Advance ~ August 2011

AustChamThailand

A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN-THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AUSTRALIA THAILAND BUSINESS COUNCIL www.austchamthailand.com August 2011

Cities of Opportunity Community Service Initiatives in Thailand In This Edition Corporate Relocation: An Employer Perspective BUSINESS BRIEF Corporate Social Responsibility and Poverty Eradication

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AustChamThailand Advance

COMMUNITY SERVICES ACCOR: CSR and Environmental Awareness Award Recipient

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MEMBER ADVANCING On Line Art Auction: For The Flood Victims in Thailand

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CHAMBER EVENTS Bangkok Sundowners at Centara Grand on Wednesday, 6 July 2011

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August 2011

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Contents

AUSTCHAM BUSINESS AWARDS 2011 14 Congratulations to ACCOR, Recipient of the AustCham CSR and Environmental Awareness Award

COMMUNITY SERVICES 16 A Letter from Her Excellency Ms

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BUSINESS BRIEF 6 Termination of Employment and Update Rules for the Department of Business Development 8 Corporate Relocation: An Employer Perspective 10 Cities of Opportunity 11 Bangkok Ranks in Top 20 Most Popular Office Locations 12 Multinational Corporations, Corporate Social Responsibility and Poverty Eradication

Quentin Bryce AC, Governor General of Australia

17 AustCham’s Initiatives Improving Quality of Life in Thailand 18 Voluntary English Teaching at Wat Phra Pathranporn School

MEMBERS ADVANCING 19 Akara Mining: Industry Acting Responsibly 19 HASSELL Captures Six Awards 20 On Line Art Auction: For The Flooded Victims in the Southern Thailand 20 NIST Students Visit Orphanage in Tanzania

PATRON His Excellency James Wise Australian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand PRESIDENT John Anderson Meinhardt Portfolio: Regional Links VICE PRESIDENTS M.L. Laksasubha Kridakon Baan Laksasubha Resort Portfolio: Alumni Belinda Skinner Top Talent Asia Portfolio: Communications and English Teaching TREASURER Leigh Scott-Kemmis DBM Portfolio: Advancing Trade and Commerce DIRECTORS David Bell Crestcom – Ra-Kahng Associates Portfolio: Speakers and Talks Andrew Durieux Coverage Portfolio: Member Benefits Khun Jurairat Jammanee HASSELL Portfolio: AustCham Ball Warwick Kneale Baker Tilly Portfolio: Community Services Sam Mizzi McConnell Dowell Portfolio: AFL and Eastern Seaboard Industry

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CHAMBER EVENTS 21 Phuket Sundowners at IndoChine Resort 22 Alumni Poolside Meet & Greet 23 Special Luncheon with Khun Dusit Nontanakorn 23 Briefing on Intellectual Property 24 Bangkok Stars & Stripes Sundowners at Centara Grand

Khun Suganya Ransigutta TMF Portfolio: Business Awards

NEW MEMBERS 26 AustCham’s New Members

Ben Yong Baker McKenzie Portfolio: Legal

MEMBERS’ OFFERS 28 AustCham Members’ Offers

Saeed Zaki , Ph.D. dwp Portfolio: Breakfast Briefings

FROM THE CHAMBER OFFICE 30 Message from the AustCham Office

EX OFFICIO Maurine Lam Regional Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, ASEAN

FROM THE BOARD

President’s Message COORDINATORS Paul Whyte New Asia Pacific ESB Coordinator Email: esb@austchamthailand.com Paul Wilkinson CEA Projects 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 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, 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

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n my first President’s message some four months ago, I said the priority for the new Board of Directors was to “get back to business”. Our objective was to invigorate AustCham’s engagement with the Australian-Thai business community.

At the same time we wanted to strengthen the Chamber’s Australian identity and build on its 30 years of success.

After a short period of consolidation – including settling a new Executive Director into the Chamber office – I am pleased to report that we are well on our way to achieving our goals. Over the coming months AustCham will be concentrating on three important new initiatives. On top of an already busy schedule this is an ambitious program, but with your assistance and support we believe it is achievable.

Building on a successful roundtable meeting held with eastern seaboard businesses earlier this year, AustCham will establish a Manufacturers and Infrastructure Group. The aim is to provide a regular forum for business people involved in manufacturing and infrastructure (and related heavy industry) to come together to discuss issues of mutual interest, share their ideas, promote initiatives and learn from one another. A priority for the AustCham office will be to find ways of capturing the useful information that will be generated from these meetings. We want the gatherings to have an enduring value.

We would welcome hearing from anyone interested in contributing to the group.

AustCham will also soon begin work on the first comprehensive study into Australian businesses and business people in Thailand. I’ve lived in Thailand for 16 years and I’m constantly surprised by the number of Australians I meet here, both recent arrivals and seasoned expatriates.

Many are senior business executives, substantial shareholders or otherwise deeply involved in Thailand’s commercial sector.

The overall objective of the study is to determine more precisely the nature and extent of Australian business interests in Thailand. Through that process we will be able to identify challenges and opportunities for Australian businesses and business people, and develop strategies that promote commercial success. Our sense is Australian business success in Thailand is under-recognised – and under-valued.

The other exciting news is that the Australian Government’s Australia-Thailand Institute has awarded AustCham seed funding for our joint Australian Alumni ini-

tiative with the Thai Australian Association (TAA). Australian Alumni aims to be an umbrella structure and a focalpoint for alumni of Australian universities to come together in Thailand. With a common foundation of an Australian university education, we believe there is enormous scope within the alumni group for building professional relationships and friendships, and advancing businesses and careers.

Of course it is now one month since the historic Thai Parliamentary elections. The economic policies of the new Government are beginning to emerge. At a joint luncheon with AustCham and the British and American chambers, Khun Dusit Nontanakorn, Chairman of the Thailand Board of Trade and of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, gave us some early insights into what might be in store. There was particular interest in the proposal to lift the minimum wage. The fear is a sudden increase could erode businesses competitiveness.

Is this the right policy right now? We would be interested to know what impact it might have on your business.

With July being an international school holiday month I did find time to enjoy a short break in Krabi with my wife and kids, and mother visiting from Australia.

Although it was very wet in the south, we had fun exploring caves, climbing the stairs of the famous Tiger Cave Temple and enjoying wonderful Thai hospitality. It always surprises me that more is not made of the fabulous western food available in this country.

I hope that others also have the opportunity to take a break during what has been a busy year. But for now, back to business!

John Anderson President, AustCham Thailand www.austchamthailand.com August 2011

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BUSINESS BRIEF

Termination of Employment and Updated Rules for the Department of Business Development

By Khun Jaruvan Viboonsuk, Senior Legal Manager of RSM Thailand

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t seems that many expatriates working in Thailand are interested in knowing more about the potential pitfalls facing companies doing business in Thailand with respect to staff terminations. This is essentially an update on the legal issues which business owners in Thailand should be mindful of when considering their recruitment, hiring and firing policies.

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT The Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998) (“the Act”) applies to all businesses operating in Thailand. The employer/ employee relationship is regulated under Thai law, including matters relating to the termination of an employee. The main reasons why Thailand employers may consider payroll cuts by terminating staff can be summarised briefly as economic, poor performance or misconduct.

It is common in the Thailand legal environment that the Labour Court tends to favour the employee and accordingly it is extremely important that business owners in Thailand adopt correct procedures insofar as termination of their employees.

TERMINATION PAYMENT CALCULATION SUMMARY The following is a summary of the quantum of severance pay which must be paid by an employer to an employee under Thai law if Section 118 of the Act is applied.

This is calculated in accordance with the employee’s length of service.

