasound equipment might be of interest. He was possibly the only participant who did not see any opportunity in the near future.

Dan Christensen of Intertec's

regional office in Bangkok was present only on the first day of the mission. Tuesday was the ofticial opening of a huge project in Ho Chi Minh City where Intertec has been main contractor on moving two pig farms outside the city.

Carl @stergaard of Ramboll was the freshman on the mission.

The regional office of Ramboll was only established in Bangkok a year ago, and for him this was

13

Dane ensures safety in Bangkok's new subway After 28 years of employment in DSB (Danish State Railways), the Danish signalling engineer Jorgen Thyge Falster has worked with railway safety around the world. Now he is ensuring the safety in Bangkok's subway, which starts this summer.

By Jesper Kiby Denborg

I orgen Thyge Falster is known in Denmark for his provocative statement that he doesn't

U

dare to take a ride with the Copen-

hagen Metro, because the safety systems are antiquated and look like something made in the 1970's.

Since December last year he has worked in the German-owned consultant company DE-Consult ensuring the safety in Bangkok's new suoway.

claims US$ 500 million from Garlsberg

By Christer Nilsson

laysia, Taiwan, Slovenia, Ger-

Chit Skytrain station) to Bang Sue

many and lsrael.

Skytrain is owned by Bangkok

(railway station). Part of the accessible underground along the route is so narrow that the two

city, Thailand's State owns Mass

tracks are dug above each other.

Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA), which has built the tunnels etc. for the new subway. Bangkok Metro Company Ltd. (BMCL) is responsible for the trains and has a concession operating them the next 25 years. DE-Consult, in which Js rgen Thyge Falster is employed, works with the concession agree-

The building of the subway

While the four-year old

Thai side

started in 1998 and it is expected

to get 40,000 passengers per hour per direction.

"The stations are built in gran-

ite and each station has got its own colour and symbol", tells Ja rgen Thyge Falster. He adds that another subway line - the orange

The fight between Carlsberg and its formerThai partner, Carlsberg

Brewery (Thailand) Company Limited (CBTL) has taken a new

turn. ln a statement of claim handed to Carlsberg in March, CBTL asks the Danes to pay up US$ 500 million in damages.

The Danish beer giant rejects the claim in a statement to the press. Carlsberg calls it "wholly unrealistic" and "no more than a tactic" to affect the ongoing arbitration in London.

"On 27 August 2003 Carlsberg terminated its license agreement with CBTL because of a fail-

ure by CBTL to perform its contractual obligations, not least the payment of royalties which were due under the license," writes Carlsberg Denmark.

"Carlsberg and its external lawyers are convinced that CBTI-s al-

legations are without any merit, that the termination of the license is lawful and that no damages are payable by Carlsberg," continues the statement.

SAS divides

Scandinavian management SAS Group AB announced in March that the group has decided that Scandinavian Airlines is to be incorporated by establishing three

"My job here is to participate in approving signals and interlock-

ing so they match the highest

- Automatic Train Operator - does all what a train driver normally would get the train standard. ATO

to do - accelerate, lower the

speed and stop at the stations.

The driver isn't really necessary.

All he has to do is actually just to press a button, when the subway

train is ready to start from a station," says Jorgen Thyge Falster.

Jorgen Thyge Falster has worked in DSB (Danish State Railways) in 28 years until 1994 and has since had his own consultant company with jobs in Ma-

14

ment between the two other companies and approving the system safety plan.

Bangkok's new subway will open August the 12th on the Queen's birthday - but there will be a official test run much earlier;

-

The new subway

train It loola

very much as the trains operating the Slrytrain, but one of the visible changes are the windows, which are more quadrangular.

already April the 12th during

line

Thailand's Songkran festival.

The subway's first route -the blue line - is 20 kilometres long connecting 18 stations and runs from Hua Lam Pong (Bangkok's central railway station) in a circle

The new subway trains will look very much like the ones at

through Silom (Sala Daeng Skytrain station), Sukhumvit (Asoke Skytrain station), Huay Kwang and Chatuchak Park (Mo

-

is already planned.

the Skytrain. Both are built by Siemens, and only a few details are changed. The first subway train was delivered under big attention by aeroplane during the Asia-Pacific Conference in October last year. The rest of the 1 9 trains have been transported by boat.

independent companies under the SAS consodium.

