Bangkok Business Brief - Volume 2, Issue 2 - Mid-January/February 2013 by Mango Mango Ltd. Part.

BANGKOK

BUSINESS BRIEF

Vol. No. 2, Issue No. 2

Mid-January/Mid-February 2013

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Ban or plan? By Dean Outerson

As use of social media networks has spread throughout the world, and in recent years here in Thailand, many companies have resorted to blocking the use of

Inside General Interest Production Finance/Investment Government/Economy Retail/Services Tourism Real Estate IT/Comms The Chambers The Calendar

2 3 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 22

social media on their company networks. The argument for banning is that employees are spending more and more of their work hours monitoring and updating their social media accounts, and so the company is losing valuable productivity time. There are even studies that say that billions of dollars (or pounds or baht) in productivity time is lost to internet surfing (and to social media use in particular) each year.

complain about the frivolity of the social media. For many companies, especially B2B companies, it is also difficult to see how social media can be an effective marketing tool, when most of the engagement on social media seems to be B2C. So for many management teams, the question is, what is the point? Why allow staff access to platforms that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help the company and just waste company time?

Other reasons for banning social media and chat programs include the claim that widespread use of these sites and applications causes slow internet speeds, while many CEOs and executives

But as mobile devices have proliferated and almost become ubiquitous, and as more and more companies have started to embrace digital marketing, banning social media in the workplace is

becoming somewhat anomalous and difficult to manage. And for every study that laments the loss of productivity due to internet surfing or chatting, there is another study that shows the benefits of allowing staff members to spend time on social media and that it actually makes them more productive rather than less. For proponents of digital and social media use in business, the various options (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, Path, etc.) represent tremendous opportunities to learn, to sell, and to engage with stakeholders and Story continues on Page 20

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...added that the company had set aside a significant investment budget of Bt200 million to Bt300 million for overseas expansion. Full story at http://goo.gl/bH6PF

since 1970. Under the capitalist world, focus is now placed on financial return, while social return has been ignored. By doing so, business leaders fail to factor in the true cost.

http://goo.gl/ozbNM

Businesses “must scale up actions” “We live in the world where every 12 seconds, one child died of dirty water and insanitation. CO2 continues to build up. Woods are depleting. We live in the resources-constraint world. There are limits.” The words from Peter Bakker, president of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, participating in the “SCG Asean Sustainable Development Symposium”, sounded horrible. Yet, it seemed he intended to frighten all, to draw business leaders’ attention and push them towards actions to save the planet. Bakker sees the need that the business world revolutionise their business practices given “questionable” progress of what has been agreed at the four global climate conferences

his peers to follow the path he has laid out, without fear. Even though his takeover attempt for Singaporelisted Fraser and Neave has not yet been resolved, his shrewd strategy for the acquisition of F&N and Asia The WBCSD, the CEO-led organ- Pacific Breweries is dazzling enough isation with 191 members – lead- to make him our “Businessman of ing corporations globally including the Year”. Siam Cement Group and PTT in Thailand which are committed to He easily rose above the other cansustainable development, has set the didates for this year’s honours, inVision 2050. Under the vision, mea- cluding Dhanin Chearavanont, sures are lined up to ensure that... chairman of Charoen Pokphand Full story at http://goo.gl/3yGzT Group, who made a surprise ento China’s insurance industry Fierce fights against try through the Bt287-billion takeover global giants of a stake in Ping An Insurance. The other candidate was Tos ChirathiDespite his age, Charoen Siriva- vat, chief executive officer of Central dhanabhakdi has proved fearless. Retail Corp. After the acquisition of He relentlessly explores overseas Italy’s 11-store La Rinascente chain opportunities even when he is un- in 2011, CRC this year continued... der pressure from global giants. Full story at http://goo.gl/9J5BC At a time when Thailand is heavily promoting overseas investment Succession a weak to counter “hot money” flowing spot of family firms into the country, Charoen, 68, has helped raise the profile of Thai Two-thirds of family-owned busibusinesspeople and encouraged nesses around the world have seen

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their sales grow in the past year and expect an even more ambitious trend over the next five years, a PwC survey says. But the recruitment of skilled staff and the perennial problem of planning for succession will remain key challenges facing family businesses over the long term despite the buoyant prospects. Sira Intarakumthornchai, CEO of PwC Thailand, said Thai family businesses need to be more proactive and put in place proper succession planning. “Despite the economic slowdown, family businesses are thriving worldwide,” he said. In Thailand, family businesses have played a key role in driving the economy for decades. It’s a “resilient” model for the 21st century as its structure offers significant advantages and benefits, he added. In order to keep their companies thriving and relevant, family businesses need to transform themselves and quickly acknowledge the traits essential for them to succeed. They... Full story at http://goo.gl/MtSq3

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Coke’s Thai unit aims for group’s top 10 Coca-Cola aims to raise the ranking of its Thai unit into the top 10 contributors of revenue to the group after investing Bt14 billion in it this year. Coca-Cola (Thailand) currently ranks in the top 20 contributors. The investment was part of a threeyear plan that began in June. The budget has been used to increase production capacity and to add new product lines including juice products and drinking water, said Archawat Chareonsilp, public affairs and communications director. As part of the business plan, the company says it is focusing on innovative products, distribution and brand communications. Archawat said the group saw growth potential in Thailand after a major change in the bottling industry. The arrival... Full story at http://goo.gl/D1K3v

5-yr auto plan aims for top-10 ranking

The third master plan for the Thai automobile sector has been drawn up, alongside a study of long-term development of the industry with a view to establishing the Kingdom as one of the world’s key manufacturing hubs by increasing production from 2.3 million units this year to 5.6 million units by 2050. The Thailand Automotive Institute’s fiveyear master plan for 2012-2016 is focused on increasing output by an average of 10 per cent annually. The plan is also aimed at making the country one of the top 10 automanufacturing nations within the same time scale and increasing the use of local content in the industry from 40 per cent now to 50 per cent. In addition, the institute’s long-term development goal is to increase production step by step over the next several decades. Targeted output is 3.3 million units in 2020, rising to... Full story at http://goo.gl/PPwo7

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...added that the set aside a signi company had budget of Bt20 ficant investment million for over0 million to Bt300 seas expansion Full story at http: . //goo.gl/bH6PF

goo.gl/bH6P

Nature and life in JuliusCaesar. 1997-98 wa are cyclical _ the impact of s a blessing, as the mains seasons of the yea 2008 would ha above the Europ the phases of the r, life and death, far worse ve been ean average. for the region, mo http://goo.gl/o on, the tides. ” Azman In Caught up in da zbNM India, China ily details, we eas Mokhtar, the managing and Thailand, ily forget that dir ect of or Kh Asia stands to rou aza ghly 12 percent nah the business wo of has cycles, too. rld told the CI Nasional of Malaysia, tion contribute to a the populaWe are all fam MB Asean Confe gain from W pension, while iliar with the econo rence. the we es t mi ak c ne bu sse sin s ess of cycle His com slowdown of expansion, con sion system are Thailand’s penments were... ... covery. Howe traction and re- Full story Full story at htt The shift of eco ver, other cyc at http://goo.gl/d nomic growth p:/ /goo.gl/rtpH3 lic ph al fu2 en u om ena affect... momentum to the Thailand near Preventing up numerous East has opened Full story at http://goo.gl/fJ to p opportunities olr of list of wor that Asian countries Bangkok from out, suggests an should not miss Panel: Asia bett weakest pensld’s sinking bigges economist. io off, not immun er n t systems: stud challenge The robust eco y from global cr e, no Greece, India, Ch Land subsidence China and em mic growth of is es ina and Thailand erging economi caused by groun are home to the water losses top will open a ne es KUALA LUMPUR : The As d weake w s ian cri- pensi on systems in st national lems that must the list of probAsian economi opportunity for sis in the late 1990s was a wa es to increase the be the kesol cal up ved wo l for in rld cri Ba , the region that pp wealth from tra ir has turned eig led by a mix of acute sover- kok to mitigate the impact ngde in goods an out to be of the n debt, young climate change services at a tim a blessing in d retire dis e on States and Europ when the United nearly 15 years later, as the guise high ratios of pension ment ages, a study by multin flooding, says region’s ers an ers to worke ational agencies financial sec Full story at htt are... d . p://goo.gl/S65D6 able to sus tor is now strong and study poor pension take-up, a The conclusio showed. tain a certain n de is gre contained in of shocks from e Grow with th a rep ort the entitled “Clim e flow Western Hemi fallout in the The Allianz ate Risks and Ad of cycles sphere, accord ing sion Susta Global Investors Pen- Megac aptation in Asian Coastal to a panellist at a recent As inability Index, ities”, jointly con ‘There is a tid ean conference. ducted by the which Asian De tracks the rel e velop ati men, which, tak in the affairs of ity of nationa ve sustainabil- Internation ment Bank, the Japan l al leads on to for en at the flood, “There wi in 44 countries pension systems and the Wo Cooperation Agency ll be more crises tune”, wrote Wi around the wo rld Bank in 201 l- future, an in the showe rld, 0. d the Asian crisis in tirees d the number of Greek reThe report recom to people of wo rking age reFull story at htt mended a... p://goo.gl/20yMD Sponsored by

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into the 24-billion-baht supplements market. The cash was used mainly for machines to make supplements under its T.R.B.O. brand. Managing director Pita Limcharoenrat said the investment aims to add value to its core business, which earns the firm more than 1.2 billion baht a year from raw rice bran oil and extracted bran, selling both domestically and overseas. CEO Agrifood is ranked as the thirdbiggest Thai producer. Its recently introduced T.R.B.O. rice bran snack has received positive feedback from health-conscious consumers. There is high competition in the supplements market, which posts steady... Full story at http://goo.gl/StR5h

Napier grass to be part of green energy plan, minister says

The government will issue guidelines within the next two months on a policy to promote generation of electricity from Napier grass, Energy Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal said. Napier grass, originally from Africa, is also known as Uganda grass or elephant grass for being a favourite food of elephants. Pongsak said Germany had developed 7,000 power stations fuelled by Napier grass that provided 7,000 megawatts, and Thailand could match that production. The ministry will provide a “feed-in tariff ” subsidy of Bt4.50 per kilowatt-hour (unit) for a period of 25 years to power plants that use as feedstock Napier grass supplied by local communities. This grass can be grown in many parts of Thailand, especially... Full story at http://goo.gl/oGCqn

Hi-Q food campaigns for good eating habits

After starting off with a conventional marketing campaign 10 years ago, Hi-Q Food Products realised that it needed to change strategy if sustainability was the company’s ultimate goal. From the campaign to promote its products mainly under “Roza” tomato sauce brand, the company turned that into a sustainable CSR programme – to promote CEO passes sustainable eating habits among rice bran oil pills school students as well as their relaCEO Agrifood Co, one of Thailand’s tives. “It was started off based on the major rice bran oil producers, has fact that students consumed less... invested 40 million baht to advance Full story at http://goo.gl/E742x

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Ananda’s chief explains poor share performance Ananda Development, the largest initial public offering issuer this year, is blaming the fact that its share price is trading lower than its IPO on miscommunication with retail investors. On its first day of trading last Friday, Ananda shares opened at 4.14 baht or 1.43% less than the IPO price of 4.20 baht and closed at 3.80 baht or 9.52% less than the IPO price in heavy trade worth 2.21 billion baht. The large size of the share float made it the top trading volume of the day. The company wrongly perceived its IPO would be successful after the warm response from institutional investors, which accounted for 75% of its 1.33 billion IPO shares. “This

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To read the full article of a story brief, enter the short code at the end of the story into your browser: has been quite an experience, a nightmare actually, but it’s my own fault. I neglected communicating with retail investors, which resulted in the spread of rumours,” chief... Full story at http://goo.gl/6wq1M

Thai ‘backdoor’ listings for Myanmar companies proposed

Myanmar companies seeking to raise funds for projects in their country’s fast-developing economy might be able to manage “backdoor’’ listings in Thailand, heard Myanmar experts based in Thailand at the “Invest Myanmar 2012” conference in Kuala Lumpur, organised by the training and conference management firm Solomon Wise. Robert Fernstrom, CEO of Bangkok-based Emerging Asia Capital Partners, gave examples of how financing structures used for deals such as Electricite du Laos and Tanayong in Thailand could be used to raise money for businesses in Myanmar.

