ADVANCE ~ August

A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN-THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AUSTRALIA THAILAND BUSINESS COUNCIL www.austchamthailand.com August 2010

AustCham’s First Chiang Mai Sundowners for 2010

business brief Thailand’s Ultimate Travel Experience

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community services chamber events Voluntary English Teaching at Chiang Mai Sundowners Baan Khao Huay Mahad School at U Chiang Mai

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chamber events Risk Management Luncheon at The Landmark Hotel

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Terms and Conditions, fees, charges and eligibility criteria apply. Nothing herein shall constitute a solicitation to buy or subscribe for any security, financial instrument or investment. This material does not take into account your personal investment objective, financial situation, risk profile or needs.

PATRON His Excellency Paul Grigson Australian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand PRESIDENT Andrew Durieux Coverage Portfolio: Regional Links VICE-PRESIDENTS John Anderson Meinhardt Portfolio: Community Services

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Contents

business brief 06 Expatriates’ Trail Towards Success in Thailand: Ten Pitfalls, Ten Important Skills and Ten Pieces of Advice 10 Privately Held Businesses Look for Greater Transparency in Financial Reporting 12 CLIENT ALERT: Thailand Disturbances 18 Thailand’s Ultimate Travel Experience

austcham alumni News 14 “Shall We Run a Race?”

community services 20 Voluntary English Teaching at Baan Khao Huay Mahad School chamber Events 22 Chiang Mai Sundowners at U Chiang Mai on 26 June 2010 23 Breakfast Briefing and Webinar: Behaviour Modelling in the Workplace 23 Luncheon: New Thai Incentives for Regional Operating HQs

M.L. Laksasubha Kridakon Baan Laksasubha Resort Hua Hin Portfolio: Alumni and Sponsorship TREASURER Nigel McKinnon Boral Thailand Portfolio: Treasury DIRECTORS David Armstrong Post Publishing Portfolio: Talks and Issues Achara Boonyahansa Grant Thornton Portfolio: Marketing

24 24 Alumni Night at Swissotel on 16 June, 2010l 27 Risk Management Luncheon at The Landmark Hotel on 6 July, 2010 27 Joint Luncheon: Tools and Tips to Succeed as a Leader Through the Next Crisis on 29 July 2010 28 Bangkok Sundowners at Grand Hyatt Erawan on 7 July 2010 Members’ changes 30 Changes of AustCham’s Member companies Members’ offers 33 AustCham Members’ Offers From the Chamber Office 34 Message from the ED

Amanda Canavan Energi Design Asia Portfolio: Major Events Jurairat Jammanee HASSELL Portfolio: Alumni and Sponsorship Leigh Scott-Kemmis DBM Portfolio: SME Belinda Skinner TopTalentAsia Portfolio: Communications Ben Yong Baker & McKenzie Portfolio: Joint Foreign Chamber of Commerce Thailand, Board of Trade and Other Links Saeed Zaki dwp Portfolio: Member Benefits Ex Officio Maurine Lam Trade Commissioner, Austrade

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From the Board

COORDINATORS Paul Whyte ESB Coordinator Email: esb@austchamthailand.com Paul Wilkinson AGS Four Winds International Moving ESB Coordinator Email: esb@austchamthailand.com Steve Brajak Raimon Land Phuket Coordinator Email: phuket@austchamthailand.com Harry Usher Lady Pie Phuket Coordinator Email: phuket@austchamthailand.com Executive Director Brett Gannaway Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce 20th Floor, Thai CC Tower 889 South Sathorn Road Bangkok 10120 Tel.: +66 2 210 0216 Fax: +66 2 675 6696 execdirector@austchamthailand.com www.austchamthailand.com

Editorial Committee Belinda Skinner, David Armstrong, Robert Taylor, Josh Hyland, Gregers Moller, Gary Woollacott Marketing & Production Scand-Media Corp. Ltd 4/41-42 Moo 3, Thanyakarn Village Ramintra Soi 14, Bangkok Tel.: +66 2 943-7166/8 Fax: +66 2 943-7169 scandmedia@scandmedia.com Advertising Finn Balslev Email: finn@scandmedia.com Contributions to Advance magazine are welcome. Please submit content to josh@austchamthailand.com by the first day of the month for publication in the following month’s magazine.

Opinions expressed in Advance do not necessarily reflect the views of the Chamber.

AustChamThailand Advance

Chilling Out

A

quick trip to Melbourne with family visits and some work thrown in has been my July.

The Board of Investment (BOI) and the Australian-Thailand Institute organised a seminar for potential Australian investors in Thailand at the Crown Casino in Melbourne and asked Austrade, Bluescope Steel and me to present our views on the Thai economy and environment.

There were over 120 attendees, which was a very positive outcome for Thailand and the BOI, given the events of the past few months and news coverage in Australia.

I presented a 30-minute talk, and included comments regarding what had occurred during the recent protests and how AustCham has been part of a combined effort to get some assistance for affected companies. I also explained my view on where the western media had perhaps got their story angles slightly skewed.

I also took the chance to discuss the perceptions of some Australians regarding the events in Thailand. It seems that many see this as a “class war” and that the protests have not finished. That is an interesting view given the events.

I concluded the talk by highlighting that many of our AustCham members, with operations on the Eastern Sea Board and parts of Bangkok away from the centre, have been doing very well and that tourists on the beaches of Phuket and Samui, ignoring the news, would have had no idea that there were any problems in Bangkok.

The Thai Ambassaddor to Australia (formerly involved with the Thaksin government) and the Honorary Thai Consul in Melbourne, both spoke with me afterwards and thanked me for giving a balanced and interesting update to the audience.

On the AustCham website there is a recent President’s Update. Included with this is an attachment that has the details of who to address requests for assistance to in terms of losses resulting from the recent protests and ensu-

ing business interruption. Please copy the Chamber office on any such correspondence so we can help on your behalf, where possible. There is another meeting scheduled for early August with the Finance Ministry to discuss these issues.

A lunch was also held where guest speakers informed the audience about types of insurances, claims against policies and the need for business continuity plans to be in place at all times. If the protests do return in a new format, then I can only urge all of our members to take this advice seriously. The presentations are on the web site also.

So now that the World Cup is over for another four years and the Tour De France completed (and still remains about the only other major sporting event an Aussie has never won), the children from the International schools go back to their studies, it’s time to return to work and start making money for your own companies, Thailand and Australia. Let us know how AustCham can help in anyway.

Did I mention I managed a day’s skiing? forgot how cold it really can be down here!

Andrew Durieux President, AustCham Thailand www.austchamthailand.com

August 2010

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Business brief

Expatriates’ Trail Towards Success in Thailand:

Ten Pitfalls, Ten Important Skills and Ten Pieces of Advice What are the most common mistakes made by (new) foreigners at work in Thailand? What are the skills and behaviours Thais demand from expats? Which advice do successful business leaders provide to newcomers in Thailand?

1-2-WIN Executive Coaching and Chambers of Commerce have conducted a large survey and gathered answers to help expatriates quickly excel at crosscultural work in the ‘Land of Smiles’, and enjoy it. In this article, Executive Coach Jean-Francois Cousin summarises the findings.

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hais extend a sincere and warm welcome to expatriates in general.

They expect new foreign managers to contribute know-how, best practices, creativity, quality analysis and decisionmaking and enhance their exposure to the ‘outside world’. Yet, while both Thais and expatriates normally nurture the best intentions to work effectively together, the road to success for foreigners is usually not a straight and smooth ride, and most of them make serious mistakes before they get it right.

What are the ten most common mistakes? According to our survey: 1. Rush to change things before understanding the situation 2. Ignore Thai cultural values 3. Misinterpret a “Yes” or a ‘smile’ 4. Be impolitely too direct / lose self-control 5. Publicly blame or express disagreement with a Thai colleague 6. Compare Thailand with other countries 7. Rely on monetary motivation alone 8. Arrogance / underestimate Thais’ capability 9. Use inappropriate body-language 10. Lack flexibility

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August 2010

Clearly, the flexible strength of the bamboo is more advisable to foreigners than the rigid strength of an oak and shall avoid being burned-out.