The group will establish wholly owned subsidiaries of the SAS consortium in Denmark and

Sweden to conduct the airline operations that the consoftium currently undertakes through its regional business units. The business in Norway will be integrated with Braathens, with the merged operations becoming a subsidiary of the SAS consoftium under the name SAS Braathens.

The SAS Group's intercontinental airline ooerations will continue to be conducted by the SAS consodium.

Intelligent Air Pollution Control Systems DISA is a leading supplier of Air Pollution Control solutions. DISA has a complete range of throughly proven products that covers all requirements in practically all industries : o Asphalt o Cement o Steel and machinery o Chemicals and pharmaceuticals O Plastics O \Woodworking O Food and beverages O Paper and packaging O Iron o Foundry and many more

DISA (Thailand) Co.,Ltd.

23/lL0-tl3

Sorachai Bldg., 25 Flr., Soi Sukhumvit 63 (Ekamai), North Klongton, Wattana, Bangkok 10110 THAILAND Tel : O 27L4 3989 Fax : O 27L4 3983

www.disagroup.com

Email : disath@disa.co.th

EAC Chairman awarded Dantsh knighthood

By Teerapong Yodwanlop Anders Normann, a Danish businessman who has been working and living in Thailand forforty years, was awarded the title of Knight of the Dannebrog Order on Monday 24 May 2004. He is the

first Danish businessman residing in Thailand ever to receive the top Danish nonour.

Mr Anders Nonnann

was av;arded the title oJ Knight

of

the Dannebrog Order by H.E- Ulrik Helweg-Larsen, who represented H.M. Queen Margrethe II on the occasion

sixty this May, is the chairman of The EastAsiatic (Thailand) Plc., which was established in 1884. The company is the first Danish commercial establishment in Thailand.

During his forty years in Thailand, Mr. Normann has been managing director of Dumex for 15 years, then managing director of EAC Thailand be-

fore taking the chairmanship of the

Danish Ambassador to Thailand,

Danish-Thai company in 2001. He is

H.E. Ulrik Helweg-Larsen, represented H.M. Queen Margrethe ll of Denmark

also a board member of Bangkok

in conferring the knighthood upon Mr. Normann in a special ceremony organized at the Royal Danish Embassy in Bangkok.

Mr. Normann, who has just turned

Nursing Home and Phuket-based Marine Biological Centre.

ln contribution to the bilateral relation between Denmark and Thailand, Mr. Normann has been serving as an Honorary Consul-General since 1 997.

DISA to hold

special seminar at Entech Pollutec Asia Danish supplier of air pollution control, foundry and shot blast systems, DISA, will be holding a seminar on "Air Pollution Control Systems for Industries" during the Entech Pollutec Asia 2004 Exhibition at the Bangkok International

Trade

&

Exhibition Centre

(BITEC) between June 3 and 6 in Bangkok.

DlSAThailand said this semi-

nar is aimed at helping participants enhance their developing capacity to satisfy target groups of customers. The seminar will be

held in Thai language between 12:30 and 15:00 hrs on June 4, when the company is showing its products in functions of air pollution control systems for industries at the exhibition.

Entech Pollutec Asia is a major international event in Asia in the field of environmental protection and oollution control technology. This year the Danish company can be found in booth no. C 10.

For more information about the special seminar by DISA and the company's exhibition, please

contact Ms. Supavee Sirikul-

vadhana via her e-mail ss th@disa.co.th.

on

New Thai island resort eyes

Scandinavian tourists A fisherman-turn-reson owner in Prachuao Khiri Khan Province is in the midst of building his second resort on Koh Talu island, aimed at drawing high-end Scandinavian and northern European clients.

Preeda Charoenoak told Thai newspaper, The Nation, that his

new 40-room, Thai-style resort was currently under construction on Sai Yai Bay adjacent to Muk Bay which situates Koh Talu Resort, his first resort on the small island dotted with coconut trees and surrounded by colourlul coral and rare fish as well as shellfish.

He said this exoansion was

BAGSV,flRD KOSTSKOLE OG GYMNASIUM Indbyder til

expected to complement the successful first resort, which is fully booked for most of the year.

gode

i et fiygt og inspirerende miljB tet pi bide hovedstadens rige kulturliv

"There are 10,000 tourists (each year) who visit the island, and their numbers grow 100 percent every year. Everybody who wants to go to the island has to reserve our package tour. Walkin guests would be disappointed.

