Bangkok Business Brief - Volume 1, Issue 11 - Mid-October/November 2012

BANGKOK

BUSINESS BRIEF

Vol. No. 1, Issue No. 11

Mid-October/Mid-November 2012

Daily business news briefs at www.bangkokbusinessbrief.com

‘Gen Y’ or ‘Gen Why?’

By Ruprecht Benson

At a B. Grimm-sponsored symposium about “Compassion in Business” at Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administra-

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

2 3 4 5 6 8 10 12 14 22

tion in May, a senior executive at a major Thai company mentioned the hiring challenges that his company is currently facing. He said that a significant change is happening in the business world as young people today seem to be looking to work for companies that match their own values. He described interviews with the new generation as “them interviewing us, rather than the other way around.” Welcome to the world of Generation Y! Commonly called ‘Gen Y’ (because they follow ‘Gen X,’ which followed the ‘Baby Boomers’), or alternatively, ‘Millennials,’ the

‘Internet Generation,’ or derisively, the ‘Me Generation,’ Gen Ys were born roughly between 1980 and 2000. They are the first generation to be born with personal computers, personal stereos (from Walkmans to iPods), and personal devices (from pagers and cell phones onwards). They are a tech-savvy, multi-tasking, job-hopping generation that represent, according to some, a recruiter’s nightmare. They tend to focus on their networks, and use words like ‘happiness,’ ‘creativity,’ and ‘fun’ when describing their interests. And they seem to be less concerned about job security, career advancement, and job titles,

which frustrates Gen Xs and Baby Boomers. From the U.S. to Europe to Asia, the ideas of ‘generational conflict’ and ‘generational warfare’ has fuelled many attentiongrabbing headlines: “Spoiled Generation lacks basic skills,” “Why bosses hate Gen-Y,” “Move Over Boomers!” Many Gen X and Baby Boomer commentators have even seen the 2008 Global Economic Crisis as an opportunity to give a dose of reality to a generation that has never had to endure hardship.

On the other hand, Gen Ys claim that what others see as lack of ambition, selfishness and an inability

Story continues on Page 20

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Briefs General Interest

http://goo.gl/ozbNM

‘Global Entrepreneurship Week’ set Thailand has joined 123 other countries in launching “Global Entrepreneurship Week”, the local goal of which is to inspire young Thais to turn their ideas into businesses and showcase Thai entrepreneurship to the world. The campaign will take place from November 12-18 and coincides with the 80th-anniversary celebration of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Enterprises are encouraged to organise events during Global Entrepreneurship Week as a mark of the importance of entrepreneurship in global development. Global Entrepreneurship Week seeks to inspire people through local, national and...

Full story at http://goo.gl/33j4I

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Mid-October/Mid-November 2012

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Winning strategies for the B2B market

...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

Female leaders running the show during a talent shortage

Leading executives and marketers shared some thoughts about how to win in the business-to-business market at the OmegaWorldClass As we approach 2015, we are expeResearch Institute’s “B2B Marketing riencing huge changes being caused CRM & Sales Summit 2012”. by what some people are calling the “AEC effect”. As businesses prepare Chutima Mokkhasmit, first vice for the Asean Economic Communipresident of Kasikornbank, said ty, there is a huge expertise shortage marketers had to understand their in Thailand and a war being fought clients’ needs and purchasing de- for the talent that exists. Against this cisions. And this should not be backdrop, we are finding more and confined to their direct needs. At more that female leaders are taking KBank, she said addressing clients’ up positions in management. indirect needs sometimes needed “heart bonding” rather than try- Naturally, many companies are ing to push sales hard. “Knowing having to change and adapt in this that 77 per cent of our customers age of globalisation. Therefore, my are family-owned businesses, we question is: “Has your organisation have realised that family succession become ‘change-ready’ by shifting is their current concern. Hence we mindsets about gender diversity have initiated a professional-family yet?” From my years of experience, I business-management programme have found that the companies that for them, bringing parents and their resist change and are narrow-mindchildren to attend the course to- ed about differentiation are now gether. Our customers have realised reaching a dead end. On the other that we understand them and go... hand, a company that provides...

Full story at http://goo.gl/AFieL Full story at http://goo.gl/Qx6Fp

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Private sector believes corruption weakens The private sector has warned that as corruption tends to destroy competitiveness, all sections of society should see that the law is enforced strictly so as to scare people away from engaging in such damaging activity.

Pramon Suthiwong, honorary president of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said during a seminar that corruption was a real problem for the nation’s competitiveness, as it is is rife in both the public and private sectors. The Board of Trade has established a network to fight corruption in 42 organisations. “The goal of reducing and preventing corruption has already been set, and early results are showing progress. The next hurdle to clear is to get corruptionprevention programmes operating internationally, with many more organisations participating,” he said.

Income inequity is another...

Full story at http://goo.gl/ipWGu

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BANGKOK BU SINESS BRIEF

December 20 11

Briefs 3

BANGKOK BUSINESS BRIEF Mid-October/Mid-November 2012 General Inte

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Finance / Investment

http://goo.gl/wKeiJ

Smartphone trading a part of online shift The stock market is gearing up the development of a smartphone trading application to keep up with booming trade via the channel, which now makes up 5.2% of total internet trading value. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) predicts the figure could grow to 6%.

“Trading by smartphone and tablet is growing fast from only 0.02% of total online trading over the past four years when online trading has just begun, to 1.1% in 2010 and 3.3% last year,” said Dr Pakorn Peetathawatchai, the SET’s chief marketing officer. The SET together with Thai Samsung Electronics has developed a stock trading app on smartphones and tablets. “Online trading via smartphones and tablets may double this year from last year,” said Dr Pakorn. Investors not only trade stocks but also use apps to...

Full story at http://goo.gl/P8LhD

rest

To read the fu ll article of a story brief, enter the shor t code at the end the story into your browser: of liam Shakespe are

...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

F

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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is ready to link up with the Asean Link, the region-wide stock trading platform, in mid-October. Thailand would be the third country, after Singapore and Malaysia would kick start the regional trading on Sept 18, said Virathai Santipropop, vice president of the exchange.

On Sept 3, the Thai exchange started the SET Connect, the new IT system that would support the regional linkage. “Asean Link gives the Thai exchange an opportunity to demonstrate the Thai capital market’s investment potential, underpinned by strong economy and geographical location in Indochina. Thai companies have remained strong, staging quick recovery from economic crisis and natural disasters,” Virathai said. Ahead of the linkage, the SET...

Full story at http://goo.gl/RjXGs

Myanmar needs to get land prices under control, investors say

Skyrocketing land prices in Yangon and other key cities of Myanmar are giving big headaches to local and foreign investors planning to expand in manufacturing and real esGovernment measures to conGold bugs bullish on tate. trol land prices are in great need, or liquidity pump Myanmar may not be able to attract Gold prices, up nearly 10% in the more foreign investment and create past month, still have room to rise, as many jobs as projected. with a potential increase of 13% to US$2,000 an ounce thanks to the “There’s no doubt that there are latest monetary stimulus move by plenty of opportunities in property the US Federal Reserve, according development, with supply remainto a fund manager at MFC Asset ing at very low levels. All the hotels Management. Kasemtas Darda- and office buildings in Yangon were rananda, a MFC global equity fund built in the 1990s and there has been manager, noted that during the first no new investment in the past deround of quantitative easing by the cade,” Aung Zaw Naing, managing...

Fed in mid-2009, gold prices rallied Full story at http://goo.gl/Iw1lY 30% as $1.75 trillion was pumped into the markets, gaining 15% as a Cambodia result. “After QE3 was launched, opening its doors stocks worldwide rose and fell over to investment a short period of time, with ongoing With GDP growth averaging around concern over the European debt cri- 9% for the past decade, Cambodia sis. But gold has continued to gain is certainly attracting interest from as investors seek a safe haven,” Mr potential investors. It has possibly Kasemtas said. According to fund the most investor-friendly environresearch firm Morningstar (Thai- ment in Asean with no exchange land), returns for the top local gold controls, no restrictions on repatriafunds for the year to Sept 17 were tion of profit, and no discrimination generally in line with benchmarks... between foreign and local investors.

Full story at http://goo.gl/IDjTf Moreover, corporate income tax is 20% and there are tax holidays of SET to join Asean up to nine years. Foreigners can also Link in mid-October take out leases on land for up to 99...

The Stock Exchange of Thailand Full story at http://goo.gl/v0aoD

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Briefs Government / Economy

http://goo.gl/EIbH6

Now the time to woo foreign investment: Amcham There is no better time for Thailand to develop its business environment and stringently implement plans to prevent flooding amid an influx of foreign investors to rising Asia and the strong integration of the Asean Economic Community, said the president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand. Thailand is already one of the top destinations for US investors. However, with the current political stability, it now is able to do more to attract investment and promote business expansion, Amcham president Joe Mannix said.

www.bangkokbusinessbrief.com

Mid-October/Mid-November 2012

To read the full article of a story brief, enter the short code at the end of the story into your browser: US businesses have shown concern about political stability. However, now that politics is stable, the government could do many things to improve the country’s competitiveness, Mannix said. He explained that after the recent quantitativeeasing measure in the United States, Americans would spend more and...

Full story at http://goo.gl/7FkCu

34 foreign businesses granted FBA exemptions

In August, 34 foreign companies received an exemption under the Foreign Business Act to set up operations this month worth at least Bt1.4 million, as Thailand’s economy shines amid the global gloom.

