Advance November 2013 by AustCham

A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN-THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AUSTRALIA THAILAND BUSINESS COUNCIL www.austchamthailand.com November 2013

Jackpot Gateway in this edition

Structuring Investments into Myanmar Business Brief Is Managing a Racing Yacht Like Managing a Business?

AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS FORUM Chamber events AFL Grand Final Family Thai Productivity Cloud Offers Silver Lining for Aussie Businesses Day 2013

Chamber events Bangkok Sundowners at Swissotel Le Concorde Bangkok

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Contents PATRON His Excellency James Wise Australian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand PRESIDENT Leigh Scott-Kemmis DBM (Thailand) Ltd. VICE PRESIDENTS M.L. Laksasubha Kridakon Baan Laksasubha Resort Hua Hin Belinda Skinner TopTalentAsia TREASURER Warwick Kneale Baker Tilly Thailand Limited DIRECTORS David Bell Crestcom-Ra-Kahng Associates Ltd.

20 business briefs 6 Jackpot Gateway 10 Is Managing a Racing Yacht Like Managing a Business? 12 Structuring Investments into Myanmar

Josh Hyland AEC South East Asia Co., Ltd.

AFL Grand Final 2013 20 AFL Grand Final Family Day chamber events 24 Bangkok Sundowners at Swissotel Le Concorde Bangkok

news and updates 16 Thailand Seeks Balance between Growth and Debt

Sam McMahon NS Bluescope Steel (Thailand) Limited Alan Polivnick Watson, Farley & Williams (Thailand) Limited Rananda Rich Blackmores Ltd. Charles Wrightman Natural Ville & Lenotre EX OFFICIO Greg Wallis Senior Trade Commissioner, Thailand

Australian Business Forum 18 Thai Productivity Cloud Offers Silver Lining for Aussie Business

24 AUSTCHAM MEMBERS 26 Member Offers 28 New Members

Brenton Mauriello dwp

From the Chamber Office 30 Message from the Office

COORDINATORS Paul Wilkinson JVK International Movers Ltd. ESB Coordinator Email: paul.wilkinson@jvkmovers.com Trevor Dick Indochine Asset Management ESB Coordinator Email: trevor@indochine-asset.com Harry Usher Lady Pie Phuket Coordinator Email: phuket@austchamthailand.com

From the Board

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 office@austchamthailand.com www.austchamthailand.com

President’s Message

For more information on individual Board Member focus please visit www.austchamthailand.com/ boardmembers

t AustCham, we are hopeful that the new Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott will have Thailand on his travel plans sometime within the coming year. Prime Minister Yingluck’s presence at APEC certainly convinced him of the many merits of a business focus on Thailand. We also understand that he intends to bring along a strong Australian business delegation. It will be important that AustCham is engaged and can add value to the series of events.

Editorial Committee Belinda Skinner, Rananda Rich, Janna De Vos, 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 janna@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

Encouraging more Australian businesses to invest in operations in Thailand is important to ensure that Australian business has a voice that is heard here. It is also important for creating greater business opportunities for AustCham members. The work that we are doing in showcasing successful Australian operations in Thailand under the Australian Business Forum (ABF) initiative could not be more timely. These events have proven to be highly insightful and provide great learning experiences for Australian businesses in Thailand. We have further ABF events coming up, so please keep an eye out for upcoming dates! As I have previously reported, we are well into the process of selecting a new Executive Director to be in place before the year end. Our current Executive Director, Mark Carroll will return to Canberra at the beginning of next year. His efforts over the last number of years at the chamber have certainly changed the perception of what the ED role is all about. The number (22) and quality of the applications for the position was very heartening. We hope to be in a position to make an announcement on a new ED within a few weeks.

Another area of heightened focus for the Chamber has been the great support we have received form our sponsors: we have a record of six gold sponsors – two of those being major Thai corporations with substantial activities in Australia. We are about to embark on the annual sponsorship renewal process and, from what we hear, there is a good chance this year will show another improvement. So, I encourage companies thinking about sponsorship to put your hand up as soon as possible. Again many, many thanks to all the companies that have supported the Chamber over the years through their sponsorships; it’s a big part of allowing the Chamber to provide greater value to members. This last month was also one of season final events. The AFL Grand Final is one of our biggest, most extravagant annual events, and this year was no exception. The event was an overwhelming success and received first-class reviews. You can find pictures and read more about the AFL Grand Final Day in this month’s magazine. None of it would have been possible without the efforts of the AustCham staff and, especially, the efforts of Director Josh Hyland. I would like to send an enormous thank you to Josh for his dedication to making this an unforgettable day. I would also like to thank our sponsors, particularly our main sponsor The Coffee Club, for their undivided support. We already look forward to next year’s event!

Leigh Scott-Kemmis President, AustCham Thailand www.austchamthailand.com November 2013

business brief

Jackpot Gateway By Michael Bleby

n a small room on the fourth floor of a Bangkok office building, three men are playing cards. They’re not slacking, but doing research for a start-up that sells gamification services. In a nearby room, another small group discusses figures related to their on-line pet-food retailer. At a pod of desks in the main room, more people are working on a business that will sell baby products on-line.

This is the office of Ardent Capital, an investor and incubator of digital ventures that is taking on South-east Asia’s growing market of 600 million consumers. It makes sense to start in Thailand, a country with 67 million people that teaches lessons that can be used in larger – and harder – markets such as Indonesia, Ardent Chief Executive Adrian Vanzyl says. Thailand, for example, has a “closed” language, used only in that country. The country teaches logistics and cashon-delivery skills. While a large number of Thai consumers have standard banking facilities like credit cards, many still deal in cash only. In Indonesia, even more do. “We start in Thailand because it is difficult, but not too difficult,” Vanzyl says. “We do not start in Indonesia because it is too difficult as a first market, with too many challenges.” For all the challenges, the future is huge. As an estimated 82 per cent of Thais have a smartphone and 89 per cent of both Malaysians and Indonesians use one, the potential for conducting commerce and influencing behaviour by mobile devices is immense. While many people concentrate on China’s growing market, fewer pay attention to Southeast Asia. After tackling the Thai market, Ardent’s model is to expand to Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore, in that order.

