Advance ~ September 2011

AustChamThailand

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

First Thais in Australia Thai-Australia Relations Now

– Asia’s where the action is, so wake up Australia!

In This Edition Strategic Solutions for Australian Partner Visa Applications business brief Thailand’s Investment Environment: Looking Forward 2011

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AustChamThailand Advance

austcham business award chamber events business brief Luncheon: New Images and Transparency International Aus- Wotif.com: Tourism and Direction for Thailand Post Election tralia Welcomes Banknote Action Hospitality Award

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Contents Business Brief 6 First Thais in Australia 8 Thai-Australian Relations Now – Asia’s where the action is, so wake up Australia!

10 Thailand’s Investment Environment: Looking Forward 2011 12 Transparency in Trade Policy 12 Transparency International Australia (TIA) Welcomes Banknote Action 14 Australia’s New Carbon Pricing Scheme and Its Implications for the ASEAN Region 16 Strategic Solutions for Australian Partner Visa Applications

austcham business awardS 2011 18 Congratulations to Wotif.com, recipient of the AustCham Tourism and Hospitality Award

PATRON His Excellency James Wise Australian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand PRESIDENT John Anderson Meinhardt Portfolio: Regional Links

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chamber Events 24 Eastern Seaboard Sundowners at Pullman Pattaya Asiawan on Friday, 19 August 2011 24 Luncheon: New Images and Direction for Thailand Post Election on Thursday, 21 July 2011 26 Bangkok All Chambers Sundowners at The Imperial Queen’s Park Bangkok on Wednesday, 3 August 2011 NEW MEMBERS 28 AustCham’s New Members Members’ offers 29 AustCham Members’ Offers

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From the Chamber Office 30 Message from the AustCham Office

COMMUNITY SERVICES 20 Voluntary English Teaching at Baan Khao Huay Mahad School, Rayong on 20 August 2011

members Advancing 22 dwp | Design Worldwide Partnership Wins Prestigious International Hospitality Design Award in Monte Carlo - And Signs with Clewiston for Carlson Group Radisson BLU in Bangladesh

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 Khun Suganya Ransigutta TMF Portfolio: Business Awards Ben Yong Baker McKenzie Portfolio: Legal Saeed Zaki , Ph.D. dwp Portfolio: Breakfast Briefings

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Cover: Mural painting at the Lobby staircase of Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok

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

From the Board

COORDINATORS Paul Whyte New Asia Pacific ESB Coordinator Email: esb@austchamthailand.com

President’s Message ufacturers and Infrastructure Group, which will 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.

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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e live in interesting times. This past month we have seen Thailand’s first female Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra sworn in, the world stock markets in turmoil with some of the largest ever one day losses, riots in London with over 1,500 people arrested, the first Australian ever win the Tour De France and one of the largest ever AustCham Sundowners with over 550 people in attendance at the newly renovated Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel.

After such a successful Sundowners last month at the Imperial Queen’s Park, a few of us decided to try out their new Sunday Brunch at its ParkView restaurant.

We were certainly not disappointed, with substantial and quality food at a very reasonable price. The feasting left me lying on the sofa for the rest of the afternoon unable to move! It is a good place to get a group of friends together, so I urge you to give it a go.

Members would also be aware that the AustCham Board took the difficult decision last month to relinquish our membership of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce Thailand. Please be assured, however, that this does not signal a retreat in AustCham’s efforts to influence and shape the commercial environment in Thailand. In fact, we will be redoubling our efforts in this regard. In the coming months we will be seeking to work with other chambers and our own Embassy on ways we can cooperate with the new Thai Government to promote economic and commercial development.

AustCham will be devoting considerable effort to some exciting new initiatives. This month in Pattaya we will be holding the first meeting of our newly formed Man-

We have also begun work on the first comprehensive study into Australian businesses and business people in Thailand. This ‘baseline study’ is an ambitious project to determine more precisely the nature and extent of Australian business interests in Thailand. As a result, we will be able to better identify the challenges and opportunities for Australian business in Thailand, and work with others in the public and private sectors to develop strategies that promote commercial success.

Our sense is Australian business success in Thailand is under-recognised and under-valued. We want to shine a spotlight on Australian business prowess, including the many Australian business people who hold senior positions in international companies.

Our joint Australian Alumni initiative with the Thai Australian Association (TAA) is also developing strongly. It has great potential to build on the significant goodwill and opportunity within the large group of people in Thailand who have studied at Australian universities.

Stay tuned for more news on this front.

Finally, the AFL grand final day is fast approaching. This year it is to be held at the Shangri La Hotel on 1 October.

I can’t tell you who will be competing in the final, but Sam Mizzi, AustCham Director in charge of the AFL seems to be pretty confident one of those teams will be Carlton! It is always a great day and I would encourage you take your family, as we will have Clown Ekkie providing entertainment for the kids plus plenty of fun for the adults.

John Anderson President, AustCham Thailand www.austchamthailand.com

September 2011

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business brief

First Thais in Australia I

t was in the early 20s that the first Thai ever set foot on the continent of Australia. He was sent on an unusual mission for the then King Vajiravudh.

Butra Mahintra was commanded by Rama VI to go to Australia as his envoy to buy horses for him. Thus, Butra, acting as the King’s envoy, started what became a steady flow of Thais to Australia for a variety of reasons. The horsebuying mission was a successful one and the King rewarded Butra Mahintra with the title of Phra Naivai.

The second Thai to travel to Australia was Mr Pleng Traipin, who had been sent by Rama VI to the Royal Legation in London. Apparently Mr Pleng had dreamed for a long time of going to Australia. Instead of finding it a new world he found it a very old land indeed, and with a change of heart travelled on to New Zealand. He later returned to Thailand to become a famous cartoonist using the skills he learned while in New Zealand.

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The King later gave him the title of Khun Patiphark Phimlikit.

Requiring more horses, King Rama VI sent H.E. Phya Khatathorn Bhodi to Australia with a pocketful of money to buy them.His Excellency stayed in Australia until he had emptied his pockets of money acquiring horses for His Majesty.

News of the Australian reputation of saving money spread to Bangkok when it was known as the Venice of the East.

King Rama VI called his brother, H.R.H. Prince Purachatra of Kambaengbejra, and requested him to go to Australia to study the Australian banking system.

The Prince was not only interested in the banking system, but also took time out to make a close study of the Australian railways and postal systems. The Prince and his family returned to Bangkok and made much use of the knowledge gained from what they had seen in Australia.

By 1928 only eight Thais had made visits to Australia. H.E. Phya Chaovananusathiti lead a mission to Australia to study banking procedures and when the party returned to Thailand each was given a responsible position according to his knowledge gained from the Australians. One member of the mission, Khun Chakshuraksha, focused his attention on banking procedures while living in Sydney, but on his return to Thailand became famous in the field of wrestling.

As horses were the first reason for a link between Thailand and Australia, it seems appropriate that one of the most famous and best-known racehorses in Australia should get its name because of an Australian’s happy Thai associations.

A retired Australian tin miner named his horse “Lightning” using the Thai form “Phar Lap”. Phar Lap, stuffed and preserved, now stands proudly inside the entrance to the Melbourne Museum.

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Thai-Australian Relations Now – Asia’s where the action is, so wake up Australia!

