bangkok business brief magazine - january 2013

InsideGeneral Interest 2Production 3Finance/Investment 4Government/Economy 6Retail/Services 8Tourism 10Real Estate 12IT/Comms 14The Chambers 16The Calendar 22

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Vol. No. 2, Issue No. 2 Mid-January/Mid-February 2013

BANGKOKBUSINESS BRIEF

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Ban or plan?social media on their company networks. The argument for ban-ning is that employees are spend-ing more and more of their work hours monitoring and updating their social media accounts, and so the company is losing valu-able productivity time. There are even studies that say that billions of dollars (or pounds or baht) in productivity time is lost to inter-net surfing (and to social media use in particular) each year.

Other reasons for banning social media and chat programs in-clude the claim that widespread use of these sites and applica-tions causes slow internet speeds, while many CEOs and executives

complain about the frivolity of the social media. For many com-panies, especially B2B compa-nies, it is also difficult to see how social media can be an effective marketing tool, when most of the engagement on social media seems to be B2C. So for many management teams, the question is, what is the point? Why al-low staff access to platforms that don’t help the company and just waste company time?

But as mobile devices have prolif-erated and almost become ubiq-uitous, and as more and more companies have started to em-brace digital marketing, banning social media in the workplace is

becoming somewhat anomalous and difficult to manage. And for every study that laments the loss of productivity due to internet surfing or chatting, there is an-other study that shows the bene-fits of allowing staff members to spend time on social media and that it actually makes them more productive rather than less.

For proponents of digital and social media use in business, the various options (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, Path, etc.) represent tremendous oppor-tunities to learn, to sell, and to engage with stakeholders and

Story continues on Page 20

As use of social media networks has spread throughout the world, and in recent years here in Thai-land, many companies have re-sorted to blocking the use of

By Dean Outerson

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

General Interest

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Two-thirds of family-owned busi-nesses around the world have seen

“We live in the world where every 12 seconds, one child died of dirty wa-ter and insanitation. CO2 continues to build up. Woods are depleting. We live in the resources-constraint world. There are limits.” The words from Peter Bakker, president of the World Business Council for Sus-tainable Development, participating in the “SCG Asean Sustainable De-velopment Symposium”, sounded horrible. Yet, it seemed he intended to frighten all, to draw business leaders’ attention and push them to-wards actions to save the planet.

Bakker sees the need that the busi-ness world revolutionise their busi-ness practices given “questionable” progress of what has been agreed at the four global climate conferences

Succession a weak spot of family firms

Fierce fights against global giants

Businesses “must scale up actions”

Despite his age, Charoen Siriva-dhanabhakdi has proved fearless. He relentlessly explores overseas opportunities even when he is un-der pressure from global giants. At a time when Thailand is heav-ily promoting overseas investment to counter “hot money” flowing into the country, Charoen, 68, has helped raise the profile of Thai businesspeople and encouraged

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

The WBCSD, the CEO-led organ-isation with 191 members – lead-ing corporations globally including Siam Cement Group and PTT in Thailand which are committed to sustainable development, has set the Vision 2050. Under the vision, mea-sures are lined up to ensure that...Full story at http://goo.gl/3yGzT

his peers to follow the path he has laid out, without fear. Even though his takeover attempt for Singapore-listed Fraser and Neave has not yet been resolved, his shrewd strategy for the acquisition of F&N and Asia Pacific Breweries is dazzling enough to make him our “Businessman of the Year”.

He easily rose above the other can-didates for this year’s honours, in-cluding Dhanin Chearavanont, chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group, who made a surprise en-try to China’s insurance industry through the Bt287-billion takeover of a stake in Ping An Insurance. The other candidate was Tos Chirathi-vat, chief executive officer of Central Retail Corp. After the acquisition of Italy’s 11-store La Rinascente chain in 2011, CRC this year continued...Full story at http://goo.gl/9J5BC

their sales grow in the past year and expect an even more ambitious trend over the next five years, a PwC survey says. But the recruitment of skilled staff and the perennial prob-lem of planning for succession will remain key challenges facing family businesses over the long term de-spite the buoyant prospects.

Sira Intarakumthornchai, CEO of PwC Thailand, said Thai family businesses need to be more proac-tive and put in place proper suc-cession planning. “Despite the eco-nomic slowdown, family businesses are thriving worldwide,” he said.

In Thailand, family businesses have played a key role in driving the economy for decades. It’s a “resil-ient” model for the 21st century as its structure offers significant ad-vantages and benefits, he added. In order to keep their companies thriv-ing and relevant, family businesses need to transform themselves and quickly acknowledge the traits es-sential for them to succeed. They...Full story at http://goo.gl/MtSq3

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BANGKOK BUSINESS BRIEF Mid-January/Mid-February 2013 3

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Greece, India, China and Thailand are home to the weakest national pension systems in the world, crippled by a mix of acute sover-eign debt, young retirement ages, high ratios of pensioners to work-ers and poor pension take-up, a study showed.

The Allianz Global Investors Pen-sion Sustainability Index, which tracks the relative sustainabil-ity of national pension systems in 44 countries around the world, showed the number of Greek re-tirees to people of working age re-

Land subsidence caused by ground water losses tops the list of prob-lems that must be solved in Bang-kok to mitigate the impact of the climate change on flooding, says a study by multinational agencies.The conclusion is contained in a report entitled “Climate Risks and Adaptation in Asian Coastal Megacities”, jointly conducted by the Asian Development Bank, the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the World Bank in 2010.

The report recommended a...Full story at http://goo.gl/20yMD

‘There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune”, wrote Wil-

KUALA LUMPUR : The Asian cri-sis in the late 1990s was a wake-up call for the region that has turned out to be a blessing in disguise nearly 15 years later, as the region’s financial sector is now strong and able to sustain a certain degree of shocks from the fallout in the Western Hemisphere, according to a panellist at a recent Asean conference.

“There will be more crises in the future, and the Asian crisis in

The shift of economic growth mo-mentum to the East has opened up numerous opportunities that Asian countries should not miss out, suggests an economist.The robust economic growth of China and emerging economies will open a new opportunity for Asian economies to increase their wealth from trade in goods and services at a time when the United States and Europe are...Full story at http://goo.gl/S65D6

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Thailand near top of list of world’s weakest pension systems: study

Panel: Asia better off, not immune, from global crises

Preventing Bangkok from sinking biggest challenge

Grow with the flow of cycles

Asia stands to gain from West slowdown

General Interest

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...added that the company had set aside a significant investment budget of Bt200 million to Bt300 million for overseas expansion.Full story at http://goo.gl/bH6PFliam Shakespeare in JuliusCaesar. Nature and life are cyclical _ the seasons of the year, life and death, the phases of the moon, the tides. Caught up in daily details, we eas-ily forget that the business world has cycles, too. We are all familiar with the economic business cycle of expansion, contraction and re-covery. However, other cyclical phenomena affect...Full story at http://goo.gl/fJolr

1997-98 was a blessing, as the impact of 2008 would have been far worse for the region,” Azman Mokhtar, the managing director of Khazanah Nasional of Malaysia, told the CIMB Asean Conference.His comments were...Full story at http://goo.gl/dfu2u

mains above the European average.In India, China and Thailand, roughly 12 percent of the popula-tion contribute to a pension, while the weaknesses of Thailand’s pen-sion system are...Full story at http://goo.gl/rtpH3Production

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Coca-Cola aims to raise the rank-ing of its Thai unit into the top 10 contributors of revenue to the group after investing Bt14 billion in it this year. Coca-Cola (Thailand) current-ly ranks in the top 20 contributors. The investment was part of a three-year plan that began in June. The budget has been used to increase production capacity and to add new product lines including juice prod-ucts and drinking water, said Archa-wat Chareonsilp, public affairs and communications director.

As part of the business plan, the company says it is focusing on in-novative products, distribution and brand communications. Archawat said the group saw growth potential in Thailand after a major change in the bottling industry. The arrival...Full story at http://goo.gl/D1K3v

The government will issue guide-lines within the next two months on a policy to promote generation of electricity from Napier grass, En-ergy Minister Pongsak Ruktapong-pisal said. Napier grass, originally from Africa, is also known as Ugan-da grass or elephant grass for being a favourite food of elephants.