...added that the company had set aside a significant investment budget of Bt200 million to Bt300 million for overseas expansion. Full story at http://goo.gl/bH6PF

“Backdoor listings on the Thai stock market are an interesting idea since Myanmar needs capital and does not have a stock market. Thailand is going to be an important investor and model for Myanmar due to many factors,” he said. “It’s not that they don’t have any wealth but they don’t have an organised capital market. “People ask me what their M&A strategy should be for Myanmar, and while there may be plantations... Full story at http://goo.gl/YeQNh

S’pore stocks ‘offer potential’

UOB Kay Hian’s head of research Andrew Chow recommends some “top pick” Singapore stocks for Thai investors looking to tap opportunities from the Asean Trading Link scheme. Chow says investors here may look at the opportunity to invest in Singaporean stocks as a way to diversify their risks. Even though the upside possibility for the Singaporean bourse is small at present, investors might gain from currency

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appreciation since the Singaporean dollar has been outperforming other currencies over the past couple of years. Among the UOB’s top picks are DBS, Keppel Corp, Capital Land, Ho Bee, Suntec REIT, Ascott Residence Trust, Ezion Holding and Nam Cheong. Earnings per share of Singaporean stocks should grow only 0.2 per cent this year and 7.7 per cent next year. A consensus earnings downgrade is likely, since listed Singaporean firms reported lacklustre third-quarter results. At current valuations, Singaporean stocks are not cheap. “One of the pitfalls of the Singapore Exchange is that being an open economy, Singapore is very susceptible... Full story at http://goo.gl/NuSqy

20 Thai companies to explore Myanmar

The Thai Chamber of Commerce will take 20 leading firms to Myanmar to explore trade and investment opportunities in the neighbouring country. The three-day trip will be

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To read the fu ll article of a story brief, 2013 BANGKOK BUSINESS BRIEF enMid-January/Mid-February ter the short ...added that the code at the en set aside a signi company had the story into d budget of Bt20 ficant investment goo.gl/bH6P your browser: of million for over0 million to Bt300 seas expansion F liam Shakespe Full story at http: . //goo.gl/b are

H6PF Nature and life in JuliusCaesar. 1997-98 wa are cyclical _ the impact of s a blessing, as the mains seasons of the yea 2008 would ha above the Europ the phases of the r, life and death, far worse ve been ean average. for the region, http://goo.gl/o ” Azman In Caught up in da moon, the tides. Mokhtar, zbNM India, China the managing ily details, we eas and Thailand, ily forget that dir ect of or Kh Asia stands to rou aza ghly 12 percent nah the business wo of has cycles, too. rld told the CI Nasional of Malaysia, tion contribute to a the populaWe are all fam MB Asean Confe gain from W pension, while iliar with the econo rence. the we es t mi ak c ne bu sse sin s ess of cycle His com slowdown of expansion, con sion system are Thailand’s penments were... ... covery. Howe traction and re- Full story Full story at htt The shift of eco ver, other cyc at http://goo.gl/d nomic growth p:/ /goo.gl/rtpH3 lic ph al fu2 en u om ena affect... momentum to the Thailand near Preventing up numerous East has opened Full story at http://goo.gl/fJ to p opportunities olr of list of wor that Asian countries Bangkok from out, suggests an should not miss Panel: Asia bett weakest pensld’s sinking bigges economist. io off, not immun er n t systems: stud challenge The robust eco y from global cr e, no Greece, India, Ch Land subsidence China and em mic growth of is es ina and Thailand erging economi caused by groun are home to the water losses top will open a ne es KUALA LUMPUR : The As d weake w s ian cri- pensi on systems in st national lems that must the list of probAsian economi opportunity for sis in the late 1990s was a wa es to increase the be the kesol cal up ved wo l for in rld cri Ba , the region that pp wealth from tra ir has turned eig led by a mix of acute sover- kok to mitigate the impact ngde in goods an out to be of the n debt, young climate change services at a tim a blessing in d retire dis e on States and Europ when the United nearly 15 years later, as the guise high ratios of pension ment ages, a study by multin flooding, says region’s ers an ers to worke ational agencies financial sec Full story at htt are... d . p://goo.gl/S65D6 able to sus tor is now strong and study poor pension take-up, a The conclusio showed. tain a certain n de is gre contained in of shocks from e Grow with th a rep ort the entitled “Clim e flow Western Hemi fallout in the The Allianz ate Risks and Ad of cycles sphere, accord ing sion Susta Global Investors Pen- Megac aptation in Asian Coastal to a panellist at a recent As inability Index, ities”, jointly con ‘There is a tid ean conference. ducted by the which Asian De tracks the rel e velop ati men, which, tak in the affairs of ity of nationa ve sustainabil- Internation ment Bank, the Japan l al leads on to for en at the flood, “There wi in 44 countries pension systems and the Wo Cooperation Agency ll be more crises tune”, wrote Wi around the wo rld Bank in 201 l- future, an in the showe rld, 0. d the Asian crisis in tirees d the number of Greek reThe report recom to people of wo rking age reFull story at htt mended a... p://goo.gl/20yMD

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Mr Sombat said listed companies will benefit in 2013 from a lower corporate income tax rate of 20%, down from 23% now. They also exinvesting overseas, in particular in pect operating interest rate costs to Asean and [other] emerging mar- decrease in line with the downward kets with higher demand for... trend in rates. Even so, much deFull story at http://goo.gl/rUPXi pends on whether the US... Full story at http://goo.gl/3E8gW

joined by executives from industries including sugar, food, banking, property, textiles, hotels and tourism. TCC chairman Pongsak Assakul said the group will meet Tin Naing Thien, Myanmar’s minister JCB seeks for national planning and economic partners for development, to discuss new invest- regional expansion ment regulations and the country’s economic prospects. JCB International, the leading Japanese credit-card provider, is lookMyanmar has rich natural resources ing for new partners in Thailand and will enjoy tax privileges next and elsewhere in Asean to boost its year from the Generalised System regional business expansion. The of Preferences granted by developed company currently has direct overcountries. Mr Pongsak said Myan- seas operations in Nepal, Bhutan, mar’s low wages are attractive for in- Indonesia and Singapore. The Sinvestors, with a daily minimum wage gapore unit is also responsible for of 75-120 baht and monthly salaries Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia of 3,000 to 6,000 baht for workers and Thailand, where the Bangkok with a bachelor’s degree. office has management control of activities in Laos, Cambodia, MyanMr Pongsak, who is a member of mar and Vietnam. the Joint Public Private Consultative Committee, will also represent JCB’s revenue in Thailand, where it businessmen on the government’s has had a partnership with Krungthofficial trip led by Prime Minister ai Card since 2008, is the largest Yingluck Shinawatra to meet Myan- within Asean, mainly because of the mar President Thein Sein in Nay Pyi high number of tourists. Taw. The working group of the two countries will meet to evaluate the... The Japanese company recently Full story at http://goo.gl/JY25X formed an alliance with Phonsavanh Bank in Laos, where it is also Dept encouraging exploring a new partnership next exporters to set year. It also inked a memorandum of understanding with Myanmar... foothold overseas Full story at http://goo.gl/6NiZg In the light of upcoming market integration under the Asean Econom- Analysts bullish on ic Community, the International local stocks in 2013 Trade Promotion Department has The Securities Analysts Association mapped out a plan to encourage is upbeat that the Thai stock index Thai exporters to set up businesses will continue its strong rise to 1,471 overseas to ensure sustainable ship- points, forecasting earnings growth ments in the long term. The move of 15.2% for listed companies and is part of the department’s plan to 4.6% economic growth next year. change its role from purely driving Secretary-general Sombat Naraexport growth to one where it also wuttichai said the consensus survey encourages foreign investment. comprised the views of 22 securities firms. Director-general Srirat Rastapana said the agency had devised a proj- The highest-returning sector in the ect to promote more Thai compa- new year is expected to be buildnies to become internationalised ing materials (32.2%), followed enterprises, so that they have a by property (18.4%) and banks wider source of raw materials and (18.4%). Sectors with high dividend a broader range of markets. “Thai yields will be telecommunications producers and exporters can no (5.5%), electronics (5.1%) and enlonger solely remain in this country, ergy (4.3%). because of the high competitiveness of the [increasingly] seamless mar- For asset allocation, the consensus ket worldwide. The AEC will also is that investors should have 45% allow the free flow of trade in goods, in stocks and local funds, 17% in services and investment,” she said. debt instruments and fixed-income funds, 10% in global assets, 11% in “We [Thailand] should grasp the gold and gold futures and the rest in opportunity to expand business by property, oil and cash.

Venture capitalists target tech start-ups

M8VC Co, a new venture capital fund, has outlined plans to invest at least 300 million baht in innovative tech start-up companies next year. The company was founded by Ponthep Sethiwan, Shakrit Chanrungsakul, Pawoot Pongvitayapanu, Kit Arunanondchai, Sua Kanjanasakchai, Varut Bulakul, Permsiri Tiyavutiroj and Krisd Aksornwong.

The partners are former pioneering tech entrepreneurs and financial advisers. “We aim to be an engine to promote Thailand as an innovation hub in Southeast Asia,” said Mr Ponthep. He said Thai tech start-up firms have high business potential but lack financial support. This year alone, foreign venture capital funds have acquired shares in Thai firms worth hundreds of millions of baht. Mr Ponthep said M8VC has two types of... Full story at http://goo.gl/XdM1O

Banks focus on unique services as they target the wealthy

Banks are competing to design unique services to tap wealthy customers, who want something completely different from other client groups. Banks realise highnet-worth customers are seeking something besides solely a high rate of return on investment from the products traditionally on offer. Services are often even more important than financial products to these clients, who expect to get value-added services after entrusting a bank to manage their investment portfolio, said Kris Chantanotoke, executive vice president of Bank of Ayudhya. As a result, banks are designing services and products based on customers’ lifestyles, which will also help foster relations between them and the banks, he said. At BAY, services for high-net-worth clients are provided via Krungsri Exclusive Banking, which requires customers to lodge a minimum

combined deposit of Bt5 million. Customers are offered special services such as a limousine service... Full story at http://goo.gl/uvELB

Fund to loan money to student entrepreneurs

The Finance Ministry plans to establish a Venture Capital Fund for students worth Bt15 billion on December 12. One third of the fund, or Bt5 billion, will come from the ministry’s budget, and the rest will come from government banks. This fund will provide loans of not more than Bt3 million per person to both university and vocational students who have investment or business plans they are looking to get off the ground, Deputy Finance Minister Thanusak Lek-uthai said last week. The loans will be provided to current university and vocational school students, and those have graduated within the past five years. The fund will also provide support for students who work on a freelance basis. One third of the loans will be provided interest-free, with the remaining two thirds provided by the participating state banks at Minimum Retail Rate plus 2 per cent. The Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation will guarantee the loans. The venture capital fund will focus on 10... Full story at http://goo.gl/II0KW

Ambassador: China bullish on Thai ties

The Chinese ambassador says his country views Thailand as an Asean logistics hub, as evidenced by continued firm commitments from Chinese construction giants to bid for the high-speed train project. “The centre of logistics in Asean is Thailand, not any other country,” Guan Mu said. The ambassador said Chinese companies are eager to participate in the bidding for the construction of high-speed railway lines in Thailand, expected to begin in late 2013. Mr Guan said China is confident it will be selected in the bidding for the Chiang Mai line, the first of two lines expected to be built. Yong Suksudprasert, president of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, said at least 10 large Chinese firms have expressed interest in submitting bids. Any investment will be in the form of a joint venture with... Full story at http://goo.gl/BeZw3

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Government / Economy

of domestic growth was due to the highest quarterly rates since 2004 of the two contributors in the third quarter, at 6% year-on-year for prihttp://goo.gl/EIbH6 vate consumption and 15.5% for investment, while exports of goods A return to organic and services contracted 2.8% yearon-year in the same quarter. So yes, growth in 2013? the Thai economy can expand even If anything, 2012 proved the Thai when exports are stagnant, but it... economy is able to stand on its Full story at http://goo.gl/Yt3Kz own feet. It’s the year that domestic growth ploughed ahead against the Cut in personal backdrop of a slowdown in exports. income tax due Over three quarters, the economy The Cabinet gave taxpayers a big expanded by 2.6% year-on-year. Christmas present by cutting their Not much, you may think, but recall personal income tax rates for next that in the first quarter of this year year, although the top rate will rewe emerged from major flooding, main high at 35 per cent, down only so you can pencil out any manufac- slightly from the current 37 per cent. turing activity for one whole quarter. “The tax cut will result in a government revenue loss of Bt25 billion anThe boost from private consump- nually, but it leaves more money in tion and investment returned in people’s pockets, which should lead the aftermath of the floods, lifting to more consumption and boost the Thai economic activity in the sec- economy in the long run,” Finance ond and third quarters and bring- Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong said ing economic growth back to a in the tax package his ministry subsolid expansion path. The strength mitted for approval.

