MAY / JUNE 2009
Manufacturing in Thailand • Styromatic • Holm Machinery • Leo Alexandersen • Zoma Electronic • BOI Zone overview
You don’t have to live just around the corner …
… to get personal and individual investment advice We offer individual investment advice. So do a lot of other banks. But we insist on making a difference. We do not just say that we prioritise close and personal relationships – we actually meet our many international clients all over the world. We strive to give you excellent personal service. We do not beat about the bush – and we meet you face to face. We offer you advice on the most profitable investment strategy that matches your personal profile and wishes.
Above all, we provide the best conditions for expanding your assets – wherever you live. Find out the advantages we offer in the way of personal investment advice. Contact me today: Søren Skov Nielsen, Tel. +41 (0)44 368 7358 skov@jyskebank.ch
JYSKE BANK (SCHWEIZ) LTD. • Private Banking • Wasserwerkstrasse 12 • Postfach • 8021 Zürich tel.: +41 (0)44 368 7373 • fax: +41 (0)44 368 7379 • e-mail: info@jyskebank.ch • www.jyskebank.ch Jyske Bank (Schweiz) is a subsidiary of Jyske Bank A/S, Business CVR-No. 17616617. Services and products are not available to everybody, for instance not to residents of Denmark.
DANISH-THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 34 Phayathai Building B, 5th Fl, Phayathai Rd, Ratchathewi, Bangkok10400 Tel.: +66 2354 5220 Fax: +66 2354 5221 E-mail: contact@dancham.or.th Executive Director: Anne Gitte Rugaard PRESIDENT Mr. Peter Emil Romhild Sr. Executive Vice President Berli Jucker Public Co., Ltd. Tel : +66 2 367 1111 Fax : +66 2 367 1000 E-mail : p.romhild@berlijucker.co.th
Peter E. Romhild President Danish-Thai Chamber of Commerce
VICE PRESIDENT / TREASURER Mr. Søren Presmann Managing Director Presmann (Thailand) Co., Ltd. Tel : +66 2 962 1151 Mob : +66 89 668 7840 Fax : +66 2 962 1152 E-mail : soren@presmann.co.th VICE PRESIDENT / CHAIRMAN MEDIA Mr. Poul Skov-Petersen Sales Director Firexpress Tel: +66 2 258 0193 Email: poul@firexpress.com CHAIRMAN MEMBERSHIP Mr. Thomas Nyborg Pandora Production Co. Ltd. Tel : +66 2 728 7200 Fax : +66 2 727 0253 E-mail : thn@pandora.co.th CHAIRMAN EVENTS Mr. Håkan Olsson SAS - Scandinavian Airlines Tel : +66 2 645 8200 (Reservations/Ticketing) +66 2 645 8224 (Scandinavian Community Affairs) Fax : +66 2 665 2900 E-mail : sas.th@sas.se CSR / MEMBERSHIP Mr. Charnchai Charuvastr Aviva Décor Ltd. Tel : +66 2 685 3661-3 Fax : +66 2 685 3660 E-mail : decor@aviva.co.th ALUMNI / EVENTS Ms. Mai Ellegaard Euro-Center (Thailand) Co. Ltd. Tel : +66 2 696 3626-27 Fax : +66 2 696 3628 E-mail : bangkok@euro-center.com FOREIGN AFFAIRS Mr. Thomas Lindy Sørensen Maersk Line (Thailand) Ltd. Tel : +66 2 752 9000 (Automatic) Fax : +66 2 752 9386 E-mail :thatop@maersk.com EVENTS / LEGAL ADVISOR Mr. John Fotiadis Consultant Tilleke & Gibbins International Ltd Tel : +66 2 263 7700 Fax : +66 2 263 7710 E-mail : john.f@tillekeandgibbins.com MEDIA / WEBSITE Mr. Robert Kronberg Management Consultant PIRO Consulting Group Tel : +66 81 406 2854 Fax : +66 2 940 4761 E-mail : robert@piroconsulting.com
WE KNOW A BETTER ROUTE.
Dear Readers Why should any foreign company invest in Thailand? That could well be a question, that many pose with the recent political and economic woes we have experienced also in the first 5 months of the year. But there are still many good reasons for having confidence in the Thai economy, and that one should invest in Thailand. Well educated population, huge potential for growth both in Bangkok and in the provinces, strategic location vis-à-vis other Asian countries, a sought after tourist destination with an excellent service industry, stability even in political turbulent times and incentives for investments. So take your pick! That theme is in particular, what we have dealt with in this issue of Trade News. Board of Investment is trying hard to attract new investments to Thailand both in terms of tax incentives and in terms of facilitating of investment requirements. This would benefit also Danish companies, who should take a renewed interest in investing in Thailand. When you read further it is interesting to note that a small country like Denmark has so many entrepreneurs and operate in so many diversified businesses. And quite successfully I may add. The Chamber continues to arrange many interesting and business relevant events, and our last networking sponsored by EAC was a great success. We are also trying to combine events with the other Nordic Chambers and from time to time with Chambers, where we have something in common. We hope you enjoy those events, and would very much like any feedback from our members, as we strive to improve our services. As this issue is about to go into printing we unfortunately were informed that our Executive Director Anne Gitte Rugaard will return to Denmark with her family end of June. The exciting position as Executive Director is thus yet again open, and should any of our readers be interested please contact the Chamber. Good hunting with the Trade News and remember to join the networking evenings.
MEDIA Mr. Palle Borgselius Administration Manager Scanmach Asia Co., Ltd. Tel : +66 2 750 9616 ext. 202 Fax : +66 2 750 9614 Email : pb@scanmach.com EMBASSY REPRESENTATIVE Mr. Bo Bjerregaard Rasmussen Commercial Counsellor Embassy of Denmark Ph.: +66 2 343 3125 Fax: +66 2 213 1752 E-mail: borasm@um.dk
Peter E. Romhild President
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Mr. Anne Gitte Rugaard Executive Director Danish-Thai Chamber of Commerce Tel : +66 2 354 5220 Mob: 0859 234960 Fax : +66 2 354 5221 Email : director@dancham.or.th EDITING, MARKETING & PRODUCTION Scand-Media Corp. Ltd. 4/41 - 2 Moo, Ramintra Soi 14, Bangkok 10230 Tel.: (66) 02943 7166-8 Fax: (66) 02943 7169 Editor: Mr. Gregers Moller - gregers@scandmedia.com Marketing: Mr. Finn Balslev - finn@scandmedia.com Design: Disraporn Yatprom - disraporn@scandmedia.com
Finnair flies the fast and short northern route from Bangkok to Copenhagen and Billund. Book your flights at www.finnair.com. BEIJING, HO NG KO NG, S H A N GH A I, BA N GKOK, D E L H I, OSA KA , N AGOYA , TOKYO, S E OU L .