“More investment will flow into Asia, particularly Asean countries including Thailand, because of the euro crunch. Thailand will be eyed as one investment destination with a safe future,” Ittipol Changlum, depAccording to a survey by Amchams uty director-general of the Business in Asean nations this year, Thailand Development Department, said yesis the only member of the bloc where terday.

Tris Mart Ltd, Hong Kong

...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

The department’s report showed that approvals were up by 13 per cent and initial investment up by Bt708 million from August last year.

The new operations are expected to create up to 941 jobs for Thais.

The first eight months saw 218 approvals, up 25 per cent, with initial capital of Bt6.57 billion. Last month, the most popular businesses were service, financial and wholesaling...

Full story at http://goo.gl/h1Nih

Global woes bolster need for Basel III

Greater risk in the global economy is the main factor supporting the necessity of the new Basel III financial standard, which will require the Thai banking industry to strengthen its capital base further to ensure its ability to handle unexpected crises.

As the Thailand banking industry learned its lesson from the 1997 financial crisis in keeping its financial base healthy, some questioned whether the standard was necessary.

The Bank of Thailand will require part of the new Basel III standard starting in 2015.

goo.gl/bH6PF

However, Yokporn Tantisawetrat, the chief risk officer of Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), admitted a stronger capital base may be needed in the Thai banking industry given the severity of the global economic morass. “The global economic landscape is fraught with risk because of the situations of the US and EU economies,” said Mr Yokporn.

A sluggish recovery of the US economy from its 2008 crisis and the...

Full story at http://goo.gl/b8KxB

Airport Rail Link to be made state

The status of the Airport Rail Link will be raised to that of a state enterprise to settle the liquidity problem and business losses. Deputy Transport Minister Chatchart Sithipan said the State Enterprise Policy Committee agreed to raise the Airport Rail Link to a status similar to that of the State Railway of Thailand by making the Finance Ministry its major stakeholder. The rail link serves only 4,500 passengers daily...

Full story at http://goo.gl/sg69l

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December 20 11

Briefs 5

BANGKOK BUSINESS BRIEF Mid-October/Mid-November 2012 General Inte

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Production

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Korea joins Thai solar power project Korea Midland Power Corp joined a Thai renewable energy project to build an eight-megawatt solar power plant in the Southeast Asian country, according to the unit of Korea’s monopoly power distributor.

Korea Midland signed a contract on Monday with Toyo-Thai Corp PCL (TTCL), a Thai construction company, and Siam Steel Grating Group, a Thai utility equipment maker, to build the solar farm in Ang Thong, one of the central provinces of Thailand, the Seoul-based company said in a statement on Tuesday.

The project will receive a 10-year subsidy of eight baht (26 cents) per kilowatt-hour, and include the sale of power to the Provincial Electricity Authority of Thailand, the statement said. Investment estimates and time schedules were not provided.

South Korea’s power utilities are committing to boosting the use of renewable energy after the...

Full story at http://goo.gl/ddedo

B Grimm banks on energy projects

B Grimm plans to allocate a huge investment of Bt75 billion for the expansion of power-plant facilities and other energy projects in the Kingdom over the next seven years, chairman Harald Link said yesterday.

The company, established locally in 1878 originally as a pharmaceutical business, will focus its attention on energy business, raising the current contribution from 50 per cent of turnover to about two-thirds in 2018, he said.

“We plan a surge in our revenues from the Bt19 billion expected for this year to about Bt60 billion in 2018, when we celebrate our 140th anniversary in Thailand,” said Link.

“We also expect our revenues to reach Bt150 billion when we celebrate our 150th anniversary.”

B Grimm, one of the oldest corpo-

rest

To read the fu ll article of a story brief, enter the shor t code at the end the story into your browser: of liam Shakespe are

...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

F

Bangkok Business Brief

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

...

rate entities in Thailand, is a multibusiness corporation active in the fields of energy, cooling, healthcare, lifestyle, transport and real estate.

Throughout its history, the company has constantly been at the forefront of technological and infrastructure development with innovative ideas and products. Link said that the energy business now contributed about 50 per cent of B Grimm’s revenues, while...

Full story at http://goo.gl/qubrI

Car industry gunning for spot in top 10

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Thailand will become a global top10 carmaker in the next five years, Delivery with annual output reaching 3 milAnan Boonma lion units, says Surapong Paisitpatanapong, spokesman for the automobile industry club of the Federation In cooperation with Siam Gazette Co., Ltd. of Thai Industries (FTI). He said Alan Verstein • 081-761-9302 even though the industry was badly affected by last year’s earthquake Volume 1, Issue 11 • Mid-October to November 2012 and tsunami in Japan and flooding Copyright 2012. All rights reserved. in Thailand, the tax rebate under the government’s first-time car buyer scheme will help the industry to recover and experience rapid growth. affirmed the company’s commit- The export of live and dried earthment to establish a long-term pro- worms is worth about 2 billion baht Next year’s domestic market looks duction base in Thailand and ser- a year. Japan and China are the mahealthy, while the automobile and vices to Thai patients. jor buyers. Mr Teetat is among 2,000 auto parts sectors are among the people who have been trained in few to weather the debt crisis in Eu- The factory will be on a 30-rai vermiculture farming by Kasetsart rope that has adversely affected al- (4.8-hectare) plot in Amata Nakorn University’s animal science departmost all other Thai exports, said Mr Industrial Estate in Rayong. Aim- ment, which started the course in Surapong. ing to create 400 jobs, the plant is 2004 in order to promote the use... scheduled to begin production in Full story at http://goo.gl/Fevn1 Last year, Thailand was the 15th- mid-2013. The location was cholargest producer of all types of motor sen because of its proximity to Parts group fears vehicles, according to the worldwide Bangkok and logistics network, brain drain rankings by the International Orga- said Tippawan Jitpimolmard, coun- The brain drain of skilled labour nization of Motor Vehicle Manufac- try manager at Baxter Healthcare to neighbouring countries when turers. The country came in sixth in (Thailand). “This investment will the Asean Economic Community terms of commercial vehicle pro- increase our solution supplies to begins in 2015 will likely hinder duction and 22nd in... satisfy long-term demand among... growth in the Thai auto parts industry, says the leading trade group.

Full story at http://goo.gl/fQjJR Full story at http://goo.gl/cbKto Achana Limpaitoon, president of Baxter invests in A lucrative the Thai Autoparts Manufacturers kidney solution can of worms Association, says regional integration under the AEC will exacerbate Thousands of earthworms wrigplant here gling in a small box are a disgusting existing shortages of skilled labour.

US-based Baxter International is sight for most people. Worms may pouring US$70 million (Bt2.24 bil- not be cute, but for vermiculture “When the free flow of skilled lalion) into producing peritoneal di- farmers such as Teetat Bamrungsab, bour takes place under the AEC alysis solution in Thailand, encour- the squirming little creatures are po- framework, everyone will snatch aged by the policy of the National tentially good business. His Teetat our skilled workers, because we Health Security Office (NHSO) to Farm is among 50 ventures in the have the longest experience in the extend coverage to patients with country that raise and sell a variety auto parts field,” she said. “Even lochronic kidney failure. of earthworm species as well as their cal firms have been competing with by-products such as vermicompost each other to get hold of them.” UnGerald Lema, corporate vice presi- fertiliser and worm tea, all earth- skilled labour is falling short too. dent and president of Baxter’s Asia- friendly substances good for the For example, unskilled migrant...

Full story at http://goo.gl/ySwLy Pacific region, said the investment soil.

6

BANGKOK BUSINESS BRIEF

Briefs Retail/Services

http://goo.gl/QyrTE

The grey iPhone 5 is here!

The much-awaited iPhone 5 hits the grey market in Thailand today, priced at 35,000 for 16 gigabytes and 43,000 baht for 64 gigabytes.

The grey iPhone 5 in Thailand will be imported from Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia.

Apple announced the launch of the iPhone 5 on Sept 12, saying the product will be made officially available in nine markets today – the US, Singapore, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan and the UK. The device will be launched in 22 more markets next Friday and another 100 in December including officially in Thailand.

Apple recently said pre-orders of the iPhone 5 topped 2 million within 24 hours, more than double the

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Mid-October/Mid-November 2012

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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

previous record of 1 million for the ness and increase sales in Thailand. iPhone 4S. Chevron entered Thailand in 1948 to do oil trading business. It later exNarong Intanate, the chairman of panded into oil refining, exploration Copperwired, an authorised Apple and production. partner, said Apple partners will likely lose a number of potential “The rebranding programme aims customers to the grey market. The to change public perception on CalThai government needs to review tex and reiterates our commitment existing regulations governing the to grow our business in Thailand,” imports of frequency-based equip- said Chevron’s country chairman ment, which now take about one and general manager Adrian Benmonth to be approved, he said. deck. “This year will be another big move of marketing campaigns and Mr Narong said approval of the sales promotion of San Ramonimport of this equipment takes just based Caltex in four years,” he said. days in Singapore. “With the advent “We want to also communicate to of the Asean Economic Community the public that we’re ready to grow in 2015, the state needs to amend our business in this country despite the rule to be on a par with... stiff competition,” said Mr Bendeck.

Full story at http://goo.gl/IIxCR The rebranding cost is not disclosed.