By Kitirat Panupong, Royal Thai Embassy, Canberra

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ost people tend to regard Thailand simply as an attractive tourist destination with most impressive cuisine. While Thailand is very proud of such a reputation, it’s a pity if these two qualities are the only two things that most Australians know about Thailand. In fact, Thailand has a lot more to offer and is much more important to Australia than most Australians realise.

To begin with, Thailand is actually a neighbouring country of the near north of Australia (some people say Indonesia is just in the way). Thailand lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, which links Australia to China and India. ASEAN will become a community in 2015, something that Australia can’t overlook or miss out on – and Thailand is the strategic gateway!

Politically, Thailand has been the most important, and a long-standing, ally for Australia in South-East Asia. Australia is Thailand’s second largest partner in military cooperation, after the US. Thailand is also the biggest international partner of the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

Thailand has learned from Australia’s best practices, and the two countries have been working closely in coping with international terrorism and various forms of transnational crime, such as trafficking of drugs, weapons of mass destruction, and people smuggling.

Thailand is naturally the regional transportation hub, therefore this close collaboration helps prevent such harm to even arrive in Australia.

Economically, Thailand and Australia have a bilateral comprehensive free trade agreement, Thailand’s first with any other country, called TAFTA, which came into force in 2005. Since then, trade and investment between the two countries has expanded tremendously.

In 2010, imports from Thailand ranked fourth in Australia (after China, US and Japan) while Thailand is the ninth ranked destination for Australian exports.

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“Several Asian economies that now receive passing attention in Australia will become major economic players. By 2050, some forecasts say, the six biggest members of ASEAN – Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – will have a similar share of the global output to Europe’s big four – Germany, France, Italy and Britain,” Matt Wade, SMH Easter Weekend Edition 2011 Most pick-up trucks and many brands of automobiles you see on the roads of Australia are in fact assembled or made in Thailand. Other major imports from Thailand include jewellery, processed seafood, computers and parts, air conditioners, and white goods such as refrigerators, washers and dryers. On the other hand, Australia exports various commodities to Thailand, e.g. gold, aluminium, copper, coal, iron, steel, wheat/ cereals, plus pharmaceutical products and wine.

A lot of Australian businesses, including big names such as BlueScope Steel, Ansell, LinFox, Pan Aust, Kingsgate and Bosch, invest in Thailand, but it’s not exactly a one-way street. We also see the rising trend of Thai businesses making their presence felt through investing more in Australia. For example, Petroleum Authority of Thailand Exploration and Production (PTTEP) invests heavily in oil and gas off the coast of Western Australia, Banpu has taken over Centennial Coal, Mitrpol invests in Maryborough Sugar Plant, Carry Boy opens

shops in Melbourne providing customised services for utility vehicles and light trucks, and Minor Group owns and operates Oak Harmony serviced apartments.

Thailand’s outbound investment strategy in Australia focuses on the sectors of processed food, mining, construction, and tourist-related industry including hotels. So yes, the Thais are coming.

People to people exchanges between the two countries are also abundant, with almost 700,000 Australians visiting Thailand each year, and about 30,000 Australian expats living in Thailand. On the other hand, there are about 65,000 Thais living in Australia (the second largest concentration of Thais outside Thailand, after the US) about 23,000 of which are Thai students doing their graduate studies. They are the largest number in any country.

Australia and Thailand will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2012. Definitely, we would expect an exchange of high level visits by the two Prime Ministers. The Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra has been planning and working closely with the Asia Institute to establish a Thai Studies Centre at the University of Melbourne as part of the commemoration of that special relationship. It is expected to become a centre of academic excellence in terms of both research and teaching, disseminating the body of knowledge about Thailand, especially its contemporary political, economic, business, cultural and social issues, to the Australian public at large.

Australian students will be encouraged to study more about Thailand and spend some time in Thailand undertaking field research. Eventually, a pool of experts on Thailand, and hopefully a network of “Friends of Thailand”, will be enlarged across Australia.

The Thai and Australian governments still need to discuss further how to cooperate and make the celebration a successful one. But at least we can expect lots of special festivities next year both in Thailand and Australia to celebrate this special occasion.

AustChamThailand Advance

International School Bangkok A leader in education and education technology since 1951. www.isb.ac.th

business brief

Thailand’s Investment Environment: Looking Forward 2011

By Leigh Pearson Client Advisor, MBMG Group

enable a strong Baht to more effectively import technologies (not cheap labour), train employees and invest in research and development.

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he Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB), with cooperation of The Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand (JFCCT) held their annual seminar last week on ‘Thailand’s Investment Environment: Looking Forward 2011.’

After Dr Prasarn’s opening remarks, there followed a panel discussion on ‘ease of doing business in Thailand’.

First to speak was Matthew Verghis, Lead Economist at The World Bank, who said that Thailand’s education system falls well short of desirable educational levels on a world basis. One of the reasons for this, he said, was the enormous disparity between the standard of education in Bangkok and the level outside of the capital. He said that government must ensure focussed implementation and accountability, with measures in place to assess the success of the education system. He said that this was not impossible, citing South Korea as an example of a country that has successfully tackled such an educational disparity. Matthew also commented on how little private training there is available, and how much this sector could contribute to the quality of Thailand’s workforce at the same time as strengthening the economy as a whole.

The objective of the seminar was to explore direction and strategies to tackle obstacles that may impede investment in Thailand. The seminar also focused on economic and social disparity issues, a major cause of the current problems in Thailand. Recommendations and resolutions made at the Seminar will be finalised for submission to the Government as inputs to formulate the national economic and social development plan. Organisers of the seminar were hoping that Thailand’s new Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, would attend, but she was unable to; in fact, politicians were notably absent from proceedings.

The morning began with the announcement from Dr Prasarn Trairatvorakul, Governor of the Bank of Thailand, that Thailand had this year slipped down the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings from 16th to 19th (www.doingbusiness.org/rankings). Dr Prasarn attributed this drop to a number of widely recognised factors such as corruption and political turmoil, but he was mainly positive about the economy as a whole and its resilience to world economic turmoil.

However, he did express concern regarding rising inflation despite the eighth consecutive increase in the base rate and targeted price control measures, but he stressed that Thailand is in a different situation to the one it was in after the 1997 crisis. Back then, fiscal policy was utilised to increase

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productivity, eventually resulting in an economic boom. Today, however, the country is already near its maximum potential level of productivity making such measures ineffective.

Dr Prasarn went on to list three major areas that require focussed attention: 1. Government must find a balance between government consumption and public investment, utilising selective and targeted spending.

2. The fiscal stance must normalise to ensure sustainability. Rising debt cannot continue unless there are serious tax reforms to balance the budget deficit.

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Political stability is key and will

Next to speak was Nandor von der Luehe, Chairman of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce of Thailand (JFCCT). Nandor began by acknowledging the strength of Thailand’s manufacturing and construction industries, but he was more critical of the country’s service sector. He also went into quite specific detail as to how difficult it is to set up a business here and how the Foreign Business Act needs an urgent review with special attention paid to clarifying procedures and the removal of clauses leaving decisions up to the discretion of officials, which he said was basically an invitation to corruption. He was also highly critical of the lack of communication between government departments and how this has led to a lack of harmonisation and even

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complete contradictions between government departments and their implementation of policies. Nandor felt that if serious attention were paid to addressing these issues, Thailand’s economy could be streamlined and strengthened, increasing its competitiveness in the global economy.