THE FAS T AI R LI NE BE T WE E N ASI A AND E URO PE
Celebrating the Queen’s Birthday
T
he Ambassador of Denmark and Mrs. Michael Sternberg on Monday 20 April 2009 celebrated the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II in the Royal Ballroom of Oriental Hotel Bangkok. In his speech before the toast to Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II and His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the
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Ambassador commented on the bad situation,which Thailand was in both politically and economically. The Ambassador strongly urged all sides in the conflict to compromise for the sake of the country. “The window for reconciliation is fast closing,” the Ambassador warned. The speech was held just a few days after the first
parliamentary session after the turmoil in Bangkok and the disruption of the ASEAN meeting in Pattaya. The magnificent Ball Room was a fitting setting for the event, which was attended by around four hundred excellencies and other dignitaries along with invited prominent members of the Danish business community in Thailand.
May/June 2009
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A Successful Corner of Their Own The Danish print circuit company Styromatic is specialized in the production of electrical devises, but also in thinking out the box. In stead of following the same recipe as other companies in Thailand, they have chosen an unusual location to their factory – and have won lucrative economic advantages. By Charlotte Lund Dideriksen Photos: Jan Mouritsen
S
ome might think that the rural area in the north-eastern corner of Thailand is an odd place to locate your new production-site, but not if you ask Styromatic, which produces electronic devises like print circuits for the high-tech
Despite the talk about brain drain from he north-eastern regions of Thailand Styromatic does not have problems recruiting workers
Great infrastructure and low wages makes Udon Thani a great location for business according to marketing manager Nuchanate Puekhamhai
industry to clients all over the world. Low wages, favourable tax-agreements and excellent infrastructural conditions makes the rather remote location outside the city of Udon Thani close to the Lao border an ideal spot for high-tech business, if you ask Styromatic.
takes a great deal of technical knowledge. “It is a difficult job to make print circuits and it takes about a year before you can do it right, but even though the media talk so much about brain drain in the remote areas we do not have any problems recruiting qualified personnel up here,” Nuchanate Puenkhamhai states.
Profitable zone
Big expectations
About three years ago, the Århus-based electronic manufacturing service company decided to open a factory in Thailand and after some research into potential areas they found out, that the authorities of Thailand offer numerous advantages to companies, that settles in the more remote areas of the country. “To attract investment in the outskirts of the country, the Board of Investment has divided Thailand into different zones. Bangkok is in zone one and our city of Udon Thani lies in zone three. In our zone you pay less tax than in Bangkok, and here the foreign-owned companies have the right to own the land, so there is a great potential in investments out here” says Nuchanate Puenkhamhai, who is Sales and Marketing Manager for Styromatic in Thailand. She doesn’t think, that being located away from the financial centre of Bangkok is a problem for the company. “We have a great infrastructure with both airports and good
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highways in this area, so even though there is a six hour drive to Bangkok it is not a problem for us to send the products to our clients”, she adds.
Producing print circuits is very complex business, and it takes both good eyes and fast hands to handle the small components in the right matter. It also
In times where a dramatic amount of enterprises have begun to reduce the number of employees, in order to survive the decreasing earnings, Styromatic still manages to keep the optimism on the financial perspectives. Actually they plan to increase their workforce by at least 100 percent in the next couple of years. So the financial decline in the inter-
It is a difficult job to make print circuits and it takes about a year before you can do it right national economy does not seem to frighten Account and Finance Manager of Styromatic in Thailand, Dungchan Plianthaiong. Actually Styromatic belives so much in the potential of the production-site and the market for full turnkey electronic manufacturing service that they are building another and even bigger production hall next to the existing one. “The crisis has not affected us very much and the potential of our production has not reached its saturation point yet, so if everything goes according to our strategy the workforce will have increased to 150 employees in two years from now”, she states.
May/June 2009
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Components Made in Thailand Even though Holm’s Machinery primarily produces industrial components for the European market, much of the components are made in Thailand. Webcamtechnology and contended employees make it possible By Charlotte Lund Dideriksen Photos: Jan Mouritsen
A
distance of thousands of kilometres between the locations of the production and the main office of a company does not mean that you can’t supervise the factory, when you’re not physically present. Webcam and data-transfers between the
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Machine Operator Jørgen Skou is impressed by the skills of his new colleagues
different sections of the company makes it possible for the distant management to know exactly what is going on.
Camera contact
This is how the Danish industrial enterprise Holm Machinery, which produces minor components to industrial production, from its head office north of Copenhagen keeps an eye on their factory outside the city of
Udon Thani in the north-eastern part of Thailand, By webcams installed directly in the construction hall and frequent online contact the management keeps track on the output, and checks if it is equivalent to the demands of the clients, without being physically present at the Asian factory all the time. “Our manager comes out here about four to five times a year so the cameras have made it easier for him to get in touch with the production from his office in Denmark. This means he can have an easy overview on the production on a daily basis,” says Nantawan
Hanprab, General Manager of Holm Machinery’s factory in Thailand. She likes the frequent contact with the owners because it makes the distant subsidiary feel closer to the rest of the company.
to the Danish less hierarchical way to run a business – and that’s it is acceptable to joke and laugh with the supervisors.
Close to the family
Skillful workers
The production-site has been running for about a year, and so far it is a success. Actually the local workers have impressed their new employers with their technical expertise. “My new colleges are just as accomplished as Danish machine-operators. The technical education in Thailand is more theoretic than in Denmark, but they are quick to adopt practical skills. Making industrial components requires a great deal of accuracy, one of our biggest customers is FOSS from Hillerød in Denmark, the world’s leading provider of analytical instruments for the agricultural and pharmaceutical industries and that demands high standards of precession of our work,” says
Modern technology like webcam and frequently online contact has made the cooperation with the mother company in Denmark easier according to general manager Nantawan Hanprap
Jørgen Schou, who supervises Holm’s Machinery’s technical production in Udon Thani. It has also been a great experience for him to work in Thailand. Especially now, when the coworkers are getting accustomed
Udon Thani is an unusual choice for the location of a factory of this kind. But according to Nantawan Hanprab, a native of the city herself, it is the best spot Holm’s Machinery could wish for. Good relations with the fellow Danish owned neighbouring company Styromatic, who provides electronically assistance when needed (and visa versa when the electronic factory has mechanical problems…), a favourable location in a zone three-area, salaries about one third lower than Bangkok-wages and happy workers assures Holm’s Machinery excellent conditions and a high quality in their production, according to
the general manager. “Most of our employees are from Udon Thani, but because of the high unemployment-rate of the region, they used to work in Bangkok only to see their wives and children a few times a month, by working for us they can live with their families in their home city. I think this is the reason why we get numerous
applications from skilled workers each week. Besides, being able to be with the family improves the quality of life of our workers, which basically makes them a better resource to us, too,” says Nantawab Hanprab.