• 120 days but less than one year – 30 days pay • One year but less than three years – 90 days pay • Three years but less than six years – 180 days pay • Six years but less than ten years – 240 days pay • more than ten years – 300 days pay 6

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EXCLUSIONS TO PAYMENT OF SEVERANCE PAY A. Short or Temporary Employment Periods Labour laws in Thailand afford business owners certain exclusions from the requirement to pay severance payments if the following conditions apply: • An employee has served the company for less than 120 days; and • An employee whose employment is stipulated in a contract set for a definite period and the employment is terminated at the end of that period, if this form of employment is in compliance with the Thai labour laws and regulations (Section 118 of the Act).

Employment with a definite period is allowed only for the following categories: 1. Employment on a specific project which is not the normal business of the employer; 2. Employment for occasional or temporary work; and 3. Seasonal employment.

A written employment contract is required for the above with clauses stipulating the commencement and completion dates.

In addition, all tasks must be completed within two years.

B. Termination with Cause Under Section 119 of the Act, there are certain exceptions which enable an employer to avoid the payment of severance to an employee and which are as follows: 1. The employee performs dishonestly or intentionally commits an offence against the employer; 2. The employee intentionally causes the employer to suffer loss; 3. The employee causes serious damage to the employer as a result of negligence; 4. The employee violates the employer’s working rules or regulations or the employer’s orders which are legal and fair where the employer has already

given the employee a written warning, except in a serious situation where the employer is not required to provide a warning; 5. The employee neglects to complete his or her duties by not attending work without justifiable reason for three consecutive working days; and 6. The employee has spent time in prison by final judgement, with the exception of negligence or petty offences.

The exceptions to which employers are liable for severance pay are stipulated in Section 119 (1) – (6) of the Act. If the employer terminates the employment contract of the employee for other grounds, the employee is entitled to receive severance pay.

Nevertheless, to terminate the employment of any employee on the grounds stipulated in Section 119 of the Act, the employer must provide a letter of termination to the employee with the reasons for termination. Note that in accordance with Thai law, the reasons provided must be real or relate to the actions for termination of employment.

Special Severance Pay In the case where an employer relocates the place of business in Thailand which affects the normal living of an employee or his/her family, the employer shall notify the employee at least 30 days before the date of relocation. Thai law allows the employee to refuse to move and become entitled to receive severance pay. Failure to notify the employee may result in a special severance payment in lieu of the advance notice of 30 days.

With respect to the termination of the employment on the basis of reorganising the Thailand based business, production line, sales or services due to the adoption of machinery or technologies which result in a reduction of the number of employees, the employer has a duty in compliance with Thai law (Section 121 of the Act) to notify the employee as well as AustChamThailand Advance

BUSINESS BRIEF

the labour inspector not less than 60 days prior to the contemplated date of termination. Failure to do so will result in a special severance payment in lieu of the advance notice of 60 days being paid in addition to the normal severance pay.

SUMMARY It is strongly advised for business operators in Thailand to exercise care when terminating an employee. Due to the fact that Thai labour laws and regulations tend to favour the employee, all steps should be taken to ensure that termination is conducted in compliance with Thai law to avoid unnecessary costs and demise to the reputation of your business in the market. If you are not familiar with the nuances of labour laws in Thailand, it is worthwhile seeking appropriate expert advice from a Thai legal consulting firm.

Updated Rules for the Department of Business Development With Respect to Entity Registrations

AustChamThailand Advance

Effective from 1 March 2011, when registrations are made to the Ministry of Commerce with respect to the following entities it is necessary to include a map of the location of the entity in addition to landmarks nearby: 1.

Incorporation of partnership, limited company, amendment of head office address and transformation of a partnership to a limited company; 2. Registration of amalgamation of partnership or limited company (in case the head office is not the same as the registered office); and 3. Dissolution of a partnership or limited company (in case the office of the liquidator is not the same as the head office).

In addition, it is necessary to submit the identity card (or passport) of all related authorised persons when the following registrations are made: 1. Incorporation of partnership, new partner, amalgamation of partnership; 2.

Registration of Memorandum of Association and incorporation of limited company;

3. Registration of new director, transformation of a partnership to a company and amalgamation of companies; and 4.

Dissolution of partnership or limited company.

The notarisation of the identity card (or passport), certain forms, and copies of supporting documents are required if documents are signed outside of Thailand.

RSM Thailand RSM Thailand is a member firm of RSM International, the sixth largest worldwide organisation of independent accounting and consulting firms represented in each of the top 40 business centers around the world with 92 member and correspondent firms in 83 countries, 714 offices worldwide, 32,551 staff including 3,113 partners and their combined fee income totals US$ 3.9 bilion driven by the common vision of providing high quality professional services in their domestic markets and in serving the international needs of their client base. For further information, contact: AskUs@rsmthailand.com

August 2011

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BUSINESS BRIEF

Corporate Relocation: An Employer Perspective

By Chusert Supasitthumrong

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orporate relocation is common in Thailand. Despite their best intentions, however, many employers find themselves in violation of Thai labor laws during the relocation process. This article explains the steps an employer should follow to ensure that the relocation is in compliance with Thai law.

Under Section 120 of the Labor Protection Act, if the relocation of a company affects the ordinary course of an employee’s life or that of his or her family, an employer must adhere to a specific procedure.

First, the employer must notify the employees no less than thirty days prior to relocation.

Second, if an employee chooses not to relocate with the company, that employee must terminate his or her employment contract within thirty days of receipt of the employer’s relocation notification.

Third, the employer must pay special severance equal to the statutory severance under Section 118 of the Labor Protection Act, no later than seven days following the employee’s termination of his or her employment contract.

The amount of the employer’s statutory severance obligation depends on the length of an employee’s service to the company. (See table below) In theory, the procedure for Section 120 seems straightforward, but in practice it can be fairly complex. The following

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scenarios illustrate this complexity and suggest avenues employers can take to ensure compliance.

If an employer fails to inform its employees thirty days in advance of relocation, the employer, in addition to paying special severance under Section 120, must also pay an additional amount in lieu of advanced notice. This amount is typically equal to approximately one month’s wages, but can be more in some cases.

If an employer fails to satisfy its special severance obligation, the employee can file a complaint with the Labor Welfare Committee within thirty days of the due date of payment. It is important to note that the employee must first terminate his or her contract pursuant to Section 120 before the employer is required to pay special severance and before he or she may file a complaint with the Labor Welfare Committee.

If the committee finds that the employee is entitled to special severance, it will issue a written order to the employee within sixty days of receiving the complaint. After receiving the order, the employer must pay the special severance within thirty days. If the employer still fails to pay special severance, the employer could face criminal charges, with its officers or directors facing possible punishment of imprisonment not exceeding six months, or a fine not exceeding 100,000 baht, or both. If the committee finds that the employee is not entitled to special statutory severance, it must inform all parties in writing.

Within thirty days of receiving the committee’s order, either party may file an

appeal with the Labor Court. If an appeal is filed, the employer must post a bond equal to the amount in dispute. If neither party appeals the committee’s order within the thirty-day prescription period, the committee’s order is final.

Under Section 120, if an employer has two locations and moves its employees to a single location, the employer may not be not obligated to pay special severance to employees who do not wish to relocate if the move does not impose an undue burden. For example, the Supreme Court has ruled that combining offices in Bangkok and a factory in Samutprakan Province does not constitute a “relocation” under Section 120.

(Supreme Court Precedent Case No. 3398/2003)

In summary, an employer wishing to relocate must first notify its employees thirty days before the relocation takes place.

