BCCT Link Magazine - Issue 4 2016

Magazine of the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand Issue 4 2016

Travel & Tourism Diversity

Contents BCCT

Board of Directors 2016 CHAIRMAN Simon Matthews ManpowerGroup Thailand T: 02 2634 7273 matthews@manpower.th.com VICE CHAIRMEN Simon Landy Colliers International Thailand T: 02 656 7000 simon.landy@colliers.com Christopher Thatcher Anglo-Thai Legal Co., Ltd. T: 081 803 7377 christhatcher1@gmail.com

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DIRECTORS Ali Adam Arcadia (Thailand) Co., Ltd. T: 02 108 1822 ali@arcadia-engineering.com Mark Bowling Savills (Thailand) Limited T: 02 636 0300 MWBowling@savills.co.th Billy Chomsakorn British Airways PLC T: 001 80044 15906 billy.chomsakorn@ba.com Viriya (Boyd) Chongphaisal GlaxoSmithKline (Thailand) Limited T: 02 659 3000 viriya.x.chongphaisal@gsk.com

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John Christie Ek-Chai Distribution System Co., Ltd. T: 02 797 9000 john.christie@th.tesco.com David Cumming ONYX Hospitality Group (Amari Watergate Bangkok) T: 02 653 9000 david.cumming@amari.com Stephen Frost Bangkok International Associates Ltd T: 02 231 6201/6455 sfrost@bia.co.th Somporn Leelasestaporn BT Siam Ltd. T: 02 126 8006 somporn.leelasestaporn@bt.com Carl Sellick Lucy Electric (Thailand) Limited T: 033 684 333 Carl.Sellick@lucyelectric.com Kelvin Tan HSBC T: 02 614 4000 kelvin.tan@hsbc.co.th HONORARY TREASURER John Sim PKF Tax and Consulting Services (Thailand) Ltd. T: 02 108 1591-96 john.sim@pkf.com

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Thailand tourism update Investment boost for ASEAN tourism HK Express opens new flights

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Hoteliers unite on Phuket Demand for air travel continues to rise Is the Pound no longer sound?

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Contents Issue 4/2016 The Link is published by the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand.

Advertising enquiries: Greg Watkins Email: greg@bccthai.com Editor: Dale Lawrence Email: dalelawrence2008@gmail.com Front cover design: GSBI Production: Scand-Media Corp., Ltd

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The views expressed by individual authors are not necessarily those of the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand or of the publisher. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand is strictly prohibited.

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Every Edition

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Member News: JLL launches tender process for Thailand hotels

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Executive Director’s Message

32 British Chamber of Commerce Thailand 7th Floor, 208 Wireless Road Bangkok 10330, Thailand Tel: 02-651 5350/3 Fax: 02-651 5354 Website: www.bccthai.com Email: greg@bccthai.com Greg Watkins, Executive Director

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News from the IPR SME Help Desk: IP considerations for app developers in south east Asia

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Member News: Bangkok Patana School welcomes HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn

By the Numbers

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Comings and Goings

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Final Word

Chairman’s Message

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y message for this issue of The Link is relatively short. As you know, we cancelled all our events for a period of 30 days in order to pay our deepest respects to the Royal Family regarding the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on 13th October. The country continues to mourn the immense loss of its beloved and much revered King. His Majesty will forever be remembered and his legacy will live on.

SIMON MATTHEWS Sustaining Partners

At our recent BCCT Christmas lunch, proceeds from the raffle will be donated to the Rajaprajanugroh Foundation, a charity under His Majesty the King’s patronage, that gives scholarships to children who are victims of natural disasters. Thank you to all who gave so generously to this very worthy cause.

The British Chamber of Commerce Thailand AGM will be held on Thursday 26 January 2017 at The Landmark hotel in Bangkok. We now invite nominations for election to the 2017 BCCT Board of Directors. For more information about the nomination process, and the duties undertaken as a Director of the BCCT, please visit our website or contact our office in Wireless road.

I would like to thank BCCT’s Annual Partners for 2016:

Sustaining Partners

Sterling Partner: Bangkok Patana School Sustaining Partners: GlaxoSmithKline, Ophir, Tesco Lotus, HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, Harrow International School, Property Care Services, Brighton College International School.

Airline Partners: British Airways and Etihad Airways.

Supporting Partners: Central Food Retails, KIS International School, Trafalgar International, MBMG, Amari Watergate, Boots Retail, ManpowerGroup, Hemaraj, Prudential Life Assurance, St. Stephen’s International School, Shrewsbury International School, PKF and Mazars.

In closing, I wish you all a very happy and successful New Year and I look forward to meeting you at our many BCCT events in 2017.

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Executive Director’s Message 2016 has been a successful year for BCCT. Membership continues to grow albeit at a slower rate than last year. The Business Services team has assisted more British SMEs enter the Thai market than in 2015. BCCT’s media offers including annual partnership, ads in Link magazine and the Annual Handbook, web banners and sponsored emails continue to provide member companies with larger budgets opportunities to promote their products or services. Events continue to be regarded highly by members. Together with member company BMRS we have developed a means of assessing event quality by event and as a total throughout the year using the feedback forms on survey monkey completed by event attendees.

GREG WATKINS Airline Partner

Supporting Partners

Among the challenges BCCT faced was more companies taking longer to pay their membership fee or simply not responding to communication. This meant that more BCCT staff time was spent chasing invoice payments, time that could have been spent more constructively assisting paying members develop their businesses. I would like to ask all members that are assessing the benefits of membership to contact me or any of the BCCT team as soon as you receive the membership renewal invoice ie now. We can then discuss how your company can derive more benefit from your membership and hopefully avoid the BCCT team spending so much time chasing fees in 2017.

The BCCT International Business Awards organised with The BigChilli was formally launched on 22nd August but the awards dinner was postponed from Tuesday 29th November to Tuesday 7th March 2017 following the passing of His Majesty The King.

A further reminder that nominations are very welcome come from any company or individual in the seven categories: Outstanding Company, Most innovative company, Outstanding Small Company (ie 30 employees or less), Most promising new business (ie 3 years old or less), Expat Entrepreneur, Thai Entrepreneur and Young Professional (ie 30 years old or younger). Judges are looking at four main criteria: performance, creativity/innovation, contribution to the Thai economy and level of staff participation/ involvement. Most importantly though is that all those nominated must present their case in no more than 500 words.

Another major BCCT event that is always sold-out well in advance is the Life & Style Garden Party in the British Ambassador’s garden. This year’s party will take place on Thursday 23rd March. This showcase of British food, drink, services, education and vehicles is very popular with members. If your company would like to sponsor this event please email – rungjit@bccthai.com – as soon as possible. With the sale of all or part of the remaining British Embassy grounds seemingly imminent, this could be the last opportunity to enjoy this event at the current location on Wireless Road.

We have just circulated a request for nominations to stand for the BCCT board. The election will take place at the Annual General Meeting on Thursday 26 January 2017 at The Landmark Bangkok. If you would like to contribute more directly to the work of the BCCT please consider standing for election. It is always good to have some new faces and fresh thinking on the board. As a board director you will help guide the direction of BCCT and hopefully engage in some committee support work in your sector of expertise. To further discuss the role of a board director please contact a current board director, or myself - greg@bccthai.com. The deadline for nominations is Monday 9th January 2017.

W1.5”

H1.75”

100% Yellow

11% Cyan

100% Magenta

65% Black

As 2016 and BCCT’s 70th Anniversary closes I reflect on 20 years as Executive Director of BCCT and 25 years in total in Thailand – half my life. There have been some challenging times over these 20 years and I would like to thank office colleagues and board directors past and present for their support in making BCCT what it is today. To those who didn’t support me when times were tough, thank you for making me sharper!

BCCT is in a good place. Membership numbers are solid. The chamber’s finances have never been stronger. Larger companies continue to support above and beyond the annual membership fee. The quality of our business support to British SMEs is of the highest order. Events continue to receive high value rating from members. The challenge in 2017 is to maintain this quality level while focussing more on member retention, trying to bring back past members and converting non-member attendees at events into members.

I would like to wish all members a Merry Christmas and a Happy and prosperous New Year.

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Ramada Plaza Bangkok Menam Riverside

Thailand tourism update B

arely a year goes by without Thailand’s tourism industry facing either a man-made or natural disaster. This year the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej placed understandable and inevitable short-term constraints on operators of tourist attractions, restaurants, bars and other forms of entertainment associated with the ‘land of smiles’.

As the nation continues to mourn the passing of His Majesty, Thai-

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land’s tourism industry continues to adjust and adapt in line with advice from the government and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. We asked senior executives at major hotels for their personal assessments of the current situation and their forecasts for 2017.

At Centara Hotels and Resorts Senior Vice President Khun Supatra Chirathivat explains that the tourism industry had been rather subdued fol-

lowing the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in mid-October. “Despite some anxiety and a slow start to the high season the Government is striving to relieve the tourism business by offering domestic and international visitors several incentives to draw more tourists into the country, such as the 15,000 baht tax break for tourism expenditure by Thai citizens.”

Ian Barrow is Cluster General Manager for the Hilton Sukhumvit and

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DoubleTree by Hilton hotels. He says that there had been concerns expressed by both corporate and leisure travellers as to whether it was now a suitable time to visit Thailand.

“We experienced a drop in meetings and conferences and some bookings from leisure guests who wanted to be respectful. However, we feel that Thailand is still a very popular destination and we expect business to come back.”

Hotels located on the banks of Bangkok’s famous Chao Phraya river have long been popular with business and leisure travellers. At the Ramada Plaza Bangkok Menam Riverside, a well-established hotel celebrating its 30th anniversary, General Manager Klaus Sennik reports a decline in bookings in recent weeks, compared to the same period in 2015. “There is no doubt that some international visitors have felt unable to continue with their plans to visit Thailand.

This was understandable in the initial period following the sad passing of King Bhumibol because of the uncertainties about what types of entertainment and hospitality would be permitted during the initial mourning period.

“We have been monitoring closely the advice and guidelines issued by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and we have adjusted our events calendar accordingly to comply with the government’s wishes. I believe that Thailand will still enjoy a successful high season throughout the months of the cooler season but we may see a slight shortfall in numbers compared to earlier forecasts,” adds Klaus.

The Indigo hotel, part of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), is a relative newcomer to the Bangkok hotel scene and General Manager Melinda Lampier is confident about the tourism industry’s immediate prospects. “The high season is looking positive but I do believe that our festive celebrations will be slightly

Ian Barrow

more subdued this year.” She stressed that international visitors are still assured of a fantastic holiday when they visit Thailand.

Phuket’s tourism hit turbulence when Russia’s domestic economic crisis impacted severely on the numbers of Russian tourists visiting the island but, in keeping with Thailand’s overall resilience, has recovered well. Banyan Tree has luxury properties in Bangkok, Koh Samui and Phuket and the company’s Area General Manager Sriram Kailasam said it was important for the Tourist Authority of Thailand to maintain

effective communications with international source markets.

“From all the interactions with government officials and local authorities it seems that everyone is keen to respectfully return to operating businesses as usual. I believe, the next most important aspect would be the communication by TAT to the rest of the world that we are out of the immediate mourning period and would like to invite all out guests from around the world to enjoy the Thai hospitality,” he says. He adds that repeat guests are returning because they ‘trust Thailand’s resilience

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Banyan Tree pool luxury villa

shifting the tourism emphasis from volume to quality, as well as improving our outreach to attract more Chinese FIT (independent travellers) whose lifestyles have become more and more digitally connected.”

and credibility as far as tourism is concerned’.

Thailand’s clampdown on so-called ‘zero dollar tours’ from China is likely to affect the total numbers arriving from that increasingly influential source market in 2016. However as most, if not all, of the revenues generated by such tours do not benefit the local tourism economies the efforts

by Thai and Chinese authorities to stamp out these operations will bring longer-term benefits.

Supatra Chirathivat, at Centara Hotels & Resorts, welcomes the move by the governments in Thailand and China to stamp out zero dollar tours and cheap packages organised by tour operators in China.

“Centara Hotels and Resorts has enjoyed a healthy mix of visitors from

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Klaus Sennik

different countries. Undeniably, Chinese tourists are one of our top three nationalities in terms of sales across the Group. However, we are trying to implement government policy in

Hilton’s Ian Barrow agrees. “The Chinese market continues to grow and this is not just in Thailand but all over the world. Like all key source markets there are some service elements that we focus on for different segments. As Thailand is such an international destination, we focus upon having team members that speak various languages and we need to ensure that some amenities are provided for these different key source markets.

“We don’t believe the Chinese travel bubble will burst although we do expect to see changes in the type of

COVER STORY

traveller and other market conditions adjusting. We expect to see changes in other source markets – with some increasing and some decreasing - and we will need to look at ensuring a balance in our business,” adds Ian.

speaker, many of our services that appeal to our regular guests are very relevant to our Chinese guests. Thailand as a destination is always going to be attractive, even if the Chinese grow out of it. On the other hand, if we can continue to re-generate ourselves and create more experiences be it in health, medical, luxury or spa - we can sustain ourselves.”

At the Indigo hotel in Bangkok, GM Melinda Lampier stresses the importance of staff training to cater for Chinse mainland visitors. “We have to train and provide both service and product to support travellers from the China mainland. We have Chinese speaking colleagues deployed at the Front Desk and in our restaurants. We are fully engaged with a programme implemented by IHG called ‘China Ready’ that involves cultural and communications training of our team, Chinese TV channels in guest rooms and Chinese food options at breakfast.

The hotel also greets Chinese guests with a welcome letter, hotel guide and map in Mandarin. Interestingly, IHG has developed a mobile application that translates Chinese into other languages so that hotel guests may communicate with staff and local people.

Supatra Chirathivat

Shangri-La Bangkok General Manager Phillip Couvaras says, “We are seeing that our Chinese guests are as well travelled as other nationalities. Aside from having a Mandarin

Klaus Sennik has witnessed many changes in Thailand’s tourism landscape since he first moved to the country in 1982 to work at the iconic Siam InterContinental hotel in Bangkok. He has spent the last five years at the Ramada Plaza Bangkok Menam Riverside, a property that has become increasingly popular with tour groups from China. Klaus welcomes the crackdown on zero dollar tours. “They are bad for Thailand’s image and make little or no financial contribution to local communities. I welcome the focus on quality, rather than quality, as stressed by Thailand’s Tourism Minister. We continue to adapt our service regime to cater for higher spending visitors from China and we expect this market to hold firm in 2017.”

Indigo Hotel Bangkok

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Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport has been busier than ever in 2016.

tial markets. We are well supported with good connectivity, however there are always opportunities to improve and especially with emerging markets.

With connectivity an increasingly important component in boosting domestic and international travel, we invited leading hoteliers to share their key messages to the aviation authorities in Thailand?

Speaking from Phuket, Sriram Kailasam says that airport infrastructure development is a vital component in securing Thailand’s long-term tourism prosperity. “This is an area which requires focus as the infrastructure of our airports has not kept up with the tremendous growth in tourism numbers.” He is also calling for more direct flights from key international source markets to airports in provincial cities and destinations such as Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui and Phuket.

Centara’s Supatra Chirathivat says, “Thailand is blessed as a primary aviation hub within Asia, thanks to the central locality of the country as well as comprehensive airport facilities. Suvarnabhumi Airport will now be expanded. The airport welcomes more than 51 million passengers each year and by the end of 2016 it could easily reach 60 million. Phuket and Chiang Mai are the two most prominent secondary gateway airports that are also being developed to relieve pressure on the Bangkok gateway.

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At the Shangri-La hotel, General Manager Phillip Couvaras called for more detailed analysis of international arrivals. “Thailand’s history shows it has the versatility to always bounce back from challenges. The high levels of arrivals are numbers into the country and it’s not been possible to clearly analyse how many stay in Bangkok or how many bypass Bangkok. It would be very valuable if the numbers of international arrivals disembarking and staying in Bangkok could be made available.”

Phillip Couvaras

More facility development of other international airports in major tourist cities of Thailand should be pushed forward as well.”

She adds that Airports of Thailand (AOT) should now provide attractive incentives to encourage airlines to serve the country’s regional airports.

Ian Barrow agrees that strong connectivity is a vital component. “Better connectivity provides more opportunities to diversify and grow the poten-

Klaus Sennik says that Thailand enjoys unprecedented international accessibility via legacy and no-frills airlines. “This ease of access, combined with the country’s compelling attractiveness to international visitors, is a powerful combination. However, we must all work hard to attract a greater number of higher spending visitors. Tourism in Thailand must benefit grass roots communities and it is vitally important that the purchasing power of ‘quality tourists’ is reflected in improved lifestyles of staff and their families.”

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Investment boost for ASEAN tourism A

SEAN countries will benefit from getting almost 10 percent of global tourism investment dollars over the next ten years, according to research published by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

According to the WTTC report ‘Travel & Tourism Investment in ASEAN’, some 9.7 percent of global investment in this sector will be in the ASEAN region, bringing a massive US$ 782 billion boost to countries such as Thailand. Investment spending will be dominated (95%) by five major destinations – Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia – which together account for over 80 percent of ASEAN’s international arrivals and tourism contribution to GDP. But given the strong demand for travel to this region, some countries are still at risk of not investing enough to ensure infrastructure meets the needs of forecast tourism growth.

The report highlights the investment required across the ASEAN region in order to support the anticipated growth over the next decade.

ASEAN is one of the world’s most tourism dependent regions. Travel and tourism activities contribute 12.4 percent of GDP, up to four percent more than most other regions.

The WTTC report states that ASEAN travel and tourism infrastructure ranks ahead of only Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa. It also states that the outlook across the ten constituent member countries of ASEAN is mixed with Myanmar, Cambodia and the Philippines classified as ‘infrastructure constrained’.