May/June 2009
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Always Start with BOI By Gregers Moller
L
eo Alexandersen is probably the most experienced Danish businessman in Thailand today when it comes to working with Board of Investment. Over the years he has been involved as an advisor to around fifteen different companies receiving BOI support. They have been active within a wide range of sectors, like food manufacturing, mechanical components, electronics, horticulture. “It is simply the first thing I do with any company who has come here to explore their opportunities in Thailand – I
Bureaucratic but Duty Free No import tax on the raw materials. A position in BOI zone number three gives Zoma Electronics economic advantages. But the price is a opaque bureaucracy and prolonged procedure from the authorities – especially for those who don’t speak Thai.
the homework. “When you have worked out a feasible businessplan and made a draft application, it is time to visit BOI again. They will go through your business plan and suggest changes and adjustments that would give you the maximum support of the BOI - if you can accept those changes.” Then you go home and work out the actual application. “Today, this application can actually be submitted on-line, so if the investor is not living here, there is no need need to fly out here to complete this step,” Leo Alexandersen explains. Having submitted the application, the time needed for the processing can vary from project
By Charlotte Lund Dideriksen
G
ood intentions is not necessarily a guaranty for god results when it comes to the BOI-system says Torben Z. Wendelboe, director of Zoma EMS Asia Productions Ltd. – a subsidiary of the Danish electronic prototype-producer Zoma Electronics A/S. Ironically enough it is in his opinion the aim to fulfil the good intentions which throw a spanner on the business-friendly intentions. “Despite the advantages of being exempted from certain taxations, the administration and monitoring of the investment-zones have entailed a considerable amount of bureaucracy. In their eager to make benefits for the investors the management of the BOI-system creates new obstacles” he explains. Torben Z. Wendelbo recommends newcomers to the business scene in Thailand to get professional help to crack the bureaucratic nuts. “The BOI regulations are quite confusing for a non-Thai speaker, I will therefore strongly recommend new investors to find an educated BOI-officer to take care of the BOIadministration and the contact with the authorities,” he says.
Step One in exploring your business opportunities in Thailand is a visit to BOI, says Leo Alexandersen. arrange a meeting for them with the Board of Investment,” says Leo Alexandersen. Sometimes, he is involved in his position as advisor of IFU – the The Industrialisation Fund for Developing Countries. Otherwise, he has been involved in his private capacity as a professional board member and business advisor. “The BOI staff speaks English so it is actually possible to just walk in and request a meeting to see what they suggest. This is simply step one for doing business in Thailand,” he says. Based on the advise of the BOI officer – and provided the project in question is eligible for BOI support - next step is doing 12
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to project. “I have seen everything from three weeks to two months. It is up to the nature of the project.” “If all goes well, next you will be informed that you can come and pick up a “Notification” paper stating that your project has been approved. You then have one month to inform the BOI if you want to accept the support they have offered.” The BOI will then issue your “Certificate” which is the overall most important BOI document. This is the one you need to show when importing machinery without paying import duties or present to the tax authorities to enjoy your tax benefits.
“You don’t have to use the Certificate immediately. It is valid for a two years, so there is plenty of time to get your project started in the right way. Maybe you need to find the right partners. Maybe you just need to wait for the best timing.” “What ever you decide to do, this is the point where it is crucial that the company selects the Thai legal advisors and auditing company, they feel comfortable working with,” Leo Alexandersen emphasizes. “That is because you are now entering the track where all paperwork is in Thai and it is the Thai system and regulations, you need to comply with. Without proper advisors, you
are extremely bad off and very vulnerable,” he warns. Another decision is whether the company prefers to continue working with the BOI headoffice or the local BOI office in the province. “The quality of the service you get locally is fully up to the standard you get in the headoffice, so I mostly suggest transferring to the local office in the province, where the company decides to etablish itself,” Leo Alexandersen says. After the company is set up, Leo Alexandersen also suggests employing a specific BOI officer in the company with the main task to coordinate and handle the paperwork and reports that
the company needs to comply with. “Among other things, BOI requests that the company needs to be ISO 9000 certified within the first 2 years. I personally find that very positive. It should be properly handled by a Quality Assurance Manager. The BOI officer should simply be your liason officer.” Leo Alexandersen is the representative of IFU in Thailand, and is willing to assist also other companies interested in exploring their opportunities in Thailand.
May/June 2009
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The BOI – Investment Zones of Thailand Geography matters. You can obtain various investmentsconditions in the different regions of Thailand. To strengthen the decentralization the Thai authorities has grated privileges for investments in the remoter areas. By Charlotte Lund Dideriksen
I
f you are considering a significant investment in Thailand, then you should inquire whether your investment is eligible for Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) privileges. The BOI has the power to grant some or all of the following privileges depending on the promoted activity and investment zone: Exemption from rules restricting foreign ownership of companies, corporate income tax for up to 8 years, import duties on machinery and raw materials, rules restricting foreign ownership of land, work permit and visa rules and rules restricting overseas remittances. The three Investment Zones are divided by economic factors including level of income and the availability of infrastructure as follows:
Zone 1 - High Income and Infrastructure Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi and Nakhon Pathom • 50 per cent reduction of import duty on machinery that is subject to import duty of not less than 10 percent • Corporate income tax exemption for 3 years for projects located within industrial estates or promoted industrial zones, provided that such a project with capi14
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transportation, electricity and water costs for 10 years from the date of first revenue derived from promoted activity;
tal investment of 10 million baht or more (excluding cost of land and working capital) obtains ISO 9000 or similar international standard certification within 2 years from its start-up date, otherwise the corporate income tax exemption will be reduced by 1 year • Exemption of import duty on raw or essential materials used in the manufacturing of export products for 1 year.
Project Outside Industrial Zones
Zone 2: Moderate Income and Infrastructure Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Suphanburi, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong and Phuket • 50 per cent reduction of import duty on machinery that is subject to import duty of not less than 10 per cent • Corporate income tax exemption for 3 years, increased to 5 years for projects located within industrial estates or promoted industrial zones, provided that such a project with capital investment of 10 million baht or more (excluding cost of land and working capital) obtains ISO 9000 or similar international standard certification within 2 years from its start-up date, otherwise the corporate income tax exemption will be reduced by 1 year; and • Exemption of import duty on raw or essential materials used in the manufacturing of export products for 1 year.
Zone 3 Low Income and Infrastructure All Thailand provinces not mentioned above. • Exemption of import duty on machinery • Corporate income tax exemption for 8 years provided that a project with capital investment of
10 million baht or more (excluding cost of land and working capital) obtains ISO 9000 or similar international standard certification within 2 years from its start-up date, otherwise the corporate income tax exemption will be reduced by 1 year • Exemption of import duty exemption on raw or essential materials used in the manufacturing of export products for 5 years. • A project located in one of the following 36 provinces: Krabi, Kamphaeng Phet, Khon Kaen, Chanthaburi, Chai Nat, Chumphon, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Trang, Trat, Tak, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nakhon Sawan, Prachuab Khiri Khan, Prachin Buri, Phangnga, Phattalung, Pichit, Phitsanulok, Phetchaburi, Phetchabun, Mukdahan, Mae Hong Son, Ranong, Lop Buri, Lamphang, Lamphun, Loei, Songkhla, Sa Kaew, Sing Buri, Sukhothai, Surat Thani, Uttaradit, and Uthai Thani shall be granted additional tax and duty privileges as follows: o o
o
Project Inside Industrial Zones 50 per cent reduction of corporate income tax for 5 years after the exemption period Double deduction from taxable income of
• Deduction can be made from net profit of 25 per cent of the project’s infrastructure installation or construction cost for 10 years from the date of first sales, and net profit for one or more years of any year can be chosen for such deduction. The deduction is additional to normal depreciation. • A project located in one of the following 22 provinces: Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Nakhon Phanom, Narathiwat, Nan, Nong Khai, Buri Ram, Pattani, Phayao, Phrae, Maha Sarakham, Yasothon, Yala, Roi Et, Si Sa Ket, Sakhon Nakhon, Sathun, Surin, Nong Bualamphu, Amnat Charoen Udon Thani, and Ubon Ratchathani shall be granted additional tax and duty privileges privileges as follows: o
o
o
50 per cent reduction of corporate income tax for 5 years after the exemption period; Double deduction from taxable income of transportation, electricity and water costs for 10 years from the date of first revenue derived from promoted activities; Deduction can be made from net profit of 25 per cent of the project’s infrastructure installation or construction cost for 10 years from the date of first sales, and net profit for one or more years of any year can be chosen for such deduction. The deduction is additional to normal depreciation.