Pongsak said Germany had devel-oped 7,000 power stations fuelled by Napier grass that provided 7,000 megawatts, and Thailand could match that production. The min-istry will provide a “feed-in tariff” subsidy of Bt4.50 per kilowatt-hour (unit) for a period of 25 years to power plants that use as feedstock Napier grass supplied by local com-munities. This grass can be grown in many parts of Thailand, especially... Full story at http://goo.gl/oGCqn

After starting off with a conven-tional marketing campaign 10 years ago, Hi-Q Food Products realised that it needed to change strategy if sustainability was the company’s ultimate goal. From the campaign to promote its products mainly un-der “Roza” tomato sauce brand, the company turned that into a sustain-able CSR programme – to promote sustainable eating habits among school students as well as their rela-tives. “It was started off based on the fact that students consumed less... Full story at http://goo.gl/E742x

The third master plan for the Thai automobile sector has been drawn up, alongside a study of long-term development of the industry with a view to establishing the Kingdom as one of the world’s key manufactur-ing hubs by increasing production from 2.3 million units this year to 5.6 million units by 2050. The Thai-land Automotive Institute’s five-year master plan for 2012-2016 is focused on increasing output by an average of 10 per cent annually.

The plan is also aimed at making the country one of the top 10 auto-manufacturing nations within the same time scale and increasing the use of local content in the industry from 40 per cent now to 50 per cent. In addition, the institute’s long-term development goal is to increase pro-duction step by step over the next several decades. Targeted output is 3.3 million units in 2020, rising to...Full story at http://goo.gl/PPwo7

CEO Agrifood Co, one of Thailand’s major rice bran oil producers, has invested 40 million baht to advance

Coke’s Thai unit aims for group’s top 10

5-yr auto plan aims for top-10 ranking

CEO passes rice bran oil pills

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

Hi-Q food campaigns for good eating habits

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




Finance / Investment

http://goo.gl/wKeiJ

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

Ananda Development, the larg-est initial public offering issuer this year, is blaming the fact that its share price is trading lower than its IPO on miscommunication with retail investors. On its first day of trading last Friday, Ananda shares opened at 4.14 baht or 1.43% less than the IPO price of 4.20 baht and closed at 3.80 baht or 9.52% less than the IPO price in heavy trade worth 2.21 bil-lion baht. The large size of the share float made it the top trading volume of the day.

The company wrongly perceived its IPO would be successful after the warm response from institutional investors, which accounted for 75% of its 1.33 billion IPO shares. “This

20 Thai companies to explore Myanmar

Thai ‘backdoor’ listings for Myanmar companies proposed

Ananda’s chief explains poor share performance

Myanmar companies seeking to raise funds for projects in their country’s fast-developing economy might be able to manage “backdoor’’ listings in Thailand, heard Myan-mar experts based in Thailand at the “Invest Myanmar 2012” conference in Kuala Lumpur, organised by the training and conference manage-ment firm Solomon Wise.

Robert Fernstrom, CEO of Bang-kok-based Emerging Asia Capital Partners, gave examples of how fi-nancing structures used for deals such as Electricite du Laos and Tanayong in Thailand could be used to raise money for businesses in Myanmar.

has been quite an experience, a nightmare actually, but it’s my own fault. I neglected communicating with retail investors, which resulted in the spread of rumours,” chief...Full story at http://goo.gl/6wq1M

“Backdoor listings on the Thai stock market are an interesting idea since Myanmar needs capital and does not have a stock market. Thailand is going to be an important inves-tor and model for Myanmar due to many factors,” he said. “It’s not that they don’t have any wealth but they don’t have an organised capital mar-ket.

“People ask me what their M&A strategy should be for Myanmar, and while there may be plantations...Full story at http://goo.gl/YeQNh

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

S’pore stocks ‘offer potential’

appreciation since the Singapor-ean dollar has been outperforming other currencies over the past cou-ple of years. Among the UOB’s top picks are DBS, Keppel Corp, Capital Land, Ho Bee, Suntec REIT, Ascott Residence Trust, Ezion Holding and Nam Cheong.

Earnings per share of Singaporean stocks should grow only 0.2 per cent this year and 7.7 per cent next year. A consensus earnings downgrade is likely, since listed Singaporean firms reported lacklustre third-quarter results. At current valuations, Sin-gaporean stocks are not cheap. “One of the pitfalls of the Singapore Ex-change is that being an open econ-omy, Singapore is very susceptible...Full story at http://goo.gl/NuSqy

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General Interest

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mains above the European average.In India, China and Thailand, roughly 12 percent of the popula-tion contribute to a pension, while the weaknesses of Thailand’s pen-sion system are...Full story at http://goo.gl/rtpH3

In the light of upcoming market in-tegration under the Asean Econom-ic Community, the International Trade Promotion Department has mapped out a plan to encourage Thai exporters to set up businesses overseas to ensure sustainable ship-ments in the long term. The move is part of the department’s plan to change its role from purely driving export growth to one where it also encourages foreign investment.

Director-general Srirat Rastapana said the agency had devised a proj-ect to promote more Thai compa-nies to become internationalised enterprises, so that they have a wider source of raw materials and a broader range of markets. “Thai producers and exporters can no longer solely remain in this country, because of the high competitiveness of the [increasingly] seamless mar-ket worldwide. The AEC will also allow the free flow of trade in goods, services and investment,” she said.

“We [Thailand] should grasp the opportunity to expand business by

Dept encouraging exporters to set foothold overseas

JCB International, the leading Japa-nese credit-card provider, is look-ing for new partners in Thailand and elsewhere in Asean to boost its regional business expansion. The company currently has direct over-seas operations in Nepal, Bhutan, Indonesia and Singapore. The Sin-gapore unit is also responsible for Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand, where the Bangkok office has management control of activities in Laos, Cambodia, Myan-mar and Vietnam.

JCB’s revenue in Thailand, where it has had a partnership with Krungth-ai Card since 2008, is the largest within Asean, mainly because of the high number of tourists.

The Japanese company recently formed an alliance with Phonsa-vanh Bank in Laos, where it is also exploring a new partnership next year. It also inked a memorandum of understanding with Myanmar...Full story at http://goo.gl/6NiZg

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

The partners are former pioneer-ing tech entrepreneurs and financial advisers. “We aim to be an engine to promote Thailand as an innova-tion hub in Southeast Asia,” said Mr Ponthep. He said Thai tech start-up firms have high business potential but lack financial support.

This year alone, foreign venture capital funds have acquired shares in Thai firms worth hundreds of millions of baht. Mr Ponthep said M8VC has two types of...Full story at http://goo.gl/XdM1O

Banks are competing to design unique services to tap wealthy customers, who want something completely different from other client groups. Banks realise high-net-worth customers are seeking something besides solely a high rate of return on investment from the products traditionally on offer.

Services are often even more im-portant than financial products to these clients, who expect to get val-ue-added services after entrusting a bank to manage their investment portfolio, said Kris Chantanotoke, executive vice president of Bank of Ayudhya. As a result, banks are de-signing services and products based on customers’ lifestyles, which will also help foster relations between them and the banks, he said.

At BAY, services for high-net-worth clients are provided via Krungsri Exclusive Banking, which requires customers to lodge a minimum

JCB seeks partners for regional expansion

Venture capitalists target tech start-ups

The Finance Ministry plans to es-tablish a Venture Capital Fund for students worth Bt15 billion on De-cember 12. One third of the fund, or Bt5 billion, will come from the min-istry’s budget, and the rest will come from government banks.

This fund will provide loans of not more than Bt3 million per person to both university and vocational students who have investment or business plans they are looking to get off the ground, Deputy Finance Minister Thanusak Lek-uthai said last week. The loans will be pro-vided to current university and vo-cational school students, and those have graduated within the past five years. The fund will also provide support for students who work on a freelance basis.

One third of the loans will be pro-vided interest-free, with the remain-ing two thirds provided by the par-ticipating state banks at Minimum Retail Rate plus 2 per cent. The Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation will guarantee the loans. The venture capital fund will focus on 10...Full story at http://goo.gl/II0KW

The Chinese ambassador says his country views Thailand as an Asean logistics hub, as evidenced by con-tinued firm commitments from Chinese construction giants to bid for the high-speed train project. “The centre of logistics in Asean is Thailand, not any other country,” Guan Mu said.