Caltex in major According to Mr Bendeck, the comrebranding drive to pany plans to add 100 Caltex service stations by 2015 from 450 at raise market share present. Of the total new pumps, 30 Chevron (Thailand) Co, one of are expected to be operational this Thailand’s oldest oil traders, is re- year. Each outlet is estimated to cost branding its Caltex service stations about 30 million including... as part of its plans to expand busi- Full story at http://goo.gl/En4B1

goo.gl/bH6PF

Budget carrier clash in Don Mueang will benefit riders Competition among budget carriers will likely heat up once the market leader AirAsia starts using Don Mueang airport, which will replace Suvarnabhumi airport as the airline’s new main hub in Thailand from next Monday. The duel will be between Thai AirAsia (TAA), AirAsia’s flagship in the country, and the Thai-owned Nok Air, both of which will compete on the same battlefield of Bangkok’s old airport, which is set to become a fully functional aerodrome.

Industry executives predict intense fare competition and mindboggling marketing gimmicks will likely be deployed by the two airline groups as they battle on the same ground rather than at different airports. Both carriers will lose one of their unique appeals for their clients _ easy airport accessibility for passengers.

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December 20 11

Briefs 7

BANGKOK BUSINESS BRIEF Mid-October/Mid-November 2012 General Inte

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TAA has been staging its flights through Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok’s gateway airport, while Nok Air has significantly benefited from some passengers’ preference to fly in and out of Don Mueang, where it now shares the facility almost exclusively with Orient Thai Airlines, another Thai-owned budget airline.

rest

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Thailand hopes to join the world’s top 10 auto producing nations within the next three to four years, and Toyota – the largest auto company in the country – will play a major role in achieving that target.

Kyoichi Tanada, president of Toyota Motor Thailand (TMT), says that auto production of all brands in Thailand is expected to reach a total 2.3 million units in 2012, which would rank it in 12th or 13th place in the world. “In order to become part of the world’s top 10, we need to produce at least 2.5 million vehicles per year and I think that it is possible,” he said.

Tanada said Toyota, as leader of the Thai auto industry, considers the top 10 target as its responsibility, as much as Thailand’s. “Thus Toyota’s plan is to produce at least 1 million vehicles, or even 1.2 million vehicles, by that time,” he added. However, in order to achieve the goal, the government sector needed to step in and support the industry, either in terms of market or...

Full story at http://goo.gl/GsuF3

Rolls-Royce to open unique new boutique

Following the recent opening of the first Rolls-Royce Motor Cars showroom on Rama 3 in Bangkok earlier this year, the company has announced plans to open a unique new boutique in Central Bangkok, the first of its kind in Asia.This exclusive facility will be situated at Siam Paragon, an upmarket luxury shopping mall. The boutique will provide easy access to Rolls-Royce products for customers and will

goo.gl/bH6P

F

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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complement the two-storey RollsRoyce showroom, which is already one of Asia’s largest. It is expected to be operational in the fourth quarter of the year.

“The location and concept allows us to reach a broader audience, who will be able to view first-hand why the elegance, quality and craftsmanThere could be a shift back and ship of our cars earns them the title forth of customers between TAA of the ‘best cars in the world’,” Torand Nok Air, depending on how... sten Müller-Ötvös, CEO of RollsFull story at http://goo.gl/JpL6v Royce Motor Cars, said.

Thailand and Toyota counting on each other

Expatriate Medical Insurance ...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

• Easy to understand plans • Freedom to choose treatment provider • Family plan: 2nd, 3rd & 4th child free • No Claims Discount • Corporate plans: Group discount available from only 3 employees

Asia-Pacific regional director Paul Harris added: “We are seeing significant interest in our brand in Thailand, and I thank Millionaire Auto for its commitment to investing in yet another brand touchpoint For more details, for potential Rolls-Royce customers. We hope that by bringing the Contact Jay Cammack on 02-207-1023 marque to Central Bangkok it will or email : jay.cammack@iag.co.th impassion a Thai audience which already has great appreciation of craftsmanship in its own culture.

With virtually unlimited bespoke variations, customers can commission their cars in as much meticulous attention to detail as the way...

Full story at http://goo.gl/qiiSv e-commerce store on Rakuten hicle here. The Japanese automaker Boonyong has seen a launched the MiEV in Japan in...

More Thai retailers TARAD.com, 153 per cent increase in year on year Full story at http://goo.gl/ArW8m seek online outlets revenue at his online store, while he Major Cineplex, Boonyong Ariyarit, owner of Real has added out of town buyers to...

Gadd, a store selling a range of ac- Full story at http://goo.gl/aJM9S Bangkok Airways cessories for the iPad and other gadenter partnership to gets, faced troubles in reaching out Mitsubishi develops widen customer base to potential clients. With a physical electric cars locally store located in a less favourable Electric vehicles are on the fast Major Cineplex Group, the counposition in one of Bangkok’s busy track to competing with fossil-fuel try’s largest cinema operator, is joinIT malls, he found he wasn’t able to vehicles, driven by ever-increasing ing forces with Bangkok Airways to rely on passing traffic to generate oil prices. Nobuyuki Murahashi, launch new cinemas and expand the enough sales. After less than a year the president of Mitsubishi Motors customer base for both companies. of trading, Boonyong decided to (Thailand) Co, said rising oil prices supplement his existing outlet with and concerns about carbon dioxide Major Cineplex chairman Vicha an online shop to increase brand emissions are speeding up EV de- Poolvaraluck said the group had awareness. velopment. welcomed Bangkok Airways as a new partner to launch three high“There is a lot of competition for This means the manufacturing costs class cinemas at Paragon Cineplex my store both in the mall we are of the cars and their weight as well called “Bangkok Airways Blue Riblocated in and, more generally, for as battery prices will decline in the bon Screens”. The new cinemas, the product we sell, but setting up future once economies of scale are which will accommodate 72, 38 and our store on Rakuten TARAD.com reached, he said. Mitsubishi’s bat- 32 seats, were renovated and redehas helped us attract a wider audi- tery supply partners are making signed from the Nokia Ultra Screen ence and increase sales. Initially, we fast progress in developing batter- unit with a Bt5-million investment. were assigned an e-commerce con- ies with longer life and higher effi- The seven-year contract with Nokia sultant (ECC) to assist and advise us ciency. expired this year. The new contract on techniques that could help make with Bangkok Airways is for three our online store successful, and even The Japanese carmaker now plays years.

12 months after opening the online a vital role in EV development in store, we can still call on our ECC to Thailand. It signed an agreement Bangkok Airways aims to broaden provide guidance and insight,” said with the Metropolitan Electricity its brand awareness via these cinBoonyong.

Authority of Thailand last Septem- emas, which will also be used for ber to start joint field testing of the marketing activities such as free air...

Since establishing the Real Gadd Mitsubishi innovative electric ve- Full story at http://goo.gl/JTd1Y

www.nzihealthcare.com

8

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Briefs Tourism

http://goo.gl/fxE4d

AirAsia offers Thai island transfers AirAsia has launched a new service offering transfers to five of Thailand’s most popular resort islands.

Passengers are now able to book transfer services to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe, as part of their AirAsia flight itinerary.

“We noticed that most travellers to the southern provinces of Phuket, Surat Thani, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Hat Yai continue on to either Samui, Phangan, Phi Phi, Lanta or Lipe Island, so it made sense for us to offer transfers to the islands alongside our ticketing service,” said Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia.

The ‘Easy Island Transfer’ service

www.bangkokbusinessbrief.com

Mid-October/Mid-November 2012

To read the full article of a story brief, enter the short code at the end of the story into your browser:

...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

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allows passengers to choose one of the five islands as a destination.

AirAsia’s online booking system will then automatically select the nearest airport to the island. Upon arrival to the airport, a vehicle will collect the passengers and transport them to...

Full story at http://goo.gl/McRZ6

Samui resort set out as “adults-only” romance destination

Building on its success as a trailblazer in stylish hotels for guests passionate about travel, the stylish Akyra Chura Samui is relaunching as a chic romantic retreat – and the first “adults only” resort on Chaweng Beach. From November 1, children under 12 will not be allowed at the 1-year-old property, as the hotel seeks to broaden its appeal further to the ever-increasing number of travellers looking for a peaceful, romantic couples’ experience. This positioning ideally suits its unique location on the quieter northern stretch of the beach at Chaweng Noi.

web • creative • event Effortlessly blending contemporary hospitality with expressive style and individualism, akyra Chura Samui offers 61 elegant suites and rooms mixing understated luxury with Asian chic, in addition to embracing a comfortable outdoors ethos, in-keeping with the resort’s passionate, spirited style.

mand had grown quickly for more private, couples-oriented holiday experiences since launching and...

Full story at http://goo.gl/IaAID

Greener hotel

The Westin Grande Sukhumvit, recently became part of the “A Starwood Challenge for a Better World” global campaign, with the ambitious Akyra Chura Samui Resident Man- – but achievable – goals to reduce its ager Colin Owen Healy said de- energy and water consumption.

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“As our footprint grows, we have an even greater environmental responsibility and one that we share across all Starwood hotels. Each of us has a role in ‘doing the right thing’ to reduce our impact on the environment,” said Charles Jack, general manager.

The campaign was kicked off on the realisation that millions more people are travelling. The campaign has won supports from customers and owners, who become more focused on sustainability and expect the same from hotel operators as their partners. The world is changing in ways that stimulates economic and travel growth in many emerging markets around the world. Today’s hotel guests, especially the younger ones, are choosing brands that share the same sense of purpose for reducing environmental impact. Looking into the future, meeting and...

Full story at http://goo.gl/euQYi

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December 20 11

To read the fu ll article of a Mid-October/Mid-November story brief, 2012 BANGKOK BUSINESS BRIEF en 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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nam if it does not develop Russianspeaking tourism personnel soon.