Booking is almost 100 percent full

lareir og mange nye kammeratskaber

og den dejlige nordsjellandske natur.

Vi tilbyder . dansk grundskole med afsluttende 9. og 10. klasses pr6ver, . dansk studentereksamen, . International Baccalaureate (I.B.) i samarbejde med C I S.

throughout the year," said the owner of the resort and the island.

With the new Bt50 million resort, Preeda hopes to capture a portion of the money spent by Scandinavian and northern European tourists during their vacation in Thailand.

Swedes, Norwegians, Danes and the Dutch spend on average

Bt5,000 each per day while in Thailand, he said, adding that each tourist brings on average

Vi optager kostelever pi alle klassetrin fra 6. klasse til og med 3.g.

N.B. Vores to kokke er medlsmmer af EURO-TOQLTES

Vi glaeder os til at h6re fra den store verden og sender geme vores materiale, ligesom du og din familie altid er velkomne til

en

rundvisning og en samtale om dine /nsker og dr@mme om fremtiden......

Med venlig hilsen Helle Thune rektor

50,000 for expenses.

The resort owner, who roots trom a fishing and shrimp farming family, bought the 1,000-rai

Aldershvilevej 138, 2880 Bagsvzerd,

island piece by piece from 18

ttf. +45 44 98 00 65. fax +45 44 98 03 22

Bt1

!

Ring, fax eller bes6g vores hjemmeside www.bagkost.dk

e-mail: bk@bagkost.dk www.bagkost.dk

families until he owned it outright in 1979 and started his first resort on the island with an initial investment of Bt3 million in 1996.

Koh Thlu, situated offshore Bang Saphan District in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. is a small island dotted with coconut lrees and surrounded by colourful coral.

Ramboll moved Rambsll Thailand, the consulting firm from Denmark that provides a full range of multidisciplinary services, has recently moved from its old office on Ladprao Road, Bangkapi to a new premise in Bangkok's business locality of Silom. The new office is situated on the 12th floor of Sathorn Thani Building 2 on Nofth Sathorn Road.

The new address and contact details are:

Rambsll (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 1 2th Fl., Sathorn Thani 2, North Sathorn Road, Silom, Bangkok 10500 Tel: +66 (0) 2267-1500 Fax: +66 (O)2267-1504 Contact person: Carl @stergaard, Managing Director

92131A,

Emdl: carl

@

ramboll{h.com

Website: www ramboll-th.com

17

The young Dane

Brian Christensen has started his own tour agency, Evolution Tour, at Ko Chang. lt focuses on quality for the mature travellers at the island - an island which have developed a lot in the last few years.

Two and a one and a

halfThai and halfDane From

the left Supha "Kai" Tumma, Brian Christensen

and Saowalak "Saow" Sumran infront of Evolution Tourb office near

Ko Chang Plaza. Wen looking at Kai the watchful observer willfaintly see lhe next generation in the Evolution Tour team.

The innovative Dane on the elephant island

By Jesper Kiby Denborg

fl

Ko Chang has everything!

Snorkelling and scuba diving,

beautiful beaches, 50 islands nearby, waterfalls and national parks. My hope is just that the island will not develoo into the dimensions Phuket has."

The words are Brian Christensen's, and he quickly adds: "But I don't think so. This island seems so small because of the mountains. There are only a

few territories left, and you can't build uo the hillside."

Brian Christensen started his tour agency Ko Chang Evolution Tour in November last year. lt is not Ko Chang's first tour agency, nor will it be the last, but Brian Christensen tries to make it different:

"Everybody does the same here. Sell cheap boat trips, but

they forget to tell you that you have to sit on the truck body of a

pick-up, and the boats are old fisher boats which are not designed for passengers. My trips

are a bit more expensive, but I focus on quality. We use mini buses and speedboats, and the lunch is dined at a small restau-

girlfriend Kai during three years,

who is now expecting his child.

Kai also works for Evolution Tour.

rant, not on the boat. I want to offer the best I have seen and experienced and which have been

Besides Brian and Kai, Evolution Tour has a third employee at the office and a freelance employee.

Desoite the fact it is Thailand's

successful elsewhere," Brian

second biggest island after

Christensen tells.

Despite his young agethe 27 year-old Dane has already a lot of experience in the travel business. He started at the Danish

Spies Guide School and was 1 0 out of 1 30 who got job aftenivards. The last five years he

among

has worked for the Danish travel agency Alletiders Rejser - first in Europe and since 1999 in Thailand.