The ambassador said Chinese com-panies are eager to participate in the bidding for the construction of high-speed railway lines in Thai-land, expected to begin in late 2013. Mr Guan said China is confident it will be selected in the bidding for the Chiang Mai line, the first of two lines expected to be built.

Yong Suksudprasert, president of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Com-merce, said at least 10 large Chinese firms have expressed interest in sub-mitting bids. Any investment will be in the form of a joint venture with...Full story at http://goo.gl/BeZw3

Fund to loan money to student entrepreneurs

Banks focus on unique services as they target the wealthy

Ambassador: China bullish on Thai ties

The Securities Analysts Association is upbeat that the Thai stock index will continue its strong rise to 1,471 points, forecasting earnings growth of 15.2% for listed companies and 4.6% economic growth next year. Secretary-general Sombat Nara-wuttichai said the consensus survey comprised the views of 22 securities firms.

The highest-returning sector in the new year is expected to be build-ing materials (32.2%), followed by property (18.4%) and banks (18.4%). Sectors with high dividend yields will be telecommunications (5.5%), electronics (5.1%) and en-ergy (4.3%).

For asset allocation, the consensus is that investors should have 45% in stocks and local funds, 17% in debt instruments and fixed-income funds, 10% in global assets, 11% in gold and gold futures and the rest in property, oil and cash.

joined by executives from indus-tries including sugar, food, banking, property, textiles, hotels and tour-ism. TCC chairman Pongsak As-sakul said the group will meet Tin Naing Thien, Myanmar’s minister for national planning and economic development, to discuss new invest-ment regulations and the country’s economic prospects.

Myanmar has rich natural resources and will enjoy tax privileges next year from the Generalised System of Preferences granted by developed countries. Mr Pongsak said Myan-mar’s low wages are attractive for in-vestors, with a daily minimum wage of 75-120 baht and monthly salaries of 3,000 to 6,000 baht for workers with a bachelor’s degree.

Mr Pongsak, who is a member of the Joint Public Private Consulta-tive Committee, will also represent businessmen on the government’s official trip led by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to meet Myan-mar President Thein Sein in Nay Pyi Taw. The working group of the two countries will meet to evaluate the...Full story at http://goo.gl/JY25X

investing overseas, in particular in Asean and [other] emerging mar-kets with higher demand for...Full story at http://goo.gl/rUPXi

Mr Sombat said listed companies will benefit in 2013 from a lower corporate income tax rate of 20%, down from 23% now. They also ex-pect operating interest rate costs to decrease in line with the downward trend in rates. Even so, much de-pends on whether the US...Full story at http://goo.gl/3E8gW

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

Analysts bullish on local stocks in 2013




Government / Economy

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If anything, 2012 proved the Thai economy is able to stand on its own feet. It’s the year that domestic growth ploughed ahead against the backdrop of a slowdown in exports. Over three quarters, the economy expanded by 2.6% year-on-year. Not much, you may think, but recall that in the first quarter of this year we emerged from major flooding, so you can pencil out any manufac-turing activity for one whole quar-ter.

The boost from private consump-tion and investment returned in the aftermath of the floods, lifting Thai economic activity in the sec-ond and third quarters and bring-ing economic growth back to a solid expansion path. The strength

Cut in personal income tax due

A return to organic growth in 2013?

Banks may tone down ads after talksCommercial banks will consider toning down their advertising if after reviewing the ads they deem

of domestic growth was due to the highest quarterly rates since 2004 of the two contributors in the third quarter, at 6% year-on-year for pri-vate consumption and 15.5% for investment, while exports of goods and services contracted 2.8% year-on-year in the same quarter. So yes, the Thai economy can expand even when exports are stagnant, but it...Full story at http://goo.gl/Yt3Kz

The Cabinet gave taxpayers a big Christmas present by cutting their personal income tax rates for next year, although the top rate will re-main high at 35 per cent, down only slightly from the current 37 per cent.

“The tax cut will result in a govern-ment revenue loss of Bt25 billion an-nually, but it leaves more money in people’s pockets, which should lead to more consumption and boost the economy in the long run,” Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong said in the tax package his ministry sub-mitted for approval.

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

“It’s clear that the tax base has been expanded by the corporate tax cut. As such, we can lower personal in-come tax. As GDP expands, the number of income earners rises, and Thailand enjoys a low unemploy-ment rate. Overall, the government revenue will not be cut,” he said.

Overhauling the personal income tax structure was one of the Yin-gluck Shinawatra government’s key election promises. It takes...Full story at http://goo.gl/42cHl

them likely to encourage people to overextend themselves by taking out loans. The move follows talks yesterday between the Bank of Thai-land and banking executives on the household-debt issue and banks’ advertising spots.

Kasikornbank senior executive vice president Teeranan Srihong said af-ter meeting that although the cen-tral bank was not coming up with specific measures to tackle the issue, it was worried that banks’ media spots could be encouraging people to overspend.

KBank will review its advertising, regardless of the BOT’s concerns. It will consider toning down any ads seen as overstimulating demand for loans, he said. “The robust growth of consumer lending this year is partially driven by the government’s domestic consumption schemes and the campaigns of financial insti-tutions. However, we have not seen any unusual signs, with each house having measures to control its non-performing loans. The BOT’s con-

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Emissions-based car tax approved

Ministries to consider aid plan for SMEs

BOT worried about populist policies pushing up public-debt level

Rangsit University bullish on economy in 2013

Conclusion of Thai-India FTA postponed to 2013

AEC will ‘Cut impact of US, EU woes’

Grey market, e-commerce among main targets

Automakers have been lukewarm to the government’s endorsement of the new automobile tax structure, saying the three-year adjustment period is too short. The new tax structure, approved in principle by the Democrat-led government, was approved by the government.

Most automakers agreed in prin-ciple with the reforms, which base tax calculations on carbon-dioxide emissions rather than engine size as in the current structure. However, they said they need at least five years to prepare and adjust themselves to the new taxes. The government, on the other hand, believes three years are enough.

Automakers also said if they could not adjust their technology and production plans in time, prices of some vehicle models, especially pick-up trucks might be increased. Piengjai Kaewsuwan, president of the Thai Automotive Industry As-sociation, said the three-year period is too short for automakers to...Full story at http://goo.gl/EcwLI

The Finance and Labour ministries yesterday agreed to jointly consider the Joint Private Committee’s new proposal to help small and medium-sized enterprises cope with the new Bt300 minimum wage. The mea-sures are initially expected to cost the government Bt50 billion over three years. The old proposal had 27 assistance measures, but they were cut to 23 in the new proposal.

The ministries will consider four key measures: reducing the month-ly contribution to the Social Secu-rity Fund to 2 per cent for both the employer and employee for three years; chopping the tax deduction at source from 3 per cent to 1.5 per cent for both big corporations and SMEs; partially subsidising the SMEs in 70 provinces for three years through 2017 at the rates of 75 per cent, 50 per cent and 25 per cent of the wage difference; and cutting the service charge for hotel rooms from Bt80 to Bt40 per year, which is di-rectly collected under the Interior Ministry’s law.

Earlier, both sides were far apart on the proposal. For instance, the gov-ernment rejected the measure to reduce the monthly social security contribution to 2.5 per cent from...Full story at http://goo.gl/JwkJx

The Bank of Thailand has expressed concern over the country’s public-debt level if the government contin-ues its budgetary deficits, particu-larly for its populist policies. Mathee Supapongse, BOT senior director at the Macroeconomic and Monetary Policy Department, said that if the government continued its budget deficits with the aim to stimulate ex-penditure through non-value-add-ed populist policies, Thailand’s pub-lic debts could rise continuously.

Such a populist policy may lead to problems for the government’s specialised financial institutions, including the Government Savings Bank, Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, as most projects are executed through them.