Once those employees who decide not to follow the company to the new location have terminated their employment contracts, the employer must be prepared to make special severance payments to such employees. Finally, employers who decide to combine two premises may not have any severance obligation if they are not seen as “relocating” under Section 120 of the Labor Protection Act. This article was prepared by Chusert Supasitthumrong, an attorney-at-law in the Dispute Resolution Department at Tilleke & Gibbins, Thailand’s largest independent multiservice law firm. An earlier version of this article appeared in the Bangkok Post on June 3, 2011. Please send comments to Andrew Stoutley at andrew.s@tillekeandgibbins.com.

Length of Service

Statutory Severance

120 days but less than one year

30 days at the last wage rate or the last 30 days’ wages for the work unit performed

One year but less than three years

90 days at the last wage rate or the last 90 days’ wages for the work unit performed

Three years but less than six years

180 days at the last wage rate or the last 180 days’ wages for the work unit performed

Six years but less than ten years

240 days at the last wage rate or the last 240 days’ wages for the work unit performed

Ten or more years

300 days at the last wage rate or the last 300 days’ wages for the work unit performed

August 2011

AustChamThailand Advance

BUSINESS BRIEF

Cities of Opportunity

By Adnan Hameed Aliani

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rban areas in Asia and the Pacific are growing at the unprecedented rate of about 137,000 people a day and a majority of Asians (around 2.7 billion) will live in urban areas by 2030. How the region’s cities develop and function will therefore crucially shape the future of not just Asia and the Pacific but the world. Producing over 80 percent of the region’s GDP, cities are engines of economic growth and centers of social development, culture, creativity and innovation. Yet much of the region’s rapid urban growth and progress have been neither inclusive nor sustainable.

The region’s cities and towns are places where poverty and disparities are most concentrated and visible. Over 40 percent of Asia-Pacific’s urban residents live in slums, without access to adequate shelter and basic services, income opportunities and decision-making.

Accounting for 67 percent of all energy use and for 71 percent of all greenhouse gases emissions, cities and towns have an enormous ecological footprint. At the same time Asia-Pacific has comparatively few natural resources and raw materials, making it very dependent on global supplies.

Given the region’s geo-climatic conditions and with most of its urban population living along rivers, lowlying deltas and coastlines, Asia and the Pacific is also the region most vulnerable to natural disasters and other adverse climate change impacts.

An inclusive and sustainable development path therefore has to focus on economic progress that does not continuously over-stretch nature’s carrying capacity and whose benefits are shared in a more equitable manner to meet

the needs and demands of the growing urban populations, particularly the urban poor. It further has to enhance the resilience of cities and their populations to the broad spectrum of natural and man-made crises and disasters.

Infrastructure and housing built today are likely to lock cities and towns in development and consumption patterns for the next 20 to 30 years. How cities invest and manage income generating opportunities, education and health services for the rapidly increasing urban population will determine levels of poverty and inequality and influence cities’ liveability and stability.

It will require innovative approaches to governance, which strengthen the urban social fabric and give a voice in decision making and implementation to all interest groups. It will also require innovative approaches to financing, which more effectively tap into existing internal and external sources and which more fully explore new financing options taking into account the triple bottom line of planet, people and profit.

The United Nations Economic and Social Commussion for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) held its 2011 Asia-Pacific Urban Forum on 22-24 June. For further information, contact Adnan Hameed Aliani at: escap-edd-suds@un.org

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AustChamThailand Advance

BUSINESS BRIEF

CB Richard Ellis Press Release 21 July 2011 Page 3

Bangkok Ranks in Top 20 Most Popular Office Locations

Thailand has done well in attracting multinational company office occupiers, but risks slipping down the rankings unless measures are taken to improve its attractiveness in terms of regulation and ease of doing business in the service sector.

Business Footprints: Top Business Locations in Emerging Markets

Over half of world’s most popular office locations are in emerging markets

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any cities in emerging markets are attracting a similar number of international office occupiers as established business centres, according to a recent study “Business Footprints: Global Office Locations 2011” by leading international property consultant CB Richard Ellis (CBRE).

According to the Business Footprints research, which compares the office presence of 280 major companies across 101 countries and 232 cities, 17 of the top 30 most popular company office locations are in emerging markets. Bangkok ranks in the seventh place across all emerging markets and ranks in the fifteenth place globally, with 137 of the 280 companies (48.9 percent) surveyed having an office presence in the city.

At a time of ongoing global economic change, this finding reinforces the significance of the “BRIC” (Brazil, Russia, India, China) and less developed emerging markets to international business operations.

CBRE’s research identified Shanghai and Moscow as the most popular business locations across all emerging markets.

Shanghai is home to 172 of the companies profiled (61.4 percent), and is closely followed by Moscow, where 170 (60.7 percent) are present. Beijing is the next highest ranked business centre, with 169 (60.4 percent) companies.

The high ranking of both Chinese cities is explained by two things: China’s importance as an off-shoring location and a manufacturing base (which, in turn, requires an office presence), and its growing status as a consumer market for both locally manufactured and foreign-made goods.

Other cities in the rapidly expanding “BRIC” markets which rank among the world’s top 30 business locations include Sao Paulo (52.1 percent) of companies surveyed have an office in the city), and Mumbai (43.2 percent).

The report also indicates a number of cities in less developed emerging markets are home to a significant proportion of international companies.

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CITY

Shanghai Moscow Beijing Dubai Warsaw Sao Paulo Bangkok Buenos Aires Taipei

NO. OF COMPANIES WITH OFFICE PRESENCE

172 170 169 157 150 146 137 136 133 128 126 124 121 115 113 110 109

PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL COMPANY SAMPLE (280)

61.4% 60.7% 60.4% 56.1% 53.6% 52.1% 48.9% 48.6% 47.5% 45.7% 45.0% 44.3% 43.2% 41.1% 40.4% 39.3% 38.9%

OVERALL RANKING

5 6 7 9 12 14 15 16 18 20 21 22 24 26 27 29 30

“While ‘emerging markets’ is a broad term, the key characteristic of the cities outside the advanced economies which have high numbers of international company offices is that there are principally in the world’s faster growing economies.”

Despite Bangkok’s strong position in terms of number of multinational companies, office demand has been weak. Between Budapest Prague 2000 and 2005 the average annual growth Jakarta in the amount of occupied office space Mumbai was 300,000 square metres per year.

Istanbul Santiago This has fallen over the last five years and Bucharest was only 70,000 square metres in 2010, Mexico City according to CBRE Research. Demand for

office space is driven by service compaDubai is ranked as the ninth most popuAbout CB Richard Ellis CB Richard Ellis Group, Ilocation nc. (NYSE:CBG), overall a Fortune 500 and and S&P Warsaw 500 company headquartered n Los Angeles, nies ifocussing on the domestic economy lar business is the world’s largest commercial real estate services firm (in terms of 2010 revenue). The Company has approximately 1,000 employees (the excluding affiliates), and both serves real estate owners, and investors and oadministrative ccupiers the offices of exporters. is 12th, 3reflecting fact that have through more than 300 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide.

developed into strategic business hubs CB Richard Ellis established an office in Bangkok in 1988, followed by its Phuket office in 2004. CB Richard Despite Bangkok office rents being 90 perin their region. While Warsaw is an imporEllis (Thailand) Co., Ltd. has grown to be a leading real estate services provider, offering strategic advice and execution for sales and leasing for all types of property, property and facilities and tenancy management, cent cheaper tant business hub in Europe, additional valuation and advisory, and research and consulting. the For more information, visit the company's website at than Hong Kong and 50 perwww.cbre.co.th. cent cheaper than Singapore, these two presence of Budapest (20th), Prague financial centres still attract the majority of (21st), and Bucharest (29th) in the report’s regional operating headquarters of multitop 30 list highlights the rising importance national companies because their overall of many Central and Eastern European package including tax, legal system, ease markets for international businesses in of obtaining work permits for expatriate Europe. employees is better than Thailand.

