A BUSINESS MAGAZINE OF THAI – ITALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AUGUST 2011
Photo by Leonardo Saccioni
Academics, Experience and Open-Mindedness: The Right Mix
Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce PRESIDENT Mr. Lino Geretto – LGV Engineering Co., Ltd. Tel: +66 2 255 8717 Fax: +66 2 255 8716 Email: info@lgveng.com
President's Message
VICE PRESIDENTS Mr. Giacomo Mauri – River of East-West Harmony Co., Ltd. Tel: +66 81 814 5160 Email: gmauri11@gmail.com
Lino Geretto President Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Sawang Pracharktam – Thai Optical Group Plc. Tel: +66 2 440 0506-8 Fax: +66 2 440 0509 Email: sawang@thaiopticalgroup.com HONORARY TREASURER Mr. Chakrit Benedetti - Italasia Electro Co., Ltd. Tel: +66 2 261 7990-9 Fax: +66 2 261 8700 E-mail: italasia19@hotmail.com HONORARY SECRETARY Ms. Tiziana Sucharitkul – Tilleke & Gibbins International Ltd. Tel: +66 2 653 5555 Fax: +66 2 653 5678 Email: tiziana.s@tillekeandgibbins.com DIRECTORS Mr. Federico Cardini – F. Infinity Chalon Co., Ltd. Tel: +66 2 207 8614 Fax: +66 2 207 2626 Email: fc@teakwoodburma.com Mr. Giancarlo De Santis – G.DS Co., Ltd. Tel: +66 2 391 4456-7 Fax: +66 2 391 0524 Email: info@gdscompany.com Fr. Giovanni Contarin – Camillian Hospital Tel: +66 2 185 1444 Fax: +66 2 185 1403 Email: cg_camillian@csloxinfo.com Mr. Luca Vianelli – MDA Consulting SEA Co., Ltd. Tel: +66 2 652 2447 Fax: +66 2 652 2448 Email: lvianelli@mda.it Mr. Mario Bracci – Asia Cement Public Co., Ltd. Tel: +66 2 641 5600 fax: +66 2 641 5680 Email: m.bracci@acc.co.th Mr. Pichai Chiratiwat – Central Trading Co., Ltd. Tel: +66 2 229 7000 Fax: +66 2 367 5445-6 Email: pichai@cmg.co.th Mr. Pierre Nicou – Eurofood – The Commercial Company of Siam Ltd. Tel: +66 2 261 0245 Fax: +66 2 261 0243 Email: pierre@eurofoodthai.com Mr. Rene Okanovic – Berli Jucker Public Co., Ltd. Tel: +66 2 367 1092 Fax: +66 2 381 4541 E-mail: rene.okanovic@bjc.co.th, rene.okanovic@thaiscandic.com Mr. Renzo Ambrosini – Impero Co., Ltd. Tel: +66 2 664 4491 Fax: +66 2 258 1159 Email: info@giustorestaurant.com Mr. Romeo Romei – Quick Pack Pacific Co., Ltd. Tel: +66 2 367 1092 Fax: +66 2 531 6425 Email: romeo@quickpackpacific.com SECRETARY GENERAL Mr. Sandro Zanello Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce. 1126/2 Vanit Building II, Room 1601B 16th Floor, New Petchburi Rd., Makkasan, Rajdhevee, Bangkok Tel: +66 2 253 9909, +66 2 255 8695 Fax: +66 2 253 9896 E-mail: secretarygeneral@thaitch.org
The Informa is the bi-monthly magazine of the Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce, covering all business activities and social news of interest to the members of the Thai-Italian community and others active in the expanding Thai-Italian bilateral relations. EDITOR: Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce Tel: +66 2 253 9909 Fax: +66 2 253 9896 E-mail: info@thaitch.org EDITORIAL COMMITTEE: Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce President: Mr. Lino Geretto Chairman: Mr. Giacomo Mauri Directors: Mr. Chakrit Benedetti Mr. Pichai Chitathiwat Mr. Rene Okanovic Mr. Sawang Pracharktham Secretary General: Mr. Sandro Zanello Italian Embassy Representative: Ms. Somsri Pobpipugtra Italian Trade Commission Representative: Mr. Vincenzo Calì Dante Alighieri Association Representative: Mrs. Jane Puranananda Scand-Media Representative: Mr. Gregers Moller TICC Staff: Ms. Sukanya Kerngfak: Marketing Executive Ms. Viola Saltini Fellowship Researcher Mr. Stephen Johnson Farrell: English Editor PUBLISHER: Scand-Media Corp., Ltd. 4/41 Moo 3, Thanyakarn Village, Ramintra Soi 14, BKK 10230 Tel: +66 2 943 7166-8 Fax: +66 2 943 7169 Design: Disraporn Yatprom Email: disraporn@scandmedia.com ADVERTISING CONTACT: Mr. Finn Balslev, Marketing Director Scand-Media Corp., Ltd. Tel: +66 2 943 7166 Ext: 151 Fax: +66 2 943 7169 Mobile: +66 81 866 2577 Email: finn@scandmedia.com - www.scandmedia.com Ms. Sukanya Kerngfak, Marketing Executive Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce Tel: +66 2 253 9909, +66 2 255 8695 Ext: 103 Fax: +66 2 253 9896 E-mail: pr@thaitch.org – www.thaitch.org
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Dear TICC Members and Friends,
T
he Thai Italian Chamber of Commerce congratulates the new Thai government in its recent victory and wishes the best of luck to the new government.
The Chamber is also pleased to announce that a new Ospitalita’ Italiana (“OI”) certification process will be carried out by our staff. The certification aims at validating quality, specifications and standards that Italian restaurants need to possess in order to be given the Ospitalita’ Italiana Appreciation Award. This second OI project will commence in September or October. I would also like to congratulate both the Italian Embassy and the Italian Trade Commission for the excellent results obtained, during The Italian Festival 2011 events in cooperation with our Chamber’s concerts, exhibitions, lectures, seminars and – last but not least – “MOVIEMOV”, the Italian Film Festival. Indeed we are very pleased that all events attracted a wide range of people including the younger generations who seemed quite eager to learn more about Italy. In early July, the TICC and the Franco-Thai Chamber of Commerce jointly organized the “Italian-French Young Professionals” event at the Bed Supperclub. In addition, the two chambers further collaborated on Thursday 28th of July 2011, when they partnered again to host a unique networking event entitled “Let’s network with style”. The Panorama Bar on the 23rd floor of the Crowne Plaza Hotel provided a spectacular setting for the get-together. The two events were both great successes, attracting more than 300 and 120 participants respectively. We will continue to organize great events, luncheons and dinners for our members and friends. The TICC also provided support for the visit of Bocconi University students to the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) and ECAP III Office. Bocconi is one of the most renowned universities in Italy. The TICC staff had the chance to interview Professor Carlo Filippini. As a result, this issue of INFORMA focuses on education, as you can tell by its cover, which features international students attending a lecture in a foreign University. A note of pride for the Chamber is our increasing number of members. We are now close to 150 members, which is unprecedented for our Chamber. I would like to thank both the directors and staff for their efforts in accomplishing such a great achievement. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to inform our members that Mr. Mario Bracci, a TICC director, has left Bangkok for Spain. Together with other members of the Board, I would like to thank Mario for his past support and wish him great success in his new mission. I would like to conclude this message by thanking you for your continued support to the Chamber. Arrivederci, Lino Geretto
Contents 8
Academic, Experience and Open-mindedness: The Right Mix
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The City, Fragments and Shadows
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Entering the Thai Market
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GIs and Alternatives
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Dante Alighieri Association
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Economic Focus
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EABC- European-Asean Business Center
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TICC Events
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TICC Fairs and Upcoming Events
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Member Area Welcome New Members
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The exhibition dedicated to the 150th Anniversary of Italian Unity
After more than 30 years of Experience in Thailand, Mr. Adriano Ciocca-Director of C.C.C. Technology-shares insights about entering international markets.