Khun Payungsak Chartsutipol, Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), spoke next on a broad range of issues including the need for political stability and the continued fight against corruption.

Khun Dusit Nontanakorn, Chairman of the Board of Trade of Thailand spoke in some depth and with some passion about the country’s continued problem with corruption and the fact that the biggest problem is Thai society’s acceptance of corruption. Khun Dusit put a lot of the blame for this at the feet of politicians, who he said were “out-of-date, selfish, uncommunicative, uncompromising and only involved in politics for personal gain.”

The morning closed with another panel discussion including panelists Dr Luxmon Attapich, Senior Country Economist, Asian Development Bank, Khun Isara Vongkusolkit, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trade of Thailand, Khun Mangkorn Dhanasarnsilp, Vice Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, and Dr Kobsak Pootrakul, Executive Vice President of the Bangkok Bank.

The panel discussed the reasons for the disparity in income levels and possible solutions to the problem. At least some of the blame for this was apportioned to other countries’ protectionist policies. The resulting cheap imports force Thai producers to compete on price, meaning sometimes painful cost cutting measures, including low wages.

Another problem was the lack of an effective and sustainable irrigation policy and infrastructure. Fresh water resources are not currently being used effectively, leaving agriculture vulnerable to drought and much of Thailand’s arable land underutilised.

some of the conclusions and recommendations put forward by the country’s business leaders today, the economy would surely benefit enormously. However, the lack of any political figures there today might suggest otherwise.

In all, it appears a potentially promising outlook for the country. Clearly, much work still needs to be done. Let’s hope the political will exists to secure this.

Leigh Pearson is a client advisor of MBMG Group, a broad-based financial advisory practice, founded in Thailand in 1996. Previously

its economic forecasting unit has accurately predicted, among other events, the devaluation of the Thai Baht in 1997, the tech bubble burst in 2000 and the current credit crisis and ensuing recession. MBMG represent, in a range of currencies including Australian Dollar and Thai Baht, the top-performing (as recognised by Lipper, S&P and a number of publications) diversified offshore portfolio management services of MidasMitonOptimal. Leigh can be contacted on leigh@mbmginternational.com

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If the new government takes on board

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September 2011

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Transparency in Trade Policy Remarks by Saul Eslake – Programme Director of Productivity Growth, Gratatan Institute – at a Panel Discussion on ‘The Future of Trade Policy’ at the 40th Conference of Economists, Australian National University, Canberra, 13 July 2011

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ustralian economists have long recognised that most of the benefits from trade liberalisation come from reducing our own trade barriers, rather than from foreigners reducing theirs – notwithstanding the way that trade negotiations are usually portrayed by governments as a matter of reluctantly making ‘concessions’ to foreigners (reducing barriers to imports from them) in exchange for them making ‘concessions’ to us (reducing their barriers to our exports to them).

Those benefits include cheaper imports, a wider range of imports, and

the productivity gains which result from domestic producers being exposed to greater competition – prompting them to manage the labour and capital which they are employing more efficiently or, alternatively, to release those resources for more productive use somewhere else.

And that has been Australia’s experience of trade liberalisation. Yes, in the wake of the dismantling of trade barriers since the late 1980s, some businesses have closed, some industries have contracted either in absolute terms or as a share of GDP, and some

jobs have been lost. But the net result has been lower prices, higher levels of productivity, and much higher levels of employment and lower unemployment than was the case before trade barriers began to come down.

Yet while those results are clear ex post, the case for removing our own trade restrictions have never been an easy one to make ex ante. It has always been far simpler for those opposed to trade liberalisation to point to existing jobs which might be lost, than it has been to make the case for change by drawing attention to the higher prices

Transparency International Australia (TIA) Welcomes Banknote Action

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he anti-corruption body TIA says it is highly significant that the Australian Federal Police have now laid bribery charges against currency makers Note Printing Australia Limited (NPA) and Securency Limited, plus six former employees.

TIA Chief Executive, Michael Ahrens, said Criminal Code provisions banning foreign bribery had been in place for a decade without being used, so it was good to see it is not just a toothless tiger. Mr Ahrens said Corporate Australia will now hear loud and clear that the AFP will diligently chase and enforce the laws relating to foreign bribery.

Federal police charged the executives who had previously worked for the two Reserve Bank of Australia linked currency firms, for allegedly paying multi-million dollar bribes to officials in Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia.

The Australian Federal Police said the charges related to alleged bribes

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made to foreign officials between 1999 and 2005. ‘It is the first time foreign bribery legislation has been used in Australia since it was introduced in 1999, with penalties raised significantly in 2010,’ Mr Ahrens said. Mr Ahrens welcomed the statement by the Reserve Bank Governor, Glenn Stevens, that the Bank strongly condemns corrupt or questionable behaviour of any kind and had reinforced its policy that the Bank and its staff must meet the highest

standards of integrity and fully comply with the law.

The Federal Police said the Melbourne arrests coincided with related bribery charges laid against two individuals in Malaysia by the Malaysian Attorney General’s Chambers. The AFP said it will allege that an Indonesian official received a bribe to secure a joint venture banknote contract on behalf of Securency and NPA. The second allegation is that a Malaysian official was bribed to secure a polymer banknote contract with NPA, while the third charge is in relation to an allegation that a Vietnamese official was bribed with a university scholarship to secure a banknote contract on behalf of Securency.

Mr Ahrens said the announcement coincides with the United Kingdom Bribery Act coming into force which will place added pressure on all OECD nations to update the way their prohibition of the bribery of foreign officials is framed.

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tive effects of these ‘behind-the-border’ barriers) as intruding upon ‘national sovereignty’.

The Tasman Transparency Group, of which I (and, more importantly, a number of other economists with a longer and more distinguished record of involvement or achievement in trade policy) are members, believes that Australia should be at the forefront of efforts to encourage other countries to reform their domestic policy processes by establishing agencies like our own Productivity Commission in order to shed light – often for the first time – on the economy-wide costs of their own trade barriers and other domestic policies, emphasizing that this is in their own interests, not ours (Tasman Transparency Group 2011: 4).

which all consumers pay, or the jobs which don’t exist, as a result of existing trade barriers, or other policies which have the effect of inhibiting trade.

In Australia’s experience, the role played by the Productivity Commission and its predecessors in measuring and exposing the economy-costs of trade barriers has been both crucial and unique. The Productivity Commission and its predecessors have provided independent, rigorous, and authoritative quantitative estimates of the costs to consumers and to the economy as a whole of trade barriers – estimates which helped persuade policy-makers of the merits of trade liberalisation, and which they could in turn use to persuade the public of the benefits to be had from trade liberalisation.

There is no other institution or agency like it anywhere else in the world, with the very recent exception of New Zealand, which has just established a Productivity Commission of its own.

There is a desperate need for Productivity Commission clones in other countries if the stumbling blocks which have preAustChamThailand Advance

vented any meaningful progress being made in the Doha Round are to be overcome.

That’s particularly because, as traditional trade barriers (tariffs and quotas) in the developed world have come down to minimal levels (with the conspicuous exception of agriculture), the real obstacles to further multi-lateral trade liberalisation are the so-called ‘behind the border’ barriers – licensing requirements, non-recognition of foreign qualifications or accreditation, local presence or ownership requirements, and the like – which proliferate in services sectors.

Typically, these ‘behind the border’ barriers have been established for domestic policy reasons (consumer protection, health and safety etc.), rather than with a view to inhibiting trade, even if they have that effect.