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David Scowsill

Forecasted investment is not deemed to be sufficient to ensure that poor existing infrastructure can be improved to meet predicted demand and to maintain competitiveness. Vietnam and Laos are identified as having ‘improving infrastructure and growth prospects’ although future investment needs to be channelled effectively and targeted at priority areas. Thailand is the only country classified as ‘future focus critical’, where relatively strong existing infrastructure and future demand growth need to be supported by a continued investment focus.

Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam are expected to balance future infrastructure investment needs with forecast demand growth. Singapore and Indonesia are classified as ‘having high levels of infrastructure spending and forecast growth that should allow them to sustain projected levels of demand.

David Scowsill, President & CEO, World Travel & Tourism Council, said, “Our research shows that investment in infrastructure is critical to the future sustainability of travel and tourism. As one of the fastest growing tourism markets, public and private sector leaders across ASEAN must prioritise tourism investment and channel it effectively to ensure the region’s infrastructure can meet this increasing demand.

“Countries such as Singapore and Indonesia are leading the way in terms of their infrastructure development but across ASEAN there is much more which is required. For some countries this might mean expanding capacity, through increasing visitor accommodation, airport capacity and tourist facilities while others need to maintain and enhance their current infrastructure,” he added.

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COVER STORY

Thailand regional summary CHIANG RAI:

HK Express opens new flights

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ourism in Thailand’s northern city of Chiang Rai has been boosted by the introduction of twice-weekly flights from Hong Kong operated by HK Express. TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn, welcoming the new service, said, “HK Express’ new flights are vital as they allow increasing numbers of tourists to directly access this unique province.”

He added that the new service would highlight Thailand’s unique geographic advantage in the heart of ASEAN as well as strengthen Chiang Rai’s important role as a gateway to Northern Thailand.

This new air service adds to the optimistic feelings amongst hotel and guest house owners but TAT Chiang

Rai local director Lerdchai Wangtrakoondee says that the province must adhere to sustainable tourism

CHIANG MAI:

principles, despite the temptation to develop tourism as quickly as possible because of the economic benefits.

Myanmar’s KBZ promote new schedule to Chiang Mai

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ir KBZ, Myanmar’s privately owned domestic airline, was scheduled to begin flights from Yangon to Chiang Mai, operating every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, using a 70-seater ATR 72 aircraft. Promotional fares were being offered

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from as little as USD 99 return for dates in December.

The single class fare includes an inflight meal, seven kg carry-on baggage and 20 kg check-in luggage allowance. Air KBZ is a privately owned airline based in Yangon.

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KRABI:

New Qatar Airways service Qatar Airways has become the first Middle Eastern airline to operate schedule flights to Krabi, providing one-stop services from airports in many influential European source markets. The inaugural service brought passengers from Doha on a widebodied Airbus A330200. Qatar already serves Phuket and Bangkok and has announced a service from Doha to Chiang Rai in 2017.

Thai Smile, the no-frills subsidiary of legacy carrier Thai International, has begun new services connecting Bangkok and Krabi. The airline operates three flights daily out of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport using Airbus A320-200 equipment.

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PHUKET:

Hoteliers unite on Phuket T he new Phuket Hotels Association (PHA) has been catching the attention of key players on the island, reaching its initial target of 50 members ahead of the scheduled official launch at the Thailand Tourism Forum in January 2017. The Association is being led by President Anthony Lark, General Manager of the Trisara hotel.

He said, “It is a good start but we still have a lot of work to do as we aim to double membership by the end of next year. We are pleased that the industry on the island appreciates the importance of the Phuket Hotels Association so we can build the profile of the destination and speak with the same voice in international markets as we develop ‘Brand Phuket’.

“We all feel a strong commitment to the destination and all members

through Phuket Hotels Association are active in investing in its future through key long-term environmental and educational programmes which will provide the foundations for ongoing development and sustainable success,” added Anthony Lark.

PATTAYA:

The PHA will launch its first fundraising activity at a gala event in Phuket next May with the aim of raising THB 3.5 million for a hospitality-focused educational scholarship programme.

Minor rebrands Pattaya hotel

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inor Hotels has rebranded its Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa to AVANI Pattaya Resort & Spa. Minor Hotels’ ties to the Pattaya property stretch back to 1978. Originally a Royal Garden Resort brand, it was the group’s very first hotel purchase. Minor Hotels CEO Dillip Rajakarier, pictured right,said, “The property is currently undergoing a refurbishment of all its rooms and, when completed, will make a superb addition to AVANI’s growing portfolio of hotels and resorts.”

All 298 rooms and suites have balconies or terraces. The hotel sits in 14 acres of gardens overlooking Pattaya beach. This is the fourth AVANI property in Thailand.

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Not Every Lesson is Learned in the Classroom

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angkok Patana’s Residential programme is an integral part of the curriculum for students in both the Primary and Secondary Schools. From Year 3 onwards, the carefully planned Residential visits provide unique possibilities for students to develop through experience; one of the main aims is to involve them in activities and situations which they may not have previously experienced.

Each visit, whether it be to Kanchaburi for three nights or an outdoor adventure week in Pak Chong, is designed to enhance the mainstream curriculum and provide opportunities for personal and social development.

As students’ progress through the school, the experiences they gain on Residential visits support increasing indepenence and cover the following personal and social skills: • independence and self-discipline • initiative and problem solving • confidence and self-esteem • leadership • development of sound relationships among students • the ability to enjoy the environment without destroying it • flexibility and consideration for others • ability to work with others in a team • development of sound relationships between students and staff • communication But who better to tell you about the benefits of these visits than one of the students? Here Tia, currently in Year 10, reflects on what makes the Residential programme so unique: ““How was your Residential?” A question asked hundreds of times by eager parents, at crowded airport terminals or the front of school. But for every one of us, there were hundreds of answers we wanted to give; answers that ranged from camping underneath the stars to mountain biking for the very first time, each one a new experience, a new surprise.

Answers that led to amazement from parents when they

heard that we had achieved things of which we never thought we were capable. Residentials are more than just a week’s vacation from school work, parents and uniforms. The trips are full of adventure, interacting with people around us, teamwork and responsibility.

They are more than just a time when we can stay up late, take loads of photographs and stock up on bags of candy.

They are places where you discover a side of you that you never thought existed, where you suddenly divulge qualities and skills you never knew you possessed. In the midst of it all you find yourself by losing yourself.

You leave for the Residential visit as one person and return another. An alter-ego, a new personality. A quiet, hard working introvert found himself to be an outgoing, wild and carefree adventurer. A first class traveller found herself loving a night in a cramped tent.

Every trip is a new treasure of memories - a new journey of discovery; of diverse places and people, of bonding and exploration, of confidence and courage. Every year we add a new dimension to our personality, a new facet to our character. Without realising it, right from Year 3 in Primary through to Senior Studies, Residential visits teach us what no textbook ever could. They prepare us for what lies ahead.”

Demand for air travel continues to rise F

igures from the International Air Transport Association for global passenger traffic in September indicate that demand, as measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) grew seven percent compared to the same month in 2015.

This is the strongest year-over-year increase in seven months. Capacity climbed 6.6 percent and load factor edged up 0.3 percentage points to 81.1 percent. Growth in domestic traffic slightly outpaced growth in international traffic.

“September’s growth in passenger demand was healthy. Importantly, this rebound from August weakness suggests that travel demand is showing its resilience in the aftermath of terror attacks. We must, of course, be ever-alert to the ongoing terror threat. And overall the industry is still vulnerable to being buffeted by rising geopolitical tensions, protectionist political agendas, and weak economic fundamentals. This will still be a good year for the airline industry’s performance, but our profitability will continue to be hard-won,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s newly-appointed Director General and CEO. International Passenger Markets International RPKs climbed 6.9 percent with airlines in all regions recording growth compared to 2015.

Total capacity climbed 7.2 percent, causing load factor to slide 0.2 percentage points to 80.4 percent.

European carriers saw September demand rise 5.2 percent over September 2015. Capacity rose 5.7 percent and load factor slipped 0.4 percentage points to 84.8 percent, which was the highest among regions. De28

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Alexandre de Juniac

mand growth seems to be returning to normal after the disruption caused by terrorism and political instability.

Asia Pacific airlines’ traffic rose 8.6 percent in September compared to the year-ago period, although there are still signs of Asian travellers being put off by terrorism in Europe.

Capacity increased 7.7 percent, and load factor rose 0.7 percentage points to 77.9 percent.

The IATA statement adds that ‘in October the global aviation industry took a major step forward to ensuring sustainable growth’.

“The nations of the world came together through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to agree a plan to offset the environmental impact generated by future air traffic growth. In taking this unprecedented step toward achieving long-term sustainability for an entire

industrial sector, governments recognised the immense contribution aviation makes to economic development and global well-being,” added Alexandre de Juniac.

“In conjunction with our investments in more efficient technologies, infrastructure and operations, this will ensure that aviation can continue to be the business of freedom, connecting our world with safe, efficient, reliable and sustainable air transport.”

Initial financial results for Q3 2016 point to another solid quarter for aviation industry profitability and cash flow. Global airline share prices rose by 3.6 percent in October but have underperformed the wider equity market this year. Brent crude oil prices reached a 15-month high during October fell back in early November. IATA expects oil prices to ‘trend upwards gradually over the coming years’.

Is the Pound no longer sound?

By Paul Gambles

A

s the media dissects the damage the post-referendum weak Pound is causing, it’s worth taking a look to see if it really is all that bad for investors. Is this a new normal of expensive Dollars, or a short-term phenomenon that could be turned into an advantage?

One of the then-Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne’s many pre-referendum comments was that Britain leaving the EU would cause ‘a profound economic shock’ .

More recently the more right-wing side of the press has been shouting that Osborne’s – and other ‘Remainers’ – prediction of economic doom and gloom has not come to fruition.

And so it goes. Quite clearly UK politicians on both sides, as well as their media mouthpieces, still haven’t learned their lesson from the tumultuous summer.

To begin with, Britain hasn’t even left the European Union yet so there can be no direct effect to date. Yet the fall-out of the referendum result itself, rather than its consequences, has meant a significant drop in the value of Sterling on the currency markets.

Still, all of the headline nonsense can easily mask a significantly more far-reaching danger – yet another global financial crisis. With private debt still astronomical and oil, together with some other commodities prices, already two years into a dip we should really be looking at how to protect ourselves financially. Sterling could play a significant role. With the Pound dropping so far, so fast, the 30

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UK Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers his Autumn Statement in the House of Commons.

question that investors with a connection to Britain should be asking is whether to get rid of Sterling or continue to trust in the ‘stability’ it has shown over decades.

The answer to this comes down to the important question of whether or not the Pound is able to bounce back from its post-referendum slump. If it does, we’ll look back on the summer and autumn of 2016 as representing excellent value. If it takes years

to move back up or even fails to do so altogether, we’ll have had to count our losses and regard this period as the beginning of a new normal.

If investors were to decide to get rid of their Pounds, but wanted to dodge the expense of buying directly into Dollars, which currency would they buy? The reality is that, despite the dramatic drop, there is still an argument for buying Sterling. That’s because it’s the least bad major cur-

rency to hold, outside the US Dollar, and it’s going cheaply right now. That argument is compounded by the circumstances America is currently in.

The outlook stateside is uncertain over interest rates and its economic path following the presidential election. This will last a few months, as the newly-elected President will not be inaugurated until late January of next year. Consequently, for the time being, it’s unclear whether or not it’s a good strategy to possess greenbacks.

Another factor to consider is the adjustment mechanism which kicks in when a currency is too cheap. The low price stimulates growth in exports and inbound investment, and the resultant ‘boom’ thus causes the currency to eventually rise. This is exactly what happened in 1985 when the pound reached its record low of US$1.052 in the face of a strong Dollar policy. By October of that year Sterling was back averaging just over US$1.40.

The unknown element in all this is how long it will take for this adjustment to take place. We are currently in an era where there remains the high risk that yet another global financial crisis looms. Such an event would lead to a dash for Dollars, as investors seek a hard-currency safe haven. Doomsday Preppers are therefore probably holding on to Dollars right now; possibly in US$1 bills, like Ray Charles. The Genius used to like to be paid in US$1 bills, so that he knew he wasn’t getting underpaid.

Those who are not seeing Armageddon as imminent could do a lot worse than keep their Pounds; especially Brits, thus following the principle of holding on to base currency in risky times. Of course, that’s assuming your base currency is indeed Sterling.

If your base is the money where the economy is in particular dire straits, though, this principle doesn’t hold water and maybe it’s worth switching. Examples which leap to mind are the crisis-stricken Euro and the

Source: UKforex

RMB, due to China’s unaccountably bloated private debt and its recent poor results.

The latter also implies that, because of China’s huge economic influence throughout the continent, people in the rest of Asia need to hedge against currency risk too. That also goes for currencies of countries which depend heavily on raw materials exports, including Australia and Canada. The reason the latter group’s currencies are poor as a base is that their values are related to the inflated assets in those unbalanced economies and can therefore lose value should asset prices drop.

All that means that despite its recent, dramatic fall, the Pound’s longterm stability and Britain’s relatively broad-based economy enable Sterling to remain as a relatively good base currency. In other words, the Pound wins by default! The tallest dwarf in the room!

Ironically enough the Pound’s low value, which causes the concern in the first place, could actually work as an advantage. The sharp slide means that it currently comes with a 20 percent discount when it probably only really needed a 10 percent devaluation.

Sterling looks to have less potential to go any further down against the US Dollar than the other currencies

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/08/19/what-brexit-apocalypse-no-sign-ofeconomic-woe-after-the-referen/

mentioned. In addition, it has more upside than those currencies.

Finally, even if you are currently getting stung on exchange rates when you look around the rest of the world the Pound is still a relatively sound currency in which to keep your cash.

It may be a good time to plan that shopping trip to London.

Please note: While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained herein is correct, I cannot be held responsible for any errors that may occur. My views may not necessarily reflect the house view of MBMG Group. Views and opinions expressed herein may change with market conditions and should not be used in isolation.

Paul Gambles is co-founder of MBMG Group – a professional research and advisory firm that provides seamless advice to individuals, corporations and institutional clients.

Tel: +66 2665 2536 Email: info@mbmg-group.com Linkedin: MBMG Group Twitter: @MBMG_Group Facebook: /MBMGGroup

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IP considerations for app developers in south east Asia I

n a world of increasingly affordable smartphone technology and rapidly expanding connectivity, the digital marketplace makes room for new players on the scene: the app developers. Third party’s apps have become the core part of the smartphone package, providing users with almost limitless potential for productivity, utility, education and leisure. Apps are also serving as a huge part of smartphone marketing strategy and user attraction.

With the number of smartphones overtaking non-smartphones back in 2013 and total worldwide app related revenues set to top US$ 45 billion this year (2016), app development is an increasingly attractive industry for software producers.

South east Asia is one of the world’s fastest growing App market and is hailed by many as the ‘next frontier’ for app sales growth. With a population of 622 million across 10 countries, south east Asia has seen an increase in downloads of 40 percent between December 2013 and December 2014 and revenue growth of 75 percent .

The fastest growing south east Asian countries for both app downloads and revenue include Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam with each experiencing considerable growth in recent years, making these countries fantastic potential markets for app developers. Before taking products to these markets however, it is crucial for developers to both pro-

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tect their ideas and designs as well as ensure that the appropriate permissions and licenses are sought for any protected material included in their own apps.

Brand Protection Names of apps shall be catchy and distinctive. One of the first priorities of any business looking to enter a new

NEWS FROM THE IPR SME HELP DESK market should be brand registration, and as IP protection is a territorial right, brand protection is recommended in that jurisdiction. Brand is best and worldwide protected through registration of trade marks.

Trade mark registration is generally a simple process everywhere in south east Asia, but as most south east Asian countries function under the ‘first to file’ system this should be undertaken as early as possible, so as to avoid the risk of ‘bad faith’ registrations, and trade mark hijacking by domestic companies either seeking to take advantage of the target brand’s reputation or make a profit selling the mark back to the EU registered owner for a profit.

Additionally, SMEs should consider how their trade mark would translate into local languages. The registration of a trade mark in original Roman characters does not automatically protect the trade mark against the use or registration of the same or similar trade mark written in local scripts. If a local equivalent is not chosen, consumers will almost certainly choose their own, which might affect the reputation of the company. If this local name is not registered, companies also run the risk of another company freely copying, or registering the local trade mark themselves. In particular, in south east Asian countries SMEs are highly advised to register their trade marks in local script version such as Vietnamese, Tamil, Thai, Lao, Burmese or Khmer.

Some south east Asian jurisdictions, such as Singapore, protect unregistered trade marks based on regulations regarding ‘passing off ’, i.e. the misrepresenting of goods or services as being affiliated with another

brand. However, this type of protection is only applied where the brand has already built up reputation and goodwill amongst local consumers.

Copyright: software and content protection For rapidly developing software applications, copyright law offers an inexpensive, quick and easy method of procuring IPR protection at key stages of development, as well as for any images or written material associated with the app such as marketing materials and product descriptions on e-commerce platforms etc.

Most types of creative works protectable by copyright in Europe are also protectable in South east Asia and, as in Europe, are theoretically protected as soon as they are created. Software is also expressly protected by copyright in south east Asia, including source code, object code, as well as any written documentation or imagery used.

The copyright does not protect the ideas behind the program but will provide protection against any unauthorized running, copying, modifying or distribution of the software.

Due to the difficulties in proving ownership when it comes to infringement actions, it is often advisable to voluntarily register copyright in the countries where this service is available. This will be available in most of the south east Asian countries with the exception of Singapore, Brunei and Myanmar.