“The public debt level remains within the fiscal framework. How-ever, if the government continues its budget deficit and non-value-added policy without upgrading the na-tion’s capabilities, it is believed that will raise the debt level. The point is that the government may need to have a balanced budget with a focus on infrastructure investment for...Full story at http://goo.gl/PgZbu

The economy will expand between 5.5% and 6.5% this year on strong domestic consumption and private investment, predicts Rangsit Uni-versity’s Economic and Business Re-search Center for Reform. However, the forecast runs counter to a con-sensus by other economists, who put their hopes in the government rather than the private sector.

Centre director Prof Anusorn Tamajai, who is also dean of the economics faculty, said his team is optimistic that 2013 gross domestic product growth will come in a full percentage point above the econo-mists’ estimate of 4.5% to 5.5%.

He said the rise in the daily mini-mum wage will increase domestic consumption. Stronger consump-tion will in turn boost demand, and then the private sector will expand investment to serve that demand, said Prof Anusorn.

But other economists view the high-er daily minimum wage as a threat to the private sector since it puts up-ward pressure on operating costs.

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

The conclusion of the long-awaited comprehensive free-trade agree-ment between Thailand and India will possibly be postponed to 2013 instead of this month because both

Malaysia is optimistic Asean is ready to be integrated into a single economic block by December 2015

The Revenue Department is plan-ning to collect tax from the grey market, e-commerce and the sale of Buddha amulets to compensate for lost income resulting from next year’s reduction in the rate of cor-porate income tax. Satit Rungkasiri, director-general of the department, said yesterday that it also planned to bring about 200,000 of those cur-rently outside the payment system into tax collection next year. Some 350,000 companies and individuals are currently not subject to tax col-lection, according to the National Statistical Office.

Businesses currently avoiding tax

cern about NPLs is in regard to their expected level in the future, but we believe we can control our NPLs,” he added.

Oranuch Apisaksirikul, CEO of Tis-co Financial Group, said the central bank yesterday shared its outlook for the economy next year with lo-cal banks, and there were...Full story at http://goo.gl/k5G7p

payment include grey-market ser-vices such as independent import-ers of luxury cars, e-commerce op-erators, dealers in Buddha amulets, and businesses with unusual tax refunds, Satit said. There will be a system in place to inspect the input and output value-added tax of cor-porates, he said.

He added that some types of busi-ness and individuals that avoid pay-ing full tax, as well as those in sec-tors with good performance such as automobiles, hotels, restaurants, financial institutions and insur-ance firms, would be targeted more closely for tax collection. “We will seriously collect tax from those...Full story at http://goo.gl/LbcQQ

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

“On the average, Asean countries have recorded 5-per-cent economic growth yearly, which is commend-able in view of the unfavourable global economic scenario,” he said. If growth among Asean countries continued in the coming years, the grouping would emerge as a strong economic powerhouse by 2025 after China. Mustapa said intra-Asean trade amounted to Bt65.96 trillion last year, while foreign direct...Full story at http://goo.gl/3D4vz

sides have yet to agree on several issues, the Trade Negotiations De-partment said. Meanwhile, the de-partment is also giving careful con-sideration as to whether it should go ahead with the Thai-European Union free-trade talks after related enterprises and consumers have voiced concerns about certain is-sues, mainly trade in pharmaceuti-cals and alcohol.

Delaying the conclusion of a com-prehensive Thailand-India FTA could result in bilateral trade not meeting the Bt275.69 billion pro-jected expansion by 2014. How-ever, it is believed the pact will be wrapped up by early 2013.

Piramol Charoenpao, director-gen-eral of the Trade Negotiations De-partment, said that Thailand would not rush into finalising a deal with India if the benefits are not satisfac-tory to both sides. “The department recently informed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra about...Full story at http://goo.gl/Pp1fX




Retail/Services

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7-Eleven operator ready for battle

Berli Jucker opens convenience stores

Emirates eyes Phuket add-on

CP All Plc, the operator of 7-Eleven convenience stores, will adopt vari-ous strategies to do battle with the Family Mart, Lawson, Mini Big C and Tesco Express brands. Central Retail Corporation’s Family Mart, Saha Group’s Lawson, Tesco and Big C are all trying to attract more cus-tomers.

They all want to latch onto the high-er purchasing power of customers

Strong early demand on its newly launched Phuket-Dubai service has prompted Emirates Airlines to pon-der ramping up capacity on the route with a second daily flight. Emirates executives say what is billed as the world’s fastest-growing carrier has already seen bookings on this route reach 85% up to March.

Its maiden flight from Dubai to the southern resort island was almost 95% full, with a similar seat factor on the outbound flight.”There is a huge market demand [for air travel] to Phuket, and we would like to sat-isfy that fast-growing demand,” Sa-lem Obaidalla, the senior vice-pres-ident for commercial operations in the Far East and Australasia, said in Phuket.

Berli Jucker Plc, the trading firm owned by whiskey tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, will instead in-troduce its own convenience stores early this year.

Phidsanu Pongwatana, senior vice-president for BJC’s retail business, said at least 100 BJC Smart conve-nience stores will be opened initial-ly. Each will have space of 70 square metres and require an investment of 2-3 million baht. During the launch, all 8,000 products available in the store will be BJC brand, with products from outside producers to be added later. The target customers are Asean residents.

BJC president Aswin Techacharoen-wikun said expanding into the retail business helps fulfil the company’s goal of having a strong supply chain from manufacturing to distribution and retailing.

Mr Phidsanu said BJC will expand its retail business in three formats _ multi-business, multi-format and multi-country _ through its local

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

Most Emirates passengers travelling to Phuket are from Europe, where the airline has a growing network _ now covering 33 cities on that conti-nent _ and they are taking connect-ing flights at the airline’s Dubai air-port hub. Mr Obaidalla said Dubai’s growing importance as a world air...Full story at http://goo.gl/974vF

and cash in on the bigger customer base. When Asean becomes a single market due to the implementation of the Asean Economic Commu-nity in 2016, more foreign invest-ment and tourists are likely to come to Thailand. Retail gurus agreed that convenience stores are the rising star in the retail sector for expansion.

Suwit Kingkaew, president of the Development of Thai Capital Re-tailers Association, said the increase in the minimum wage to 300 baht throughout the country and higher incomes from rising farm product prices would increase purchasing power. These factors will stimulate all convenience store operators to speed up their investments next year. Mr Suwit forecast that at least 1,000 new convenience stores from all chains will...Full story at http://goo.gl/5Zp2d

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General Interest

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Boutique New City Plc, the Saha Group’s fashion arm, is shifting its focus to market more imported fashion brands than its locally made ones due to the impact of rising wages and the shortage of skilled workers. President Panitarn Pavaro-lavidya said these factors have led to a supply shortages of its own prod-ucts in recent months. “Importing fashion brands will help us to speed our clothing business at a faster pace,” he said.

The company will open its flagship Trucco store, the Spanish fashion brand, in Bangkok’s Siam Center next month to respond to the grow-ing popularity of Spanish fashion here. It will spend 10 million baht on the store covering 127 square metres.

“We chose this brand because it’s good quality and its concept is dif-ferent from other Spanish brands in Thailand,” said Mr Panitarn. Truc-co’s designs come from collective...Full story at http://goo.gl/hMruz

Fashion firm signs up Spanish brand

its first men’s multi-brand shop at Megabangna in Bangkok.

The MOU shop, covering 300 square metres, offers up to 30 international fashion brands comprising clothes, shoes, bags, hats and accessories. About half of the brands are from the US and Europe. General man-ager Sukris Vareerajuthai said men’s multi-brand shops have been popu-lar in European market for years and are expected to spread through-out Asia in the coming months. Thailand is a top destination for US and European lifestyle brands as it is known that Thai men are willing to spend their money on...Full story at http://goo.gl/P5R4t

Men’s multi-brand lifestyle store opens at Megabangna

VietJet Air to enter Bangkok in February

Nok Air leases new planes after series of breakdowns

DoiTung coffee wins Japanese hearts

Siam Piwat launches e-commerce site

Magnum Cafe promises treat for ice-cream lovers

With the rise of the digital era, Siam Piwat Co, the operator of Siam Cen-ter and Siam Discovery Center, is riding the wave by setting up an e-commerce firm. With 1 million baht of registered capital, Digimedia Marketing Co will supervise activi-ties related to digital technology in-cluding online shopping, electronic marketing and social media.

