A BUSINESS MAGAZINE OF THAI – ITALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DECEMBER 2012
Destination Thailand:
Current and future trends towards AEC 2015 Photo by Marianna Novicova
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Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce
President's Message
PRESIDENT Mr. Lino Geretto – LGV Engineering Co., Ltd. Tel: +66 2 255 8717 Fax: +66 2 255 8716 Email: info@lgveng.com 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. 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 2 255 8695 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. Rene Okanovic Mr. Sawang Pracharktham Secretary General: Mr. Giovanni Quaratesi 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. Supat Kuanpradit Marketing Executive Ms. Giulia Priero Fellowship Researcher Ms. Linda Pittis Fellowship Researcher Mr. Giovanni Patanisi Fellowship Researcher Mr. Luke Scherschel English Editor PUBLISHER: Scand-Media Corp., Ltd. 211 Soi Prasert-Manukitch, Prasert-Manukitch Road, Chorakaebua, Ladprao, Bangkok 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: 116 Fax: +66 2 943 7169 Mobile: +66 81 866 2577 Email: finn@scandmedia.com - www.scandmedia.com Ms. Supat Kuanpradit Marketing Executive Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce Tel: +66 2 255 8695 Ext: 103 Fax: +66 2 253 9896 E-mail: pr@thaitch.org www.thaitch.org
Cover photo by Marianna Novicova
Dear Members,
A
s the year draws to an end, it is natural for all of us to think of the upcoming holidays; H.M. the King’s Birthday, Christmas, and New Year. However, this is also the time to assess accomplishments of the past year and to formulate plans for the coming year. I am happy to inform you that the membership of the Thai- Italian Chamber of Commerce (the “TICC”) has increased from 125 corporate entities at the beginning of 2012 to over 160 organizations today. In addition to the TICC staff’s efforts, I believe the increase reflects our business community’s recognition of the importance of interacting and networking with other organizations that operate in the same markets. A membership increase is a good thing, but it does not mean that the TICC should rest on its laurels. We continually strive to devise new and more focused initiatives. And we welcome member participation so as to assist us in defining the needs of our members in order that we may be in a better position to deliver what our community seeks. We therefore hope that in 2013, we will see our members actively participating in our activities. An example of a program that was initiated through our members’ participation was the establishment of the Food and Beverage Committee, a dedicated industry committee that was introduced three years ago and is now fully operational. The committee has had great success for those who have participated. This is one success story and the TICC hopes there will be many more similar stories in 2013. Among the many 2012 initiatives, I would like to highlight the Ospitalità’ Italiana program that continues to successfully attract new restaurants as candidates for the recognition afforded by Ospitalità Italiana to outstanding, genuine Italian restaurants. The TICC has completed the candidate evaluation process for 2012 and is now organizing the award ceremony that will promote the program-certified restaurants in Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya. In closing, I would also like to mention the organizational support given by the TICC to the December 13, 2012 Christmas Charity dinner of the Camillian Home Foundation to raise funds for the care of children with HIV/AIDS and other people in serious need of medical care in Thailand. While TICC activities are mainly to support of member businesses, we also strive to help selective non-profit organizations with our members’ generous support. We hope you will join such a worthy cause, especially during this festive season, and look forward to seeing you at the Charity dinner. We wish you a Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year. Lino Geretto
Tiny Tigers Playgroup at Bangkok Patana School Run by specialist, Early Years teachers within the stimulating environment of our Foundation Stage, Tiny Tigers welcomes accompanied children between one and three years of age.
Announcing our special themed sessions for the new year: 31st January 2013: Let’s Explore! 28th February 2013: Let’s Play! 21st March 2013: Let’s Splash! Enrol now to reserve your space
8:00 - 8:45: Adult-supported free flow play including arts and crafts 8:45 - 9:05: Physical and cooperative play in our soft play area 9:05 - 9:20: Story and song time 9:20 - 9:30: Snack time and goodbyes For more information, and to book your place, please contact Rachel Jones on rajo@patana.ac.th or telephone 02 398 0200 Tiny Tigers, helping to prepare toddlers for Nursery and Kindergarten
Bangkok Patana School, 643 LaSalle Road (Sukhumvit 105), Bangna, Bangkok 10260 Thailand
www.patana.ac.th 5
Contents
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9
11
12
19
6
8
Lifestyle
9
Cover Story
11
Cover Story
12
Cover Story
15
Interview
16
The Embassy of Italy
17
What’s on?
18
European-ASEAN Business Centre (EABC)
19
TICC Events
20
NGO
21
TICC Fairs & Upcoming Events
22
Member Area
Award-Winning Thai Lemongrass Dressing Mixed with Italian Olive Oil
Tourism in Thailand : An Overview on the direction of the tourism industry
Customer Satisfaction is the Key to Success Exclusive interview with Mr. M. Kerrar YĂźksel, Turkish Airlines General Manager
Business Focus: An insight on tourism in Southeast Asia for Italian-European markets
Italian High Quality Food Just One Click away
XII Italian Language Week in the World
Social Thailand The role of the Land of Smiles in the social networking world
Business Confidence Survey 2012
EU Projects
Take Care Kids Thailand Foundation
Laab Plaa Salmon (Salmon Tartar) Ingredients 120 grams 7 grams 8 3 5
grams grams grams
5 2 4
grams grams grams
Minced raw salmon Chopped lemongrass (3 inches in length) Chopped ginger Chopped dill (2 stems) Saw tooth coriander or coriander (3 stems) Chopped spring onion Mint leave Coriander
Dressing Ingredients 3 6 10 4 4 2 4 4 1
pods grams grams grams grams grams grams grams pinch
Method
Chopped bird’s eye chilli Chopped garlic Lime juice Kikoman (Japanese soya sauce) Fish Sauce Wasabi Sugar Olive Oil Salt
1. In a bowl, put all the dressing ingredients. Add the salmon, lemongrass, ginger, and other ingredients and toss them together. Sprinkle a pinch of salt into the mixture. 2. Roll the mixture into the seaweed and cut into small pieces. If you cannot find the seaweed, other green leaves such as iceberg lettuce will do.