Software Patents Patent law for software in south east Asia varies significantly, with different requirements and guidelines issued by each jurisdiction. The re-

Most types of creative works protectable by copyright in Europe are also protectable in South east Asia and, as in Europe, are theoretically protected as soon as they are created.

quirements for patentability in most areas are similar to the EU. However, as a developing area of law in this region, many patent offices rely upon examination by external, more experienced, patent offices such as those in the United States, Japan, South Korea and from the European Patent Office. This helps to streamline any patenting procedures for EU app developers as any established apps will already be registered with one or more countries in the EU. Without these foreign patent grants the application process can be delayed for at least five years in many south east Asian countries.

Even with corresponding EU patents in hand, and being apps developed at very fast pace, patent applications often take a lot longer to be granted than the useful lifetime of many smartphone apps, and software patenting is of limited usefulness to the average developer. Furthermore, in some jurisdictions patents for software are entirely unavailable. In Indonesia, for example, the patent law specifically excludes rules and methods of doing business, as well as rules and methods concerning computer programs, from the definition of ‘invention’.

Design Patents In Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, app developers can also apply for design patents for their graphic user interfaces (GUI). This means that their function keys and functional components will be protected by design patents. In Singapore, one of the requirements to qualify for registration of design is industrial applicability. In order to satisfy this requirement, GUIs must be applied to an article by any industrial process. This means that when applying for a design patent for the GUI in Singapore, the applicant also needs to indicate the article that the GUI is applied to (e.g. the smartphone).

As to the designs for products with GUIs, the applicant should submit drawings or photographs that clearly

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depict the design for which patent protection is sought. Therefore, the drawings or photographs submitted should contain the view(s) of the overall product indicating the location of the GUI. However, it must be noted that registering GUI as a design patent is a relatively new option in Singapore, Thailand and in the Philippines and therefore app developers may still experience some difficulties when enforcing their GUI design patent rights as the courts are not yet very familiar with how to decide whether there has been an infringement of the patent.

Enforcement App store dispute resolution 2The first line of defence when dealing with infringing material or apps is to contact the app store on which the infringing products are listed. Online content dispute resolution services are offered by both Apple and Google for their app stores. Through the online forms, developers can identify infringing material, provide evidence of their IPR ownership and request infringing apps be taken down.

Other stores run similar services.

However, where app stores servicing the Android platform in the area do not publish in English, it is often best to engage local legal representation when requesting removal of infringing content.

Prior to the dispute resolution process it is often wise for developers to gather evidence of any infringements to their IP. This can consist of screenshots of the infringing apps’ page on the relevant app store, any relevant download numbers and if possible, screenshots of the infringing items in the app itself (most modern smartphones have a screenshot function which makes this process easier). Notarising this evidence will also be useful if it becomes necessary to take the case further or claim compensation.

Other remedies As for any other industry, civil, criminal and administrative procedures for IPR actions in case of trade mark, patent or copyright infringement will be generally available in south east Asia. However, the judicial experience and effectiveness of enforcement may vary across the different jurisdictions. This means that app developers should keep in mind that different enforcement strategies apply for different countries and shall therefore consult with local experts to determine the best strategy for their case. Administrative enforcement is generally the fastest, cheapest and most effective way of enforcing IP rights in many south east Asian countries. At the same time in countries such as Malaysia and Thailand, criminal actions are more effective in ending infringement because civil actions are lengthy and entail only negligible fines. Professional advice

is crucial when trying to create the most cost-effective IP enforcement strategy.

Take away messages • App developers should not forget to protect their brand. Reputation and names play a big part in consumer choices and infringement of company’s trade marks can mean permanent damages for the company • Copyright registration of software offers a certain way to prove IP ownership in case there are any problems of IP infringement. If an EU SME does not register its software through the relevant copyright registration system, it may be very difficult to prove ownership when enforcing the IP • Patents provide longer terms of protection (20 years in most south east Asian countries), but are expensive to procure and the short life cycle of apps often makes acquiring patents unproductive • App developers should also not leave themselves open to litigation and make sure to check in advance that their materials are not already registered domestically.

• Infringement issues can often be dealt with quickly by directly contacting app stores.

• IPRs are territorial and protection in other jurisdictions has no effect in south east Asia. SMEs need to register early and make sure to protect all of their core IP or someone else will.

The South-East Asia IPR SME Helpdesk supports small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) from European Union (EU) member states to protect and enforce their Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in or relating to South-East Asian countries, through the provision of free information and services. The Helpdesk provides jargon-free, first-line, confidential advice on intellectual property and related issues, along with training events, materials and online resources. Individual SMEs and SME intermediaries can submit their IPR queries via email (question@southeastasia-iprhelpdesk.eu) and gain access to a panel of experts, in order to receive free and confidential first-line advice within 3 working days. The South-East Asia IPR SME Helpdesk is co-funded by the European Union. To learn more about the South-East Asia IPR SME Helpdesk and any aspect of intellectual property rights in South-East Asia, please visit our online portal at http://www.ipr-hub.eu/.

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Valid from 16 - 31 Dec 2016

Conditions • Excluding the following items: wholesales (7 items or more bearing the same barcode / receipt), bulk pack of M-150’s products and Birdy’s products, electronics, all gift baskets, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, Brand’s products, infant formula and follow-up formula of baby milk powder, cooking oil, cooking sugar, internet card, international phone card, prepaid card, gift voucher and rental shop. • This coupon can be used with The 1 Card once / receipt. • The amount of normal-priced products on the receipt must be of greater value than 100 Baht. • The purchase price of 1,000 Baht must be net price after deducting discounts. • This coupon cannot be exchanged or redeemed for cash.

• Central Food Retail Co., Ltd. reserves the right to decline to accept coupons which appear to have been reproduced or tampered with. • Central Food Retail Co., Ltd. reserves the right to change terms and conditions without prior notice. • Central Food Retail Co., Ltd. reserves the right to approve the validity of a coupon.

Valid from 1 - 15 Jan 2017

Conditions • Excluding the following items: wholesales (7 items or more bearing the same barcode / receipt), bulk pack of M-150’s products and Birdy’s products, electro all gift baskets, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, Brand’s products, infant formula and follow-up formula of baby milk powder, cooking oil, cooking sugar, internet card, internati phone card, prepaid card, gift voucher and rental shop. • This coupon can be used with The 1 Card once / receipt. • The amount of normal-priced products on the receipt m be of greater value than 100 Baht. • The purchase price of 1,000 Baht must be net price after deducting discounts. • This coupon cannot be exchanged or redeemed for c • Central Food Retail Co., Ltd. reserves the right to decline to accept coupons which appear to have been reproduced or tampered with. • Central Food Retail Co., Ltd. rese the right to change terms and conditions without prior notice. • Central Food Retail Co., Ltd. reserves the right to approve the validity of a coupon.

MEMBER NEWS

Bangkok Patana School welcomes HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn H

er Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has presided over the official opening ceremony of the new Science Centre at Bangkok Patana School.

“This was a very auspicious occasion for Bangkok Patana School.

Her Royal Highness presided over the opening of this school campus in 1993 and we feel extremely humbled that she was here once again to open our Science Centre,” said Dr. Tej Bunnag, Chairman of the Bangkok Patana School Foundation Board.

Bangkok Patana School, founded in 1957, is Thailand’s original British international school. Governed by the not-for-profit Foundation Board, it is accredited by the Council of International Schools, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and is an IB World School.

The school currently has an enrolment of 2,200 students from over 60 different nationalities.

The new Science Centre provides Bangkok Patana School students with 21st century scientific learning environments where they can push the boundaries of their learning.

The building has separate floors for Biology (and Environmental Systems and Societies), Chemistry and Physics.

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Year 12 student Sarah Lim escorts HRH Maha Chakri Sirindhorn around the new Science Centre at Bangkok Patana school.

MEMBER NEWS

Dusit lands deal to manage new Phuket hotel D usit International has signed a management agreement with Phuket-based property developer Layana Development Co., Ltd. to operate the dusitD2 Phuket Aria in Surin Beach.

Located on the west coast of Phuket between Bang Tao and Kamala Beaches just 30 minutes by car from Phuket International Airport Surin Beach is dubbed ‘millionaire’s row’ – reflecting the cluster of high-end resorts and residences.

The new dusitD2 Phuket Aria is scheduled to open in 2020 with room categories ranging from studios and one-bedroom units to two-bedroom units and family suites.

Ideal for long-stay guests, all rooms will feature a pantry equipped for simple cooking. The project is being designed by Original Vision.

Pictured, from left to right, are Rustom Vickers, VP – Hotel Business Development, Dusit International; Suphajee Suthumpun; Miss Edamel Chua Boon Chin and Mr Michael Choo Choon Yeow, co-owner of Layana Development.

dusitD2 brand in Surin Beach will be a huge success and will also pave

the way for more exciting developments to come.”

Speaking at the signing ceremony at the Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, Group CEO Suphajee Suthumpun said, “Surin Beach is a wonderful destination and the hip, young, design-conscious crowd it attracts is the ideal market for our distinctively modern brand. We look forward to working with Layana Development to create an experience that not only delights in terms of contemporary design and gracious service, but which also meets the needs of today’s hyper-connected travellers.”

Miss Edamel Chua Boon Chin, co-owner of the Layana Development Company, said, “We are thrilled to be partnering with a hospitality company as experienced as Dusit International. We are confident that, with Dusit’s expertise, the

Ahmet Idem Akay ( fifth from left), First Counsellor (Deputy Chief of Mission) of the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey to Thailand hosted a cocktail reception to celebrate the 93rd Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Turkey held at Dusit Thani Hall of Dusit Thani Bangkok. The event was well attended by H.E. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul ( fourth from left), Minister of Tourism and Sports, with foreign diplomats and honorable guests.

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MEMBER NEWS

Record year for Shrewsbury students

S

tudents at Shrewsbury International School in Bangkok have received further recognition from the Cambridge International Examination Board (CIE) for their extraordinary examination performances. With 33 awards (more than a quarter of the 118 prizes awarded this year), Shrewsbury students once again feature prominently in the 2016 CIE Outstanding Learner Awards list.

In addition to 12 High Achievement awards Shrewsbury students secured 19 ‘Top in Thailand’ accolades for their performances in different ‘A’ Level, ‘AS’ Level and IGCSE subject examinations. Amongst the winners was Pira (Pip) Srivikorn, with two ‘Top in Thailand’ awards for ‘AS’ Level Economics and Physics performances, adding to the three ‘Top in Thailand’ awards that he received for his IGCSE exams last year.

Kochakorn (Mint) Buasri was named as the top overall performer in Thailand over eight different IGCSE examinations. This is the third suc-

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cessive year that the award goes to a Shrewsbury student. Khun Mint was also named as winner of the ‘Top in Thailand’ prize for her IGCSE Mathematics exam.

Since 2004 Shrewsbury students have won 170 CIE awards, but this year’s record haul, spanning arts, languages, sciences and social science subjects, marks a particularly special achievement.

Shrewsbury’s reputation as a ‘centre of excellence’ in Art & Design was once again underlined with another ‘Top in Thailand’ prize for Team Shrewsbury Gold athlete Klesa Wilson at IGCSE. An outstanding ‘AS’ Level portfolio brought Senior Prefect and Drama Scholar Nina Molloy the ‘Top in the World’ prize.

This is the tenth such award for the Shrewsbury Art Department in the last six years.

“I am truly delighted that the hard work and efforts of our wonderful students has once again been recognised by the Cambridge International Examination Board”, said Steve Allen, Head of Shrewsbury’s Senior School.

“I have been to schools in Thailand and in America, but the Art Department at Shrewsbury is on another level”, said Nina, who did not study Art at IGCSE level and only discovered her talent for painting at the end of last year. She said that she ‘found inspiration and motivation from the talented Shrewsbury artists working around her’.

“For the 30 students who won prizes this year, these awards are the icing on the cake. However, in this year of record breaking examination results, this is another moment for all members Shrewsbury community to celebrate – teachers, parents and fellow students alike. I am proud that our ambitious and talented students are able to leave Shrewsbury not only equipped with fantastic, life-long qualifications that open the door to leading universities and careers beyond, but also understanding the value and rewards of hard work and commitment to their studies”.

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New Ipsos study highlights business opportunities post-BREXIT

B

ritain’s shock referendum result to leave the EU may have temporarily roiled international markets and weakened investor confidence in the region but it has also created a unique opportunity for British firms to expand trade and build long-term partnerships beyond the borders of Europe, a new study finds.

es identify and exploit trading opportunities outside of Europe,” says Peter Snell. “These businesses and their trading partners simply cannot afford to sit and wait for the government to negotiate the terms and conditions of Brexit with the EU. Regardless of how people feel about the result to leave the EU, the decision has been made,” he adds.

CREATING OPPORTUNITY: How to build a new era of trade for postBrexit Britain, published by Ipsos Business Consulting, outlines key opportunities for British companies in established, emerging and frontier markets outside of Europe.

“Ipsos Business Consulting takes the view that British businesses must work together to make the best of the situation by expanding their footprint beyond Europe, reshaping Britain’s global trading map and creating a brighter future for generations to come.”

Ipsos Business Consulting CEO Peter Snell

The timely 18-country study draws on the consultancy’s extensive global network of country offices and trade specialists who combine on-theground fact-based insights on the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia with a careful analysis of Britain’s own areas of expertise.

Britain will be free to negotiate trade deals with other countries on its own terms, or use alternative existing structures such as WTO mechanisms, once it has formally exited the EU and disentangled itself from the grouping’s legal and regulatory framework. However, given negotiations to leave the EU will take at least two years, British businesses must move now to seize opportunities further afield, according to Ipsos Business Consulting CEO Peter Snell.

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The report shows how British industry powerhouses such as automotive, pharmaceuticals, and power generation and machinery have the potential to leverage their global reputation for excellence to strengthen their position around the world.

Firms operating in the transport and infrastructure, power generation and machinery sectors should seek opportunities in emerging markets with long-term housing, logistics and power development projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Ipsos Business Consulting’s Head of Europe and the Americas Lynn Morgan

Retailers should look east to Asia, a continent full of opportunity for most sectors.

“Ipsos Business Consulting produced this report to help British business-

Key elements of the report from Ipsos include:

MEMBER NEWS pitfalls for each market • Industry sector report, a table outlining the key established and emerging market opportunities for British businesses by sector • The latest World Bank Ease of Doing Business index for each country (released in October 2016) Ipsos Business Consulting has also created a Brexit microsite to pool the consultancy’s research and strategic advice on the implications of Britain’s departure from the EU. “We are here to help provide certainty for British businesses in these uncertain times,” says Lynn Morgan, Ipsos Business Consulting’s Head of Europe and the Americas.

“Knowledge is the most powerful resource businesses can have when looking to enter new markets. That’s why we avoid political analysis and focus on providing a fact-based view on the opportunities and challenges in each market,” she adds. “Of course, we can also help tailor GoTo-Market strategies to their specific needs.”

• Market analysis of 18 countries across five continents, including an Ipsos Business Consulting Expert View for each market

• BEYOND BREXIT: Opportunities and challenges building British trade outside of the EU, which identifies the key prospects and

The Ipsos Brexit microsite can be found at www.ipsosconsulting.com/ brexit-strategy.

Director of Sales & Marketing at the Ramada Plaza Bangkok Menam Riverside hotel Mr. Jose de Jesus Ting (right) welcomes Thailand’s Minister for Tourism and Sports H.E. Khun Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul to the hotel’s exhibition stand at World Travel Market (WTM) in London.

WTM, launched in 1980, is one of the world’s largest travel trade events. It attracts more than 50,000 senior travel industry professionals and typically generates contracts worth in excess of US$4 billion.

“It was a real honour to welcome the Minister to our stand at WTM. She is a fantastic ambassador for Thailand’s tourism industry,” says Jose.

“It was very clear from the feedback we received in London that Thailand remains one of the world’s most popular destinations and I am confident that we will enjoy yet another record year in 2017.”

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Asia Pacific millennials framing new regional lifestyle trends A

sia Pacific millennials share similar long-term lifestyle priorities with other generations, despite often superficial perceptions of this emerging superclass, according to research published by CBRE. The company’s inaugural report on this demographic, ‘Asia Pacific Millennials: Shaping the Future of Real Estate’, redefines the perceptions of millennials in the dynamic Asia Pacific region and details how they approach lifestyle priorities through defined life, work and play ambitions.

The findings of the report demonstrate that perceptions of millennials as preferring informal employment, changing jobs regularly and avoiding financial responsibility are inaccurate in this region.

According to the report most millennials save money to buy a home and spend prudently – in line with previous generations. The report also illustrates that this demographic aspires to carve out a stable career but take into account factors such as office design when selecting an employer—with 71 percent of respondents willing to give up other benefits for a better office environment.

“The millennial demographic in Asia Pacific is a game-changer for businesses across the board. Their live, work and play priorities and habits will shape economics, redefine opinions on workplace design and functionality, and drive new

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necessary capital to buy their own home.

The survey found that Asia Pacific millennials do aspire to own their own home, with 65 percent of respondents planning to buy property in the future. However, 63 percent of respondents said that they are forced into renting as they are unable to buy, and until they have the financial means to live independently, millennials will continue renting.

Dr. Henry Chin

attitudes towards consumption and experience for the foreseeable future,” said Steve Swerdlow, CEO at CBRE Asia Pacific.

“Millennials represent the fastest source of spending power regionally and serve as the most influential demographic framing future trends in real estate through their lifestyle behavior, requirements and priorities of living, working and play,” observed Dr. Henry Chin, Head of Research at CBRE Asia Pacific.

Almost two thirds of the region’s millennials are still living with family because of cultural practices and financial factors. In most major markets surveyed, the high cost of residential property across the region is providing challenges for Asia Pacific millennials to accumulate the

When they do intend to buy a property, the survey found that Asia Pacific millennials will not purchase a home until they can find one that meets their living standards in terms of quality, size and location.