Ardent Capital Chief Executive, Adrian Vanzyl

reported views about Singapore being a place for start-ups to find funding and get going, especially given that country’s concerted efforts to establish itself as a start-up hub through its Technology Incubation Scheme. “In Singapore, there is plenty of money up to the US$ 500,000 mark,” Edgar Hardless, Chief Executive of venture fund SingTel Innov8, says. But there’s the rub. Ardent gets 90 per cent of its funding from Japanese investors such as Recruit Strategic Partners and GMO Venture Partners, and Vanzyl, a veteran of early Australian dotcom success Sausage Software, says Singapore, while great for a first-time entrepreneur, is limited in scope and doesn’t

provide enough of a testing environment for a business with ambitions to spread regionally. “We do not start in Singapore because the exits are too small and the market is too small,” the South Africa-born Australian says. “Building a business in Singapore . . . it’s the same as building in California, in Sacramento. It proves you can build a business in a city of three million people, where everyone can speak English and has a credit card. It has fantastic infrastructure and is just easy.” By some measures, South-east Asia – like north-eastern Asian markets in Japan – is ahead of Western markets. This is part of the attraction for

Road less travelled At first glance, Vanzyl’s focus on Thailand seems at odds with frequently

November 2013

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business brief

Rob Zepeda, who puts down his cards from a trading game, Magic: The Gathering, to talk to BRW about Playbasis, the business he started, and in which Ardent is a minor investor.

HOW CONSUMERS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA USE THE INTERNET

ZING 63.8

FACEBOOK 75.8*

YAHOO! 52.3

Playing to win Gamification, or the process of adding gaming elements – such as pointscoring – to ordinary tasks to motivate employees and get customers more involved in a product or brand, is a natural sell in Thailand. Bangkok has more Facebook users claiming to live there than any other city, with the number at almost 8.7 million. Bangkok Airport and the city’s Siam Paragon shopping mall were Instagram’s two most tagged locations last year. Thais talk about “playing” Facebook or Twitter rather than “using” them, Zepeda says. “The term ‘gamification’ may be new but the underlying concept isn’t.” To serve this market, the Playbasis team needs to spend time playing games, says Zepeda, an American who came to Thailand three years ago. “One thing that is really important is that the people on our team making gamification designs and recommendations to companies really understand games,” he says. Playbasis clients include Thai mobile telecommunications company True and bank TMB. In other respects, Asia already has a more established market for online commerce than in the West. There is, for example, a love of personalising their SMS and a willingness to pay real money for “stickers” – or emoticons – used to adorn messages. Japan-based Line, a free messaging and game app, in May said revenue jumped to ¥5.8 billion (A$ 63 million) in the first quarter of this year from ¥3 billion in the previous quarter. Half of the revenue – admittedly, mostly from Japan – came from in-app purchases. Paid stickers generated a third of that revenue. What is happening in Asia

24H 35.6 VNEXPRESS 31.8 LIVE.COM 62.6

SANOOK 46.5

BLOGSPOT 15.1

KAPOOK 46.4

TWITTER 1.9

MTHAI 38.8

THAILAND 67.09m

VIETNAM 89.57m

26.1% population use internet

31.5% population use internet

17.5m

28.3m

Indonesia 238.6m Malaysia 26.2m

16.5% or 39.6m use internet 64.7% or 16.9m use internet

Philippines 98m Singapore 4.7m

30.3% or 29.7m use internet 78.5% or 3.7m use internet

will spread, possibly via companies like Playbasis. “Paying for virtual goods, these are hugely profitable business models for Asia that are only starting to find their way into the West,” Zepeda says. Playbasis, which took about eight months from idea to first paying customer, is a market leader, he says. “Part of that is by default,” he adds. “There are people who build gamification apps to solve specific needs but no-one offering a platform. We give the tools, consultation; support how to integrate it into your processes.” Not all the businesses are run by foreign imports. Zepeda’s colleague, Prem Doowa, an Indian of Thai nationality, is co-founder of PetLoft.com, the first of a suite of online consumer-oriented retail ventures that Ardent is rolling out as part of a separate business called WhatsNew,

“There are people who build gamification apps to solve specific needs but no-one offering a platform. We give the tools, consultation; support how to integrate it into your processes.” AustChamThailand Advance

NHACCUATUI 29.3

Source: Ardent Capital/Burson-Marstellar

following the model of quidsi.com in the United States. PetLoft.com started selling pet food to Thai consumers in June. It has been followed by Venbi, a site that sells nappies and other baby-related products. Cleaning products, sold under the Missclean.com brand, and make-up products will follow. The right target In each case, Vanzyl says, the verticals target the same consumer: women aged between 25 and 45, who make the key household spending decisions. This makes customer acquisition cheaper. For example, it is cheaper to buy Google search terms such as “pet food online” in Thailand than it is to buy terms relating to women’s health and beauty. However, having won customers with pet food, cross-selling make-up is easy. The goal, of course, is to sell WhatsNew, and Vanzyl says running businesses across a range of different countries is key to that. Ardent will issue share options in the businesses to key staff and subsequently dilute its own holding with share sales to external investors.

November 2013

business brief

They have done it before. The Ardent co-founders, Thai-American brothers Paul, John and Tom Srivorakul, were the successful entrepreneurs behind startups including Ensogo (sold to LivingSocial) and Admax (sold to Komli). There is a limit on how big these retail ventures can become. “We are unlikely to build a billion-dollar business here but we are very likely to build several US$ 100 million businesses,” Vanzyl says. There may be a way to build that US$ 1 billion business, however. Serving an untapped market of online consumers is one thing. Having a logistics and fulfilment business to support those sales is another, and it on this score Vanzyl holds big hopes. Ardent owns a separate venture, aCommerce, which offers marketing, call centre, cash on delivery, distribution and other operations. In this, it is not alone. Singapore Post, to name one example, has started logistics service SP eCommerce to support the region’s growing e-commerce players. Vanzyl is unperturbed. “We help our customers with everything from the website, shopping cart, marketing and customer acquisition, payment gateways, cash on delivery, customer service in local language, returns,” he says. “SingPost clearly has ambitions here but we think our knowledge . . . will exceed theirs.” aCommerce charges a percentage fee of each transaction, meaning its revenue grows with customer numbers and with their spend. These are expected to grow as a business like WhatsNew rolls out more product verticals.