Kubilay Atac, the managing director of Pegas Touristik (Thailand), the country’s biggest inbound tour agent for Russian visitors, said Thailand is facing a shortage of tour guides who know the Russian language.

It is estimated that only 2% of people in the tourism industry can speak Russian compared with 70% in Vietnam. That country is seriously developing its travel industry including promoting tourist destinations among Russians.

“Thailand should be realistic and understand what tourists want, not what you want to offer them. In fact, the Russian tourist market can grow more for Thailand but Thai people should understand their nature,” said Mr Atac.

the most popular destination in the region, according to the annual survey by Travel + Leisure magazine.

“Ninety-five percent of respondents indicated they traveled within Southeast Asia for leisure purposes in the last 12 months, similar to last year’s results,” said publisher Robert Fernhout. “Business travel within the region is stable as well; close to 60 per cent of respondents say they travelled for business within the region in the last year. That being said, the number of respondents that take 4 trips or more per year has grown considerably in 2012.”

When it comes to Air Travel, the most popular among the magazine’s readers is Singapore Airlines. “Although the majority of our readers usually opt for the traditional carriers, they do see low cost carriers as a good alternative for shorter direct flights and AirAsia is the leading choice here. Although nearly one in three readers has flown AirAsia in the last 12 months, only a very small percentage of our readers claim to fly low-cost carriers on an exclusive basis” said Fernhout.

The number of Russian visitors to Thailand has grown considerably in On hotel stays, the respondents recent years, as their favourite destispent slightly shorter but more... nations in the Middle East are facing Full story at http://goo.gl/6KSeu political problems. “Russian tourists Nearly 90 tourism facilitators, love sun and beaches, but it would TCT confident of health tourism organisations and be better if Thailand could offer...

Bt2-bn revenue health insurance companies from Full story at http://goo.gl/4Eotj 18 countries recently gathered at The Tourism Council of Thailand the Centara Grand at CentralWorld Thailand offers visa (TCT) yesterday expressed strong in Bangkok for a “Thailand Medi- in 24 hours confidence that the official annual cal & Wellness Tourism Trade FAM Mumbai travellers can now make tourism revenue target of Bt2 trilTrip 2012” organised by the Tour- sudden plans to travel to Thai- lion by 2015 is achievable, as long ism Authority of Thailand (TAT). In land. Cox & Kings Global Services as the domestic political situation addition to the meetings, the TAT (CKGS) has announced that hence- remains stable and closer cooperaalso organised a three-day trip that forth applicants that submit their tion is forged between the private provided an opportunity for the documents for Thailand visa at and government sectors. influential guests from around the Mumbai will receive the visa in 24 world to experience Thai health and hours instead of three working days. Of the 2015 revenue goal, Bt1.45 wellness providers, hospitals, spas, trillion is expected to come from inand specialised clinics first hand. According to Sanjay Bhaduri, CEO ternational tourism and Bt550 bilDuring the first day of the event, of CKGS, “Thailand is a very popu- lion from domestic travel. This year, the visiting tourism facilitators had lar short-haul destination and we overall tourism revenue is expected meetings with over 110 Thai medi- believe that a large number of Indi- to be Bt1.34 trillion, up 10.74 per cal and wellness providers to learn ans travel to the destination over the cent from last year’s Bt1.21 trillion. about the range of services available weekend and also for short duration and it was important to assist them The TCT’s projection for 2015 in the Kingdom. by providing faster turnaround on comes on the back of a bright outlook for the industry at present, es“The Thailand Medical & Wellness the visa applications.” pecially taking into account the poTourism Trade FAM Trip is the first trade event to target medical tour- CKGS operates Thai visa applica- litical situation. ism organisations and health insur- tion and processing centres in... ance companies,” announced TAT Full story at http://goo.gl/p0VxF Greater certainty in the political scene will help boost the country’s Governor Suraphon Svetasreni.

SEA as popular competitiveness and also improve “Thai medical providers are well...

Full story at http://goo.gl/owSpG destination for Asian tourism fundamentals in the long run, starting from airport capacity, Vietnam could steal leisure travellers road and water transport through to Russian tourists Southeast Asia has remained a pop- tourist security issues via the launch Thailand risks losing the fast-grow- ular destination among Asian lei- of pro-tourism policies as part of a ing Russian tourist traffic to Viet- sure travellers, with Thailand being plan to connect the Asean region,

TAT promotes medical tourism in Thailand

9

the council said.

However, the 2015 target is also contingent on no further global...

Full story at http://goo.gl/R1lGv

Suggestions for luring Japanese hipsters

Thailand must offer “cool and exciting” tourism products if it wants to lure young Japanese travellers, suggests Japan’s leading travel agency.

It said Chatuchak Weekend Market should be promoted as a trendy place for these travellers.

“Marketing gimmicks and efficient promotion of the right products are necessary if the Thai tourism agency wants to attract these travellers,” Tsuyoshi Ando, the manager for travel marketing and strategy at JTB Corporation, said in an interview at a tourism expo in Tokyo last week.

He gave his comments upon learning the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has decided to target young Japanese travellers.

As in other countries, Japanese youngsters are naturally attracted to new things and trendy fashions and look for places that meet these needs. “Online channels are a popular source for them to prepare their vacations, but there’s still not much website information about Thailand tourism,” said Mr Ando.

He said neighbouring countries have embarked upon “vivid and...

Full story at http://goo.gl/R57Gz

Reluctance to join single-visa scheme could prove to be costly

Thailand has to revise its strategy concerning a regional single visa scheme, or it could lose millions of tourists to neighbouring countries, which are kicking off the “CLMV Single Visa” next year without the Kingdom’s participation. Five countries – Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar – agreed in 2005 to relax immigration procedures to attract more non-Asean visitors to the region. They created the “Five Countries One Destination” campaign and ACMEC Single Visa to attract tourists from outside the region, especially from Europe, North America and Australia. Tourists applying for a visa at any of the countries would automatically be...

Full story at http://goo.gl/lrS1G

10

BANGKOK BUSINESS BRIEF

www.bangkokbusinessbrief.com

Mid-October/Mid-November 2012

Briefs

To read the full article of a story brief, enter the short code at the end of the story into your browser:

...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

goo.gl/bH6PF

IT / Comms

width on the 2.1-gigahertz spectrum. The reserve price for a 5-MHz block of the spectrum has been set at 4.5 billion baht, and the auction http://goo.gl/VwYn9 will be an ascending-bid type, with each participant allowed to buy up Countdown to to 15 MHz. If successful, the leading three mobile operators say they will 3G bids be ready to launch commercial...

A countdown has begun to the Full story at http://goo.gl/Cy7tr third-generation (3G) spectrum auction, a milestone for the industry TOT, local firms and the country’s development, with launch 4G trial service likely to begin in next year’s Two local mobile operators will ally first quarter. Yesterday’s countdown with TOT Plc to launch a fourthevent welcoming a new era in Thai generation (4G) wireless broadband telecom was held by the National trial by the end of the year, said the Broadcasting and Telecommunica- head of the state telecom enterprise. tions Commission (NBTC) at Im- The 4G trial will use long-term evopact Muang Thong Thani. lution (LTE) technology running on the 2300-megahertz frequency.

The countdown is aimed at stimulating public awareness of the ben- TOT chairman Panthep Chamrasefits of 3G wireless service and de- romran said some 400 4G base staclaring NBTC’s readiness for the tions will be located in central Bangauction. The NBTC has set Oct 16 kok and some major provinces. The as the auction date for 3G spectrum. two private firms are required to instal last-mile equipment and rent The auction will offer nine 5-mega- TOT’s backbone network to provide hertz slots out of 45 MHz of band- services. He declined to name the

CLOUD

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www.kudozonline.com/interactive two firms.

Under the non-exclusive LTE agreement, he said TOT can allow other operators to access its network for services. He said TOT will receive both a network rental fee and a management fee. The LTE network expansion is part of the state telecom enterprise’s 3G second phase.

He said the two operators will...

Full story at http://goo.gl/CK5ak

Nokia pins its hopes on Windows Phone Nokia will start commercial sales of its Windows Phone in Thailand this year in a bid by the Finnish firm to revive its past success in the crowded local smartphone market.

The announcement came just a month before Apple is scheduled to reveal its much-awaited iPhone5.

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“We plan to become the leader in the smartphone market in Thailand in the near future, helped by our new flagship Windows Phone,” said Grant McBeath, managing director of Nokia Thailand and emerging Asia. But he acknowledged achieving that goal will be an uphill task.

Nokia plans to unveil its Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 in the Thai market in the fourth quarter. The phone runs on the next version of Microsoft’s mobile operating system, Windows Phone 8.

Mr McBeath said Nokia expects to gain a bigger slice of the smartphone market and could inch up its market share from a single digit to exceed a 10% share by next March. Nokia ranks third in the local smartphone market, behind Apple and Samsung.

The fourth quarter will see the toughest competition in the highend smartphone market thanks to...

Full story at http://goo.gl/Kwz7h

Loxley gets Google Apps contract

Loxley Plc has been appointed the sole partner for Google to customise the search engine giant’s applications and services to suit the needs of companies in Southeast Asia. The trading and technology firm targets at least 20 corporate customers using Google’s three main products: Google Geo (map and data service), Google Search and Google Apps, said Vasant Chatikavanij, senior executive vice-president of Loxley.

rest

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The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission has slapped Total Access Communications (DTAC) with a fine of Bt10 million over its network failure

goo.gl/bH6P

F

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 retireme dis e on flo& nt ages, aInvestigations oding high rat Intellectual Property Representations , States and Europ when the United nearly 15 years later, as the guise  stu ios dy of by pensioners to wo multinational age says region’s ers an e financial sec rkncies.