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Finding the Right Tools for Community Products
Italian Expatriates’ Contribution to Thailand
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Beware of the FOREX
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COVER STORY
Academics, Experience and OpenInterview with Prof. Carlo Filippini, professor at Bocconi University International opportunities for students, in education and work, could make the difference not only for them but for the development of their country. Professor Carlo Filippini provides some insights about sustainable development and western and asian models. Interview by Mr. Luca Vianelli
International Opportunities.. students attend lectures in universities, all over the world
How did the idea of a Campus Abroad come about? We might say that the idea of integrating academic formation with a study experience abroad is somehow in the Bocconi University DNA. The third son of the founder of Bocconi University (Ferdinando Bocconi) planned to provide scholarships for Paris and London from as early as 1920. Since then, many things have changed, the need to be competitive also outside of Italy’s borders has become urgent, and our University decided to aim for the internationalization of its academic offer through various channels, of which Campus Abroad is a good example. It is a study program that lasts one month, which takes place in one of the campuses of foreign Universities, which are in Bocconi’s network. In addition to lessons taught by Bocconi’s professors, the students attend some lectures held by local professors and participate in Company Visits. In total, considering internships (like the ones organized in collaboration with the TICC), partnerships with foreign Universities (for example joint degree and double degree programs) and other study projects, students at Bocconi are offered around 3000 opportunities per year to have an experience abroad. The University is also aiming at attracting foreign students (at the moments, they are almost 2.600 a year, 1.400 of which are regularly enrolled and 1.200 who are part of an exchange program), also by creating various undergraduate and PhD courses completely in English. We are
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very interested in exchanges with Asia and Latin America, and we are currently hosting students from Chulalongkorn University and Thammasat University.
I am always impressed with the results and success obtained by Asian students on an international level – and Thai students are no less, in sectors like robotics, mechanics and so on, even at secondary school level. Considering your teaching as well as work experience in Asia, and the growing exchanges between Bocconi and Asian Universities, what do you think about Asian Universities? There is an ever growing number of Asian Universities that are listed at the top of international rankings and some of them are showing high interest towards the internationalization of their academic offer, through the creation of English courses. However, the teaching method use din Asia is very different from what we are used to in the Western Countries; this reflects their cultural peculiarities, which are the same you will find in the job sector when interacting with Chinese, Japanese or Thai people, each with common traits but also with differences that characterize each of these countries. Generally speaking, it is vey rare that an Asian University would encourage its students to question and critique the professors’ opinions or to express a personal idea, especially if it is different from the one commonly accepted. This behavior, encouraged in the Western
countries, is usually seen as excessive individualism, which has to be hindered in the interest of a wider social harmony; in Japan this concept is effectively summarized in the saying “the nail that sticks out is hammered down”; the Confucian rules of respect towards authority and older people also imply their opinions mustn’t be critiqued. This type of approach reflects also at the job level: in the Western countries, an employer who tries to involve a member of staff in the decision making process (for example, asking him how he would solve the problem) is very appreciated, in Asia this type of behavior is easily interpreted as lack of decision making skills and, ultimately, inadequacy to carry out the activities of a manager.
On the other hand, they are more culturally equipped than us when it comes to managing firms based on the strictest and most rational organizational principles, and there is an open debate about which model – Asian or western – is the most efficient and effective. This is most certainly true; we have to keep in mind that there are deep differences even among the Asian countries; in China individualism, meant as the wish and capability to emerge individually, for example on the job or with the display of richness, is much more diffused and accepted than in Japan, for one. It is important to always consider these differences. Knowing them is essential in both business and personal relationships,
COVER STORY
-Mindedness: The Right Mix effect on income inequality: we know that social cohesion, together with sense of belonging to the country are very important for growth. If we want the country to develop in a sustainable way, the social tension to be almost non-existing, the people to feel part of something, and not just guided, it is necessary to offer to all the young the opportunity to have an education based on talent and merit – not their family income.
On this note, do you think that a potential raise in education level, and therefore in job opportunities, income and consequently internal levels of consumption – would be a comparable or even preferable development model to the current one, strongly based on exports and therefore on foreign capitals? Prof. Carlo Filippini sharing his personal and professional experience
when dealing with people of such a different culture from ours like Asians: ignoring them could lead to misunderstandings which would be difficult to straighten out.
Despite international commerce, joint ventures, globalization, awareness of cultural peculiarities of different individuals, it is still essential... That’s what I believe. I would like to stress out, however, that in my opinion there is a greater curiosity and knowledge of our history and culture on the Asian part than there is, on a general level, on our part towards Asia. Just think of the number of Japanese people who study Italian, often just as a hobby. In Italy, on the other hand, we are still quite provincial and introvert, probably because of the importance of our history and our family traditions; we don’t really feel the need to discover new realities, we get scared immediately when the first difficulties arise (when learning a language, for example). Going back to Bocconi, although it is one of the most internationalization-driven Italian Universities, 65% of the students look for a job in Milan or nearby (even though we have to keep in mind that many graduates come from other regions: it still means leaving their home for them). This can be explained partly with the attractiveness of the city, although it is certainly due also to both actual economic difficulties and small inclination to leave one’s family and have an experience in a different county, possibly far away.
Mr. Luca Vianelli, TICC Director greeting Prof. Filippini
In your field of expertise – political economy – do you think that equal educational opportunities for all young Thais, which today is far from being achieved, will become necessary to pursue sustainable development? One of the most important factors for development is education, together with research; economists have been emphasizing for a long a time the importance of human capital, more than that of patrimonial assets (on which the focus was for the past decades). Furthermore, the education level has a great
I would say that the two models don’t rule each other out. Certainly it is preferable to follow a model based on both exports and, for the most part, on internal consumption (obviously not just the private, but also the public ones: education, health, social security, etc.); for a medium size country, relying on exports alone means being involved in all the economic crisis or recessions of the world. Salaries aren’t just a cost for the firm but also demand of goods and purchasing power for the whole production apparatus. Also a model based majorly on exports requires a continuous increase of the technological level of goods and services sold abroad, which is only possible with higher and wider spread levels of education and research: you cannot rest on laurels, foreign competition is always very dynamic. “In an ever moving world, you have to run to stay in the same place”.
Today academic education goes hand in hand with experience and notions learnt in the field, especially for young people who are moving their first steps in the job sector. On this note, Thailand enforces laws which are very protective towards local employees, that according to many multinational companies damage, in the long run, a healthy and useful import of foreign skilled human capital. In the long term, do you this closure can be considered as something beneficial for Thailand or just a missed opportunity?
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COVER STORY Usually the migration flows (for both entry and exit) are positive for the involved country; it would be better if potential constraints were introduced only temporarily, as to prevent specific negative effects. Foreign managers and professionals could propel the growth of the local knowledge through the transfer of their experience and also their cultural values. The attitude (and consequently politics and laws) shouldn’t be defensive or frightened, but instead open to new things, different from what one is used to, so as to favor the country’s development. The best solution is to balance the demand and the offer of various kinds of graduates through information: it is necessary to analyze and plan the needs of the job sector at 10-15 years of age, so that families and young people can choose a course of study in more acknowledged manner.
Lastly, do you think that the Asian countries which are now developing, so far from us culturally but so close in terms of political and economical aims, could teach us a new and equally effective development model, or the path chosen by the western countries will turn out to be the only suitable one in the long run? Unfortunately the majority of the economic and social actors have a short run vision (3 – 5 years, to be more precise): the politicians’ top concern is to win the upcoming elections, firms tend to aim at immediate gain, and also citizens or consumers have a short memory. The western model it isn’t the only possible way; the Asian countries should at least take into account the mistakes we made in order to avoid making them again. It would be great if the could cover a new path, not just “copy” one, converting traditions and cultural values like harmony, sense of community and the attention to personal relationships (which we too often forget in the western countries), into new rules and institutions. There are a few initiatives in this sense; paradoxically, the economic crisis that hit the USA and western countries could help in this way.