And they can only be overcome by domestic policy processes – not at the behest of international agencies like the World Trade Organisation, which can be too easily portrayed (especially by those who wish to maintain the anti-competi-

Given the important role which the Productivity Commission and its predecessors have played in Australia’s own trade liberalisation journey, it is striking that the Government’s most recent Review of Trade Policy specifically excludes the Commission from any role in determining whether future trade agreements are in Australia’s national interest, reserving that role instead to the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Treaties.

I’ve got nothing against that Committee – or indeed any other group of politicians – being involved in scrutinising trade agreements and other treaties to which Australia might become party.

In a democratic system, it’s right and proper that elected representatives of the people have the final say on what obligations we, as a nation, take on.

But scrutiny of proposed trade agreements by a Parliamentary Committee is inevitably and unavoidably going to be politicised, and to at least some extent predetermined by the affiliation of the majority of the Committee’s members to the government of the day.

We know, of course, that governments of all political persuasions ‘pick and choose’ whether to refer an issue to the Productivity Commission, according to whether they want to hear the answer that they think the Commission will give.

For a copy of the full version of this article, please contact saul.eslake@ grattaninstitute.edu.au September 2011

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Australia’s New Carbon Pricing Scheme and Its Implications for the ASEAN Region

By Guy Watson, Managing Director Global Edge Carbon

Australian Engagement

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While Thai businesses (particularly palm oil plantation owners) have been engaged in the CDM for five to six years, it is a virtually unknown market in Australia. A small number of Australian firms have been engaged as consultants and buyers for the projects for several years, but as they have only been able to sell into the European market, their opportunities have been limited and face stiff competition from European countries. Their task to sell their services has been made harder when engaging with our ASEAN trading partners recently because without a price on carbon in Australia they struggle to overcome the impression of being opportunistic businesses tapping into a market, while offering little in return.

n the June issue of Advance, we wrote an article detailing the potential trade impact of Europe’s decision to limit the source of certified emission credits (CERs) to less developed countries (LDCs), a trade of carbon offsets under the Kyoto Protocol. Within only four weeks of this article, the market opportunities for ASEAN countries have turned its head again, with the June 10 announcement by the Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard of the introduction of a carbon pricing scheme in Australia.

An important component of this pricing scheme was the clarification of when and how the carbon tax would make a transition to an emissions trading scheme. This is planned for 2015.

For ASEAN countries this is significant, because firstly it marks the announcement of the first country in the region to introduce a carbon price and trading scheme, and secondly as it reopens a market that was recently closed by the European countries. This market is the primary market of carbon credits, generated by carbon abatement projects in developing countries, in exchange for capital (in the form of emission offset purchases) and new technologies. The market is regulated by the UNFCCC (UN Framework Convention on Climate Change), under the Kyoto Protocol, through a regime called the Clean Development Mechanism.

That has now changed, as Australia is poised to become a buyer of at least 400 million tonnes of carbon credits over the years between 2015 and 2020. Australian businesses can now exchange services and expertise for carbon credits.

What This Means Trade Relations The CDM regime and global offset market is an exciting and growing stream of trade between nations globally. Currently under the Kyoto Protocol rules, developed countries (37 industrialised countries defined in the Kyoto Protocol Annexe 1 schedule) can invest capital, technology and expertise in

Australia is poised to become a buyer of at least 400 million tonnes of carbon credits over the years between 2015 and 2020.

Australian businesses can now exchange services and expertise for carbon credits.

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non- Annexe 1 countries to develop carbon abatement projects and purchase the carbon offsets generated by these projects.

This encourages the development of more efficient manufacturing and industrial plant, the widespread introduction of lower emission technologies such as compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and growth of renewable energy generation technologies such as biomass, waste to energy, biogas and wind. This investment and introduction of technology to non- Annexe 1 countries has no financial cost as the projects generate a positive internal rate of return with the improved efficiencies and revenues from carbon sales.

The second significant benefit from growth of the sector is the uptake of these technologies even without the carbon revenue, as we have seen in the last year since Europe pulled out the local ASEAN market. Coupled with increasing power costs as hidden subsidies are eased back, and feed-in tariffs (FITs) are introduced for renewable power, we are seeing a growing interest in investors to back renewable power projects and businesses to invest in more efficient plant and processes.

This investment is coming from local debt and equity markets, so making the finance sector more robust. The knockon for this of course, is that this encourages an increase in foreign investment, as the confidence level in local markets increases.

Why the Europeans Have Pulled Out of This Market For the last six years European businesses have poured billions of euros into CDM projects primarily across China and India, and to a lesser extent Southeast Asian countries. This has been to the benefit of both host countries and investor countries. However, bureaucrats in Europe began to raise con-

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cerns about the amount of money being invested into a country like China which has demonstrated an ability to invest capital of its own into projects, and so questioned the need of Annex 1 countries’ investment. This was seen to be contrary to the spirit of the CDM regime. As a result the European’s changed their rules for qualification of credits for the second crediting period from 2013 to 2020. For this period, only credits purchased from less developed countries (LDCs) will qualify as certified emission reduction units. This has in one sweep, pulled a huge investment opportunity from the region and shifted Europe’s focus to Africa.

Some might argue that this is almost an anti-trade action, however others suggest that the intent of the global agreement in greenhouse gas reduction (the Kyoto Protocol), supersedes trade rules.

However the question of economic development should be less critical a determinant if the mechanism has been so successful at implementing emission reduction projects that would otherwise have not occurred.

Opportunities for Business Australia needs to be a part of this growing market, not only to bring in technology and capital, and to provide offsets for Australia’s industry, but also to be directly involved in the growth of a regionally integrated energy and carbon market.

Before long there will be a patchwork of distinct trading schemes in Australia, South Korea, Europe, New Zealand, China and India, and will only expand from there. Australia’s early move into this space will reap significant benefits for the finance, engineering and consulting sectors, as the exchange of skills, knowledge and capital increase significantly over time. ASEAN countries including Thailand will benefit from a renewed interest and demand from Australian investors.

Global Edge Carbon GE Carbon is a Sydney- based carbon asset management company, working across the Asian region identifying renewable energy generation and energy efficiency projects to supply the Australian carbon market in 2015. Guy Watson qualified as an architect before establishing a project management and carbon asset management business, and has a Master degree in International Relations from the University of NSW.

AustChamThailand Advance

September 2011

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business brief

Strategic Solutions for Australian Partner Visa Applications

By Philip Summerbell, Principal Solicitor of Strategic Migration

applicant has lived for a period of 12 months or more within the last 10 years.

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or nearly ten years, Frank, an Australian businessman, has lived and worked in South East Asia. He has been happily settled in a de facto relationship with his Thai partner for several years. They travel to Australia annually to visit Frank’s family and friends.

... However, Frank’s partner has an ongoing medical issue that will require careful consideration. While his partner intends to move to Sydney with him they also need to spend some significant amounts of time back in Thailand over the next 12 months or so. Further considerations also include where to lodge the application.

Although Frank and his partner love living in South East Asia, Frank’s parent’s health has taken a turn for the worst. He has been travelling to Australia every two to three months to assist his brother in the increasing care and support of their parents.

Their long term plan was always to be based in Australia and to travel back to SE Asia. However this turn of events has fast-tracked their plans.

He is in discussions with his employer regarding managing his role in SE Asia from Australia but is unsure how long it might be before he can manage this.