Marketing executive Muenfun Th-anyaphaisit said Siam Piwat has spent more than 20 million baht to harness the power of digital media by introducing Siamism, its online shopping channel. At www.sia-mism.com, customers can shop for fashion and accessories, stationery, gifts, lifestyle items, IT products and gadgets, beauty products and other items from more than 200 shops.

Ms Muenfun said Siam Center and Siam Discovery are the first shop-ping complexes in Thailand to of-fer online shopping, although two department stores, Central Depart-ment Store and The Mall Group, have the service.

Products available at Siamism will be different from those on offer at the two shopping centres. They will include limited editions, while prices will be lower than those in the centres. The company will offer ideal products to online shoppers, have 90% discounts each day and...Full story at http://goo.gl/UwfB0

VietJet Air, Vietnam’s low-cost car-rier, will start descending to Bang-kok in early 2013 to break the mo-nopoly on budget air travel between Thailand and Vietnam enjoyed by Thai AirAsia. The airline, the first privately owned carrier in the so-cialist state, is scheduled to begin a daily flight between Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, its first interna-tional route, on Feb 10.

Plans are afoot for the introduction of a Bangkok-Hanoi route, also on a daily basis, in May 2013 as VietJet gears up its international expansion with a fleet of brand-new A320 nar-row-body jets with 180 seats.

The airline, which caused a stir ear-lier this year by staging an in-flight bikini show on its inaugural flight to the tourist hub of Nha Trang, will not only compete with TAA, which has dominated budget air travel be-tween Thailand and Vietnam for more than five years.

It will also compete with several full-service airlines such as Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways. TAA, part of Asia’s larg-est LCC group, has been operating Bangkok-Hanoi since 2005 and Bangkok-Ho Chi Minh City...Full story at http://goo.gl/L0OnU

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

The increase in the daily minimum wage to 300 baht on April 1 has proved a boon to premium product

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

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

As more health-conscious Thai men want to look good, they are turn-ing to top fashion, skincare and spa brands. Several companies have exploited the craze and made their debuts in the business of beautify-ing men. Star Fashion (2551) Co, the maker of Hazard fashion cloth-ing and distributor of Britain’s Fit-Flop shoe brand, will officially open

Nok Air is ushering in a new era in its eight-year history by deploying brand-new jetliners as it attempts to mitigate problems related to unex-pected engine breakdowns involv-ing used aircraft. The budget airline agreed to lease two new Boeing 737-800s from GE Capital Aviation Ser-vice, the US-based aircraft lessor, for delivery in April. Nok usually leases used aircraft because it is cheaper.

“The costs associated with unex-pected engine breakdowns are be-coming prohibitive. It may be more worthwhile for us to use brand-new aircraft that come with a warranty,” said Nok Air president Patee Sara-sin.

Engine breakdowns on two seven-year-old B737-800s prompted the airline to embrace the new leasing option. Leasing costs for new jets and those with 5-6 years in service are not so different, said Mr Patee, though he would not provide fig-ures.

However, an airline insider said leasing a new B737-800 would cost about US$350,000 a month, com-pared with $280,000 for a similar type of single-aisle jetliner with 5-6 years of service. Nok Air will not retire its current B737-800s. The airline would rather honour those lease contracts, which run for 5-8...Full story at http://goo.gl/0k7CK

The first international outlet of Cafe DoiTung and Lifestyle Shop in Ja-pan has done much to promote the work of the Mae Fah Luang Foun-dation’s Doi Tung Development

and overseas networks. Apart from developing multi-formats for its re-tail business through BJC Smart, the company also plans to develop a...Full story at http://goo.gl/LW0kb

Project. Opened in Josai Hospital in Ibaraki prefecture’s Yuki city in July, the Thai coffee brand has already won the hearts of Japanese custom-ers, with average sales of 285 cups a day. Josai Hospital provides medical assistance to Asian countries in-cluding Thailand as part of the Japa-nese International Friendship and Welfare Foundation founded by the hospital.

Priced at 60 baht a cup, the coffee is inexpensive for Japan. “It’s quite cheap compared with other popular brands,” said project chairman MR Disnadda Diskul.

Cafe DoiTung is among the proj-ect’s four sectors of food, tourism, craft and fashion, and agriculture services and landscape design. MR Disnadda said Doi Tung plans to es-tablish a coffee shop and exhibition at the headquarters of the US Drug Enforcement Agency in Washing-ton. The project has helped hilltribe people in northern Thailand to end opium cultivation by offering...Full story at http://goo.gl/cwOjH




Tourism

http://goo.gl/fxE4d

Thai-Cambodia single visa

Starwood opens Bangkok’s first W Hotel

Human capital key to growing tourism, says PATA chiefThailand should put more impor-tance on investing in human capi-tal and not just in “hardware” in the tourism industry if it wants to secure its sustainable development and keep its leadership in the region in this field, said Martin Craigs, chief executive officer of the Pacific Asia Travel Association.

It’s easy to build the hardware of the tourism industry – airports and hotels, for example. But given the boom in tourism and its role as a key driver to build the economy, Thailand is facing a labour shortage. Still, this is not yet a major problem when compared with other nations in Asia, he said. Labour shortages have become common across Asia.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has an-nounced the opening of W Bang-kok, marking the brand’s entry into the Thai capital. Located at the

China is one example, where it is creating a big headache for the fast-growing tourism industry. Mean-while in the Philippines, although it can produce more than 26,000 graduates to serve the industry an-nually, 90 per cent of them choose to go overseas.

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

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

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

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

Thailand and Cambodia agreed to implement a single visa agreement, which will enable tourists to obtain

one visa to visit both countries from Dec 27. The visa would allow visi-tors from 35 countries, listed below, to stay up to 60 days in Thailand and 60 days in Cambodia. Tourists would be able to apply for the visa at embassies of either country.

The agreement comes under the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy framework. Acmecs, which was initiated by Thailand and set up in 2003, is a joint development agree-ment olving Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

Foreign ministers of the five coun-tries have discussed single visas several times, but Thailand and Cambodia were the first to sign an agreement, five years ago, and are the first countries to implement the scheme. Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said this single visa will help promote tourism in the two countries, making it easier for visitors to obtain visitors and travel between Thailand and Cambodia...Full story at http://goo.gl/rD21K


















General Interest

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Bangkok becomes travellers’ first choice among Asian cities in a survey by Conde Nast Magazine, while the northern city of Chiang Mai comes in fifth. To the readers, Bangkok beats Hong Kong, Kyo-to and Singapore. Chiang Mai is ranked the 5th in the annual Read-ers’ Choice Awards. “The voting re-sults will spread the positive image of Thailand to American and global readers,” said Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Surapol Sawet-seranee.

Reflecting Thailand’s tourism, at the end of February, Doha-based Qatar Airways is due to introduce a fourth daily flight between Bangkok and Doha to meet growing demand towards the Thai capital. On Feb-ruary 20th, Qatar will then ply the skies 28 times per week the route Doha-Bangkok and return, making a significant rise on one of its busi-est routes from its Doha hub to Asia. Qatar Airways Chief Executive Of-ficer Akbar Al Baker said the ad-ditional flight was possible as more long-haul aircraft join the fleet...Full story at http://goo.gl/HG0XC

Thailand’s tourism industry is like-ly to grow by more than 10% next year and about 23 million foreign-ers are expected to visit the country in 2013, Association of Thai Travel Agents president Sisdivachr Chee-warattanporn said.

Mr Sisdivachr said the number of Asian tourist arrivals, particularly from China, South Korea and Japan, is up 20% to 50% for November and December, 2012. From January to July 2012, the number of tourists who used Atta member services also increased by 20%, the highest growth in three years. The associa-tion boasts five million members, he added.

The projection is based on an as-sumption that there will be no po-litical violence, he said. Thailand could become the top destination in ASEAN if the government could ensure that the political...Full story at http://goo.gl/ehLW9

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

The total number of meetings is forecast to grow by 6.4%, and over-all meeting expenditure will rise 4.2%, while spending is expected to drop in all other markets, and particularly in Europe which could see a 6% decline. The top five Asian MICE destinations will be Shang-hai, Singapore, Sydney, Beijing, and Bangkok, though Thailand’s politi-cal situation will have a major im-pact on its success with many MICE planners stating concerns for secu-rity and political stability.