Souce: Thailandboi.com
May/June 2009
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Danish Teak Wood Furniture You do not have to compromise on quality to produce Danish design furniture in Thailand. At least not if you ask the two Danish manufacturers of teak design furniture Koefoed and Kircodan. For a number of years they have had their furniture produced at OK Wood in Bangkok. By Charlotte Lund Dideriksen
W
hen speaking of Danish design furniture, it is hard to avoid chairs, sideboards and tables made of teak wood. The golden-brown hard wood has in many ways become synonymous with world-famous furniture classics from design-gurus like Fritz Hansen in the city of Hillerød north of Copenhagen. But times are changing and today a great deal of Danish furniture is Made in Thailand. Danish manufacturers need a convenient location close to the raw material, the trees which fill up many plantations in Thailand, low production costs, strict enforcement of intellectual copyrights and especially a reliable local partner, who understands the philosophy behind Danish Design. Danish teak furniture companies Kircodan Funiture A/S and Koefoed Danmark Aps says that all this is exactly what Thailand has to offer. ”Because of the current Danish production cost level, it is today absolutely necessary to establish production abroad. It is impossible to produce at competitive prices in Denmark, but out here you can,” says Jes Kirkegaard of Kircodan. “Compared to the surround-
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The Thai-made teak design is a hit on both the north-European and Japanese marked
wooden furniture, the interest from Japan is impressive. Actually, some me of the Danish classics are e more popular over there, than they are in Denmark. k. Japanese trends are also quite influential on the rest of East Asia, so it is a market with a great potential,” Peter Koefoed d ads.
A classic - Peter Koefoed doesn’t think that furniture made of teak ever goes out of style ing countries in South East Asia, Thailand is far ahead when it comes to quality and anti-copying laws,” he ads.
Goodbye to the dusty image
Understanding Danish Design
But there is no easy way to a success in Thailand. If the quality of furniture produced in South East Asia must live up to the Danish standards it is absolutely necessary to find the right local producer, according to the two Danish companies. “Of course it has taken a fair bit of research to find the right local partner, a partner who would understand our high standards of quality. Our buyers are very keen on quality, so it is of great importance not to compromise, just because you move the production to Asia,” Jes Kirkegaard explains. Both of the producers get their furniture produced at the Thai furniture factory OK Wood in Bangkok, and in Kircodan’s case the partnership has lasted for three decades, as it can be dated back to 1987. “We started our Thai production at OK Wood and have great confidence in each other. This is very important when you live on different continents. We are very satisfied with the partnership and Thanun Oukomul, who is the manager of OK Woods, is by the way a big fan of Danish Design himself,” says Jes Kirkegaard. Although the sense of the importance of punctuality differs between Denmark and Thailand, both the Danish pro-
Even though the heritage from the Danish design from the 1950 is quite present, it does not mean, that furniture made of teak has not developed itself into the new millennium. For instance the two firms now combine wood with other material such as glass and steel to reach out to the younger audience. “Today people are much busier than before, so not everyone has the time to oil and maintain their furniture. So today we compliment with HDF and
Compared to the surrounding countries in South East Asia, Thailand is far ahead when it comes to quality and anti-copying laws.
Japanese like Danish teak “We have a great cooperation, probably because we share the love for Danish Design” Jes Kirkegaard and Thanun Oukomul has been working together in more than 20 years ducers are happy with the Thai engagement. “We have actually had surprisingly few problems related to moving our production from Denmark to OK Wood. Even though Thais sometimes has a
looser approach towards deadlines than Scandinavians do, I am convinced that we have found the right business partner,” says Peter Koefoed, who has been working together with OK Wood since 2004.
Thanun Ounkomol is definitely not the only non-Dane, who likes modern Danish teak furniture. The two Danish companies offered international furniture-design for South East Asian buyers at a major trade exhibition in Bangkok in March 2009. Their 35.000 square metres stand at Thailand International Furniture Fair was very popular espe-
plastic materials, which have a ten year guarantee without requiring any maintaining,” Jes Kirkegaard says. But that does not mean that the golden brown type of wood is about to retire. “I don’t think that teak will ever go out of style, numerous times throughout history the materiel has been reinvented in new shapes, and to many people, there is a timeless quality to it. With the present economic downturn people have a tendency to choose long-term classics like teak over momentary trends,” Peter Koefoed says.
cially among the Japanese and Middle Eastern furniture stores. Today Koefoed and Kircodan furniture is primarily sold on the north American, German and Scandinavian market, but in recent years they have experienced an increasing demand from Asia, especially Japan. “The Japanese are very interested in our products, the simplicity of Scandinavian design fits very well with the Japanese traditions, in that perspective it is a great logistic advantage for us, that we have the production in Thailand,” says Peter Koefoed. Today the two Danish furniture-producers have a common agent in Japan to represent their Danish teak wood furniture on the lucrative and trendsetting Japanese marked. “When it comes to Danish May/June 2009
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Disabled Dane in Thai Paradise Kristian Olsen lost his hearing ability in a car crash more than 30 years ago, but that did not stop him from starting a carrier in Thai real-estate. The strong-minded Dane may have lost his hearing - but definitely not his sense of business. By Charlotte Lund Dideriksen
I
mmigrating to another continent is a challenge for most people. Being deaf definitely doesn’t make it easier. But Kristian Olsen is not afraid to take up a challenge, which most people in his posi-
tion probably would decline right away. After 14 years in various companies, the deaf Dane is now the manager of Thai Sunshine Development, a real-estate company close to the wide unspoiled beaches of Sichon. The company has recently become part of the Exotiq Real Estate chain in Asia.
A fatal car-ride
Kristian Olsen’s life took a drastic turn when he, aged 14, lost his hearing ability in a car crash. “I had already tried to drive my parent’s car on the field behind our house, so I think I thought of myself as an excellent driver, but then I drove up on the road, where I lost the control of the car and ended in the ditch” he tells. The accident actually left him dead, but he was resuscitated at the hospital where he finally woke up six weeks later.