...added that the company had set aside a significant investment budget of Bt200 million to Bt300 million for overseas expansion. Full story at http://goo.gl/bH6PF

“This move is to ensure fairness to low-income earners,” said Kittiratt. He insisted that overall tax revenue will be unaffected by the move, which will cost the government Bt25 billion per annum, as the corporate income tax cut this year had in effect expanded Thailand’s tax base.

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them likely to encourage people to overextend themselves by taking out loans. The move follows talks yesterday between the Bank of Thailand and banking executives on the household-debt issue and banks’ advertising spots. Kasikornbank senior executive vice president Teeranan Srihong said after meeting that although the central bank was not coming up with specific measures to tackle the issue, it was worried that banks’ media spots could be encouraging people to overspend.

“It’s clear that the tax base has been expanded by the corporate tax cut. As such, we can lower personal income tax. As GDP expands, the number of income earners rises, and Thailand enjoys a low unemployment rate. Overall, the government revenue will not be cut,” he said. KBank will review its advertising, regardless of the BOT’s concerns. It Overhauling the personal income will consider toning down any ads tax structure was one of the Yin- seen as overstimulating demand for gluck Shinawatra government’s key loans, he said. “The robust growth election promises. It takes... of consumer lending this year is Full story at http://goo.gl/42cHl partially driven by the government’s domestic consumption schemes Banks may tone and the campaigns of financial instidown ads after talks tutions. However, we have not seen Commercial banks will consider any unusual signs, with each house toning down their advertising if having measures to control its nonafter reviewing the ads they deem performing loans. The BOT’s con-

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payment include grey-market services such as independent importers of luxury cars, e-commerce operators, dealers in Buddha amulets, and businesses with unusual tax refunds, Satit said. There will be a system in place to inspect the input and output value-added tax of corporates, he said.

Oranuch Apisaksirikul, CEO of Tisco Financial Group, said the central bank yesterday shared its outlook for the economy next year with local banks, and there were... Full story at http://goo.gl/k5G7p He added that some types of business and individuals that avoid payEmissions-based ing full tax, as well as those in seccar tax approved tors with good performance such Automakers have been lukewarm as automobiles, hotels, restaurants, to the government’s endorsement financial institutions and insurof the new automobile tax structure, ance firms, would be targeted more saying the three-year adjustment closely for tax collection. “We will period is too short. The new tax seriously collect tax from those... structure, approved in principle by Full story at http://goo.gl/LbcQQ the Democrat-led government, was Ministries to approved by the government. Most automakers agreed in principle with the reforms, which base tax calculations on carbon-dioxide emissions rather than engine size as in the current structure. However, they said they need at least five years to prepare and adjust themselves to the new taxes. The government, on the other hand, believes three years are enough.

consider aid plan for SMEs

The Finance and Labour ministries yesterday agreed to jointly consider the Joint Private Committee’s new proposal to help small and mediumsized enterprises cope with the new Bt300 minimum wage. The measures are initially expected to cost the government Bt50 billion over three years. The old proposal had 27 Automakers also said if they could assistance measures, but they were not adjust their technology and cut to 23 in the new proposal. production plans in time, prices of some vehicle models, especially The ministries will consider four pick-up trucks might be increased. key measures: reducing the monthPiengjai Kaewsuwan, president of ly contribution to the Social Secuthe Thai Automotive Industry As- rity Fund to 2 per cent for both the sociation, said the three-year period employer and employee for three is too short for automakers to... years; chopping the tax deduction Full story at http://goo.gl/EcwLI at source from 3 per cent to 1.5 per cent for both big corporations Grey market, and SMEs; partially subsidising the e-commerce SMEs in 70 provinces for three years among main targets through 2017 at the rates of 75 per cent, 50 per cent and 25 per cent of The Revenue Department is plan- the wage difference; and cutting the ning to collect tax from the grey service charge for hotel rooms from market, e-commerce and the sale Bt80 to Bt40 per year, which is diof Buddha amulets to compensate rectly collected under the Interior for lost income resulting from next Ministry’s law. year’s reduction in the rate of corporate income tax. Satit Rungkasiri, Earlier, both sides were far apart on director-general of the department, the proposal. For instance, the govsaid yesterday that it also planned ernment rejected the measure to to bring about 200,000 of those cur- reduce the monthly social security rently outside the payment system contribution to 2.5 per cent from... into tax collection next year. Some Full story at http://goo.gl/JwkJx 350,000 companies and individuals are currently not subject to tax col- AEC will ‘Cut impact lection, according to the National of US, EU woes’ Statistical Office. Malaysia is optimistic Asean is ready to be integrated into a single Businesses currently avoiding tax economic block by December 2015

despite uncertainties over growth in the euro zone and the US. International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed said the 10 member countries would be able to cushion the negative impact from the two regions when the Asean Economic Community forms.

sides have yet to agree on several issues, the Trade Negotiations Department said. Meanwhile, the department is also giving careful consideration as to whether it should go ahead with the Thai-European Union free-trade talks after related enterprises and consumers have voiced concerns about certain is“On the average, Asean countries sues, mainly trade in pharmaceutihave recorded 5-per-cent economic cals and alcohol. growth yearly, which is commendable in view of the unfavourable Delaying the conclusion of a comglobal economic scenario,” he said. prehensive Thailand-India FTA If growth among Asean countries could result in bilateral trade not continued in the coming years, the meeting the Bt275.69 billion progrouping would emerge as a strong jected expansion by 2014. Howeconomic powerhouse by 2025 after ever, it is believed the pact will be China. Mustapa said intra-Asean wrapped up by early 2013. trade amounted to Bt65.96 trillion last year, while foreign direct... Piramol Charoenpao, director-genFull story at http://goo.gl/3D4vz eral of the Trade Negotiations Desaid that Thailand would BOT worried about partment, not rush into finalising a deal with populist policies India if the benefits are not satisfactory to both sides. “The department pushing up recently informed Prime Minister public-debt level Yingluck Shinawatra about... The Bank of Thailand has expressed Full story at http://goo.gl/Pp1fX concern over the country’s publicdebt level if the government contin- Rangsit University ues its budgetary deficits, particu- bullish on economy larly for its populist policies. Mathee in 2013 Supapongse, BOT senior director at the Macroeconomic and Monetary The economy will expand between Policy Department, said that if the 5.5% and 6.5% this year on strong government continued its budget domestic consumption and private deficits with the aim to stimulate ex- investment, predicts Rangsit Unipenditure through non-value-add- versity’s Economic and Business Reed populist policies, Thailand’s pub- search Center for Reform. However, lic debts could rise continuously. the forecast runs counter to a consensus by other economists, who Such a populist policy may lead put their hopes in the government to problems for the government’s rather than the private sector. specialised financial institutions, including the Government Savings Centre director Prof Anusorn Bank, Bank for Agriculture and Tamajai, who is also dean of the Agricultural Cooperatives, as most economics faculty, said his team is projects are executed through them. optimistic that 2013 gross domestic product growth will come in a full “The public debt level remains percentage point above the econowithin the fiscal framework. How- mists’ estimate of 4.5% to 5.5%. ever, if the government continues its budget deficit and non-value-added He said the rise in the daily minipolicy without upgrading the na- mum wage will increase domestic tion’s capabilities, it is believed that consumption. Stronger consumpwill raise the debt level. The point tion will in turn boost demand, and is that the government may need to then the private sector will expand have a balanced budget with a focus investment to serve that demand, on infrastructure investment for... said Prof Anusorn. Full story at http://goo.gl/PgZbu But other economists view the highConclusion of er daily minimum wage as a threat Thai-India FTA to the private sector since it puts upward pressure on operating costs. postponed to 2013 The conclusion of the long-awaited comprehensive free-trade agreement between Thailand and India will possibly be postponed to 2013 instead of this month because both

Prof Anusorn said the centre expects private investment to rise sharply under the Asean Economic Community from 2016, as... Full story at http://goo.gl/J8xd7

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Retail/Services

Jabr al-Azeeby, the Thailand and Indochina manager, said: “We’re actually looking forward to increasing our capacity [on the Phuket-Dubai route] already.”

http://goo.gl/QyrTE

Emirates eyes Phuket add-on Strong early demand on its newly launched Phuket-Dubai service has prompted Emirates Airlines to ponder ramping up capacity on the route with a second daily flight. Emirates executives say what is billed as the world’s fastest-growing carrier has already seen bookings on this route reach 85% up to March. Its maiden flight from Dubai to the southern resort island was almost 95% full, with a similar seat factor on the outbound flight.”There is a huge market demand [for air travel] to Phuket, and we would like to satisfy that fast-growing demand,” Salem Obaidalla, the senior vice-president for commercial operations in the Far East and Australasia, said in Phuket.

...added that the company had set aside a significant investment budget of Bt200 million to Bt300 million for overseas expansion. Full story at http://goo.gl/bH6PF

and cash in on the bigger customer base. When Asean becomes a single market due to the implementation of the Asean Economic Community in 2016, more foreign investment and tourists are likely to come Most Emirates passengers travelling to Thailand. Retail gurus agreed that to Phuket are from Europe, where convenience stores are the rising star the airline has a growing network _ in the retail sector for expansion. now covering 33 cities on that continent _ and they are taking connect- Suwit Kingkaew, president of the ing flights at the airline’s Dubai air- Development of Thai Capital Report hub. Mr Obaidalla said Dubai’s tailers Association, said the increase growing importance as a world air... in the minimum wage to 300 baht Full story at http://goo.gl/974vF throughout the country and higher incomes from rising farm product 7-Eleven operator prices would increase purchasing ready for battle power. These factors will stimulate CP All Plc, the operator of 7-Eleven all convenience store operators to convenience stores, will adopt vari- speed up their investments next ous strategies to do battle with the year. Mr Suwit forecast that at least Family Mart, Lawson, Mini Big C 1,000 new convenience stores from and Tesco Express brands. Central all chains will... Retail Corporation’s Family Mart, Full story at http://goo.gl/5Zp2d Saha Group’s Lawson, Tesco and Big C are all trying to attract more cus- Berli Jucker opens convenience stores tomers. After failing to acquire the retail They all want to latch onto the high- chains of Carrefour hypermarket er purchasing power of customers and Family Mart convenience store,

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Berli Jucker Plc, the trading firm owned by whiskey tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, will instead introduce its own convenience stores early this year. Phidsanu Pongwatana, senior vicepresident for BJC’s retail business, said at least 100 BJC Smart convenience stores will be opened initially. Each will have space of 70 square metres and require an investment of 2-3 million baht. During the launch, all 8,000 products available in the store will be BJC brand, with products from outside producers to be added later. The target customers are Asean residents. BJC president Aswin Techacharoenwikun said expanding into the retail business helps fulfil the company’s goal of having a strong supply chain from manufacturing to distribution and retailing. Mr Phidsanu said BJC will expand its retail business in three formats _ multi-business, multi-format and multi-country _ through its local

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Use the QR Code reader in your smartphone to see all the stories in a certain category. and overseas networks. Apart from developing multi-formats for its retail business through BJC Smart, the company also plans to develop a... Full story at http://goo.gl/LW0kb

Siam Piwat launches e-commerce site

With the rise of the digital era, Siam Piwat Co, the operator of Siam Center and Siam Discovery Center, is riding the wave by setting up an e-commerce firm. With 1 million baht of registered capital, Digimedia Marketing Co will supervise activities related to digital technology including online shopping, electronic marketing and social media. Marketing executive Muenfun Thanyaphaisit said Siam Piwat has spent more than 20 million baht to harness the power of digital media by introducing Siamism, its online shopping channel. At www.siamism.com, customers can shop for fashion and accessories, stationery, gifts, lifestyle items, IT products and gadgets, beauty products and other items from more than 200 shops.

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sales. “The reintroduction of Magnum premium ice-cream bars has been very successful. Magnum sales in the first month after the relaunch this year was equal to what we sold in all of 2011,” said a Magnum sales representative.