“While Asia Pacific is likely to ex-perience growth in 2013, as Europe sees declines, meeting professionals in every region point to budget...Full story at http://goo.gl/PKVxd

Centara Hotels & Resorts plans to launch an economy hotel segment to cash in on fast-growing demand from travellers. The segment will come under the Cosi Hotels brand and become the group’s sixth brand. The expansion allows the group to have a variety of hotel formats to serve different demands. Construc-tion of the first economy hotel will start on Ratchadaphisek Road. It is...Full story at http://goo.gl/h2OIK

The Interior Ministry will impose tighter regulations early in the new year aimed at upgrading the hospi-tality industry and doing away with unlicensed operators. Once the new rules take effect, the ministry will allow three months for illegal hotel operators to comply by improving their standards so they qualify for licences. Those failing to meet the deadline will face fines of Bt500,000 or prison, or both. The aim is to eliminate unregulated hotel opera-tors and create fair competition in the market.

The ministry estimates that of the more than 12,000 hotels nationwide, 7,500 are illegal. They are mainly guest houses, serviced apartments, and house rentals in major tourist

Anan Wongaree is proud of his Khum Klao Teak Hut Resort in Bangkok’s Min Buri district. Even though it has been open for almost three years, he has never seen it. The blind man said his small resort will be fully developed next month when the second phase is completed. Lo-cated on Khum Klao Road, the re-sort now has nine cottages and 13 standard rooms in a low-rise build-ing for both local and foreign guests. Six suites in the second phase will be opened on Jan 12.

“My resort serves international tourists waiting for flights [at Suvar-nabhumi airport] the next day and Japanese or Korean golfers who play golf at nearby courses in Lat Kra-bang and Suwintawong,” Mr Anan

Bangkok as travellers’ top Asian city: Conde Nast Projection: 23m

tourist arrivals in 2013

Asian MICE to buck shrinking spend in 2013

Centara to launch 30 economy hotels

Govt to crack down on unlicensed hotelsClear business vision

Koh Samui development in spotlight after blackout

Hyatt Hotels Corporation is show-ing its faith in Bangkok by choos-ing the city as the location for its first hotel in Southeast Asia under its Hyatt Place brand. Despite high competition and an oversupply of hotels in Bangkok, the company still sees potential for long-term growth.

Ratnesh Verma, senior vice-presi-dent for real estate and development of Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, said the regional economy has shown a posi-tive trend and Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for inter-national tourists, particularly from China and India. Among Hyatt’s 496 hotels in 45 countries, 68 are in the Asia-Pacific region, where at least 80 hotels will be added in the next five years. About 175 hotels are under development _ half of them in China and India.

“This obviously shows that Hyatt has further shifted its focus to Asia-Pacific to keep up with the robust...Full story at http://goo.gl/1XfHZ

Following the latest power failure on Samui, tourism operators demand-ed the development of a resilient infrastructure framework that will maintain the resort island’s fame as a world-class visitor destination. The blackout struck reportedly when a short circuit crippled the main transmission line carrying electric-ity from Nakhon Si Thammarat on the mainland to Samui and nearby Pha-ngan Island.

“It’s time the private and public sec-tors work together for its sustain-able development,” said Piyamarn Techapaibul, president of the Tour-ism Council of Thailand. Piyamarn said the power outage was a good lesson. Tourism development na-tionwide must go hand in hand with infrastructure development. Samui should be a model, but its de-velopment has proceeded without direction. Especially utilities, both water and electricity, are insufficient to serve population growth. For ex-ample, 10,000 rooms were estimat-

ed to be needed to serve the island, but now that figure has doubled, she said.

Thirayuth Chirathivat, CEO of Cen-tara Hotels & Resorts, also called for the problems to be fixed, especially...Full story at http://goo.gl/irhCH

Hyatt pins faith in Bangkok hotel sector’s strong potential

said. Foreign executives visiting fac-tories in Min Buri or Lat Krabang like to stay at his resort for a few days or up to two weeks. Room rates are 1,290 baht for a standard room and 1,700 to 2,200 baht for a cottage.

Mr Anan, 35, decided to develop the resort because he wanted to own a business near his home. He bought a 2-rai plot of land for 15 million baht and has spent about 30 million baht on construction. He uses teak wood as the...Full story at http://goo.gl/aMUiW

destinations. Surapong Techa-ru-vichit, president of the Thai Hotels Association, said the regulations would help improve the standards of the hospitality industry. More important, they will reduce the sup-ply of rooms nationwide and drive up room rates. Illegal hotels have hurt the licensed operators by lur-ing a large number of tourists with low prices.

He noted that lawful hotels bear higher operating costs than their il-legal peers. Those offering premium service have to employ a large num-ber of people, while legal hotels in all categories pay room taxes...Full story at http://goo.gl/jjt6F




Real Estate

http://goo.gl/hPK52

Ananda Development has signed a sale and purchase agreement for the acquisition of a new condomin-ium site on Sukhumvit Road worth Bt825 million. The company will raise funds on the Stock Exchange of Thailand to finance the invest-ment. The land is about 600 metres from the Udom Suk Skytrain station in Bangkok.

Although the condominium inven-tory in Thong Lor has passed 300 units, property firms keep develop-ing projects in this swank Bangkok neighbourhood as they believe that demand is still growing for both oc-cupancy and investment. “Up to 30 per cent of buyers at [Sukhumvit] Soi Thong Lor are interested in rent-ing their units to achieve a return on investment of 7-12 per cent a year,” Sahatchai Kwancheun, executive vice president of Harrison Plc, said yesterday.

AK Property Co, a subsidiary of KP Group, which diversified from tex-tiles to construction and develop-ment in 2007, has embarked on its first condo project, Art @ Thonglor,

Central Pattana Plc , a SET-listed re-tail and property developer, has re-vised its strategy for overseas expan-sion but confirmed the first Central shopping complex in Asean will still be opened by 2015 as scheduled.

CPN has plans to expand to China but the deal to rent space from an investor there to develop a shop-ping centre in China is less likely to be finalised, said Naris Cheyklin, senior executive vice-president and chief financial officer. Besides, many property firms in the world’s second largest economy have developed retail projects, intensifying compe-tition. “The market’s oversupplied and there are high risks if we devel-op a project on our own in China,” he said.

As a result, CPN has changed its strategy to forming a joint venture with a Chinese retailer who has al-ready developed a project or to tak-ing over an existing development. In any case, CPN will wait until the property prices in China go down by 20-30% from current levels.

In its view, Vietnam is as attractive as China but the market is...Full story at http://goo.gl/akiBq

Prices of residential land along Sukhumvit Road from On Nut to Bearing are showing record growth of 14.9 per cent to between Bt800,000 and Bt1 million per square wah this year thanks to the completion of the Skytrain exten-sion, the Agency for Real Estate Af-fairs said.

The second-biggest year-on-year rise is 14 per cent along the Blue Line extension of the MRT, now under construction, from Hua Lamphong to Bang Khae, followed by 11.5 per cent along the Purple Line from Bang Sue to Bang Yai. Land along Rama I Road from Siam Square to Ploenchit Road still shows high prices averaging Bt1.5 mil-lion per square wah (Bt375,000 per square metre), followed by Wire-less Road to the head of Sukhumvit from Soi 1 to Soi 21 at Bt1.3 million per square wah and Silom Road to Rajdamri Road at Bt1.25 million per square wah.

Sopon Pornchokchai, president of the agency, said yesterday that land prices in Greater Bangkok were up 3.7 per cent this year because of the start of construction late last year on the Purple and Blue lines. The agency’s survey also found that land prices around existing rail routes...Full story at http://goo.gl/sN5dS

Ananda buys land near Udom Suk for budget condos

Central shifts focus back home

Transit extensions boost land price

Sanrisi growth to boost Plus Property by 20% next yearSansiri subsidiary Plus Property, a real-estate management and bro-kerage company, targets growth of

Thong Lor remains popular for new condos

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

Located in the upper Sukhumvit area, the site will see the launch of Ananda’s new budget brand, Elio. Prices will start at less than...Full story at http://goo.gl/6PU3n

at least 20 per cent in 2013, against expected 2012 income of Bt650 mil-lion. The unit’s revenue surge is due to Sansiri’s strong growth, which is expected to continue, Apichart Chutrakul, chief executive of both Plus Property and Sansiri, told a news conference. Sansiri targets presales of Bt42 billion this year and Bt50 billion in 2013.