To progress their move Frank needs to sponsor his partner in making a Partner Visa application for Australian Permanent Residence.

Migration Law requires...

An applicant for an Australian Partner Visa must be married to, or in a de facto relationship with, their sponsor. The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. De facto partner relationships are recognised where de facto partners live together and jointly share financial resources as partners (for 12 months or more) but are not legally married. De facto relationships include same sex relationships.

Under current Migration law, an applicant for a Partner Visa must be able to satisfy the legislative requirements, the most significant ones being summarised here:

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...This is also subject to Migration Law

• The sponsor must be eligible and satisfy the sponsorship limitation; • the relationship should be genuine and continuing, requiring the applicant and their sponsor to have a commitment to a shared life as partners, to the exclusion of all others; the visa applicant and the sponsor must live together, or not live separately and apart on a permanent basis; • de facto partners must have been living in a partner relationship for 12 months immediately prior to applying for a Partner Visa; • if de facto partners have their relationship registered then the 12 month cohabitation requirement does not apply, however substantial documentary evidence of the de facto partner relationship is required to support a partner visa application; • each of the visa applicant and the sponsor must be aged 18 years or over; • be of good health with satisfactory completion of a chest x-ray and medical examination; and • be of good character with police clearances required for any country (including Australia) in which the visa

If the visa applicant is in Australia, and is eligible to lodge the visa application in Australia and does not have the Visa Condition 8503 No Further Stay, the partner visa application may be lodged with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) before the visa applicant’s existing visa expires.

The visa applicant must be physically present in Australia at the time the application is lodged with DIAC and at the time the decision is made to grant the visa.

If the applicant wishes to travel outside of Australia during the visa application process the visa applicant will be required to make an application for a Bridging B visa to enable return to Australia.

If the applicant is outside Australia at time of application, the visa applicant must also be outside Australia at the time of decision on the visa application.

A visa applicant, after lodging a Partner Visa application outside Australia, may travel to Australia while the application is processing, subject to holding a valid visa permitting travel and stay in Australia for a specified period.

It is particularly important that applicants and sponsors understand the pro-

AustChamThailand Advance

business brief

cessing timelines. Many Expats assume it is simply a matter of completing and lodging application forms with a decision being made within a month. Not so – this may take a number of years and it is particularly important to remain eligible throughout the process.

Migration Law once again gives a clear insight into this An applicant in Australia or overseas for a Partner Visa undertakes a two stage visa application process. A combined Sponsorship and Partner Visa application is made to DIAC for both a Temporary visa and a Permanent visa.

At the first stage the Temporary visa application is assessed. The second stage, usually two years after making the application, involves an assessment of the Permanent visa application.

At both processing stages, the visa applicant and the sponsor will be

required to provide evidence that the relationship between them is genuine and continuing.

With the exception of certain circumstances, a Partner Temporary visa will be cancelled if the relationship ends before the second stage of processing.

A decision ready Partner Temporary visa may take up to 12 months to process and may take longer depending upon the circumstances of the application.

The challenge with Australian Immigration law is that it is dynamic and increasingly complex. When changes are enacted, they cannot be reviewed in isolation – there are often overlapping requirements that must be considered at a strategic level before applying.

While the above relates to a current case, there are many factors that have been considered in their application.

While many Australian’s are at heart DIY professionals and have never opened an instruction manual in their lives this must not be the approach on such a life changing process. They must undertake very careful study to ensure a complete understanding of the regulations as they apply to their application. A visa refusal will result in significant complexity, cost, delay and stress.

Strategic Migration Philip Summerbell is the Principal Solicitor of Strategic Migration, a dedicated team of Migration Lawyers with over 20 years experience in Australian Migration Law and Practice. Strategic Migration’s expertise enables personalised, strategic and predictable migration outcomes that simplify, manage and deliver client objectives on time and within budget. Based in George Street, Sydney they also have an office in Bangkok to service their SE Asian clients. Philip can be contacted at ps@ strategicmigration.com.au

For details about our next seminar please email to: Nick Cartledge (Managing Director) at Email:nick@expatpropertyplanners.com.au or view our website www.expatpropertyplanners.com.au Tel: +61 3 9 700 200 Mobile: +61 418 580 060

AustChamThailand Advance

September 2011

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austcham business awardS 2011

Congratulations to Wotif.com, recipient of the AustCham Tourism and Hospitality Award

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otif.com is an award-winning accommodation site, selling deals up to six months in advance in more than 16,700 hotels across 57 countries. We are the number one travel website in Australia and New Zealand, and fast growing in popularity in Asia. Even on laptops or mobile phones (mobile.wotif.com), consumers are able to access our offers on the go and book a stay with instant confirmation.

benefit from this development. We will continue to seek opportunities to grow our share of Asia and other international markets through online marketing, partnerships and acquisition opportunities where they arise.

We are also committed to strategically expanding our team in Asia, particularly in marketing and product, to strengthen our presence and brand offering in the region.

FORMULA FOR SUCCESS Wotif.com has a history of breaking new ground in the online travel industry. We work hard at maintaining close relationships with our hotel partners, and in staying at the forefront of innovation – be it for new promotions, website designs or IT systems.

We implement a flat management structure to encourage feedback, and an innovation email address sends all employees’ ideas straight to the CEO’s office. Wotif.com also has a dedicated User Experience and Innovation team to look at market trends and analyse how to improve our user experience for customers and partners.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES Our low commission rate means we can offer travellers the best rates and deals.

We work hard to add new properties so there are choices to suit all budgets and needs.

Our easy-to-use matrix design allows customers to browse rates for a wide range of dates, spot the hot deals and pick travel dates that save the most money. Displayed rates are transparent and tax-inclusive. Our 24-7 customer service team (with 30 members in Asia) services email and phone queries and ensures our customers enjoy a smooth travel process.

We pioneer creative and highly successful promotions, including the Wot Hotel (hotels offering rooms at rates well below market, in return not revealing their name until the booking is confirmed), Flaming Deals (deals with special rates or inclusions exclusive 18

September 2011

to Wotif.com), and the Wot Bonus (for every room night booked, travellers get a cash back voucher). Each of these has become well known in the Asia Pacific online travel industry as innovative promotions that offer real benefits to consumers.

CURRENT MARKET POSITION AND FUTURE PLANS With over 3.8 million site visits every month, Wotif.com is a fast-growing online travel brand in the Asia Pacific region. Since our 2001 financial year, the global room nights sold by Wotif.com have consistently grown every financial year. The company listed successfully on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2006, and today has eight offices throughout Asia (three in Thailand) with representatives in five additional locations in the region.

We believe that in the next five years, the online accommodation sector will continue to attract customers away from traditional sales channels. Our focus remains on ensuring that we continue to

CLEAR COMMUNICATION Wotif.com’s “light, bright and tight” communication style, which focuses on real value for our customers, resonates with audiences. Pictures, destination information and maps on Wotif.com provide travellers with all the information they need to plan their holiday. All our customer communication, from our email newsletter (with over one million subscribers) to our Facebook fan page (with more than 60,000 fans) and our Twitter feed (with almost 8,500 followers) engage in an ongoing conversation with travel lovers around the world. Our newsletter system can store subscribers’ locations and preferences, to ensure that they receive targeted communication.