LIFESTYLE
Award-Winning Thai Lemongrass Dressing Mixed with Italian Olive Oil
Chef Nooror Somany-Steppé Founder & Master Chef
Blue Elephant Cooking School
C
The Blue Elephant Cooking School Schh ool was Sc opened in Bangkok, Thailand in 2002 under the guidance of Master Chef and nd Blue Elephant restaurant founder, Nooror oror Somany Steppe. Convenientlyy located at on the third floor of the Blue Elephant Restaurant on Sathorn Road (BTS: Surasak), the Cooking School specializes in providing both theoretical and hands-on sessions for its students. It offers tailored and private cooking classes all year round and welcomes everyone, from tourists to local d residents alike, who are interested in learning the cooking skills and art of Thai cuisine. While Thai herbs give a tangy he olive oil taste with a hint of spiciness, the gives you the smooth and lightt texture. The lemongrass dressing goes well with any fresh vegetable salad, and especially with Master Chef Nooror’s innovative Laab Salmon.
hef Nooror Somany Steppé, through the Blue Elephant Group, which she founded with her husband, Karl Steppé and Thai partners in Brussels in 1980, continues to play a significant role as an ambassador in promoting Thai cuisine and culture worldwide. Master Chef Nooror has established her name not only for her original and historical knowledge of Thai cuisine, but also for her ready-mixed recipes of Thai sauces, curry pastes and powders, which are presently produced and exported to over 30 countries. Her culinary skills also extend to Indian and French cuisine, and this is frequently reflected in some of her innovative dishes and presentation. The Blue Elephant and its Master Chef Nooror have garnered numerous prestigious awards and accolades. Recently, Blue Elephant’s award-winning lemongrass dressing is a created by Master Chef Nooor Somany Steppe, Founding Partner and Master Chef of the Blue Elephant Group. Inspired from Italian pesto dressing but with a Thai flavor, the main ingredients for this smooth green dressing are lemongrass, sweet basil and olive oil. It is so healthy and easy to make!
How to make your own lemongrass dressing: The main ingredients are lemongrass and sweet basil leaves and very simple to make by blending together the following ingredients: 7 grams lemongrass 4 grams galangal 14 grams garlic 2 grams mint leaves 7 grams coriander leaves 5 grams sweet basil leaves 70 grams olive oil 25 grams rice vinegar 7 grams sugar 5 grams salt 5 grams light soya sauce 15 grams balsamic vinegar
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COVER STORY
Tourism in Thailand
An overview on the direction of the tourism industry Thailand is considered the hub of South-East Asia: travelers from all over the world often land in this country before venturing into neighboring countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam, & Laos. This is why the tourism industry has the attention of the Thai Government and has always been a landmark for the economy. By Giovanni Patanisi
T
hailand is not only famous for its natural and historical treasures, but also for the country's friendly people and fascinating culture. This is why it is called the “Land of Smiles�. With thousands of miles of coastline, hundreds of islands, beautiful marine life and stunning natural beauty, it is no wonder that many visitors go to the sea for at least part of their stay. Some of the activities that visitors can do in Thailand are diving, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, windsurfing, sailing, yachting, hiking, climbing, camping, biking and even bird watching. Permanent secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Suwat Sidthilaw, reported in one of his official speeches that since the beginning of the year a conspicuous number of travelers have entered Thailand. In line with expectations, 15 million tourists crossed the border into the Kingdom, registering an increase of 8% from last year. The expectations for the last quarter of 2012 are even more positive. Mr. Suwat announced that the number of tourists will reach the target of 20 million in the peak season and 900 flights are estimated to land in Thailand. Despite these positive numbers, the Thai tourism industry has some urgent issues to face such as the illegal taxi phenomenon and problems related to the high concentration of Jet Ski scams in Phuket. These scandals are having a bad influence on the whole tourism industry.
Furthermore, in order to attract more tourists, the Ministry of Tourism is working on speeding up the immigration procedures at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, and focusing on advertising to new ASEAN, Eastern European, Middle Eastern, Latin American, and Baltic countries. They are also promoting world-class cultural activities in Thailand. Even with the disruptive events that have hit Thailand in its recent history, (namely the upheaval in 2010, the devastating floods in 2011, and the closure of the airport in 2008) the tourism forecasts are positive both in terms of contribution to GDP and increase of job opportunities. The tourism industry is powered by visitors coming from several different places. TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) put the number of Indians coming to Thailand in 2012 at a record 917,832, making it the top destination for Indians. Tourism from Russia is also increasing exponentially, and the Chinese market has enormous growth potential: KRC estimates that in 2012 there will be 2 million visitors from China generating a revenue of 60 billion THB. The Government favors creating large-scale attractions in order to promote Thai culture and history. Recently the president of TCT (Tourism Council of Thailand), Piyaman Tejapaibul, announced the plan to build an ASEAN family theme park. It is to be located in the proximity of Suvarnabhumi Airport. Hotels and shopping centers will accompany the park. The council
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COVER STORY International tourist arrivals by region, 2009-12 2009 Region
No. (‘000)
2010 Share (%)
No. (‘000)
2011 Share (%)
No. (‘000)
2012 (H1) Share (%)
No. (‘000)
Share (%)
East Asia
7076
50
8167
51
10346
54
5487
52
Europe
4060
29
4442
28
5101
27
2972
28
Americas
853
6
845
5
953
5
545
5
South Asia
826
6
995
6
1158
6
634
6
Oceania
737
5
790
5
934
5
478
5
Middle East
484
3
569
4
601
3
297
3
Africa
112
1
128
1
138
1
85
1
Total
14148
100
15936
100
19231
100
10498
100
SOURCE: Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Immigration Bureau, Police Department
International tourist per capita spending, 2009 (THB/day) calculated a return of 64 billion THB in 5 years from this investment. Another noteworthy Thai phenomenon is the constant increase in sporting events. Golf turned out to be a remarkable source of revenue for the tourism industry. The average golfer on a holiday in Thailand spends 120,000 THB. Whereas the average nongolfing tourist spends around 20,000 THB on a holiday. These numbers reflect the last 20 years of investment by the Thai Government in high-standard golf facilities. There are around 250 golf courses in the whole country and 15 of them have the quality to hold international broadcasted events! Another important attraction for Thailand would be the development of facilities in order to host formula 1 GPs. The Asian Country is bidding to host a round of the World Championship of 2014. "It's unlikely we would have trouble," said Minister of Sport, Silpa-archa Chumpol, stressing that the issue is already well under way. It remains to define the place in which to host the race and since Bangkok was "not perfect," the best guess is the circuit
Region
Shopping
Entertainment
Sightseeing
Accomodation
F&B
Transport
Misc.