And this is where aCommerce could hit the jackpot. The nascent WhatsNew businesses are customers of aCommerce, but aCommerce isn’t exclusive. Vanzyl is touting its services to foreign brands that wish to enter south-east Asia and sell directly to consumers, rather than relying on distribution via traditional retail channels. The scope to partner with luxury brands is huge. A foreign investor who wants to buy that capability may indeed push the business into the billion-dollar territory, Vanzyl says. “If we can get a fair slice of the direct-to-consumer commerce for

big brands coming into South-east Asia, and we get a percentage of every dollar transacted, across all six markets, that is a very, very big business.” This article was originally published on BRW.com.au. Business Review Weekly is Australia’s leading business magazine, examining the trends and opportunities shaping Australian business. Print and digital subscriptions available. Follow BRW on Twitter (@BRW), Facebook (www.facebook.com/ BRWMagazine) and LinkedIn (http:// www.linkedin.com/today/brw.com.au).

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business brief

Is Managing a Racing Yacht Like Managing a Business? By David Bell

t the Top of the Gulf 2013 Press Conference, Chairman Bill Gasson made a reference to the sport of yachting being healthy, not only for the body, but also for developing one’s management and leadership qualities. It’s an interesting observation, and very true. In my decades of racing yachts, one thing always stands out to me... the successful race yachts are the ones where you do not hear the skipper screaming and swearing at the crew. They are also the same boats who make less mistakes complicated sail hoists and drops, gybes and abouts all happen smoothly. Why? Well, quite simply they are led better, trained better and the crew are working more effectively as teams. Does this remind you of some of the businesses you have experienced? Those companies who are not engaged with their staff at all levels, where customer service mistakes end up with screaming matches with clients. In my decades of being a manager and director of companies, and being involved in teams, we have observed and learned many examples from sport. Yachting is a great example because the stakes are high and the equipment is complex and valuable. Mistakes can be costly, and dangerous. You will find in most cases, the winning boats in major regattas are much more silent than the losers when the yachts come in close to the observer. The winning boats take time to practice, to share ideas, to get inputs from individuals and encourage them to find better ways of doing things under pressure! They also discuss strategies. So what makes up a good team? Well, here’s the best definition I have heard: “A great team is a group of people that is passionately engaged in working towards a common purpose.”

November 2013

That description comes from one of our Crestcom leadership topics for corporate executives. It also applies in exactly the same manner as in racing a yacht competitively to windward and downwind.

red flags, proper recognition, sitting down and reviewing where we went wrong and how we could have done better, building people’s confidence, getting people to want to do the things you want them to do!

Always aboard my boat, the common goal is getting across the line first. That’s the ‘vision.’ Next comes the ‘strategy’: in what ways can we achieve this? How are we going to get to our goal?

Same with racing yachts. If you can get people to want to do the things you want them to do, you will get ‘line honours.’

What course should we take? What is the wind doing and how will that affect us on this course? What about the effect of the tide on our course and speed? Sound familiar? Sure... it is the same. We could go on about many other aspects of leadership. For example, think about engagement and motivation. A recent study showed that companies that had engaged employees outperformed their competitors by 47 per cent to 202 per cent. Engagement... sharing new ways of doing things, not being afraid to talk about

David Bell is a well-known racing yachtsman. He is also a Director of AustCham. David has spent most of his adult life the Asian region most of his adult life managing international advertising agencies. He founded Crestcom-Rakahng in 1999, which specializes in developing business leaders. His company’s purpose is to improve the performance of company managers in these areas which have a direct effect on profit - Communication; Customer Service; Developing People; Leadership; Managing Change; Negotiation; Problem Solving & Decision Making; Raising Productivity; Strategic Thinking; Team Building.

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business brief

Structuring Investments into Myanmar By Jack Sheehan

ince opening to foreign investment and the suspension of US and European sanctions, Myanmar has attracted the attention of international investors looking for the newest ASEAN tiger economy. Investing into Myanmar takes careful consideration of the numerous tax implications as well as risk factors affecting the investment. An investment structure must consider the investors existing operations and strategic plans, and examine the possible option of setting up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the investment in Myanmar. Key considerations for foreign investors will be access to tax treaties, investment treaties, availability of tax holidays, deductibility of expenses and transfer pricing issues. Holding companies are often used to structure investments into countries for various tax and investment planning reasons such as reducing withholding taxes on dividends, royalties, service fees and financing costs, and reducing or exempting capital gains tax. The location of the holding company can have a great impact on the viability of the investment. Below is a summary of some of the considerations when deciding on the holding company location for an investment in Myanmar: Myanmar has signed double tax treaties with a number of other countries including UK, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Korea. However, Myanmar and Australia have not yet initiated discussions for the signing of a tax treaty between the jurisdictions. Dividends paid by a Myanmar company are not subject to any withholding tax in Myanmar. In both Singapore and Thailand dividends received are generally not subject to tax providing certain conditions are met. Additionally, dividends paid by 12

November 2013

a Singapore company to its shareholders are not subject to withholding taxes. However, dividends paid by a Thai company to a non-resident shareholder are subject to a withholding tax of 10 per cent. Financing a Myanmar investment from Singapore or Thailand will normally result in interest or financing charges payable to the lender. Normally interest payments paid by a Myanmar entity to a non-resident are subject to a withholding tax of 15 per cent. However, the tax treaties with Thailand and Singapore offer relief to 10 per cent. In the case of Singapore, an additional reduction is available to Singaporean financial institutions and banks to 8 per cent. Royalties paid from Myanmar to Singapore are subject a withholding tax of 10 per cent in respect of consideration for the use of, or the right to use, any patent, design or model, plan, secret formula or process, or for the use of, of the right to use industrial, commercial or scientific equipment, or for information concerning industrial, commercial or scientific experience and 15 per cent in all other cases.