“Developers and city administrators should take heed of these trends by constructing more affordable housing for rent and sale,” said Dr. Chin.

“In response to the challenges for millennials to accumulate capital for down payments, there needs to be innovation in structuring mortgages for young first-time homebuyers.”

Millennials comprise 25 percent of the total workforce population in Asia Pacific and serve as an evolving demographic influencing decision-makers in the business world and the future of the workplace in terms of design.

While salary and benefits are still the main draw when considering a job, millennials also factor in lifestyle elements such as office design, flexible

MEMBER NEWS working, location and commuting time. The survey findings underline the importance of a high quality office environment with more than 70 percent of respondents stating that employers should put more thought into their working environment. Millennials view their office and its immediate surroundings as a community where they can relax, socialise and engage in other activities.

Due to the advent of technology, millennials are also increasingly demanding the freedom to work anywhere at any time. More than 60 percent of Asia Pacific millennials desire flexibility and mobility at work.

Job loyalty by millennials is also stronger than perceived with two thirds expecting to work for the same company, or for a small number of companies, throughout their career.

The findings reveal that inspiration, responsibility and career progres-

sion are prerequisites to attracting and retaining the talent of millennials. People-centric workplace strategies that embrace diversity, choice and community, major draw cards for Asia Pacific millennials in career choice, can keep talent happier, more engaged and more productive.

Asia Pacific millennials are more likely to spend their time and money on leisure activities and experiences like travel, entertainment and dining than previous generations, the CBRE report adds.

Millennials shop online - at an average of 4.7 days per month - but only physical venues such as shopping centres provide them with the experiences and social elements that they require. Millennials visit shopping centres for purposes other than to buy products, such as dining out, banking and visiting exhibitions, at an average of three days per month.

However, slower economic growth and a desire to save money for purchasing a home may inhibit future spending on leisure activities, according to the CBRE research.

“In order to leverage on millennials’ spending habits, retailers are recommended to increase the experience-based element of their offering and focus on providing an environment for visitors to socialise and relax. In addition to increasing F&B, cinema and entertainment elements in their shopping malls, retail landlords should consider organising more live events to attract millennials. However, they should also manage carefully their tenant mix to ensure that they still cater to other generations,” added Dr. Chin.

For a copy of the Millennials report, please contact Khun Ngamjai Jearrajarat, Head of Marketing & Communications, CBRE. Email: ngamjai.jearrajarat@cbre.co.th

Industry honour for Graham Macdonald F

ormer BCCT Chairman Graham Macdonald MBE has been named International Personality of the Year at the International Investment magazine’s International Fund and Product Awards 2016.

Over the last 22 years Graham, who is Chairman Emeritus of MBMG Group, has achieved recognition in the United Kingdom (MBE), in Thailand (Director of the Board of Trade, Chairman of the British and South African Chambers of Commerce) and throughout his professional career as an outstanding industry figure.

Since he co-founded MBMG Group

in 1995 his drive and integrity have been key factors in the group’s growth with 100 employees servicing over 2,400 clients in such diversified financial services as insurance, investments, taxation, accounting, audits, legal and property from five offices in three countries.

Graham served as President of the ‘Care for Kids’ charity from 1998 to 2010; as Secretary of ‘The Lighthouse Club – Eastern Seaboard’, and as Vice Chairman of ‘World of Wine’, a socially focussed business which gives all profits to charitable causes. Graham has been President of the Royal British Legion Thailand since 2009.

Although now living in semi-retirement, Graham is providing expert counsel to Macallan Insurance Brokers on the Eastern Seaboard in Thailand.

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MEMBER NEWS

New phase begins at Brighton College Bangkok W ork has begun on the second phase of the recently-opened Brighton College campus in Bangkok. This new construction projects embraces the Preparatory and Senior Schools and also provides indoor and outdoor sports complexes and a performing arts centre.

Pre-prep students between the ages of two and nine years have been attending classes since September 2016. Phase 2 is scheduled to take pupils for the Preparatory and Senior Schools in September 2017.

Khun Nusara Banyatpiyaphod, Chairman of the Board of Governors, said, “Our founding pupils who joined us in September 2016, along with our outstanding teachers, have

helped us build a vibrant, unique community in a short period of time.

Our small class sizes allow us to know our pupils extremely well, allowing for a forensic focus and individualised learning.”

Headmaster David Tongue said, “Brighton College provides its pupils with a healthy and happy balanced school life, a key ethos to a Brighton education.

“Our team of inspirational teachers, 75 percent of which have taught in leading UK independent schools, provide children with an unparalleled level of attention to detail. This means each child’s achievements are noticed and celebrated and he or she can become the very best version of themselves possible.

Students in the Prep Phase at Harrow Bangkok presented One Sky Foundation charity with the cash donated by pupils, teachers and parents in the school’s coffee shop collection boxes. The One Sky Foundation works to improve the lives of vulnerable children living in Sangkhlaburi, close to Thailand’s border with Myanmar.

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“For us, excellence does not only refer to academic performance but also in becoming well-rounded individuals and pursuing talent in sport, drama, music, languages, or any field where a pupil’s interest lies.”

MEMBER NEWS

Laying the foundations in Thailand C ompanies looking for modern distribution centres in Thailand could choose the ‘buildto-suit’ option, according to an expert at CBRE Thailand.

Build-to-suit is where a developer constructs a building according to a tenant’s specification and agrees to lease the building on pre-agreed terms and rent upon completion.

Adam Bell, Head of Industrial & Logistics Services at CBRE, says that there are now more developers interested in this type of investment and the key to success for a user is to follow a disciplined process to get both the best product and the best terms. A build-to-suit lease is normally for a minimum of 10 years, reflecting the developer’s investment in the occupier’s specific requirements.

“The first step is to decide on a clear set of requirements,” explains Adam Bell. “This will include location, accessibility, avoidance of truck restrictions, land size and shape.

This would be similar to setting the requirement to find an existing building. The key difference is the next step which is to produce a very detailed specification similar to that which would be provided to a contractor if the user wanted to construct their own building.”

The decision on whether to buy land and build or rent either an existing building or a build-to-suit is driven by many factors, including a company’s attitude to owning real estate.

For some foreign companies, owning is not an option if the desired location is outside of an industrial estate because of restrictions on foreign ownership of land.

If a decision is made to rent, then the choice is whether to rent an existing building or look at a build-to-suit option.

The specification is critical and must

be as detailed as possible. “To get the best financial terms for the best quality building, the user needs a real estate adviser and project manager at the beginning of the process,” added Adam.

Kasina Ansvananda, a Year 10 student at Harrow International School Bangkok, has won First Prize in Youth Category Junior Course at the 17th Osaka International Music Competition. Kasina’s success continued in the recent Beethoven Competition when she again landed the top prize in the String Group B (13 - 17 years).

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MEMBER NEWS

Top awards for MQDC M QDC Magnolia Quality Development Corporation has picked up several top awards at the Thailand Property Awards 2016. The company won eight awards including Best Developer (Thailand) and also received commendations in five categories.

The recognition for MQDC covered corporate and project awards embracing different aspects such as overall development, sustainable development, ‘green’ concepts, luxury and affordable high rise segments, and excellence in architectural, interior and retail designs.

MQDC, part of the DT Group of Companies, focuses upon the development of residential, mixed use and hospitality products.

Other awards received included ‘Best Residential Interior Design’ (The

Terry Blackburn (centre), Founder and Managing Director, Asia Property Awards is joined on stage by Raj Tanta, Nanta Group President – DTGO Corporation Limited and Khun Visit Malaisirirat, CEO – MQDC Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited.

Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok), ‘Best Green Development’ (Whizdom Station Ratchada

– Thapra), and ‘Best Luxury Condo Development (Magnolia Waterfront Residences at ICONSIAM).

Myanmar business opportunities Khun Singtong Lapisatepun, Director-General at the Department of East Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, presided over a seminar on ‘Myanmar’s Trade and Investment Insights: Keys to unlocking a successful business endeavour’, held at the Dusit Thani Bangkok.

Photo from left: U Kyaw Thura, Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; Chatchai Viriyavetchakul, Director of Division 2 of Department of East Asian Affiars; H.E. Lt. Akrasid Amatayakul, former Thai Ambassador to Indonesia: H.E. Pradap Pibulsonggram, former Thai Ambassador to Italy; U Moe Kyaw, Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI); Khun Singtong Lapisatepun; H.E. Pisa46

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nu Suvanajata; Ye Min Aung from UMFCCI; Dr. Mar Lar Myo Nyunt, Director of the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration of Myanmar; Khun Panitarn Pavarolavidya, President of the Thai-

land-Myanmar Business Council and Deputy Secretary General of The Federation of Thai Industries, and Khun Thawatchai Hengprasert, Vice Chairman of The Federation of Thai Industries.

MEMBER NEWS

JLL launches tender process for Thailand hotels A

portfolio of hotels in Thailand and India are being offered for sale through an international tender process with JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group. The Premier Inn portfolio comprises hotels in Bangkok, Pattaya, New Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune and Goa. Thailand’s tourism industry is destined to achieve another record year in 2016 with over 33 million international visitor arrivals. India is continually ranked as one of the fastest growing economies in the world with a 2016 forecast GDP growth of 7.6 percent.

“With vacant possession and prime central locations, portfolios of this size and scale were rarely offered to market. We expect interest from global, regional and domestic investors attracted by a platform opportunity allowing for immediate rebranding to the operator of their choice,” said Mike Batchelor, Managing Director of Investments Sales, JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group for Asia.

cent foreign ownership in a country where foreigners are typically restricted to owning a maximum 49 percent of freehold real estate.

With a collective key count of 388, the two hotels in Thailand are being offered with a rare privilege of 100 per-

Due for completion in the first half of 2017, the Bangkok property is located in Sukhumvit Soi 11 at the heart of the

An artist’s impression of the planned Premier Inn in Bangkok that is now for sale through JLL.

city’s retail and entertainment precinct.

Rebranded in 2015 the Pattaya Hotel is located minutes from Pattaya’s popular Second Road and in close proximity to the beach, retail malls and the Walking Street.

Noina tunes in to more musical success

N

oina, a Year 10 student at Harrow International School Bangkok, passed the semi-final round of the Bangkok Regional Round of the 17th OSAKA International Music Competition in Thailand on 3rd July 2016 with Gold Prize, later she won the First Prize in

Youth Category Junior Course in the Final Stage of the 17th Osaka International Music Competition on 2nd October 2016 in Japan finally. Remarkably, she is the first young Thai violinist who got this honorable prize.

Recently on 26th October, Noina also

won the 1st prize winner of String Group B (Age 13-17) in The Final Beethoven Competition 2016 Additionally, she also passed the DVD rounds of SET Youth Musician Competition 2016, which will be continued on 13th November 2016.

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MEMBER NEWS

Franco Thai business networking in Bangkok H .E.Sihasak Phuongketkeow, Thai Ambassador to France, presided over the Franco-Thai Business Networking Luncheon for MEDEF International Delegation (French Business Confederation) on their official visit to Thailand held at the Dusit Thani Bangkok.

This event was organised by by the Franco-Thai Chamber of Commerce, Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB), French Foreign Trade Advisors (CCEF Section Thaïland) and the French Embassy in Thailand. François Corbin, President of the France-Thai Business Council of MEDEF International, was the keynote speech.

Pictured from left to right: Philippe Gautier, CEO of MEDEF International; Khun Piyabutr Cholvijarn, Vice Chairman of Board of Trade of Thailand and Thai Chamber of

Commerce; Khun Supant Mongkolsuthree, Honorary Chairman of Federation of Thai Industries; H.E. Mr. Gilles Garachon; H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuongketkeow; François Corbin, President of the France-Thailand Business Council of MEDEF International; Alexandre Dupont, Pres-

ident of the Franco-Thai Chamber of Commerce; Paul Dumont, Vice President of the French Foreign Trade Advisors in Thailand (CCE) and Khun Thaveelap Rittapirom, Executive Director and Executive Vice President of Thai Bankers’ Association.

Luxury award for Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok H ilton Sukhumvit Bangkok has been named as a regional winner in the luxury hotel brand category at the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2016 held in Qatar.

“We are delighted and honored to be rewarded by an industry experts and guests who have experienced our amazing property. The award shows that Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok is not

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only a luxury hotel but also that we really care for our guests. It demonstrates that the Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok is well positioned to meet the growing demand for upscale accommodation, offering the finest hospitality service in the world famous city of Bangkok”, said General Manager Ian Barrow.

The World Luxury Hotel Awards is a recognised global organization pro-

viding luxury hotels with recognition for their world class facilities and service excellence provided to guests.

Awards are presented to luxury hotels in different categories on a country and global basis. Voting is based on facilities and service excellence and votes are cast by hotel guests staying at more than 1,000 hotels in 87 countries.

MEMBER NEWS

Jumbo polo lands CSR award for Anantara T he King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament, organised by Anantara Hotels & Resorts, has received the Silver Award for ‘Sports CSR Initiative of the Year’.

The award was presented at an event organised by Sport360° and MMC Sportz in partnership with the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Sports Authority of Thailand.

The SPIA Asia 2016 Awards received 208 entries from 17 countries for the 19 awards categories.

Since its inception in 2001 the King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament has built a reputation as one of Thailand’s biggest charity events, raising more than US$ 1.3 million. All proceeds from the event are donated to conservation and welfare projects that help Thailand’s elephant population.

The 2017 King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament will be held on land adjacent to the Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort.

Chatrium mourning ceremony for HM the King

T

he management of Chatrium Hotels and Residences led by Patrick Manthe, General Manager of Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok, Mario Bayer, General Manager of Emporium Suites by Chatrium, Magne Hansen, General Manager of Chatrium Residence Sathon Bangkok,

Tanasak Vanichavit, General Manager of Maitria Hotel Sukhumvit 18 – A Chatrium Collection, and employees led by Managing Director Khun Savitri Ramyarupa gathered to attend a mourning ceremony for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Pier 28, Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok.

All attendees listened to a mourning speech and stood in nine minutes of silence to contemplate the tragic loss and reflect on the good deeds and profound love King Bhumibol gave to all his loyal subjects, followed by a monks’ ceremony in the Chatrium Ballroom.

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MEMBER NEWS

Limited supply drives Bangkok office rental growth T he Bangkok office market has performed in 2016 with limited new supply and healthy take up driving rental growth and further reducing already low vacancy rates, according to CBRE Research Thailand.

Net take-up was on track to reach around 180,000 square metres by year end with a healthy pre-leasing demand. This trend was first noted

by CBRE Research in 2015, prior to which significant tenant commitments in advance of a building’s completion were rare.

The real estate specialists state that Bangkok office rents are set to increase by an average of 6.5 percent this year with Grade A and B rents rising by around eight percent and five percent respectively.

Bhiraj Tower at EmQuartier has achieved a rental rate of THB 1,000 per square metre per month for a small, standard specification unit, thus becoming one of three completed office buildings in Bangkok to pass that significant earnings threshold. Park Ventures Ecoplex, located at the corner of Wireless and Phloen Chit roads, was the first to break the THB1,000 per square metre level in 2013. That property has since set a new record, attracting THB 1,300 per square metre for a small, standard specification unit.

Khun Nithipat Tongpun, Head of Office Services at CBRE Thailand, reported that a total of 151,000 square metres of new office space will be completed in 2016. This space includes two new buildings, Thairath and Osotspa. The completion of these two buildings increases the total Bangkok office supply to 8.54 mil50

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lion square metres, representing a year-on-year increase of 1.7 percent.

The Bangkok office market saw its first wave of obsolescence with the demolition of Kian Gwan One and Vanissa Building, removing 28,000 square metres from Bangkok’s leasable office stock.

Khun Nithipat expects this trend to continue as owners of older buildings consider options against a backdrop of central land price appreciation and rising rents.

Despite an increase in supply, the overall occupancy rate had increased to 91.8 percent when the report was published in early December. Accumulated net take-up is on track to reach 180,000 square metres for 2016, a slight reduction from 2015, but sufficient to reduce the overall vacancy by 0.8 percentage points year-on-year.

Pre-leasing demand has continued to show strength with Gaysorn Tower and M Tower, both slated for completion in Q2 2017, building upon the success of FYI Centre in securing significant commitments from tenants at least six months prior to completion.

While a number of developers have earmarked considerable land holdings for office developments, collectively able to accommodate about one million square metres of leasable space, only 463,000 square metres is due for completion through to 2019.

In this context, CBRE believes that the overall occupancy rate will continue to grow and that office rents will further rise over the coming 12 months.

MEMBER NEWS

Wyndham Hotel Group chief sets eyes on Thailand K laus Sennik, General Manager of the Ramada Plaza Bangkok Menam Riverside hotel, has welcomed top executives from the Wyndham Hotel Group.

The delegation, visiting Thailand on a fact-finding mission, was led by Geoff Ballotti, President & CEO of the Wyndham Hotel Group, and fellow executives to Thailand.

The Ramada Plaza Bangkok Menam Riverside hotel, celebrating its thirtieth anniversary this year, is a very successful member of the global Wyndham organisation.

Klaus Sennik said, “It was a pleasure to welcome Geoff Ballotti on his first visit to Thailand. He was keen to learn more about the country’s thriving tourism and hospitality sectors. He also extended his congratulations, on behalf of the Wyndham Hotel Group, to the owners and staff of the Ramada Plaza Bangkok Menam Riverside hotel for 30 very successful years as a major hotel in the nation’s capital.”

Wyndham Hotel Group is the world’s largest and most diverse hotel business with a global portfolio of nearly 8,000 hotels offering 683,300 rooms in 73 countries.