Supattra Paopiamsap, the vicepresident for home care, foods and ice cream, said Unilever will open a Magnum Café in Siam Center shopping mall on Jan 9. Several other countries have Magnum Cafes including the UK and Indonesia. “The Magnum Cafe in Indonesia received a healthy response, with longer lines than when Krispy Kreme doughnuts opened in our... Full story at http://goo.gl/wcN3r

Fashion firm signs up Spanish brand

Boutique New City Plc, the Saha Group’s fashion arm, is shifting its focus to market more imported fashion brands than its locally made ones due to the impact of rising wages and the shortage of skilled workers. President Panitarn Pavarolavidya said these factors have led to a supply shortages of its own products in recent months. “Importing Ms Muenfun said Siam Center and fashion brands will help us to speed Siam Discovery are the first shop- our clothing business at a faster ping complexes in Thailand to of- pace,” he said. fer online shopping, although two department stores, Central Depart- The company will open its flagship ment Store and The Mall Group, Trucco store, the Spanish fashion have the service. brand, in Bangkok’s Siam Center next month to respond to the growProducts available at Siamism will ing popularity of Spanish fashion be different from those on offer here. It will spend 10 million baht at the two shopping centres. They on the store covering 127 square will include limited editions, while metres. prices will be lower than those in the centres. The company will offer “We chose this brand because it’s ideal products to online shoppers, good quality and its concept is difhave 90% discounts each day and... ferent from other Spanish brands in Full story at http://goo.gl/UwfB0 Thailand,” said Mr Panitarn. Trucco’s designs come from collective... Magnum Cafe Full story at http://goo.gl/hMruz

promises treat for ice-cream lovers

Unilever Thai Trading Ltd, the leading consumer product manufacturer, achieved its full-year sales target of 40 billion baht in November. All business units, particularly food and home care, have performed strongly thanks to heavy use of marketing activities and social media.

Men’s multi-brand lifestyle store opens at Megabangna

As more health-conscious Thai men want to look good, they are turning to top fashion, skincare and spa brands. Several companies have exploited the craze and made their debuts in the business of beautifying men. Star Fashion (2551) Co, The increase in the daily minimum the maker of Hazard fashion clothwage to 300 baht on April 1 has ing and distributor of Britain’s Fitproved a boon to premium product Flop shoe brand, will officially open

its first men’s multi-brand shop at Project. Opened in Josai Hospital in Megabangna in Bangkok. Ibaraki prefecture’s Yuki city in July, the Thai coffee brand has already The MOU shop, covering 300 square won the hearts of Japanese custommetres, offers up to 30 international ers, with average sales of 285 cups a fashion brands comprising clothes, day. Josai Hospital provides medical shoes, bags, hats and accessories. assistance to Asian countries inAbout half of the brands are from cluding Thailand as part of the Japathe US and Europe. General man- nese International Friendship and ager Sukris Vareerajuthai said men’s Welfare Foundation founded by the multi-brand shops have been popu- hospital. lar in European market for years and are expected to spread through- Priced at 60 baht a cup, the coffee out Asia in the coming months. is inexpensive for Japan. “It’s quite Thailand is a top destination for US cheap compared with other popular and European lifestyle brands as it is brands,” said project chairman MR known that Thai men are willing to Disnadda Diskul. spend their money on... Full story at http://goo.gl/P5R4t Cafe DoiTung is among the project’s four sectors of food, tourism, Nok Air leases new craft and fashion, and agriculture planes after series services and landscape design. MR Disnadda said Doi Tung plans to esof breakdowns tablish a coffee shop and exhibition Nok Air is ushering in a new era in at the headquarters of the US Drug its eight-year history by deploying Enforcement Agency in Washingbrand-new jetliners as it attempts to ton. The project has helped hilltribe mitigate problems related to unex- people in northern Thailand to end pected engine breakdowns involv- opium cultivation by offering... ing used aircraft. The budget airline Full story at http://goo.gl/cwOjH agreed to lease two new Boeing 737800s from GE Capital Aviation Ser- VietJet Air vice, the US-based aircraft lessor, for to enter Bangkok delivery in April. Nok usually leases in February used aircraft because it is cheaper. VietJet Air, Vietnam’s low-cost car“The costs associated with unex- rier, will start descending to Bangpected engine breakdowns are be- kok in early 2013 to break the mocoming prohibitive. It may be more nopoly on budget air travel between worthwhile for us to use brand-new Thailand and Vietnam enjoyed by aircraft that come with a warranty,” Thai AirAsia. The airline, the first said Nok Air president Patee Sara- privately owned carrier in the socialist state, is scheduled to begin a sin. daily flight between Bangkok and Engine breakdowns on two seven- Ho Chi Minh City, its first internayear-old B737-800s prompted the tional route, on Feb 10. airline to embrace the new leasing option. Leasing costs for new jets Plans are afoot for the introduction and those with 5-6 years in service of a Bangkok-Hanoi route, also on are not so different, said Mr Patee, a daily basis, in May 2013 as VietJet though he would not provide fig- gears up its international expansion with a fleet of brand-new A320 narures. row-body jets with 180 seats. However, an airline insider said leasing a new B737-800 would cost The airline, which caused a stir earabout US$350,000 a month, com- lier this year by staging an in-flight pared with $280,000 for a similar bikini show on its inaugural flight type of single-aisle jetliner with 5-6 to the tourist hub of Nha Trang, will years of service. Nok Air will not not only compete with TAA, which retire its current B737-800s. The has dominated budget air travel beairline would rather honour those tween Thailand and Vietnam for lease contracts, which run for 5-8... more than five years. Full story at http://goo.gl/0k7CK will also compete with several DoiTung coffee wins Itfull-service airlines such as Thai Japanese hearts Airways International and Bangkok The first international outlet of Cafe Airways. TAA, part of Asia’s largDoiTung and Lifestyle Shop in Ja- est LCC group, has been operating pan has done much to promote the Bangkok-Hanoi since 2005 and work of the Mae Fah Luang Foun- Bangkok-Ho Chi Minh City... dation’s Doi Tung Development Full story at http://goo.gl/L0OnU

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Human capital key to growing tourism, says PATA chief Thailand should put more importance on investing in human capital and not just in “hardware” in the tourism industry if it wants to secure its sustainable development and keep its leadership in the region in this field, said Martin Craigs, chief executive officer of the Pacific Asia Travel Association. It’s easy to build the hardware of the tourism industry – airports and hotels, for example. But given the boom in tourism and its role as a key driver to build the economy, Thailand is facing a labour shortage. Still, this is not yet a major problem when compared with other nations in Asia, he said. Labour shortages have become common across Asia.

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...added that the company had set aside a significant investment budget of Bt200 million to Bt300 million for overseas expansion. Full story at http://goo.gl/bH6PF

China is one example, where it is creating a big headache for the fastgrowing tourism industry. Meanwhile in the Philippines, although it can produce more than 26,000 graduates to serve the industry annually, 90 per cent of them choose to go overseas.

intersection of Sathorn and Narathiwas roads, next to Chong Nonsi BTS skytrain station, the new hotel is contained within a modern, 31-storey glass and steel tower, but also includes a century-old heritage building that used to serve as the Russian embassy.

Craigs said Thailand should be promoting the learning of foreign languages. The evidence is clear that there are large numbers of Russian tourists pouring into the Kingdom, but there are not enough Russianspeaking locals to take care of them. He raised the example of Chanin Donavanik, CEO of Dusit Thani. Chanin had done a “great” job with his attempt to introduce... Full story at http://goo.gl/CQv2p

“W Bangkok is certain to become an iconic landmark, a true reflection of Bangkok’s east-meets-west heritage in a transforming modern city,” said Stephen Ho, Starwood’s President for Asia Pacific. “With its vision to provide what’s new and next, W Bangkok will set a new scene in Bangkok, adding a new destination and more reasons to visit this dynamic city.”

Starwood opens Bangkok’s first W Hotel

W Bangkok houses 407 rooms and suites in the two buildings, each... Full story at http://goo.gl/hibLZ

Thai-Cambodia single visa

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of W Bang- Thailand and Cambodia agreed to kok, marking the brand’s entry implement a single visa agreement, into the Thai capital. Located at the which will enable tourists to obtain

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one visa to visit both countries from Dec 27. The visa would allow visitors from 35 countries, listed below, to stay up to 60 days in Thailand and 60 days in Cambodia. Tourists would be able to apply for the visa at embassies of either country. The agreement comes under the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy framework. Acmecs, which was initiated by Thailand and set up in 2003, is a joint development agreement olving Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Foreign ministers of the five countries have discussed single visas several times, but Thailand and Cambodia were the first to sign an agreement, five years ago, and are the first countries to implement the scheme. Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said this single visa will help promote tourism in the two countries, making it easier for visitors to obtain visitors and travel between Thailand and Cambodia... Full story at http://goo.gl/rD21K

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Hyatt pins faith in Bangkok hotel sector’s strong potential

Hyatt Hotels Corporation is showing its faith in Bangkok by choosing the city as the location for its first hotel in Southeast Asia under its Hyatt Place brand. Despite high competition and an oversupply of hotels in Bangkok, the company still sees potential for long-term growth. Ratnesh Verma, senior vice-president for real estate and development of Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, said the regional economy has shown a positive trend and Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for international tourists, particularly from China and India. Among Hyatt’s 496 hotels in 45 countries, 68 are in the Asia-Pacific region, where at least 80 hotels will be added in the next five years. About 175 hotels are under development _ half of them in China and India. “This obviously shows that Hyatt has further shifted its focus to AsiaPacific to keep up with the robust... Full story at http://goo.gl/1XfHZ

Koh Samui development in spotlight after blackout

Following the latest power failure on Samui, tourism operators demanded the development of a resilient infrastructure framework that will maintain the resort island’s fame as a world-class visitor destination. The blackout struck reportedly when a short circuit crippled the main transmission line carrying electricity from Nakhon Si Thammarat on the mainland to Samui and nearby Pha-ngan Island. “It’s time the private and public sectors work together for its sustainable development,” said Piyamarn Techapaibul, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand. Piyamarn said the power outage was a good lesson. Tourism development nationwide must go hand in hand with infrastructure development. Samui should be a model, but its development has proceeded without direction. Especially utilities, both water and electricity, are insufficient to serve population growth. For example, 10,000 rooms were estimat-

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said. Foreign executives visiting factories in Min Buri or Lat Krabang like to stay at his resort for a few days or up to two weeks. Room rates ed to be needed to serve the island, are 1,290 baht for a standard room but now that figure has doubled, she and 1,700 to 2,200 baht for a cottage. said. Mr Anan, 35, decided to develop the Thirayuth Chirathivat, CEO of Cen- resort because he wanted to own a tara Hotels & Resorts, also called for business near his home. He bought the problems to be fixed, especially... a 2-rai plot of land for 15 million Full story at http://goo.gl/irhCH baht and has spent about 30 million baht on construction. He uses teak Bangkok as wood as the... travellers’ top Asian Full story at http://goo.gl/aMUiW

city: Conde Nast

Bangkok becomes travellers’ first choice among Asian cities in a survey by Conde Nast Magazine, while the northern city of Chiang Mai comes in fifth. To the readers, Bangkok beats Hong Kong, Kyoto and Singapore. Chiang Mai is ranked the 5th in the annual Readers’ Choice Awards. “The voting results will spread the positive image of Thailand to American and global readers,” said Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Surapol Sawetseranee. Reflecting Thailand’s tourism, at the end of February, Doha-based Qatar Airways is due to introduce a fourth daily flight between Bangkok and Doha to meet growing demand towards the Thai capital. On February 20th, Qatar will then ply the skies 28 times per week the route Doha-Bangkok and return, making a significant rise on one of its busiest routes from its Doha hub to Asia. Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said the additional flight was possible as more long-haul aircraft join the fleet... Full story at http://goo.gl/HG0XC

Clear business vision

Anan Wongaree is proud of his Khum Klao Teak Hut Resort in Bangkok’s Min Buri district. Even though it has been open for almost three years, he has never seen it. The blind man said his small resort will be fully developed next month when the second phase is completed. Located on Khum Klao Road, the resort now has nine cottages and 13 standard rooms in a low-rise building for both local and foreign guests. Six suites in the second phase will be opened on Jan 12. “My resort serves international tourists waiting for flights [at Suvarnabhumi airport] the next day and Japanese or Korean golfers who play golf at nearby courses in Lat Krabang and Suwintawong,” Mr Anan

Projection: 23m tourist arrivals in 2013

Thailand’s tourism industry is likely to grow by more than 10% next year and about 23 million foreigners are expected to visit the country in 2013, Association of Thai Travel Agents president Sisdivachr Cheewarattanporn said.

destinations. Surapong Techa-ruvichit, president of the Thai Hotels Association, said the regulations would help improve the standards of the hospitality industry. More important, they will reduce the supply of rooms nationwide and drive up room rates. Illegal hotels have hurt the licensed operators by luring a large number of tourists with low prices. He noted that lawful hotels bear higher operating costs than their illegal peers. Those offering premium service have to employ a large number of people, while legal hotels in all categories pay room taxes... Full story at http://goo.gl/jjt6F

Asian MICE to buck shrinking spend in 2013

In 2013, a global MICE survey identifies shrinking meetings expenditure, with stagnant or negative growth in all regional markets except for Asia. American Express Meetings & Events 2013 Global Meetings Forecast predicts that Asia Pacific, with its relatively strong economy, is likely to see the strongest growth among regions in both spending and the number of meetings.