Campus Abroad This year for the first time Bocconi University organized one of their Campus Abroad program between Thailand and Vietnam. During the first 2 weeks of July 30 students had the opportunity to study at the Chulalognkorn University and learn more about this country. They studied Economic Development attending lectures by Professor Carlo Filippini and other professors from Thailand. In this framework, more than 30 students attending the second year of their degree in Economics met the highest representatives from Department of Intellectual Property and the ECAP III (ASEAN Project on the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights). After the opening speech by the Director General of DIP, Ms. Pajchima Tanasanti, the Head of International Cooperation, Mr. Pornvit Sila-On and the ECAP III project Director, Mr. Stephane Passeri respectively presented an overview of Intellectual Property system in Thailand and IP relevance as a tool for economic development and integration in ASEAN. The meeting, that saw the active and responding participation of Bocconi students to the discussion, was held at the Ministry of Commerce Headquarters in Bangkok and organized with the support of the Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce.
Ms. Pajchima Tanasanti, DIP Director General, Mr. Stephane Passeri from ECAP III presented an overview of Intellectual Property system.
Special thanks to Viola Saltini and Edoardo Briola
Università Bocconi was established in Milan, Italy, in 1902, with a generous endowment from Ferdinando Bocconi, a wealthy merchant. Named after his lost son, Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi thus became the first Italian institution of higher education to offer degrees in economics. Today, Bocconi is a university of international standing in business, economics, and law and provides Bachelor, Master of Science, and PhD degrees to more than 14.000 students. Ever since 1974, Bocconi has been very active at the international level with more than 3.000 study opportunities, thanks to partnerships with more than 200 schools worldwide.
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Bocconi University students during their visit to the Thai Department of Intellectual Property (DIP), Ministry of Commerce
REVIEW
The City, Fragments and Shadows Perceptual ambiguity is often an intrinsic ingredient of great art, playing on similarities in the gray area between opposing poles such as black and white. This principle is particularly relevant when artists are fashioning photographic montages, such as in the exhibition “The City, Fragments and Shadows” by photographer Orit Drori working with painter Susanna Terra. By Andrew J. West
H.E.
Michelangelo Pipan, Italian Ambassador to Thailand, presided over the opening at Koi Art Gallery. The exhibition was organised by the Embassy of Italy, in collaboration with Koi Art Gallery within the framework of the “Italian Festival 2011”, dedicated to the 150th Anniversary of Italian Unity. The talents of the two Italian women complemented each other as they worked together to produce the series of metaphysical cityscapes and isolated interior scenes of Thai urban areas. Orit and Susanna, both long term residents in Asia, certainly achieve their goal as stated in the press release of capturing “the essence of urban reality… expressing the loneliness and isolation so present today in our lives.” Their technique involves working on paper made with photographs taken by them, manipulated, printed and used as a collage, mixed with oil sticks and acrylic. The result is a rearrangement of order and relationships between humanity’s innerness and outwardness, stimulating the viewer to question the predictable connections and assumptions about the world and their place within it. In the real world an object’s role is clear, as well as the roles of the people living within it. In Orit and Susanna’s images, however,
ambiguity resounds with an echoing plethora of meaning, with each member of the audience “hearing” a different artistic tune being played. It is interesting to observe how in many of the completed photomontages either one or the other artist’s influence prevails. For example, in Room 801, The Beautiful Transvestite, which is more photographic, Orit’s hand appears to be more evident, while in The Room of Conclusions, which is more painterly, it is Susanna’s. Nevertheless, there collaboration has an overall cohesion, as though the oeuvre is the work of a single artist, an outcome the artists attribute to the deep friendship between them. Susanna Terra, a graduate of the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma, has a vast area of work that ranges from illustration to painting, using a wide variety of media; batik, pastels, mixed media and oils. She has always painted people and animals and has always been interested in the role of the individual in society. Orit Drori graduated in Photography in Rome, where for years she had worked in the suburbs of the city, mainly telling the story of her protagonist, from their point of view. “Since we have both lived in a small city like Chiang Mai for a great number of
years, so we have been watching the growth of these megacities Bangkok and followed the changes of Chiang Mai. Having been friends for many years we had decided to work together and make a homage to our host country. The work itself has no clear message; it is an invitation to the audience to reflect upon the role of globalization and the changes that it has brought on our lives,” said Orit. “This work also addresses the issue of the solitude of the modern man in these cities; the rooms are an attempt to enter the lives of these anonymous windows. We were inspired from Orit’s past work in the suburbs and our great love we both have for literature, the key poem for this work is probably Kafka’s The City,” said Susanna. “By portraying these Asian cities we are trying to show all the others. Of course, a joint work has a world of difference from an individual one; having to join two very different forms of art like photography and painting we had to find a point of intersection and to develop it. Computer processing has been essential; in future we would definitely like to continue with this experimental collaboration and seeing where it will take us; maybe remaining more faithful to our respective art forms,” Susanna concluded.
H.E. Michelangelo Pipan, Italian Ambassador to Thailand presiding over the opening of “THE CITY, FRAGMENTS AND SHADOWS”.
(From left to right): Natthawut Singthong, Busakorn Wanna-oun, Managing Director of Koi Art Gallery, Orit Drori (artists), H.E. Michelangelo Pipan, Italian Ambassador to Thailand, Tiziana Di Molfetta, Counselor Deputy Head of Mission, H.E. Itzhak Shoham, Israeli Ambassador to Thailand and his wife
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INTERVIEW
Entering the Thai Market: Experience Interview with Adriano Ciocca, C.C.C. Technology Director After more than 30 years of experience in Thailand, Mr. Adriano Ciocca-Director of C.C.C. Technology, member of the Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce – shares insights about entering the Thai markets.
Mr.
Adriano Ciocca, as C.C.C. Technology Director you have a more than thirty year experience with products like waterproofing membranes, interior design materials, sport surfaces and other advanced technology products. What about your working experience in Thailand?
When I arrived here in Thailand we didn’t have cell phones or e-mail. There was only a fax machine in Silom, but it worked for just a few hours a day. The Thai Italian Chamber of Commerce just opened and the office was still very small. Today many Thai speak English and doing business is easier thanks to the Internet. However, the presence of the Italian business community is still weak. Of course, Italy is very well appreciated at the international level for the design related sectors. As for technology, our potential is not sufficiently recognized, and we have some difficulties in gaining the reputation that the French, the Americans and the Germans already have.
Why, in your opinion, compared to competing companies from countries such as the U.S.A., Italy has difficulties in building its own reputation as a provider of reliable advanced technology products?
GUTTAGARDEN, a grass driveway grid made of recycled polyethylene (HDPE) for car parks, one of advanced technology products by C.C.C. Technology
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In the sector where I work there are a lot of small and very small enterprises that have products of a much better quality than other Western companies. Unfortunately, when an importer or a Thai businessperson needs a membrane, faucets for his hotel or any other technological good of a good quality, he doesn’t consider Italian products. German goods, for example, are perceived as being of guaranteed high quality, even though this is not always true. If you offer an Italian product which is more innovative and might easily last longer, the customer often sees just a higher price. In addition, this makes it much more difficult for Italian companies - that usually are smaller and have fewer means to protect themselves - to have an effective defense against intellectual property violations. It is very important that both public and private operators become more aware of these problems, in order to defend the perception of Italy as a country with the right resources and potential to play an important competitive role in advanced technology sectors, not only in Italy but especially abroad.
In your opinion, what could an Italian company interested in the international market do in order to enter it in the most effective way? I think that they should be aware of how important it is to organize themselves and be prepared for the peculiarities of the in-
INTERVIEW
from the Past, Views for the Future ternational market. I would like to give you an example. I often work with German companies, and I can assure you that, if a Thai customer shows interest in their product, in just one week time they will send a manager specialized in the Asian market with samples, catalogues and everything that is needed for a complete presentation of the product. On the other hand, Italian companies - if they ever decide to take on the costs of sending someone to Thailand - don’t have any specialized manager nor enough resources to organize an adequate presentation of their product. How can you think of entering the Asian market like this, considering also that you cannot count on previously established and well recognized image of your country as a center of excellence in the production of advanced technologyl goods.