“It turned out I had a natural talent for lip-reading, when the doctor was talking to the nurse I actually thought, that I could hear what he said. That made it a bit easier for me to adjust the new circumstances of my life, that I still could have a conversation with my friends” Kristian Olsen explains. Despite his accident he considers himself lucky. “I could hear the first 14 years of my life, so I had a good understanding of the language. In addition I could speak both English and German by that age, and that has really help me later – especially here in Thailand” he says.
Stair cleaning only
The main reason why Kristian Olsen left Denmark was the lack of job opportunities for disabled people. “I have a university degree in computer sciences but I could not get a job, I guess my hearing disability scared most employers. Like most other deaf people, the only jobs I could get was cleaning stairs and likewise,” he says. These discouraging prospects made Kristian Olsen start searching for alternative opportunities of pursuing his dreams. “Basically I had the choice between doing a job, that wasn’t at all related to my education or staying at home on an invalidity pension doing nothing, and none of them applied to me at all. I really don’t mean to sound ungrateful. I know that I had a lot of help and support from the system. But I think that Denmark is missing out on a great labour potential by rejecting the deaf” he ads.
Kristian Olsen and Kanidtha live near the beach of Sichon with their son Sammy. The determined Dane immediately fell in love with the unspoiled beaches of Sichon.
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From visa to real-estate
A vacation to Thailand made the Dane completely fall in love with the country, so much that he in 1995 decided to settle there. In the beginning as a visa-agent in Pattaya and Phuket, but after a trip to the unspoiled coast of Sichon in the south-eastern part of Thailand, he knew that here was his home. “I love Thailand, and actually it is much easier for me being deaf out here. Thais use much more gestures when they speak, so that makes it easier
for me. I also feel like I get more respect out here than I do in Denmark. Back home I get the help I need but no respect, and I prefer being respected ” Kristian Olsen states. Today he lives in a short distance from the white beach with wife and business partner Kanidtha Sasen and 2-yesr old son Sammy using most of his time on their company. And even though he likes spending time with his hearing family and friends he has not forgot what its like to be disabled.
The Sunshine Development Resort of which Kristian Olsen is the Manager.
“One of my dreams is to build a resort for disabled people here in Sichon, with a generous amount of helpers and a wheelchair-ramp down to the ocean, the disabled can have a taste of paradise too” the ambitious Dane explains proving that his sense of business is still very much alive.
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A Match for Every Wallet
T
he ambition to match the budget of the variety of customers has also led to dishes in various economic categories. “It is important to us that everybody feels welcome here, from the charter guests to the sophisticated gourmets. Happy customers tend to return. So we serve both exquisite seafood and affordable homemade pizzas in la Grappa” Peter Kirketerp says. The pizzas is still Lugianos domain, and they have actually become quite popular in the city, probably because they are baked in an authentic Italian outdoor wooden-oven
which gives the original Italian taste to the pizzas according to the Dane and his two Italian chefs. Peter Kirketerps’s passion for fine cuisine doesn’t stop here. Today his 75-seat restaurant imports and sells wines, Cuban cigars and Italian delicacy directly from the restaurant. “We would like to disseminate the knowledge of fine Italian cusine. There is much more to the Italian culture than pasta with tomato sauce”. For further in formation, visit La Grappa’s website www.lagrappa-ristorante.com.
A Piece of Italy in Hua Hin A top-class native Italian chef, frescos on the walls and an authentic outdoor wood fire pizza oven gives La Grappa an authentic Italian feel. When it comes to Italian gastronomy the owner Peter Kirketerp refuses to compromise with quality and authenticity.
“We will show the people of Hua Hin that Italian food is much more than pizzas” Andreas Bonifacio and Peter Kirketerp has great ambitions
By Charlotte Lund Dideriksen
P
eter Kirketerp has owned the Italian gourmet restaurant La Grappa in the centre of the Hua Hin for five years. With the employment of Andreas Bonifacio, a native Italian Chef, as his new partner and chef patron, the already high standard of La Grappa is probably about to be raised even further. “Authenticity of the food is very important to both Andreas and myself, it is definitely not enough that our dishes look a little Italian. They must be like the dishes you get in Italy,” 20
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Peter Kirketerp states over a extraordinarily authentic plate of antipasti in the fresco-decorated restaurant. His love for the South European country can be dated close to twenty years back, when he and his family still lived in Denmark - and it started as a pure coincidence. “My wife worked for SAS back then and Rome was by far her favourite destination, so after a while she managed to talk me into going there. I quickly fell in love with Italy, and especially the food culture. Since then we have gone to Italy almost every year, also after we moved to Thailand,” he says.
Not just spaghetti bolognese
As an expat based in Bangkok Peter Kirketerp and his family often went to Hua Hin for the weekend. During these visits they meet Luciano, and Italian who owned a small pizza-eatery named La Grappa. When Luciano faced some difficulties he persuaded Peter Kirketerp to take a partnership in what then was called Bella Roma and shortly after the then pizzaria was refurbished and renamed La Grappa with the Peter Kirketerp as the owner. The ambitions of the Dane with the Italian soul reached further than that so when he retired
last year he began a transformation of a pizza place to a gourmet restaurant. This initially involved Andreas Bonifacio – who previously has been chef in various Italian restaurants in Bangkok- to work for La Grappa as consultant over weekends designing the menu and training the kitchen staff. Six mounth later, he took up the challenge at La Grappa on a full time basis and he joined early April as Chef Patron, Partner and the Managing Director of the operating company, Hua Hin Leisure Co. Despite the fact that there are about 25 Italian restaurants in the city, Andreas is actually the first and only Italian chef with a professional educational background as a chef. “I wanted to make food like I knew it from Italy, and show the people in Hua Hin that Italian food are much, much more than pizzas and spaghetti bolognaise – like cold and hot antipasti, soups and seafood and steaks varieties at par level with the best you can have in Bangkok”, Peter Kirketerp states. The urge to establish a fine Italian eatery in the city also led to a massive extension of the selection of wines, champagnes and – of course – real Italian Grappas
Delicious Hua Hin
The sun-kissed royal city of Hua Hin is known for its white beaches, the excellent climate and a relaxed atmosphere which have made both the King of Thailand and an impressive amount of foreigners selecting the city south west of Bangkok as their home town – an the numerous eateries in the narrow streets filled with hungry tourists and exotic smells from all over the world. Still, to say that Hua Hin is a gastronomically Mecca would be an exaggeration. “It is a little odd that all gourmet restaurants are located in Bangkok. But we can have the same ingredients here, so why shouldn’t we have fine cuisine here in Hua Hin? Both local and foreign connoisseurs come here on vacation anyway,” Andreas Bonifacio says. For now Andreas teaches the local waiters about wines and Italian food culture, so they can guide the customers to the best possible menu. “The right guidance is a big part of a fine dining experience. It is not about making the customers buy the most expensive wine in the restaurant, but to find the right wine which both matches their dishes and their budget,” Andreas Bonifacio ads.
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The New Costa del Sol Great culture, an attractive climate and very reasonable prices – these are the main reasons why Thailand is about to be the number one spot to settle when growing old. According to realestate developer Jens Brochner Nielsen, Thailand will only gain more popularity as the place to spend your retirement.