Total
East Asia
1133
455
160
1226
713
385
86
4158
Europe
806
429
140
1135
723
414
51
3698
Americas
987
581
162
1309
763
86
55
3943
South Asia
1590
375
158
1079
690
420
90
4402
Oceania
1045
571
185
1395
760
429
59
4444
Middle East
1241
565
129
1231
746
423
58
4393
Africa
1528
381
126
1216
725
422
75
4473
Average
996
462
152
1198
725
412
65
4010
SOURCE: Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Immigration Bureau, Police Department
Pattaya. "We will discuss the various possibilities and in a few weeks we will know more," the Minister added. Following the example of Singapore, the British press has speculated of a night GP in Bangkok. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports announcement, the “most valuable” tourists are the one coming from South Asia,
Oceania and Africa. European tourists are per capita the less contributive to the industry, 10% below the tourist from the rest of the world. On Average, a tourist’s highest expenditures are on accommodation. In 2009 the average cost of accommodation per day was 1200 THB. The second most expensive category was shopping, with an average of 1000 THB per day. Even tourists from South Asia and Africa spend on average more than 1500 THB per day. The goal for the Ministry of tourism is set at 2 trillion baht in revenue from tourism in 2015. Critics say it might be exaggerated. But for sure, the land of smiles is doing well and its reputation for natural beauty and hospitable people still make Thailand one of the most desirable destinations in the world. GIOVANNI PATANISI is 24-year-old graduate student in Marketing at Bocconi University in Milan. During his studies, he developed a strong passion for the Eastern world and he moved to Bangkok to work at the Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce. During his free time he likes to keep himself updated with the newest tendencies in online marketing and discovering new business opportunities for the Asian market.
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COVER STORY
Customer Satisfaction is the Key to Success Exclusive interview with Mr. M. Kerrar Yüksel, Turkish Airlines General Manager for Cambodia and Thailand
Mr. M. Kerrar Yüksel, Turkish Airlines General Manager for Cambodia and Thailand
During 2011/2012 Turkish Airline has been an official sponsor of the Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce and they have collaborated in several cultural initiatives. Moreover, this year Turkish Airlines has won “Best airline in Europe 2012”, “Best Airline in Southern Europe” and “Best Premium Economy Class Airline Seats” during the World Airline Awards. By Giulia Priero
The World Airline Awards is the primary benchmark tool to rate passenger satisfaction: air travellers were surveyed by telephone, with questionnaires and online about their experiences with airlines. The survey measured passenger satisfaction across more than 38 key performance indicators of airline front-line product and service, including check-in, boarding, onboard seat comfort, cabin cleanliness, food, beverages, in-flight entertainment and staff service. The Survey covered over 200 airlines, from the largest international airlines to smaller domestic carriers.
T
urkish Airlines is the national airline of Turkey. Its headquarters are in Ataturk Airport in Istanbul and it also has an office in Bangkok in the Bang Rak district on Silom Road. Nowadays customer’s needs are increasingly complex, but Turkish Airlines was able to satisfy every demand. This is why the three prizes were awarded to the company during The World Airline Awards. In fact Turkish Airlines won 1st place for passenger satisfaction. As Mr. M. Kerrar Yüksel, General Manager of Turkish Airlines in Thailand and Cambodia since 2010 stated, “the attention to client needs is the company’s answer to the global economic crisis”.
Despite the negative effects that some European airline companies have experienced, Turkish Airlines was able to derive positive results from 2011. Mr. M. Kerrar Yüksel stated, “Reasonable prices, strong networks and new aircraft have allowed Turkish Airlines to satisfy passengers and not be affected by the crisis". The attention to consumers and the will to meet their needs created many new opportunities for the company: “Seeking for consumer satisfaction brings us to new destinations and new destinations mean new opportunities,” said Mr. Yüksel. That’s the reason why Turkish Airlines has, at the moment, more than 200 destinations in over 90 countries and will soon include routes to areas such as Spain, Malta and South America. Like the larger Asian market in general, the Thai market is full of opportunity thanks to its constant economic growth: “Our new passengers are usually young Thai professionals and tourists coming from other regions. They are cost conscious book flights by themselves through the internet”. Talking about the future strategies in Asia, Mr. Yüksel said that, “the company wants to consolidate the results already achieved, we don’t need to think of different solutions to the crisis, because our company already has all the ingredients to do well”. Turkish Airlines has just two main goals for the coming year. The first one is to make sure to offer its consumers a great travelling experience, in order to loyalize them. Mr. Yüksel believes that “one vacation is not enough to discover the beauty of Thailand”. He believes that people will fly to less traditional destinations after their first experience and that’s why Turkish Airline is enlarging its destination set even in Thailand. The second goal is to attract the young Thai generation. At the moment, the average income of Thai young professionals is growing and the company hopes that they will spend their extra money on its affordable flights. As Mr. Yüksel said, “Turkish Airlines works hard to make every single consumer happy, Thais are no exception.” GIULIA PRIERO has a bachelor degree in International Business and a master degree in Marketing and Logistic. She is a dynamic and proactive person. She likes to travel and explore different cultures and that’s the reason why she moved to Thailand. She speaks fluent Italian, English, Russian and communicable French, German and Spanish. Collaborating with TICC, she created the 1st database for DOP&IGP Italian products in Thailand.