Could you give us some examples of advanced technology products you are working on and you feel particularly proud about? Casali is a company that produces modified bituminous waterproofing membranes with polyester or glass-fibre reinforcements, with upper finishing of sand or mineral granules and modified with the highest quality plastomeric ( APP ), elasto-plastomeric ( APAO ) & elastomeric ( SBS ) polymers. The excellency of its tennis court coatings has been recognized by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). At the same time, it maintains absolutely competitive prices. On another note, GUTTAGARDEN® is a grass driveway grid made of recycled polyethylene (HDPE) for car parks that, unlike more common products made with cement that scorch the grass when the temperature is hot, ensures a higher durability of the grassy lawn, and it’s much lighter to transport and easier to install.
What would you like to give as an advice to an entrepreneur interested in entering the Thai market? When you decide to start a business in a foreign country, you should be first of all aware of its cultural peculiarities. And you mustn’t think you can face the Thai market the same way you face the Vietnamese one. In Vietnam, for example, as they have experienced war and need fast recovery, they have a very pragmatic way of working. Thai people are different. They are often convinced that the way they do things is the best one, and
Tennis Court using advanced coating material
of course you cannot just impose your point of view on them; you should instead deal with them with intellectual humility. This is also the reason why being able to speak their language is very important. Of course, unlike thirty years ago, today you can communicate in English almost with every Thai businessman. However, if you really want to understand what they think about you and your product, knowing their language is fundamental. You also have to consider that a customer will sometimes be more willing to trust you and your company on the basis of the personal relationship you establish with him. You should also keep in mind that you cannot expect to establish the same kind of relationship that you are used to have in Italy. So, being able to speak the Thai language will give you quite an advantage in business.
How long do you think an entrepreneur interested in doing business here should wait for its business to take off? I think it depends on the market sector and the products you are dealing with. In a fast evolving sector like fashion 6-7 months should be enough. As for my business sector, you should expect that it will take at least two years for business to really take off.
Why did you decide to move to Thailand? I started working in Milan with Montedison and then I moved to Kenya. At that point, I simply couldn’t go back and be satisfied with working in Italy. I needed to have new experiences. I think it was a matter of personality. I moved to South East Asia, to Manila, initially importing ceramics from Italy. Then I moved to Thailand, as it was the country offering the most stable political and economical environment, compared to other countries in the area. I have been working here for thirty years. I started with only a hotel room and an English speaking Thai secretary to help me, since I wasn’t yet able to speak Thai. I am now operating not only in Thailand, but in all of South East Asia: Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia. I wish that Italian excellence will gain the recognition it deserves in South East Asia, in all the sectors in which it competes.
Interview by Alessandra Gerarda Lombardi Edited by Viola Saltini
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BUSINESS FOCUS
Geographical Indications and tools for Community Products Geographical indications emerge from the unique combination between a specific environment and the human skills and traditional local knowledge, resulting in the production of specific goods, with very particular and defined quality and features. Geographical indication is then a name or a sign identifying goods originating from this geographical location, to which goods' quality, reputation and characteristics are attributable.
T
he notion of GI protection in Thailand is becoming increasingly important. However, the question remains : are GIs the best and only option for communities to protect their products and know-how? The Thai Geographical Indication Act B.E. 2546, which became in effect as of April 28th, 2003, was an important step in helping to strengthen the protection of Thai products, be they agricultural, handicrafts or industrial. This Act is the focal point of several operating forces. First, in order to comply with its obligations under Sections 22-24 of the Agreement on Trade Related Aspect of Intellectual Property (TRIPs), Thailand had to take action to protect GIs. Second, the increasing threat upon the export of many Thailand’s products, whose benefits were jeopardized by an existing and inadequately protective IP regime, and the desire to promote the commercial development of Thailand and its products was a real wake-up call to seriously implement the GI protection provided for by the TRIPs. Thailand has therefore taken the initiative to become the leader in the area of GIs in the ASEAN region, aware it could become an important tool in boosting the local economies and sustaining local traditions. The volume of GI applications, both originating from Thailand and abroad, shows the success of the Thailand GI system and highlights the importance given to consumer protection and conservation of local know-how. Thus, 35 GIs are already registered (29 Thai and 6 foreign including Prosciutto di Parma and Brunello di Montalcino), while 30 applications are still pending.
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Doi Chang, Doi Tung Coffee, Khao Hom Mali Thungkula Ronghai Rice, GIs products registered in Thailand
Why would you register a GI in Thailand? The answer is obvious when considering the benefits. First, from a legal perspective, it gives the right to prevent the registration of trademarks consisting or including that GI; it registers the GI for use on specific goods and prohibits the use of the GI to indicate or to deceive other persons as to the origin of the products unless the GI has been used in that way before the registration; it notably prohibits unauthorized use of the GI on any goods not originating from the geographical area in question, except when such use has taken place for at least 10 years before April 15th 1994 or in good faith preceding that date and it imposes a maximum fine of THB 200,000 on a counterfeiter and can led to criminal action. From a consumer protection’s point of view, it does not only certify to consumers the origin of the good but also the respect and maintenance of certain quality and safety standards. The theoretical benefit of a GI’s perpetuity in a way obliges the producers to always comply with the conditions required by the GI registrar- a producer’s incompliance with those takes away his right to use the GI with his products, thereby ensuring the constant quality and characteristics of the GI. Thus, similar to the notion of trademark, the GI qualification of a product creates an added-value to the product. The benefits that GI protection entails to the local communities also explain the great emphasis put by the Thai Department of IP on GI promotion. The significant added value does help to improve the local economy, but the GI production chain also helps to
preserve the heritage, culture, and tradition of a community, thus supporting local sustainability. However, it is not certain that GIs always are the best option for those communities. Given that the value of GIs relies on burdensome quality and traceability control, local communities may not be sufficiently equipped to manage a GI, which implies the setting up of effective external and internal control mechanisms as well as a reliable traceability system. This is costly, time consuming, and requires an organized system and a structured community, with a good GI management representative body, the lack of which being equally impeding, if not more, to the lack of necessary resources, and this is the problem potential GI applicants in Thailand are facing. Successful GI examples, in Thailand or elsewhere, have shown that support from public local authorities is a crucial factor in helping to alleviate this problem. For instance, the semi-public composition of the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC) and the French state’s direct control over the Bureau national interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC), have help to maintain those as the premium products they are today. Nevertheless, obstacles in achieving a GI registration and GI management cannot be overcome in a fortnight. This then leads to the question : are there any alternatives? Fortunately, there are. Collective and certification marks can help to achieve similar goals through maybe a more adequate manner. At present, there are 98 certification
BUSINESS FOCUS
Alternatives - Finding the right marks and 277 collective marks registered in Thailand. Certification marks are used by their owner on goods or services of another person to certify the origin, composition, method of production, quality or other characteristics of such goods or services. Famous examples are the Fair Trade mark, the Woolmark, and in Thailand, the food and restaurant recommendation certification mark “เชลล์ชวนชิม”. Collective marks are used by entities and members of groups, be it an association, cooperative, union, or any other public or private organization, to identify themselves as part of it, such as the Elephant brand of the Siam Cement Group. Although collective and certification marks and GIs all refer to a symbol generally designating a group of producers, collective and certification marks differ in that the first two are considered to represent a private right while the latter normally implies the spirit of a community right. Certification and collective marks can be the ideal intermediary tool for local communities, striking the right balance between their needs for protection and their readiness and resource. Here are some of the reasons why these alternatives should be considered before rushing towards a GI application and the obligations it implies. Firstly, certification and collective marks are much more flexible to use and manage than GIs, notably in terms of quality control. While GIs require both external and internal controls, only internal controls are required in the case of certification and collective marks.