Full story at htt are... d p://goo.gl/S65D6 able to sus tor is now strong and study poor pension take-up, a Th sho tain a certain e conclusion wed.

Pre-employment Screening degree  is contained of shocks from Grow with th a in rep ort the entitled e flow Western Hemi fallout in the The Allianz and Adaptation “Climate Risks of cycles sphere, accord Global Investors in Asian Coast ing sio to a panellist  Polygraphs / Lie Detector Tests Pe nn Me Su al staina gac at a recent As ‘There is a tid ean tracks the bility Index, which Asian ities”, jointly conducted by the conference. e Development Ba relative sustai men, which, tak in the affairs of nk, the Japan nabilcounter ity - Internation of na en tio  Surveillance and surveillance at na the l al Coopera pe flo nsi od leads on to for on systems and in 44 countries tune”, wrote Wi , “There will be more crises the World Bank tion Agency aro un d l- future, an in the in the showed the 2010. world, d the Asian numb er of Greek recrisis in tir Due Diligence ees to pe The report recom ople of working mended a... age re- Full sto ry at http://goo.g l/20yMD  Company Background Checks Sponsored by

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late last month. The mobile-phone service provider must pay the fine within 15 days, NBTC secretarygeneral Takorn Tantasit said yesterday. DTAC chief executive officer Jon Eddy Abdullah said his company, the second-largest cellular operator, was willing to pay the fine.

He admitted that the incident had caused a negative perception of the company but added that it would launch several campaigns and activities to boost customer satisfaction and encourage them to stick with its network.

The fine of Bt10 million is based on a joint calculation of the damages caused by the breakdown. DTAC said the network was down for 65 minutes and the damage to affected customers was Bt6 million, but the NBTC found that the downtime was 105 minutes and the damage Bt14 million. The NBTC added the two amounts together and divided them by two, resulting in the fine amount, Takorn said. From now on, fines for cellular-network failures will...

Full story at http://goo.gl/Y2HRB

True, CAT executives could face year in jail

Executives of True Corporation and CAT Telecom could face one year in jail and/or a fine of up to 10 million baht for providing third-generation (3G) service without a licence. An investigation panel of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has resolved to file a criminal complaint against BFKT and CAT Telecom for illegally offering 3G wireless broadUnder the partnership, Loxley will band service. provide advice, design and install the products, and train and offer The resolution will be submitted to maintenance service. Mr Vasant the NBTC’s telecom committee for said the corporate versions have a final decision before being passed more features than the free apps and to the board for approval, a senior services Google offers to the public. panel member told the Bangkok Post. The 74-page investigation reProspective customers will be large port said BFKT, a unit of True’s suborganisations with at least 1,000 us- sidiary Real Future, is in violation of ers such as banks, insurance firms, Section 67 of the Telecommunicastate enterprises, web portals, online tions Business Act of 2001 by offerbusinesses and the armed forces. Mr ing service without a proper licence.

Vasant said it was too early to...

Meanwhile, CAT Telecom will be...

Full story at http://goo.gl/BfmxD Full story at http://goo.gl/l7Ykx

DTAC fined Bt10m for network failure

...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

AMD hopes to shake up processor market

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), the world’s No.2 maker of processors for personal computers, is using Thailand as a springboard to enter the emerging Indochinese region.

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“Vietnam will be the first country in the region to increase our business footprint,” said Chukkrit Watcharasaksilp, AMD’s country manager for Thailand and Indochina, adding that Myanmar is next ion the sights.

coming overloaded, while emailing and web-surfing on phones is so rare it’s almost a bourgeois concept.

Even getting hooked up to the network is cumbersome. Visitors must rent SIM cards at the airport on arrival while many Burmese can only Underdog processor maker AMD afford one-time SIMs with a numis shaking up the Thai market by ber that expires after a few days introducing its second-generation when its $20 of credit runs out.

Trinity chip to catch market leader Intel. Trinity is said to provide 70% But as Myanmar races ahead with better graphics performance, quad- economic reforms, the telecoms core APU performance and support sector, riven with graft and mismanfor the latest Windows technologies. agement and lagging behind even Mr Chukkrit said AMD will push... Asia’s poorest countries, is on the...

Full story at http://goo.gl/4h7Va Full story at http://goo.gl/JSCWn

Disconnected for decades, Myanmar poised for telecoms boom

Blackberrys and iPhones aren’t much use in Myanmar, where its only network is frequently jammed, data services are scarce, prices extortionate, lines crackly and most phones don’t roam. For decades, its telecoms industry has been a shambles. It’s no surprise this country of 60 million people has the world’s second-lowest cellphone penetration after North Korea; SIM cards are made prohibitively pricey to prevent its tiny network from be-

Cyber forensics to the fore

The increasing complexity of electronic transactions is thrusting computer forensics into the spotlight now that enterprises face greater exposure to cybercrime rings.

The goal of computer forensics is to examine digital media in a forensically sound manner with the aim of identifying, preserving, recovering, analysing and presenting facts and opinions about the information.

Orion Investigations, a local private investigation firm, said the number of computer forensic investigations has doubled in the past nine...

Full story at http://goo.gl/PEkVL

12

BANGKOK BUSINESS BRIEF

Briefs Real Estate

http://goo.gl/hPK52

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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

dergoing an environmental impact assessment, and the company hopes to receive the necessary permit by December, after which the project will be open for presales. The condominium, scheduled for completion in 2015, has received Bt680...

Full story at http://goo.gl/yksK1

ping mall market in Jakarta will increase, creating downward pressure on occupancy this year. However, it is expected to grow to almost 90% by 2014. In the first half of this year, occupancy reached 87.9%,” she said.

Jakarta shopping malls now occupy 2.33 million square metres, with a future supply of 500,000 sq m by 2015. Average gross rent was $53.90 per sq m per month, while service fees were $8.10 per sq m per month.

The retail property sector and demand for condominiums are growing strongly in Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, driven by a rising middle class, according to international property consultants.

Suphin Mechuchep, the managing director of Jones Lang LaSalle (Thailand) Co Ltd, said the middle class in Indonesia in particular is growing, with 20 million households now earning over US$5,000 (154,000 baht) per month.

The growth of the Indonesian middle class has also boosted the middle-grade condominium market, which achieved its highest yet sale rates of 70%. Ms Suphin said the growing middle class in Indonesia...

Full story at http://goo.gl/nUHW0

Bt6.5-billion mixedused project to rise in Pattaya Middle class Kingdom Property will commence drives retail, development of a mixed-use project condo markets worth Bt6.5 billion in Pattaya next year. The project forms part of the company’s business expansion after launching its first condominium, the Bt2-billion Southpoint Pattaya, in the final quarter of this year, said chief executive officer Nigel Cornick, the former CEO of listed property firm Raimon Land.

www.bangkokbusinessbrief.com

Mid-October/Mid-November 2012

Cornick and a friend took over Kingdom Property in 2000, but the company was inactive until he resigned from Raimon Land two years ago. Kingdom Property has This number will continue rising by Bt240 million of registered capital.

10% a year for the next few years, Southpoint Pattaya is currently un- said Ms Suphin. “Supply in the shop-

REITs lack charm due to unclear taxes

Developers have raised more money through property funds this year even though a more flexible type of funds will be allowed next year. The Securities and Exchange Commission has announced it will allow the setting up of real estate investment

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trusts (REITs) next year to add more choice to the Thai capital markets and meet international standards.

The REITs will be more flexible for investors and fund managers but their taxes are still unclear.

Two large property funds have made major moves this week. The CPN Commercial Growth Leasehold Property Fund (CPNCG) was launched. It invests in subleases and leasehold rights of The Office@Central World. The Tesco Lotus Retail Growth Freehold and Leasehold Property Fund (TLGF), one of the most active property funds investing in 17 hypermarket-anchored shopping malls of Tesco Lotus, has raised 7.55 billion baht by issuing 650 million new investment units for existing unitholders. The funds will be used to buy five more Tesco Lotus hypermarkets.

Win Udomrachtavanich, the chief executive of One Asset Management, said few developers opt to wait for REITS due to unclear...