How then can an expatriate adapt at best to the Thai workplace without hindering his/her potential for contribution and positive change?

We asked Thai managers to share the most important skills and behaviours they wish an expatriate to display; here are the top-ten: Although Thais, who are aware of cultural differences, will usually forgive a foreigner of faux-pas for a while, an accumulation of mistakes will likely discourage them from fully supporting him/ her over time.

Prominent business leaders I discussed with concur with those findings. Bruno Charvet, Deputy Managing Director of Mazda in Thailand remarks: “The first mistake expats make is probably impatience and a lack of courtesy, wanting to go too fast or losing their temper in public”. Khun Vongthip Chumpani, Advisor at Bangkok Bank adds: “Foreigners should not criticise or scold employees in front of their subordinates or peers” while Khun Panya Pongtanya, General Manager of Thai Asia-Pacific Brewery (Heineken) advises further: “Foreigners should not say ‘this is being done in other countries’, because Thai people will feel very offended”.

Jorge Pinedo, General Manager of Mead Johnson Nutrition Thailand, shares: “Foreigners come to Thailand and sometimes try to ‘change the world’; it is a critical mistake we make as foreigners to be inflexible and not make enough efforts to adapt”. Henk Kiks, CEO of B-Quik, warns further: “Some multinational companies say ‘if anybody wants to work with us, they’ve got to follow our company culture, and we don’t care about the national culture’; I can tell you one thing: it doesn’t work here”.

1. Be open-minded 2. Express your ideas clearly 3. Listen well 4. Make good decisions 5. Control emotion well (don’t get angry easily) 6. Be respectful of Thai culture 7. Be easy to talk with (‘make me feel comfortable about talking with you’) 8. Motivate your colleagues 9. Have good analytical skills 10. Be good at solving problems That seems a fairly standard wish-list from a manager, doesn’t it?

Yet, when asked to rate expats’ performance on those ten skills / behaviours, Thais gave rather low scores to: • ability to motivate • emotion control • decision-making • problem-solving • listening A drill-down into our survey-results identified that “showing appreciation”, “recognising achievements” and “being polite” are motivational drivers that some expats do not leverage enough.

As for expats’ weaknesses in “decision-making” and “problem-solving” (in a Thais’ perception); they may well be rooted in insufficient consultation, poor listening and ineffective communication.

AustChamThailand Advance

Business brief

Let’s wrap-up with ten pieces of advice supported by insightful remarks from inspiring and successful business leaders in Bangkok.

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Trust and respect your Thai colleagues first; then build trust and respect Hein Swinkels, Unilever Vice-President for Finance, shares: “pay a lot of attention to building confidence and trust in you as a leader; Thais will accept you as a boss and try to please you from the beginning, but to get real trust, it will take at least six months. (…) If you think you can leapfrog that period, it will cause a lot of trouble later on.”

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Care (and show it) and invest in personal relationships (build-up your ‘extended family’ at work) Khun Patara Yongvanich, SAP Managing Director, explains that Thais seek an “extended family” environment at work and Jorge Pinedo concurs: “it is very important in places like Thailand to truly, genuinely invest in personal relationships; Thai people will know if it’s genuine, so it has to come from the heart. It does make a big difference.”

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Don’t rush! Open your mind, listen, learn, adapt, then act Khun Suchada Ithijarukul, President of Siam Makro, notes: “Some people try to copy and implement some of their experience in other countries without adapting into the local environment”, and it just doesn’t work.

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Share your values, clarify priorities and your expectations upfront Khun Arunee Jittanon, Corporate Sales Director at Wall Street Institute, advises: “Clearly communicate your values; values are very sensitive; misunderstandings can create very critical situations; some Thai people might not consider some values as important, like punctuality or truthfulness -a little lie might be OK-, but if those are your values, you have to tell them”.

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August 2010

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Create a safe and friendly atmosphere at work Khun Maris Tarab, ING Funds Managing Director, announces part of the reward: “When you deal with Thai people, you have to work like a friend; if you can buy their heart, they will work for you for a lifetime”. In contrast, if an expat doesn’t create a friendly / motivating enough environment at work and/or makes too many mistakes for too long, several Thai colleagues will likely resign, possibly simultaneously.

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Never lose self-control Thai subordinates shall not trust a foreign boss to control the business effectively, if he/she can not self-control in the first place. Expats working in Thailand are offered a sound opportunity to enhance several facets of their emotional intelligence.

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Ensure clarity of understanding, yours and your Thai colleagues’ and probe beyond a “yes” or a ‘smile’ Rajesh Sethi, President and CEO of ING Life, remarks: “One of the most common mistakes foreigners make is to assume that if there are no questions, then everybody understands what they are saying”.

Dr. Pisit Leeahtam, former Deputy Finance Minister, warns: “Sometimes, when Thais say yes, it will not be exactly the ‘yes’ that you (foreigner) understand, so you need to pay more attention to whether what you mean is really understood or not”. Jorge Pinedo reinforces: “Be very clear with communication, it’s not always what is said, but it’s what is heard, it’s very important to verify clarity of understanding”.

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Develop/coach your team-members Philips’ CEO’s offers great advice: “Let’s take the example of creativity-development. Many foreigners are unimpressed with their Thai colleagues’ ability to think out-of-the-box. However, Thais demonstrate remarkable creativity in many fields, design and the arts for instance. And successful foreigners here will testify that their Thai colleagues

can interact in a very open, straightforward manner in meetings and think outof-the-box. All it takes is the confidence to ‘go for it’. Encouragement and recognition will nurture it effectively.”

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Involve your team as much as possible Winfried Kiesbueye, Managing Director of CEVA Logistics advises: “Always involve your management team and share your success with your staff, you can do small things; recognition, awards, team-building sessions.”

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Deliver results visibly and with humility “The most important is that (expats) deliver results; it’s not a holiday, they have to contribute to make it happen” shares Khun Panya Pongtanya. Doing it with humility is the most admired way.

Beyond remembering this advice, we invite you to download another… “888 tips” gathered along our survey (from www.1-2-win.net “free download page”) and reflect further.

In conclusion, should there be only one insight for new expats to remember and act upon first, it could well be Rajesh Sethi’s remark: “Personal relationships make perfect professional relationships in Thailand”.

In our coaching-experience too, getting personal with Thai colleagues enables expats to adjust more quickly, support required change effectively and contribute at best, while enjoying the whole experience.

Note: A 49-page survey-summary can be freely downloaded from www.1-2win.net/download.htm Jean-Francois Cousin is a Professional Certified Coach and the Managing Director of 1-2-WIN Co., Ltd, based in Thailand since 1998. He can be reached at: 08 799 60 679 or jfc@1-2-win.net

For details of Jean Francois’ luncheon on 29 July 2010, see page 28.

AustChamThailand Advance

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Business brief

   Privately Held Businesses Look   for Greater Transparency in   Financial Reporting 

 ears of investor and regulator tional Financial Reporting Standards for Alex MacBeath explains, “Unlisted busi demands for greater transparency Small and Medium sized Enterprises nesses around the world who currently in financial reporting among listed (IFRS for SMEs).

IFRS for SMEs provides have to comply with full IFRS will be pleased  companies are now affecting attitudes in a substantially simplified set of internato find that the new standard is about one 

Y

the world of privately held businesses. tionally recognised accounting princitenth of the length of full IFRS and that the More than half of leaders of privately ples specifically for PHBs. Said Alex number of potential disclosure items will be held  businesses (PHBs) globally (52%) MacBeath, “The adoption of IFRS for nearer to 300 than the current 3,000.” believe that greater transparency is a key SMEs will allow PHBs to be more trans benefit of financial reporting, according parent and directly comparable with Reduced cost is also regarded as a ben efit of financial reporting by 44% of busito latest research from the Grant Thornton similar businesses around the world - a International Business Report (IBR) 2010 global solution to their increasing desire nesses globally and 15 countries cited it  (see figure 1). The research covers the for greater transparency.” as the most popular benefit of all. In Ire opinions of over 7,400 business owners land, 89% of businesses cited reduced across 36 economies. Businesses in IreFifty three percent of businesses owners cost as a benefit, the highest proportion of land, the Philippines and Taiwan were globally said they were aware of IFRS all countries, followed by Malaysia (85%) most enthusiastic about greater transfor SMEs. Regionally, business owners and Denmark (80%). Japan (3%) and Bot parency, with 85% of businesses citing within the EU are the most likely to be swana (11%) are the least likely to say that  greater transparency as a key benefit. informed (67%) with awareness highreduced cost is a benefit of financial reporting. Regionally, NAFTA, EU and Nordic countries are most likely to cite reduced  cost (53%, 51% and 50% respectively), whilst Latin America and Asia Pacific are  the least likely (both 33%).