Royalties paid from Myanmar to Thailand are subject to a withholding tax of 5 per cent of the gross amount of the royalties for the use of, or the right to use, any copyrights of literary, artistic or scientific work and 10 per cent of the gross amount of the royalties for the consideration for any service of a managerial or consultancy nature, or for information technical services concerning industrial, commercial, or scientific experience, and 15 per cent of the gross amount of the royalties in all other cases. The capital gains provision of a tax treaty, often referred to as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;exit-optionâ&#x20AC;?, is often very important to tax planning strategies. Under Myanmar tax law, capital gains tax is payable on the sale or transfer of shares in a Myanmar company. This is of particular concern for foreign shareholders holding shares in Myanmar companies as the capital gains tax rate for non-resident shareholders is 40 per cent. This rate is increased up to 50 per cent for foreign companies in the oil and gas sector. However, relief from Myanmar capital gains tax is available under the tax treaties signed AustChamThailand Advance

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business brief

with Thailand and Singapore as follows: • The Thailand tax treaty provides that gains from the sale of shares in a Myanmar company, where the company consists principally of immovable property (real estate) which is situated in Myanmar may be taxed in Myanmar. And gains from the sale of shares other than those mentioned above representing a participation of 35 per cent in a company which is a resident of a Myanmar may be taxed in Myanmar. Thus, capital gains from the sale of shares in a Myanmar company which does not hold immovable property and represents a participation of less than 35 per cent is not taxable in Myanmar. • The Singapore tax treaty provides the same provision in respect to shares in that companies that hold immovable property may also be taxed in Myanmar. The Singapore treaty also contains a 35 per cent participation rule in determining when Myanmar can tax the gains. However, the Singapore tax treaty also

provides that in all cases the Myanmar capital gains tax is capped at a rate of 10 per cent. This provides a significant advantage over the Thailand tax treaty. Foreign capital gains received by Thai companies are generally subject to Thai corporate income tax at 20 per cent. However, Singapore does not generally tax capital gains and therefore gains received from selling shares in a Myanmar company will not be subject to tax in Singapore. Myanmar tax planning does not stop at the Myanmar domestic level, but also continues to the level of the holding structure as shown below: Singapore’s favorable territorial tax system makes Singapore a regional hub for ASEAN and an efficient location for structuring investments into Myanmar. However, before deciding on a location for a holding company, investors will also need to consider general anti-avoidance rules and requirements for obtaining residency certificates to claim tax treaty relief.

Jack is a partner in DFDL’s regional tax practice group. He specializes in providing international tax planning and consulting, corporate structuring and restructuring, M&A and cross-border tax advisory services. He has advised clients in sectors ranging from telecommunications, mining, oil & gas, manufacturing, aviation, banking and financial institutions to government and aid-funded projects. DFDL established a permanent presence in Bangkok in November 2005 to better serve its growing client base in Thailand, especially related to Thai-based financial institutions and businesses investing in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam, South Asia and Bangladesh. Since then, DFDL has expanded and established a real estate practice with offices in Samui and Phuket; a corporate and commercial practice group; an energy, mining and infrastructure practice; a tax practice; and labor law and commercial litigation and arbitration practice groups.

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News and Updates

Thailand Seeks Balance between Growth and Debt

he Thai government has unveiled a new package of measures aimed at promoting economic activity and maintaining growth at up to 5 per cent, though opinions are mixed about whether the stimulus programme will be able to meet its targets, or even whether it is warranted in the current economic climate. On August 6, the Thai cabinet ratified a series of new measures designed to boost private consumption, investment, exports and public sector spending. The steps to foster growth include government support to promote energy efficient appliances; a fast-tracked depreciation programme for assets held by the tourism industry; and easing regulations for investors establishing food or ethanol factories or sugar mills in specified agricultural zones. Another measure will see increased access to credit and credit guarantees for small and medium-scale enterprises, to be carried out in cooperation with commercial banks and financial institutions, while exports and tourism will benefit from higher-profile state promotion. One measure that could have an immediate impact is the government’s commitment to speed up disbursement of funds from the 2013 budget to local and provincial administrations. There has been criticism of delays and bottlenecks in state investment programmes, with some elements of the public sector’s high-profile infrastructure improvement scheme behind schedule. As of the end of July, just over 43 per cent of total budget allocations had been spent, so a concerted push to hasten the pace of funding projects could boost growth and employment, especially in rural and regional centres. Reviews of the stimulus programme have been mixed, with some experts saying the blend of incentives and increased spending will fuel growth, while others have questioned whether the measures will have any significant impact, or if so whether this impact will be positive for the Thai economy.

November 2013

A report issued by Moody’s Analytics just after the stimulus package was approved said year-end growth would come in at 4.3 per cent, a mid-point between the government’s target and the expectations of many analysts, who have put GDP expansion at around four per cent for 2013. If the Moody’s forecast is achieved, it will represent an improvement from the Thai economy’s second-quarter performance. “The Thai economy has hit a major speed bump,” the Moody’s report said. “Monthly household consumption, export and production data suggest the economy expanded by 4.1 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter, down from 5.3 per cent recorded a quarter before.” However, about a week before the stimulus programme was approved, the BoT governor said there was no need for any further stimulus measures in the second half of 2013. According to BoT head Prasarn Trairatvorakul, the domestic economy will achieve four per cent growth in 2013, and with the expected return to growth in the economies of the US, Japan and Europe, it was unnecessary for the Thai government to embark on a new round of pump priming. The Thai Chamber of Commerce sided with Prasarn, with the organisation’s chairman saying in a statement in midJuly that stimulus measures may distort the economy and lead to new problems. Any new stimulus package could actually boost household debt by encouraging excessive private spending funded through loans, Pramon Sutivong said on 17 July. The central bank has said it expects the rate of increase in bank lending to slow in the third quarter, a result of the decline in exports and domestic demand. In the second quarter, the call for consumer loans fell due to the winding up of the government’s support programme for first-time car buyers, though this was to a degree offset by a rise in personal loans,

the BoT said in a statement issued on 9 August. The BoT also warned that non-performing loans (NPLs) were on the rise, climbing by US$ 281 million to US$ 8.3 billion in the first half of the year. Releasing the latest lending figures, Anupap Kuvinichkul, the bank’s senior director for financial institutions strategy, said commercial lenders had been advised to apply more stringent measures in offering loans and be prepared for economic risk and uncertainty. As most of the measures set out by the government target business development rather than ramping up domestic consumption, the impact on private debt and the risk of higher levels of NPLs should be limited. However, apart from the commitment to fast track the release of funds from the budget, especially those set aside for infrastructure and development projects, many of the other measures may take time to implement in full and longer still before they have an impact. As such, the effects of the government’s stimulus programme are more likely to be felt late in the year or into 2014, meaning the package may not bring the short-term boost to growth hoped for it. Oxford Business Group (OBG) is a global publishing, research and consultancy firm, which publishes economic intelligence on the markets of Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. OBG offers comprehensive analysis of macroeconomic and sectoral developments, including banking, capital markets, energy, infrastructure, industry and insurance. OBG’s acclaimed economic and business reports are the leading source of local and regional intelligence, while OBG’s online economic briefings provide up-to-date indepth analysis. OBG’s consultancy arm offers tailor-made market intelligence and advice to firms operating in these markets and those looking to enter them. www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com