Pictured from left: Charin Tuncharoen (Executive Assistant Manager); Mrs. Duangjai Sawatraksa (Front

Office Manager); Barry Robinson, President & Managing Director – Wyndham Asia Pacific and Pacific Rim; Klaus Sennik; Geoff Ballotti, President & CEO – Wyndham Hotel Group; Gary Croker, Senior Vice President – Wyndham Vacations, and Jose Ting - the hotel’s Director of Sales & Marketing.

Chatrium’s new Sales Director

C

hatrium Residence Sathon Bangkok has appointed Miss Anrawiwan Vongvisetson as Director of Sales. She was previously Corporate Associate Director of Sales for the property’s parent company Chatrium Hotels & Residences. Her previous experience includes roles at Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit and Emporium Suites by Chatrium.

Khun Anrawiwan’s duties embrace overall responsibility for the strategic

leadership of the Chatrium Residence Sathon Bangkok sales department and team as well as working in close conjunction with the property’s other directors to formulate corporate strategy. Chatrium Residence Sathon General Manager Magne Hansen said, “It’s an absolute pleasure to welcome Khun Anrawiwan to our team.

Her experience at our corporate office will certainly be a boon to our existing and future sales strategies. We’re delighted to have her on board.”

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current account surpluses, and a very dynamic public investment program designed to provide for industrial and social needs into the next decade. Come what may, in terms of external political and economic conditions, the present government wants to look good by fourth quarter 2017.

That is the time that elections are due, although other commitments may result in further delays.

Dataconsult

Chamber Events

By the Numbers

Chris Bruton Director, Dataconsult Ltd.

I

t seems but yesterday that we were composing “By the Numbers” for Quarter 4 of 2015, yet another year has gone by. And what a year it has been. Duterte won (with a minority vote) the Philippine presidency, and has presided over an increasing number of assassinations of supposed offenders, but without any trials to prove their guilt. Then there was Brexit (with an admittedly majority vote), which looks ominously like the assassination (or suicide?) of a whole nation.

Then came the election (with a minority vote) of Donald Trump to the presidency of one of the world’s most democratic nations. Since Trump has not yet taken over Washington, it is premature to start writing the post mortem. However Trump is working hard to kill off the Trans Pacific Partnership, globalization, not to mention praise for dictators, embezzlers and human rights violators. But Trump is a flexible man, so all that may change once he is seated in the Oval Office. Finally, in Thailand, a home-grown referendum validated yet another Constitution, which may by default bring about stability if hardly the ultimate in democracy. However worldwide experience suggests that stability and democracy do not always go together. Finally, and most saddening of all, Thailand lost a great, sagacious and benevolent Monarch. For most Thai citizens, at least those aged 70 years or less, they have known no other. Times change, and we must change with them, looking to a future of uncertainty but with hope for a better 2017.

Nevertheless there are bright spots, notably the prospect of modestly improving GDP growth, slightly stronger exports, favourable trade and

rates, yet hamstrung by numerous bureaucratic and infrastructure shortcomings, Thailand is a natural hub and ideal international sub-regional headquarters. If and when infrastructure projects become realities, Thailand can further benefit by linking its East / West access with a North / South access to China and the Malaysian Peninsula. However, for the time-being, progress is likely to be slow, and some opportunities missed.

Fortunately while officialdom delays, the Thailand business community is moving forward, with companies such as C.P, Thai Charoen, Central Group and even state-linked PTT progressing throughout the ASEAN Region and beyond.

As a nation, Thailand sometimes tries to shoot itself in the foot, but thankfully misses its aim, so moves happily forward in spite of itself.

In terms of ease of doing business, Thailand has remained stable in global ranking, but could so easily achieve dramatic improvement, if the current government were to use the draconian power that it has given itself to reform the bureaucratic limitations that hold back investment, both local and foreign. With the surrounding Mekong Region countries achieving high GDP Economic Projections for 2015 and 2016

2015

2016f (as of October 2016)

2017f (as of October 2016)

Average

Range

Average

Exogenous Variables Average Economic Growth of Major Trading Partners (percent y-o-y)

3.48

3.25

3.00 to 3.50

3.34

2.84 to 3.84

Dubai Crude Oil Price (USD/bbl)

51.2

41.0

38.0 to 44.0

49.2

44.20 to 54.20

Export price in U.S. dollar (percent y-o-y)

-2.3

-0.3

-0.8 to 0.2

1.6

0.60 to 2.60

Import price in U.S. dollar (percent y-o-y)

-10.8

-2.6

-3.1 to -2.1

3.4

2.40 to 4.40

Exchange Rate (Baht per U.S. dollar)

34.2

35.2

34.65 to 35.65

35.3

34.25 to 36.25

Repurchase Rate (Policy Rate) at year-end (percent y-o-y)

1.5

1.5

1.3 to 1.8

1.5

1.00 to 2.00

Fiscal-Year Public Expenditure (Trillion Baht)

3.2

3.4

3.4 to 3.4

3.5

3.5 to 3.6

Number of International tourists (million persons)

29.9

33.3

32.8 to 33.8

37.2

36.24 to 38.24

2.8

3.3

3.0 to 3.5

3.4

2.9 to 3.9

2.1

2.9

2.6t to 3.1

3.2

2.7 to 3.7

2.2

3.1

2.8 to 3.3

2.0

1.5 to 2.5 1.2 to 2.2

Policy Variables

PROJECTIONS Economic Growth Rate (percent y-o-y) Real Consumption Growth (percent y-o-y) - Real Private Consumption - Real Public Consumption Real Investment Growth (percent y-o-y) - Real Private Investment

-2.0

1.6

1.4 to 1.9

1.7

- Real Public Investment

29.8

10.7

10.4 to 10.9

6.2

5.7 to 6.7

0.2

3.2

3.0 to 3.5

2.6

2.1 to 3.1

Export Volume of Goods and Services (percent y-o-y) Import Volume of Goods and Services (percent y-o-y)

-0.4

0.7

0.4 to 0.9

3.1

2.6 to 3.6

Trade Balance (billion U.S. dollar)

34.6

35.2

35.0 to 35.5

32.0

31.5 to 32.5

- Export Value of Goods in U.S. dollar (percent y-o-y)

-5.6

-0.5

-0.8 to -0.3

1.8

1.3 to 2.3

- Import Value of Goods in U.S. dollar (percent y-o-y)

-11.3

-5.1

-5.3 to -4.8

4.0

3.5 to 4.5

32.0

34.9

34.6 to 35.1

32.8

32.3 to 33.3

Current Account (billion U.S. dollar)

8.1

8.8

8.5 to 9.0

7.9

7.4 to 8.4

Headline Inflation (percent y-o-y)

- Percentage of GDP

-0.9

0.4

0.1 to 0.6

2.1

1.6 to 2.6

Core Inflation (percent y-o-y)

1.1

0.8

0.5 to 1.0

0.9

0.4 to 1.4

Source: Fiscal Policy Office, Ministry of Finance

Gross Domestic Product at current price (total value) (countries ranked by 2016 size) Country China United Kingdom India Indonesia Thailand Philippines Malaysia Singapore Vietnam Myanmar Cambodia Lao Brunei

2010 6,066.21 2,431.17 1,708.46 755.26 340.92 199.59 255.02 236.42 112.77 49.54 11.23 6.84 13.71

2011 7,522.16 2,611.11 1,822.99 892.59 370.61 224.14 297.96 275.23 134.60 59.98 12.82 8.06 18.53

2012 8,570.28 2,655.46 1,828.98 919.00 397.29 250.09 314.44 289.27 155.57 59.73 14.06 9.40 19.05

2013 9,635.21 2,721.49 1,863.21 914.55 419.89 271.84 323.28 300.29 170.57 60.13 15.24 10.79 18.09

2014 10,557.64 3,002.39 2,042.56 890.60 404.32 284.83 338.07 306.36 185.90 65.75 16.78 11.85 17.12

(US$ billion) 2015 11,181.56 2,858.48 2,073.00 858.95 395.30 292.45 296.28 292.73 191.45 62.88 17.79 12.56 12.93

2016 11,391.62 2,649.89 2,250.99 940.95 390.59 311.69 302.75 296.64 200.49 68.28 19.37 13.76 10.46

2017 12,361.74 2,609.91 2,457.75 1,014.87 403.64 348.59 336.30 311.28 215.92 75.75 20.94 14.81 11.82

2018 13,576.05 2,709.19 2,695.18 1,096.90 417.39 389.48 376.68 322.71 234.19 83.94 22.74 15.97 12.53

2015 7.031 7.563 7.559 7.036 6.9 5.907 6.679 4.794 4.968 2.82 2.245 2.008 -0.551

2016 8.072 7.617 7.478 6.992 6.588 6.4 6.1 4.935 4.3 3.234 1.837 1.695 0.376

2017 7.696 7.608 7.264 6.911 6.171 6.697 6.2 5.3 4.6 3.274 1.051 2.23 3.947

2018 7.75 7.669 7.304 6.795 6.03 6.8 6.2 5.5 4.7 3.097 1.651 2.642 1.712

Gross Domestic Product at constant prices (growth) (countries ranked by 2016 size) Country Myanmar India Lao Cambodia China Philippines Vietnam Indonesia Malaysia Thailand United Kingdom Singapore Brunei

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2010 5.345 10.26 8.131 5.963 10.606 7.632 6.423 6.378 7.528 7.507 1.915 15.24 2.652

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2011 5.591 6.638 8.04 7.07 9.5 3.66 6.24 6.17 5.294 0.834 1.509 6.208 3.744

2012 7.333 5.619 7.898 7.313 7.9 6.684 5.247 6.03 5.473 7.231 1.313 3.67 0.913

Range

MAJOR ASSUMPTIONS

2013 8.428 6.639 7.968 7.428 7.8 7.064 5.422 5.557 4.694 2.702 1.911 4.675 -2.125

2014 8.7 7.244 7.501 7.072 7.3 6.217 5.984 5.024 6.013 0.818 3.07 3.26 -2.349

2019 14,917.96 2,814.26 2,981.82 1,177.57 436.47 435.91 422.59 334.71 254.32 92.78 24.73 17.22 14.31

2020 16,458.03 2,927.64 3,297.45 1,273.81 457.21 487.99 472.69 347.07 275.76 102.45 26.83 18.52 16.55

2021 18,033.35 3,022.20 3,650.62 1,408.13 482.31 542.88 526.55 357.29 299.35 113.45 29.06 19.89 18.87

(Percentage change year-on-year) 2019 7.622 7.828 7.213 6.757 6 6.9 6.2 5.8 4.9 3.034 1.792 2.635 9.064

2020 7.652 7.956 7.082 6.519 5.9 7 6.2 6 5 3.034 1.914 2.635 13.029

2021 7.659 8.122 7.097 6.285 5.8 7 6.2 6.001 5 3.034 1.904 2.635 13.171

Gross Domestic Product per capita (countries ranked by 2016 size) Country Singapore United Kingdom Brunei Malaysia China Thailand Indonesia Philippines Vietnam Lao India Myanmar Cambodia

2010 46,569.40 38,735.56 35,437.22 8,920.48 4,523.95 5,062.68 3,178.13 2,155.41 1,297.23 1,069.75 1,429.60 996.632 781.912

2011 53,094.64 41,259.50 47,092.30 10,252.59 5,582.93 5,479.29 3,688.53 2,363.88 1,532.31 1,236.24 1,497.40 1,196.92 877.635

2012 54,452.20 41,683.67 47,640.77 10,655.46 6,329.41 5,846.34 3,744.53 2,591.36 1,752.62 1,414.46 1,471.43 1,181.92 945.702

2013 55,617.22 42,452.95 44,540.12 10,699.66 7,080.96 6,147.99 3,675.58 2,768.61 1,901.70 1,593.59 1,479.50 1,179.58 1,010.39

(Current prices US$) 2014 56,009.54 46,478.84 41,568.80 11,009.10 7,718.59 5,889.02 3,531.80 2,844.06 2,048.95 1,717.97 1,600.85 1,278.71 1,095.62

2015 52,887.77 43,902.35 30,993.11 9,500.52 8,140.98 5,742.42 3,362.36 2,862.90 2,088.34 1,786.94 1,603.61 1,212.77 1,144.49

2016 53,053.26 40,411.71 24,713.31 9,545.52 8,260.88 5,662.31 3,635.81 2,991.38 2,164.28 1,921.19 1,718.69 1,306.65 1,227.67

2017 55,252.40 39,526.20 27,560.85 10,426.26 8,928.67 5,841.85 3,870.80 3,279.98 2,306.66 2,029.20 1,852.19 1,438.79 1,307.51

2018 56,683.06 40,747.78 28,834.49 11,482.88 9,767.37 6,033.11 4,129.70 3,592.88 2,475.92 2,147.23 2,004.75 1,583.10 1,399.32

2019 58,183.00 42,049.17 32,529.00 12,667.04 10,695.24 6,302.70 4,376.18 3,942.25 2,660.95 2,271.50 2,189.15 1,738.08 1,499.24

2020 59,761.89 43,462.76 37,177.61 13,931.90 11,763.50 6,597.10 4,672.74 4,326.76 2,855.36 2,397.45 2,389.45 1,907.09 1,602.61

2014 83,798.43 80,114.77 40,474.24 25,089.18 15,561.82 13,326.58 10,662.92 6,938.98 5,765.82 5,657.02 5,107.41 5,015.93 3,282.02

2015 85,382.00 79,507.62 41,498.62 26,211.19 16,130.09 14,339.92 11,148.54 7,282.27 6,187.23 6,036.60 5,479.88 5,351.47 3,498.26

2016 87,082.00 79,710.80 42,513.93 27,234.31 16,835.44 15,423.69 11,699.41 7,696.16 6,658.34 6,421.73 5,953.15 5,718.55 3,735.97

2017 90,249.48 83,513.25 43,578.80 28,612.04 17,730.54 16,660.21 12,421.47 8,223.32 7,223.65 6,894.08 6,500.23 6,148.76 4,019.60

2018 93,847.51 85,846.88 45,040.02 30,156.40 18,690.58 18,014.05 13,243.09 8,815.02 7,859.14 7,417.95 7,119.92 6,628.79 4,329.85

2019 97,466.54 94,545.72 46,569.48 31,804.85 19,671.28 19,456.00 14,141.39 9,446.26 8,552.40 7,971.61 7,782.29 7,131.26 4,656.54

2020 101,191.00 107,819.35 48,156.20 33,532.83 20,681.46 20,976.62 15,110.05 10,119.34 9,306.04 8,555.73 8,500.52 7,652.75 4,990.38

2014 5.908 5.927 6.395 3.852 3.143 1.988 4.085 4.174 1.472 1.895 -0.174 1.025 5.5

2015 11.446 4.908 6.363 1.225 2.104 1.441 0.631 1.409 0.05 -0.9 -0.448 -0.523 5.3

2016 9.835 5.494 3.658 3.068 2.101 2.075 2.049 1.957 0.743 0.271 -0.258 -0.31 -3.265

2017 9.05 5.155 4.152 2.733 2.966 2.3 3.65 3.446 2.506 1.605 0 1.124 2.3

2018 7.7 5.26 4.399 3.025 2.927 2.4 3.9 3.472 2.6 1.854 0.1 1.842 2.7

2019 7.45 5.199 4.297 2.918 3 2.6 4 3.537 2 2.072 0 1.9 3.1

2013 103.055 85.995 67.96 51.83 60.127 55.904 36.928 42.247 34.159 39.258 32.055 24.847 2.209

2014 98.46 87.935 68.326 55.134 63.037 55.58 39.831 43.568 29.729 36.398 32.262 24.695 2.305

2015 104.749 88.984 69.07 58.253 62.954 57.393 42.919 43.108 34.339 34.795 32.538 27.304 2.813

2016 106.364 88.997 68.49 62.004 61.745 56.625 46.3 43.627 34.218 33.375 32.968 27.485 3.402

2017 105.682 88.827 67.211 64.566 62.604 55.714 49.866 44.299 34.216 32.365 33.622 28.244 3.025

2018 104.183 88.564 65.561 66.029 63.558 54.301 52.597 45.072 34.678 31.433 34.337 29.233 2.837

2019 102.671 86.648 63.526 66.981 64.573 52.497 54.615 45.671 34.98 30.557 34.859 29.88 2.476

2013 17.906 -1.231 20.881 1.538 4.188 3.484 4.54 -1.731 -3.183 -4.394 -4.917 -12.332 -28.946

2014 17.468 3.813 31.881 2.628 3.777 4.388 5.115 -1.311 -3.089 -4.664 -5.601 -12.11 -22.845

2015 19.787 7.84 12.031 2.957 2.871 2.995 0.473 -1.065 -2.055 -5.363 -7.759 -10.62 -23.115

2016 19.304 9.65 4.318 2.378 1.778 1.204 0.384 -1.42 -2.262 -5.934 -8.297 -10.167 -17.957

2017 19.309 7.668 -4.109 1.622 1.391 1.486 0.105 -2.002 -2.334 -4.301 -8.098 -9.424 -17.619

2018 18.324 5.866 -0.158 1.365 1.104 1.494 0.178 -2.186 -2.438 -3.886 -7.137 -8.905 -15.33

2019 17.351 4.618 12.022 1.145 0.818 1.499 0.354 -2.149 -2.307 -3.689 -7.121 -8.199 -14.478

2020 16.525 3.2 13.334 0.928 0.533 1.502 0.463 -2.179 -2.303 -3.812 -6.74 -8.472 -14.179

2013 1,360.72 1,259.35 248.818 98.185 89.691 68.297 64.106 50.979 30.214 15.087 6.77 5.399 0.406

2014 1,367.82 1,275.92 252.165 100.149 90.728 68.657 64.597 51.419 30.709 15.313 6.898 5.47 0.412

2015 1,373.49 1,292.71 255.462 102.152 91.678 68.838 65.11 51.846 31.186 15.543 7.029 5.535 0.417