  

Less complexity is cited by a third of businesses globally as a benefit of financial reporting. Belgium was the only country to cite less complexity as the top benefit (50%) although higher proportions in Ireland (87%) and Malaysia (79%) cited this as one of the key benefits of financial reporting.

 The IFRS for SMEs is a simplified version of the full IFRS, aimed at the needs of est in Ireland (86%), Spain (79%), FinSaid Alex MacBeath, global leader private companies. Containing less than land (78%) and the UK (76%). Business markets at Grant Thornton International,  230 pages compared to the nearly 3,000 owners in Asia Pacific countries are the “These results indicate that even though pages of full IFRS, IFRS for SMEs is a selfPHBs are often under no obligation to least likely to have heard of IFRS for  contained standard in which many of the report information about their financial SMEs, with Japan (19%) and Thailand  principles for recognising and measuring (18%) being the least informed. results or legal structures, business  assets, liabilities, income and expenses leaders are increasingly recognising have been simplified. Topics not relevant Where business owners were already that  in order to compete and grow they to SMEs have been omitted, and the need to be more transparent and more aware of IFRS for SMEs, they were asked  number of required disclosures has been readily comparable with competitors.” if they would like their country to adopt  significantly reduced. the standard. Globally 52% of business owners said they would like their counBusinesses recognise that financial Further enquiries, please contact: try to adopt IFRS for SMEs with busireporting will help them to grow their  Ian Pascoe, Managing Partner nesses in Mexico (89%), the Philippines business, with 37% citing easier access Lakpilai Worasaphya, Senior Manager to capital as a key benefit along with (85%) and Chile (84%) most supportGrant Thornton facilitating cross border trading (17%). ive. In some countries plans are already T: 02 205 8222 T: 1/2 02 205 8142 in place to adopt the standard, while in E: ian.pascoe@gt-thai.com others (including the Philippines) the At the same time, business owners were E: lakpilai.worasaphya@gt-thai.com standard has since been adopted. also asked if they had heard of Interna10

August 2010

AustChamThailand Advance

Client Ale Thailand

Business brief

CLIENT ALERT: Thailand Disturbances Background Earlier this year, a major political uprising occurred in Bangkok, beginning in March and culminating in a military exercise that ended in mid-May with protestors surrendering.

The events left a trail of fatalities and damage, affecting many of Bangkok’s iconic central business district buildings, such as the Thai Stock Exchange and the Central World shopping mall. As the clean up continues, the management of claims by insurers and their determination of whether losses are insured or uninsured are in the spotlight.

Defining the events The insurance outcome from the unrest remains far from clear.

Many clients are affected and a number of different policies may respond to these events. The Thai Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) recently commissioned a survey of 43 insurance companies and provided the following breakdown of the insurance policies which potentially will respond.

Bangkok

Of the 751 policies identified: 1. Fire insurance policies 288 policies or 38.34% of the total insurance policies; 2. Property risk policies 259 policies or 34.49% of the total insurance policies; 3. Business interruption policies 15 policies or 2% of the total insurance policies; 21 policies or 2.80% of the total 4. Terrorism policies insurance policies; 5. Others policies i.e. leasehold policies, contractor’s all risks policies 168 insurance policies or 22.37% of the total insurance policies.

Background We believe that it is incumbent on each insurer to investigate,

assess and year, determine each claim based onuprising all relevantoccurred facts Earlier this a major political in before stating whether, or to what extent, a particular policy Bangkok, beginning in March 2010 and culminating in may respond. In making that assessment, each insurer has military thatwith ended mid-May withtheprotesto a duty exercise to conduct itself utmostingood faith towards insured. We do not believe that insurers agreeing (expressly surrendering. or by their conduct) on a common approach to their assess-

of claims fromof multiple sites, where particular Thement events leftarising a trail fatalities andthe damage, circumstances may differ, accords with this principle. affecting many of Bangkok’s iconic central business district buildings, suchofas Thaithere Stock Exchange Depending on the nature thethe policies, are likely to The precise wording of each class of policy issued by each andbe the Central World Shopping Mall. As the cleancases where businesses have no insurance protection insurer will differ to some extent. How should the events in up continues, because the cause their losses may fall an excluded theofmanagement ofwithin claims by insurers Bangkok be defined from an insurance perspective? Were event. The OIC has requested cooperation from the Gentheir determination losses are insured or the various events terrorism? riots? civil commotion? insurrec- anderal Insurance Association andwhether insurance companies to contion, rebellion or revolution? Each of these terms has a dif- uninsured are payments in the spotlight. sider ex-gratia to policyholders. The OIC has also

ferent meaning and the insurance outcome will often differ requested the Government to apply tax incentives for insurdepending on how the event is characterised. Some or all ance companies to encourage them to provide such assistof these terms may be specifically excluded under a policy. ance. While the OIC’s approach is largely directed towards Some policies will include definitions of some of these terms. small businesses, such an approach is to be recognised and insurance outcome from the unrest far More often, there is no policy definition and the terms will be Theapplauded as presenting a significant opportunity forremains insurers given their ordinary English meaning, often as established by from to play a responsible part in helping the business clear.

Many clients arerebuild affected and acomnumber of legal precedent. At the end of this article are examples of munity which supports them. different policies may respond to these events. some definitions that have been applied to these terms.

Insurers are well aware of the need for a quick recovery for In the way that insurers assess and price risks on an indi- TheBangkok’s economy, of their role Commission in the economic fabric of recentl Thai Office of and Insurance (OIC) vidual basis, it is our view that they must also assess claim Thailand.

Marsh encourages all of the insurers with whom we commissioned a survey of 43 insurance companies and events individually. Despite media reports of general prowork to support this initiative. nouncements about the nature of the events in Bangkok, we provided the following breakdown of the insurance do not accept that such pronouncements ought to form the policies To facilitate early claims assessment, it is critical for busiwhich potentially will respond. basis of an individual insurer’s decisions in relation to indinesses that has suffered damage during these events work vidual claims. with their brokers to carefully review the applicable terms of

Defining the events

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August 2010

AustChamThailand Advance

Business brief

their insurance policies, most especially any claims conditions, and to manage their claims submission and interactions with their insurers.

more serious than a riot. It does not imply the objective of supplanting governmental authority, but rather is a rising of the people for purposes of general mischief.

Example Definitions Marsh has compiled example definitions from existing policies and case law relating to political and terrorist events. These definitions are provided for illustrative purposes only.

Terrorism Acts of persons on behalf of, or in connection with, any organisation which carries out activities directed towards the overthrowing or influencing, by force or violence, the government of the country, including fire damage and physical loss by looting following terrorism. Terrorism does not include an act of violence directed at a specific individual or individuals which is motivated by personal reasons specific to the parties, e.g. robbery, crimes of passion, murder.

Riot A violent disturbance by three or more persons assembled together which threatens public peace.

Insurrection A violent rising of citizens or subjects whose main objective is to overthrow the government of the host country.

Rebellion A deliberate, organised and open resistance, by force and arms, to the laws or operations of the government of the host country committed by its citizens or subjects.

Civil Commotion Something less than a civil war but something considerably

AustChamThailand Advance

For more information As the world’s leading insurance broker and risk advisor, Marsh is ready to help businesses recover their insured losses and review their insurance and risk management programs to protect them in the future. For more information, please contact a Marsh representative or visit www.marsh.com or www. marsh-asia.com to find the nearest Marsh office.