By Charlotte Lund Dideriksen
W
hy spend your retirement living as a henchman in Europe when you can go to Thailand and live a life suitable for a King, asks Jens Brochner Nielsen. During the past seven years the Danish real-estate company D2 Real Estate has built, sold and rented out apartments and houses by the coasts of the Thai
Brochner Nielsen thinks that Thailand will experience the same popularity as the Spanish coastline did thirty years ago
FerieBil i Danmark [til udenlandsdanskere]
mainland to people all over the world – primary elderly people. Despite negative expectations and the infamous international financial crises the Dane is still optimistic. “We are actually not very affected by the global economic recession.. Apart from overpriced places like Hua Hin and Pattaya, the prices on most residential real estate has been stable or slightly increasing so far, so I am definitely not panicking,” Jens Brochner Nielsen says
Vi har Danmarks bedste priser og biludvalg til dig som udenlandsdansker. Ring, fax eller e-mail og få et godt tilbud på din feriebil i Danmark.
Nyt: Tax-Free Leasing fra 2 måneder.
www.avis.dk
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Reservation: Vivi With-Seidelin Telefon +44 20 7381 6333 E-mail viviws@tiscali.co.uk
An alternative old-age home
According to Jens Brochner Nielsen there are many advantages in spending the last years of you life under the tropical Thai sun. “Most people experience considerable decrease of their income when they retire from their working life - a lot of people need to move to smaller houses and a cut-back on their daily expenses,” he explains. Because of the significantly lower level for cost of living in Thailand, Jens Brochner Nielsen states, it is actually possible to raise your living conditions - both in terms of quality and on the financial level by immigrating to the country of many smiles, even though you income has technically decreased. “In Thailand you can get a new-build accommodation of high value close to the coast for around one and a half million baht, world-class health insurance and of course access to the rich oriental culture. That means that you raise your living condition for less money by moving out here from Europe to spend you retirement,” he says.
Middle class paradise
Southeast Asia has more than a fair share of palaces and private island get-aways for the world elite, but also more and more people from the middle class go to Thailand for vacation. “The biggest target group for the Thai real estate market is the European middle class and with
Climate, low costs and culture attracts the middle class people from all over the world
the increasing awareness on this alternative to an European old-age home, the number of customers have increased considerably and all indicators show that this positive tendency doubtlessly will continue in the future,” Jens Brochner Nielsen says. He believes that Thailand is on its way to become a favourite retirement-destination for westerners from the entire spectre of the society – like the villages of the sun kissed coasts in the Mediterranean countries. “Thailand is in many ways similar to the old Spanish retirement-paradise Costa del Sol and the popularity it gained thirty years ago. Back then the excellent climate, the low prices, the good infrastructural conditions, and the possibility to spend the rest of your life in relative luxury attracted a lot of ‘ordinary people’,” the Danish realestate agent says. “I think the same thing is happing here in Thailand in these years.”
Velkommen til
Stenhus Kostskole Stenhus Kostskole er en boglig skole, som ønsker at give eleverne grundlæggende kundskaber og færdigheder, der kan medvirke til at udvikle den enkelte elevs evner og anlæg optimalt. Stenhus Kostskole tilbyder bl.a.: . . . . . . .
tysk fra 6. klasse turbohold i 9. klasse edb integreret i de enkelte fag med brug af internettet en international 10. klasse med to studierejser enkeltværelser med netopkobling skitur, kanotur, overlevelsestur, Stenhus-Games m.m. optager gymnasieelver til skolegang på Stenhus Gymnasium
Besøg vores hjemmeside: www.stenhus.dk www.stenhus-kostskole.dk www.stenhus-gym.dk
Stenhus Kostskole, Stenhusvej 20, 4300 Holbæk +45 5943 0269 E-mail: admin@stenhus.dk
May/June 2009
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Career out of Speaking Danish Making a
A young woman is determined to create a career where her Danish language skills can come to use.
By Lars Pinnerup
Many Danish people I meet through my work are very surprised that I can speak Danish.
H
er Danish is more or less fluent. The accent is a melody fusing a big warm smile with bits of Thai and Danish as spoken north of Copenhagen. Now and then the 26 years old woman has to pause for a second to look for the right word, but in most cases she finds what she is looking for in order to finish her sentences. Sumalee Songnikhom or Sue as she prefers being called picked up the alien sounds of Danish when she spent a year working north of Copenhagen. Now back in Bangkok, she works for Danish company DSV, but says she did not get the job because of her Danish skills. “Actually they were not aware of my Danish skills when I applied for the job, and the person interviewing me were not Danish either,” Sue explains and continues. “However, being able to speak Danish proves more and more to be of great advantage to me in my daily work. Being the only person capable of speaking Danish at the Bangkok Office I often translates Danish documents for my colleagues and after finding out that DSV Bangkok now has a person that speaks Danish, some of my Danish colleagues prefer speaking to me, when they call our Bangkok Office.” Many Danish people I meet through my work are very surprised that I can speak Danish. 24
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Time in Denmark
After graduating from Srinakharinwirot University with a degree in Tourism, Sue landed a job with Danish company C & C Travels’ office in Bangkok. She describes working at C & C Travels as a great work experience, and explains that it was when working at C & C travels that she got the chance to work in Denmark. “C & C Travels invited me to go to Denmark for a visit and it was during this visit that I was offered to work with the distributor of Beer Singha in Denmark, Seven Oceans in Helsingor,” Sue tells. For a year Sue balanced working life with learning to speak Danish at a language centre, a time she thinks back of with joy. She grew quite fond of Denmark while she was there and when asked to put words to what it is she likes so much about Denmark and Danish people she replies: “People seem to be treated more or less equal in Denmark. You can come from a poor
back ground with little connections and still work yourself up to a management position in Denmark that is an achievement that is more or less impossible in Thailand,” Sue reflects. “I also like the cleanliness of Denmark. Everything is so clean, and oh of course, the public transportation is reliable and on time, something I really enjoyed although I sometimes had to run to catch the train from Helsingor to Espergaerde where I was living,” Sue laughs and starts sharing memories of collection shells and mussels for eating with her friends on the beaches in Denmark, and how to make papaya salad out of everything but papaya when the craving for Som Tam plays tricks with your mind.
Straightforward
Moving into shipping and freight forwarding was a tough move for her. “I hoped that the fact that it was a Danish company would be a chance to use my Danish language skills.” “Everything was new, but
DSV and the staff were very helpful. There have been days where I was wondering whether I really wanted to do this or not, but now I must admit that I am getting really interested in the shipping and freight forward business. The more I understand of it the more interesting it gets, but I keep reminding myself that I am still very new to it,” Sue laughs.