2016 1,378.98 1,309.71 258.802 104.195 92.637 68.981 65.572 52.254 31.716 15.776 7.163 5.591 0.423

2017 1,384.50 1,326.94 262.185 106.279 93.607 69.095 66.03 52.645 32.255 16.013 7.299 5.634 0.429

2018 1,389.94 1,344.40 265.613 108.405 94.587 69.182 66.487 53.019 32.804 16.253 7.438 5.693 0.434

2019 1,394.82 1,362.09 269.086 110.573 95.577 69.251 66.928 53.378 33.361 16.497 7.579 5.753 0.44

2020 1,399.08 1,380.01 272.604 112.784 96.577 69.305 67.36 53.722 33.929 16.744 7.723 5.808 0.445

GDP Purchasing-power-parity per capita (countries ranked by 2016 size) Country Singapore Brunei United Kingdom Malaysia Thailand China Indonesia Philippines India Vietnam Myanmar Lao Cambodia

2010 70,561.19 79,302.82 35,868.75 20,335.84 13,181.29 9,251.84 8,432.70 5,550.36 4,445.17 4,395.52 3,678.78 3,719.08 2,462.23

2011 74,910.12 82,567.71 36,853.38 21,498.39 13,505.89 10,290.47 8,973.56 5,734.77 4,749.19 4,716.98 3,932.90 4,022.07 2,646.49

2012 77,173.21 83,492.21 37,774.37 22,742.22 14,680.37 11,252.08 9,554.34 6,121.66 5,003.37 5,003.44 4,262.68 4,336.88 2,841.96

2013 80,766.72 81,729.54 38,873.26 23,630.68 15,243.92 12,265.12 10,108.43 6,546.31 5,351.30 5,304.38 4,655.86 4,670.98 3,056.51

(Current US$)

Inflation: average consumer prices (countries ranked by 2016 size) Country Myanmar India Indonesia Cambodia Malaysia China Vietnam Philippines United Kingdom Thailand Brunei Singapore Lao

2010 8.222 9.497 5.14 3.997 1.72 3.3 9.21 3.784 3,302 3.28 0.216 2.823 5.984

2011 2.766 9.544 5.344 5.478 3.174 5.4 18.669 4.718 4.463 3.809 0.142 5.248 7.581

2012 2.829 9.936 3.981 2.925 1.664 2.646 9.103 3.171 2.801 3.015 0.108 4.576 4.259

2013 5.711 9.437 6.413 2.955 2.105 2.624 6.595 2.933 2.568 2.185 0.382 2.359 6.371

2010 97.025 75.737 67.458 48.084 62.095 51.94 33.09 39.859 49.691 43.462 29.367 24.525 1.113

2011 101.093 81.324 69.643 45.787 56.902 52.636 33.086 39.137 44.958 41.412 30.298 23.106 2.129

2012 105.811 84.818 69.073 47.921 62.191 54.552 34.021 41.946 39.949 40.609 32.051 22.96 2.101

2010 23.81 2.94 36.595 3.92 3.597 10.082 -3.792 -2.813 0.702 -2.739 -1.098 -6.847 -18.783

2011 22.816 2.402 34.709 1.809 2.519 10.894 0.173 -4.289 0.189 -1.786 -1.842 -10.166 -18.353

2012 18.096 -0.377 29.838 2.513 2.779 5.166 5.957 -4.803 -2.657 -3.668 -4.002 -11.003 -29.262

2010 1,340.91 1,195.06 237.641 92.6 86.933 67.341 62.76 49.708 28.589 14.365 6.396 5.077 0.387

2011 1,347.35 1,217.44 241.991 94.82 87.84 67.638 63.285 50.11 29.062 14.605 6.521 5.184 0.393

Source: World Economic Outlook Database, October 2016

2012 1,354.04 1,243.00 245.425 96.51 88.762 67.956 63.705 50.537 29.51 14.864 6.646 5.312 0.4

2021 6.854 4.94 3.997 0.249 3 3 4 3.5 2 2.473 0.1 1.9 3.1

2020 101.146 84.322 61.408 67.549 65.293 50.489 56.131 45.702 35.133 29.775 35.295 30.367 2.134

2021 99.552 82.108 59.237 67.917 65.665 48.415 57.213 45.445 35.036 29.134 35.543 30.853 1.855

(Percentage of GDP)

Population ASEAN+2 (countries ranked by 2016 size) Country China India Indonesia Philippines Vietnam Thailand United Kingdom Myanmar Malaysia Cambodia Lao Singapore Brunei

2020 7.1 5.03 4.097 3.165 3 3 4 3.454 2 2.216 0.2 1.9 3.3

(Percentage of GDP)

Current Account Balance (countries ranked by 2016 size) Country Singapore Thailand Brunei China Philippines Malaysia Vietnam India Indonesia United Kingdom Myanmar Cambodia Lao

2021 105,117.75 123,223.90 49,827.05 35,372.90 21,759.14 22,617.38 16,153.48 10,845.96 10,146.95 9,219.01 9,293.63 8,217.75 5,339.15

(Percentage change year-on-year)

General Government Gross Debt (countries ranked by 2016 size) Country Singapore United Kingdom India Vietnam Lao Malaysia China Thailand Myanmar Philippines Cambodia Indonesia Brunei

2021 60,944.40 44,587.42 41,882.98 15,259.85 12,856.55 6,955.21 5,098.82 4,719.07 3,078.02 2,526.71 2,611.01 2,098.96 1,709.70

2021 15.7 2.212 15.09 0.767 0.245 1.505 0.697 -2.176 -2.258 -3.817 -5.737 -8.646 -13.717

(million persons)

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2021 1,402.66 1,398.16 276.168 115.04 97.253 69.345 67.781 54.05 34.505 16.995 7.87 5.863 0.45

Issue 4/2016

53

World Bank: Ease of Doing Business Survey 2017 Economy

Ease of Doing Business Rank 2016

2017

(Ranking based on 190 countries)

Dealing with Construction Permits

Starting a Business

Getting Electricity

Registering Property

Getting Credit

Protecting Minority Investors

Paying Taxes

Trading Across Borders

Enforcing Contracts

Resolving Insolvency

Singapore

1

2

6

10

10

19

20

1

8

41

2

29

United Kingdom

6

7

16

17

17

47

20

6

10

28

31

13

United States

7

8

51

39

36

36

2

41

36

35

20

5

Australia

13

15

7

2

41

45

5

63

25

91

3

21

Malaysia

18

23

112

13

8

40

20

3

61

60

42

46

Netherlands

28

28

22

87

45

29

82

70

20

1

71

11

Thailand

49

46

78

42

37

68

82

27

109

56

51

23

Brunei

84

72

84

37

21

134

62

102

89

142

93

57

China

84

78

127

177

97

42

62

123

131

96

5

53 125

Vietnam

90

82

121

24

96

59

32

87

167

93

69

Indonesia

109

91

151

116

49

118

62

70

104

108

166

76

Philippines

103

99

171

85

22

112

118

137

115

95

136

56

India

130

130

155

185

26

138

44

13

172

143

172

136

Cambodia

127

131

180

183

136

120

7

114

124

102

178

72

Lao PDR

134

139

160

47

155

65

75

165

146

120

88

169

Myanmar

167

170

146

66

149

143

175

179

119

159

188

164

Source: World Bank Group, June 2016

Foreign Direct Investment Inflows and outflows 2010 - 2015

(Million US Dollars)

FDI inflows

Country

FDI outflows

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

SE Asia total

110,572

95,939

116,391

128,689

124,792

125,732

61,110

62,035

54,726

78,802

75,331

66,681

Singapore

55,076

48,329

57,150

66,067

68,496

65,262

35,407

31,459

18,341

39,592

39,131

35,485

United Kingdom

58,200

42,200

55,446

47,592

52,449

39,533

48,092

95,586

20,701

-18,771

-81,809

-61,441

Indonesia

13,771

19,241

19,138

18,817

21,866

15,508

2,664

7,713

5,422

6,647

7,077

6,250

Vietnam

8,000

7,519

8,368

8,900

9,200

11,800

900

950

1,200

1,956

1,150

1,100

Malaysia

9,060

12,198

9,239

12,115

10,877

11,121

13,399

15,249

17,143

14,107

16,369

9,899

Thailand

14,568

3,271

16,517

16,652

3,537

10,845

8,162

6,258

10,597

11,934

4,409

7,776

Philippines

1,298

1,852

2,449

2,430

6,813

5,234

616

339

1,692

3,647

6,754

5,602

Myanmar

6,669

1,118

497

584

946

2,824

-

-

-

-

-

-

Cambodia

1,342

1,372

1,835

1,872

1,720

1,701

21

29

36

46

43

47

Laos

279

301

294

427

721

1,220

-1

-

-

1

2

1

Brunei

481

691

865

776

568

173

-84

71

283

859

382

508

Timor-Leste

29

47

39

50

49

43

26

-33

13

13

13

13

Source: UNCTAD, World Investment Report 2016

Foreign Direct Investment Stocks: inward and outward ( 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) Southeast Asia FDI Inwards Stock

Country SE Asia total

(Million US Dollars) FDI Outwards Stock

2010

2012

2013

2014

2015

2010

2012

2013

2014

2015

1,144,153

1,319,479

1,553,205

1,687,452

1,704,891

601,067

596,075

720,413

845,669

913,349

Brunei

4,140

13,302

14,212

6,219

6,061

543

699

134

134

2645

Cambodia

6,162

8,413

9,399

13,035

14,739

340

423

465

484

531

Indonesia

160,735

205,656

230,344

253,082

224,843

6,672

11,627

16,070

24,052

30,171

1,888

2,483

2,779

3,630

4,850

12

9

14

-

16

101,620

132,400

144,705

133,767

117,644

96,964

120,396

133,996

135,685

136,892

Laos Malaysia Myanmar

14,507

11,910

14,171

17,652

20,476

-

-

-

-

-

Philippines

25,896

31,027

32,547

57,093

59,303

6,710

8,953

13,191

35,603

41,100

Singapore

632,760

682,396

837,652

912,355

978,411

766,129

401,426

497,880

576,396

625,259

Thailand

139,286

159,125

185,463

199,311

175,442

21,369

52,561

58,610

65,769

68,058

Timor-Leste United Kingdom Vietnam

155

237

230

316

332

94

-

83

86

86

1,057,188

1,321,352

1,605,522

1,662,858

1,457,408

1,574,707

1,808,167

1,884,819

1,584,147

1,538,133

57,004

72,530

81,702

90,991

102,791

2,234

-

-

7,490

8,590

Source: UNCTAD, World Investment Report 2016

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Issue 4/2016

Britain in South East Asia (BiSEA) Fax: 603-2163-1781 Email: britcham@bmcc.org.my Website: www.bmcc.org.my Chairman: Andrew Sill General Manager: Nik Tasha Nik Kamaruddin CAMBODIA British Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia British Chamber of Commerce, Cambodia (BritCham) Office: British Embassy, #27-29 Street 75, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Tel: 855-1232-3121 E-mail: executivedirector@ britchamcambodia.org Website: www.britchamcambodia.org Chairman: David Tibbott Executive Director: Olivia Widen

INDONESIA British Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia Wisma Metropolitan 1, 15th Floor, Jl. Jend, Sudirman Kav 29-31 Jakarta, Indonesia 12920 Tel: 62-21-522-9453 Fax: 62-21-527-9135 Email: chriswren@britcham.or.id Website: www.britcham.or.id Chairman: Adrian Short Executive Director: Chris Wren

MALAYSIA British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce E04C1, 4th Floor East Block Wisma Selangor Dredging 142-B Jalan Ampang 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: 603-2163-1784 /1786

MYANMAR British Chamber of Commerce Myanmar Hintha Business Centre Floor 3, 608 Merchant Street (corner of Merchant & 31st) Pabedan Township Yangon, Myanmar Email: stephanie@ britishchambermyanmar.com Chairman: Peter Beynon FCA Project Director(OBNi): Ms Chole Taylor

PHILIPPINES British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines c/o The British Embassy Manila 120 Upper McKinley Road McKinley hill, Taguig City 1634 Metro Manila, Philippines Tel: 632-858-2255/858-2372/ 858-2373 Fax: 632-858-2390 Email: chairman@bccphil.com Website: www.bccphil.com Chairman: Chris Nelson

SINGAPORE British Chamber of Commerce in Singapore 138 Cecil Street, #11-01 Cecil Court Singapore 069538 Tel: 65-6222-3552 Fax: 65-6222-3556 Email: info@britcham.org.sg Website: www.britcham.org.sg President: Mr. Bicky Bhangu Executive Director: Brigitte Holtschneider

THAILAND British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) 7th Floor, 208 Wireless Rd., Lumpini Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Tel: 66-2651-5350-3 Fax: 66-2651-5354 Email: greg@bccthai.com Website: www.bccthai.com Chairman: Simon Matthews Executive Director: Greg Watkins

VIETNAM British Business Group Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City G/F 25 Le Duan Blvd, District 1 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Tel: 84-8-3829-8430 Fax: 84-8-3822-5172 Email: info@bbgv.org Website: www.bbgv.org Hanoi 193B Ba Trien, Hai Ba Trung District Hanoi, Vietnam Tel: 84 4 6674 0945 Chairman: Kenneth M Atkinson Executive Director: Adair The LinkErikIssue 4/2016 55

Chamber Events

2016 Ploenchit Fair The British Community came together once more to help those in Thailand less fortunate than themselves as Ploenchit Fair returned to Bangkok Patana School on Saturday 26th November. Once again the BCCT office team, board directors and friends ran the Grand Raffle with prizes as extravagant as ever including holidays to London and other destinations. The Grand Raffle raised THB 627,000.

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Chamber Events

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57

Chamber Events

T3 Business Networking

Eastern Seaboard Briefing

On Thursday 18 August, more than 150 BCCT members and guests enjoyed food & drinks including sparking Jacob’s Creek at the T3 Business Networking at the Campus, Grand Hyatt Erawan. Pictured from left: Chris Thatcher (BCCT Events Group Chairman), Marcus Akabi-Davis (Organo) and Quentis Sapis (Pernod Ricard). Many thanks to our food & drink sponsors Grand Hyatt Erawan & Pernod Ricard Thailand for their generous support.

BCCT held a briefing on consular services for members in eastern seaboard on Friday 19 August. Speakers from left: Margaret Tongue (Deputy Head of Mission) made a short introduction as the new DHM and the work of the Embassy; Jem Wild (Head of Engagement & Customer Services) gave a 30 minutes presentation on consular services, focusing on the issues we have in Thailand and Jeff Mitchell MBE (Vice Consul) from British Embassy.

Joint Chambers ESB Networking

Western Seaboard Networking

The Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard Business Networking on Friday 19 August at Pullman Pattaya draw over 150 members and guests from the American, Australian, British, Belgian-Luxembourg, German, Netherlands, Singapore and South African chambers. Thank you to our sponsors – Bromsgrove International School, Samitivej Hospital, Regus and Pullman Pattaya.

Anthony Kelly (middle), owner of Red Piano & Hot Property kindly hosted the Western Seaboard Networking Evening on Friday 26 August. It is an enjoyable evening and great opportunity to meet and network in Hua Hin.

Thank you to our sponsors.

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Chamber Events

BCCT Briefing on Solar Rooftops

BCCT Half-Day Workshop

Tuesday 30 August BCCT held a briefing on solar rooftops and energy efficiency for businesses. This workshop offers updates and guidance to management-level staff in companies who want to evaluate whether the time is right to invest in PV (photovoltaic) solar rooftops and/or energy efficiency programmes. Pictured from left: Raymond Schonfeld (Single Market Ventures & A10 Solar), Ali Adam (Arcadia), Fabio Frescia (Arcadia) and Dr. Dusit Kruangam (Thai Solar Future).

On Wednesday 31 August, John McNulty (pictured standing), Managing Director of People Focus Consulting Asia Pacific, facilitated BCCT Half-Day Workshop on ‘Coaching for results’. This program gave participants the skills they need to coach direct reports or team members and help them take ownership of their development and commit to making a change.

Thai-UK 2016 On Wednesday 7 September, Thai-UK 2016 was officially launched. The four-day international exhibition from Wednesday 7 - Saturday 10 September is organised by the collaboration of British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) and Bangkok Exhibition Services to celebrate 70th year anniversary of BCCT and to show the best of British business and partnerships in Thailand and the UK. Pictured of the opening ceremony from left: Justin Pau, General Manager of Bangkok Exhibition Services; Paul March, Managing Director of Oversea Exhibition Services; H.E Brian Davidson, British Ambassador to Thailand; Simon Matthews, BCCT Chairman and Greg Watkins, BCCT Executive Director.

Thank you to our sponsors.

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Chamber Events

T3 Business Networking

BCCT Cambodia Briefing

On Thursday 15 September, over 120 members and guests socialised and networked at the T3 Business Networking at Trader Vic’s kindly hosted by Anantara Riverside. Pictured from left: Special Events Director (Anantara Riverside) Pinyaluck Dhammawatcharaphan; BCCT Events Group Chairman Chris Thatcher; GM Nikolaus Priesnitz and BCCT Chairman Simon Matthews.

BCCT Cambodia Briefing on Construction was held on Wednesday 21 September at the British Business Centre.

Pictured from left are Executive Director (British Chamber of Commerce Cambodia) Olivia Widen and Senior Project Manager (ACH Management Cambodia) Justin Landis, discussed on developments in the construction sector and potential opportunities in Cambodia.

Phuket Business Dinner On Thursday 22 September British Ambassador Brian Davidson (third from left) was guest speaker at BCCT Phuket Business Dinner at Amari Phuket. HMA covered UK update post Brexit, Embassy update and Phuket related issues such as tourism safety. The event was a success. Many thanks to our generous sponsors: from left Simon Matthews (ManpowerGroup), Paul Poole (Paul Poole The Sponsorship Experts), Gulu Lalvani (Royal Phuket Marina), Elena Dragunova (Regus), Grenville Fordham (Meetinthailand) and BCCT Events Group Chairman Chris Thatcher.