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COVER STORY
An Insight on Tourism in Southeast Asia for Italian-European Markets Exclusive interview with Mr. Carlo Collina, Executive Director of Easy Smile
Carlo Collina has made important contributions to the tourism industry in Thailand and, over the years, has adapted his services to the changes in demand. “I have more than 20 years of experience in the tourism industry, 16 just in Thailand.
is quiet,” says Mr. Collina. “Regarding the future, Thailand should work on the strengths of the country: natural attractions, beaches, and cultural aspects such as kindness… Not forgetting that Thailand is a tourist destination with a great price/quality ratio. This characteristic is the best hands-down and has to be maintained throughout time to improve the number of Italian tourists”. Most of the Italian tourists love Thailand for the exotic land, eastern atmosphere, and
smiles. Thailand is seen as a beautiful country and tourists truly appreciate lifestyle, food, customs and traditions. There are also many natural, artistic and historical attractions. Most of all Italians say: “We get along with Thais very well”. Looking at Bangkok, we can say that in the last few years this city has become one of the main gateways into South-East Asia. “Bangkok has been a hub in South-East Asia but now it competes with Singapore to consolidate itself
By Linda Pittis
S
ince we founded Easy Smile Co. Ltd. in the early 90s, we have worked with customers in a highly specialized market and have gained a considerable amount of experience. We are able to provide customers with a wide range of offers”. In the last 5 years Thailand has faced difficult conditions. Most of us can remember the struggle between Red Shirts and Yellow Shirts, and the resulting temporary airport closure. “The conflict generated fear and perplexed tourists. Fortunately it was not too hard to overcome these problems because Thailand is a popular destination despite the recent events. From another point of view there’s a lack of information about political positions. Many Italians ask if the struggles have died down. Easy Smile wants to stress that the problems have ceased definitively and the situation now
12
Mr. Carlo Collina
COVER STORY as an emerging power. Nowadays Singapore has quite a prestigious position. Even though Bangkok has a very good location in Asia, certain airlines have a monopoly on flights to adjacent countries. On the other hand, Singapore offers cheaper air routes and although they are longer, they are more convenient for voyagers,” says Carlo Collina. In 2015, a single regional common market of ASEAN countries will be created, it will be called: the Asean Economic Community (AEC). The objective is to create a competitive market in Asean countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. There will be free flow of goods, services, investment capital and skilled labor following the liberalization. These will include tariff reductions and streamlining of certain administrative procedures. Many businesses have begun preparing themselves three years ahead of time to meet the challenges and opportunities of the Asean Economic Community (AEC). This new context will create pros and cons for the tourism industry in Thailand. “The possibility of crossing the state line for AEC members will improve the number of tourists towards Thailand and other AEC countries. On the other hand many Italian companies will face stronger Asian market competitors that have more money to spend.” Thailand compared with other neighboring countries is still considered the main destination for Italian tourists in Southeast Asia. Euromonitor International ranked Bangkok fifth in its Top City Destinations for 2010. Bangkok has also been named "World's Best City" by Travel + Leisure
magazine's survey of its readers for three consecutive years since 2010. Bangkok's multifaceted sights, attractions and city life appeal to diverse groups of tourists. Royal palaces and temples as well as several museums constitute its major historical and cultural tourist attractions. Shopping and dining experiences offer a wide range of choices and prices. The city is also famous for its dynamic nightlife. “Thailand has no competitors as far as tourist destinations. The land of smiles is one of the most popular places for Italians to visit. Despite the economic crisis, the flow to Thailand has not stopped. This is also because neighboring countries have not yet developed the same level of services. But they’re quickly improving. For example, Myanmar is increasingly popular; there are many direct flights from Italy to Myanmar, and Thailand could risk losing its place as hub to South-East Asia. Mr. Collina believes that there are many possibilities for growth. Italians don’t know Thailand very well. People often focus only on famous destinations; such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket islands, Koh Samui and Koh Phanghan. Italians at the moment visit few places. In addition there’s a big potential for golf followers and working on this specific target could be a great opportunity. In fact not many people know about the amazing and high-quality greens on Thai ground. Thailand is a long-standing destination; this is why it is necessary to find the right conditions and solutions to bring people back. It needs to act on expanding different routes to all Thai provinces. There are wonderful beaches near Cambodia such as Koh Samet and Koh Chang but these
destinations have to be developed. And it’s also necessary to improve the information about these destinations”. Living in contact with Thai people is pleasant and the Thai lifestyle is easily appreciated. Nowadays many international airlines are starting to operate direct flights from Europe and the Middle East to Phuket. It will bring a big flow to the Island that could be difficult to manage; Mr. Collina explains his point of view. “Actually I don’t think Phuket is ready to accept this big flow. In recent years we can see how the island has become an especially popular and crowded destination. This is a kind of trend and in my opinion, people should choose other places. The best idea is to move from the Andaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand and generally to East Thailand. There are many stunning and amazing places still unexplored and worth seeing”. The final advice of Mr. Collina is to move towards different destinations near Cambodia. This area is better because of the stunning landscape and amazing beaches, which have not been completely exploited. The Gulf of Thailand harbors many coral reefs, and thus several diving resorts. Italian voyagers should shift into this zone and take advantage of less crowded beaches.
LINDA PITTIS was born in Imperia Italy in 1990. She’s dual nationality Thai-Italian. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Corporate Communication at IULM University of Milan she decided to move to Bangkok to work at the Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce and learn Thai language. Over the last few years, she has had the opportunity to learn much about both countries. Her main fields of interest are: brand management, marketing, fashion and luxury.