Our communication principles are simplicity, transparency and integrity. Wotif. com’s parent company, Wotif Group, is publicly listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, and the company adheres to the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s guidelines in all internal processes for full accountability to stakeholders.

WINNING CONCEPT In 2000, our founder Graeme Wood saw the potential of the growing online sector to become a powerful sales channel for the travel industry, while providing consumers a tool to search for the best deals to suit their needs. We were the first website to allow hotels an outlet to manage their distressed inventory (rooms sold at cheaper rates close to check-in date to try to fill the hotel to capacity), selling hotel rooms directly online to consumers quickly through bargain deals that the hotels control.

AustChamThailand Advance

Natiryas Galleria

Look at all the opportunities on your doorstep CARPET CARE: • Complete herbal hand washing • Dry Cleaning / Cosmetic Cleaning • Mending, bordering, fringes, darning • Base stitching, straightening etc.

Recommended in BANGKOK GUIDE and by many EXPAT WOWEN CLUBS in Thailand

GENUINE 30% ON CARPET CARE

Valid until 31st Dec 2011

Genuine handmade carpets from the orient including prized Afghans shown on request.

When it comes to quality & trust you can contact us.

Free!

Pick up and delivery

BANGKOK (ALEX) 37/94 Ramkhamhaeng 184, Bangkok 10510 Phone/Fax: 02-916 5531 Mobile: 086-088 6054 / 085-508 6911 CHIANG MAI (ASIYAH) 71 Kadklang Wiang, Radchadamnern Rd., T. Sripoom, A. Muang, Chiang Mai Phone/Fax: 053-208 809 Mobile: 083-816 6003 Email: natiryasgalleria@yahoo.com HUA HIN (FABRICE ZUBER) 145/1 Petchakasem Road, Hua Hin, Prachuabkhirikhan 77110 (Offside to Village Market) Phone: 032-533 525 Mobile: 083-312 0063

community services

Voluntary English Teaching at Baan Khao Huay Mahad School, Rayong on 20 August 2011 Thanks to volunteers for coming along to teach English once again. AustCham has recently purchased Book packages from the Rotary Club and will be distributing them to each of the three schools it supports with its English teaching program. The kids and teachers were truly delighted to have the new recourses and said they look forward to having them in their library. Reading is such an important skill for children to learn - having attractive and educational books is important in encouraging students.

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AustChamThailand Advance

members advancing

dwp | Design Worldwide Partnership Wins Prestigious International Hospitality Design Award in Monte Carlo - And Signs with Clewiston for Carlson Group Radisson BLU in Bangladesh dwp (www.dwp.com) has won the Design et Al International Hotel & Property Award 2011 for the best design of a ‘Restaurant within a Hotel’ for Sambal Bar & Grill, Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Tower, Bangkok, Thailand, at an awards ceremony held on Friday 24 June 2011, at L’Hôtel Hermitage, Monte Carlo.

Sambal Bar & Grill is a chic dining/ party venue in Bangkok, as well as a perfect location to celebrate special events and occasions. Sambal offers stylish alfresco dining, alongside the Chao Phraya River, and is an urban oasis to escape the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. Sambal Bar & Grill, a 1,088sqm lifestyle experience, was designed by world-class architecture and interior design firm dwp and completed in January 2010.

Also in July, dwp signed an agree“This

is an exciting time for dwp, as we continue to branch out further into new territories. We are greatly honoured to be working with such a reputable group as Clewiston, especially on our first Radisson BLU project, which is sure to set the benchmark in the hospitality industry. We look forward to the prospect of working with Clewiston and the Carlson Group worldwide, into the future,” remarked Scott Whittaker, Executive Director for dwp.

The Radisson BLU Hotel, Carlson Group operated, is to be located in Cox’s Bazar, just a short walk from the beach, in the main hotel district. The hotel construction, is expected to finish construction and be fully operational by 2014, with 278 guest rooms, set on a two acre plot of land.

Sasiwimon.s@dwp.com www.dwp.com

Bangkok Community Theatre, is a non-profit organisation who put on quality theatre productions several times a year, at an affordable price. At the end of the year, if a profit is made the Bangkok Community Theatre group will make a donation to various organisations in need. They are now pleased to announce their September production of Pygmalion, by George Bernard Shaw.

Directed by Mark Sobels, and performed at The British Club on 15, 16, 17 and 22, 23 and 24 of September, Pygmalion is a classic comedy and tells the story of feisty cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle and her transformation into an elegant lady by the irascible Professor Higgins.

Based on classical myth, Shaw’s Pygmalion plays on the complex business of human relationships in a social world. Phonetics Professor Henry Higgins tutors the very cockney Eliza Doolittle, not only in the refinement of speech, but also in the refinement of her manner. When the end result produces a very ladylike Miss Doolittle, the lessons learned become much more far reaching The play is Shaw’s best-known and loved comedy and was the basis for the 1956 musical film, My Fair Lady starring Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn.

The play will be performed as dinner theatre at the British Club for six nights only and tickets cost 1,200 Baht. Tickets are limited so book early by emailing pygmalionbct@gmail.com For more information, please visit the BCT website at www.bct-th. org or call 0879363798.

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AustChamThailand Advance

Chamber Events

Eastern Seaboard Sundowners at Pullman Pattaya Asiawan on Friday, 19 August 2011 Following the site visit to BLCP’s Power Plant, Sundowners was held on the Eastern Seaboard at Pullman Pattaya Asiawan. Many thanks to Pullman for their generous support of the event and to all who attended what was another great networking opportunity. News of the Power Plant Site Visit will be included in next month’s edition of Advance.

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1) Michael Ganster – DusitD2 baraquda pattaya; Khun Karatnoot Juntree – JW Marriott Khao Lak. 2) Khun Thanyamai Totharong - Arise Asia; Andre Geertsma - ZIARGUS. 3) Kris Perkins - ZI-ARGUS; Garry Irvin - Resource Link Consulting Group. 4) Paul Whyte – AustCham ESB Coordinator, New Asia Pacific; Paul Wilkinson – AustCham Coordinator, CEA Projects; John Anderson – AustCham President, Meinhardt; David Bell – AustCham Director, Crestcom Ra-Kahng Associates; Paul Strachan – PMTV; Iain Corness – Bangkok Hospital; Clinton Lovell – Pullman Pattaya Asiawan. 5) Eugene Cody; Jeffrey Edwards – HEIL Asia. 6) Kerry Matisin – Allied Pickfords; Khun Somsri Jomtarak – Allied Pickfords; Josh Hyland – AustCham. 7) Khun Somsri Jomtarak – Allied Pickfords; Kerry Matisin – Allied Pickfords.

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AustChamThailand Advance

Chamber Events

Luncheon: New Images and Direction for Thailand Post Election on Thursday, 21 July 2011 AustCham was honoured 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.

Bangkok Sundonwers has become known as “The Networking Event” – renowned for the high-end business people it attracts, outstanding choice of venues, great promotion value for its sponsors and of course Australian wine. Venue and corporate sponsors put on an extrodinary show for attendees – The Imperial Queen’s Park Bangkok and dtac last month were a great example of this!

AustChamThailand Advance

Please show respect to our generous hosts by remaining quiet for the few minutes of speeches during the night. If you’re caught talking next time, expect to be approached by someone with our community services box.

Money is all donated to AustCham charity programs, though we hope (in this case) not to raise too much money this way.