Secondly, a wider range of products can be used with such marks. Although in Thailand handicraft products can already be registered as GI products, such as Panas-Nikom Woven products and Lampoon Brocade silk, such marks can be more easily obtained for handicraft products and then effectively used to promote local production, boosting local employment and creating standardized quality products for consumers. Because in many countries including European Union members, GI protection does not extend to handicrafts, certification marks become a good alternative. Finally, as a “private sector’s” right, it becomes easier to allocate a value to such marks in a company’s balance sheet, thereby contributing to increase the assets of this latter. Besides, certification and collective marks are easier to enforce than GI. Nevertheless, GIs are supranational while certification or collective marks are only national rights, which remains an issue. GI proponents may argue that GIs are still the best option; as their community aspects make them appear to be a stronger right. However, attention should also be given to other alternatives. The use of other IP tools such as certification and collective marks should strongly be encouraged as they enable local communities to enjoy protection for their products through more flexible means, and through the building of sustainable supporting and managing capacities, they can constitute the perfect transit tool towards GI protection.
Rouse & Co. International is a specialist intellectual property consultancy assisting clients in the identification, development, protection, management and enforcement of their intellectual property rights (IPRs). We have expertise in a wide range of technological fields including biotechnology and nanotechnology. We have offices in Australia (Liaison), China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, UAE, United Kingdom, USA (Liaison) and Vietnam Products & Services - Filing and prosecution of trademarks, patents, designs and other registered rights; - Commercial IPR services – IPR licensing and transactional work, IPR audits and brand hygiene programs; - IPR protection – from investigations into counterfeiting and IPR infringements, supplier monitoring and product control, to enforcement through civil and criminal action; - Strategic consulting services – legislative analyses, governmental and lobbying advice, training and liaison programs for law enforcement officials including customs, police and prosecutors; - Training employees and setting up in-house IPR management programs.
The Author
Chutinan Chutima Legal Consultant, Rouse & Co. International (Thailand) Chutinan Chutima graduated from the Faculty of Law, Chulalongkorn University, in 2008. In the same year, she enrolled in the European Master’s in Transnational Trade Law and Finance in the University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain, and in Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands. From 2009 and 2010, she studied International Intellectual Property law at the Centre d'Études Internationales de la Propriété Intellectuelle of the University of Strasbourg, France. Her present practice focuses IP law, in particular IP disputes and Geographical Indications. She can be contacted by cchutima@iprights.com
The Author
Elise Melon Elise Melon studied at Sciences Po Paris, where she graduated in Eastern European Studies and has just completed her Master’s Degree in Intellectual Property law, doing her end-of-study internship at Rouse & Co. International (Bangkok). During these 5 years, she studied for one year at Charles University (Prague), while being an intern at the French embassy there. She also co-founded and organized TEDxParisUniversités 2010. As from September 2011, she is to study a LLM in European law and Economic analysis at College of Europe, in Bruges (Belgium).
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DANTE ALIGHIERI
Italian Expatriates’ Contribution to Thailand: Raising Local Awareness On May 2 this year, a small group of adults and children of mixed Thai and European background went on a playful excursion to Bangkok landmarks that highlight the important contribution of foreign expatriates, particularly Italian expatriates, to the cultural and technical development of Thailand. By Marco Andreoni and Giacomo Mauri
Thai-Italian children-parent group at the Mahadthaiuthit Bridge
T
his excursion was initiated by a Teacher Channel team lead by Ms. Laura Wattanagool that contacted the Dante Alighieri Association of Bangkok to help organize the excursion and participate in the related filming of a TV program. The Teacher Channel is a cable TV channel whose mission is to help Thai school teachers improve their teaching effectiveness, by broadening their perspective and modernizing their teaching skills. For the ultimate benefit of Thai children, more participative and hands-on approaches to education are presented, different from the traditional Thai school approach that tends to be rigidly didactical. Along these lines, a recent initiative has been to highlight how expatriates have contributed and continue to contribute to the development of Thailand, working side-by-side with Thai people, integrating in the Thai society, and creating new families here. Ms. Laura Wattanagool. --a well’known personality in the public affairs world-- has coordinaned many programs for the Teacher Channel. After finding out that many beautiful palaces, impressive monuments, and practical structures --like bridges and avenues-- were created by Italian architects and engineers, Laura decided to do a TV program on dual-background children on a day-long excursion to Italian-built landmarks, accompanied by their Italian business expatriate dads and Thai moms. Laura secured the cooperation of the Dante Alighieri Asso-
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Mrs. Laura and daughter at the Democracy Monument ciation whose president Mr. Giacomo Mauri, served as the guide to the places of interest. The idea was to follow the lines of the highly successful Dante Alighieri guided tour of palaces and landmarks built a hundred years ago by Italians, but to turn it more into a play where, for instance, young children would have to find clues about which parts of a landmark were done by Italians and which parts by Thais. The children, their families and the TV
crew met in front of the Ananta Samakhom throne hall, the masterpiece designed at the direction of King Rama V and built during the reign of King Rama VI by Italian engineers and architects. After visiting the throne hall, the group proceeded to Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple), Ratchadamnoen Avenue (designed by Italians), the Democracy Monument (with bas-relief panels by Silpa Bhirasri, i.e., Italian artist Corrado Feroci), and the Mahadthaiuthit Bridge. At every site, Laura actively involved the children, asking for their comments on what they were seeing, particularly in regard to the cooperation between the Italian and Thai artists and technicians. The children were particularly motivated by a game of finding hidden evidence of which details were likely to have been done by Italians and which were likely to have been done by Thais. The excursion vary successful as it showed how the Italian expatriates had integrated very well in Thai society, contributing important art and technology and adapting to the Thai living style. The visit film and related interviews will be soon aired on the Teacher Channel. The unique contributions of Italian artists and technicians to Thailand should be much better publicized. The highly positive image created by the Italian presence of a century ago still persists today. Italian businessman should better appreciate this positive image and capitalize on it to expand and secure their business in Thailand.
ECONOMIC FOCUS
Beware of the forex Surf the exchange rate fluctuations. First half of 2011 for the EUR/THB
I
n this installment of our bi-monthly look at the economic landscape, I would like to direct your attention to the forex market. We will have a look at the exchange rates between the single currency (euro) and the Thai baht in the first half of 2011, without losing sight of the world’s reserve currency, the US dollar. International businesses should always look at this when planning their investment and trade decisions, because exchange rate fluctuation can make imports/ exports and investments cheaper or more expensive, depending on the timeframe in question. When moving large amounts of money, it is crucial time your transactions carefully; indeed, even days can make a difference. Here’s an example, from a European perspective: on Thursday the 30th of June the euro/baht exchange rate was 44.0591, while just few days earlier on Monday the 27th, it was 43.0788. That’s a difference of .9803 baht per €1 changed. If you had converted €1,000 to baht on Monday, just waiting a few days you would have earned 980.3 baht. Not that much money, you say? But if it had been €100,000 and not €1,000, you would now be 98,030 baht richer. Here’s another way to look at it: if you had needed 4,307,880 baht on the 27th of June, you would have had to pay €100,000 for it. But on the 30th it would have only cost around €97,775. Again, by waiting a few more days, you would have saved €2,225. It goes without saying that if you knew exactly how exchange rates were going to evolve, you would already be one of richest people on the planet. Of course there is no way to know for sure, but hedging against risk and trying to use movement to your advantage can save you a lot when moving large sums of money. Keeping up with the news of the world can help you too. For instance, those days in late June were a turnaround point for the
fate of the euro, as the market was waiting for the approval of austerity programs in Greece. Parliamentary approval was needed to receive fresh funds from the EU and IMF to cover €6.6 billion in bonds set to mature in August, thereby avoiding default. Until the measures were finally passed by the Hellenic Parliament on the 30th, the market was nervous. Yet the value of the cross versus the dollar gradually increased, from $1.4125 on Monday to $1.4514 on Thursday, because a resolution became more likely with each passing day. Since the end of the previous week, when the EU and IMF agreed to release new funds on condition of the austerity measures’ approval, the market had been looking for an appreciation. Knowing this alone, one could have predicted that the best choice was to wait until the 30th to change euro into baht. That’s just one example of how following market news can help you make better decisions in the forex. Now let’s have a quick look at the trends the Thai baht followed during the first half of 2011 against the world’s major currencies (graph below). After a strong appreciation in 2010, both versus the euro (+19%) and the dollar (+10.4%) - one of the fastest appreciations among Asian currencies - in 2011 the pace slowed considerably, and continues to lag behind that of other key economies in the region. The baht’s strong performance in 2010 raised more than a few concerns among exporters, because of the impact of an appreciated currency on their businesses. This then put pressure on policymakers. The Bank of Thailand openly stated that it was closely monitoring the foreign-exchange market, particularly foreign fund flows, to counter excessive movement of the baht. As you can see from the graph, after a short depreciation during January, the cross versus the dollar stayed closed to the level seen at the end of 2010. As a matter of fact, the trend line of the EUR/THB is very reminiscent of that of
the EUR/USD. The first half of 2011 saw a very nervous and volatile forex market, driven mainly by these factors: weakened economic data in the US and the QE (quantitative easing 2, and 3?) weighted on the dollar; the worsening of the European debt crisis, now involving also Portugal, impacting the medium-term prospect of the euro; high commodities prices and higher inflationary pressure, which called for more severe monetary tightening in Asia. This lifted expectations for increasing capital inflow in the region because of interest rates differentials, but raised concerns of a hard-landing for China. More recently, the issue of the debt ceiling in the U.S. and the fear of the debt crisis affecting Italy and Spain raised fresh concerns over the dollar and the single currency, even if the greenback seems to have preserved its status as a safe haven. With regards to Thailand, attention is now focused on the populist measures proposed by the newly-elected government, such as raising the minimum daily wage to 300 baht. Economists warned of the impact that these measures may have on inflationary pressure, and in response, the government stated that they would allow the baht to appreciate against the US dollar to help curb imported inflation. However, many businesses are already arguing against the measures, because higher labour costs and a stronger baht could mean less competitiveness. At the moment, the major drivers for the EUR/THB are how the following issues will develop and play out over time: the new Thai government’s proposed economic measures, the European debt crisis, and the ongoing economic and debt problems in the United States.