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INTERVIEW
Italian High Quality Food Just One Click away Exclusive interview with Mr. Roberto Brivio, Founder of FOODDITALIA FOODDITALIA Group provides authentic high quality Italian products to restaurants and resorts in the most strategic areas of Thailand such as Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya. Mr. Roberto Brivio, the founder of the company, is now working on a new challenge: the website www.e-buono.com, the online Italian food shop with home delivery provided by FOODDITALIA. By Giulia Priero
A
fter earning a degree in engineering in Italy, Mr. Brivio came to Thailand for holiday and was fascinated by the sunny weather and kind people. He decided to move to the Land of Smiles. His move to Thailand did not occur as a result of a weighted economic choice but more because he wanted to enjoy a new country. Now, thanks to his skills and a bit of luck, Mr. Brivio runs a well-known company providing high quality products to Italian food lovers in Thailand. FOODDITALIA is an authentic Italian gourmet shop where each product is carefully sourced selecting only the best from each category via top class producers and farmers in Italy. Everything is imported weekly by air and conveniently supplied six days a week across Thailand. Over time, the company has gained a good reputation thanks to its efficiency and determination to search for the best food produced in conformity with the original Italian traditions. According to a recent TICC market research, in Bangkok at the moment over 40 DOP/IGP Italian products are being distributed. DOP and IGP are two levels of accreditation established by The European Union in order to protect the source and quality of food products. “Over 40 certificated products … It’s a good start but we could do even better,” stated Mr. Brivio. “The problem is that Made-In-Italy foodstuffs importers face every day logistical problems.” In contrast to France and other European countries, Italy has only one Airline company with 3 direct flights each week from Milan to Bangkok. “This situation has many disadvantages: Those flights are always fully booked and Italian importers lose a competitive edge in their prices because they are forced
Mr. Roberto Brivio to use other airlines which make several stops before landing in Bangkok. This also makes it more difficult to import fresh products,” said Mr. Brivio. “The Italian government should work on an agreement with the Thai institutions to facilitate product transportation between the two countries. The Thai food market is growing constantly and we need to promote and make available our high quality products in order to prevent people from buying lower quality imitation products!” added Mr. Brivio. He wants to be proactive in this situation and wants to make authentic Italian foods always available. In order to do so he started his latest challenge: the website www.e-buono.com, an online shop in where you can buy the best Italian food with home delivery provided by FOODDITALIA. This online shop opened about 3 years ago and is a joint venture between of Mr. Brivio and his webmaster Mr. Massimo Gentili. The idea behind the website is to allow customers
to buy high quality Italian food directly from the comfort of their couch. Another need that the website is trying to cope with, added Mr. Roberto Brivio, is for products not easily found in Thai stores such as Bottarga, eggs from muggine, Red onion mustard originally from southern Italy and Raspberry vinegar cream. “With our website, people don’t have to walk around the city searching for a particular product they need, they only have to connect to our online shop and order it! Moreover if they order before 12 noon, the product will be delivered to their home in Bangkok during the same day,” said Mr. Brivio. The targets are not only Italian expats but all foreigners in general. Thais usually prefer to buy food directly from the shop because they need to touch, look at, and ask information about the products they are going to buy. Whatever your favorite mode of purchase is, Mr. Brivio will make sure that amazing, genuine, Italian food is always in reach.
GIULIA PRIERO has a bachelor degree in International Business and a master degree in Marketing and Logistic. She is a dynamic and proactive person. She likes to travel and explore different cultures and that’s the reason why she moved to Thailand. She speaks fluent Italian, English, Russian and communicable French, German and Spanish. Collaborating with TICC, she created the 1st database for DOP&IGP Italian products in Thailand.
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THE EMBASSY OF ITALY
XII Italian Language Week in the World “L’Italia dei territori e L’Italia del futuro” This year the Italian Language Week in the world (Settimana della Lingua Italiana nel Mondo), has been chosen by the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs to promote the Italian Language throughout the world focusing on the themes “L'Italia dei territori” e “L’Italia del futuro (“Italy of the territories” and “Italy of the future”). By Silvia Fantin
T
he twelfth edition has offered a virtual trip to discover Italy and its regions, landscapes, culture and literature; fusing in a future prospective a cultural history of thousands of years with the technological know-how. The event was started in 2001 by an agreement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Accademia della Crusca, under the High Patronage of the President of the Italian Republic with the purpose of promoting the linguistic heritage and the civic, historical and cultural values of Italy. In Bangkok, the project is organized by the Embassy of Italy with the collaboration of Silpakorn University, Bangkok University and Chulalongkorn University and it has taken place from the 29th of October to the 29th of November with a rich programme of interesting initiatives. Films and documentaries have been screened during the week in each university, such as “Benvenuti al Nord” (Welcome to the North), an italian comedy that debunks many misconceptions between Northern and Southern Italy; the movie "Italy of the future", a project supported by the Italian Foreign Ministry, that tells us about the past, present and future of the “Bel Paese”; and films by the great director Michelangelo Antonioni, on the occasion of the centenary of his birth. For the inauguration day, the students of Silpakorn University have performed an art dance, inspired by the "existential trilogy" (L'Avventura, La Notte and L'Eclisse) by Antonioni. A second performance was by the chef Luciano G.Gerini that made some typical Italian dishes adding to the recipe special thai ingredients. At Bangkok University International College, Ambassador Michelangelo Pipan opened the new Italian Center; a learning center of Italian language and culture. The opening day was followed by dance and fashion shows, and by a tasting of typical Italian products. In addition, during the week, the students had the chance
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(Top picture) - Michelange Pipan, Ambassador of Italian Embassy and Dr. Mathana Santiwat, President of Bangkok Univeristy (Left picture) - The Siamese pavilion at Turin Expo 1911 (Roght picture) - Cooking performance by Chef Luciano G.Gerini with Giulio Marini, Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission and Kanokwan Gerini, Professor at Silpakorn University to participate both in Italian language and culture lessons and in Italian cooking courses. Teaching of the language was mutual; in fact, Italian students were invited to participate in courses of Thai language too. Finally, on the 29th of November, Chulalongkorn University presented the catalogue of the last year’s successful exhibition dedicated to the deep cultural bilateral relations that led to the participation of Siam in the Turin Expo 1911 with its own pavilion. The catalogue will be available in two languages, Thai and English, with a preface in Italian cured by Ambassador Michelangelo Pipan. In conclusion, we hope that the Settimana della Lingua Italiana comes to us as an auspicious time for the Italian language and culture. Although Italian ranks nineteenth in the world for the number of persons who speak it, the data shows that Italian is in roughly fourth or fifth position for the number of courses attended by foreign students. Much of the increase in demand stems from commerce, industry and tourism. However, traditional motivations for learning the language remain: Italian is still considered the language of culture and art.
I take this opportunity to add that Italian Festival Thailand 2012 is not yet concluded: two brilliant and internationally renowned Italian musicians, saxophonist Federico Mondelci and jazz and contemporary-music singer Cristina Zavalloni, will join the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra to present a special "Great Melodies from Popular Music's Golden Age" concert at Thailand Cultural Centre on the 8th December. Tickets are available will be available at ThaiTicketmajor (tel: 02 262 3456 or visit www. thaiticketmajor.com), as well at the Embassy of Italy (with a discount of 25%). See you there!