Mr Sisdivachr said the number of Asian tourist arrivals, particularly from China, South Korea and Japan, is up 20% to 50% for November and December, 2012. From January to July 2012, the number of tourists who used Atta member services also increased by 20%, the highest growth in three years. The associa- The total number of meetings is tion boasts five million members, he forecast to grow by 6.4%, and overadded. all meeting expenditure will rise 4.2%, while spending is expected The projection is based on an as- to drop in all other markets, and sumption that there will be no po- particularly in Europe which could litical violence, he said. Thailand see a 6% decline. The top five Asian could become the top destination MICE destinations will be Shangin ASEAN if the government could hai, Singapore, Sydney, Beijing, and ensure that the political... Bangkok, though Thailand’s politiFull story at http://goo.gl/ehLW9 cal situation will have a major imon its success with many MICE Govt to crack down pact planners stating concerns for secuon unlicensed hotels rity and political stability. The Interior Ministry will impose tighter regulations early in the new “While Asia Pacific is likely to exyear aimed at upgrading the hospi- perience growth in 2013, as Europe tality industry and doing away with sees declines, meeting professionals unlicensed operators. Once the new in every region point to budget... rules take effect, the ministry will Full story at http://goo.gl/PKVxd allow three months for illegal hotel operators to comply by improving Centara to launch their standards so they qualify for 30 economy hotels licences. Those failing to meet the Centara Hotels & Resorts plans to deadline will face fines of Bt500,000 launch an economy hotel segment or prison, or both. The aim is to to cash in on fast-growing demand eliminate unregulated hotel opera- from travellers. The segment will tors and create fair competition in come under the Cosi Hotels brand the market. and become the group’s sixth brand. The expansion allows the group to The ministry estimates that of the have a variety of hotel formats to more than 12,000 hotels nationwide, serve different demands. Construc7,500 are illegal. They are mainly tion of the first economy hotel will guest houses, serviced apartments, start on Ratchadaphisek Road. It is... and house rentals in major tourist Full story at http://goo.gl/h2OIK

BANGKOK BUSINESS BRIEF

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Thong Lor remains popular for new condos Although the condominium inventory in Thong Lor has passed 300 units, property firms keep developing projects in this swank Bangkok neighbourhood as they believe that demand is still growing for both occupancy and investment. “Up to 30 per cent of buyers at [Sukhumvit] Soi Thong Lor are interested in renting their units to achieve a return on investment of 7-12 per cent a year,” Sahatchai Kwancheun, executive vice president of Harrison Plc, said yesterday. AK Property Co, a subsidiary of KP Group, which diversified from textiles to construction and development in 2007, has embarked on its first condo project, Art @ Thonglor,

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To read the full article of a story brief, enter the short code at the end of the story into your browser: worth Bt490 million after the group succeeding in selling three condo projects in Samui and Phuket since 2007. Managing director Amrit Srikuruwan said the company decided to locate its new project in Thong Lor when it saw strong demand from both domestic and foreign investors, especially for one- and twobedroom apartments with usable space of 30-70 square metres. Art @ Thonglor will offer only 102 units... Full story at http://goo.gl/KPn8O

Ananda buys land near Udom Suk for budget condos

...added that the company had set aside a significant investment budget of Bt200 million to Bt300 million for overseas expansion. Full story at http://goo.gl/bH6PF

Chief executive officer Chanond Ruangkritya said Ananda had signed up for this prime condo site within a week of becoming a publicly listed company. “Ananda is the current leader in Bangkok masstransit living and we will continue to source attractive land plots near the train stations that meet our internal gross margin criteria of 35 per cent. This is just the first of a series of acquisitions planned for the very near term as we continue to [embark] on the growth plan that we promised to investors” at the initial public offering, Chanond said.

Located in the upper Sukhumvit area, the site will see the launch of Ananda’s new budget brand, Elio. Ananda Development has signed Prices will start at less than... a sale and purchase agreement for Full story at http://goo.gl/6PU3n the acquisition of a new condominium site on Sukhumvit Road worth Central shifts Bt825 million. The company will focus back home raise funds on the Stock Exchange Central Pattana Plc , a SET-listed reof Thailand to finance the invest- tail and property developer, has rement. The land is about 600 metres vised its strategy for overseas expanfrom the Udom Suk Skytrain station sion but confirmed the first Central in Bangkok. shopping complex in Asean will still be opened by 2015 as scheduled. CPN has plans to expand to China but the deal to rent space from an investor there to develop a shopping centre in China is less likely to be finalised, said Naris Cheyklin, senior executive vice-president and chief financial officer. Besides, many property firms in the world’s second largest economy have developed retail projects, intensifying competition. “The market’s oversupplied and there are high risks if we develop a project on our own in China,” he said. As a result, CPN has changed its strategy to forming a joint venture with a Chinese retailer who has already developed a project or to taking over an existing development. In any case, CPN will wait until the property prices in China go down by 20-30% from current levels.

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at least 20 per cent in 2013, against expected 2012 income of Bt650 million. The unit’s revenue surge is due to Sansiri’s strong growth, which is expected to continue, Apichart Chutrakul, chief executive of both Plus Property and Sansiri, told a news conference. Sansiri targets presales of Bt42 billion this year and Bt50 billion in 2013. “The main driver of Sansiri’s business growth next year will come from our new residential projects upcountry, which will account for about 30 per cent of our presales worth Bt42 billion this year,” he said. Up to 90 per cent of the property management business of Plus Property comes from Sansiri’s residential projects, which will total some 140 by year-end. This business has generated about 33 per cent of the subsidiary’s revenue this year. “Our property management will focus... Full story at http://goo.gl/SZdUc

Transit extensions boost land price

Prices of residential land along Sukhumvit Road from On Nut to Bearing are showing record growth of 14.9 per cent to between Bt800,000 and Bt1 million per square wah this year thanks to the completion of the Skytrain extension, the Agency for Real Estate Affairs said. The second-biggest year-on-year rise is 14 per cent along the Blue Line extension of the MRT, now under construction, from Hua Lamphong to Bang Khae, followed by 11.5 per cent along the Purple Line from Bang Sue to Bang Yai. Land along Rama I Road from Siam Square to Ploenchit Road still shows high prices averaging Bt1.5 million per square wah (Bt375,000 per square metre), followed by Wireless Road to the head of Sukhumvit from Soi 1 to Soi 21 at Bt1.3 million per square wah and Silom Road to Rajdamri Road at Bt1.25 million per square wah.

In its view, Vietnam is as attractive as China but the market is... Full story at http://goo.gl/akiBq Sopon Pornchokchai, president of the agency, said yesterday that land Sanrisi growth to prices in Greater Bangkok were up boost Plus Property 3.7 per cent this year because of the start of construction late last year by 20% next year on the Purple and Blue lines. The Sansiri subsidiary Plus Property, a agency’s survey also found that land real-estate management and bro- prices around existing rail routes... kerage company, targets growth of Full story at http://goo.gl/sN5dS

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CPB advised to seek out real tenants When a lease contract is renewed, the existing tenant and landlord should be treated fairly and new rents set close to market rates, says property expert Assoc Prof Manop Bongsadadt. Landlords, particularly institutions such as Chulalongkorn University and the Crown Property Bureau, should favour real tenants who will renew a lease contract directly with them. “Real tenants should stay or make a living on the rental property. If they sublease the place to second, third or fourth tenants, then they are businessmen and should be screened out,” he said. As an adviser to CU’s Office of Property Management, Assoc Prof Manop said the office has experienced the same problem CPB faced two days ago with the existing tenants in Chalerm Larp Market. “If tenants are unhappy [with higher rents or other conditions], then we need to negotiate with them, giving them a grace period to prepare and asking them what they want. If they are still unhappy with what we offer, both sides will meet in court,” he said.

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...added that the set aside a signi company had budget of Bt20 ficant investment million for over0 million to Bt300 seas expansion Full story at http: . //goo.gl/bH6PF

F liam Shakespe are Nature and life in JuliusCaesar. 1997-98 was a blessing are cyclical _ , as the mains the impact of seasons of the yea 2008 would ha above the Europ the phases of the r, life and death, far worse ve been ean average. for the region, http://goo.gl/o ” Azman In Caught up in da moon, the tides. Mokhtar, zbNM India, China the managing ily details, we eas and Thailand, ily forget that dir ect of or Kh Asia stands to rou aza ghly 12 percent nah the business wo of has cycles, too. rld told the CI Nasional of Malaysia, tion contribute to a the populaWe are all fam MB Asean Confe gain from W pension, while iliar with the econo rence. the we es t mi ak c ne bu sse sin s ess of cycle His com slowdown of expansion, con sion system are Thailand’s penments were... ... covery. Howe traction and re- Full story Full story at htt The shift of eco ver, other cyc at http://goo.gl/d nomic growth p:/ /goo.gl/rtpH3 lic ph al fu2 en u om ena affect... momentum to the Thailand near Preventing up numerous East has opened Full story at http://goo.gl/fJ to p opportunities olr of list of wor that Asian countries Bangkok from out, suggests an should not miss Panel: Asia bett weakest pensld’s sinking bigges economist. io off, not immun er n t systems: stud challenge The robust eco y from global cr e, no Greece, India, Ch Land subsidence China and em mic growth of is es ina and Thailand erging economi caused by groun are home to the water losses top will open a ne es KUALA LUMPUR : The As d weake w s ian cri- pensi on systems in st national lems that must the list of probAsian economi opportunity for sis in the late 1990s was a wa es to increase the be the kesol cal up ved wo l for in rld cri Ba , the region that pp wealth from tra ir has turned eig led by a mix of acute sover- kok to mitigate the impact ngde in goods an out to be of the n debt, young climate change services at a tim a blessing in d retire dis e on States and Europ when the United nearly 15 years later, as the guise high ratios of pension ment ages, a study by multin flooding, says region’s ers an ers to worke ational agencies financial sec Full story at htt are... d . p://goo.gl/S65D6 able to sus tor is now strong and study poor pension take-up, a The conclusio showed. tain a certain n de is gre contained in of shocks from e Grow with th a rep ort the entitled “Clim e flow Western Hemi fallout in the The Allianz ate Risks and Ad of cycles sphere, accord ing sion Susta Global Investors Pen- Megac aptation in Asian Coastal to a panellist at a recent As inability Index, ities”, jointly con ‘There is a tid ean conference. ducted by the which Asian De tracks the rel e velop ati men, which, tak in the affairs of ity of nationa ve sustainabil- Internation ment Bank, the Japan l al leads on to for en at the flood, “There wi in 44 countries pension systems and the Wo Cooperation Agency ll be more crises tune”, wrote Wi around the wo rld Bank in 201 l- future, an in the showe rld, 0. d the Asian crisis in tirees d the number of Greek reThe report recom to people of wo rking age reFull story at htt mended a... p://goo.gl/20yMD rest

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The market in 2013 will have the same value as this year. Meanwhile, average housing prices will rise by 4-8 per cent. The average budget for building a house will be around Bt3 million to Bt5 million. The association will proactively coordinate with government agencies to solve the... Full story at http://goo.gl/FSOMi

“However, while these second-tier locations may provide more possibilities for opportunistic returns, market penetration is generally more difficult and opportunities are limited. “In addition, these locations usually carry a significantly higher Location, location, degree of implied risk. In practice, location therefore, most investors will find... Location is the most important facFull story at http://goo.gl/GThTd tor for choosing property for investment but be mindful of functionalBlue Sky Group ity and avoid overstretching your chases cheaper finances, say experts. Prof Manop Bongsadadt of Chulalongkorn Uniplots in Pattaya versity’s architecture faculty said Blue Sky Group (BSG), a new prop- location rather than price should erty developer owned by a group of compel investors to buy property. Thai-Indian investors, plans to de- Long-term investment in property velop one or two resort-style condo- in a good location has high potenminium projects a year in Pattaya, tial for gains. In general, land close each one worth 2 billion baht. Man- to commercial areas increases in aging director Thavatchai Sachdev value in the long term as more peosaid the Pattaya property market has ple move to cities. boomed during the past two years, ever since the entrance of new luxu- He cited the old Seri Village in Hua ry hotels by Hilton and Centara. Mak close to Rama IX Road as an example. Some properties worth Pattaya has also attracted entertain- only 300,000 baht three decades ago ment projects such as the Cartoon are now worth 15 million. “Is there Network’s water park, and leading any other type of investment that Bangkok developers have launched many condominiums near the beach or in Pattaya city. “The cost of land in Bangkok is higher than in Pattaya, while construction costs and unit selling prices in both areas are quite close,” said Mr Thavatchai.