Mr. Richard Holberton, Director of Euro“Thailand’s manufacturing sector is relpean, Middle East & Africa Research at atively liberal regarding foreign ownerCBRE, said, “Our finding that over half ship, but the services sector controlled by of the world’s most popular office locathe Foreign Business Act is still restricted tions are outside of the most economieven compared to markets like Vietnam cally developed nations underlines the and Cambodia,” said Mr. James Pitchon, importance major companies are placing Executive Director of CBRE Thailand. on gaining access to new markets to fuel their growth.”

Thailand has done well in attracting multinational company office occupiers, but “It is particularly interesting to note the risks slipping down the rankings unless position of a number of emerging marmeasures are taken to improve its attrackets relative to established cities in develtiveness in terms of regulation and ease of oped economies. For example, Shanghai, doing business in the service sector.

Moscow, Beijing and Dubai feature in the top 10 most popular business locations, About CB Richard Ellis with more international companies present CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG), a than in Paris (56 percent), New York (55 Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headpercent) and Milan (53 percent).”

“In addition, one would not necessarily expect that second-tier emerging markets like Bangkok (48.9 percent) and Istanbul (41.1 percent) would have a comparable presence of major office occupiers to places like Sydney (48.6 percent) and Frankfurt (38.2 percent).”

quartered in Los Angeles, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services firm (in terms of 2010 revenue). The Company has approximately 31,000 employees (excluding affiliates), and serves real estate owners, investors and occupiers through more than 300 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.cbre.co.th.

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BUSINESS BRIEF

Multinational Corporations, Corporate Social Responsibility and Poverty Eradication

By Dr. Nattavud Pimpa

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he concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) holds similarity to several other concepts like corporate citizenship, or corporate social performance. Whilst CSR is significant for almost all multinational corporations (MNCs), regardless of country of origin, size and sector.

It is argued that the CSR movement would advance if all MNCs actively participate in it. The rationale behind this argument is that MNCs make up the majority of businesses worldwide and account for 70 to 80 percent of employment. If the bottom line of

MNCs was not financial gain, the success of poverty eradication could have been achieved a century ago.

One of the main points to be discussed among those who are interested in international business is to what extent can MNCs improve the quality of life of citizens in the host countries where they operate. MNCs are perceived as “intruders’ or “takers’ of the host-countries. Most of their business activities are not directly related to poverty eradication in the developing nations. For instance, we hardly see an annual report from MNCs that focus on long-term benefits of cus-

Dr. Nattavud Pimpa is a senior lecturer in international management at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University) in Australia. Dr Pimpa has been exploring various issues in international business in South East Asia. His projects include the transformation of marketing strategies for international education services in Thailand, globalisation on the consumption of transnational education in Hong Kong and Singapore, Business-to-Business values and relationship in Thailand, international leadership in Australia. tomers or citizens of the countries where they locate.

The next question is “do they care?”

Empirical research on MNCs, however, has been scant particularly in developing and emerging economies on how and why MNCs engage in CSR and if their CSR strategies in developing countries are aligned to their global commitment to sustainable development. Only a handful of studies identified the links between poverty, work of MNCs and quality of life in the host countries. A thorough search of term “poverty’ in Journal of International Business Studies shows

Fighting poverty in developing countries must be a shared responsibility among all stakeholders in the international community. Although local government plays a leading role in the development of social policy to improve quality of life among their citizens, international business organisations must play a crucial role in the development of living standards of global citizens.

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BUSINESS BRIEF

a result of only 35 articles that touch upon this issue.

Hence, this area certainly requires special attention from academics and researchers in international business studies. This is a real crisis when we think of the way we consume goods and services from MNCs almost every time we spend money. Where does the profit go to? What about local workers who have been working in the bad condition of living and working? What about the work conditions of women, or perhaps children, who also work in the factory to produce cheap products from countries such as Indonesia, Bangladesh and Vietnam? Some of them may not get paid well enough to stay above the poverty line.

Poverty has been a chronic social condition in most part of the world.

AustChamThailand Advance

Lacking money and resources can be seen as only part of the problem.

In fact, a number of socio-economic conditions create impoverishment.

The United Nations Development Program reported that factors creating chronic poverty may include poor governmental planning in financial and social investment in communities, high crime rates, illegal activities from domestic or international organisations, and destabilised governments.

It is important for international business organisations to play a crucial role in changing the current situation of global poverty.

MNCs supports and involvement with the local government is essential to poverty eradication in developing nations. The reduction of poverty in developing countries depends on the growth of local and international busi-

ness. For a local business to flourish it must have access to the global resources, productions and markets via MNCs. The second reason is about the momentum of MNCs and local actors in social change. Poverty reduction requires systemic change, and MNCs are the world’s most efficient and sustainable engines of change. MNCs provide political leverage with local governments and international organisations.

MNCs can offer opportunity for people to work and be productive. They can also work with local stakeholders to motivate and empower young people to learn and organize to gain knowledge and power. MNCs in developing countries are often the first choice for private sector jobs by young people, who are attracted by the higher salaries and the learning opportunities.

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AUSTCHAM BUSINESS AWARDS 2011

Congratulations to ACCOR, Recipient of the AustCham CSR and Environmental Awareness Award

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im Kids Foundation (Yim means “smile” in Thai) is Accor Thailand’s community fundraising initiative aimed to improve the lives and futures of poor children – to keep them in school and to make sure they are nourished, healthy, happy and hopeful for a brighter future.

The main objectives are as follow: • To raise funds for Bangkok’s Mercy School • Provide financial support for the HIVimpacted children at Mercy Centre • To raise education funds to help the children of sea gypsies and rubber tree tappers in Ranong Province • Assist Koh Lon’s fishermen with sustainable fishing programmes so that they can afford to make a living and send their children to school

our corporate sponsors, which include Ecolab, HotelTravel.com, King Power Group, Syntec and V Australia.

CLEAR COMMUNICATIONS

In southern Thailand, Yim Kids has provided funds to Koh Lao Community to support the education of poor children who had their lives turned upside down following the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. At Koh Lon, south of Phuket, funds are also needed to help the tsunami-affected fishermen get back on their feet, so that their children may continue to receive proper education.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

FORMULA FOR SUCCESS Once the funds were raised, it was realised that the quickest and most effective way to help communities in need was to support the villagers and schools directly and work through programmes that have been initiated by the communities and local non-governmental organisations (NGOs), while using expertise and funds to further support these initiatives.

Partnered with the Human Development Foundation – Mercy Centre, a non-governmental organisation and orphanage shelter in Bangkok that has been working to help poor children and communities in Bangkok for decades, Yim Kids can reach out to these underprivileged kids and keep these children fed, housed, educated.

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With a large network of hotels, employees, business partners, guests, and friends, Yim Kids anticipated to receive a constant support in raising funds. A bulk of funds would be derived from the main fundraising event, “Accor Race to Survive Phuket 2010” – a competitive four-day event that challenges teams of people to race and raise funds.

From around the region, 23 teams comprised of employees and hotel staff (six Australian teams, three Chinese teams, and 14 Thai teams) volunteered to join the fundraising event competing in this rigorous race involving with swimming, mountain biking, kayaking, running and trekking. Each team of four members had to also raise a minimum of AU$ 7,000 to be eligible to join the race. This required not only physical commitment, but also financial commitment to the cause.