Thank you to our sponsors.

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Chamber Events

Half-Day Thai Language Workshop

Business-University Collaborations

BCCT Half-Day Thai Language Workshop on ‘SpeakPro Telesales Skills’ was held on Tuesday 27 September at Pachara Suite. Pachara (Billy) Yongjiranon (pictured standing), Corporate Trainer & Presentation Coach at SpeakPro Training, facilitated this workshop. The course helps participants to be confident in making calls. It also gives essential tips on how to manage the clients.

Wednesday 28 September, BCCT organised a boardroom briefing on Business-University Collaborations with two speakers from the University of Bath Professor Gary Hawley, Dean & Medlock Chair of Engineering and Dr. Marianne Ellis, Senior Lecturer of Department of Chemical Engineering.

BCCT-MBMG Insights

BCCT/British Embassy Briefing

Thursday 29 September, BCCT-MBMG Insights event featured former Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Khun Abhisit Vejjajiva on topic Thailand-UK Opportunities in the post-referenda era. Pictured from left are Christopher Bruton (Dataconsult), Graham MacDonald (MBMG Group), Khun Abhisit, BCCT Vice Chairman Chris Thatcher, BCCT Chairman Simon Matthews and Paul Gamble (MBMG Group).

On Tuesday 4 October, BCCT in collaboration with British Embassy hosted the breakfast briefing with Mr. Mark Garnier MP, Parliamentary Undersecretary of State in the UK’s Department for International Trade and, until recently, the UK’s Trade Envoy to Thailand, Burma and Brunei. Mark offered his thoughts on the new UK government’s approach to international trade and investment, and how the UK-Thailand partnership fits into this.

Thank you to our sponsors.

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Chamber Events

Chiang Mai Business Dinner

BCCT Site Visit to Tesco Lotus DC

BCCT organised a Chiang Mai Business Dinner on Wednesday 5th October with new British Ambassador H.E. Brian Davidson. HMA covered UK Brexit, Embassy update and Chiang Mai related issues.

Thanks to our sponsors Prem Tinsulanonda International School and MOVACI. Pictured from left: Mary Cooper (Prem Tinsulanonda International School), Shinya Aoki (Consul-General of Japan at Chiang Mai), Alun Cooper (Prem Tinsulanonda School), Ambassador, BCCT Vice Chairman Chris Thatcher, Carrie and Darryl Crist (MOVACI) and Ben Svasti (British Honorary Consul Chiang Mai).

On Wednesday 12 October BCCT members visited Tesco Lotus Distribution Centre in Lumlukka. This Distribution Centre is one of Tesco Lotus’ six state-of-the-art distribution centres. Built to environmental-friendly and high safety standards, the DC takes fresh food products from around 1,000 suppliers and distribute them to Tesco Lotus stores in various locations.

BCCT One-Day Workshop

T3 Business Networking

Neil Stoneham (standing), Managing Director of Voxtree, facilitated BCCT One-Day Workshop (Write Clearly, Get Results!) on Tuesday 15 November at Aloft Bangkok Hotel.

This workshop allowed participants to learn how to get to the point in your business writing, and convey key messages in a clear and inspiring way.

The last T3 Business Networking of this year on Thursday 17 November was kindly hosted by Radisson Suites on Sukhumvit Soi 13. The event was a great success with over 120 members & guests experiencing the new restaurant Punjab Grill, a modern interpretation of Indian Cuisine.

Pictured from left are BCCT Events Group Chairman Chris Thatcher, BCCT Business Services Manager Khun Ekjaree Thanasawangkul and Radisson Suites GM Simon Ramsay.

Thank you to our sponsors.

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Comings and Goings The British Chamber of Commerce Thailand welcomes the following new members:

Amnuay Silpa School 304/1 Ayutthaya Road Ratchathewee, Bangkok 10400 Tel: +66 2354-5 267 Email: josephp@amnuaysilpa.ac.th Website: www.amnuaysilpa.ac.th

Representatives: Mr. Joseph Pine - Head of School/ Principal Mrs. Petchuda Kesprayura – CEO Background: Our Ninety year long history includes educating five Prime Ministers of Thailand. We have always been committed to providing the highest standard of holistic bilingual education. We believe this to be the critical and profound step in preparing children for a successful future as tomorrow’s leaders.

Aviation Service Asia (Thailand) Ltd 25/12 Soi Sukhumvit 16 Sukhumvit Road, Klongtoey Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 2 260 7585 Fax: +66 2 260 7586 Email: enquiries@asag.aero Website: www .asag.aero

Representatives: Mr. Simon Paul Wagstaff - Founder & Chairman Ms. Phassana Phudwanna - Sales & Marketing Manager Background: Business Aviation – Corporate Security – Luxury With offices spanning 6 countries and operating over 1,000 airports in Asia,business aviation has been the

focus of The ASA Group for quite some time. Becoming known for excellence in ground handling supervision, permits, slots, private jet services, corporate security, VIP security, close protection and luxury concierge. We provide a full suite of global possibilities to businesses and VIP leisure travelers, with a clear focus on the Asia Pacific Region.

Being the first and only group to offer such services globally, our air charters allow executives to divide more efficiently their limited time with their demanding schedules, whilst our corporate security expertise ensures smooth coordination on the ground.

Thanks to our in-depth proficiency in ground handling and permits, the most challenging aviation regulations turn into maneuverable operations complementing the most demanding requirements from bespoke luxury services.

Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park TCC Hotel Asset Management Co., Ltd. 199 Soi Sukhumvit 22, Sukhumvit Rd., Klongton Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 (0) 2 059 5555 Fax: +66 (0) 2 059 5888 Email: bookbkkmarquis@marriott.com Website: bangkokmarriottmarquis.com

Representatives: Mr. Roger Parnow - Cluster Director of Sales and Marketing Mr. Sanya Supanakorn - Cluster Director of Corporate Sales Background: Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park signifies heritage in a venue where legendary Thai hospitality blends with the ‘Travel Brilliantly’ philosophy of the Marriott brand.

Located along Sukhumvit Road in downtown Bangkok, surrounded by several of the city’s most vibrant shopping, business and entertainment districts, this iconic property boasts 1,360 rooms and suites. Extensive convention and meeting facilities, able to cater to large meeting groups or events of over 1,000 persons, and an array of diverse dining and recreational facilities, make the property a destination in itself. Modern design, intuitive technology and authentic experiences are aligned to challenge the status quo and address the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s discerning travelers.

Whether you visit for business or leisure, you will experience what it means to Travel Brilliantly.

Brintons Pty LTD Level 1 672 Lorimer Street Port Melbourne, VIC 3207 Tel: +61 3 9676 3333 Fax: +61 3 9676 3377 Email: robert.killingback@brintons.com.au Website: www.brintons.net Representatives: Mr. Robert Killingback - Managing Director APAC Ms. Lasse Hoffmann Huus - Regional Sales Manager ASIA Background: Brintons is the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality woven carpets operating in both commercial and residential markets. Brintons’ reputation is built on design innovation, product excellence, technical expertise and customer focus.

Operating in all major markets worldwide Brintons delivers unrivalled carpet solutions to its customers. Brintons’ talented team work hard to be the best in its field, delivering outstanding product quality, design, technical expertise, excellent project management and customer service support.

Brintons - making the world a more beautiful place.

ChargePoint Technology Ltd 80 Venture Point West, Evans Road Liverpool, L24 9PB Tel: + (0) 151 728 4500 Fax: + (0) 151 728 450

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Representatives: Mr. Mark Lam - Business Development Manager-Asia Pacific Mr. Ben Wylie - Product Marketing Manager

Denla British School Bangkok Ratchapruek Road, Om Kret Pak Kret, Nonthaburi 11120 Tel: + 66 62445 3377 Email: admissions@dbsbangkok.ac.th Website: www.dbsbangkok.ac.th

Representatives: Dr. Temyos Pandejpong - Board Member Ms. Alison Turner - Principal Background: DBS is part of the Denla Schools Group which has its first school established in 1979 with the mission to provide excellent education to young learners in Thailand. The school grew tremendously over the years as trust from parents developed and the Denla reputation grew. The group is currently managed

by Mr. Arn Pandejpong, Dr. Toryos Pandejpong and Dr. Temyos Pandejpong.

Our Principal, Mrs. Alison Turner brings deep curriculum knowledge, an outstanding leadership track record and extensive British-international school headship experience to DBS. After several years in teaching and senior leadership positions in the UK and the UAE, Alison moved to join Kings’ School, Dubai in 2011. Under Alison’s leadership Kings’ School, received an unrivalled outstanding rating for 8 consecutive years. At Kings’ Alison became the Executive Primary Headteacher, with responsibility for 3 Kings’ Schools. Her experience in the UAE has given her an invaluable insight into starting and growing new school Destination Resort co., Ltd. Branch HOOTERS PATTAYA 183 Moo 10, Nongprue, Banglamung Chonburi, 20150 Tel: +66 38415316-8 Fax: +66 38415319 Email: tee@hooterspattaya.com Website: www.hooterspattaya.com

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Representatives: Mr. Tee Bale - General Manager

Edge Worldwide Logistics (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 3656/16, Green Tower, 6th floor Unit K2. Rama 4 Road, Klongton, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 2367 3590 Fax: +66 2367 3603 Email: leighton@edgewl.co.th Website: www.edgewl.com Representatives: Mr. Leighton Gobbett - Head of Global Business Development Mr. Steve Henry - Managing Director Background: Established in Manchester, England 1989 EWL are a award winning family owned freight forwarding business that prides itself on consistently achieving a high quality of service which has meant we have preserved excellent relationships with our clients and suppliers.

Consistent growth year on year EWL is now amongst the top 15 privately owned freight forwarders in the UK. One of EWL’s many strengths is the movement of food and beverage with many of the top tier supermarkets and F&B wholesalers as our clients and with large volume that move from Thailand the natural progression was for EWL to open Edge Worldwide Logistics(Thailand)in 2011. With a mix of expat and local staff who all have an extremely high knowledge of all aspects of the freight forwarding industry EWL Thailand have again seen fantastic growth.

A network of agents spanning over 35 countries EWL Thailand are able to offer not only a fantastic service but extremely competitive rates around the globe to all our client

Fluxus (Thailand) co., Ltd 15/2 (3rd Floor), Sukhumvit Soi 3 Klong Toey Nua, Wattana Bangkok 10330 Tel: + 66 964634704 Email: gareth.davies@fluxus.io Website: www.fluxus.io

Representatives: Mr. Gareth Davies - Managing Director Background: Fluxus Thailand is a full-service digital product management, design and delivery consultancy which was set up to address the Thai market and complement an existing UK consultancy based in London. Founded in 2015 and approved by the Thai Board of Investment, it has established itself as a digital partner for large and growing Thai enterprises.

Globally, Fluxus serves a client base that includes multinational media, publishing and news organisations, and fast-growing startups. We specialise in using Impact Mapping to align business goals, customer needs and user experience, and follow Lean UX principles to rapidly iterate design concepts and validate our designs with users and stakeholders.

Golfasian Co., Ltd. 29 Bangkok Business Centre, Unit 1105, 11th Fl., Soi Ekkamai Sukhumvit 63, Klongtom Hua Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 2 714 8470 Fax: +66 2 714 8471 Email: info@golfasian.com Website: www.golfasian.com

Representatives: Mr. Jason Swain - International Sales & Marketing Manager Mr. Mark Siegel - Managing Director Background: Established in 1997 in Bangkok, Thailand Golfasian is one of the most established inbound golf tour operators in Asia. Our quality of service and expert knowledge has made us the first choice for golfers and golf tour operators throughout the world.

Golfasian delivers genuine value to

both golfers and our partners and at the same time we continually improve upon the qualities that make us great.

Our commitment to operating with the highest standards of service and professionalism as well as offering and executing full service golf holiday travel experiences is the reason why Golfasian stands above the rest.

Through expert golf knowledge from our staff both on the ground and in our offices we create tailor-made golf itineraries that are perfectly suited to both individual and group preferences, following a philosophy of unique golf travel experiences as opposed to “run of the mill” golf vacations. Because of this, we are the first choice golf tour operator for golfers and partners who require highly skilled and knowledgeable people who interact daily with golfers visiting all of the destinations we serve. We pride ourselves on the high amount of repeat customers and referrals and maintain a membership base of 162,014 golfers, who are interested in golf in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, Laos, and Myanmar.

Golfasian gives you the opportunity to experience some of the world’s best golf resorts, and enjoy the ultimate golf vacation you expect from an exclusive club.

GrabTaxi (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 1550 Thanapoom Tower, 30th Floor, New Petchaburi Road Makkasan, Rachathewi Bangkok 10400 Tel: +66 2021-2 500 Fax: +66 2652-6836 Website: www.grabtaxi.com

Representative: Mr. Vee Charununsiri - Director

Hello Soda Asia Company Ltd. 3803 Qizz Mall, 3rd Floor, Room no. A2 – 303 Rama 4 Road, Phrakranong Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 02339 3872

Fax: +66 02339 3873 Email: garyp@HELLOSODA.ASIA Website: www.hellosoda.asia

Representative: Mr. Gary Pound - Director Background: Hello Soda Asia Ltd is a software, analytics and data business. We work with “permissions based” large-scale unstructured data sources to gather the digital footprint of a consumer. We then convert the digital footprint into sophisticated decision making tool to provide a high-value added services, at scale.

Hello Soda was established in 2012 and already has over 50 clients worldwide such as Barclays Bank, HSBC and many other big brand clients.

The Hello Soda Profile product is well established in several markets including Banking, Insurance, Gaming and Telecommunications businesses.

Holman Fenwick Willan Singapore LLP 19-03 Samsung Hub, 3 Church Street Singapore 049483 Tel: + 65 6411 5300 Fax: + +65 6411 5355 Representatives: Ms. Suzanne Meiklejohn - Associate Mr. Chirstopher Swart - Partner

I.J. Martin & Co Ltd Executive Coaches for Global Business Leaders One Raffles Quay, Level 25, North Tower 048583 Tel: +65 66225506 Fax: +65 (0)44 2601204 Email: imartin@ijmartin.com Website: www.ijmartin.com

Representatives: Mr. Iain Martin - Chairman Ms. Marlene Uetz - Managing Director

Background: I.J. Martin & Co Pte Ltd was first established in Switzerland in 1998.

The co-founders created a new kind of ‘experience-based’ coaching service for global leaders, based on their many collective years of big-corp life, including the role of CEO in Dongguan China. Since its foundation, the company has systematically engaged an international team of former C-Suite leaders as coaches and mentors. Targeting only major corporations, the company quickly established a presence in three continents. It now supports CEOs and other senior leaders in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as many others in Europe and USA. For nearly nineteen years, it has provided a single-source leadership development support which ensures the same high-quality service, practical approach and high ROI to clients around the world.

Info Inside Co.,Ltd 353/14 Ramkhumhaeng 43/1 Plubpla, Wangthonglang Bangkok 10310 Tel: +66 66896995643 Website: www.infoinside.co.th Representative: Mr. Susheel Narula - Managing Director

InterContinental Pattaya Resort 437 Phra Tamnak Road Pattaya, Chonburi 20150 Tel: +66 38259888 Fax: +66 38259899 Email: icpattaya@ihg.com Website: www.pattaya.intercontinental. com

Representatives: Mr. Stephane Ouchenne - General Manager Mrs. Thansita Sirapastuwanon - Director of Sales & Marketing

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Kajonkiet International School (KIS Phuket) 125/1, Moo 1, Soi The Valley 1 Kathu, Phuket 83120 Tel: +66 66 89 652 7599 Email: ip@kajonkietsuksa.ac.th Website: www.kisphuket.ac.th

Representatives: Mr. Permkiat Ketkul - School Director Ms. Cherish Trakarnboonchai - Deputy Director (Non-Academic) Background: ‘Kajonkiet International School Phuket (KIS) is a family run, co-educational day school for boys and girls aged 2 to 16.

Set in 15 Rai of spectacular grounds, we welcome up to 360 pupils into 2 class entry Year groups from Pre-Nursery to Year11. Children at KIS flourish in a family style environment where they are part of a caring community and are taught to respect and support each other. They learn to meet the challenges of the wider world and understand they are part of a global community.

Krungthep Real Estate Ltd 111/1 Soi Lasalle 32, Bangna Bangkok 10260 Tel: +66 2 0189600 Fax: +66 2 0189602 Website: www.kreliving.com Representative: Mrs. Jaruwan Bumroungruksa Founder

Macallan Insurance Broker Co., Ltd. 63/14-15 M.10, South Pattaya Road T. Nongprue, A. Banglamung Chonburi20150 Tel: +66 38 427904-5 Fax: +66 38 424 535 Email: www.macallanbroker.com Website: info@macallanbroker.com Representatives: Mr. Jack Levy - Managing Director Mr. Graham Macdonald – Adviser

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Background: Macallan provides insurance for both personal and corporate clients in Thailand and elsewhere. Its dedicated staff has decades of knowledge and experience in the Thai marketplace.

Mitigatum Bredgade 28, North Wing 1st Floor, Copenhagen 1260 Tel: +45 2621 1224 Email: stiig@mitigatum.com Website: www.mitigatum.com

Representatives: Mr. Stiig Waever - Partner Ms. Susanne Skov Diemer - Partner Representative: MITIGATUM provides services to small and medium sized companies as well as to large Corporate and Multi-National firms. Services cover all aspects of risks and security from political and terrorism risk mitigation and protection to corporate security, executive advisory, risk mitigation, risk assessments and brand protection.