Two years ago, Siam Square tenants were unhappy with higher rents after their leases expired, but CU found less than 20% of them were... After success with its first two reFull story at http://goo.gl/uDSBr sort-style condo projects, BSG will a new one next year. In April Bangkok ranks sixth launch 2011, Blue Sky Development Co, a in poll on investment subsidiary, launched the Atlantis Condo Resort Pattaya _ five eightdestinations storey buildings worth 2 billion Bangkok has emerged from the baht, now 90% sold. Located on 11 shadows to rank sixth among sec- rai on Jomtien Sai 2, the project will ond-tier Asia-Pacific cities that have have 1,000 units sized from 34.5-69 become favoured investment and square metres and priced at... development destinations, at least Full story at http://goo.gl/bAHG5 partly on the back of a newly vibrant real-estate investment trust market Housing prices and the opportunistic yields afford- to rise by 4-8% ed by a growing economy, accord- in new year, ing to a survey. The city moved up eight places from last year’s survey. builders’ group says The Home Builder Association exThe report on “Emerging Trends pects housing prices next year to in Real Estate – Asia-Pacific 2013”, rise by 4-8 per cent because of riscompleted by the Urban Land Insti- ing costs of raw materials and wages tute and PricewaterhouseCoopers, along with the shortage of labour. also noted Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur Patchara Tantayanyong, president and secondary cities in China. This of the association, said the overall is probably at least partly a result of value of the home-building market ongoing yield compression in the would total around Bt10.2 billion bigger, more developed markets, this year, lower than targeted, partly it said. because of the labour shortage.

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can yield a better return?” he asked. Gold is said to be the riskiest investment. Blue-chip stocks have a limited amount, while short-term stock investment is at risk of manipulation. Property should be a good bet for long-term investment of 10-20 years. Sopon Pornchokchai, president of the Agency for Real Estate Affairs said demand for condominiums in inner Bangkok has... Full story at http://goo.gl/fRfWK

Winds of change for realty

The government’s policy to splurge more than Bt1.1 trillion from 201319 on infrastructure is redrawing the landscape for the real estate market. “This is a time to change the property market to urbanisation rather than focus on Bangkok only,” Naporn Sunthornchitcharoen, senior executive VP of Land & Houses Plc, said. Urbanisation means the market will expand from Bangkok’s CBDs to the outskirts of the capital and beyond the border as well as to major provincial cities. Building techniques will be developed to speed up the construction process so that supply can meet the surging demand for residences both... Full story at http://goo.gl/sGBla

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Google caters to net users in emerging markets Google plans a new set of services to meet the needs of the world’s rapidly growing number of online users, including Voice Search and a “Free Zone” Web browsing service. The company expects another 1 billion people around the globe will have gone online between 2010 and 2015, the majority of them in emerging countries.

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...added that the company had set aside a significant investment budget of Bt200 million to Bt300 million for overseas expansion. Full story at http://goo.gl/bH6PF

land, with prices ranging from 2,750 Mobile, cloud to 9,250 baht. The new routers are solutions expected designed to serve a consumer’s digital lifestyle that requires multiple to drive security internet-connected devices such as firm’s income internet TV, smartphones, tablets Security-systems company nForce and game consoles. aims for 15-per-cent revenue growth next year by providing soThe consumer demands video and lutions for wireless infrastructure, streaming content with a high-per- mobile devices and cloud infraformance router and easy configu- structure. Nakrop Niamnamtham, ration, she said. “This is a new mar- managing director of nForce Secuket growth area for us, but we still rity Systems AP, said that mobilebelieve 90% of data will be stored... device solutions covered encryption Full story at http://goo.gl/C4w1x and security.

Social media are here to stay. Do you have a strategy?

No business can deny the power of social media. Social networking has emerged as the dominant cultural phenomenon of the digital era. It’s not about businesses selling products, promoting the company message or sending out data over a one-way communication channel. Consumers are in charge, talking about those businesses _ and their products, services, employees, performances and reputations _ across To prepare these people to go on- social networks in billions of chats, line, Google is investing in the es- blogs and emails. tablishment of data centres across the region to allow its products and Social media are changing the way services to work better throughout people work, shop, receive services Asia. It is spending US$700 million and communicate with each oth(Bt21.4 billion) to set up centres in er. We are in the midst of a major Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore, change in the way that businesses he said. With the future being one and customers interact, whether our in which people have multi-devices, customers are consumers or other Google’s Voice Search service is de- businesses, internal or external. It’s signed to facilitate users to search... a change enabled by technology, but Full story at http://goo.gl/ZvZzZ not fundamentally about technology. It’s about having conversations WD focuses with customers. These conversaon Thailand’s tions are partially or wholly public, requiring a new culture of transparrouter market ency. US-based Western Digital Corporation, the world’s leading maker of Recognising the importance of this hard-disk drives, is set to ramp up trend, PricewaterhouseCoopers marketing over the next few months (PwC) has gathered the thoughts of to build its brand in Thailand as a CEOs from around the world over maker of digital lifestyle products. the past several years (PwC’s annual “The company is ready to allocate global CEO survey). CEOs expect its marketing budget to communi- that social media and mobile deviccate to Thai consumers that WD is es will prompt a “significant change” no longer just a disk drive maker, in companies’ strategies to engage but also offers products that serve a customers, as customers turn to soconnected life,” said Amy Tan, a se- cial media to voice their preferences. nior manager for WD in Asean. Social media are flourishing. LeadWD on Tuesday launched the ing companies know that participaN600, N750, N900 and N900 Cen- tion is no longer an option but... tral series of home routers in Thai- Full story at http://goo.gl/2Qwhw Most of the roughly 500 million who have already done so during the period are now online via mobile phones, a trend that is expected to continue through to 2015, said Julian Persaud, managing director of Google Southeast Asia. Accessing the Web used to be about desktops, but from now it is all about mobile devices, he said.

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In 2013, the firm will expand its customer base to small and medium-sized enterprises and open an around-the-clock, seven-day-aweek call centre. It will offer new solutions and new partners to provide alternatives for its customers. It has lined up two IT-security business partners – FireMon for cloud solutions and Rapid7 to distribute fixes for the loopholes in operatingsystem network applications and databases. “I think that next year the security market will see serious growth with the emergence of government mega-projects such as the tablets for children and the coming of 3G technology and the growth of the tablet and smart-phone market. “It will also help organisations manage their infrastructure from ‘bring...’ Full story at http://goo.gl/41UU2

AIS faced with new challenges in 3G era

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AIS now has 14,000 2G base stations for the existing analogue 900-megahertz frequency and a number of 3G HSPA bases on the 900-MHz frequency. Its Digital Phone Co subsidiary, operating mobile service... Full story at http://goo.gl/Lv4Ng

Sanook launches online marketplace in Chiang Mai

Sanook.com is introducing chiangmai.dealfish.co.th, an online marketplace for buying and selling products and services exclusively for people in Chiang Mai and elsewhere in the North. “Dealfish.co.th is the most convenient locally focused person-to-person community marketplace in Thailand that Sanook officially launched in February,” said Tiwa York, Sanook Online managing director for e-commerce. “After its introduction, we received a good response and we saw that there was an opportunity to expand the market by focusing on the major provinces of Thailand, beginning with Chiang Mai at chiangmai.dealfish.co.th. “The reason we chose Chiang Mai as the first province in the expansion of dealfish.co.th was that we had analysed Internet users’ behaviour and found that apart from Bangkok and its neighbouring provinces, people in the Chiang Mai area used the Internet the most. Hence we saw that an expansion of dealfish into the local market would best respond to the needs of local users, so we combined products and services for local sales in the Northern area to provide convenience for people in Chiang Mai and in other provinces in the North. “We envisage that in the future when 3G is available nationwide, this will be a factor in... Full story at http://goo.gl/P5zbo

Advanced Info Service, the country’s largest mobile operator, admits it will be increasingly difficult to maintain its decade-long leadership position with the dawn of the third-generation (3G) marketplace, in which all companies will work under the same rules and on a level playing field. Somprasong Boonya- Banks keen to make chai, the executive chairman of AIS Facebook friends parent InTouch, said innovative services will be crucial to attracting With Bangkok having 8.68 milcustomers. lion Facebook users, more than any other city in the world. There is no He said to maintain leadership, AIS doubt that social media are a powwill provide a variety of services erful influence among Thais. When with the aim of sustaining the firm’s Facebook users post comments, majority market share in mobile update status, click “Like” and tag data. Modern telecommunications photos to their friends, the inforand IT infrastructure coupled with mation is seen and shared by othnew digital content and media will ers. You may save routine expenses be the company’s strategy to drive and increase wealth from financial growth, said Mr Somprasong. tips posted on Facebook fanpages

BANGKOK BU SINESS BRIEF

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BANGKOK BUSINESS BRIEF Mid-January/Mid-February 2013 General Inte

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KBank Live, Kasikornbank’s Facebook page, is No.1 with 340,000 fans. Building a long-term relationship with customers or potential customers is the key objective of fanpages, but they also help banks to provide advice and customer relationship management. “With a clear purpose, Facebook should be a channel to induce integration between the bank and customers. It should not be a sales point,” said... Full story at http://goo.gl/U46im

Takorn said the insurance would be optional, and the cost added to the monthly service fee of subscribers who choose it. Other countries have adopted similar insurance schemes, he said. If the idea is accepted, the NBTC office will find out which international insurance firms in Thailand are willing to offer this kind of coverage. Takorn said consumers should be compensated for the loss of business opportunity when... Full story at http://goo.gl/k7dOH

Ten per cent of Thai online users have a disproportionate share of influence on their peer consumers, according to the latest global study by Initiative. The media communications company has uncovered some interesting trends about the tech-savvy Thai consumer, one of the more powerful findings being the influence of this group.

Information-technology experts and entrepreneurs have proposed amendments to Myanmar’s telecommunications bill that was made public last month. Khun Oo, president of the Myanmar Computer Federation, said the information and communications technology sector could develop rapidly, but it could also decline because of the new law.

Initiative said it would push to help clients engage this new area and harness the power of this segment of the population to connect them further with their brand. The global online study featured more than 8,000 Web users aged 16-54 across Europe, Asia and the United States.

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Nature and life in JuliusCaesar. 1997-98 wa are cyclical _ the impact of s a blessing, as the mains seasons of the yea 2008 would ha above the Europ the phases of the r, life and death, far worse ve been ean average. for the region, mo http://goo.gl/o on, the tides. ” Azman In Caught up in da zbNM India, China ily details, we eas Mokhtar, the managing and Thailand, ily forget that dir ect of or Kh Asia stands to rou aza ghly 12 percent nah the business wo of has cycles, too. rld told the CI Nasional of Malaysia, tion contribute to a the populaWe are all fam MB Asean Confe gain from W pension, while iliar with the econo rence. the we es t mi ak c ne bu sse sin s ess of cycle His com slowdown of expansion, con sion system are Thailand’s penments were... ... covery. Howe traction and re- Full story Full story at htt The shift of eco ver, other cyc at http://goo.gl/d nomic growth p:/ /goo.gl/rtpH3 lic ph al fu2 en u om ena affect... momentum to the Thailand near Preventing up numerous East has opened Full story at http://goo.gl/fJ to p opportunities olr of list of wor that Asian countries Bangkok from out, suggests an should not miss Panel: Asia bett weakest pensld’s sinking bigges economist. io off, not immun er n t systems: stud challenge The robust eco y from global cr e, no Greece, India, Ch Land subsidence China and em mic growth of is es ina and Thailand erging economi caused by groun are home to the water losses top will open a ne es KUALA LUMPUR : The As d weake w s ian cri- pensi on systems in st national lems that must the list of probAsian economi opportunity for sis in the late 1990s was a wa es to increase the be the kesol cal up ved wo l for in rld cri Ba , the region that pp wealth from tra ir has turned eig led by a mix of acute sover- kok to mitigate the impact ngde in goods an out to be of the n debt, young climate change services at a tim a blessing in d retire dis e on States and Europ when the United nearly 15 years later, as the guise high ratios of pension ment ages, a study by multin flooding, says region’s ers an ers e ational agencies financial sec Full story at htt are... d poor pension to work. is now strong an p://goo.gl/S65D6 able to sus torExamples take-up, a Th dofstuour dy shoServices tain a certain e conclusion wed. de is gre contained in of shocks from e Grow with th a rep ort the entitled “Clim fallout inserver e flow Western Hemi• Virtual – liarequest IT resources on-demand the The Al ate Risks and Ad of cycles nz sphere, accord ing sion Susta Global Investors Pen- Megac aptation in Asian Coastal to a panellist at• aData inability ities”, jointlHosting rec en Ind t ‘There is a tid Center services – Co-Location, Virtual y As con ex, ean conference. ducte which Asian De tracks the rel e velopment Bank d by the ative sustaina men, which, tak in the affairs of , the Japan bil- Inthosting) of nationaWebmail, ernational Co (Exchange inity system, Web l pensi leads on to for en at the flood, “There wi 44 countries aro on systems and the World operation Agency ll be more crises tune”, wrote Wi un Ba d nk l- future, an in the in the showed the world, best network 2010. d the •AsDesign, and suggest numb ian crisis inimplement, tirees to people er of Greek re- The report ofsystem recommended working agesolutions and IT infrastructure re- Full story a... at http://goo.gl/2 0yMD Sponsored by

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belonging to several financial insti- cellular subscribers when their 3G tutions. networks fail.