For details of Robin Armstrong’s luncheon on 6 July 2010, see page 28.

August 2010

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austcham alumni News

“Shall We Run a Race?”

Dr. Salinee Antarasena was AustCham’s 2009 Young Alumni Award winner. Today she shares her struggles and triumphs as she developed a tonal language training program for cochlear implant recipients and devised a system for the blind to develop colours mathematically for documents.

A

s a child, I always thought I was the turtle, a land turtle raised up in the rabbits’ land. I was always slow to learn and forgetful while all my friends seemed to pick up every lesson faster than me. And though none of my teachers ever feared I would slip behind compared to others in the same class, I always realised I puzzled over small matters – every day. Where this or that word would come from? How some people could create various means of word formation, the rules, the exceptions? How some people could make incredible sewing patterns, or dancing steps?

Still, my mother sent me to a good convent school, Mater Dei where I learnt two more languages English and French, and social etiquette. And, I had new questions – every day.

To most people, my first education is a luxury, but to me the school planted the concern for the needy in me. We would have every week of volunteer program, and frequent care home and district school visits. Nuns and teachers would ask us to think what we could do for them by our own, no matter how small it was, and assist us to develop it.

Such concern was also combined with

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August 2010

Ever since I was a little girl, the Rabbit and the Turtle tale has always been my favourite, but I’ve always thought its original version needs something extra. my early experience observing my father’s obsession with his work, the medical voluntary mobile unit, which he actively ran with his own fundraising for Otitis Media preventions and Cholesteatoma surgeries in rural areas, and neighbouring countries.

But as a turtle, I was still slow. I learnt the overwhelming feelings of need outside my house, outside my school and that my extra can

help them, still I could not find things for them I could do.

It was around the age of ten when I started to be a frequent visitor to my father’s hospital. My joint pain was first put down to too much swimming, and later Arthritis before I eventually learnt that I had a wolf inside my body. From then the wolf has been my closest friend though living with him has never been easy. He is there every day and never goes away. My study was then made more difficult by brain fog given by the wolf, and I had to invent some techniques to help myself remember things I did not want to forget. Gradually I started realising the difference between me and my friends, my days, shortened – and that perhaps it was me who may need the extra. I began to look at myself as a needy.

I then went to Chulalongkorn University after Grade 11 for my first university degree, where I enjoyed their course immensely. All my puzzles were well presented by the professors, and all clean solved. The wolf, however, was naughty that he allowed me only one full year of study and the rest, in the care of the doctors. Four years later, I graduated from Faculty of Arts with BA (English), without extraordinary

AustChamThailand Advance

austcham alumni News

marks, and with strong passion to continue my study, and to write.

In the same year of my graduation, I arrived in Down Under. My father who went to join the Cochlear Implant program at the Australian Bionic Ear & Hearing Research Institute in Melbourne in 1994 found Australia a nice and safe country, where I – even in bad health, could live an independent life.

So, I went to Macquarie University in Sydney, for my MA and Ph.D. both in Creative Writing. To most people, the course should have equipped me with skills necessary for fiction writings. The truth is I engaged in creative writing activities and little by little my supervisors, Prof. John Stephens, and Dr. Marcelle Freiman, encouraged me to play with language. I was still a quiet turtle at that time, and though I started learning English since kindergarten, I was shy to speak and express my thoughts.

During the course, the

professors guided me to express myself and my thoughts more accurately and concisely as I wished, through words.

Consequently, after a year of study there I won a Thai Government scholarship.

In my later years in Sydney, my health declined but my doctor (Dr. Steve Chadban) and the staffs at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown made my life enjoyable. They always asked what I wanted to do and tried every way to assist my needs. The checkup was never scary and I never felt I was a foreign student in a foreign land. I could continue my study, keep a short walk

around Darling Harbour in front of my house every evening as usual, do some long walks from Central Station to the Quay from time to time, and make some short trips around the country myself.

Living with my wolf was not hard in Australia and day by day I crafted a little work of my own, invented a small way to learn language I love – first a small project to play with languages, to assess different individual perceptions; then I expanded it to give a greater role to individual differences in language development, and word formation.

Back to Thailand, I became a lecturer.

I first started observing works with my father’s friends, in school and hospital setting. Children with Autism and with hearing loss were my first focus. It was hard actually to understand them as the same lesson seemed to be perceived differently. So, my work focus narrowed down to prelingual deaf children. Dr. Kietiyos Komin and Dr. Maliwan Tammasaeng, both helped me for my first observations.

However, before any work would be completed I had a flare up followed by left sided hemiplegia. My renal doctors (Dr. Nuntaka Chantavanit and Dr. Boontum Jirajan) and my internal medicine doctors (Dr. Yupin Thaipisutikul and Dr.

AustChamThailand Advance

August 2010

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austcham alumni News

Somsak Laptikultham) at Rajavithi Hospital spent months to help me recover, and the flare subsided.

I was not fully recovered right away. I had very blurry vision and from time to time, went blind or spot distorted vision. From then I started to depend on my auditory sense and started learning that things around me never sounded like before.

Each sound I found in a single day was always a discovery. Without good vision, every sound seemed to be the sound I did not recognise. For months, I experimented combining my ways to code things I did not want to forget with my sound exploration, and the computer use. I then made progress of my research work from that – first I taught the born-blind to be computer-user, and then to detect colors and learn color categorisation from the sounds. That small research work was recognised in an international conference in Salzburg as best paper in the following year.

It was that time that I eventually found what I could do.

And since some sign of stuttering was presented in my early months of recovery and I spent lots of time studying books and research papers dealing with speech and phonetic science, my later work heavily focused on another group, children with hearing loss. This time, teachers at Setsatian School for the Deaf helped me understand how the children

sign language, learn Thai and their third language, English. Dr. Kietiyos Komin, head of ENT department at Rajavithi Hospital helped me understand the cochlear implant technologies and surgeries, what speech and sound would be like through a cochlear implant. Gradually, I spot their difficulties in making language progress as a result of different structures across three languages, and I have brought these children a series of colors specially invented as additional visual cues which prove to succeed in helping them express their phonological awareness and accelerate their development of speech and speech intelligibility.

People often say to me that my work helps the needy. Strangely, I see these children are no different. I myself struggled to find ways to express my thoughts and I spot the same difficulty

in them. Now, I have learnt that if language can be barrier and increase the challenge, then my colour ways familiarize the target language (English) to another, to code it and decode it in ways that any people with good vision or not can easily grasp it.

Now although what I can do becomes much clearer, I’m still the same turtle, puzzling over small matters – every day, and never once asked to be the rabbit.

This essay is an account of Dr.Salineeís experiences overcoming great barriers to help those in need. The above article is her original work and has been included in her textbook “Introduction to Creative Writing” second edition.

Thanks go to Dr.Salinee for sharing her story with us.

A note from the editors This essay is an account of Dr. Salinee’s experiences overcoming great barriers to help those in need. The above article is her original, unedited work and will feature in the second edition of her textbook ‘Introduction to Creative Writing’.

Many thanks go to Dr. Salinee for sharing her story with us.

If you have an article or story that relates to Thai’s living in Australia and would like to submit it to Advance magazine, please contact: josh@austchamthailand.com

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Business brief

Thailand’s Ultimate Travel Experience T

o travel in Thailand is to experience far more than simply a mode of transport from A to B. Like sampling the Kingdom’s culinary gems, to visiting breathtaking temples and participating in a festival, even ‘getting about’ reveals secrets of Thailand’s unique and often complex culture, providing expats and tourists alike with meaningful and often unforgettable experiences.

Yet even in a country that has managed to retain its sense of cultural authenticity so rigorously, changes in travel trends have occurred, with the capital undergoing the greatest modernisation. The sometimes hair-raising thrill of a tuk-tuk ride is now not nearly so common as it was five, and certainly ten, years ago. However tourists in particular are still happy to haggle down extortionate rates for the chance to tell a tale of real road adventure along Bangkok’s bustling streets.