By Narciso Podda
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BUSINESS FOCUS
European – Asean Business Center (EABC) EABC is a physical centre aimed at facilitating market access for European businesses in Thailand, while promoting Thailand and the ASEAN region as high potential trade and investment markets for European businesses.
F
inanced by the European Union with more than 2,300,000 EUR, the EABC involves all European Chambers of Commerce in Thailand, together with EuroChambers - which represents all Chambers of Commerce in Europe - and two sectorial organizations (Digital Europe and Euratex). The consortium has delegated the contractual leadership to the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce, and appointed John Svengren as the EABC Director. His role will be to run the Center and report to a Steering Committee which includes all Consortium Members. A team of 5 staff will be established and offices established at the Empire Tower, in Sathorn area. The Center is part of a strategic plan developed by the European Union in order to support the internationalization of European SMEs and facilitate market access, in particular in emerging and fast growing markets like South East Asia. A first priority for EABC is to become the voice of European
business in Thailand. EABC will seek to obtain legal status under Thai law and a full public launch of EABC will be organized later this year. The Centre will establish a series of advocacy groups to identify those areas where market access and business cooperation can be improved; at the moment, the main ones are: automotive, transport & logistic, IPR, food & beverage, insurance, finance, health care and pharmaceutical. European companies will be invited to join such groups, depending on their specific interests. Secondly, the Centre will develop services which facilitate economic cooperation between EU and Thai businesses: seminars, flagship events, publications and etc; this will be done in synergy with existing service providers, both in Thailand and in Europe. Also, EABC wishes to create a center for trade information, legal analysis and advisory service on Thailand to European companies, and also creates a clearing house for coordination with the Consortium on redirecting of service. The Thai Italian Chamber of Commerce has been involved in this project since the drafting phase, and is very proud to be a member of this consortium. Through the EABC, TICC will be able to offer additional services to its member as well as more opportunities to network and get in touch with a wide range of stakeholder; in fact, members of all existing bilateral Chambers will be invited to join EABC, with the payment of a marginal fee TICC will also be able to better assist Italian companies interested in the Thai market through high profile services. The Thai Italian Chamber of Commerce thinks that the cooperation between member states is essential for mutual growth not only in the old continent but in the entire world.
EABC Signed MOU with TEUBC On Thursday 28th of July 2011 The German Thai Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the European ASEAN Business Centre (EABC) signed an important MOU for future collaboration with the Thai-EU Business Council. The MOU is to provide a framework for business cooperation between EABC and the TEUBC in 3 main areas: Trade and Investment, Business trips and reception of foreign trade missions and Trade Fairs and international Conferences.
From Left to Right: John Svengren Director of EABC, Rolf-Dieter Daniel President of the German Thai Chamber of Commerce, Visit Limprana Chairman of Thai-EU Business Council and Charn Saralertsophon Secretary-General of Thai-EU Business Council
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TICC EVENTS
Italian MOTO GP Mugello @ Ducati Caffe'
G
reat fun in occasion of the Italian Moto GP race in Mugello, screened last 3rd of July at the Ducati Caffe’, in Soi Thong Lor! About 50 fans and motoGP lovers got together and supported Valentino Rossi, the Ducati team and other Italian riders such as Simoncelli and Dovizioso. Unfortunately, Italian legend Valentino Rossi only came in sixth in his first race in front of the home fans. We look forward to seeing “The Doctor” - who won nine times during his career - again in Mugello. Special thanks to the Ducati Caffe’ for the excellent food prepared in occasion of the warm up and Moto GP race.
TICC-FTCC Young Professional at Bed Supperclub
O
n Thursday 7 July, the Italian-French Young Professional networking event was held in the exclusive location of Bed Supperclub. More than 300 guests attended the party organized by the Thai-Italian and the Franco-Thai Chamber of Commerce, enjoying Italian Prosecco Sette Cascine, finger food, snacks and groovy music by DJ Andrea. All guests were honored by the presence of internationally well known Thai artist- Navin Rawanchaikulwho presented Thailand at the 2011 Venice Biennale. Navin also presented a screening of one of his video “Navin of Bollywood” to the audience. The event was realized thanks to support and cooperation of Italasia and Bed Supperclub.
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TICC EVENTS
TICC-FTCC "Let’s network with style" at Crowne Plaza
O
n Thursday 28th of July 2011, the Thai-Italian and the Franco-Thai Chambers of Commerce had the pleasure to be partners in Let’s network with style, a unique Get-Together event. Held in the outstanding location of the Panorama Bar at 23rd floor of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, the event reached a turnout of more than 120 guests: members and friends from both Chambers, with the exceptional presence of Lino Geretto (TICC President), David Nardone (Hemaraj President and CEO), Marc Spiegel (Thai-Finnish Chamber of Commerce President) and Savja Pannark Korskund (Danish-Thai Chamber of Commerce Executive Director). It has been the perfect opportunity to meet new people and share personal experience with other entrepreneurs in Thailand in a nice and relaxed environment. Genuine ingredients imported directly from Italy and France and perfectly combined in a special menu by the Crowne Chef, were generously offered to all guests, along with some of the most famous wines from Europe (Merlot, Prosecco, Champagne). The Thai-Italian Chamber would like to personally thank the Franco-Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Crowne Plaza Hotel and all the sponsors that made this event possible: Eurofood and GD.S with the wine brand Terra Serena.
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Casa Seaside in Rayong:
It’s Where I Belong! Casa Seaside projects have been developed close to the beach, in beautiful, natural, quiet and clean surroundings near to popular tourist destinations.