The success of this fundraising event is also largely due to the support of

To engage the support and build awareness for the fundraising initiatives, Accor implemented the followings: • Public Relations exercise – internal and external communications prior, during and post-event • Donation boxes at all 43 Accor hotels in Thailand • Information and profiles of children at hotels • Produce and play the Yim Kids DVD in hotel rooms and public area to engage employees and guests CURRENT MARKET POSITION AND FUTURE PLANS The event raised a total of AU$ 206,000 for Yim Kids – exceeding the target of AU$ 200,000. Out of the funds raised, the Mercy Centre and Mercy School received AU$ 55,900 in total, while AU$ 7,600 was disbursed to help the children of Koh Lon’s fishermen. Approximately AU$ 100,000 was disbursed to help pay for the education and healthcare needs of Ranong Province’s children, and the remaining AU$ 42,500 and funds raised from donation made by hotel guests through the donation boxes are stored in Yim Kids’ reserves for contingencies and future support.

More than 1,000 lives have been positively impacted because of this programme. Yim Kids will ensure that the present programme remains sustainable before moving forward to other projects or communities in need.

WINNING CONCEPT It is important to get every stakeholder involved and become a part in helping to improve and make a difference in the lives of these children. This initiative not only creates smiles upon the children’s faces, but also from every employee and supporter who were involved and participated in the programme.

AustChamThailand Advance

since 1951. www.isb.ac.th

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AustChamThailand Advance

COMMUNITY SERVICES

AustCham’s Initiatives Improving Quality of Life in Thailand Dear AustCham Members, Apart from the many services AustCham offers for its Members, here in Thailand we have a great history of helping many charities and schools less fortunate than ourselves. There is much spoken these days about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and the Chamber has committed to this important role for many years.

As a case in point, I would like to share with you, a letter received from Her Excellency, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, Governor General of Australia, after her recent visit to Thailand and Kanchanaburi (preceding page).

Sadly we lost a great supporter and tireless worker for Austcham’s Community Services in Khun Sutipong Ittipong, however his legacy still remains, as a number of schools and charities still benefit from assistance given over a number of years, such as the Foetal Heart Monitor at Panthong Hospital, Chonburi.

Currently, AustCham Community Services is involved with and provides funding and volunteers to many needy causes, not least of all, voluntary English Teaching to three schools on the eastern seaboard. I would like to make a special comment about this worthy cause and to the AustCham staff who give up their time on a weekend to organise this event, and to the many volunteer members who also commit to a Saturday once a month to help. This is often an unheralded effort, but invaluable to the children receiving this tuition. I know that they are always looking for more volunteers and if you think you can help, please contact Khun Varin or Khun Moo at the Chamber office. I am sure they would appreciate any assistance you can offer.

Another very commendable cause, initially started by a number of members in the logistics industry and now still organised by those people with great assistance from the staff at AustCham, is “Convoy for Kids”. For those who are not familiar with this event, every year a number of logistics companies together with supporters conduct a day out for children from the Foundation of the Welfare of the Crippled and children from slum areas in Pakret. The excursion usu-

AustChamThailand Advance

ally takes the form of a trip in the large lorries to a favourite location such as Safari World where the kids enjoy watching the animals, playing games, eating and generally having a great day out. In addition, funds raised through this day and an annual golf tournament are donated to the Foundation.

Last year this was Baht 600,000. Again the Members and the Board of AustCham are grateful for the considerable work put in by so many to make this outing such a successful day and to raise funds so urgently needed.

I would also like to bring to your attention to a new Project that we have taken on, and that is the support of “The Hub”, which is a joint effort of Childline Thailand Foundation (CTF) and Exodus Foundation, the latter being an Australian foundation. This project is mainly directed towards assisting homeless children from up-country and local Bangkok children and aims to provide them with a place to stay, food, clothing, computer skills, a library and many other forms of care and assistance. The Hub has only been open for about six months and already is seeing great results with many children using the facilities and care offered.

How can you help us help the Hub? Well we already have organised through the generosity of Mr Jack Intanate, Chairman and CEO of SVOA, five new PC’s complete with software and installation delivered to the centre, free of charge and for a small amount we are purchasing at great discount from SVOA another ten PC’s. We have already collected Baht 109,000 of our Baht 200,000 target through your generosity, so if you wish to donate cash to this specific cause, please contact Khun Varin or Josh at the AustCham office and they will provide bank details.

They are also looking for volunteers to assist with time, say a few hours or more a week to help the staff, in the form of English teachers, or just generally assist with meals etc. Again, contact Josh and he will direct you to the right contacts at the Hub. So that’s the Community Services news to date, but please feel free to contact me or the staff at the Chamber if you wish to help, contribute or just need more information.

Warwick Kneale AustCham Director Community Services

August 2011

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COMMUNITY SERVICES

Voluntary English Teaching at Wat Phra Pathranporn School on Saturday, 9 July 2011 Volunteers met at Thai CC building at 8.00 am once again for their trip to teach English on the Eastern Seaboard. Classes go for around two hours. Games, songs, graded worksheet and enthusiasm are used to teach classes of up to 25 students. After class is finished, teachers go for lunch together on the way back to Bangkok. If you are interested in joining us, please contact varin@austchamthailand.com. All are welcome. No teaching experience is necessary, just a bundle of enthusiasm and energy!

Long term supporters of both the English teaching program and AustCham’s community services subcommittee, John and Gina Duke, will be returning to Australia next month. We would like to offer our sincere thanks for their giant contribution and wish them all the best. Giving us use of Bangkok Hospital’s van, buying additional treats for the kids each month and bringing the Big Ride to AustCham last year has brought so much joy to many. You will be missed!

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AustChamThailand Advance

MEMBERS ADVANCING

Akara Mining: Industry Acting Responsibly

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orporate Social Responsibility or CSR is a form of business ethics requiring businesses to act responsibly to care for the environment and create a better society. CSR is a key element of business sustainability today, especially for businesses that are directly involved with natural resources such as gold mining.

drinking water has been certified by the Medical Sciences Center and Department of Public Health. This community enterprise is an excellent project that shows support between company and the community. The water is sold locally to pay the expenses and generate a profit.

The latest CSR project of the company is the Agriculture Demonstration Farm that not only provides employment but also advances local agricultural techniques aimed at increasing productivity. Akara contributed 50 Rai of land for the Self Sufficient Learning Center called the “Ruam Jai Park” project. This project creates jobs for the villagers.

PROMOTING A BETTER SOCIETY THROUGH COMMUNITY PROJECTS Akara Mining creates jobs by giving out piglets to villagers who have submitted applications to the company.

The company started by purchasing five piglets per family including food and the villagers had to build the pen themselves. Akara also provided an expert from agriculture office to train the villagers on raising pigs. Now the villagers are raising the third generation of piglets and thus demonstrating that it is a sustainable venture.

Akara Mining assisted in developing and creating the “Thepnimitre” drinking water factory for Khao Din Village. At the start they produced 20 litre bottles of water only but now they are producing 850 ml. bottles of water as well. The

The tasks are planting backyard gardens, making organic fertiliser, etc. The vegetables are sold to the nearby communities at reasonable prices. The purpose of the project is to teach people better agricultural techniques.

HASSELL Captures Six Awards

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he multidisciplinary design practice bagged multiple wins at the recent Asia Pacific Property Awards and Asia Pacific Hotel Awards 2011 held in Shanghai.

The 45,000 sqm open-plan workplace is configured around a new internal stairway that provides a physical and visual link across all 18 floors. Breakout and hub spaces, situated adjacent to stair landings, encourage staff interaction and promote visual connection between departments. Two landscaped external roof decks provide additional space for staff recreation and other corporate activities.