As taxis steadily take up more road space than their gas guzzling open-sided counterparts, there remains a traditional form of transport in Bangkok which promises quintessential cultural charm accompanied by the joys of a stylishly smooth ride, the promise of no traffic jam in sight, plus the passing by of the city’s most popular tourist attractions and captivating local life.

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Business brief

We are, of course, talking about a cruise along the famous Chaophraya River– the majestic River of Kings. For most who have had the pleasure, there is simply no better way to travel, and no greater opportunity to soak up the City of Angels’ colorful contrasts.

“Cruisers” encounter Bangkok’s intoxicating blend of traditional Thai river life and modern marvels slowly and with every sense aroused, as opposed to tourists sweeping the banks in a car or tuk-tuk, grabbing only a fleeting glimpse and muffled sound. “Cruisers” are therefore regaled by a steady reel of kaleidoscopic snapshots. Playful kids jump off small bridges into the water below without a care in the world.

They see age-old teak houses residing proudly side by side exquisitely ornate temples, whose architecture of golden peaks gleams against the sky. Upward glances take in the city’s impressive bridges and a skyline dominated by luxury new condo blocks and spectacular hotels.

Gaze downwards, and small floating market boats appear, steered by women clad in traditional sunhats and earnestly selling their wares.

Those who choose to cruise along the city’s famously scenic river also find themselves face to face with a tick list of guidebook recommended attractions, including the Royal Barges boatshed and museum, Wat Arun – the Temple of Dawn, Wat Pho – the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, and the must-see Grand Palace.

These voyages of discovery also inspire the senses through experiential means. Guests can savor true Thai hospitality as they watch genuine local life unfold before them. As guests watch locals preparing food on their doorsteps and sharing family meals, they can dine on the most popular regional dishes, all skillfully created and presented by master chefs from the freshest local ingredients.

Guests can even go one step further in delving into the cultural understanding and importance of Thai cuisine, by booking a cooking class aboard a cruise, where they’ll learn to master authentic cooking methods and enjoy a perfect balance of self-created aromas and flavours as river life stirs all around.

While beyond the adventures of cruise dining and cruise cooking, come opportunities to travel further afield and more fully explore the Kingdom’s ancient sites, with overnight cruises becoming increasingly popular as discerning globe trotters visiting Thailand seek out true exploration with the promise of luxury and traditional charm.

Manohra Cruises Experience the historic Chaophraya River aboard an award winning Manohra Luxurious Cruises boat. Step into a beautifully restored antique rice barge of fi ve-star style and comfort. Journey deeper into Thai culture with a range of experiences that allow you to tailor the perfect voyage of discovery with all kind of activities including Manohra Dining Cruises, Manohra Cooking Class, Manohra Overnight Cruises and many more. For further information or reservation, please call (66) 2 477 0770, email manohra@ manohracruises.com or visit:www.manohracruises.com AustChamThailand Advance

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community service

Voluntary English Teaching at Baan Khao Huay Mahad School On Saturday, 10 July 2010 the voluntary teachers headed to Baan Khao Huay Mahad School in Rayong to teach a lesson on fruit with an activity aimed at teaching the students how to describe the way fruit tastes and looks. If you are interested in joining the team next month, please contact: varin@austchamthailand.com

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AustChamThailand Advance

LET US ENTERTAIN YOU. NOW FLYING NON - STOP TO AUSTRALIA

International airline of

For more information please contact your preferred V Australia travel agent.

SapientNitro VAU 639/L2A

Award-winning entertainment • 50 box office hits • More than 100 TV favourites 200+ CD albums • Variety of music channels • Single and multi player games

Chamber Events

Chiang Mai Sundowners at U Chiang Mai on 26 June 2010 On Friday, 26 June this year’s first Chiang Mai Sundowners networking event was held at U Chiang Mai. AustCham thanks BTS Group and V Australia for hosting the event as well as U Chiang Mai for their support of venue and catering.

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From left: 1) Andrew Durieux - AustCham President, Coverage; Khun Suchada Saengarun - GM, U Chiang Mai; Khun Sarinya Holloway - V Australia; H.E. Paul Grigson - Australian Embassy; Michael Walther - Australian Honorary Consul in Chiangmai. 2) Khun Phitsanu Thepthong - Chiangmai Mail; Khun Suchada Saengarun - GM, U Chiang Mai; John Anderson - AustCham Vice President, Meinhardt; Tony Malhotra - Chiangmai Mail. 3) Khun Sasithorn Sangyoy - V Australia; Istvan Orodan; Richard Prouse - SOS Emergency Assistance for Foreigners; Khun Peampat Jitsaree - V Australia. 4) David Armstrong - AustCham Director Markus Wehrhan - Resource Link Consulting Group; Nigel McKinnon - AustCham Director, Boral Concrete and Quarries. 5) Tim Collins - NGI Pty; David Hardcastle; Michael Walther - Australian Honorary Consul in Chiangmai; Krishna Limsakdakul - Chiangmai Chamber. 6) Maurine Lam - Austrade; Sally Golding Chiangmai Family Services. 7) Andrew Durieux - AustCham President, Coverage; Graham Guerin - Aztec International.

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Chamber Events

Breakfast Briefing and Webinar: Behaviour Modelling in the Workplace Philip Macleod gave a presentation on the ways behaviour modelling can be used to be more successful in human resourses operations in the workplace. The meeting was held at the AustCham office on Wednesday, 6 July 2010 and joined by others online from other parts of Thailand and one viewer in Singapore.

Luncheon: New Thai Incentives for Regional Operating HQs KPMG tax partner, Graeme Sheard, gave AustCham members and friends insight into new Thai Incentives for Regional Operating Headquarters. The meeting was held at the Nai Lert Swissotel Bangkok on Thursday, 17 June and allowed for attendees to discuss the ROH regimes following the presentation.

TIS

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Manufacturing and Distributed by DIMET (Siam) Public Company Limited 602 Moo 2, Bangpoo Industrial Estate Soi 1 Muang, Samutprakarn 10280 Thailand Tel +62 323 2800-6 Fax +662 323 2807 AustChamThailand Advance

Marketing & Sale OfďŹ ce: 1168/58 Lumpini Tower Building, 21st Floor Rama 4 Rd.,Tungmahamek, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120 Tel. +662 679 8225-8 Fax +662 679 8229 August 2010

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Chamber Events

Alumni Night at Swissotel on 16 June, 2010 Wednesday, 16 June saw another successful Alumni night with great food and a host of interesting guests. Australian Alumni Nikki Lohitnavy talked of her studies in Australia and current position at GranMonte Vineyard. Thanks to Nikki and her team for supplying beverages for the night. Past AustCham President and Chief Executive Officer of Opus Recruitment Ltd., Gary Woollacott also gave a short presentation on the art of networking followed by an exercise that got everyone introducing themselves to those they had never met. AustCham wishes to thank Gary as well as Swissotel Nai Lert Park for use of Syn Bar and spectacular food.

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Corporate Sponsors 2010 GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

The Australian Rules Football Grand Final is one of Australia’s largest annual sporting events and our event is one of the largest Grand Final gatherings outside Australia. The game is shown on a number of large screens positioned around the room, so you won’t miss any of the action. This year we will be focusing on bringing the family together, so come with your little ones and the nanny for an unbeatable AFL celebration.

Chamber Events

Risk Management Luncheon at The Landmark Hotel on 6 July, 2010 Khun Sorachon Boonsong, Principle of Baker and McKenzie and Robin Armstrong, Chief Executive Officer of Marsh PB Co., Ltd, did a joint presentation on protecting your business and getting it back on its feet following a crisis. Held at the Landmark Hotel, attendees were informed of current issues regarding insurance and protecting a company’s bottom line.

Joint Luncheon: Tools and Tips to Succeed as a Leader Through the Next Crisis on 29 July 2010 Executive Coach, Jean Francois Cousin gave and engaging talk to over 30 attendees on leadership and management techniques to succeed through difficult times. During his talk at the Plaza Anthanee he used the styles of famous conductors to demonstrate team leadership and start conversations on how to maintain a company and its team through ‘stormy weather’.