AustChamThailand Advance

Announcing the 14th

Convoy for Kids event to Safari World on Sunday November 24th 2013. Please support this event and put a smile on the faces of deserving kids. The first Convoy for Kids outing was held on Sunday 19th November to Safari World. Since then we have taken many children to other venues such as Muang Boran, Khaow Khaew Zoo, Siam Ocean World, Don Muang Air Museum, Bang Saen Acquarium and Bang Saen Beach. This year we will be taking 300 children for a fun day out to Safari World. The children are from Sri Sangwal School, Sister Joanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s project from Klong Toey, and Bang Seu area. The object of the event is to earn sufficient money from supporters to pay for the day and also make a contribution to Sri Sangwal School to help pay for special furniture and equipment. Our main sponsors are logistics companies such as Ceva Logistics, DHL, Linfox Logistics, Loscam, Toll Logistics and others. We would like to appeal to all Austcham members to support this worthy cause and give something to help. As well as money, we are seeking help from sponsors to provide snacks, drinks and goody bags. Please contact Khun Varin at Austcham if you are able to help in any way. KhunVarin can be contacted by phone on 02 210 0216 or on email at varin@austchamthailand.com Why not join us on the day with your staff and families to help move the kids around on their wheelchairs. We have a special entry fee from Safari World of 400 Baht per person. Come join us! AustChamThailand Advance

November 2013

AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS FORUM

Thai Productivity Cloud Offers Silver Lining for Aussie Business By Mark Carroll and Janna De Vos

s there a silver lining to Thailand’s productivity cloud? Absolutely, say two of the most prominent Australians in Thailand. And, they add, it’s a win-win. Mounting structural pressures on the Thai economy mean productivity advancements are essential for it to escape the socalled middle-income trap, and to lift its international competitiveness. With decades of operational experience in extracting efficiencies, Australian companies are well positioned to not only assist Thailand with its next step up the value-chain, but to also benefit handsomely in the process.

Speaking at the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Australian Business Forum (ABF) on the Eastern Seaboard, HE James Wise, the Australian Ambassador, and David Chuter, Executive General Manager of Futuris Automotive (Australia’s most successful automotive component manufacturer), called on Australian companies to consider the rewards of operating in Thailand. They pointed out that the productivity stresses on companies in Thailand presented a rare window of opportunity for Australian companies to break into this rapidly developing market – and for those already established to boost their growth.

expansion of Thailand’s first-rate industrial parks has provided first-rate manufacturing bases. Similarly, Thailand’s ports and airports are coping well with the internationalisation of its economy. But urban roads and supporting infrastructure are weak links in the chain that connects Thailand’s factories with its distribution hubs – and which facilitate the daily commute of millions of workers. Nonetheless, the outlook for Futuris in Thailand is bright to the point of being dazzling – as it has been for the past three years. In fact, it is difficult to find a better success story about Australian business in Thailand.

Foremost amongst Futuris’ concerns is a structural shortage of labour that, along with other price rises, is fuelling an increase in business input costs. Coming at a time when Thailand’s economy is coming off an intense boil and facing increased regional competition, unlocking productivity and trimming fat are, according to Chuter, crucially important for future business growth.

Futuris was one of the first Australian automotive component manufacturers to venture offshore. It established in China in 2005, betting on the growth of Chinese domestic brand Chery. It has continued to grow there, adding multiple customers and facilities. In 2010 it saw an opportunity in Thailand to supply the Southeast Asian arms of its traditional Australian customers. Three short years later, it has not only outgrown one, but two, Hemaraj Industrial Estate factories. It is now planning further expansion. With 950 employees – compared to some 430 in China and 700 in Australia – and annual sales in the order of Baht 2.4 Billion (A$ 80 million), Thailand has become the epicentre of Futuris’ corporate growth.

Chuter also sees a need for ‘infrastructure infill’. The rapid and carefully planned

Chuter sees a doubling of Futuris sales in Thailand as a very real prospect over the

Chuter and Wise acknowledged that Thailand needs to be pro-active in managing key challenges. Challenges – ironically enough – that are largely a symptom of Thailand’s own success.

November 2013

next few years. With Thailand’s new status as one of the world’s top ten automotive producers, it offers a cornucopia of supply chains that lead into virtually every major car manufacturer. Prized amongst them are the notoriously hard to win Japanese contracts. They are an obvious target for Futuris. Japanese multinationals are increasingly willing to engage with international suppliers in Thailand. It is a deliberate strategy on their part to diversify supply-chains in the wake of major disruptions brought about by natural disasters such as the devastating Japanese tsunami in 2011 and once-in-a-generation flooding in Thailand that same year. Attractive tax and other incentives from Thailand’s Board of Investment have helped Futuris in Thailand. But that does not explain Futuris’ success, says Chuter. Its remarkable achievements are a product of the company’s vision and culture, its history of achievement in Australia and a huge amount of hard work and application. The single most important factor, according to Chuter, is Futuris’ ability to maintain a business model that is “driven by forward thinking, adaptability, integrity, a can-do attitude and a passion for delivering superior products and superior solutions in a global and increasingly competitive environment”. He delivers the contentpacked phrase with a confidence, clarity and sense-of-purpose that exemplifies

AustChamThailand Advance

AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS FORUM

the Futuris approach to doing business. If only it were that easy! While Futuris is fast becoming a global business – India is its next target – Chuter emphasises that Australian expertise and innovation remain central to the company’s future, as well as explaining its past. Its Australian customer base is shrinking rapidly, but Australia remains the core of Futuris – particularly its Australian design and development capability. As a safety-critical vehicle component, the technology incorporated into car seats is far greater than the elegant leather and stitching might suggest. For Australian businesses looking to follow in the rather large Futuris footsteps, Chuter has some advice. “Set up your business for flexibility as well as growth”, he says. The automotive industry is one of aggressive margins; one where risks are increasingly being transferred to suppliers. New opportunities can arise quickly, and it is important to be able to seize the day – as well as being prepared to adjust in the face of adversity. Chuter says it is important that businesses have the ability to shift resources to areas where they can be of greatest value. They need to be nimble. Setting up a new business also requires “clarity, conviction, and will-power”. As Chuter puts it, “You must have a vision. You have to know why you are getting out of bed in the morning. In fact, you have to want to jump out of bed!” Echoing comments made at the first Bangkok ABF by Visy (Thailand) General Manager Simon Shale, Chuter says it is vital for Australian businesses in Thailand to embrace local culture and practices. “Businesses must understand what makes Thai people come to work for a company like Futuris. If you understand what makes your workers tick, then it is easier to create happy and satisfied employees”. The right workforce, says Chuter, is critical. “So much of business is all about people. If you do not have the right people, success is elusive”. For Futuris, good people policy includes, setting out to become the safest and best employer on the Hemaraj Industrial estate, demonstrating respect and appreciation for the Thai culture, as well as a range of other people initiatives such as employing disabled workers.