Cultural Office Embassy of Italy CRC Tower 27th Floor, 87 Wireless Road, Bangkok T. 66-2-2504970 E. ufficioculturale.bangkok@esteri.it
WHAT'S ON?
Social Thailand The role of the Land of Smiles in the social networking world In Thailand, unlike in most other countries in the World, the gap between active users and passive users is not wide, offering great opportunities to increase the reach of a targeted social campaign… By Ilaria Nardone
T
he fact that social media and Internet based networking platforms have become a major activity in our daily life is no longer big news. With billions of worldwide active users on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Google Plus, we can declare that our behavior on social media is more than a just a mirror of our reality. It is an extension of the real world itself. Consequently, understanding the behavior and the potential of online social networks is crucial for all types of business and non business activities. Especially here in Asia, “going social” has become an unavoidable necessity. One of the latest reports, from We Are Social, highlights the fact that there are now well over 1 billion Internet users around Asia. At least 811 million of these use social media, meaning that 50% of the world’s social media users are in Asia. With this impressive data in our hands, we want to know particularly more about the role of Thailand in this Asian social media world. For Marcello Mari, Social Engagement Lead at GlobalWebIndex, the land of smiles has become in the last few years a very intriguing nation to monitor: “Thailand is definitely one of the most interesting markets for what concerns the Social Media landscape. At GlobalWebIndex we track 31 countries in the World and we recently rolled out a simple and comparable measure which enables the
exploration of how engaged different markets are. Asia (with the exception of Japan) dominates, with China leading the way regardless of the demographics compared. Thailand ranks 9th in this particular list behind Brazil, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia, the most engaged country in the world according to the SEB score.” The Social Engagement Benchmark (SEB) is a simple measure, conceived by Global Web Index staff, to assess how socially engaged a particular consumer segment has become. It uses 12 key social behaviors and aggregates social consumer engagement in participation, content creation and brand engagement. The Far East has become a significant zone for investments and usage of Social Media, but what about the relation between Thailand and Italy? “Thailand almost doubled Italy in terms of Facebook active user penetration. While in Italy 47% of the total online population is active on Facebook (one of the highest in Europe), Thailand scores an impressive 74%. This is a crucial phenomenon for strategists and marketers approaching the APAC markets. Contrary to most of the countries in the World, in Thailand the gap between active users and passive users is not very wide, offering great opportunities to increase the potential reach of a targeted social campaign. Our latest results show more than 12 million active users against a total Facebook population of 15 million accounts (GlobalWebIndex estimate), which is essentially the same active base compared to Italy. While Italy has a much higher Internet penetration, growth markets like Thailand have basically the same reach. Legacy thinking might dismiss many markets for significant online and social investment, due to perceived low Internet penetration. However if we look at the level of socially engaged consumers versus total population, this view has to be reconsidered.”
So, even though Thailand does not have a very high Internet penetration (about 36%), can it be considered as a country that is very engaged in Social Media? “Many fast growth and lower Internet penetration markets have consumer segments engaged in social media that exceed or are on par with far more mature Internet markets. This means markets like Russia, Turkey, Brazil, China and Thailand are in broad parity with Italy, France, Germany, Spain and Australia in terms of the total percentage of population that are active in social media. It also means reassessing some mature markets. For example the Netherlands is not known as a social hub, however thanks to an extremely high Internet population with a mid ranking SEB score, social media reaches the largest proportion of the total population compared to any other market in the survey”. With an impressive 117% mobile penetration in addition to a fast growing Internet connectivity, Thailand is positioning itself way above the Asian average, and can claim with reason to be one of the most socially engaged and net connected countries in South East Asia. Source: Global Web Index: globalwebindex.net We Are Social: wearesocial.net
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EABC
Business Confidence Survey 2012 An insight look of Thai business environment
O
n behalf of the European ASEAN business Center (EABC), The Thai Italian Chamber of Commerce has prepared and distributed the Business Confidence Survey for 2012. This new project was implemented for the first time this year, in order to gain a deeper understating of the business situation in Thailand. We intend to find the latest trends and to understand companies’ points of view on the most recent issues in Thailand. We are pleased to give you a short preview of the results; the full analysis will be presented to the media on the 19th of December 2012 and will be published on the EABC website www.eabc-thailand.eu . The survey was distributed to all members of the European bilateral Chambers in Thailand and 221 anonymous responses have been collected. From the outcomes we have noted that CEOs and top managers confer a large portion of their overall global strategy to Thailand, both at a corporate and single branch level. This is one of the reasons why companies are constantly addressing their investments in the ASEAN area, especially in Thailand. Consequently the number of permanent job positions is increasing and many companies find themselves hunting for talent. From the results it appears that the businesses in Thailand serve the local market, but 14% of the surveyed companies serve mainly the European market (these numbers are highly correlated to the nationality of the shareholders). The respondents also provided their opinion on growth, profitability and sales trends for the short and long term. It appears that just 6% of them have a negative view of the expected trend of the next two years. Another reason for the survey was to analyze the major business opportunities available in Thailand. We investigated how companies are approaching the market in order to exploit these new opportunities. We asked about the most difficult challenges from a macroeconomic and a microeconomic point of view. The full analysis is articulated in six different sections: demographics, outlook, challenges and opportunities, strategy, evaluation, findings by size and sector. Every section has detailed information and summary graphs.
Companies point of view about new investments
Column2
Q: Is your company considering any major new investments in the next two years?
If Yes, where?
No 19%
Rest of the World
19%
ASEAN
44%
Yes 81% Thailand
37% 0%
20%
40%
60%
Expected trend of permanent positions of foreign people
Chart Title
Q: How would you expect the number of permanent positions of foreign people in Thailand to develop over the next two years? 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%
13%
19%
52%
11%
7%
48%
59%
41%
34%
between 15 and 99 empoyees
> 100 employees
50%
35%
31%
Overall
<15 employees
Increase
Stay the same
Decrease
Company Strategy in the Short Term Q: What is your company's first priority for the next twelve months in order to increase revenue/profitability?