The background of the founders of MITIGATUM is based on knowledge and experience gathered throughout their work in government intelligence services, Diplomacy and as Chief Security Officers and as advisors to international companies on a global scale.

MITIGATUM is to become the preferred risk and security consultancy firm based on our explicit expertise, corporate understanding for business optimization and compliance, counselor work and honesty.

Mitigatum’s services are based on transparency, with a financial understanding of client’s budget challenges.

The results of our services most often lead businesses to achieve efficiencies not only in their production and / or business, but also in their operating costs.

Mr. Guy Howle 50/106 Tanya Thanee, Home on Green Village, Lamlukka Road Ladsawai, Lamlukka Pathumthanee 10150 Tel: 66 957640677

Mr. Michael John Tumber 19/70, Ban Prangthong, Kwang Road Moo 3, T. Vichit, Phuket 83000 Tel: 66819564740 Background: I was educated in Epsom, Surrey and the City of London in the United Kingdom and completed The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) (Postgraduate Masters Award) and subsequently attended the London Graduate School of Business specializing in corporate finance.

Career and Business: After holding first career positions in the City of London from 1971,I embarked on an international banking career in London which would ultimately span 28 years with two prime North American banks and two leading international Arab banks covering Europe, the United States and from 1983, Singapore.

For 19 years until 2002, I was a senior banker with regional responsibility for Asia Pacific based in Singapore.

In 2003 I moved to Thailand to pursue personal and business interests in real-estate development and the marine leisure industry. This included working for two Thailand SMEs. In 2007 I joined a group of partners as Finance Director to assist with commercial real estate development and project financing in S.E. Asia, which is continuing.

Personal: Business Achievements: Extensive business and leisure travel in Asia Pacific over the last 33 years.

Considerable ‘hands on’ knowledge of both the cultural and business environments of key countries in Asia.

Steered my then employer through the Asian Financial Crisis by proactively and successfully mitigating risks.

Well ‘qualified’ to provide meaningful insight into current and future business and economic trends in Asia; particularly for multinational companies and small businesses based in Thailand and government agencies.

Personal leisure interests: Boating, Asian antiques and old Asian architecture, tennis.

Future personal goals: I am looking to ‘give something back’ by teaching English/relevant foreign business practices to Thai students/ businesses.

To set up my own regional international project consultancy firm in Thailand.

Options 360 UK Ltd 9 Birchill Gardens, Hartlepool Hartlepool TS26 0JT Tel: +44 1429282677 Email: info@options360.co.uk Website: www.options360.co.uk

Representatives: Mr. Kevin Ainsley - Director Mrs. Cholatip Jirapatanapong-Ainsley - Director Background: What is Options 360 UK? Options 360 is a British company providing training/consultancy in understanding and managing violent, aggressive or otherwise challenging behaviour. This includes physical restraint and self defence techniques. The MD Kevin Ainsley is a social worker with 30 years experience working with challenging behaviour.He is qualified to masters level in positive approaches to challenging behaviour and speaks at National and International conferences.

Who is our training for?

• Staff who deal with people who may become confrontational or violent. For example • Education staff in Special Education Needs schools /SEBD schools • Staff in psychiatric hospitals

• • • •

Staff supporting people with learning disabilities, Security Services, across all settings including hotels Police, or Immigration officers, tourist police, police volunteers Airline staff, air stewards and stewardesses etc.

Our training may be particularly useful if your organisation interacts with Westerners

Organo Gold International (Thailand) Co., Ltd 202 Le concord Tower, 14th Floor, Room 1462, Ratchadaphisak Rd., Huaykang, Bangkok 10310 Website: www.bussarakum.organogold.com

Representatives: Ms. Bussarakum McAlpine Mr. Marcus Akabi-Davis Background: ORGANO™ began in 2008 in Richmond, B.C., Canada, in a small shop with only three employees. In just two short years, ORGANO™ became one of the fastest growing Network Marketing companies in the world.

Today, as a result of the hard work of our Independent Distributors and employees, ORGANO™ is operating in over 51 countries. With an incredible line of products, an unmatched income opportunity and a dedicated leadership team, ORGANO™ is on a mission to help people improve their lives by reaching new levels of wellness, prosperity and balance. ORGANO™’s strong foundation is built on the principles of Loyalty, Unity and Edification, and the goal of being one of the most admired companies in the world.

ORGANO™ is a global Network Marketing company on a mission to spread knowledge of Ganoderma to the entire world. The company vision is to help people improve their lives by reaching new levels of wellness, prosperity and balance, through the opportunity and products.

Outrigger Asia Limited No. 1, Suite 105-112, Pasak-Koktanod Road, Cherngtalay, Thalang Phuket 83110 Tel: +66 76318230 Fax: +66 76318232 Email: bam.phupongphiphat@ outrigger.com Website: www.outrigger.com

Representatives: Mr. Mark Simmons - Vice President Sales & Marketing, Asia Pacific Mr. Eugene Oelofse - Director of Marketing & Ecommerce, Asia Pacific Background: Hawaii-based Outrigger Enterprises Group is one of the most dynamic privately-held hospitality companies in the Asia Pacific region with magnificent absolute beach front resorts in the Maldives, Mauritius, Thailand (Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort and Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort), Fiji, Guam and Hawaii.

The Asia Pacific head office is located in Phuket, Thailand. Outrigger Resorts today has the aim of becoming the premier beachfront resort brand in the world. For online information visit www.outrigger.com

Platinum Property Group Co.,Ltd 378/6 M. 12 Soi Rachawaroon Nongprue, Banglamung Chonburi 20150 Tel: +66 38 074275 Email: mark@ppg.co.th Website: www.ppg.co.th

Representatives: Mr. Mark Bowling - Sales & Marketing Manager Mr. Michael Ainscomgh - Sales Executive The Link

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Background: Platinum Property Group is a dynamic residential property development Corporation and occupies a niche market within Thailand’s boutique, residential condominium sector.

Originally established in 2007 as PAD Developments, the unprecedented success on entry into Pattaya’s property development market ignited an internal re-structure focusing on the quality of service and longevity of the company, evolving into what is now, a fully integrated, boutique Property Development Company offering the complete continuum of essential management services that powers all of our projects from conception, to well beyond project completion, now, re-named, Platinum Property Group.

During an exceptionally tough global economic downturn, Platinum Property Group was one of the few developers in Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard who remained progressing in a positive and pre-meditated direction, consistently selling out our projects prior to completion and repeatedly delivering quality condominiums on time.

Portmeirion Group UK Limited London Road, Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire ST4 7QQ Tel: + 1782 744 721 Representatives: Mr. David Wheeldon - Export Sales Manager – Asia Khun Carol Clyde - Head of Export Sales

Premier Foods Premier House, Centrium Bussiness Park, Griffiths Way, St. Albans Herfordshire AL1 2RE Tel: + 44 7584 556 558 Email: international@premierfoods.co.uk Website: www.premierfoods.co.uk

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Background: Premier Foods is one of the UK’s leading Ambient Grocery Suppliers.

With a well known branded portfolio we are the brand leader in each of the 5 categories in the UK that we operate in - Ambient cake, Ambient desserts, Premium cooking sauces & accompaniments, Easy eating, Flavourings & Seasoning. 95% of British households bought a Premier Foods brand last year.

Our manufacturing base can produce our products in a wide variety of formats to meet today’s food occasions, utilising modern technology and leading safety standards for our food and people. We own our manufacturing sites, which are located around the UK. Accross 13 different locations Premier Foods employs around 4,000 people.

We’re organised into three Strategic Business Units (SBUs) to create the focus needed to drive future growth: Grocery, Sweet Treats and International.

Our International SBU is focused on developing new markets for our brands around the world.

R.W.T. International Law Office Co., Ltd. Bhiraj Tower at Emquartier, 32nd Floor 689 Sukhumvit Rd., Klongton Nuea Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 66 830 159393

Background: SMC Consulting Engineers is a Thai company providing a comprehensive range of consultant civil and structural engineering services to the private and public sectors. Established over 40 years ago our history is as follows: 1973 “Sindhu Maunsell Consultants” founded as a joint venture Thai firm between Sindhu Pulsirivong and Maunsell, an international firm of consulting engineers, to provide civil engineering consultancy.

2000 Maunsell merged with the US consulting group AECOM. 2001 Sindhu Maunsell Consultants became part of that group.

2009 Independence was mutually agreed and we re-established ourselves as a Thai-owned consultancy rebranded “SMC Consulting Engineers”.

2013 the Boards of Directors of both SMC and SPC Consulting Engineers (our affiliated firm with 50 years of experience in structural engineering) agreed to consolidate and to combine the staff of each company and to operate henceforth under the name of SMC.

Tara Pattana International School 88 M.3, Pattanakarn Road Soi Tungklom-Tarman 9, Nongprue Banglamung, Chonburi 20150 Tel: +66 38 224511 Email: info@tpis.ac.th Website: www.tpis.ac.th

Representatives: Ms. Teewara Phetcharak - Partner / Attorney At Law Mr. Watchara Pincharoen SMC consulting Engineers Co., Ltd Bangkok Business Centre Building 13th Floor Unit 1301-03 29 Sukumvit 63 Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 2 381 7232 Fax: +66 2 391 2778 Email: smc@smc.co.th Website: www.smc.co.th Representatives: Ms. Sirisind Pulsirivong - Managing Director Mr. Roger Ashburner - Vice Chairman

Representatives: Mr. James Swan - Head of School Khun Jee Dickson - Smith - School Manager The Fox Business Ltd. 168 Drummond Rd., Skegness Linconshire, Linconshire Tel: +44 7785993704 Representative: Mr. Victor Fox - Director

Total Quality PR (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. 3rd Floor, Rajapark Building 163 Sukhumvit 21 Rd. Klongtoey Nua, Klongtoey Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 2260-5820-3 Fax: +66 2260-5847-8 Email: tqprthai@tqpr.com Website: www.tqpr.com Representatives: Mr. Thomas B. Van Blarcom - Managing Director Ms. Maetavarin Maneekulpan - Partner Univentures Public Company Limited 22nd Floor, Park Ventures Ecoplex 57 Wireless Road, Lumpini Patumwan, Bangkok 10330 Tel: +66 26437100 Fax: +66 22559418 Email: nampetch.s@univentures.co.th Website: www.univentures.co.th Representatives: Mr. Worawat Srisa-an - President Mr. Wichai Mahutdejkul - Executive Vice President Corporate Service

Vejthani Hospital 1 Ladprao 111 Rd., Klong-Chan Bangkapi, Bangkok 10240 Tel: +66 85-223-8888 Fax: +66 2-370-1596 Email: int_mkt@vejthani.com Website: www.vejthani.com

Representatives: Mr. Pedrenelle Maniquiz - Assistant Marketing Director Ms. Masha Zhigunova - Regional Division Manager Background: Vejthani Hospital has been operating since 1994 having Joint Commission International Accreditation as an international standard of safe and quality healthcare since 2010, re-accredited in 2013, and the latest was last March 2016 which will be valid until 2019 (3 years validity each). We have international patients from 40 different countries and we receive approximately 300,000 patients yearly.

Our strength is in bone surgeries such as total hip and knee replacement, spine surgery, pediatric orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, shoulder and hand surgeries. We are known as “King of Bones”. Certificate of Distinction has also been awarded to our Heart Failure, Knee Replacement, and Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Programs by the JCI accrediting body.Furthermore, we have Heart Center, Neurology Center, Endocrinology Center, Kid’s Center, Executive Health Care Center, Anti-aging, IVF Center, Plastic Surgery and Skin, Laser and Cosmetic Center.

Resignations & Cancellations: 1. AFM Flower Seeds (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 2. Absolute World Group 3. Bamboo Labs Co., Ltd. 4. Conrad Koh Samui 5. Criterion Asia Recruitment (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 6. DST Worldwide Services 7. GEP UK Ltd. 8. Hospitality Marketing Concepts (HMC) 9. IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd. 10. Reading Room 11. Roomorama INC 12. Sahaviriya Steel Industries Public Company Limited 13. Shangri-La Hotel, Chiang Mai 14. Siam Printing Solutions Co., Ltd. 15. Thailand Smelting & Refining Co., Ltd. 16. Raidhos Three-Generation Community for Learning 17. Twintec Ltd 18. Xcite Golf Franchise Training Co., Ltd. Change of company representatives: 1. Aziam Burson-Marsteller Co., Ltd. from Mr. Tom Poldre to Mr. Steve Vincent 2. Allied Pickfords from Mr. Neil Chiu to Mr. Guy Ellis 3. Ben Line Agencies (Thailand) Ltd. from Mr. D. J. M. Ramsay to Mr. Kristian Vandermeer 4. Bupa Health Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited from Mr. Ben Assanasen to Mr. Nick Potter 5. Cascade Club Ltd. from Mr. David Williamson to Mr. Ashley James Skinner 6. CPM Asia Sales & Marketing Group from Mr. Nick Conway to Khun Thanutra Mualchontham 7. Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park from Mr. Sam Davies to Mr.Steven Greenwood 8. International School Bangkok (ISB) from Mr. Anthony Arnold to Ms. Shelley Bragg

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Magnolia Quality Development Corporation from Ms. Wilai Somdungjate to Mr. Suttisak Ratanopas Plaza Athenee Bangkok, A Royal Meridien Hotel from Mr. Carl Volschenk to Ms. Eriko Yokoyama Price Sanond Prabhas & Wynne from Mr. Harvey Price to Mr. Andrew Wynne Pullman Bangkok Hotel G from Mr. Tony Chisholm to Mr. Philippe Le Bourhis Regents International School Pattaya from Dr. Tim Eaton to Ms. Joanna Kearney Shrewsbury International School Bangkok from Mr. Stephen Holroyd to Mr. Christopher Seal The Lancaster Bangkok from Mr. Simon Mahon to Mr. Martin Hurly

Change of company name: 1. Akaryn Hospitality Management Services Co., Ltd. changed to Akaryn Hotel Group Co.Ltd. 2. CB Richard Ellis (Thailand) Co., Ltd. changed to CBRE (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 3. DTZ Debenham Tie Leung (Thailand) Co.,Ltd.changed to Edmund Tie & Company (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 4. ISS Security Service Co., Ltd changed to ISS Security Guarding Co.,Ltd 5. Southeast Asia Exploration and Mining changed to Metal Tiger Exploration Company Limited Change of company address: 1. Hill Risk Consulting (Thailand) Limited 11th Floor, Charn Issara Tower II 2922/205-206 New Petchburi Rd., Bangkapi, Huaykhwang Bangkok 10310 2. ISS Security Guarding Co.,Ltd. 50/499-500 Moo 6 Baan-Mai, Pakkred Nonthaburi 11120 3. School Portraits (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 7/5 Patiphat Road, Tambon Talad Nuea, Muang, Phuket 83000 4. Solvay Peroxythai Limited 11th and16th Floor, 55 Wave Place, Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan Bangkok 10330 5. Southeast Asia Exploration and Mining 75/32 Richmond Office Building, 12 Floor, Sukhumvit Road Soi Sukhumvit 26, Klong Tan Klong Toei, Bangkok 10110 6. Vriens & Partners 19th Floor, Alma Link Building 25 Soi Chidlom, Ploenchit Road Lumpini, Pathumwan Bangkok 10330 The Link

Issue 4/2016

69

FINAL WORD

Paxman’s starter for 10

By Dale Lawrence

I

t’s hard to imagine that a television programme as seemingly innocuous as University Challenge could be the source of controversy and yet quizmaster and former Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman is under fire from students at the University of Reading.

University Challenge, aimed at the more cerebral of TV viewers, has been broadcast by the BBC since its revival in 1994 but it made the programme’s first quizmaster Bamber Gascoigne a household name during the initial run on commercial television in the UK from 1962 until 1987.

Jeremy Paxman (centre) with the 2016 winners of University Challenge.

During that time Gascoigne, educated at Eton College and Magdalene College, Cambridge, told students from campuses the length and breadth of the United Kingdom to have their ‘fingers on the buzzers’ in preparation for their ‘starter for 10’ (points).

Paxman, perhaps better remember for his merciless TV grilling of former Home Secretary Michael Howard on BBC Newsnight in 1997, has irked members of the students’ union in Reading over misogynistic and sexist comments allegedly made during a break in recording.

Amid claims that their complaint about the comments had not been taken serious, the students’ union has voted to boycott University Challenge by 120 votes to 105.

Paxman, when questioned by UK media, appeared perplexed at the boycott. He believed that it may refer to an off-air question he posed in 2015 to a Reading team about their mascot. When told it was a hand-knitted Jeremy Paxman doll

he enquired of the whole team if they took it bed with them.

The students’ union Education Officer Niall Hamilton is clearly taking the matter seriously. In his blog on the Students ’Union website he blasted the programme’s producers, stating that the boycott was ‘due to misogynistic and sexist comments made to previous team members of the University of Reading team by Jeremy Paxman. This incident resulted in a complaint being filed by contestants.

The response ……… was that they would inform Paxman that he had offended a contestant. They did not issue a formal apology and they did

not produce any consolation to the contestants. Misogyny and sexism are not about ‘offending’ contestants, but undermining and oppressing individuals due to their gender.

In such a historical and respected institution as University Challenge, these forms of oppression should not be taken lightly. Serious investigations and repercussions must be made to ensure women feel comfortable participating in University Challenge’.

Thankfully, common sense prevails elsewhere on the campus. The university has issued a statement pledging continued support for this long running TV programme.

“We want our brightest and best students competing against the top universities in the UK in front of millions of viewers - not waving the white flag and refusing to enter,” said a University of Reading spokesman. * Winners in 2014, 2015 and 2016 were colleges from the University of Cambridge that defeated, on each occasion, fellow finalists from colleges at Oxford.

The views and opinions expressed on this page by Editor Dale Lawrence are entirely personal and do not reflect official BCCT policy.

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