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There is a paradox in Chuter’s final – and perhaps most forceful – message for Australian businesses, and that is that business is looking to become more challenging in Thailand. But, in challenge, Chuter sees opportunity. Production growth in the Thai automotive industry is slowing. Not only is there increasing regional competition, but domestic Thai demand has fallen with the end of the Thai Government’s ‘First Car Buyers Grant’ subsidy. Some first time buyers have also found they can no longer afford their loans, thus producing a glut of second-hand cars on the market. Chuter is at pains to point out, however, that overall production levels are still above those from previous years. Thailand remains on track to produce a massive three million vehicles. And no other Southeast Asian Country is yet seriously challenging Thailand’s status as an automotive power-house. The competition amongst automotive suppliers in Thailand is intense, and intensifying. “We are surrounded by the global who’s who of automotive companies”, says Chuter. For dramatic effect he displays a long list of companies in close proximity to Futuris, itself strategically located right next door to the massive new Ford factory and down the road from equally impressive General Motors and AAT facilities. This is an environment, Chuter says,

where Australian companies cannot just compete, but have the opportunity to thrive. Ambassador Wise backs him strongly on this point. Australian businesses, they say – and particularly in the automotive sector – have long faced the pressures of punishingly high labour costs, extreme competition and burdensome regulation. Many have consequently built efficient and effective business models that rely on ultra-high productivity and world-leading innovation. They are business models for the belt-tightening times, which Chuter sees as being just around the corner. They are also business models that Ambassador Wise says can help Thailand reach its aspirations of moving up the value chain and towards a knowledge-driven economy; productivity and innovation being two pre-requisites for that goal. At Futuris, preparations are already underway to rein in costs a notch or two. As is the case in design and development, the innovations that will allow for Futuris to remain competitive in such conditions will be driven from Australia; drawn from the hard-won lessons of experience. The Australian Business Forum (ABF) is a new initiative of the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce. It is supported by funding from Austrade as part of the Asian Century Business Engagement Plan. For more information, please visit www.austchamthailand.com/abf.

November 2013

AFL Grand Final 2013

AFL Grand Final Family Day

AustCham held its annual AFL Grand Final Family Day extravaganza on Saturday, 28th of September at The Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel. It was an unforgettable day. Six massive screens recreated the MCG game-day atmosphere for our 550 guests. Children were warmly welcomed to a dedicated play-room filled with balloons and jumping castles. An all-day brunch buffet was enjoyed by all, and fine Aussie wine as well as beer was served freely throughout the day. None of the day’s success would have been possible without the support of our sponsors. A massive thanks to them all, particularly our major sponsor The Coffee Club. We would also like to register a special thanks to our guest of honour, Sudjai Cook – the first and only Thai to play in the Australian Football League (AFL) – for coming all the way from Australia to share his unique story. After being left extremely ill at a hospital in Ubon and narrowly escaping death, Sudjai was just ten weeks old when he was adopted and flown from Thailand to South Australia.

November 2013

Despite his new family not being big into AFL, the sport came to him naturally. In 1998 Sudjai was invited to train with the Adelaide Crows, for which he played seven games. ”I never had any expectations in regard to football, I just kept playing” Sudjai says. Known particularly for his high-flying marks – and with a great power to weight ratio – his speed and agility led to him being dubbed “the Chef” by Seven Network commentator Sandy Roberts. Sudjai’s first visit to Thailand since his adoption was in 2005. Asked how he thought life would have been different had he grown up in his country of birth, Sudjai said “If I was not adopted and had grown up in Thailand I would have probably been a kick-boxer or tennis player. But in saying that, I also believe that if I was not adopted, I wouldn’t be alive today because I was very sick while the adoption was being processed.” Sudjai and his wife Vicki are in the process of locating Sudjai’s biological parents. “This is our second attempt, so hopefully current investigations will be successful. I will be so happy if I get to meet them” Sudjai says. Sudjai is currently an active fire fighter for the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service and is also studying for a third degree in Creative Arts in Screen.

AustChamThailand Advance

AFL Grand Final 2013

AustChamThailand Advance

November 2013

AFL Grand Final 2013

November 2013

AustChamThailand Advance

AustCham Silver Corporate Sponsor: SINGAPORE AIRLINES

Chamber Events

Bangkok Sundowners Wednesday 2 October 2013 at Swissotel Le Concorde Bangkok This month’s Sundowners was a special one. Hosted by the elegant Swissotel Le Concorde Bangkok on Ratchadapisek Road, the focus of the evening was the Beaumont Foundation’s Ruam Pattana School in Chaiyaphum province. Even in the midst of a tropical rainstorm, guests braved the conditions to participate in their monthly AustCham networking. Thank you to Swissotel Le Concorde Bangkok, our venue sponsor, for spoiling our guests with a beautiful selection of refreshing drinks and food. The hotel’s hospitality was exceptional. Also a very special thank you to our corporate sponsor, the Beaumont Partnership Foundation, for making the evening possible. Stay tuned for more details on how you can support the Ruam Pattana School.