SEA BREEZE : 2 Bedrooms / 1 Bathroom - Total usable area: 102 Sq.m.
asa Seaside projects are located near to both conveniences such as grocery stores, shopping centers, restaurants, as well as, activities such as golf and water sports. The projects are also developed with extensive facilities so that villa owners will have plenty of activities to do within the project itself. Casa Seaside is developed by Casa Ville Company Limited, which is a fully owned subsidiary of Quality House Public Company Limited (Q House). Q House is one of the top five largest residential property developers on the Stock Exchange of Thailand with a market capitalization of 14,750.57 Million Baht (as of
C
June 22, 2011). Currently, Q House is actively selling 24 single detached housing projects, 20 under the Quality House and Casa brands, as well as, 4 under Trust brand in Thailand out of which the vast majority are located in the outskirts of Bangkok. Q House is also actively selling 6 condominium projects, one under the Q brand and two under Casa brands and 3 under the Trust brand in Thailand. Q House also is also one of the largest serviced apartment providers in Thailand through its Centre Point brand. It also owns 3 office buildings as well as manages another 3 office buildings in central Bangkok.
It is also a large shareholder in Quality Houses Property Fund (QHPF), Home Product Center Pcl (Home Pro), as well as, in Land & Houses Retail Bank Plc (LH Bank). As of 1Q11, Q House reported Total Revenues of 2,347 billion baht and net profits of 157 million baht.
The Projects Casa Seaside projects are in innovative tropical modern style, featuring beautiful 2-3 bedrooms single storey villas with full facilities clubhouse. Project location has been selected right by the beach in Rayong.
Pre-Selling now 10% Rental guarantee* Special Pre-Sales package Te l : Bangkok Office +66 (0) 2677 7071 Te l : Rayong Office +66 (0) 3865 5484 info@casaseaside.com www.casaseaside.com SEA GARDEN : 2 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms - Total usable area: 107 Sq.m.
The Facilities: Casa Seaside project have extensive facilities such has a club house, a 50-meter swimming pool, tennis courts, saunas and a fitness center.
Services: Villa buyers will benefit from available rental services, gardening service and maid services.
Villas Within The Projects: The villas are developed in modern tropical style with open living space and functional living- & dining- rooms. The large windows allow for plenty of natural light and provide a sense of living close to nature. Each villa has an extensive
wooden terrace, a space to enjoy good times with family as well as a private garden.
Rayong The Casa Seaside Villa project by Hat Mae Rumphueng beach in Rayong is located approximately 199 kilometers from Bangkok. Rayong is another delightful seaside province on Thailand’s eastern Gulf coast. Most of Rayong Province is marked by mountains interspersed by flat plains and large tracts of fruit plantations and forests. However, the province is most well known for its pristine beaches stretching along its 100-kilometer coastline and its scenic waterfalls set amidst exotic surroundings. Aside from these
natural attractions, Rayong produces an abundance of seafood products, such as shrimp paste, fish sauce, and dried seafood, and grows a number of tropical fruits of which rambutan, mangosteen and durian are the most famous. Rayong is most renowned for its quiet and unspoiled beaches, including Mu Koh Samet National Park, Rayong is a popular beach getaway destination for Bangkok residents and a renowned producer of seafood related goods. The Casa Seaside Villa project in Rayong will feature 184 villas.
SEA ORCHID 2 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms Total usable area: 147 Sq.m.
TICC FAIR & UPCOMING EVENT
International Trade Fairs in Italy ( August – October 2011 ) Exhibitions In Italy
Detail
Date
Venue/Website
MACEF MILANO
International home, bijoux costume jewellery show
8 – 11 Sept
www.macef.it Milan
Milano prêt-a-porter
Fashion, women’s clothing and accessories
23 – 26 Sept
www.mimilanopretaporter. www.fieramilano.it Milan
Marmomacc
International exposition of stone design and technology
21 – 24 Sept
www.marmomacc.it Verona
Cibus tec
Technologies & Solutions for the Food Industry 18 – 21 Oct
www.fiereparma.it Parma
International Trade Fairs in Thailand ( August – October 2011 ) Exhibitions In Thailand
Detail
Date
Venue/Website
Thailand Mobile Expo
Mobile brands, accessories and related devices
29 Sept – 2 Oct
www.thailandmobileexpo.com Queen Sirikit National Convention Center
Thailand Internal logistics fair 2011
Logistics, services and information technology software exhibition
22 – 25 Sept
www.logisticsfair.com BITEC, BKK
BIG+BIH 2011
Bangkok International gift fair and Bangkok international houseware fair 2011
18 – 23 Oct
www.thaitradefair.com BITEC, BKK
Upcoming Events August – October 2011 Date
Event
Location
H.M. Queen's Birthday
TICC office close
Visit of Secretary of State, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Swissotel Nai Lert
Get Together Event
To bo confirmed
6. Thu.
Italian – French Young Professional Event
Bed Supperclub
12 Wed.
Get Together, Networking Event
To be Confirmed
24 Mon. - 26 Wed.
Annual Convention of Italian Chambers of Commerce Abroad (CCIE)
Naples, Italy
24 Mon
Subsitution for Chulalongkorn Day
TICC office Close
August 12 Aug. September 6 Tue.
October
Mr. Mario Bracci Moved to Spain A BUSINESS MAGAZINE OF THAI – ITALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AUGUST 2011
Mr. Mario Bracci, Managing Director of Asia Cement Public Co., Ltd. and member of TICC’s Board of Directors has recently moved to Spain. TICC would like to wish him the best, and thanks him for his dedication and support in the last years.
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Academics, Experience and Open-Mindedness: The Right Mix
Distribution Request of INFORMA: To request free copies of INFORMA magazine for distribution in your hotels, restaurants, or companies, please send an e-mail to Ms. Sukanya Kerngfak (TICC Marketing/PR Executive) at pr@thaitch.org.
MEMBER AREA
Welcome New Members Blu Aqua Co., Ltd. Mr. Alessandro Frau (Owner/Director) 324/15 Prabaramee Rd., Patong, Kathu, 83150 Phuket Tel: +66 76 618 187 Fax: +66 76 618 130 Website: www.acquarestaurantphuket.com Sector: Italian Restaurant
Bonthai Company Limited Dr. Francesco Pensato 66/20 Moo1 T. Chalong, Muang, Phuket 83130 Tel: +66 7 626 3923 Fax: +66 7 626 7135 Website: www.bonthai.net Sector: Production, Export of instant beverages