Top 10% of users have high effect on others

...added that the set aside a signi company had budget of Bt20 ficant investment million for over0 million to Bt300 seas expansion Full story at http: . //goo.gl/bH6PF

Experts urge changes to Myanmar telecom bill

Ye Yint Win, president of the Myanmar Computer Professionals Association, said: “Every telecommunications services will need a licence. Web-development businesses, ecommerce businesses and individuals who want to sell their applications will also need licences. So [the law] needs to separate and identify the services that need licences and those that do not need licences, as it can harm freedom of creation and small enterprises.”

The emerging influencer group has been called the “top 10 per cent” and can be defined by several key attributes and behaviour. These include having higher levels of media consumption; a social predisposition and wide-category shopping; Chaw Khin Khin of MCC Groups and being more likely to research... added: “If Google doesn’t apply for a Full story at http://goo.gl/urcGf licence after the bill is passed, Gmail will become an illegal mail-service Telecoms may provider. The bill should encourage be asked to offer competition.” He also criticised the service interruption bill for placing the regulating body under the control of the Ministry of insurance Communications and... Takorn Tantasit, secretary-general Full story at http://goo.gl/YHGeB of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, Intel looks to 3G for says he will propose that the three notebook reboot companies planning to provide Intel is pinning its hopes on the rollthird-generation cellular service on out of 3G in Thailand to revive limp the 2.1-gigahertz spectrum be re- notebook sales, which hit their lowquired to offer service insurance for est level in a decade this year. The their customers. Operators would firm plans to introduce a convertpay a premium to insurance com- ible notebook, a new device that... panies to cover damages suffered by Full story at http://goo.gl/uxKNU

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B www.BBBrief.com riefs

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The Chambers

General Inte

rest

liam Shakespe are Nature and life ar seasons of the yea the phases of the r http://goo.gl/o Caught up in da m zbNM ily ily forget that Asia stands to the b has cycles, too. We a gain from W with the econo mi slowdown est of expansion, con c tra cov ery. However, The shift of eco o no mentum to the mic growth mo- phenomena affect... up numerous East has opened Full story at http://go op Asian countries portunities that out, suggests an should not miss Panel: Asia b economist. off, not immu The robust eco fr om global c nomic growth China and em of erging economi will open a ne es KUALA LUMPUR : Th w opportunity sis in the late 1990 for Asian economi s was es wealth from tra to increase their call for the region that de in goods an out to be services at a tim a blessing i d e States and Europ when the United nearly 15 years later, as t e financial sec Full story at htt are... p://goo.gl/S65D6 able to sus tor is now s tain a cer of shocks from the ta Grow with th fallo e fl ow We ste rn Hemisphere, of cycles to a panellist at a rece ‘There is a tid con ference. e men, which, tak in the affairs of leads on to for en at the flood, “There wi ll be more cris tune”, wrote Wi l- future, an d the Asian Sponsored by

Use your smartphone’s QR Code scanner or enter the short code to go directly to AMCHAM’s website.

...

The American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand (AMCHAM) 7th Floor, GPF Witthayu Tower A, 93/1 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Tel: +66 (0)2 254 1041 Fax: +66 (0)2 251 1605 Website: www.amchamthailand.com Email: service@amchamthailand.com

The Charitable Foundation’s year-end activities For more than three decades, AMCHAM members have been actively committed to improving the social infrastructure in Thailand, particularly for schools in rural areas. AMCHAM formally registered the AMCHAM Thailand Charitable Foundation (ATCF) in 2004, thereby providing a legal entity through which AMCHAM members and other supporters can demonstrate their commitment to the betterment of Thailand by contributing to a range of educational, civic, and social services projects.

http://goo.gl/mbUpG

ATCF supports disaster risk reduction education book for Thai children

The American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand’s Charitable Foundation (ATCF) was warmly received at the Ministry of Education for the donation of 3,000 “Alert Little Mole” coloring books with crayons.

The coloring book was created in response to the devastating flood in 2011 and is designed to increase awareness among young children of the causes of natural disasters. The book provides simple risk reduction lessons. Ten-thousand copies of the book are being distributed to Thai Here are four recent ATCF activities. To learn more about the public schools across the country, notably in provinces prone to recurAMCHAM Charitable Foundation, please visit the AMCHAM website ring floods. or email Sheree at: sheree@amchamthailand.com. The ATCF, Save the Children and The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) partnered to create the book. ATCF thanks the Ministry of Education and the Corporate Supporters who made the book possible: Chevron, Bangkok Patana School Foundation, Esso (Thailand), Mazars (Thailand), New International School of Thailand, Seagate Technology (Thailand), W.R. Grace (Thailand) and Yum Restaurants International (Thailand).

Ron Hensley Memorial Playground dedication FedEx delivers Christmas gifts to Sithipayagorn School On December 16, 2012, over 100 FedEx Express volunteers brought Santa, gifts and funds for a new playground to Sithipayagorn School, Amphur Wang Noi, Ayudhaya. FedEx Express donated 60,000 baht – and received an AMCHAM matching grant of 60,000 baht – to provide safe equipment for the school’s kindergarten playground. The FedEx volunteers spent their afternoon engaging the students in activities and games. The visit concluded with Santa distributing school bags and other school supplies to students.

Party raises 78,000 baht for the Mercy Centre

AMCHAM celebrated their annual Eggnog Festive Holiday Party on December 6 and collected 78,340 baht and toys for donation to the Human Development Foundation’s Mercy Centre. Since 2007, AMCHAM‘s holiday party has raised 400,030 baht for the Mercy Centre. The Mercy Centre was founded in 1972 by Father Joe Maier and Sister Maria Chantavarodom to provide education support for children of poor neighborhoods. Today the Centre is part of the Human Development Foundation under the Royal Patronage of HRH Princess Srirasmi and provides education and quality of life assistance to over 6,000 children and over 5,000 adults.

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On December 3, 2012, friends of the late Ron Hensley gathered at Wat Marnwichai Municapal School to dedicate the Ron Hensley Memorial Playground. This playground was made possible by a 259,156 baht donation from individual donations and an AMCHAM matching grant. The individual donors were: Edward Corcoran, John Evans, Dennis Meseroll, Chic Chicarelli, David Nardone, Nigel Oakins, Tom Payne, George Hooker, Joe Feinsten, Ken and Ann White, Vorapong Vorasuntharosoth, Greg Corrigan, Gerald Kania, James Ferry, Herm Rowland Sr. and Herm Rowland Jr., Mike Bianco, Craig Blacklock, Peter Fischback, Jim Schneider, Charles and Shannon Blocker, James Yarbrough and Paul Robere.

BANGKOK BU SINESS BRIEF

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Briefs 17

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Mid-January/Mid-February 2013 BANGKOK BUSINESS BRIEF

The Chambers

General Inte

rest

liam Shakespe are Nature and life ar seasons of the yea the phases of the r http://goo.gl/o Caught up in da m zbNM ily ily forget that Asia stands to the b has cycles, too. We gain from W with the econo mi slowdown est of expansion, con c tra cov ery. However, The shift of eco o no mentum to the mic growth mo- phenomena affect... up numerous East has opened Full story at http://go op Asian countries portunities that out, suggests an should not miss Panel: Asia b economist. off, not immu The robust eco fr om global c nomic growth China and em of erging economi will open a ne es KUALA LUMPUR : Th w opportunity sis in the late 1990 for Asian economi s wa es wealth from tra to increase their call for the region that de in goods an out to be services at a tim a blessing i d e States and Europ when the United nearly 15 years later, as t e financial sec Full story at htt are... p://goo.gl/S65D6 able to sus tor is now tain a cer of shocks from the ta Grow with th fallo e fl ow We ste rn Hemisphere, of cycles to a panellist at a rece ‘There is a tid con ference. e men, which, tak in the affairs of leads on to for en at the flood, “There wi ll be more cris tune”, wrote Wi l- future, an d the Asian Sponsored by

Use your smartphone’s QR Code scanner or enter the short code to go directly to AustCham’s website.

...

The Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce (AustChamThailand) 20th Floor, Thai CC Tower, 889 South Sathorn Road, Yannawa, Bangkok 10120 Tel: +66 (0)2 210 0216-8 Fax: +66 (0)2 675 6696 Website: www.austchamthailand.com Email: admin@austchamthailand.com

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http://goo.gl/N47Gg

2012 AustCham Thailand President’s Award The AustCham Thailand President’s Award is presented to an individual or organisation that has made a significant contribution to the Australian and Thailand business communities, to the relationship between Australia and Thailand, or has substantially facilitated investment or trade between our two nations. This time last year Thailand was in a state of disarray due to the devastating floods that swept through at the end of 2011. The President’s Award was put on the hold in the wake of a country wide clean up. One year on and after much hard work AustCham was pleased to resurrect the tradition and announce the 2012 recipient during December Sundowners at the Ambassador’s Residence. AustCham President John Anderson proudly presented the award to well-known and highly regarded Chamber member (and former Director), David Armstrong. Drawing on his career in Austcham President John Anderson presents award to David Armstrong: magazine and newspaper journalism spanning “He is a proud Australian, a tireless supporter of the Chamber and somebody who is always helping others.” 40 years and several different countries, David has been very strong supporter of the chamber throughout his time editor of The Canberra Times, editor-in-chief of The Australian, in Thailand. editor-in-chief of the South China Morning Post, and president and chief operating officer of the Post Publishing media company in “This year’s President’s award started as a junior reporter on The Bangkok, Thailand. Ultimately, however, this year’s President’s Award Australian newspaper as soon as he graduated from the University of recipient is a person who has achieved much, but – most significantly, New South Wales in 1969. He went on to become editor of The Bulletin, and selflessly – has given even more. “

BANGKOK BUSINESS BRIEF

The Chambers

15 Soi Tonson, Ploenchit Road Lumpini, Pathumwan Bangkok 10330 Tel: +66 (0)2 309 5250 Website: www.beluthai.org Email: info@beluthai.org

http://goo.gl/EGpi8

Danish-Thai CC (Dancham) 34 C.P. Tower 3, 9th Floor Tower A, Phayathai Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400 Tel: +66 (0)2 354 5220 Fax: +66 (0)2 354 5221 Website: www.dancham.or.th Email: contact@dancham.or.th

Franco-Thai CC (FTCC)

rest

Use your smartphone’s QR Code scanner or enter the short code to go directly to a Chamber’s website.