Full story at http://goo.gl/yrX1J

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December 20 11

Briefs13

BANGKOK BUSINESS BRIEF Mid-October/Mid-November 2012 General Inte

Use the QR Code reader in your smartphone to see all the stories in a certain category.

rest

To read the fu ll article of a story brief, enter the shor t code at the end the story into your browser: of liam Shakespe are

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F

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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future of the real-estate market. Lingering concerns over flood-water management and robust expansion of public transport systems continue to drive interest in condo projects in Bangkok along the mass-transit lines, while Pattaya’s attractive reMore than 110,000 rai (17,600 hectturns generate an extra push for ares) of land in industrial estates was both property supply and demand. developed in the first quarter, up 1.6 per cent over the same quarter last Developers are now more focused year, according to Knight Frank on mid-tier projects in the city viChartered (Thailand). About 74 per cinity or away from the beach over... cent of the factories damaged by last Full story at http://goo.gl/8IH7J year’s massive flood have assumed normal operations, while 30 per Serviced apartment cent are still rehabilitating. About market faces 62 per cent of the flood-hit factories gloomy prospects decided to relocate to industrial estates in drier areas such as in Sara- The serviced apartment market is buri, Prachin Buri and Rayong. facing stiff competition from rental condominiums just as hoteliers ask Demand for industrial land has the Interior Ministry to crack down shifted from flood areas to the East- on their offers of daily and shortern Seaboard and new locations in- term stays. The Thailand Hotels cluding Saraburi and Prachin Buri. Association is continuing to presThe Eastern Seaboard’s popularity is sure the Interior Ministry on issugoing from strength to strength, but ing controls for serviced apartments locales such as Saraburi and Prachin without a hotel licence, which are Buri could represent the greatest not permitted to serve daily or competition to estates in the flood short-term clients. zones, as they were unaffected by the deluge and offer land values at Property consultant Colliers Intercomparable rates. As well, the com- national Thailand said this will have petition for labour is less intense a significant impact on the serviced than on the Eastern Seaboard... apartment market, even as serviced Full story at http://goo.gl/iUfnj apartments continue to be built for launches up to 2014. Colliers’ quarCondo projects terly report on the Bangkok serviced boom in apartment market showed the number of new developments being built Bangkok suburbs has fallen every year since 2009 and Condominium projects are mush- will continue to decline. At the... rooming in the suburbs, supplying Full story at http://goo.gl/cNdd7 64.5 per cent more units than in central Bangkok over the past 12 Rich Thais keen months. “With mass-transit lines on London extending further away from the A stronger baht and growing deheart of Bangkok, a large number of mand from well-heeled Thai parents new developments are popping up seeking a house for kids studying in in new hot spots along their paths,” Britain have led at least four brandSimon Derville, deputy vice presi- new London property projects to dent for business development at pursue wealthy Thais. Aliwassa Raimon Land, said yesterday.

Pathnadabutr, managing director of property consultant CB Richard “Over the past 12 months, we have Ellis (Thailand), said the weaker seen the completion of 6,135 new pound sterling, down 20-25% the condominium units in the new de- past four years, has boosted demand velopment areas compared to just for London property among the 3,730 in the prime city centre. This Thai rich. This year has seen three trend looks set to continue in the London projects introduced to Thai foreseeable future, with 30,100 out buyers at exclusive exhibitions. One, of 44,168 units due to be completed in February, was for Bezier and E in the new areas,” he said.

City in London Zone 1 with unit prices starting at 750,000 (37.50 milDespite the flood-inflicted difficul- lion baht). Another held last week ties of late last year, home-buyers was for The Tower, a 50-storey... remain strongly confident in the Full story at http://goo.gl/1Dh7X

Saraburi, Prachin Buri industrial land attractive in wake of floods

...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

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The Pure Najomtien lifestyle experience is like no other, thanks to the meticulous master- planning that has gone into ensuring the maximum levels of comfort, security and well-being of all its residents. The Swiss designed, low-rise, low-density development is being constructed to the highest European standards with premium quality Euro Design furniture in all apartments.

Double-cavity brick walls, canopied concrete ceilings that channel natural airflows through apartments and earth-covered and internally-insulated roofs are all designed to optimise comfort levels for occupants by dampening intrusive noise, maximising privacy and reducing internal temperatures.

Eco-friendly solar and wind-powered generators reduce reliance on externally supplied electricity while Pure Najomtien’s own water treatment and desalinisation plant recycles used water to keep the lush gardens green.

Set in a tropical park, Pure Najomtien is a haven of tranquility with vehicles parked unobtrusively underground, leaving the valuable real estate above free for the leisure and pleasure of its residents. There are tennis courts, swimming pools, a wellequipped gymnasium, jogging track with outside excise stations, spa and golf practice areas with bunkers, putting greens and simulators for players to hone their skills.

On-site shops, restaurant, cocktail bar, Beach Club with media library, kids’club and optional in-house services for home cleaning, laundry and transport take the worry out of daily chores leaving residents free to enjoy their seafront paradise or simply relax on Pure Najomtien’s 120-metre private beach.

Pure Najomtien is accessible to all with no unnecessary obstacles to challenge the disabled and has wide lift access to every floor of every building. Wheelchair-friendly ramps eliminate the need to negotiate challenging steps and the traffic-free environment means children can play outdoors safely.

The fully-funded, eco-friendly Pure Najomtien development is now being constructed on 33 rai of prime beachfront property at the end of Sukhumvit Road, Soi 48, in one of the most sought-after locations on the Eastern Seaboard. Its residences can be customised to meet the owner’s personal needs, including changing layouts and combining units to create very large ones. Prices start from as little as Bt2.7 million. www.pureNajomtien.com

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BANGKOK BUSINESS BRIEF

BANGKOK BU SINESS BRIEF

Briefs

December 20 11

www.bangkokbusinessbrief.com

Mid-October/Mid-November 2012

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

http://goo.gl/mbUpG

AMCHAM Lao Chapter Launched

Leaders of Vientiane’s business community gathered at the home of U.S. Ambassador Karen Stewart Sep. 19 for a gala reception celebrating the official launch of the Lao Chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand.

More than 75 people attended the reception, representing over 50 U.S. and Lao businesses. Currently, there are 40 U.S. businesses operating in Laos.

Licensed U.S. investment in Laos is $77 million dollars, while bilateral trade between Laos and the U.S. is valued at $85 million dollars In her remarks, Ambassador Stewart explained how AMCHAM would benefit both Lao and U.S. businesses, and strengthen economic ties between the two nations. “AMCHAM can be a strong partner to the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Lao government as this country continues to develop its business environment and works to integrate its economy regionally and globally,” she said.

AMCHAM expects to host activities each month for members, alternating between social networking events and business-oriented presentations. For more information on how to join AMCHAM, please see the following link: http://goo.gl/c9TTS The Lao Chapter founding members are: ACLEDA Bank LAO Ltd.; The Asia Foundation; Coca-Cola (Thailand) Limited; DFDL Mekong (Thailand) Ltd.; Emerging Markets Consulting; Fair & Easy Co., Ltd.; General Electric International Operations Company Inc.; KPMG Phoomchai Group; Nathan Associates Inc.; RMA Laos; Sanum Investments Limited; Strathmore Minerals Corp.; Village Focus International; Robert Allen; Joel Babcock; Mike Carroll; Stephen Feldchneider; Zakkir Malimar; Frank Manley and Thongkhoun Pathana.

To rea enter the sto

Ford Thailand Manufacturing site visit On September 21, AMCHAM, AustCham and BCCT members toured Ford Motor Company’s recently opened Ford Thailand Manufacturing – a new U.S.$450 million (THB14 billion), state-of-the-art passenger vehicle manufacturing plant in Rayong, Thailand.

The all-new Ford Focus will be manufactured at the new 200,000sqm plant in the Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate.

This highly flexible plant, capable of building a diverse range of vehicles, will serve as the foundation for Ford’s plan to introduce eight all-new global One Ford vehicles to the ASEAN region by mid-decade.

Ford Thailand Manufacturing is Ford’s second plant in Thailand, and one of eight new Ford manufacturing facilities across the Asia Pacific and Africa region the company will open by 2015 as part of its aggressive global expansion.

AMCHAM’s Santa Fe Chari-bowl AMCHAM’s Sports Committee and Santa Fe Relocation Services organized another successful Chaibowl tournament at Blu O. Sixteen teams and 80 bowlers competed for loads of prizes and awards and helped raise funds for the AMCHAM Charitable Foundation. AMCHAM thanks Santa Fe for their support.

2

BANGKOK BU SINESS BRIEF

December 20 11

Briefs 15

www.bangkokbusinessbrief.com

Mid-October/Mid-November 2012 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

To re enter the sto

http://goo.gl/N47Gg

AustCham Events for Your Calendar 2012 Australia-Thailand Business Conference: Australia & Thailand in an integrated Asia 12 – 13 November 2012 St. Regis Bangkok

Recent Highlight Events BlueScope AFL Grand Final Event 2012 – Saturday 29 September at the Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel – The largest event of its kind outside of Australia, AustCham’s annual AFL Grand Final extravaganza was sponsored by BlueScope Steel and supported by Asian Tigers, Berlitz, The Coffee Club, Lady Pie, QBE Insurance and Raja’s Fashions.

With close to 550 guests, the day was an overwhelming success. Our charity raffle saw 102,000 Baht raised for AustCham’s Community Services program.

2

16

BANGKOK BUSINESS BRIEF

BANGKOK BU SINESS BRIEF

Briefs

December 20 11

www.bangkokbusinessbrief.com

Mid-October/Mid-November 2012

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 BCCT’s website.

...

British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) 7th Floor, 208 Wireless Road, Lumphini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Tel: +66 (0)2 651 5350-3 Fax: +66 (0)2 651 5354 Website: www.bccthai.com Email: Greg@bccthai.com

To re enter the sto

http://goo.gl/Vav3Q

Ploenchit Fair 2012 The British Community’s annual fund-raising blockbuster event for Thai charities takes place at Bangkok Patana School on Saturday 24th November 2012. Ploenchit Fair, managed by the British Community in Thailand Foundation for the Needy (BCTFN), has long been a traditional day of fun for all the family and is well-established as a major event in the Bangkok social calendar. It is a family fun day, based on an English Fairground. This year will mark 55 years of assistance given to Thai charities. The first Fair was held in the British Embassy in 1957. It is arguably the biggest event on the social calendar when most British and local companies join with BCTFN to create a unique atmosphere for all, whilst raising funds to help the less fortunate.

is to promote self-sufficiency and to improve the lives of the needy. The Committee never allocates cash but rather oversees projects personally and monitors progress on a monthly basis.