Boomerang Village Resort co., Ltd. Mr. Paolo Basso (Managing Director) 9/11-13 Patak Rd., Soi 10, Karon, Muang, 83100 Phuket Tel: +66 76 284 480/+66 76 333 102 Fax: +66 76 284 569 E-mail: info@phuket-boomerang.com Website: www.phuket-boomerang.com Sector: Resort/Hotel/Restaurant
Bumrungrad International Hospital Kenneth Mays (Senior Marketing Director) 33 Sukhumvit 3, Soi nana Nua, Klongtoey, Wattana , BKK 10110 Tel: +66 2 667 2132 Fax: 2 262 5043 E-mail: Catherine@bamrungrad.com Website: www.bumrungrad.com Sector: Health Care provider
Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park Mr. Mark Winterton (General Manager) 952 Rama IV Rd., BKK 10500 Tel: +66 2 632 9000 Fax: +66 2 632 9001 E-mail: Niramon.piyachandradara@ihg. com (Administrative Assistant to GM) Sector: Hotel: Room for Rent/ Sell Food and Beverage
Davinco Co., Ltd. Mr. Mark Norris (Director) 28/46 Moo1, Rawai 83130 Phuket Tel: +66 76 628 9574 Website: www.davinciphuket.com Sector: Italian Restaurant
DIGITHAI Software Group Co., Ltd. Mr. Andrea Gallucci (Managing Director) Q house Lumpini, 1 South Sathorn Rd., Level 27th Fl., Tungmahamek, Sathorn BKK 10120 Tel: +66 2 610 3925 E-mail: info@digithaigroup.com Website: www.digithaigroup.com Sector: Provider Software development / consulting services
Homeplan Company Limited Mr. Pairoj Thawansakvudhi (Managing Director) 723 Supakarn Building, Charoennakorn Rd., Klongtonsai, Klongsarn, BKK 10600 Tel: +66 2 365 0838-42 Fax: +66 2 381 6590 E-mail: surisak@asiacucina.com Website: www.asiacucina.com Sector: Handmade Kitchen/Build in Furniture
Jet Airways (India) Ltd. Mr. Anindam Choudhury (Regional Manager-Thailand) 8/15-16 Cathay House 4th Floor, North Sathorn Rd., Bangrak, Silom, BKK 10500 Tel: +66 2 696 8960 Fax: +66 696 8955 E-mail: achoudhury@jetairways.com Website: www.jetairways.com Sector: International Private Airlines
Lotus Consulting International Co., Ltd. Ms. Supaporn Winyuwanich 217/1 Sukhumvit Soi4, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 2 254 8825 Fax: +66 2 253 4105 E-mail: pajeef@lotusconsulting.co.th/ joker@lotusconsulting.co.th Website: www.lotusconsulting.co.th Sector: Geographic Information System (GIS)
Piccolomondo Co., Ltd. Mr. Maurizio Laurei (General Manager) 223/2 Prabaramee Rd., Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83150 Thailand Tel: +66 76 618 235-8 Fax: +66 76 618 239 E-mail: mauriziolaurei@gmail.com Website: www.damaurizio.com Sector: Restaurant
Rainbow (Bangkok) Company Limited Mr. Fabio Bergomi (President) 3rd floor 233/35, Soi Sukhumvit 31, Klongton-nua Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 2 662 2895 Fax: +66 2 662 2895 E-mail: info@fabiobkk.com Website: www.fabiobkk.com Sector: Chandeliers, Murano glass, Interiors
Watermark Restaurant Co., Ltd. Mr. Roberto Ugolini (CEO) 131 Sukhumvit 53 (Paidee-Madee), Klongton Nua, Wattana, BKK 10110 Tel: +66 2 712 9991 Fax: +66 2 712 9960 E-mail: info@watermarkbangkok.com Website: www.watermarkbangkok.com Sector: Restaurant
G.B.S Construction & Properties Co., Ltd. Mr. Umberto Bordin (Managing Director) 12/37 Moo 1, Chaofa East Road, T. Chalong, A. Muang, Phuket 83130 Tel: +66 7628 3577-8 Fax: +66 7628 3504 E-mail: info@gbs-construction.COM Website: www.gbs-construction.com/ Sector: Construction/Architectural/ Engineering and Industrial
Property Khaolak Co., Ltd. Mr. Gianmarco Barzoni Secchia 93/160 DS Tower 2, Sukhumvit Rd., Soi 39, Klongton Nua, Wattana, BKK 10110 Tel: +66 81 0635775 Fax: +66 2 662 1874 E-mail: contact@propertykhaolak.com Website: www.propertykhaolak.com Sector: Real Estate development
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HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY SCANDINAVIAN SOCIETY
Get a real holiday apartment for only 695,000 Baht or 23,500 USD Right at a 10 km long white sandy beach in natural and quiet nature. Rayong province, Mae Rumpeung Beach Road, 165 km from Suvanapum Airport
Ğ ŽŶĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĮƌƐƚ ǁŚŽ ďƵLJƐ ĂŶ ĂƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚ ŝŶ ƚŚŝƐ ŚŽůŝĚĂLJ ƌĞƐŽƌƚ ĐŽŵƉůĞdž͘ tĞ ŚĂǀĞ ũƵƐƚ ƚĂŬĞŶ ŽǀĞƌ ŵŽƐƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĂƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚƐ ŝŶ ƚŚŝƐ ϭϳ LJĞĂƌƐ ŽůĚ ƉŽŽƌůLJ ŵĂŝŶƚĂŝŶĞĚ ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ ĨƌŽŵ Ă ďĂŶŬ͘ ĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞ ƌĞŶŽǀĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ŽƵƚĚŽŽƌ ĂƌĞĂƐ ĂŶĚ ĨĂĐŝůŝƟĞƐ ŝƐ ĞdžƉĞĐƚĞĚ ƚŽ ďĞ ĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞĚ ŝŶ ĨŽƵƌ ŵŽŶƚŚƐ͘ tĞ ĂƌĞ ƐĞůůŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ĐĂƚĞŐŽƌŝĞƐ ŽĨ ĂƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚƐ͗ &ĂĐŝůŝƟĞƐ͗ ^ƚƵĚŝŽƐ ĂƌŽƵŶĚ ϰϬ ŵϮ ƐŽŵĞ ǁ͘ ƐĞĂ ǀŝĞǁ ĨƌŽŵ ϲϵϱ͕ϬϬϬ ϮϰͲŚŽƵƌ ƌĞĐĞƉƟŽŶ ϴϬ ŵϮ ĂƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚƐ͕ ϭ ƌŽŽŵ ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͕ϰϱϬ͕ϬϬϬ ϮϰͲŚŽƵƌ ƐĞĐƵƌŝƚLJ ϴϰ ŵϮ ĂƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚƐ͕ Ϯ ƌŽŽŵƐ ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͕ϱϬϬ͕ϬϬϬ ƐǁŝŵŵŝŶŐ ƉŽŽů ϭϮϲ ŵϮ ĂƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚƐ͕ ϯ ƌŽŽŵƐ ĨƌŽŵ Ϯ͕ϭϵϱ͕ϬϬϬ ůŽďďLJ͕ ĐĂĨĠ͕ ďĂƌ͕ ƌĞƐƚĂƵƌĂŶƚ dŚĞ ƉƌŝĐĞ ŝƐ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ĂƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚƐ ͞ĂƐ ŝƐ͘͟ ĚĚŝƟŽŶĂů ƉƌŝĐĞ ĨŽƌ ŝŐ ĐŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞͬŵĞĞƟŶŐ ƌŽŽŵ ƌĞŶŽǀĂƟŽŶ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ŶĞǁ ŇŽŽƌ ƟůĞƐ͕ ƉĂŝŶƟŶŐ ŽĨ ǁĂůůƐ͕ ^ŵĂůů ĮƚŶĞƐƐ ƌŽŽŵ ĂŶĚ ĐŚĞĐŬŝŶŐ ŽĨ ǁĂƚĞƌ ĂŶĚ ĞůĞĐƚƌŝĐŝƚLJ ŝŶƐƚĂůůĂƟŽŶƐ ^ƉĂ ĂŶĚ DĂƐƐĂŐĞ ĨƌŽŵ ϯϬ͕ϬϬϬ ĂŚƚ ĨŽƌ Ă ϰϬ ŵϮ ĂƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚ͘ tĞ ĂůƐŽ ŽīĞƌ tŝ&ŝ ĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞ ůƵdžƵƌLJ ĨƵƌŶŝƐŚŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ ĂŶ ƐŵĂůů ĞdžƚƌĂ ƉƌŝĐĞ͘ ƐŶŽŽŬĞƌ͕ ƚĂďůĞ ƚĞŶŶŝƐ ĂŶĚ ŵŽƌĞ /Ĩ LJŽƵ ďƵLJ ĂŶ ĂƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĨƵƌŶŝƐŚŝŶŐ ƉĂĐŬĂŐĞ ǁĞ ĐĂŶ ŽīĞƌ Ă ƌĞŶƚĂů ŐƵĂƌĂŶƚĞĞ ĨŽƌ Ϯ Žƌ ϱ LJĞĂƌƐ ǁŝƚŚ Ă LJĞĂƌůLJ ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ŽĨ ϲͲϳй ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ƌŝŐŚƚ ƚŽ ƵƐĞ ƚŚĞ ĂƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚ LJŽƵƌƐĞůĨ ĨŽƌ Ϯ ǁĞĞŬƐ Ă LJĞĂƌ ʹ Žƌ ŵŽƌĞ ŝĨ LJŽƵ ǁŝƐŚ͕ ďƵƚ ƚŚĞŶ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ƐŵĂůů ƌĞĚƵĐƟŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŐƵĂƌĂŶƚĞĞĚ ƌĞƚƵƌŶ͘
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