Malaysian-Thai CC (MTCC)

3601 36th Floor, Q Houses Lumpini Bldg., South Sathorn Rd., Tungmahamek, Sathorn Bangkok 10120 Tel: +66 (0)2 677 7393 Fax: +66 (0)2 677 7394 Website: www.mtcc.or.th http://goo.gl/Xqn32 Email: admin@mtcc.or.th

Netherlands-Thai CC (NTCC)

Tel: +66 (0)2 309 5250 Website: www.ntccthailand.org Email: info@ntccthailand.org

German-Thai CC (GTCC)

http://goo.gl/WaAzA

9th Floor, ITF Tower, 140/26 Silom Road, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Tel: +66 (0)2 634 3283 Fax: +66 (0)2 634 3004 Website: www.nztcc.org http://goo.gl/7IxHW Email: director@nztcc.org

Singapore-Thai CC (STCC)

25th Fl., Empire Tower 3, 195 South Sathorn Road Yannawa, Sathorn Bangkok 10120 Tel: +66 (0)2 670 0600 Fax: +66 (0)2 670 0601 Website: www.gtcc.org Email: services@gtcc.org http://goo.gl/KizCx

India-Thai CC (ITCC)

193/8 Lake Rajada Office Complex, 1st Floor Rachadapisek Road, Klongtoey, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 (0)2 264 0680-4 Fax: +66 (0)2 264 0688 Website: www.singaporethaicc.or.th Email: marketing@singaporethaicc.or.th http://goo.gl/hwtqK

South African-Thai CC (SATCC)

http://goo.gl/j3q0Y

Irish Thai CC (ITCC) Maneeya Center Bldg, 7th Fl, 518/5 Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Tel: +66 (0)2 652 0848 Fax: +66 (0)2 652 0671 Website: www.irishthaicc.com Email: info@irishthaicc.com http://goo.gl/vTn6j

Japanese CC (JCC) 15th floor Amarin Tower, 500 Ploenchit Road, Kwang Lumpini, Khet Patumwan Bangkok 10330 Tel: +66 (0)2 256 9170-3 Fax: +66 (0)2 652 0931 Website: www.jcc.or.th Email: info@jcc.or.th http://goo.gl/Ak9yr

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New Zealand Thai CC (NZTCC)

5th Floor, Indosuez House, 152 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Tel: +66 (0)2 650 9613-4 Fax: +66 (0)2 650 9739 Website: www.francothaicc.com Email: contact@francothaicc.com http://goo.gl/QmEcX

No. 13, Sathorn Soi 1, Thungmahamek, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120 Tel: +66 (0)2 287 3001 Fax: +66 (0)2 679 7720 Website: www.itcc.or.th Email: info@itcc.or.th

General Inte

Sponsored by

15 Soi Tonson, Ploenchit Road Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330

http://goo.gl/9Y8wd

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Belgian-Luxembourg/Thai CC (BeLuThai)

BANGKOK BU SINESS BRIEF

10/143 (1503A), 15th Fl The Trendy Bldg Soi Sukhumvit 13, Klongtoey-Nua, Wattana Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 (0)2 168 7416-7 Fax: +66 (0)2 168 7418 Website: www.satcc.net Email: satcc@satcc.net http://goo.gl/szwoZ

Swiss Thai CC (STCC) Bangkok Business Centre Bldg, 18th Fl., Unit 1802 #29, Sukhumvit 63 Road, Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 (0)2 714-4177 Fax: +66 (0)2 714-4179 Website: www.swissthai.com Email: info@swissthai.com http://goo.gl/EQ7pz

Thai-Canadian CC (TCCC) 139 Pan Road, Sethiwan Tower, 9th Floor, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Tel: +66 (0)2 266 6085/6 Fax: +66 (0)2 266 6087 Website: www.tccc.or.th Email: tccc@loxinfo.co.th http://goo.gl/xOX5c

Mid-January/Mid-February 2013 BANGKOK BUSINESS BRIEF

The Chambers

Thai C. C. Tower 9th Fl., 889 South Sathorn Rd., Sathorn Bangkok 10120 Tel: +66 (0)2 675 8577-84 Fax: +66 (0)2 212 3916-7 Website: www.thaicc.org Email: info@thaicc.org http://goo.gl/nvgVp

Thai-Finnish CC (TFCC) C/O FINPRO Office, Netpoint SEA Ltd. 2nd Floor Wandee Siam Bldg, 58/84 Muangthong Thani, Chaengwattana, Klongklua, Nonthaburi 11120 Tel: +66 (0)2 574 2879-80 Fax: +66 (0)2 574 2877 Website: www.thaifin.or.th Email: tfcc@thaifin.or.th http://goo.gl/bZC1O

Thai-Hong Kong Trade Association (THTA) Empire Tower, 25th Floor, 195 South Sathorn Road, Yannawa, Bangkok 10120 Tel: +66 (0)2 343 9000 Fax: +66 (0)2 343 9029 Website: www.thta.or.th http://goo.gl/qY8zE Email: thai-hongkong@thta.or.th

Thai-Israel CC (TICC) 14th Fl., Manorom Building, 3354/45 Rama 4 Rd., Klongton, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 (0)2 672 7020 Fax: +66 (0)2 672 7021 Website: www.thaisraelcc.com http://goo.gl/ua3Aw Email: ticc@thaisraelcc.com

Thai-Italian CC (TICC) 1126/2 Vanit II Building, 16th Floor, 1601B New Petchburi Rd., Makkasan, Rajdhevee, Bangkok 10400 Tel: +66 (0)2 255 8695 Fax: +66 (0)2 253 9896 Website: www.thaitch.org Email: info@thaitch.org http://goo.gl/AAoTx

General Inte ...

Thai Samut Asset Co., Ltd., Unit J, 16th Floor, 163 Suriwongse Road, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Tel: +66 (0)2 634 0147-8 Fax: +66 (0)2 634 0149 Website: www.thai-pakistanchamber.com Email: info@thai-pakistanchamber.com http://goo.gl/PQj3C

Thai-Russian CC (TRCC)

Thai-Norwegian CC (TNCC) 888/142 Ploenchit Rd, 14th Fl., Mahatun Plaza, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Tel: +66 (0)2 650 8444 Fax: +66 (0)2 627 3042 Website: www.norcham.com Email: contact@norcham.com http://goo.gl/wom78

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Use your smartphone’s QR Code scanner or enter the short code to go directly to a Chamber’s website.

Thai-Pakistan CC (TPCC)

rest

Sponsored by

14th Floor Loxley Bldg, 102 Na Ranong Road, Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 (0)2 348 8873 Fax: +66 (0)2 240 3307 Website: www.trcc.or.th http://goo.gl/Pk8wu Email: admin@trcc.or.th

Thai-Swedish CC (TSCC) 34 C.P Tower 3, 9th Floor Tower A, Phyathai Rd, Ratchathewi Bangkok 10400 Tel: +66 (0)2 354 5229-31 Fax: +66 (0)2 354 5232 Website: www.swecham.com http://goo.gl/rPFRL Email: contact@swecham.com

Thai-Taiwan Business Association (TTBA) No. 30/207 Sukhumvit Soi 39, Sukhumvit Rd., Kiongtannua, Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 (0)2 662 7335-6, 662 7385 Fax: +66 (0)2 662 7382 Website: www.ttba.or.th Email: ttba@ttba.or.th http://goo.gl/DdLeZ

Joint Foreign CC of Thailand (JFCCT) 38th Floor, State Tower 1055/914 Silom Rd, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Tel: +66 (0)2 630 6307 Fax: +66 (0)2 630 6303 Website: www.jfcct.org Email: secretary@jfcct.org http://goo.gl/PVRjt

Korean-Thai CC (KTCC) 6th Fl. Rajapark Bldg, 163 Asoke Sukhumvit 21 Rd, Klong Toey Nua, Wattana Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 (0)2 204 2503 Fax: +66 (0)2 204 2504 Website: www.korchamthai.com Email: ktcc@korchamthai.com http://goo.gl/H33BK

December 20 11

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Thai-Chinese CC (Thai-CC)

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Ban or plan?

Story continued from Page 1.

customers. There are more than 1 billion Facebook users, and another 500 million Twitter users, and these numbers continue to increase. According to the latest statistics, Thailand’s internet penetration is growing quickly, with nearly one-third of the population (20 million people) now online, and more and more people using mobile devices to get online. According to www.socialbakers.com, young people (ages 15-24) are the largest portion of the 20 million people online (45%), while there are 18 million people on Facebook in Thailand. With so many smartphones and tablets owners out there (and many people now have both), people are online all the time, and they don’t actually need their office computer to get online. They may not be actively checking Facebook or posting on Twitter, but from the time they wake up in the morning until they go to bed at night, they are ‘reachable’ (some would also argue that this blurs the

www.BBBrief.com

Mid-January/Mid-February 2013

line between work time and time media’ instead because it is personal time). a more accurate way to describe these communication tools and On the other hand, when em- more appealing to executives. ployees are actively chatting, Indeed, many big corporations reading, commenting, or viewing now have command centers to something online, they are also monitor and manage all of the ‘reachable’ and can be engaged conversations about their brand by a savvy digital marketer. With in real-time. so many people communicating online, marketers and other so- In addition to making use of social media advocates find it hard cial media sites internally, some to believe that companies, no companies are empowering their matter what industry they are in, workers and encouraging them would not want to be part of the to be online brand ambassadors, conversation or at least monitor but only after completing comthe conversations that are taking prehensive training programs. place about their brand. Intel has had one of the busiOnline conversations are not just ness world’s most innovative happening with people outside social media policies for many companies. Many organizations years, but since 2008, has been have now embraced social media using its ‘Digital IQ Program’ to to encourage collaboration and enhance the knowledge of and communication internally. They train all of its employees in the see social media as a way for use of new media. With over teams in different departments 100 online modules comprisor locations to communicate ef- ing a video, text, and a test, each ficiently and in real time. One Intel employee is able to selfmarketing strategist has even train and move at their own pace suggested that the phrase ‘so- through the program. Once they cial media’ be outlawed at work have passed a certain level in the because of its connotations of program, they are then allowed frivolity and time-wasting. He to speak or write on behalf of advocates using the phrase ‘real- the company.

Bangkok Business Brief

Intel is not the only company that trains its employees to use social media/real-time media in the right way. Coca-Cola, Cisco, IBM, and many others work with their teams to help them make use of the opportunities that these platforms offer. For companies that want to engage, not only their employees, but also their customers and all of their stakeholders, digital media and social networks can have a very positive effect on morale, brand awareness, and ultimately, on profits. Finding the right balance and having the right policy and training program is key to making full use of the social media revolution that is changing the way we work and play. So for companies in the era of social media, the choice is theirs: They can either ‘plan’ or ‘ban.’ While banning social media sites in the workplace may seem to be helping employee productivity in the short term, in the long run, companies that ban may be missing opportunities to improve their businesses and their bottom line, and risk getting left behind.

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Managing Director & Creative Director Reid Nixon • 080-246-9000 reid@bangkokbusinessbrief.com

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Mid-January/Mid-February 2013

The Calendar

For event details, enter the short code below the event into your browser:

Jan.

Sunday

goo.gl/6ngBg

Tuesday

Monday

AMCHAM: Committee Leadership Orientation http://goo.gl/lusdA Bangkok Entrepreneurs http://goo.gl/JihG3

Bangkok Trader Networking Party http://goo.gl/6ngBg

AMCHAM: Business Econ – Review of Thailand’s Property Market http://goo.gl/TN279 AMCHAM: Professional Women Cmte. – Inside the FCC http://goo.gl/O1m4F

29 AMCHAM: HR & Legal – Labor Enviro. Update http://goo.gl/CB7Dv Bangkok Trader Networking Night http://goo.gl/EnNbR

AMCHAM: Committee Leadership Orientation http://goo.gl/2fuHz

Feb.

AustCham: Board of Directors Mtg. http://goo.gl/rmsWl

AustCham: Joint Property & Infrastructure Evening Presentation http://goo.gl/eZkux PPi Professional Hour http://goo.gl/EbSqX

Bangkok Entrepreneurs http://goo.gl/JihG3

25 AMCHAM: US-Myanmar Trade and Investment Relations – Path Forward http://goo.gl/KfuAf

26 Bangkok Trader Networking Night http://goo.gl/EnNbR

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Mid-January/Mid-February 2013 BANGKOK BUSINESS BRIEF

Send us your event details for the Mid-February/March issue by February 6th to reid@bangkokbusinessbrief.com Wednesday

Thursday

AMCHAM: Myanmar Task Force – Sanctions Briefing http://goo.gl/Uxlbb AMCHAM: Monthly Luncheon – World Bank on Thailand’s Economic Outlook http://goo.gl/2al4i

Friday

AMCHAM: Lao Chapter – Trade Show / Gala Dinner & Miss Minnesota http://goo.gl/WiU0y Joint Chambers: Professional Women’s Group Speed Networking http://goo.gl/SRqsQ

Saturday

25 Joint Chambers: Eastern Seaboard Networking Evening http://goo.gl/GqM8o

AMCHAM: 2nd Annual Thailand Tourism Forum 2013 http://goo.gl/OwhZv

27 AMCHAM: Monthly Luncheon http://goo.gl/3esbS

9 AMCHAM: 2013 Gala Installation Ball http://goo.gl/f1FsK

AMCHAM: SME Cmte http://goo.gl/Qrshx AMCHAM: CSR Cmte http://goo.gl/EXEPU AMCHAM: Customs & Transportation – National Single Window & AEO Program http://goo.gl/0uw3S

PPI Masters: Expat Invitational Golf Tourney http://goo.gl/NV1DL AMCHAM: Board of Governors Meeting http://goo.gl/JNdUX

AustCham: Sundowners http://goo.gl/mko8P

AMCHAM: Independence Day Picnic Cmte http://goo.gl/gkgrD AMCHAM: Greater Phuket Chapter: Annual US Tax Summary Update http://goo.gl/Xqdak

AMCHAM: Greater Phuket Chapter – Tri-Nations Networking http://goo.gl/fZpjp

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