“The main driver of Sansiri’s busi-ness growth next year will come from our new residential projects upcountry, which will account for about 30 per cent of our presales worth Bt42 billion this year,” he said.

Up to 90 per cent of the property management business of Plus Prop-erty comes from Sansiri’s residen-tial projects, which will total some 140 by year-end. This business has generated about 33 per cent of the subsidiary’s revenue this year. “Our property management will focus...Full story at http://goo.gl/SZdUc

worth Bt490 million after the group succeeding in selling three condo projects in Samui and Phuket since 2007.

Managing director Amrit Srikuru-wan said the company decided to locate its new project in Thong Lor when it saw strong demand from both domestic and foreign inves-tors, especially for one- and two-bedroom apartments with usable space of 30-70 square metres. Art @ Thonglor will offer only 102 units...Full story at http://goo.gl/KPn8O


















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Blue Sky Group chases cheaper plots in Pattaya

The Home Builder Association ex-pects housing prices next year to rise by 4-8 per cent because of ris-ing costs of raw materials and wages along with the shortage of labour. Patchara Tantayanyong, president of the association, said the overall value of the home-building market would total around Bt10.2 billion this year, lower than targeted, partly because of the labour shortage.

The government’s policy to splurge more than Bt1.1 trillion from 2013-19 on infrastructure is redrawing the landscape for the real estate market. “This is a time to change the property market to urbanisation rather than focus on Bangkok only,” Naporn Sunthornchitcharoen, se-nior executive VP of Land & Hous-es Plc, said. Urbanisation means the market will expand from Bangkok’s CBDs to the outskirts of the capital and beyond the border as well as to major provincial cities. Build-ing techniques will be developed to speed up the construction process so that supply can meet the surging demand for residences both... Full story at http://goo.gl/sGBla

Location, location, location

Housing prices to rise by 4-8% in new year, builders’ group says

Winds of change for realty

Location is the most important fac-tor for choosing property for invest-ment but be mindful of functional-ity and avoid overstretching your finances, say experts. Prof Manop Bongsadadt of Chulalongkorn Uni-versity’s architecture faculty said location rather than price should compel investors to buy property. Long-term investment in property in a good location has high poten-tial for gains. In general, land close to commercial areas increases in value in the long term as more peo-ple move to cities.

He cited the old Seri Village in Hua Mak close to Rama IX Road as an example. Some properties worth only 300,000 baht three decades ago are now worth 15 million. “Is there any other type of investment that

Blue Sky Group (BSG), a new prop-erty developer owned by a group of Thai-Indian investors, plans to de-velop one or two resort-style condo-minium projects a year in Pattaya, each one worth 2 billion baht. Man-aging director Thavatchai Sachdev said the Pattaya property market has boomed during the past two years, ever since the entrance of new luxu-ry hotels by Hilton and Centara.

Pattaya has also attracted entertain-ment projects such as the Cartoon Network’s water park, and leading Bangkok developers have launched many condominiums near the beach or in Pattaya city. “The cost of land in Bangkok is higher than in Pattaya, while construction costs and unit selling prices in both areas are quite close,” said Mr Thavatchai.

After success with its first two re-sort-style condo projects, BSG will launch a new one next year. In April 2011, Blue Sky Development Co, a subsidiary, launched the Atlantis Condo Resort Pattaya _ five eight-storey buildings worth 2 billion baht, now 90% sold. Located on 11 rai on Jomtien Sai 2, the project will have 1,000 units sized from 34.5-69 square metres and priced at...Full story at http://goo.gl/bAHG5

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

“However, while these second-tier locations may provide more pos-sibilities for opportunistic returns, market penetration is generally more difficult and opportunities are limited. “In addition, these locations usually carry a significantly higher degree of implied risk. In practice, therefore, most investors will find...Full story at http://goo.gl/GThTd

Bangkok has emerged from the shadows to rank sixth among sec-ond-tier Asia-Pacific cities that have become favoured investment and development destinations, at least partly on the back of a newly vibrant real-estate investment trust market and the opportunistic yields afford-ed by a growing economy, accord-ing to a survey. The city moved up eight places from last year’s survey.

The report on “Emerging Trends in Real Estate – Asia-Pacific 2013”, completed by the Urban Land Insti-tute and PricewaterhouseCoopers, also noted Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and secondary cities in China. This is probably at least partly a result of ongoing yield compression in the bigger, more developed markets, it said.

Bangkok ranks sixth in poll on investment destinations

CPB advised to seek out real tenantsWhen a lease contract is renewed, the existing tenant and landlord should be treated fairly and new rents set close to market rates, says property expert Assoc Prof Manop Bongsadadt. Landlords, particularly institutions such as Chulalongkorn University and the Crown Property Bureau, should favour real tenants who will renew a lease contract di-rectly with them.

“Real tenants should stay or make a living on the rental property. If they sublease the place to second, third or fourth tenants, then they are businessmen and should be screened out,” he said. As an adviser to CU’s Office of Property Manage-ment, Assoc Prof Manop said the office has experienced the same problem CPB faced two days ago with the existing tenants in Chal-erm Larp Market. “If tenants are unhappy [with higher rents or other conditions], then we need to negoti-ate with them, giving them a grace period to prepare and asking them what they want. If they are still un-happy with what we offer, both sides will meet in court,” he said.

Two years ago, Siam Square tenants were unhappy with higher rents after their leases expired, but CU found less than 20% of them were...Full story at http://goo.gl/uDSBr

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

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Sanook.com is introducing chi-angmai.dealfish.co.th, an online marketplace for buying and selling products and services exclusively for people in Chiang Mai and else-where in the North. “Dealfish.co.th is the most convenient locally fo-cused person-to-person commu-nity marketplace in Thailand that Sanook officially launched in Febru-ary,” said Tiwa York, Sanook Online managing director for e-commerce. “After its introduction, we received a good response and we saw that there was an opportunity to expand the market by focusing on the major provinces of Thailand, beginning with Chiang Mai at chiangmai.deal-fish.co.th.

“The reason we chose Chiang Mai as the first province in the expansion of dealfish.co.th was that we had an-alysed Internet users’ behaviour and found that apart from Bangkok and its neighbouring provinces, people in the Chiang Mai area used the In-ternet the most. Hence we saw that an expansion of dealfish into the local market would best respond to the needs of local users, so we combined products and services for local sales in the Northern area to provide convenience for people in Chiang Mai and in other provinces in the North. “We envisage that in the future when 3G is available na-tionwide, this will be a factor in...Full story at http://goo.gl/P5zbo

Sanook launches online marketplace in Chiang Mai

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

Mobile, cloud solutions expected to drive security firm’s income

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

Most of the roughly 500 million who have already done so during the period are now online via mo-bile phones, a trend that is expected to continue through to 2015, said Julian Persaud, managing director of Google Southeast Asia. Accessing the Web used to be about desktops, but from now it is all about mobile devices, he said.

To prepare these people to go on-line, Google is investing in the es-tablishment of data centres across the region to allow its products and services to work better throughout Asia. It is spending US$700 million (Bt21.4 billion) to set up centres in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore, he said. With the future being one in which people have multi-devices, Google’s Voice Search service is de-signed to facilitate users to search...Full story at http://goo.gl/ZvZzZ

No business can deny the power of social media. Social network-ing has emerged as the dominant cultural phenomenon of the digital era. It’s not about businesses selling products, promoting the company message or sending out data over a one-way communication channel. Consumers are in charge, talking about those businesses _ and their products, services, employees, per-formances and reputations _ across social networks in billions of chats, blogs and emails.

Social media are changing the way people work, shop, receive services and communicate with each oth-er. We are in the midst of a major change in the way that businesses and customers interact, whether our customers are consumers or other businesses, internal or external. It’s a change enabled by technology, but not fundamentally about technol-ogy. It’s about having conversations with customers. These conversa-tions are partially or wholly public, requiring a new culture of transpar-ency.