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Chamber Events

Bangkok Sundowners at Grand Hyatt Erawan on 7 July 2010 Wednesday, 7 July, being the first Wednesday of the month saw AustCham Thailand’s monthly Sundowners networking event. Thank you must go to the Grand Hyatt Erawan for welcoming us to their newly renovated “Campus” and providing a host of wonderful food. Corporate sponsors TMF must also be thanked for hosting this great evening which would not have been possible without them.

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From left: 1) Andrew Durieux - AustCham President, Coverage; Khun Suganya Ransigutta - TMF; Clayton Hebbard - TMF; Richard Greaves - Grand Hyatt Erawan; Khun Suthep Srisawaddisopon - Geodis Wilson. 2) Khun Ridee Preecharpurmprasit - CoffeeWorks; Khun Prapa Jitvivatporn - TCC Land Retail; Pete Cheah - Samijivet. 3) TMF Team. 4) Khun Kasemsri Kaewthammachai - Thana Burin Asia-Pacific; Khun Nattawan Iamsittipol - Thana Burin Asia-Pacific. 5) Khun Suthep Srisawaddisopon - Geodis Wilson Thai; Khun Jiraporn Thammasin - V. Pack & Move; Khun Tippawan Chomnim - V.Pack & Move. 6) M.L. Laksasubha Kaidakon - AustCham Vice President, Baan Laksasubha Resort; Peter Feeney - TopTalentAsia. 7) Charles Symons - Salween Solutions; Pierre Edouard - Vintrou; Joy Sapanon - Golden Tulip; Khun Issariyaporn Nuchet - Golden Tulip; Khun

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Chamber Events

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Orapan Kankham - Salween Solutions. 8) Vicki Knowls - The Little House International Kindergarten; Chalita Muakphloi - The Little House International Kindergarten; Jo Stevens - The Little House International Kindergarten; Josh Hyland - AustCham Thailand. 9) Khun Theeraya Sombon - Grand Hyatt; Khun Orawan Sornsawang - Grand Hyatt.

10) Daniel Remon - Fitcorp Asia; Belinda Skinner - AustCham Director, Top Talent Asia. 11) Khun Soontaree Panjachai - Chatrium; Dollada Thamtanakom - Chatrium; Marcus Prior - Baker Tilly. 12) Khun Janshine Witsuttiphat - Subarnabhumi Airport Hotel; Khun Prim Held - Subarnabhumi Airport Hotel; Khun Juthamart Veerakul - Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel. 13) Shane Torr - ISM International Technology Recruitment Ltd. ; Dr.Valerie McKenzie - Thana Burin Asia Pacific Ltd.; David Armstrong - AustCham Director.

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New members and Members’ changes

CEL Engineers Limited 1858/13 -14, 5th Floor, Nation Tower Bangna-Trad Road, Bangna, Bangkok 10260 Tel: +66 2 751 5100-5 Fax: +66 2 751 5106 Email: info@cel.co.th Website: www.cel.co.th

G4S Security Services (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 2019 New Petchburi Road Bangkapi, Huaykwang, Bangkok 10310 Tel: +66 2 713 8700 Fax: +66 2 713 8731 Email: customerservices.ss@th.g4s.com Website: www.g4s.com

Principal: Mr. Jaturun Siraphongphan

Principal: Mr. Michael Walls Alternate: Mr. Chanin Suksuwan

CEL Engineers Limited is a top 1 engineering consultant and construction management firm with a wide range of services associated with delivering large and multinational projects. Our goals are to provide professional engineering services in a manner that is technically correct, timely and economical. We currently run our engineering and construction management service with more than 15 major projects, with a combined value of around 35 billion Baht and we have 220 engineers under our company operation.

The Chava Resorts 113 Moo 3, T. Cherngtalay Thalang District, Phuket 83110 Tel: +66 76 372 600 Fax: +66 76 372 606 Email: reservations@thechavaresort.com Website: www.thechavaresort.com

G4S is the world’s leading security group, which specialises in outsourcing of business processes in sectors where security and safety risks are considered a strategic threat. G4S is the largest employer quoted on the London Stock Exchange and has a secondary stock exchange listing in Copenhagen. G4S has operations in over 110 countries and over 595,000 employees.

For more information on G4S, visit www. g4s.com. G4S Thailand offers a complete range of services to provide total security solutions designed to meet customer needs. In Thailand, we operate in Secure Solutions and Cash Solutions. Our expertise in security solutions makes us one of the market-leading companies in Thailand, delivering security solutions to a broad range of customers throughout the Kingdom.

Golden Tulip Hospitality Group Paso Tower, 12A Floor, 88 Silom Road Suriyawong, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Tel: +66 2 634 4944-5 Fax: +66 2 634 4946 Email: southeastasia@goldentulip.com Website: www.goldentulip.com

Principal: Mr. Larry Cunningham Alternate: Ms. Sanpaporn Suwannarat The Chava Resort is a luxury apartment resort located at Phuket’s best beach. The resort opened in August 2008. The Chava comprises 45 self contained apartments ranging from two to five bedrooms. The large (900 square metres) pool area is a feature of the resort. A 100 metre walk through parkland takes you to surin beach, the millionaires choice. The Chava resort was built by AustCham member world constructions with Hong Kong based Australian architect Branko Pahor supplying the plans. Queensland Born Phil Gill was project manager.

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Principal: Mr. Mark van Ogtrop Alternate: Ms. Tiparpa Sapanon With nearly 50 years of experience, Golden Tulip Hospitality Group is offering services in the mid-upper and luxury scales with over 230 hotels in 37 countries. The 3 brands promise international standards of service and facilities throughout hotels which retrain their own unique flavour and personality.

Penner-Madison & Company Limited 22nd Floor, Charn Issara Tower 2 2922/269 New Petchburi Road Bangkapi, Huaykwang, Bangkok 10310 Tel: +66 2 716 5246 Fax: +66 2 716 5224 Email: peter_b@penner-madison.com Website: www.penner-madison.com

Principal: Ms. Chupit Chutitum Alternate: Mr. Peter Bachner A full service integrated marketing communications agency established in 1997 and serving Thailand and the S.E. Asia region. We offer the full scope of marketing practices include public relations, special events, advertising, strategic marketing, integrated online marketing and localization.

The agency has specialized in the past primarily in IT accounts and our current clients include such regional accounts as Adobe, Symantec, VMWare and SanDisk.

We also been specialist in regional public relations and work closely with TCEB and BITEC on complex international public relations projects on an on-going basis.

We are also one of the few agencies with credentialed integrated online marketing expertise covering all facets of blended online strategies.

Peopleserve Asia Ltd. 16/F Maneeya Centre 518/5 Ploenchit Road, Lumpinee Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Tel: +66 2 652 0888 Fax: +66 2 652 0887 Email: info@pserveasia.com Website: www.pserveasia.com

Principal: Mr. Christopher McAleer Alternate: Mr. Ian Webb Peopleserve Asia is a unique “One Stop” Human Resources Outsourcing Company, providing payrool, and the full spectrum of outsourced human resources services to our clients including executive search and recruitment.

AustChamThailand Advance

New members and Members’ changes

• • • • • Shama Sukhumvit 12 Soi Sukhumvit 4 Sukhumvit Road, Klongtoey Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 83 618 3008 Fax: +66 2 656 9177 Email: sukamalmondal@shama.com Website: www.shama.com

Volvo collision repair Vehicle modification Refrigerated truck body manufacture Outsourcing Automotive part wholesales

Change of Company Address

VIE Hotel Bangkok 117/39-40 Phaya Thai Road Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400 Tel: +66 2 309 3939 Fax: +66 2 309 3838 Email: gm@viehotelbangkok.com Website: www.viehotelbangkok.com

Principal: Mr. Sukamal Mondal Shama is a leading serviced apartment provider founded in Hong Kong and currently operates a varied portfolio in prime commercial and residential districts in Dalian, Hong Kong and Shanghai, and has plans to expand its portfolio further in Guangzhou, Bangkok, Bangalore and Hangzhou.