Corporate Income of Responders > 1 billion THB 16% 100 – 999 Million THB 26%
15 – 99 Million THB 23%
< 5 Million THB 17%
5 – 15 Million THB 18%
100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%
4% 16% 10%
13%
4% 20% 8%
12%
Other
9% 6%
Offer new services 26%
34%
35%
27% 42%
Increase marketing
41%
47%
Acquire new customers
26%
Increase sales activities
Overall
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2% 16%
Small
Medium
Large
TICC EVENTS
Press Conference: GOTS Certification Awards O
n Monday 26 November 2012, the Thai Italian Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Queen Sirkit Department of Sericulture (QSDS) organized a press conference at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to celebrate the first 3 companies to achieve the GOTS certification and Lamphun Broocade Thai Silk for its third party GI certification. The opening speech was delivered by Prasert Gosalvitra the Director General at the Queen Sirikit Department of Sericulture, Mr. Mikael Sami, First Secretary, Trade and Economic Section, Delegation of the EU to Thailand and Mr. Giovanni Galanti, Project Director of the SCRIPT Project. Later the 4 companies received the certification by Mr. Prasanphong Vongyai, Assistant Secretary of the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives. After the session open to the media and
government representatives, a close section to potential companies interested to the GOTS certification was hosted to provide some introduction of the process and to share the best practise learned during the project and the common mistakes of barrier.
During this section Mr. Giovanni Galanti presented the certification with the support of Chanapon Noikeang from Bioagricert, Spun Silk World and Ruenmai-baimon instead share their experience and what they learnt before and during the inspection.
Group photo with the awarded companies: Ruenmai-baimon, Chul Thai Silk, Lamphun Brocade Thai Silk and Spun Silk World (From R to L) Mr. Prasanphong Vongyai, Assistant Secretary of the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives
Approaching European Market Seminar T
he Franco-Thai Chamber of Commerce (FTCC), organized a seminar on “Approaching European Market: Natural/Organic Cosmetics & Spa Products” on Wednesday 7th November 2012, at BITEC during the “In Cosmetic-Asia” Fair under the SCRIPT Project. The aim of the fair is to promote the natural and organic standard for cosmetic products and share with the local producers the potential of Thai products in the European market. The seminar began with a presentation of the SCRIPT project and the European market by Khun Sommawan Lowhaphandu from FrancoThai Chamber of Commerce. Then, Dr. Ricardo Cozzo, president from Bioagricert, provided information and guidelines on products certification and registration according to the EU norms and requirements. The seminar was also completed by two excellent testimonials from I Plus Q, regarding products certification according to EU norms and Puri on product registration in EU. About 50 inquisitive attendants from various companies were present and provide an interactive atmosphere to the event.
I Plus Q shared their experience about the process to get the NaTrue Certification.
More information of both events can be found on www.script-thai.eu
T
his project is dedicated to apply self-control and third party certification to Thai products and services in two specific sectors, silk and spa, by using an EU-inspired approach. The 30-months project is managed by an Italian-based non-profit organization, Bioagricoop, in close collaboration with the Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce (TICC) and the Franco-Thai Chamber of Commerce (FTCC). The EU contributes 80% of the project’s total budget of 500,000 EUR (approximately 20 million THB). For more information, see: www.script-thai.eu
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NGO
Take Care Kids Thailand Foundation M
y name is Anna and I was raised in Thailand. I studied at Bangkok International High School and then after University, found love and had a child; a beautiful girl whose name is Laura. One evening, while I was having dinner with my father in an Italian restaurant in Pattaya, I met Khun Giò, or better Juergen. An Italian guy who had been living in Thailand for wuite some time. He told me all about his effort to save street and slum kids in Pattaya. I have always been weary of nonprofit organizations and foundations, because generally you can never trace the money you donate, and you never really know how it's being used. Goò's words however struck a chord in me, and I decided to look into his project and spend a whole day with him, to see what he was up to. We met at the Shelter he had just opened on Sukhumvit Rd, and he immediately started explaining the details of his project underlining the fact that it is very complicated for a foreigner to be the President of a govermentally recognized Foundation in Thailand. Take Care Kids Shelter hosts single mothers with their children, living in dire conditions and extreme poverty. Some of the children they take care of are victims of abuse, or come from slum areas in and around the city. Take Care Kids cooperates with local institutions like the Social Services Office and other small Foundations. Giò tells me the only way to try to solve the problem is to cooperation among Governmental and Non Profit Organizations, and I agree. We take off from the Shelter to go visit a family, brought to our attention by Social Services, who lives in Sattahip, 30 km from us, and I keep studying this little man. He has been living in Thailand for many years and has been helping Foundations and Orphanages during his whole stay. He then managed to open his own Foundation in Italy and then in Thailand. What really strikes me is the fact that he does all this without receiving a salary, it's all volunteer work! He receives a monthly rent
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from an apartment in Italy and lives off that. He believes volunteer work and tells me almost all funding comes from Italian people who organize events and fundraisers. During the whole trip he talks constantly about his project at the Shelter. “There are many structures hosting children” says Khun Giò, “so I thought about opening one that would host their mothers too. Once they enter our Shelter, all mothers have to go to work and children are put into schools. To us, education is fundamental in order to offer them a better change for the future. The mothers in our programme receive a frozen bank account where they can deposit part of their salaries but cannot withdraw for a year. This way we teach them to save their money. At the end of a years they can withdraw their money and go back to their own hometown, which is often the Province of Isaan, and start a new life. We represent a starting point for a new chance. The Shelter offers three regular meals, clothing, a safe place to stay and we obviously take care of their health as well with regular checkups and specific visits when needed. I can assure you Anna “ he continues, “they often need a lot of help.” We reach Sattahip. The family we came to visit lives in a hut close to the main road and is made up of grandma, grandpa and three kids. The kids don't go to school and have no money so they go to the Temple for food. The mother, as often happens, has disappeared. The grandparents are old and cannot work so they depend totally on what they get from the Foundations. Today we will give them money so they an send the kids to school and to invite them to a fieldtrip we are taking all our guests from the Shelter, the following Sunday. They all accept eagerly so we leave them and get back to Pattaya and Khun Giò receives a phone call. We have to go to a slum area to bring powdered milk and diapers for newborns, “So you can meet other kids we are helping!” says Khun Giò full of enthusiasm.