International Property Awards - Office Interior • PTTEP Headquarters - Five Star Award - Best Office Interior Thailand • Deutsche Bank - Highly Commended - Office Interior Hong Kong

Located in the heart of Bangkok city, the hotel is the result of a multifaceted conceptual design rather than one large dominant concept.

International Property Awards - Office Architecture • one40william - Highly Commended Office Architecture Australia • Alibaba Headquarters - Highly Commended - Office Architecture China • Sala@Sathorn - Highly Commended Office Architecture Thailand International Hotel Awards • Radisson Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit - Highly Commended - Hotel Interior Thailand The newly consolidated location for

AustChamThailand Advance

The client wanted guests to experience different emotions throughout the various areas of the hotel, as observed from the bright, well-circulated guestrooms to the more masculine public areas.

Thailand’s national petroleum exploration company, PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP), covers 18 floors in the recently completed Energy Complex in Bangkok.

The selection of materials, such as stone, timber and silk reflects the Thai culture while the contrasting colour scheme of purple, orange and black alludes to the Orient.

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MEMBERS ADVANCING

On Line Art Auction: For The Flooded Victims in the Southern Thailand

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fter the success of Thai Australian Alumni artist, Vipoo Srivilasa’s online art auction to raise over A$20,000 for the Australian flood victims at the beginning of this year Vipoo, initiated another online arts auction, ‘Soothe The South’. This auction was to raise funds for the flood victims in the South of Thailand.

and five Baht (Lolay Thaweesak’s ink on paper) to tens of thousands.”

“I heard about the severe flooding in the South and was deeply moved. I really wanted to help but with my limited financial asset, I thought of trying to help by using my other abilities. I thought of trying an online arts auction like I had done before. When first started, it was going to be a small auction, among friends and acquaintances.”

On-line auctions are easy to arrange, the expenses are not high and people from all over the world can participate.

“I usually use eBay in my other auctions, but this time I am relying on Facebook, to save on eBay fee, which means more money to be donated.” Vipoo said.

The project quickly grew with several

Baht 410,812 was raised and given, without any deduction, to the Thai Red Cross Friends in Need Volunteers Foundation. The domestic dispatching expenses were subsidised by Vipoo and friends.

well-known artists joining the interesting project. Vipoo explained “The objectives have been changed a little.

We now have a great variety of arts objects, ranging from the price of three Baht (Nai Dee Changmoh’s painting)

Vipoo was also a consultant to two online arts auctions to raise money for Japanese tsunami victims.

NIST Students Visit Orphanage in Tanzania “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire”.

– William Butler Yeats

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he NIST Tanzania Education Enrichment Team, consisting of seven Year 11 students and two teachers, recently visited the Peace Matunda School and Orphanage at Kimundo Village in Arusha, Tanzania.

During their visit, from 2 to 16 April, the team, representing 250 donors from Thailand and Taiwan, contributed just under AU$18,000 to provide more children in the area with free education.

Mr. Kaaya, the founder of the Peace Matunda School, aims to provide education for all children from the local village. He also adopts children living under poor conditions and provides them with shelter, food and education. The NIST team chose this school to visit, as many resemblances exist between the school’s goals and those of the team.

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The experience was truly amazing.

Seeing the children’s enthusiasm to learn, the older students’ dreams, and the parents’ gratitude towards the teachers, the importance of education was clear. Donations to the Peace Matunda School will allow 60 to 80 students to receive a free education.

Education is a key role for changing the lives of these children. It will bring them a step closer to their dreams and help them to understand their role in society: not necessarily to breed them into doctors and engineers but to provide a degree of self-acknowledgement, creativity and independence.

AustChamThailand Advance

CHAMBER EVENTS

Phuket Sundowners at IndoChine Resort on Friday, 24 June 2011 Phuket Sundowners was held on 24 June at IndoChine Resort. AustCham would like them for allowing use of their great venue and provision of food. Strategic Airlines must also be thanked for their sponsorship of what was another great networking event!

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8 1) Khun Laksasubha Kridakorn - Baan Laksasubha; Khun Sarinya Holloway - Strategic Airlines; Mark Carroll - AustCham Executive Director; Larry Cunningham - Australian Honorary Consul Phuket, Phang Nga & Krabi; Su Ma - IndoChine; Oscar Hari Prakoso - IndoChine. 2) Khun Su Ma - IndoChine; Khun Alvert Chan - Outrigger Hotel & Resort; Susan Usher - Lady Pies; Kylie Chan. 3) Chatadul Seenapongpipat - ANZ; Mark Carroll - AustCham Executive Director; Dylan Young - JK Racing Asia Series Driver. 4) Phet Tea - IndoChine; Annette Gronbech - A&A Model Management; Richard Valentine - GoSailing.

5) Chutikul Kridakorn, Khun Laksasubha Kridakorn - Baan Laksasubha; Fiona Smith - The Art Incubator. 6) Phillip Gill - World Construction & Engineering; John Howard - Tilleke Gibbins; Larry Cunningham - Australian Honorary Consul Phuket, Phang Nga & Krabi. 7) Allan Mossop - Phuket Island Property Service; John Douma - ICC Finance. 8) Graham Haslam - Phuket Has Been Good to Us Foundation; Susanne Ultmann - Baan Rim Pa Group.

AustChamThailand Advance

August 2011

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CHAMBER EVENTS

Alumni Poolside Meet & Greet on 22 June 2011 Australian Alumni welcomed graduates of Australian universities for a get together by Anantara’s picturesque poolside restaurant. It was fantastic to see such a diverse group of graduates come together, share their experiences and make new friends. Thanks to Anantara hotel for providing the venue and food as well as Bloom Cosmetics for its generous donation of prizes.

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AustChamThailand Advance

CHAMBER EVENTS

Special Luncheon with Khun Dusit Nontanakorn

Briefing on Intellectual Property

AustCham was honored to have the Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand, Khun Dusit Nontanakorn, make an address on business prospects following the Thai general elections. Held in conjunction with the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT), American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand (AMCHAM), over 120 guests came to hear Khun Dusit’s views on the upcoming government’s policies and his hopes for the future of the nation of Thailand.

AustCham thanks Khun Dusit for his valuable insights.

AustCham members and guests were treated to a presentation on Intellectual Property over lunch at Tilleke Gibbins office on 13 July. Many unaware of the magnitude of counterfeiting and piracy were astounded to be find that international trade of these goods could have been up to $US 200 billion in 2005 alone. 32 raids on counterfiet goods are carried out each day in Thailand. Attendees were also invited to tour Tilleke & Gibbin’s impressive Museum of Counterfiet Goods. Many thanks go to all who made this such an interesting event.

For details about our next Bangkok Session August the 17th please email to: Nick Cartledge (Managing Director) at Email:nick@avionproperties.com.au Tel: +61 3 9 700 200 Mobile: +61 418 580 060 www.avionproperties.com.au

CHAMBER EVENTS

Bangkok Stars & Stripes Sundowners at Centara Grand on 6 July 2011

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This month AustCham invited colleagues from the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand (AMCHAM) to join us for our Stars and Stripes Sundowners event to acknowledge the 4 July US national day.

Thanks go to corporate sponsor Meinhardt and venue sponsor Centara Grand. Thanks also to AMCHAM members for joining us on this special occasion!