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Chamber Events

Bangkok All Chambers Sundowners at The Imperial Queen’s Park Bangkok on Wednesday, 3 August 2011

We promised a big night and we believe we delivered! The function saw 522 attend and over 30,000 Baht raised for charity. For us and our members, it was great to make contacts with new people and meet some of the great organisations supporting other foreign chambers of commerce and business associations in Thailand. dtac truly went above and beyond with their generous donation of two Blackberrys and a white iPhone 4 (AustCham members are still lamenting that they missed out!). The Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel Bangkok also put on an amazing show-catering for such a large crowd with such flair and professional service takes much organisation. Many thanks go to our generous sponsors and all those who attended.

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1) Anindo Aditya - Executive Director, Saraff Group of Companies; Petter Pedersen - dtac; Michal Zitek - General Manager, Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel Bangkok; John Anderson - AustCham President, Meinhardt; Susheel Kumar Saraff - President, India-Thai Chamber of Commerce; Khun Phisak Nivataphand - President, Thai-Russian Chamber of Commerce; Marc Spiegel - President, Thai-Finnish Chamber of Commerce; Alan Lim - Chairman, Singapore-Thai Chamber of Commerce. 2) Belinda Skinner - AustCham Vice President, Top Talent Asia; Andrew Durieux - AustCham Director, Coverage. 3) Khun Charn Saralertsophon - AustCham Honorary Member, Thai Australian Association; Khun Prajade Thiravat. 4) Linda Belonje - KIS International School; Eric J.D. Cornille - Folies Bangkok. 5) Horst Wiezorrek - International Insurance Business Advisor; Jeanet Callesen - Danish-Thai Chamber of Commerce. 6) Corinne Gruneval - Red Bird Global Services; Karen Hochhauser; Joseph Geagea - AMCHAM Thailand. 7) H.E. James Wise - Australian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand; John Anderson - AustCham President, Meinhardt; Michael Zitek - The Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel Bangok. 8) Dr

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AustChamThailand Advance

Chamber Events

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Nitipong Boon-Long - dtac; Dr Saravut Yaipairoj - dtac; Khun Anjarat Suthat Na Ayuthya. 9) M.L. Laksasubha Kridakorn - AustCham Vice President, Baan Laksasubha Resort; Tobias Fischer; Go Vacation; Victoria - Go Vacation. 10) David Nardone - Hemaraj Land And Development; Marc Spiegel - President, Thai-Finnish Chamber of Commerce; Mark Butters - RSM Advisory. 11) David Paterson - PFJ Asia Pacific; Warwick Baglin - Meinhardt; Simon Causton - The Bull’s Head. 12) Warwick Kneale - AustCham Director, Baker Tilly; John Anderson - AustCham President, Meinhardt; Petter Pedersen - dtac; Lucky winner for White iPhone 4 Randal Gurat, IEM; Michael Zitek - The Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel Bangkok.13) Max Tramboo - Panomatics; Jeffrey Brown - IDP Thailand; David Dufall - Rugby B’Works; Khun Rungnapha Kaewduangsri - Santa Fe.14) Reid Nixon - Mango Mango; David Armstrong. 15) Robert D. Tober - Regional Executive; Dr. Donna Robinson - MedConsult Clinic. 16) Mark Bailey - Baby Signs; Ryan Brown - Eaton Vehicle Group. 17) Khun Duangsmorn Sakjaronenying - Samijivet; Khun Narisara Rattanakovit - Samijivet; Khun Pitchawadee Sarapanich - Tiny Seeds International School.

AustChamThailand Advance

September 2011

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Chamber Events New members and Members’ changes

Radisson Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit Siri Erawan Co., Ltd. 23/2-3 Sukhumvit 13, Sukhumvit Road Klongtoey Nua, Wattana Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 2 645 4999 Fax: +66 2 645 4888 Email: info.sukhumvit@radisson.com black logo Website:www.radisson.com/bangkokth_ sukhumvit

Pantone warm grey 11 c

Mark Bulmer, General Manager Den Ferdinard Navarro, Director of Sales and Marketing Field of Activity: Services/Catering/Hospitality/Hotel/Serviced Apartment Pantone 207 c Located in downtown Bangkok along one of the city’s best known districts, Sukhumvit Road, Radisson Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit blends traditional Thai elegance with contemporary design, making it the ideal hotel for discerning business and leisure travellers. In the midst of business and premier shopping centres, traditional street vendors and an exciting mix of dining and entertainment venues, the hotel is a short walking distance from Sky Train and Subway stations, making it a smart choice from which to explore the city’s most compelling attractions. With its worldwide brand signature “Yes I Can” service and 100 percent satisfaction guarantee, Radisson Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit sets the standard for vibrant and contemporary hospitality.

Products or Services • 150 well-appointed guestrooms and suites.

• Complimentary Wi-Fi internet in all guestrooms, meeting rooms and public areas.

• Three Food and beverage outlets (listed below).

Mauve • Featuring an interactive show kitchen, savour global delights from Western grill specialties to gourmet pizza and Thai cuisine. Formal or casual dining, Mauve provides a flexible space with its main dining, semi-private dining area, a gourmet bar and an outdoor patio terrace. asqu • asqu, with its captivating and unique askew design, is a modern fashion28

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able lounge and bar. At night, asqu becomes more vibrant and lively, this trendy purple bar is an ideal place to relax and enjoy signature cocktail creations and tapas.

Aromas • Aromas serves popular Piazza d’Oro coffee and Dilmah tea, as well as freshly baked and pastries.

70% grey logo cakes (for B&W printing) • Three meeting and banquet rooms.

• Business Centre offering secretarial services.

• Well-equipped Fitness Centre.

• Outdoor rooftop swimming pool with sundeck and Jacuzzi.

CMYK grey logo • Complimentary Tuk-Tuk shuttle to nearby selected areas.

• Underground car parking.

• One-Touch Guest Service.

Ownership: Majority Thai Owned CMYK red logo

Diageo PLC 17th-18th Floor, Park Wing 195 Empire Tower, South Sathorn Road Yannawa, Sathorn Tel: +66 2685 6999 Fax: +66 2670 0340 Website: www.diageo.com

over 20,000 talented people around the world. With offices in 80 countries, they also have manufacturing facilities across the globe including Great Britain, Ireland, United States, Canada, Spain, Italy, Africa, Latin America, Australia, India and the Caribbean. The people who work for them across these markets really care for the legacy of each of their brands. Diageo wants them to be enjoyed by consumers for generations to come, which means they also take our role as a producer of alcohol very seriously. Diageo is at the forefront of industry efforts to promote responsible drinking. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).

Senior Management Graeme Paul Harlow, President Danilo Celoni, Director, Commercial Samornwan Rattakul, Director, Marketing Ownership: Diageo Moet Hennessy B.V. - 80 per cent Ital Thai Ltd. - 20 per cent Change of Company Name

Asia Biogas Company Limited has changed company name to be Asia Diageo Moet Hennessy logo color guide -Biogas coated Management Co. Ltd. Change of Company Address

Mr Thanakorn Kuptajit, Regulatory and Government Affairs Director Ms Wannaporn Wattanakasemsat, Corporate Relations Executive Field of Activity: Food and Beverage, Wines and Spirits Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Windsor, Buchanan’s and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Jose Cuervo, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Many of their brands have been around for generations, while some have been developed more recently to meet new consumer tastes and experiences. Their great range of brands and geographic spread means that people can celebrate with our products at every occasion no matter where they are in the world. This is why ‘celebrating life every day, everywhere’ is at the core of what they do. Trading in approximately 180 markets, Diageo Moet Hennessy employ

Bartercard (Thailand) Ltd. 1126/2 Vanit Building II, 34 Floor, Room 3402-3403, Petchburi Road Makkasan, Rajchthevee Bangkok 10400 THAILAND Tel: +66 2 655 3111 Fax: +66 2 655 3112 Change of Representatives • Mr Chad Lloyd Morgan, Associate is a new representative of Clifford Chance (Thailand) Limited.