Projects include agricultural schemes, sanitation and irrigation, educational materials and equipment, medical equipment and training, fish and silk worms raising, assistance with HIV and Aids awareness programmes, rice banks and village weaving.

To help or to donate prizes for the Fair, please contact: Carolyn Tarrant, MBE All-time favourites return to Ploenchit Fair this year including the President, BCTFN HSBC Ferris Wheel, Carousel, Transpo’s giant Wave Slide, Shooting Email: bctfn@loxinfo.co.th Gallery, Bungy Jump and the Water Roller Ball. The British Chamber Telephone: 02 204 1587 will be manning our stall, the Grand Raffle, which this year will have 80 Fax: 02 204 1589 top prizes to be won including tickets to London!! The ‘Petticoat Lane’ bazaar features some 60 shopping and services outlets as well as some Or Pauline Spiers at 085 946 6625 or Gale Bailey at 081 828 5213. of our charity stalls. Tesco is selling items from its ‘finest’ range and Boots is selling toiletries and cosmetics. There is always plenty to eat Please support the BCCT Raffle and drink at Ploenchit Fair and this year is no exception.

Staff from the BCCT office, with support from our members and friends in our extended community, manage the raffle stall at Ploenchit Fair.

Ploenchit Fair would not be possible without the assistance of some We are grateful for the prizes donated each year for the grand raffle 2,000 volunteers who work not only on the day but, in many cases, for to the value of hundreds of thousands Baht - and there is still time to some months in advance to ensure that it remains a successful fund- donate for this year’s Ploenchit Fair. Please contact the BCCT Deputy raising event. Vital, too, is the generous support and assistance pro- Director at sarinthorn@bccthai.com vided by more than 200 sponsors, from multi-national corporations to individual donors.

You may purchase tickets prior to and during the fair. Last year’s raffle raised more than 800,000 Baht. BCCT has been involved in Ploenchit Outstanding work over many years Fair for many years and it continues to feature as a highlight in the BCTFN has raised over 60 million Baht at the Ploenchit Fair since 2000. Chamber’s calendar.

This has enabled the Committee to support a vast range of diverse charity projects in all regions of Thailand. The fundamental aim of BCTFN More details: www.ploenchitfair.org

2

18

BANGKOK BUSINESS BRIEF

BANGKOK BU SINESS BRIEF

Briefs

December 20 11

www.bangkokbusinessbrief.com

Mid-October/Mid-November 2012

The Chambers

General Inte

rest

To re enter the sto

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 a Chamber’s website.

...

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

Japanese CC (JCC) 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 Email: admin@mtcc.or.th

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

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

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

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

Thai-Chinese CC (Thai-CC) 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

Thai-Pakistan CC (TPCC) 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: http://goo.gl/Z1VOd Contact: http://goo.gl/OKPmC

Franco-Thai CC (FTCC) 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

Netherlands-Thai CC (NTCC) 15 Soi Tonson, Ploenchit Road Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Tel: +66 (0)2 309 5250 Website: www.ntccthailand.org Email: info@ntccthailand.org

Thai-Finnish CC (TFCC) C/O 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

Thai-Russian CC (TRCC) 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 Email: admin@trcc.or.th

German-Thai CC (GTCC) 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

New Zealand Thai CC (NZTCC) 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 Email: director@nztcc.org

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 Email: thai-hongkong@thta.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 Email: contact@swecham.com

India-Thai CC (ITCC) 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

Singapore-Thai CC (STCC) 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: http://goo.gl/WrTpX Contact: http://goo.gl/L727M

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 Email: ticc@thaisraelcc.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

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

South African-Thai CC (SATCC) 10/143 (1503A), 15th Fl, 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

Thai-Italian CC (TICC) 1126/2 Vanit II Bldg, 16th Fl, 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

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

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

Swiss Thai CC (STCC) Bangkok Business Centre Building, 18th Floor, 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

Bangkok Business Brief is offering a new service

to promote your business in a unique way – video interviews on our website’s homepage for a month. Advertorial videos not welcome here!

Your company will provide actual, relevant content that will be of interest to our viewers and show that your company is knowledgable in its field, so that they will seek you out in a professional capacity. We can recommend a one-stop production service that can work with you to create your video.

Contact Andy Hyde at andy@bangkokbusinessbrief.com for more details and rates.

BangkokBusiness BusinessBrief BriefMagazine Magazine––Publication PublicationInformation Information Bangkok Bangkok Business Brief Magazine – Publication Information Magazine– Thailand – Thailand businessnews news&&Chamber ChamberofofCommerce Commerceinformation information Magazine business Magazine – Thailand business news & Chamberใช้of information ร่วCommerce มกัน รายงานการละเมิ ด บล็อกถัดไป» Circulation– 10,000 – 10,000 copies Circulation copies Circulation – 10,000 copies Distribution Areas– Bangkok – Bangkok&&the theEastern EasternSeaboard Seaboard Distribution Areas Distribution Areas – Bangkok & the Eastern Seaboard

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Graph Values: 35,28,20,15,2 Overview Overview Overview pie chartnews magazine and daily website with domestic and regional business news articles aggregated from a Chart Type: The Bangkok Business Brief is a monthly3D business The Bangkok Business Brief business news with domestic domesticand andregional regionalbusiness businessnews newsarticles articlesaggregated aggregatedfrom froma a The Bangkok Business Briefis isaamonthly monthly business news magazine magazine and daily website with variety of news agencies.

Short synopses of 1000articles are displayed online, though should the reader wish to view the full versions of the news stories, Width: variety of news agencies.

Short synopses of articles are displayed online, though should the reader wish to view the full versions of the news stories, variety of news agencies.

Short synopses of articles are displayed should the reader wish to view the full versions of the news stories, short URLs are included for easy navigation to the original sources’ story pages. Each month, the printed stories are decided from the most popular online short URLs easy original sources’ storyand pages. month, thewith printed stories aredecided decided from themost mostpopular popular online short URLs areincluded included for easynavigation navigation tothe the original sources’ Each month, the printed stories from the 200to Height: stories, asare measured byfor analytics for Bangkok Business Brief’s website, are again presented short URLsare and QR codes to take readers to theonline stories, measured analytics forBangkok Bangkok Businessnews Brief’s website, and are again of presented with short stories, asas measured bybyanalytics for Business Brief’s website, presented with shortURLs URLsand andQR QRcodes codestototake takereaders readerstotothe the original articles in Current their entirety and to other related categorized into 12 areas business interest.

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The 10,000-copy monthly circulation is highlyAdd targeted toward top- to mid-level managers and executives.

Choose Color Color The10,000-copy 10,000-copymonthly monthlycirculation circulationisishighly highlytargeted targeted toward toward toptop- to mid-level managers The managers and and executives. executives.

Colors: Print & Online News Categories Generate Chart Print&&Online OnlineNews NewsCategories Categories Print Bangkok Business Brief Magazine Distribution – 10,000 copies The news categories featured in both The news categories featured both The news categories featured ininboth the Bangkok Business Brief monthly the Bangkok Business Briefmonthly monthly the Bangkok Business print version and theBrief daily news print version andthe the daily news print version and daily news website represent all sectors relevant (20%) website represent sectors relevant website represent allallsectors relevant to all business readers.

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Executives have toto allallbusiness Executives the ability toreaders. quickly review the have (15%) the abilityto toquickly quicklyto review the subjects pertinent the industries in the ability review the subjects pertinent theindustries industries which they are employed or required subjects pertinent totothe inin (2%) (26%) which they are employed or required to bethey informed about. or required which are employed informedabout. about. totobebeinformed

Advertising Rate Card

Dimensions

1 Month

3 Months

6 Months

12 Months

COLOUR

Full Page Half Page Quarter Page Eighth Page

Width x Height 222 mm x 314 mm 222 mm x 155 mm 109.5 mm x 155 mm 109.5 mm x 75.5 mm

THB p/month 40,000 27,000 16,000 9,600

THB p/month 37,000 23,500 13,500 8,100

THB p/month 34,000 20,000 11,000 6,600

THB p/month 27,000 17,000 9,500 5,700

B&W

Full Page Half Page Quarter Page Eighth Page

222 mm x 314 mm 222 mm x 155 mm 109.5 mm x 155 mm 109.5 mm x 75.5 mm

30,000 18,000 9,500 5,700

27,000 16,200 8,500 5,100

21,000 14,000 7,500 4,500

19,000 11,500 7,000 4,200

COLOUR

Circulation Information Circulation Information Circulation Information The readership of the publication The readership of the publication has been determined to be between The readership of the publication has been– determined to be between 25,000 45,000. has been determined to be between 25,000 – 45,000.

25,000 – 45,000.

The Pass On rate is estimated to be The Pass Onand rate4.5 is estimated between 2.5 times per to be The Pass On rate is estimated between 2.5 and 4.5 times per to be individual copy. between 2.5copy. and 4.5 times per individual individual copy. of 10,000 copies The circulation The circulationdirect of 10,000 copies incorporates mailing to Chamber The circulationdirect of 10,000 copies incorporates mailing to Chamber of Commerce members, circulation incorporates direct mailingcirculation to Chamber of Commerce members, throughout Amata Industrial Estate, ofthroughout CommerceAmata members, circulation Industrial Estate, Eastern Seaboard, delivery with throughout Amata Industrial Estate, Eastern Seaboard, delivery with Food by Phone orders, and strategic Eastern Seaboard, deliveryand with Food by Phone orders, strategic distribution points at Bangkoks Food

by Phone orders, and strategic distribution points at Bangkoks leading hotels’ and serviced distribution points at serviced Bangkoks leading hotels’ and apartments’ business centres and leading hotels’ and serviced apartments’ business centres and executive lounges. apartments’ business centres and executive lounges. executive lounges.