Language skills attracts attention
Sue has more or less only worked with Danish companies after she finished university and it does not seem like that tendency will vanish. Occasionally she gets approached by companies requiring her CV because they have found out about her Danish skills. It is very flattering, and I am not a woman without ambition, but I need more work experience. In the future my aim is to sit in a supervising or management position somewhere, and hopefully in a place where my Danish language can come to use, Sue says. May/June 2009
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Thailand The Ideal Location “Thailand’s location in the centre of the emerging markets between the industrial superpowers of China and India in the heart of the ASEAN region is ideal for a company like ours”, says Hans Jørgen Nielsen, founder and president of L.V Technology. Charlotte Lund Dideriksen
“S
ome 150 years ago the right location was in England, where the industrial production was invented. Afterwards the US became
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the leading catalyst for the industrialized progress. Some 40 years ago Japan grew to be the new centre of industrial growth. But now the gravity of this has moved to the ASEAN region though Taiwan and South Korea,” he explains. Hans Jørgen Nielsen believes that a major factor
behind the impressive growth of LV Technology is its location in Thailand. “In China they are extremely fast, but not very flexible, and in Europe it is the other way around. In order to compete with both of them we have to be both fast and flexible”, Hans Jørgen Nielsen says.
LV Technology was the only Danish company selected to be part of the annual investment event of the Stock Exchange of Thailand on Monday 9 March 2009. “Thailand is a fantastic place to invest. There are some problems with lacking governmental support and we still have to work for being internationally recognized for its potential of being a leading industrial authority. But the reasonable cost level, the impressive pool of well educated personnel and no prospects of major cost increases in the coming years, as China experiences right now, makes Thailand an ideal spot for industrial investments”, he states. LV Technology was founded in 1996. Today his company is present in India, China, Brazil, Europe and the USA and the company’s head office in Bangkok has grown from four to 138 employees.
The Admiral
in Pattaya Has Moved
The Admiral, the popular Danish restaurant is changing its location in Pattaya. But the food and interior will stay the same, assure the owners. By Charlotte Lund Dideriksen
S
candinavian expats have for about 15 years been able to get reunited with a little part of their native country on Soi White House in Pattaya, where the restaurant Admiral, who is specialized in traditional Scandinavian food, was located. Now the hungry Scandinavians must go to Jomtien Soi 8, to find the restaurant and the well known Scandinavian food, such as herring and the world-famous Danish open sandwiches.
New scenery, same Admiral
According to Napakamon Anant, who owns the Admiral along with her Danish husband Bent Laasholdt, they decided to change the scenery because the old location was losing some of its charm. The restaurant used to be next to the Danish and Norwegian consulate, but last year the consulate moved and over the years, the little side road has filled up with an increasing number of beer bars. The new location will not require too much adjustment from the regulars. The owners assure that most of the furniture and interior from the old place will find its way to the new restaurant, in the different – and more peaceful – area.
Three cities – three Admirals
Napakamon Anant and Bent Laasholdt along with their business partner Stig Vagt Andersen - also owns a second Admiral restaurant in Hua Hin. One in Bangkok was forced to close down to make room for a luxury apartment complex.
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DTCC New Members NEW CORPORATE Members (Jan. – Apr. 2009) ROBATHERM CO., LTD. 123 Suntowers B.Bld, 28th Floor Vibhavadi-Rangsit Rd, Jomphol, Jatujak, Bangkok 10900 Tel: +662 278 6996 Fax: +662 278 6998 E-mail: info@robatherm.com Website: www.robatherm.com Mr. Klaus Stove Managing Director
Ancient City on Bicycles
A
fter a week of close to non-stop raining, the 39 participants in the Viking Wheelers’ family outing to Ancient Citry Siam on Saturday 16 May had expected the worst. But forerunner Henrik Friis had made a deal with his wife that it would not rain and so it didn’t.. The participants were divided into teams with the task to find the Viking signs posted at
6 landmarks in the scenic landscape of Ancient City Siam and collect the images or words at the back in order to put together a sentence. It turned out that all teams managed to figure out the secret slogan “Real Vikings don’t cycle when it rains..” Half way around the interesting place, at The Anthropological Museum, Admirals Pub had sponsored a snack stop with much needed water, softdrinks or beer ac-
cording to taste along with a quick bite. Then it was “on! on!” again. Finally the teams found their way to the Floating Market where all were treated with a nice Thai lunch. Prizes were given out to all participants in form of Danish butter cookies to the adults, helicopter balloons to the kids and red teddy’s to the very young ones. A great day that everyone greatly enjoyed.
SYDBANK (SCHWEIZ) AG Poststrasse 17 CH-9000 St. Gallen Switzerland Tel: +41 (0) 712 278 100 Fax: +41 (0) 712 278 101 E-mail: pbi@sydbank.ch Website: www.sydbank.ch
NET PROTECTION CONCEPTS INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD. 11th Fl., Gypsum Metropolitan Tower 539/2 Sri Ayudhaya Rd., Phayathai Rajdhavee, Bangkok 10400 Tel: +66 2 642 7250 Fax: +66 2 642 7251 E-mail: ssu@npc-international.net Website: www.npc-international.net Mr. Sune Sucksdorff Managing Director Mrs. Saipin Thoopthongcharoenpol Business Development Manager DANEVANG HOLDING CO., LTD. 42 Dechanuchit Road, Hua Hin Hua Hin, Prachuapkirikhan. 77110 Tel: +66 3 253 1301 Fax: +66 3 253 1302 E-mail: info@kirikhan.asia
Mr. Preben Rasmussen Owner & CEO Mr. Steen Elmstrøm Owner
Mobile: +45 2832 9894 E-mail: kfj@conzepts.net Website: www.conzepts.net
NEW INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS (Jan. – Apr. 2009)
DR. PETER KIELGAST Taastrup Apotek Taastrup Hovedgade 6o 2630 Taastrup Denmark Tel: +45 43990098 Fax: +45 43990097 Mobile: +45 27574533 E-mail: kfj@conzepts.net Website: www.taastrup.netapotek.dk
MR. FLEMMING SONNE Thai Airways International Pcl. 16 RaadhuspladsenDK - 1550 Koebenhavn V Denmark Tel: +45 33 75 01 10 Fax: +45 33 75 01 17 E-mail: flemming.s@thaiairways.dk MR. KASPER FALKE JENSEN Value Innovator / Conzepts.net Hammerensgade 1. 2.sal DK - 1267 Koebenhavn K Denmark Tel: +45 7022 4005 Fax: +45 7022 4006