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1) John Pollard - Meinhardt; H.E. James Wise - Australian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand; Janice Van Ekeren - AMCHAM, Bank of Ayudha; John Kendes Centara Grand; John Anderson - AustCham President, Meinhardt. 2) Paul Anslow - Meinhardt; Khun Nonthaphon P. - Meinhardt. 3) Janice Van Ekeren - AMCHAM, Bank of Ayudha; Khun Katherine Aphaivongs - CIGNA. 4) Neil Chiu - Allied Pickfords; Khun Nuchjarin Kaewphet - KONE; Rick McGill - PeopleServe. 5) Robert E. Tober; Richard Malpass - Credenda Assoc. 6) Khun Bongkoch Patcharapak - PR Recruitment and Business Management; Khun Alisa Lohmani - PR Recruitment and Business Management; Khun Rapeeparn Limcharoenporn - PR Recruitment and Business Management. 7) Khun Kavissara Rojanavooti - Santa Fe; Khun Teenida Buban - G4S Security Services; Khun Yuwadee Pinkaew - V. Pack & Move; Khun Krisaya Jiwaluck - G4S Security Services. 8) Khun Pichittra Metasatidsuk

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AustChamThailand Advance

CHAMBER EVENTS

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- Fraser Suites; Suzi Wood - NLP Top Coach; Gregory M. Thomas - Foundation Consulting; Leilani A. Merilo - President Park Group. 9) Mark Bulmer - Radisson Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit; Veronique Sirault - Park Plaza; Johan Starr Vimolchalao - Thana Burin Asia Pacific; Gary Woollacott - AustCham Past President, Opus Asia. 10) M.L. Laksasubha Kridakorn - AustCham Vice President, Baan Laksasubha Resort; Teresa Wise - Australian Embassy; Peter Feeney - Top Talent Asia. 11) Nathalie Post - Pachara Suites; Khun Porhathai Limchun - Pachara Suites; Josh Hyland - AustCham. 12) Khun Siran Manoleenagul - Bumrungrad; Khun Amornrat Buhung - The Ascott; Khun Papitchaya Mizokami - The Ascott. 13) Dean Ginnane - Baker Tilly; Khun Tayaporn Poonkasame - SCG Building Materials; Khun Thapanan Amatayakul - Next Thailand.

AustChamThailand Advance

August 2011

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CHAMBER EVENTS NEW MEMBERS AND MEMBERS’ CHANGES

Bed Supperclub Oxygen Holding Co., Ltd. 26 Sukhumvit Soi 11, Sukhumvit Road Klongtoey-Nua, Wattana Bangkok 10110 Thailand Tel: +66 2 651 3537 Fax: +66 2 651 3538 Email: natnapang@bedsupperclub.com Website: www.bedsupperclub.com

people we meet and about how we interact with them. When a new experience gives new insights, increases our understanding or adds to our perceptiveness, it enriches us as individuals.

We believe this true not just of creative scholastic or artistic endeavors, but also of all aspects of living, Call it lifestyle enhancement. When we came together as partners to found Bed Supperclub, we wanted to provide a forum where people could meet, exchange ideas and feed off each other creatively in an atmosphere of style and innovation.

CHANGE OF REPRESENTATIVE:

Justin Dunne - General Manager Natnapong Tanterdtit - Assistant to General Manager Background Genuine quality of life is not about owning a bigger car or a more expensive house; it is about what we see, hear, touch and eat, and about the

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TopTalentAsia is pleased to announce that Country Manager, Peter Feeney will be broadening his role to focus on a regional level, as TopTalent continues its regional growth. Peter will take on the title of Regional Director. We are therefore pleased to advise that Belinda Skinner has therefore been promoted to Country Manager. We wish both Peter and Belinda every success in their new roles.

AustCham’s activities would not be possible without contribution from their generous sponsors. In June, Grand Millennium Sukhumvit hosted our Commonwealth Sundowners event at their hotel and did a fantastic job of catering to our many guests.

AustCham Thailand apologises for not giving them proper recognition in last month’s publication of Advance.

AustChamThailand Advance

AUSTCHAM MEMBERS’ OFFERS

more information please call 02 238 4300 or email: reservations@holidayinnsilom.com Amari Orchid Pattaya Sivara Spa is offering a special two and a half 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.

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 and 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.

Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa Designed to enhance the comfort and convenience of meetings in the city, single occupancy in a deluxe room, inclusive of a hearty American buffet breakfast and complimentary in-room internet access is valued at only Baht 3,300 per night. This exclusive experience can be enjoyed up until 30 September 2011. For more information or reservations, please contact the sales center at 02 476 5005, or email: marriottevents@minornet.com

Centara Grand Stay at Centara Grand for a minimum of two nights and receive a special rate of only Baht 4,500 single or 4,900 for a Deluxe World Room or Baht 5,900 single or 6,300 double for a Premium World Room per night. This package is inclusive of breakfast, late checkout and your choice of a complimentary limousine to Suvarnabhumi International Airport, or an upgrade to the World Club Executive Floor with executive club benefits. For further details, call 02 100 1234 or email: cgwsales@chr.co.th Offer valid until 30 September.

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Clarity IT ClarITy will visit your office (CBD area) and carry out a half day audit and review for your use of IT (based on well proven principles) and then brief on ways you can improve your overall IT. Please contact: + 66 (0) 2 650 4770 or email: enquiry@clarity.co.th

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 per cent discount for all AustCham members. Call 02 261 8485.

Four Points Sheraton Bangkok Join us for delicious food and refreshing drinks during happy hours at BeerVault and AmBar with our buy one, get one free promotion on selected drinks. Dips and Dash tapas is on the house! BeerVault happy hours are from 17.30 to 19.30 pm every day. AmBar happy hours are from 23.30 until closing every night. For more information or reservation, please call +66 2 309 3000.

Hilton Pattaya Spend more than Baht 3,000 in one of the fantastic restaurants and you could be jetting off on an unbelievable holiday for two at Conrad Koh Samui, Conrad Bali or Conrad Hong Kong! The prize includes return airfares for two nights’ accommodation and daily breakfast. There are three great holidays to be won so there has never been a better time to enjoy the fabulous experience of dining at the Hilton Pattaya. Promotion period is until September 2011. For more information call 03 825 3000.

Holiday Inn Bangkok Silom AustCham members can now receive a special 25 per cent discount on food and beverages. Enjoy our sumptuous international buffet at The Brasserie, Northern Indian Cuisine at Tandoor, an outstanding a la carte selection for afternoon tea at Orchid Lounge, or relax after a long hard day of work at Hari’s Bar with tasty snacks and great music. For

IMPACT Arena, Exhibition and Convention Center Convention Package: Make your convention an utmost success with our modern and integrated facilities, together with additional service as you wish. Complete convention packages to serve all your convention requirement for even thousand or just selected a few delegates for more information call +66(2)8335252, or email: sales@impact.co.th

Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa Choose and enjoy between a set menu of four or seven courses on the beach that fuse the finest ingredients and most tantalizing flavors of Italian and Mediterranean specialties. Prices are Baht 1,800 per person for four courses and Baht 2,000 per person for seven courses. For more information and reservations, please call: +66 32 511 881 ext. 1804

InterContinental Hua Hin Resort Thai residents can enjoy a grand deluxe room with daily breakfast and late check-out, with prices starting at Baht 5,500 for weekdays or Baht 8,000 for Saturday and Sunday, per room, per night. For bookings and enquiries, please call +66 32 616 999, or email: rsvn@ ichuahin.com

I Visions We are offering a ten per cent discount off all software packages for AustCham Members.