One year ago he planned to settle down in Denmark. and the

next five months he stayed in Denmark, but without success.

"The education, I chose, was not good, and the weather in Denmark is so cold, so I decided to go abroad again," Brian Christensen explains.

Another reason is his Thai

Phuket, Ko Chang was until recently very quiet with mainly back-

packers visiting the island.

But Prime Minister Thaksin has claimed Ko Chang - which means Elephant lsland in Thai to be the new holiday paradise for richer people, and the island has

developed a lot in the last twothree years with new paved roads and many new luxurious resorts.

"Money talks. There are many soldiers of fortunes, and sometimes it is crazy what they try to do. ManyThais have no feeling of locations, so they open a shop for motorbike rentals two kilometres from the nearest hotel. Also some girl bars has popped up on the island. But the clientele here is not for girl bars, and they close after a few months. But then another

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

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

Av i s Beseruati ons0ente r Telefon: +45 33 26 80 80

Telefax: +tl5 33 26 80 8l reseruation@avis.dk

E- mail :

www.avis,dk

AVTS 18

pop up, and the other restaurants and shops in the neighbourhood have to close, because no one wants to pass the girl bar," Brian Christensen tells.

He has tried the influence of the girl bars himself. Until recently his shops was located inside Ko Chang Plaza, but everything died out there after a girl bar opened.

Now Evolution Tour has its shoo just along the road a few meters from the original place.

Ko Chang is especially popu-

lar among Scandinavians, but now the Germans have discovered the island as well. Evolution Tour also has some Thai costum-

ers, and most of them are 40 years old or older.

The young Dane looks out at the road - more or less the only road at Ko Chang - which is pretty empty.

"The season here is really short. The Christmas was really busy, but we have almost no customers here in the summer. lt has been really quiet since March. Instead I use the time to prepare for the next season and talk to sales agents. But in general I try to live in and enjoy the present as the Thais do instead of planning a lot that might and might not happen. The time runs so much faster, when you feel good," Brian Christensen tells.

High activity level on www.dancham.or.th The website of Danish-Thai Chamber of Commerce remains

the most active website among the Nordic Chambers of Commerce in Thailand with member news being uploaded at least every second business day.

The high activity level is appreciated by the members and others according to the high num-

ber of visitors to the site, www.dancham.or.th.

In average, the number of visitors to www.dancham.or.th have remained stable around 70

visitors per day. In March the number increased to 85 per day.

In April, a slump down to 65

Stenhus Kostskole er en boglig skole, som Onsker at give eleveme grundlaggende kundskaber or fardigheder, der kan medvirke til at udvikle den enkelte elevs evner og anleg optimalt.

Stenhus Kostskole tilbyder o

a.:

. valgfag og niveaudelte fag 8.-10. klasse herunder fransk og sport & fritid . edb integreret i de enkelte fag efter behov ved brug af internet . en international 10. klasse

. skitur, kanotur, overlevelsestur, Stenhus-Games, irsfest m. m.

Bes/g vores hjemrneside: www.stenhus.dk / www.stenhus-kostskole.dk

visitors per day was recorded, most likely to be explained by the many holidays and low business activity related to the celebrations of the Thai New Year, Songkran in that month.

Stenhus Kostskole, Stenhusvej 20,4300 Holbrek

Tlf. +45 5943 0269 - Fax. +45 5943 78ll - E-mail: admin@stenhus.dk

Jyske Bank Evening Jyske Bank's Evening Seminar in

future was discussed lively be-

connection with the monthly Member's Networking at the

tween DTCC member Mr. Jorgen lb Hedes and Mr. Mads Schierup and Mr. Helge Nielsen.

By the end of the evening, a

Admiral's on April 22 was maybe not the most crowded evening in history but it was surely one ol the most interesting networking evenings judging from the very active participation of the around 15 members. Questions were out to both Mr. Helge Nielsen, Mr.

bl.

data og tysk fra 6. klasse

SFORT DFoS Transport Ohai) Ltd

Welcome to the world of DFDS Transport

lucky draw gave a free share in

Jyske Bank's latest interesting India Fund to Mr. Carl @stergaard

of Ramboll Thailand.

During the following days of the 23rd and 24th April, Henrik

Henrik Heering and Mr. Mads Schierup of Jyske Bank Private

Heering and Mads Schierup were holding individual meetings where

Banking as to their evaluation of

the focus was on each client's

the oerformance of the different markets in Asia. Especially the evaluation of China in the near

possibilities and personal investments.