The brand operates two tiers of serviced apartments, consisting of Shama and a premiere tier called Shama Luxe. Founded in 1996, marking the first introduction of boutique serviced apartments to the Hong Kong real estate market.

Shama is a lifestyle provider. It offers discerning residents with homes that blend comfort, style and luxury. Beyond creating exceptional accommodation, it aspires to offer its clients a superior standard of living in their new city.

Total Training Innovations (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 1739/1 Soi Poonsin, Sukhumvit 66/1 Road Bangjak, Prakanong, Bangkok 10260 Tel: +66 2 744 7760-4 Fax: +66 2 744 8919 Email: www.ttinao.com Website: kchumma@ttinao.com

Principal: Mrs. Sirijit Surasarank Alternate: Mr. John David Parola Training Automotive & Outsourcing: • Training Automotive

AustChamThailand Advance

VIE BAR, VIE MEZZININE and VIE CIGAR providing an extensive selection of cigars, fine wines and classic cocktails topped with a rooftop swimming pool.

Principal: Mr. Remko Kroesen Alternate: Mrs. Wanida Tradivel Perfectly positioned in the heart of the dynamic Bangkok landscape, VIE reflects the archetypal life of this modern city, complete with its energy, character and charisma.

With its prime location close to Ratchathewi Skytrain station, the business centres of Silom and Sukhumvit areas are only minutes away. Major shopping and entertainment complexes of Siam Square, Siam Center, Siam Discovery and Siam Paragon can be reached on foot or via Skytrain.

VIE Hotel fits a number of these criteria, but was particularly selected for the MGallery collection because of its Design - the first MGallery hotel in the world to be selected because of its exceptional design qualities.

Through J+H Boiffils’ (France) world-class architectural vision, VIE captures the 21st century spirit of Bangkok and defines a new style of travel and leisure.

Natural and exotic materials, evocative lighting, vivid colours and unique artworks have been fused to create a uniquely individual style that connects to the city’s vibrant life.

The uncompromising creative detail flows seamlessly to guest rooms delivering a lush residential comfort. All 154 Deluxe Rooms, Deluxe Suites, two bedroom Duplex Suites and the commanding Penthouse Suites are designed so guests can immerse themselves in the sumptuous and spacious setting, each showcasing dynamic views of this charismatic city.

I Resource Link Consulting Group Co., Ltd. No. 65, 42 Tower, Room M5, M Floor, Soi Sukhumvit 42, Sukhumvit Rd., Prakanong, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 2 712 3190 Fax: +66 (0) 2 712 3191 HydroGreenergy Co., Ltd. has changed company name to be G-PowerLube Co., Ltd. No.29 Bangkok Business Center Suite#1103, Soi Sukhumvit 63 (Ekamai ) Klongton-Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 2 711 7258 Fax: +66 2 711 7259 Website: www.G-PowerLube.com Email: Admin@gpowerlube.com A.R.V. Offshore Co., Ltd. 18th Floor, Rasa Tower 2, 555 Phaholyothin Road, Jatujak, Bangkok 10900 Tel: +66 2 937 1211 Fax: +66 2 937 1212-3

Change of Representative Mr. David Duncan, Consultant is a new representative of Tilleke & Gibbins International Ltd. Khun Tatchaphol Arnajiragul, Director of Sales is a new representative of Chatrium Residence Bangkok - Sathon.

Mr. Ross Werner, Director of Operations is a new representative of Siam Ocean World Bangkok Company Limited.

Mr. Suthep Rattananukrom, Director of Sales is a new representative of Siam Ocean World Bangkok Company Limited.

Mr. Teddy Chia, General Manager is a new representative of Grand Mercure Fortune Bangkok.

Mr. Michael Ganster, General Manager (Guru) is a new representative of dusitD2 baraquda pattaya.

Ms. Patitta Chinin Adinolfi, Director of Sales & Marketing is a new representative of dusitD2 baraquda pattaya.

Contained within the four-storey cube at the hotel’s entrance is the VIE 39 Exclusive Entertainment Complex, which features

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Eastern Eastern Seaboard Seaboard Charity Charity Golf Golf Open Open

Date:

Friday, 15 October 2010

Time:

12.00 Noon shotgun start (registration from 11.00am - 11.45am)

Location:

Phoenix Golf Club (Sukhumvit Road, Km 158, Huai Yai)

Player Fee: Baht 2,900 - includes caddy fee, goody bag, green fee, tournament polo shirt

and admission to AustCham’s ESB Sundowners (optional cart and tip are not included)

All proceeds from the event will go to the Camillian Social Center Rayong, a hospice and orphanage for children and families affected by HIV and AIDS. Players will all be invited on a complimentary basis to join AustCham’s ESB Sundowners at Amari Orchid Resort which will follow the ESB Charity Golf Open. Everyone is welcome to join!

For sponsorship, please contact Paul Wilkinson at paul.wilkinson@agsfourwinds.com or call 081 903 9477.

For bookings or further information, please contact varin@austchamthailand.com or call the AustCham office on +66 2 210 0216.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Organising Sponsor

PREMIUM SPONSORS - THB 25,000 :

* Tournament fees for two players. * Your company banners displayed at a designated hole (and option to set up a drinks/games tent). * Company logo on AustCham’s emails, Chamber website and polo shirt sleeve. * Post event recognition in AustCham’s Advance magazine. * Your logo displayed on our banner and slideshow at Sundowners. * Opportunity to set up a booth at the venue. * Opportunity to include a brochure and merchandise in the goody bags. * A full list of attendees at the event. * Two additional tournament polo shirts.

HOLE SPONSORS - THB 12,500 :

Sundowners Venue Sponsor

Hole Sponsors

* Your company banners displayed at a designated hole (and option to set up a drinks/games tent). * Opportunity to include a brochure and merchandise in the goody bags. * Your company name on all emails and reminder emails. * Post event recognition in AustCham’s Advance magazine. * Your logo displayed on our banner and slideshow at AustCham’s Sundowners.

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Members’ offers reservation call 02-217-3000 or Email: rsvn@siamatsiam.com Amari Orchid Pattaya Sivara Spa is offering a special 2½ hour package for only Baht 2,999. It includes a mint foot scrub, feeling fruity body scrub, aromatic oil massage and manicure or pedicure. For more information, contact: sivaraspa@ orchid.amari.com

AusWa Thai AustCham members can get their profiles including company logo, link to their website and an extract of their company details registered at Longdo Map Thailand for FREE! To receive full details of this offer, please email: freeaustchammem-map@austhai.biz

Baan Laksasubha Baan Laksasubha at Hua Hin is delighted to offer readers two nights stay in the Garden Veranda for only Baht 7,000. Set in plush landscaped gardens, spacious guestrooms are ideal for a romantic getaway or weekend retreat with the family. Enjoy dining at our Costanera Beach Restaurant & Tapas Bar which overlooks a private beach and serves a variety of culinary delights. To book this offer, kindly email rsvn@baanlaksasubha.com or contact us on 032 514 525-31 and quote ACOO1.

Coverage SARS, Tsunami, Bird Flu, Coup, Swine Flu, Riots, - what’s the next X for Thailand? What’s next for your business? Are you prepared?

Coverage knows and understands all parts of your business and can help provide a plan, training and exercise for you and your staff in English and Thai.

Andrew is offering a 20% discount for all AustCham members. Call 02 261 8485.

Emirates Fly Emirates and enjoy 10% discount on all fares as an esteemed member of the Australian Chamber of commerce. Be privy to a choice of over 100 destinations worldwide and enjoy our awardwinning service. We also offer our First and Business Class customers a complimentary personal airport transfer in a chauffeur-driven car at selected airports. This offer is valid for bookings made by 30 November 2010 when you quote the promotional code: THEMBZY * Mile restrictions apply AustChamThailand Advance

Golden Tulip From now till 31 August 2010, buy vouchers for 10 nights at the resort and pay Baht 2,500 per night instead of Baht 7,500. This offer is for a deluxe jacuzzi room.

Vouchers are transferable and can be used anytime in the next 12 months (except 20 Dec 2010 - 10 Jan 2011). For more information, please call 086 099 0403 / 02 634 4944-5 or email joy.sapanon@ goldentulip.com.