MR. PETER RAMBECK ANDERSEN Indochina Explorers Travel 50/20-21 Pan Road Silom Bangkok 10500 Mobile: + 66 89 020 9210 E-mail: peter@indochinaexplorers.com Website: peter@indochinaexplorers.com
Mr. Morten Bylund Mr. Allan Hvii GUANGXI FIRST GATEWAY CREATION LTD. Grand President, 8th floor 16 Sukhumvit Soi 11, Prakanong, Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 2 651 38 42 Fax: +66 2 651 38 55 E-mail: guangxi_tls@yahoo.com Mr. Thorkild Lykke Sorensen Chairman Dr. Somnauk Thanaanekpon Senior Director GREENDOT INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD. Saladaeng Colonnade, Unit 205 21 Soi Saladaeng, Bangrak BKK 10500 Tel: +66 2 636-0137 E-mail: man@greendotgroup.com pat@greendotgroup.com Website: www.greendotgroup.com Mr. Michael Andersen Managing Director Mr. Peer Torben Lentz Technical Director SCANPRO THAILAND CO., LTD. 165/1508 Moo 5, Bangkadee Muang Pathumtani Pathumthani 12000 Tel: +66 2 963 8838 Fax: +66 2 963 8839 E-mail: scanpro@scanprothailand.com Website: www.scanpro.net Mr. Allan Jensen Managing Director Mrs. Napanid Bourean Admin. Manager HUA HIN LEISURE CO., LTD. 20/5, 20 Gor, Poolsuk Road Hua Hin Sub-district, Hua Hin District Prachuap Khirikhan 77110 Tel: +66 3 251 6510 Fax: +66 3 251 6510 E-mail: andreas@lagrappa-ristorante.com peter@lagrappa-ristorante.com Website: www.lagrappa-ristorante.com Mr. Peter Kirketerp Managing Director Mr. Andreas Bonifacio Managing Director BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL PREPARATORY & SECONDARY SCHOOL 23 Sukhumvit 53 Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 2 260 7890 Fax: +66 2 662 5444 E-mail: hmsec@bkkprep.ac.th Website: www.bkkprep.ac.th Mr. Keith B. Wecker Headmaster Mrs. Patrada Yomnak Managing Director DUSIT THANI BANGKOK 946 Rama IV Road Silom, Bangrak Bangkok 10500 Tel: +66 2 200 9000 Fax: +66 2 236 6400 E-mail: dtbk@dusit.com Website: www.dusit.com Mr. Danny McCafferty General Manager Mr. Erwin Eberharter Executive Chef
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May/June 2009
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Calendar of Events
MAKING MODERN LIVING POSSIBLE
DANISH-THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
COMING EVENTS 11-JUN-2009
NORDIC NETWORKING SPONSORED BY DTAC JFCCT LUNCHEON TALK WITH THAILAND TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
12-JUN-2009
NETWORKING HOUSE NO. 1
19-AUG-2009
CHRISTMAS LUNCH 2009
11-DEC-2009
PAST EVENTS SEB EVENING SEMINAR
11-MAY-2009
NETWORKING HOUSE NO. 1 SPONSORED BY EAC
20-MAY-2009
CHALLENGES FACING THAI SOCIETY DINNER TALK WITH CHRIS BAKER AND PROFESSOR PASUK PHONGPAICHIT
27-MAY-2009 22-APR-2009
NETWORKING HOUSE NO. 1 BREAKFAST MEETING “INSPIRATION TO MAXIMIZE THE POTENTIAL OF YOUR STAFF IN DIFFICULT TIMES” EASTER LUNCH
9-APR-2009
Danfoss Time line since 1933
After sales of 466 valves the first year, the company expanded over the next ten years to 197 employees and 37 different products, most of which were used in refrigeration applications. In 1946, the company changed its name to Danfoss.
When engineer Mads Clausen had his first working expansion valve for refrigeration systems ready in 1932, it was called Danfoss: Dan- because it was Danish; and –foss because the sound of the valve reminded him of the sound of a stream of water. The following year he founded »Dansk Køleautomatick-og Apparat-Fabrik« in Elsmark on the island of Als – an industrial legend had begun.
Danfoss is a global industrial group with 70 factories in 25 countries, 114 sales companies, and 116 agents and distributors worldwide. Danfoss employs more than 22,000 people globally.
03-APR-2009
NETWORKING MEET THE NEW EU AMBASSADOR
30-MAR-2009
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING IN DANISH-THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
12-MAR-2009
LUNCHEON WITH PRIME MINISTER ABHISIT
23-FEB-2009
BREAKFAST MEETING THAILAND FREE TRADE AGREEMENT BY TILLEKE & GIBBINS
17-FEB-2009
DANSKE BANK OUTLOOK ON 2009
22-JAN-2009
Danfoss (Thailand) Co., Ltd 128 Seri Thai Road • Khanna Yao • Bangkok • Tel: 0 2379 9800 • www.danfoss.com
… One of the leading suppliers of worldwide transport and logistics solutions …
• International Air & Sea Freight Forwarder
• NVOCC Services / Consolidator
• In-house Customs Clearance (In & Out Bound)
• Charter
• Customs Broker (Licensed)
• Cargo Insurance & Project Cargo Handling
Nyborg Gymnasium
KOSTSKOLEN
• Door to Door and One Stop Service
Bangkok Head Office 3195/12 7th floor Vibulthani Tower 1 Rama IV Road Klongton Klongtoey , Bangkok 10110 Thailand Tel: +66 2 684 8100 Fax: +66 2 684 8161 Email: bkk@th.dsv.com Website: www.dsv.com/th Managing Director
TO SIGN UP FOR EVENTS, VISIT WWW.DANCHAM.OR.TH
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE DANISH-THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Telephone:________________________________ Fax: ___________________________
Fill in this coupon to receive further information and a full application form for membership
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: steve.henry@th.dsv.com
- Ms. Lawan Sarajoti
: lawan.sarajoti@th.dsv.com
Airfreight Manager
- Mr. Kittisak Chokpipatporn
: kittisak.chokpipatporn@th.dsv.com
Sales & Marketing Manager
- Ms. Sopapun Khawporisuthi
: sopapun.khawporisuthi @th.dsv.com
Airport Office Room 117-118, Building 303 Free Zone, Suvarnabhumi Airport
Mail or fax the coupon to: Danish-Thai Chamber of Commerce 34 Phayathai Building B, 5th Fl, Phayathai Rd, Tungphayathai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400 Tel. +66 2354 5220 Fax. +66 2354 5221 E-mail contact@dancham.or.th
Skolen lægger vægt på gode og tætte kontakter mellem elever, lærere og øvrigt personale: på kostafdelingen i form af elevdemokrati, på skolen i form af et tæt samarbejde om den enkelte klasse og elev. Vi sender gerne yderligere oplysninger og ansøgningsskema.
Tel: +66 2 134 7520 -26
Address:___________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
: Klaus.Schumann@th.dsv.com
- Mr. Steve Henry
Seafreight Manager
999 Moo 7, Racha Thewa, Bangplee, Samutprakarn 10540, Thailand
Contact Name:_____________________________________________________________ Company name:____________________________________________________________
- Mr. Klaus-U. Schumann
General Manager, Operations
På kostskolen ved Nyborg Gymnasium bor du i dejlige omgivelser midt i Danmark, samtidig med at du tager en dansk studenter- eller hf-eksamen eller den internationale studentereksamen International Baccalaureate (IB).
Laem Chabang Office 198/21 Moo 9 Tungsukhla, Sriracha, Chonburi 20230 Thailand Tel: +66 3 840 1684 Fax: +66 3 840 1681 Laem Chabang Branch Manager
- Khun Nattaphol Meesaeng (nattaphol.meesaeng@th.dsv.com)
Skolebakken 13 DK-5800 Nyborg Tlf +45 65 31 02 17 Fax +45 63 25 52 19 post@nyborg-gym.dk www.nyborg-gym.dk
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