DFDS Transport (Thai) Ltd. 19th Floor Silom Comolex 191 Silom Road Bangkok 10500 Tel : +66 22662777 Fax: +66 2 266 5666 E-mail: stelan.vandersluys @dfdstransport.co.th

tommy@dtdstransport.co.th bkk @dfdstransoort.co.th

www.df dstrans port.com Helge Nielsen and Mads Sc h i e rup c o n gratulating

Carl Ostergaard with the share he won in the lucky draw.

t9

A trip to the largely undiscovered island Koh Sichang off SriRacha is a wonderful experience even if you only have one day off.

Story by Gregers Moller Photos by Disraporn Yatprom

I discovered Koh Sichang less

I than half a year ago. And it's still a mystery to me why so few other

people have found this place. You

can be swimming in crystal clear waters or relaxing in the sun on the clean beach of this little unspoiled island within two hours from having left Bangkok. And still easily be back to Bangkok the same evenrng.

When visiting Koh Sichang even on weekends, I often find

myself to be the only westerner on the beach. And the Thais are not that many either. Most of them are families with children and grand parents, uncles and aunts and the family's pet dog. lf you are looking for bar girls and beach boys you have certainly come to the wrong place.

to SriRacha from

ing. Many Thais who have their ashes strewn in the sea have a

more recently built houses.

Bangkok is fast these days. The easiest way is by car. From

plaque inserted on the wall of the stairs leading up to the temple.

Bangna you can take the elevated

Two names on one of these

of Koh Sichang, odd looking tuk tuk's made of diesel engines

expressway to Chonburi or you may take the motorway towards Pattaya and Rayong extending from Rama g or from the Outer

Nida and Niels Quistgaard - bear witness to a likely Danish family tragedy - but none of the current monks at the temple today know the details of whatever happened.

Going

Ringroad. lf you have more time, all the highway busses to Pattaya also stop over in Sri Racha.

In SriRacha, simply follow the signs down to the harbour where small passenger ferries leave for Koh Sichang every hour. You can either park your car on the pier or have it taken care of by one of the protected parking lots on the spot. lf you have time left before the ferry leaves, a visit to the temple opposite the harbour is reward-

-

The ferry ride over to the is-

Upon your arrival at the pier

mounted on strong steel chassis are waiting to take you across the

island, where the only beach is located. The orice is 80 baht and

the only attempt to cheat you is an offer to come back and oick you up later. Don't take the offer

land is only twenty baht, although the ride takes about half an hour.

The boat will take you through a busy loading and unloading area for what seems to be mainly bulk carriers before it reaches first the

though

smaller island of Koh Kham,

steep. The landscape is worth

which was once owned by the EastAsiatic Company. The at that time only building on the island still stands - today surrounded by

- unless

you are prepared

to wait lor that oarticular tuk tuk to appear instead of simply climb up in the first one waiting at the beach for passengers going back.

The road across the island is watching once you are up on the top.

Still on the north east side of the island facing Sri Racha, you

Slop of i rolige og eksklusive .l orl,ol omgrvelser nor ue er po besug .t\l I u0nmorK Hellerup Parkhotel tilbyder fordelagtige priser til udedanskere i weekender, jul, vinter, piske, sommer og efterarsferien.

o'**"T[',T.'lt;;];l

ffi 2i tel

Strandveien

20

uD

Herlufsholm Kostskole

- en dansk skole

venir stuff but if you need sham-

poo and a toothbrush, this is where you buy it. The beach itself is divided into three zones, where parasols are set up every morning to give a comfortable shade over the deckchairs and the little tables grouped together.

From the kitchens serving the guests various simple dishes are offered - together with cold beer and soft drinks or the sweet local Sang Som rum or Mekong whisky.

A dip in the clear, warm tropical water is what you need first of all. lf you forgot your snorkeling gear you may rent some right on

the beach and explore

med international og akademisk atmosftere

the

colourful aquatic life around the rocks protruding into the see.

Later, having enjoyed your meal on the beach, you startwon-

will pass by the former palace

ground where the famous WimanmekTeak Palace in Bangkok was first built. After the conflict with the French around the turn of the past century the palace was dismantled and erected in Bangkok exactly as it was first built on Koh Sichang. The foundation is still visible. and a small museum tells the details of how

the island was originally

a

favourite holiday resort of the Royal Thai family.