1) Marcel Sawyere; Swissôtel Le Concorde; David Bell, Crestcom - Ra-Kahng Associates, AustCham Director; Graham Storah, Loxley International; Leigh Scott-Kemmis, DBM Thailand, AustCham President; HE James Wise, Australian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand. 2) Gerard Jiravanichsakul, Sansiri; Neungreuthai Yu-lam, Bangkok Base. 3) Finbarr O’ Connor, Goodyear; Thalia Andrews, Qube Consulting. 4) Tim Beaumont, The Beaumont Partnership Foundation; Leigh Scott-Kemmis, DBM Thailand, AustCham President; Marcel Sawyere, Swissôtel Le Concorde. 5) Swissôtel Le ConcordeTeam. 6) Cindy Marsal, AGS Four Winds; Veronique Sirault, Park Plaza Hotel; Natalie Post, Phachara Suites; Dominique Olivier, Venda Software Development; Alex Wanthip,

November 2013

AustChamThailand Advance

Chamber Events

Group Lease. 7) Nicholas Henley, Talent Technologies; Gareth Hughes, RSM Advisory; Mike Holloway, RSM Advisory; Andre Geertsma, ZI-Argus. 8) Maria Buttery, The Ascott; Philip Forrest, AustCham Singapore. 9) Olly Cavallaro, Seacogs; Dr Preecha Teansomprasong, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang; Ivan Kovarik, Siam Gypsum Asia. 10) Kristal Collis, MBMG Group; Nic Craven, MBMG Group; Remi Ducrocq, Schneider Electric; Marcel Sawyere, Swissôtel Le Concorde. 11) Marilyne Gosselin, Jac International Recruitment; Rosina Weixler, Jac International Recruitment. 12) Donald Foley; Philippe Thuaud, Safecoms Network Security Consulting; Cindy Marsal, AGS Four Winds; Eddy Bellavoine, Safecoms Network Security Consulting; Aimeric Huclin.

AustChamThailand Advance

November 2013

AUSTCHAM MEMBERS

AustCham Member Offers view on fireworks, starting from Baht 9,590 net. Offer date: 29-30 November 2013 Call: +66 38 933 888 Website: www.capedarapattya.com Cape Dara Cape Dara Resort invites AustCham members to experience the spectacular fireworks of the annual firework competition on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 November 2013 with special promotion BBQ Seafood Buffet. Choose your favourite package from: • BBQ Seafood Buffet include drinks Baht 2,700 net per person or • BBQ Seafood Buffet only Baht 1,800 net per person or • Drink only Baht 900 net per person Enjoy a romantic room package with

Qantas Airways Qantas schedules B747-400 aircraft for holiday season with premium economy fares now on sale. Qantas is offering “Premium Economy” promotional fares to Australia and New Zealand on its Boeing 747-400 aircraft. Available rates: • Premium Economy Class airfares to Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane

or Adelaide) are now available for sale starting at Baht 54,460 return • Premium Economy Class to New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown or Wellington) are for sale starting at Baht 56,750 return. Terms and Conditions: • Rates are for outbound travel from Thailand between 1 December 2013 and 31 January 2014 • All rates are inclusive of airport taxes, service fees and other surcharges. • Customers travelling in Premium Economy Class will also enjoy a 40kgs baggage allowance, with no restriction on the number of pieces. Offer valid until: 15 January 2014 Call: +662 632 6611 Website: www.qantas.com

The Beaumont Partnership Foundation

he Beaumont Ruam Pattana School in Chaiyaphum was conceived as a means of re-dressing some of the inequalities in educational opportunities between Bangkok and the rest of Thailand. The Beaumont Partnership has been in business here for over the 23 years. Over that period of time the continuing drift of young people from rural areas to urban centres has remained clearly apparent. Typically the reason for this drift is the search for an improved standard of living for themselves and their families. A recognition that the opportunity to improve standards of living is largely driven by access to education is what drove The Beaumont Partnership to establish the TBP Foundation with a focus on establishing a school in Chaiyaphum province. In some way this is intended as a means of contributing back to the community that has supported the company over many years. With the assistance of its extended network of fellow consultants, building suppliers, developers and generous individuals, the initial phase of the school is now open. The school opened with 128 students from kindergarten one through to grade two. The school will be progressively built out as the children grow through the school.

November 2013

Continuing economic sustainability is one of the fundamental principles embraced by the school’s board. On that basis the intention is that income derived from a construction industry focussed business park, a hospitality college and an organic farm, situated on land close to the school, will eventually provide for the ongoing financial needs of the school. It is anticipated that the establishment of this support base will take between five to six years, and in the interim financial support is sought from the broader community. www.tbp-foundation.com

AustChamThailand Advance

AustCham Silver Corporate Sponsor: Central Food Retail Co., LTD

Our Produce Team has just won the Produce Retailer of the Year Award for our outstanding fresh produce offering at Central Food Hall and Tops market. The award was given based on collaboration and alignment with overseas and local suppliers; integration with producers; government, foreign embassy, and trade commission relations; and most importantly for execution and innovation in store. Once again, we have proudly set new standards in retail. We promise to continue to bring the seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s freshest bounty from the best sources around the world for your enjoyment.

AUSTCHAM MEMBERS

AustCham Welcomes New Members DP Clean Tech (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 202 Le Concorde Tower, 6th Floor Room 606, Ratchadapisek Road Huay Kwang, Bangkok,10310 Phone: +662 694 1364 Fax: +662 694 1365 Email: contactus@dpcleantech.com Website: www.dpcleantech.com

Representatives: Jan Eike Graeff, Managing Director Jerome Le-Borgne, Sales Director DPCT is a technology supplier for biomass waste, energy crop and municipal waste – incineration power plants. Usual plant size ranging from 10MW to 40MW. With European basic product design, Asia (global) supply chain and localised project management for SEA & Australasia from Bangkok, we can offer a high technology level solution at very reasonable cost with high local content. The technology is proven and currently operating in more than 80 power plants in Europe and China, most of them fired with a range of straws and other mixed biomass fuels. Products and Services: - Biomass Power Plants, - Waste to Energy Power Plants, - Flue Gas Cleaning for power plants, - EPC scope for total plant or core technology supply, - Pre-engineering / feasibility study support, - Cooperation with local EPC partners in new markets.

Rockliff. They are originally from Tasmania where the Rockliff Family is world renowned for its seafood and aquaculture ventures. Rockliff Seafoods (Thailand) is a specialised processing/food manufacturing business primarily for value adding Australian origin Seafoods. The business also specialises in procuring and processing Thailand and Myanmar origin seafoods for its international markets. Products and Services: Main products include Spanner crabs (whole raw, whole cooked, cooked and cleaned, raw and cooked meat), Queensland saucer scallops (roe off half shell and meat), Tasmanian scallops (roe on half shell and meat), Soft Shell Crabs, Prawns / Shrimps, Barramundi, Tropical Snappers.