For more information, please contact: +66 2 661 7899 or email: hinduja@ivision.co.th

LeMeridien We are offering a 20 per cent discount on food (only) at Latest Recipe, Bamboo Chic, Tempo and Latitude13, for one to 20 guests. Children between 3 - 12 years old receive 50 per cent discount and below three years old dine for free. This promotion cannot be combined with any other promotions. Please provide you member Name and card number when you make a reservation and present you card for identification at the venue. This offer is valid

AustChamThailand Advance

AUSTCHAM MEMBERS’ OFFERS

until 31 December 2011. For reservations, please contact 02 232 8888 or email fbadmin. bangkok@lemeridien.com

sharp. For further details, call 66 2 253 8379 or email: rajas@ksc.th.com

Mainstay Property Solutions In-conjunction with Loxley, MPS is now selling an energy saving device called the AirconMiser. The AirconMiser can save between 30 – 60 per cent on air conditioner power consumption and generally pays for itself within 6 - 12 months. They are offering an introductory price of Baht 10,000 which is 20 per cent off the RRP. AustCham members will also benefit from free installation. Further discounts are available for volume sales. To purchase, or for further details, call: +66 2 735 6823-5

Shangri La Experience exciting nautical-themed interactive live cooking where the freshest harvest of the sea is prepared for you á la minute.

It’s fast, fun and fabulously delicious. Dine on Friday night for just Baht 2,100 per person or Baht 2,900 with a free-flow of selected beverages. To book, call: +66 2 236 9952

Nai Lert Swissotel Bangkok Nai Lert Swissotel Bangkok Free Night Promotion! Valuable offers rarely knock on your door. Stay in the oasis hotel of Bangkok, Swissôtel Nai Lert Park, Bangkok and get the third night for free. Plan your urban escape from now until 31 October 2011. For more details, please call 02 253 0123.

Novotel Siam Areeba Areeba - It’ Mexico Night!

Get hot every Wednesday night throughout May with the spicy Mexican Buffet for only of Baht 850. For those who want to know how to prepare Mexican cuisine such as Tacos and Tostadas at home, The Square’s talented chef offers a live Mexican cooking demonstration.

For more information, please call 022098888

Park Plaza Sukhumvit Bangkok AustCham members can now enjoy a ten percent discount on our Thai Cooking class from Now until 31 October. Choose a 2 or 3 dish package and enjoy cooking in our Interactive Open Kitchen. For more details, please call Park Plaza Sukhumvit Bangkok at 02- 263 5000 or email: fb.bangkok@parkplaza.com

Raja’s Fashions Buy any suit at Raja’s Fashions and get a shirt for free! Dress sharp – Look sharp – Feel

AustChamThailand Advance

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 per cent 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 Landmark Bangkok Sunday Roast Buffet, a traditional British main meal served every Sunday lunch, is now available at the Huntsman Pub. The original British Pub located on Basement level of The Landmark Bangkok. Enjoy the incredible Sunday Roast Buffet, features roasted meat, roast potato, smoked salmon, prawn cocktails, fish

and chips, yorkshire pudding and much more. From 11.30 - 14.00 this buffet is only Baht 490 net per person. Call for reservation at +66 2 254 0404 ext 7777.

The Oasis Spa Give your skin what it’s begging for. A free body scrub. Purchase any Oasis Signature (2-hours) Massage– King of Oasis, Queen of Oasis, Oasis Four Hand, or Aroma Therapy Hot Oil Massage –and choose the perfect scrub for your skin type, FREE. The free body scrub offer is available at any Oasis Spa location until 31 August 2011.

For reservation or information, please call 02 262 2122 (Bangkok), +66 53 920 111 (Chiang Mai), 076 337 777 (Phuket) or 038 364 070 (for Pattaya).

The Sukhothai Bangkok To celebrate 20 years of excellence, The Sukhothai Bangkok is offering Baht 5,500 per room per night in a Superior Room or Baht 6,500 in a Deluxe Studio including buffet breakfast, one complimentary welcome drink at The Zuk Bar and a choice of either Chocolate Buffet for two persons at the Lobby Salon or “Krawaan” Thai set lunch or dinner (food only) for two persons at Celadon restaurant. This offer is for discriminating Thais and Thai residents and can be enjoyed from now until 30 November 2011. For further details and reservations, please call 02 344 8888

AustChamThailand AustCham is looking for a volunteer to join the editorial committee and assist proofreading Advance magazine on a monthly basis. Attention to detail is important and past experience in writing / editing is desireable. Only a couple of hours are required each month. Please email expressions of interest to: josh@austchamthailand.com or call the AustCham office directly.

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FROM THE CHAMBER OFFICE

Calendar of Events

Message from the Executive Director terpiece of the package is a price on carbon that will rise from AU$23 per tonne and be applied (initially) through a tax on around 500 companies. The tax collected will then be redistributed by Government agencies and bureaucrats to the majority of Australian households.

This way, the impact of consequent price rises will be felt only by the onethird of Australians on higher incomes – they will subsidise the higher consumer prices paid by their compatriots.

I

n taking on the role of Executive Director of the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce (AustCham) I have been fortunate to have joined an organisation that has a strong financial base and a solid membership foundation. I am also in the enviable position of working to a leadership that has a definite direction in mind for the Chamber and is clear-sighted in its objectives.

Under the new Board’s leadership, I believe we have re-established a coherent strategy for the Chamber. Several new initiatives are underway and more are planned. There is now a clear focus on enhancing the value AustCham adds to businesses and the business environment – while at the same time strengthening the elements of the Chamber that have underpinned its more than 30 years of achievement.

The focus in recent years on budget austerity has bolstered AustCham financially. We have a sound cash reserve base and we are budgeted to post a modest operating loss for the year. We have now passed the point, however, of needing to consider new investments in information technology, office facilities, staff and staff training, and – crucially – the tools and methods employed to support members’ businesses.

These are all important areas worthy of priority attention. And any significant changes will need to be carefully managed. The sense I get from members, however, is that they don’t see AustCham as a status quo organisation. They want us to innovate!

Back in Australia, debate has reached fever-pitch over the Gillard Government’s ‘plan for a clean energy future’. The cen30

August 2011

The far-left Greens party – which has never been more powerful in Australia – has been instrumental in developing another major plank of the anti-CO2 policy, a very large public investment in Greens-preferred renewable energy technologies and associated projects.

The new carbon tax package will put Australia in a global leadership position.

Australia will be one of only a handful of nations willing to seriously restructure its economy with the aim of reducing temperature rises globally. In the AsiaPacific region it will stand alone with New Zealand, although New Zealand’s carbon price will be half that of Australia’s and therefore have less of an impact on competiveness.

The carbon tax package will put Australia in a strong moral position when encouraging other countries in the region – and beyond – to take similar action. From the smoggy vantage point of Bangkok, it could not be clearer that collective action is the only effective means to combat climate change.

WEDNESDAY, 3 AUGUST All Chamber Sundowners

AustCham invites members of all thirty two Foreign Chambers and Business Associations to join our Sundowners networking event.

18.00 – 21.00 Venue: The Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel, Bangkok FRIDAY, 12 AUGUST

AustCham office closed for H.M. The Queen of Thailand’s birthday FRIDAY, 19 AUGUST BLCP Power Plant Visit

Bus departs from Bangkok at 11.00 Contact the AustCham office for a map or more further details.

FRIDAY, 19 AUGUST Eastern Seaboard Sundowners

18.00 – 21.00 Venue: Pullman Pattaya Aisawan SATURDAY, 20 AUGUST Voluntary English Teaching

Bus departs at 8.00 from the Thai CC building Venue: Baan Khao Huay Mahad School

SAVE THE DATE....

for the largest AFL Grand Final event outside of Australia 1 OCTOBER 2011

Thank you to all July sponsors:

Speaking of Bangkok, we are pleased to announce that we have secured the Shangri-la hotel as the venue for this year’s AFL Grand Final function.

Please note the change of date from the traditional September final. This year AustCham family and friends will be gathering for the biggest grand final event outside of Australia on Saturday 1 October! Further details will be announced soon.

Mark Carroll Executive Director, AustCham Thailand www.austchamthailand.com AustChamThailand Advance

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