• Ms Raevadee Wattanurak, Managing Director is a new representative of Bartercard (Thailand) Ltd. • Mr Martin Fells, General Manager is a new representative of British Club Bangkok.

• Ms Thanyaphon Worapan, Membership Manager is a new representative of British Club Bangkok.

• Mr Oscar Hari Prakoso, is a new representative of Indochine Beyond Co., Ltd. • Mr Nicolas Leloup, Head of International Marketing, is a new representative of Samitivej Public Company Limited.

• Mr Matt Burns, is a new representative of AusWa Thai.

• Ms Nathalie Post, General Manager is a new representative of Phachara Suites.

AustChamThailand Advance

AUSTCHAM Members’ offers

Baan Laksasubha 2 Nights Stay for Only Baht 7,000 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.

Offer Until: 30 November Call: 032 514 525-31 Email: rsvn@baanlaksasubha.com Promotion Code: ACOO1

Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa Special Room Rates in the City 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.

Offer Until: 30 September Call: 02 476 5005 Email: marriottevents@minornet.com

Coverage 20 Percent Discount on BCP Planning 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.

Radisson Suite SKV Happy Hours at asqu “asqu” is a chic and sexy venue- the perfect place to have a relaxing cocktail or relax with a selection of wine and tapas. asqu offers two happy hours daily, with Boardroom happy hour from 14.00 to 19.00 and Night Owl happy hour from 22.00 to 23.00. Selected drinks are discounted at 30 percent and 50 percent.

Offer Until: 31 December Call: 02 261 8485

Offer Until: 31 December Call: 02 645 4999 Email: fb.sukhumvit@radisson.com

Hilton Pattaya Holiday for two at Koh Samui or in Bali or Hong Kong 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.

Offer Until: September 2011 Call: 03 825 3000

The Sukhothai Bangkok 20 Year Anniversary Promotion 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.

Offer Until: 30 November Call: 02 344 8888

Centara Grand Special Packages for Two Nights or More 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.

Offer Until: 30 September Call: 02 100 1234 Email: cgwsales@chr.co.th

Clarity IT Free Half-Day I.T. Audit ClarITy will visit your office (CBD area) and carry out a half day audit and review for your use of I.T. (based on well proven principles) and then brief on ways you can improve your overall I.T. Offer Until: 30 September Call: 02 650 4770 Email: enquiry@clarity.co.th

AustChamThailand Advance

LeMeridien 20 per cent Dining Discount 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.

Offer Until: 31 December Call: 02 232 8888 Email: bangkok@lemeridien.com

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 now!

The Imperial Queen’s Park Bangkok Sunday Brunch at The Imperial Queen’s Park Parkview Restaurant is reviving the traditional favourites long missing from many brunch menus. Your dining experience will be enchanted by live-action cooking stations, BBQ selection, fresh fruits and international desserts plus over one dozen imported and artisanal cheeses! Baht 1,400 net/person inclusive of fruit juices, soft drinks and smoothies and a free flow drinks.

Valid Until: 31 October 2011 Call: +66 2 261 9000 Ext. 4140, 4162 Email: dining@imperialhotels.com

Offer Until: 31 October Call: 02 253 0123

September 2011

29

From the Chamber Office

Message from the Executive Director

Calendar of Events WEDNESDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER Bangkok Sundowners

18.00 – 21.00 Venue: JW Marriott Bangkok Corporate Sponsor: Samijivet FRIDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER Eastern Seaboard Sundowners

18.00 – 21.00 Venue: The Royal Varuna Yacht Club SATURDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER Voluntary English Teaching

Venue: Baan Khao Din School, Chonburi Bus departs from the Thai CC Building at 8.00 and returns to Bangkok at approximately 16.00

A

ugust saw what is quite possibly the biggest networking event in Thailand – AustCham’s renowed ‘All Chambers’ Sundowners. We promised a big night and we believe we delivered! The function saw nearly 550 people attend, with representation across the range of foreign chambers and business associations in Thailand.

It was a fabulous opportunity to build new contacts and expand existing networks.

Thanks to all those who participated and made the event the great success it was.

The generous donation by dtac of not one, but two, Blackberrys and a white iPhone 4 was truly above and beyond. The iPhone charity raffle raised over 30,000 Baht for AustCham’s community services initiative of purchasing heavily subsidised SVOA computers for The Hub. The Hub opened in January 2011 and is the result of international collaboration between Childline Thailand Foundation and Exodus Foundation, Australia. It aims to provide a range of welfare, support, education, training and social services to vulnerable youth groups, particularly in Bangkok.

We are well on our way to raising the 200,000 Baht required for the computers, but any further donations would of course be welcome.

Not to be outdone, Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel put on a simply stunning array of catering in its new Parkview restaurant, and with such flair and professional service. I have to admit to having a soft spot for the Imperial Queen’ Park. Its grand woodenclad lobby reminds me of the Asian hotels I used to visit with my parents when I lived in Southeast Asia as a child. Nowadays I like to take my own children to the Imperial Queen’s Park for weekend dim sum at the fabulous Chinese restaurant there.

We were also pleased to be joined at All Chambers Sundowners by BNH Hospital to 30

September 2011

promote its Central Blood Register. Given the extreme rarity of rhesus negative blood in Thailand, anyone with a negative blood type owes BNH an enormous vote of thanks for maintaining the register.

Without it, there would be no mechanism for monitoring or replenishing the (almost scarily) small amount of rhesus negative blood available. If you are Caucasian and do not know you blood type, I would strongly encourage you to have to have it checked – less than 1 per cent of the population in Thailand has rhesus negative blood, yet it is found in 15 per cent of Caucasians. That means it is in very short supply and if you are Caucasian there’s a much greater likelihood of you needing it!

Within the AustCham office we are embarking on some professional development initiatives for the staff. Raising our skills levels and boosting productivity is a paramount aim in the office.

Some of us are being challenged through intensive sessions of English tuition. I have not yet begun my classes, although there has been some suggestion that my messaging skills could do with some fine-tuning. I thank those who have provided feedback and assure you that the message has registered in the strongest possible terms. I should also like to clarify that any opinions, mistakes or missteps in this column are mine and mine alone. They do not necessarily represent the views of Chamber, or of the mainly volunteer staff who put in a huge effort each and every month to produce this magazine.

THURSDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER Luncheon: Understanding Thailand’s Political Turmoil

Guest Speaker: Dr. Sirilaksana Khoman, Ph.D. Senior Advisor, National AntiCorruption Commission 12.00 – 14.00 Venue: JW Marriott Bangkok THURSDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER Post-Carbon Tax Environment

Guest Speaker: Brian Morris, Managing Director of M&C Energy Australia 12.00 – 14.00 Venue: Servcorp’s Board RoomZeullig House, Silom

Thank you to all August sponsors:

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

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