Representatives: Neville Rockliff, Managing Director Matthew Temple, General Manager Rockliff Seafoods is a family owned and operated business by Neville and Helen

November 2013

Sansiri’s commitment extends not only to our customers, but also society at large. Sansiri Social Change is a concrete expression of our commitment to giving back to society. The UNICEF-Sansiri partnership aims to promote the wellbeing of children in a sustainable manner, starting from initiatives within our company, reaching out to business partners, making an impact on society at large, and then extending aid even further on an international level, thus completing the four pillars of our activities. Our collaborative programmes strive to provide equal rights and opportunities for all children. Products and Services: Condominium, house, townhouse

Sansiri PLC. 15th Fl. Siripinyo Bldg. 475 Sri Ayutthaya Rd., Rajthevi, Bangkok 10400 Phone: +662 201 3999 Fax: +662 201 3284 Email: info@sansiri.com Website: www.sansiri.com/en

Representatives: Cobby Leathers, Head of International Marketing Cataliya Chalermvongsenee, Senior Marketing Officer Construct A Life, Not Just A Building

Rockliff Seafoods (Thailand) Limited 76/26 Soi Lang Suan, Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Phone: +61 5444 1351 Fax: +61 5444 4604 Email: sales@rockliffseafoods.com.au Website: www.rockliffseafoods.com.au

to ensure the perfect living experience for all residents.

With over 237 projects across Thailand, including a residential project in Kensington, London, UK, Sansiri is widely regarded as Thailand’s leading developer of quality houses, townhouses and condominiums. We do not simply build brick and mortar residences, but instead provide homes with carefully designed spaces, where every detail is thoroughly considered without compromising aesthetic and function, in order to cater to families of all sizes. Setting us apart from other developers, Sansiri offers a home and lifestyle experience, complete with consistent aftersales services and Sansiri family privileges

Tile Asia Limited 38/280 Brighton Place Soi Soonvijai6, Petchburi Road, Huaykwang, Bangkok 10310 Phone: +662 716 6216-18 Fax: +662 716 6219 Email: info@tile-asia.com Website: www.tile-asia.com Representative: Alan McAllister Tile Asia - through its tile it brand - stocks and supplies Italian porcelain tiles, ceramic tiles, glass and ceramic mosaics and the highest quality European certified porcelain tiles from China. Products and Services: Tile Asia offers solutions to all flooring requirements, suitable for most budgets whilst maintaining the highest standards of material performance and customer care. After sales services including the supply of accessories for installation, tile leveling, and grouting and tile cutting machines. Mr Donald Foley, Federal Government Krystal Court 5-B2 Soi 7 Sukhumvit, Bangkok 10110 Phone: +6692 483 8492 Email: don_foley2000@yahoo.com.au Mr Geoff Brown, Microsoft 37th Floor, CRC Tower, All Seasons Place 87/2 Wireless Road Lumpini Bangkok 10330 Phone: +6680 823 9308 Email: geoff.brown@microsoft.com AustChamThailand Advance

From the Chamber Office

Message from the Executive Director

he past couple of months have seen some significant staffing changes in the AustCham office. We’ve also taken the opportunity to re-articulate existing roles and responsibilities, including reflecting the significant changes that were brought about by the new member management system. I’m very pleased to introduce our new Communications and Research Coordinator, Ms Janna De Vos. She replaces Domenica Agostino who decided to leave the Chamber after a dedicated and enthusiastic twelve months of service. Janna is a Thailand local – of sorts. She grew up here, completing her International Baccalaureate at the Bangkok Patana International School. She then headed to a less familiar (and less sunny) UK where she completed a politics and economics degree at the University of Southampton. I guess she liked the place, because Janna then achieved a Masters degree in International Political Economy from the London School of Economics. Like many expats, the lure of Thailand remained strong and she returned here in 2012 to study Thai at Chulalongkorn University. Janna has made a strong start at the Chamber, and has already penned a couple of articles for Advance magazine. Our long-serving accountant of ten years, Khun Nittayaporn Wisetrit, also decided recently to move on from the Chamber. Consequently, we will soon be advertising a new position. We’ve also, however, taken the opportunity to update roles and responsibilities more broadly. Our stalwart Office Manager Khun Chanakarn Lim (Moo) will have the new title of Senior Operations and Office Manager. Khun Chanakarn is an invaluable asset for the Chamber. Her ability to secure (some might say ‘sell’) sponsorships is second-to-none. Her network of contacts is deep and broad. And she knows how to get results. The change of title is to make it clear that Moo is second-in-charge of the AustCham office and to recognise her seniority and service. Khun Sasipa Khamklai (Fai) will be our Operations Manager. This reflects her increasing leadership and coordination role across the Chamber’s functions.

November 2013

Khun Nissarat Chuchertkijwattana (Sar) will have the title of Membership and Events Coordinator. Sar is an amazing administrator. She’s taken to our new membership management system like the proverbial duck to water. As Design, Website and E-services Coordinator Khun Varin Kongmeng (Aum) will continue to be the day-to-day administrator of our website and essential IT services. She’s also our graphic design guru, responsible for many of the clever graphics that we often take for granted. Our muscle (and by this I mean the guy that makes sure all the beer and wine gets to our Sundowners venues) will continue to be provided by Khun Akarawat Chompoo (Boi). He also zips around Bangkok on his motorbike delivering and picking up all manner of things for the Chamber.

Calendar of Events Tuesday 5 November Dinner Discussion with The Three Bears: What the Future Holds

18:30 Venue: Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, 250 Sukhumvit Road Wednesday 6 November Bangkok Sundowners

18:00-21:00 Venue: The Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel, Sukhumvit Corporate Sponsor: Servcorp Co., Ltd Wednesday 20 November AMCHAM/BCCT/NZTCC/ AustCham ‘gadget evening’

18:00-20.30 Venue: Conrad Hotel, 87 Wireless Road Sunday 24 November The 14th Convoy for Kids Day

Location: Safari World

The new office position to be advertised will be for an Office Support and Accounts Officer. This will be an important administrative and bookkeeping role. As receptionist, he or she will also be the ‘face’ (perhaps more often the ‘voice’) of the Chamber. We will need to test the market to see if we can find somebody with the diversity of skills that we are seeking. In other words, somebody who can keep on top of the accounting detail, but also provide a first-class first-impression on the phone or in person. Our feeling is the job may suit a new accounting graduate, or an existing bookkeeper that has the right disposition and wants to expand their experience into customer service and liaison. If you have any recommendations or referrals, we would of course welcome them.

Thank you to our October sponsors

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

AustChamThailand Advance