The slum is right in the middle of Pattay and as soon as Khun Giò gets off the car all the kids surround him and start yelling his name. We deliver the milk and diapers for two newborns and we have to speed off to the Shelter because we have to collect our little guests from school. “You see” says Khun Giò, “we don't have a minivan so we have to collect them with the motorbikes a couple at a time. We are in the rainy season now, and we would really need a minivan to avoid all the medical problems we always have.” We have been running around all day and it all went by really quickly. Khun Giò never stops. We reach the Shelter, he takes off to collect two kids, comes back and meets another mother with quite a few issues. During the evening he writes letters to thank donors from Italy and then he goes to dinner. One would think the day is over......no way! “At night” concludes Khun Giò, “I go out in the streets. It is the most dangerous time for homeless children, and I try to get in contact with them, to talk to their mothers. But they are surveilled at all times.....but that's another story” closes up Khun Giò. I've returned to Italy now and I try to help this man as much as I can by talking about the Foundation. I talk about it with friends and family and try to raise funds. I do so because I saw with my own eyes and understood they need my help, and I urge you to do the same if you can, believe me it doesn't take much.
149-368-369 Moo 8 Sukhumvitt Road opposite King Power, Nongprue, Pattaya, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150 CC: Take Care Kids Thailand Foundation Kasikornbank | Swift: KASITHBK Account number: 584-2-05272-8
TICC FAIRS & UPCOMING EVENTS
International Trade Fairs in Italy (January – May 2013) Exhibitions In Italy
Detail
Date
Venue/Website
PITTI Filati
Textile Fair
23 – 25 Jan.
Florence (Italy) www.pittimmagine.com
24 – 27 Jan.
Fiera Milano www.macef.it
8 – 11 Mar.
Bologna (Italy) www.cosmoprof.com
19 – 22 May.
Fiera Milano www.tuttofood.it
MACEF Cosmetic Products
COSMOPROF Fair TuttoFood
In 2013, take your golden opportunity to display and trade your products and services in the TICC supported fairs: 3 Tuttofood (19-22 May 2013) 3 MACEF (5-8 Sep 2013) 3 Host (18-22 October 2013) For more information and Special conditions for BUYERS and EXHIBITORS through TICC, please contact Elia Righetti Trade and EU Project Manager at trade@thaitch.org or 02 255 8695 Ext. 104
International Trade Fairs in Thailand (February – March 2013) Exhibitions In Thailand
Detail
The 10th Thailand International Education Expo (The 10th TIEE)
Date
Venue/Website
Trade: 22 Feb. Public: 23 – 24 Feb.
Royal Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon, Bangkok www.thailandeducationfair.com
51th Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair
-
Trade: 26 Feb – 1 Mar. Public: 2 Mar.
Challenger Hall 1-3, IMPACT, Bangkok www.bangkokgemsfair.com
Thailand International Furniture Fair (TIFF 2013)
-
Trade: 13 – 15 Mar. Public: 16 – 17 Mar.
Challenger Hall 2-3, IMPACT, Bangkok www.thailandfurniturefair.com
Trade: 13 – 15 Mar. Public: 16 – 17 Mar.
Challenger Hall 1-2, IMPACT, Bangkok www.biffandbil.com
Bangkok International Fashion Fair and Bangkok International Leather Fair 2013 (BIFF & BIL 2013)
Upcoming Events January – March 2013 Date
Event
Location
New Green Energies Solutions - TICC and FTCC
To be confirmed
7 Thu.
EABC Presentation to TICC Members and Italian Authorities
To be confirmed
28 Thu.
Aperitivo Italiano - TICC Networking Event - Ospitalita' Italiana
To be confirmed
Wine course
To be confirmed
January 23 Wed. February
March To be confirmed
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MEMBER AREA
Welcome New Members PPL PARTNERS CO., LTD Nigel Donald Thomas (Managing Director) Park Ventures Ecoplex, Level 18, 57 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Patumwan Bangkok 10330 T. 02 309 3490 F. 02 309 3489 E. nigel@ppl-partners.com W. www.pplpartners.com Sector: Recruitment
CAMPANELLA AND ASSOCIATES RECRUITMENT CO., LTD. Santi Campanella (Director) 139 Opus Building Unit 701, Sukumvit 63, Klongtan Nua, Wattana Bangkok 10110 T. 02 714 8088 F. 02 726 9217 E. santi.campanella@ssrecruitment.com W. www.ssrecruitment.com Sector: Recruitment
Company Background With the desire to change the recruiting industry, PPL Partners Company Ltd. (PPL) is run by serial entrepreneurs and recruiting professionals. We understand the impact of great recruitment. We built and ran companies ourselves. Hence, we have an entrepreneurial approach to recruitment in Thailand and globally. We headhunt, evaluate, interview and test candidates just like you would recruit. We provide our clients with the most innovative executive search and selection methods, industry expertise and networking capabilities. We value great relationships with clients, candidates, staff and all stakeholders involved. We partner with you for long-term success. As recruitment consultants, we have passion, determination, perseverance, and a great sense of urgency. We are inspiring because we believe in what we are doing and where we are going. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take "no" for an answer. We like to keep things simple, focused and fast.
Company Background Established in 2008 the company started as an executive search company that focuses on senior level recruitment regionally in South East Asia. In 2010, Smart Search Recruitment expanded its operations to service the regional needs of it's clients, and now offers a complete set of HR diversified services that are tailored to our client's and candidate's needs. in 2012, as part of a strategic plan to expand Smart Search internationally, Smart Search now exclusively represents Glasford International (www.glasford.com) in Thailand and enables us to help our clients and candidates internationally.
Products & Services All recruiting Services, FI/Consulting Talent, IT Recruitment, General Recruitment, Mass Recruitment, Managed Services
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Products & Services Executive Search, Head Hunting, Staff Outsourcing, Payroll Outsourcing, HR Consulting
MEMBER AREA
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f r e s h f a c e New Angelini Head Chef
Omar Ugoletti A perfect combination of urban chic eatery and well-seasoned chef.
Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok t: 02 236 7777 | e: restaurants.slbk@shangri-la.com | w: BangkokRiversideDining.com |
: facebook.com/shangrilabkk