Another landmark on this side of the island is Pan & David, one of the very few restaurants on the island catering to westerners like

dering if your appointment tomorrow is really so imponant that you have to go home. But beware: You cannot contact anyone to change

your schedule as the mobile phone network doesn't cover this side of the island. lf you decide to stay, very basic rooms are available on the hill

en

forskel!

only and no air conditioning.

Should all fifteen rooms be occupied, you still have another option.

The beach shops offer to set up a small igloo style tent for you right on the beach. This excellent 8O-baht-f or-the-ni

ght accommo-

dation seems to be the favourite

choice for especially young couples out for a romantic week-

end. Together with their friends they make themselves a camp-

and a member of the tourism

shrimps and half chicken com-

Korrexr os -

SA SENDER

vI

INFORMATIoNSMAIERIALE

OM KOSTSKOLEN OG VORES UDDANNELSER. Brsac os pA SKoLEN ELLER pA TNTERNETTET:

wwwherlufeholm.dk

fire near the rocks and grill

council for Koh Sichang. The food is Thai and ltalian and the setting is charming although right next to the main two lane road circling of the island.

Suddenly your tuk tuk goes in a sharp nose dive down to the only beach, Ao Atsadang, on the far side of the leland facing the Gulf of Thailand, The view is breathtaking and you can hardly believe you are Bo near Bangkok

come. Six o'clock in the morning as the sun peeps over the mountain top and crawls down from the rocks to hit the white sand you may wake up and go for a morning swim in the cool clear sea.

-

on the way the "town", you can

world.

The beach In Uie center of the bay has soft, whlt€ sand whlle the rocks to your rlght and left drop sharply into the sga. Afew ahops are located wherc tha road dopt.

None of them aall tha uaual rcu.

- det gst

right above you with cold water

you find them on Koh Samui or Phuket. David, the owner, is a long time resident of the island

and yet In a totally dlllerent

Herlufsholm Skole er mere end en uddannelsesinstitution Vi bestreber os pA at vere en skole, der gor en forskel for eleverne - pA alle livets omrAder - bAde nu og i fremtidm : I PA det akademieke og intellektuelle omrAde I PA det ekgkascolere omrAde I PA det dannels€m.assige omrAde

plete with sticky rice from the food

stalls. Ah!

But wait, the best is still to

Time to start planning your day.

You can rent a bike or go hiking by foot around the island, visiting

Hrruurgror.u O|'|dqgt

1565

rent a little canoe and explore the

bay

-

or simply plan to do noth-

Ing,

And when you have had enough of all this natural beauty you are only two hours away from Bangkokl

4700 Nestved www.herlufsholm.dk

Skolens kontor: Tlf.55 75 35 00 . Fax 55 75 35 14

e-mail rektorkontor@herlufsholm.dk Rektor privafi TIf. 55 75 35 25 . Fax 55 75 35 26

2l

Alter the wedding in the church, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary together with their parents appeared on the balcony of Amalienborg Caslle to share the happy moment with their thousands

of

Danes gathered to cheer the

newly married couple.

Danes in Bangkok celebrated the Royal Wedding at Admiral's Crown Princess Mary - back in

By Gregers Moller Danish residents and tourists in Bangkok on Friday night 14 May gathered atAdmiral's Pub & Restaurant to celebrate and watch live on big TV screens the wedding of Crown Prince Frederik to Mrs. Mary Donaldson - now

whom quite a few were Swedes, Nonrvegians or Australians. The many guests exceeded the capacity of the restaurant to the extend that some had to be seated in a separate room.

The evening was sponsored

by Maersk.

Copenhagen.

The wedding was transmitted through a privately leased satellite link arranged by local Royal Danish Embassies across the regron.

Ambassador Ulrik HelwegLarsen welcomed the guests of

Denmark's National Day

The National Day of Denmark was celebrated this year on the 20th of April with a reception at the residence of Ambassador Mr. Ulrik Helweg Larsen. The number

of well wishers was unusuallv I I

high this year, among others because the celebration was moved from 16 April, which is the Birthday of Queen Margrethe, to the 20th to avoid the Songkran celebrations in Bangkok.

Danish embassies around the

world may choose if they wish to celebrate the Danish National Day on Queen Margrethe's birth-

day or on June 5, which is the Danish constitution Day.

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