Holiday Inn Holiday Inn Silom Bangkok is offering Austcham Members a special 25% discount on Food & Beverages. Enjoy their sumptuous International Buffet at The Brasserie, Northern Indian Cuisine at Tandoor, an outstanding a la carte selection of Afternoon Tea at Orchid Lounge or Relax after a long hard day of work at Hari’s Bar with tasty snack and great music.

For more information please call 02 238 4300 or email reservations@ holidayinnsilom.com

Hua Hin Marriott Resort and Spa “Sala Thai” restaurant at Hua Hin Marriott Resort and Spa proudly presents a romantic dinner with the “Siam Discovery” set menu at only Baht 850 per person. For more information or reservation, please call 032 511 881 ext.1804.

Manohra Dining Cruises Board a beautifully restored antique rice barge and enjoy a gold menu set of ten courses for Baht 1,990 per person or a Silver set menu of eight courses valued at Baht 1,250 per person. The boat departs at 19.30 each evening. For reservations, please call 02 476 0022 Ext. 1416, or email: manohra@manohracruises.com

Marriott Resort and Spa Every mother is invited to dine for free when a minimum of four persons dine per table at three excellent restaurants. Brio - Special set menu at Baht 1,199 per person.

Riverside Terrace - Special all you can eat buffet at Baht 1,250 per person. Manohra Dining Cruises - Special set menu at Baht 1,990 person. For more information or reservation, please call 02 476 0022 #1416 or email: restaurantrsvncenter@minornet.com

Millenium Hilton Thai residents can take advantage of Baht 3,000 for room and breakfast with complimentary upgrade to Executive Room or Baht 3,500 for room and breakfast with Complimentary upgrade to Executive Suite and Thai Massage for two persons.

For information and reservation please call 02 442 2000.

Novotel Bangkok The Square International Restaurant invites you to sample the best Japanese specialties with an amazing buffet directly from the Land of the Rising Sun. This Saturday Japanese Buffer Dinner is now offered for Baht 950 only. For more information, please call 02 209 8888 or email hotel@novotelbkk.com.

Novotel Subarnabhumi Airport Hotel Receive up to 30% discount on regular, half-day or full-day meeting packages when arranging a minimum of ten persons per function.

Valid until 30 September, applicable only for new business. For more information or reservation please call 02 131 1111 ext. 1249 or 1020 or email: Convention.manager@ novotelsuvarnabhumi.com

Pratumwan Princess Hotel Rain or Shine...It’s always a fantastic time at Pathumwan Princess Hotel.

Stay at Pathumwan Princess Hotel and arrange your shopping without an umbrella!! From now until 31 August 2010 we’re offering single / twin rooms at Baht 3,500 Nett Per Room Per Night inclusive of daily breakfast (Superior Room Type). For Reservations phone 02 216-3700 or email: ppmbrsvnmgr@dusit.com

Raja’s Fashions Raja’s Fashions is offering One Free Egyptian cotton shirt when you buy any suit. This offer is valid until 31 October 2010. Dress sharp - Look sharp - Feel sharp. Please contact 02 538379 or email: rajas@ksc.th.com

Siam@Siam Siam@Siam Design Hotel & Spa is offering special prices for AustCham members at Leisure Class for Single/ Twin for only Baht 3,300 nett including ABF, Wi-Fi Internet Access, 15% discounts on food and beverages and 25% discounts at Spa Ten. Book now till 31 October 2010. For

Sheraton Grande Guests staying for a minimum of two nights will enjoy rates starting from just Baht 6,000. Benefits include a 50% discount on a second family room, 30% discount at renowned restaurants basil, Rossini’s and Orchid Café, under 12s eat free from the children’s menu when dining with a paying adult, and a late 4 pm check-out. For reservations please call 02 649 8666.

Swissotel Nai Lert Park Take advantage of the Swissotel Long Stay Program. Stay in our Swiss Business Advantage Room for only Baht 2,500 including breakfast.

TheMinimum stay is 14 consecutive nights. This offer is valid till 31 October 2010. ISO Restaurant is now offering for two to dine at our international buffet for the price of one at only Baht 550! For reservations please call +66 (2) 253 0123.

The Aetas Baht 2,750 is being offered to celebrate the opening of “The AETAS Bangkok”. This Superior Room offer comes with ABF and internet and will be upgraded to a Delux Room with a 20% discount on food and beverages at ‘Moments’ and ‘Pause’ if staying for three consecutive nights. For more information or to make a reservation, please call: +66 2 618 9000 or email: contact@aetashotels.com

The Sukhothai Bangkok Enjoy an effective stress relief massage and simultaneous relaxing facial treatment with two therapists priced at Baht 3,600 for 75 minutes. For more information or reservation, please email: promotions@sukhothai.com

Westin Phuket The soon to open Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa Phuket will offer 2010 room nights for Baht 2,010 per night in the lead up to their much anticipated opening scheduled for August 2010. This spectacular offer is valid for booking until 30 September 2010 with the stay period from 1 August till 31 October 2010. This opening offer is for a Superior Sea View room with stunning ocean views.

Guests can book by calling + 66 76 335 600 or emailing: reservations.phuket@westin.com August 2010

33

From the Chamber Office

Message from the ED

L

ast month saw another successful Sundowners, held at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok and the event once again proved why AustCham Sundowners is the premier networking event in Thailand. With close to 300 people in attendance, the networking session provides a great opportunity to meet both old and new acquaintances and colleagues alike. Thank you to our event sponsors, TMF, and to the Grand Hyatt Erawan for their support of the evening.

This month’s Sundowners will be the fifth All-Chambers event. It will be held at the Centara Grande at Central World and sponsored by dtac. We will be inviting members and representatives from the 30 foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand to the event..

The first of our Key Issues Dinners was conducted last month, with the aim of presenting eminent speakers from Thai government and business, as well as from the Australian community, talking about the challenges and opportunities of doing business in Thailand. We were very lucky to have two speakers for this inaugural event – Dr Bandid Nijathaworn, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Thailand and Khun Pichai Chuensuksawadi, Editor-in-Chief of Post Publishing.

Both speakers provided insights on the political and economic/business outlook for Thailand. Following the success of this event, we are currently planning the next Dinner talk. Details to follow shortly.

AFL Grand Final Day sponsored by VAustralia – Saturday, 25 September 2010. The AFL Grand Final Day in Bangkok is one of the biggest outside of Australia, regularly attracting over 600 attendees. This year AustCham will focus on a family day and will provide entertainment and prizes including two return airfares to Australia from VAustralia. Regular tickets are just THB 2,500

Calendar of Events Wednesday, 4 August All Chambers Sundowners

18.00 – 21.00 Veune: Centara Grand Friday, 20 August Eastern Seaboard Sundowners

18.00 – 21.00 Venue: dusitD2 Baraquda, Pattaya

and the family tickets (two adults and two children under 12 years) are only THB 5,000. Nannies are also welcome at THB 500. Make sure you purchase your tickets early!

The 2010/11 Handbook is now being finalised and all AustCham members are urged to review and approve their listing as sent out by our publisher Veritas Graphics. If you have not yet received a copy of the listing for your approval, please let the Chamber office staff know and we will make sure that it is sent to you. A photo booth will be set up at our September Sundowner event for those who need to update their handbook photo. There is still advertising space in the Handbook. If you are interested in advertising, contact Jim Fowler at Veritas Graphics at: jim@veritasgraphics.com

Saturday, 21 August Voluntary English Teaching

Venue: Wat Phra Pathranporn, Sri Ra Cha Wednesday, 18 August Alumni Event – iPad Technology

18.30 – 20.30 Venue: Four Seasons Hotel Friday, 27 August Natural Ville and LeNotre Ashes Golf Tournament

Registration: 11.00 Venue: Thana City Golf and Country Club

As always I look forward to hearing from you!

Brett Gannaway Executive Director, AustCham Thailand www.austchamthailand.com

Thank you to all July sponsors

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August 2010

AustChamThailand Advance