(37%)

Advertising Rate Card Advertising Rate Card

Front Cover Inside Front Cover Inside Back Cover Back Cover

222 mm x 65 mm 222 mm x 314 mm 222 mm x 314 mm 222 mm x 314 mm

40,000 43,500 43,500 47,000

37,000 40,000 40,000 43,500

34,000 37,000 37,000 37,000

27,000 33,500 33,500 33,500

Advertising Information

Andy Hyde - +66 (0) 8 0814 9080 - andy@bangkokbusinessbrief.com Andy Hyde - +66 (0) 8 0814 9080 - andy@bangkokbusinessbrief.com Mango Mango publishing 124 Sukhumvit 38, Prakanong, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Andy Hyde - +66 (0) 8- 0814 9080 Soi - andy@bangkokbusinessbrief.com Mango Mango publishing - 124 Sukhumvit Soi 38, Prakanong, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Mango Mango publishing - 124 Sukhumvit Soi 38, Prakanong, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110

20

BANGKOK BUSINESS BRIEF

‘Gen Y’ or ‘Gen Why?’

Story continued from Page 1.

to fit in, is just a different worldview from previous generations.

According to Brent Freeman, a writer and ‘serial entrepreneur,’ Gen Ys believe that “anything is possible and anyone can make a difference,” and that after watching the collapse of major corporations in the past 4-5 years, they believe that there is a “better, more ethical way to do business.” This idea leads some to the conclusion that Gen Y is more entrepreneurial than previous generations, as they try to take charge of their lives while doing good at the same time.

In the workplace, Gen Ys are described as creative and energetic workers who value collaboration and, as veterans of instant messaging and chat, they look for immediate feedback on their work.

While these can be positive traits in the right environment, they can also lead to conflict with older workers who are not used to this kind of thinking, and to frustration from Gen Ys who aren’t used

Mid-October/Mid-November 2012

to the slower pace of change in a office, and they’re making people corporate environment. go to it all the time, yet people don’t do work in the office.”

Much of this generational conflict, then, stems from different While Jason Fried is technically expectations and different ways of a Gen X, his ideas echo the senworking. Jason Fried and David timents of Gen Ys, who ask why Heinemeier Hansson, founders of they have to sit in an office all day web-based software provider 37 when they can be reached through Signals, described the new realities their devices anytime, anywhere. of doing business in their book, They see the traditional office and Rework. In their business world, corporate structure as outdated in “ASAP is poison,” “meetings are a world of always-connected techtoxic,” “decisions are temporary,” nologies, so they ask “Why?”, and and “resumes are ridiculous.” In most Gen Xs and Baby Boomers a recent NY Times opinion piece, don’t seem to have the answers.

Jason Fried also advocates more time off for employees because Why does all of this matter? Be“when there’s less time to work, tween 2015 and 2020, according you waste less time. When you to demographic studies, Generahave a compressed workweek, tion Y will start to represent oneyou tend to focus on what’s im- third of the workforce in many portant. Constraining time en- countries in the world, including courages quality time.” And in a Thailand. Companies need to hire TedxMidwest.com video, he de- Gen Ys as Baby Boomers move scribes why work doesn’t happen into retirement, but they seem to at work: “When I ask people... be having trouble recruiting and where do you go when you re- retaining this new generation of ally need to get something done? workers. And as Gen Ys mature I’ll hear things like, the porch, the economically, there is also evideck, the kitchen.... You almost dence that they are foregoing the never hear someone say the office. usual adulthood purchases of But businesses are spending all their parents and grandparents, this money on this place called the like cars, so many companies are

www.bangkokbusinessbrief.com changing their marketing strategies to appeal to Gen Ys. As Gen Ys get older and have more and more influence in business and in the world as a whole, it’s apparent that they will bring dramatic changes with them.

For many Gen Ys and others, these changes have been long overdue, as changes in thinking and lifestyles that have occurred in recent years through new technologies have been slow to arrive in many industries and sectors. They see the rise of Gen Y as the perfect opportunity to create meaningful change, as they prepare to take their turn as leaders in the business world. If the old-school, behemoth-like corporation Microsoft represents the Baby Boomer generation, and the hip corporate giant Apple is Gen X, then Gen Y would probably be Facebook or any plucky start-up that dreams of making money while changing the world. Whether that’s a good thing or not most likely depends on when you were born.

Read fresh business news briefs about Bangkok, Thailand, and Asia every weekday at www.bangkokbusinessbrief.com

22

BANGKOK BUSINESS BRIEF

www.bangkokbusinessbrief.com

Mid-October/Mid-November 2012

The Calendar

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

14

15

Nov.

Oct.

Sunday

AMCHAM: 2012 AMCHAM / FedEx Career Camp http://goo.gl/pkkPu

AMCHAM: 2012 AMCHAM / FedEx Career Camp http://goo.gl/kfE5N AMCHAM: Legal Cmte http://goo.gl/U2Dse

22

28

29

4

5 AMCHAM: Joint HR & ICT – How to become Best Place to Work for Company http://goo.gl/uGeps

12 AMCHAM: Healthcare Cmte http://goo.gl/Zq8Vf Bangkok Entrepreneurs http://goo.gl/U98Ux

18

goo.gl/6ngBg

Tuesday

Monday

21

11

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

19 AMCHAM: Legal Cmte http://goo.gl/hqqfr

16 AMCHAM: ICT http://goo.gl/okagr AMCHAM: 2012 AMCHAM / FedEx Career Camp http://goo.gl/DT764

23

30

AMCHAM: Bus. Economics Cmte http://goo.gl/mFX1y AMCHAM: Healthcare & Prof. Women’s Cmte http://goo.gl/PxKPu Bangkok Trader Netwkg http://goo.gl/EnNbR

6 AMCHAM: Board of Governors http://goo.gl/s1ihy

13

AMCHAM: HR Cmte http://goo.gl/S602L AustCham: Board of Dirs. http://goo.gl/DPBbm AMCHAM: Mktg Cmte http://goo.gl/Ogh2R PPi Professional Hour http://goo.gl/QGpcQ

20

AMCHAM: Energy & Environment Cmte http://goo.gl/91tyf AMCHAM: Tax Cmte http://goo.gl/0S2Ky AMCHAM: Professional Women Cmte http://goo.gl/2Hpt4

www.bangkokbusinessbrief.com

Mid-October/Mid-November 2012 BANGKOK BUSINESS BRIEF

23

Send us your event details for the Mid-November/December issue

by November 6th to reid@bangkokbusinessbrief.com Wednesday

Thursday

17

AMCHAM: 2012 AMCHAM / FedEx Career Camp http://goo.gl/N4iJ0 AMCHAM: CSR Cmte http://goo.gl/rqs5H AMCHAM: Monthly Luncheon http://goo.gl/ATMnA

24

Friday

18

BCCT: ½-day Wkshp (Change Mgmt) http://goo.gl/V81qH BCCT: Board Meeting http://goo.gl/FHW9a BCCT: Third Thursday Networking Evening http://goo.gl/uEO3f

31

19

20

26

27

4th Women With a Mission Charity Golf Tournament http://goo.gl/fAzzN Joint Chambers: Eastern Seaboard Networking Event http://goo.gl/RJDmy

25

AMCHAM: Charitable Foundation Cmte http://goo.gl/B9DH4 AMCHAM: Indiv. YearEnd Tax Plan. & Updates http://goo.gl/Occak AMCHAM: Mktg Cmte http://goo.gl/Kg5o6

Saturday

Movers & Shakers http://goo.gl/xOfWr

1

2

3

8

9

10

16

17

AMCHAM: Travel & Tourism Cmte http://goo.gl/PjOzz AMCHAM: Young Professional Cmte http://goo.gl/RZC0X

7

AMCHAM: Food & Agri Business Cmte http://goo.gl/83dh2 AMCHAM: Transpo.

Logistic Cmte http://goo.gl/DQ5ES AustCham: Sundowners http://goo.gl/fF7hb

14 AMCHAM: Security / OSAC Cmte http://goo.gl/SJTeK AMCHAM: Social Networking Night http://goo.gl/hEoyA

21

AMCHAM: CSR Cmte http://goo.gl/fjgSQ AMCHAM: CSR Excellence Awards / Monthly Luncheon http://goo.gl/Qeem3 AMCHAM: Energy Cmte http://goo.gl/mbMpi

AMCHAM: Save The Date – Myanmar Chapter Launch http://goo.gl/ozHzL

15

AMCHAM: Customs & Excise Cmte http://goo.gl/Z5MbX BCCT: Board Meeting http://goo.gl/om1rr BCCT: Third Thursday Networking Evening http://goo.gl/tK60a

22 AMCHAM: Charitable Foundation Cmte http://goo.gl/nxwuz

Joint Chambers: Eastern Seaboard Networking Event http://goo.gl/0fVnq

AustCham: Voluntary English Teaching http://goo.gl/nq09x

23 Movers & Shakers http://goo.gl/xOfWr

24 Ploenchit Fair http://goo.gl/nPzg6