Recognising the importance of this trend, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has gathered the thoughts of CEOs from around the world over the past several years (PwC’s annual global CEO survey). CEOs expect that social media and mobile devic-es will prompt a “significant change” in companies’ strategies to engage customers, as customers turn to so-cial media to voice their preferences.

Social media are flourishing. Lead-ing companies know that participa-tion is no longer an option but...Full story at http://goo.gl/2Qwhw

Security-systems company nForce aims for 15-per-cent revenue growth next year by providing so-lutions for wireless infrastructure, mobile devices and cloud infra-structure. Nakrop Niamnamtham, managing director of nForce Secu-rity Systems AP, said that mobile-device solutions covered encryption and security.

In 2013, the firm will expand its customer base to small and medi-um-sized enterprises and open an around-the-clock, seven-day-a-week call centre. It will offer new solutions and new partners to pro-vide alternatives for its customers. It has lined up two IT-security busi-ness partners – FireMon for cloud solutions and Rapid7 to distribute fixes for the loopholes in operating-system network applications and databases.

“I think that next year the secu-rity market will see serious growth with the emergence of government mega-projects such as the tablets for children and the coming of 3G technology and the growth of the tablet and smart-phone market. “It will also help organisations manage their infrastructure from ‘bring...’Full story at http://goo.gl/41UU2

Advanced Info Service, the coun-try’s largest mobile operator, admits it will be increasingly difficult to maintain its decade-long leader-ship position with the dawn of the third-generation (3G) marketplace, in which all companies will work under the same rules and on a level playing field. Somprasong Boonya-chai, the executive chairman of AIS parent InTouch, said innovative services will be crucial to attracting customers.

He said to maintain leadership, AIS will provide a variety of services with the aim of sustaining the firm’s majority market share in mobile data. Modern telecommunications and IT infrastructure coupled with new digital content and media will be the company’s strategy to drive growth, said Mr Somprasong.

With Bangkok having 8.68 mil-lion Facebook users, more than any other city in the world. There is no doubt that social media are a pow-erful influence among Thais. When Facebook users post comments, update status, click “Like” and tag photos to their friends, the infor-mation is seen and shared by oth-ers. You may save routine expenses and increase wealth from financial tips posted on Facebook fanpages

US-based Western Digital Corpora-tion, the world’s leading maker of hard-disk drives, is set to ramp up marketing over the next few months to build its brand in Thailand as a maker of digital lifestyle products. “The company is ready to allocate its marketing budget to communi-cate to Thai consumers that WD is no longer just a disk drive maker, but also offers products that serve a connected life,” said Amy Tan, a se-nior manager for WD in Asean.

WD on Tuesday launched the N600, N750, N900 and N900 Cen-tral series of home routers in Thai-

AIS faced with new challenges in 3G era

Banks keen to make Facebook friends

WD focuses on Thailand’s router market

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

land, with prices ranging from 2,750 to 9,250 baht. The new routers are designed to serve a consumer’s digi-tal lifestyle that requires multiple internet-connected devices such as internet TV, smartphones, tablets and game consoles.

The consumer demands video and streaming content with a high-per-formance router and easy configu-ration, she said. “This is a new mar-ket growth area for us, but we still believe 90% of data will be stored...Full story at http://goo.gl/C4w1x

BANGKOK BUSINESS BRIEF Mid-January/Mid-February 2013 15

















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

Ye Yint Win, president of the Myan-mar Computer Professionals Asso-ciation, said: “Every telecommuni-cations services will need a licence. Web-development businesses, e-commerce businesses and individu-als who want to sell their applica-tions will also need licences. So [the law] needs to separate and identify the services that need licences and those that do not need licences, as it can harm freedom of creation and small enterprises.”

Chaw Khin Khin of MCC Groups added: “If Google doesn’t apply for a licence after the bill is passed, Gmail will become an illegal mail-service provider. The bill should encourage competition.” He also criticised the bill for placing the regulating body under the control of the Ministry of Communications and...Full story at http://goo.gl/YHGeB

Intel is pinning its hopes on the roll-out of 3G in Thailand to revive limp notebook sales, which hit their low-est level in a decade this year. The firm plans to introduce a convert-ible notebook, a new device that...Full story at http://goo.gl/uxKNU

Takorn Tantasit, secretary-general of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, says he will propose that the three companies planning to provide third-generation cellular service on the 2.1-gigahertz spectrum be re-quired to offer service insurance for their customers. Operators would pay a premium to insurance com-panies to cover damages suffered by

Experts urge changes to Myanmar telecom bill

Top 10% of users have high effect on others

Telecoms may be asked to offer service interruption insurance

Intel looks to 3G for notebook reboot

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

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

The emerging influencer group has been called the “top 10 per cent” and can be defined by several key attributes and behaviour. These in-clude having higher levels of media consumption; a social predisposi-tion and wide-category shopping; and being more likely to research...Full story at http://goo.gl/urcGf

belonging to several financial insti-tutions.

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

cellular subscribers when their 3G networks fail.

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

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7th Floor, GPF Witthayu Tower A, 93/1 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330Tel: +66 (0)2 254 1041 Fax: +66 (0)2 251 1605 Website: www.amchamthailand.comEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/mbUpG

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

Here are four recent ATCF activities. To learn more about the AMCHAM Charitable Foundation, please visit the AMCHAM website or email Sheree at: [email protected].

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

The coloring book was created in response to the devastating flood in 2011 and is designed to increase awareness among young children of the causes of natural disasters. The book provides simple risk reduction lessons. Ten-thousand copies of the book are being distributed to Thai public schools across the country, notably in provinces prone to recur-ring floods.

The ATCF, Save the Children and The United States Agency for Inter-national Development (USAID) partnered to create the book. ATCF thanks the Ministry of Education and the Corporate Supporters who made the book possible: Chevron, Bangkok Patana School Foundation, Esso (Thailand), Mazars (Thailand), New International School of Thai-land, Seagate Technology (Thailand), W.R. Grace (Thailand) and Yum Restaurants International (Thailand).

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

On December 3, 2012, friends of the late Ron Hensley gathered at Wat Marnwichai Municapal School to dedicate the Ron Hensley Memorial Playground.

This playground was made possible by a 259,156 baht donation from individual donations and an AMCHAM matching grant. The indi-vidual donors were: Edward Corcoran, John Evans, Dennis Meseroll, Chic Chicarelli, David Nardone, Nigel Oakins, Tom Payne, George Hooker, Joe Feinsten, Ken and Ann White, Vorapong Vorasuntharo-soth, Greg Corrigan, Gerald Kania, James Ferry, Herm Rowland Sr. and Herm Rowland Jr., Mike Bianco, Craig Blacklock, Peter Fischback, Jim Schneider, Charles and Shannon Blocker, James Yarbrough and Paul Robere.

AMCHAM celebrated their annual Eggnog Festive Holiday Party on December 6 and collected 78,340 baht and toys for donation to the Human Development Foundation’s Mercy Centre. Since 2007, AMCHAM‘s holiday party has raised 400,030 baht for the Mercy Centre.

The Mercy Centre was founded in 1972 by Father Joe Maier and Sis-ter Maria Chantavarodom to provide education support for children of poor neighborhoods. Today the Centre is part of the Human Develop-ment Foundation under the Royal Patronage of HRH Princess Srirasmi and provides education and quality of life assistance to over 6,000 chil-dren and over 5,000 adults.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand (AMCHAM)

The Charitable Foundation’s year-end activities

Party raises 78,000 baht for the Mercy Centre

Ron Hensley Memorial Playground dedication

ATCF supports disaster risk reduction education book for Thai children

FedEx delivers Christmas gifts to Sithipayagorn School


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20th Floor, Thai CC Tower, 889 South Sathorn Road, Yannawa, Bangkok 10120Tel: +66 (0)2 210 0216-8 Fax: +66 (0)2 675 6696 Website: www.austchamthailand.comEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/N47Gg

2012 AustCham Thailand President’s Award

The Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce (AustChamThailand)

The AustCham Thailand President’s Award is presented to an individual or organisation that has made a significant contribution to the Australian and Thailand business communities, to the relationship between Australia and Thailand, or has substantially facilitated investment or trade between our two nations.

This time last year Thailand was in a state of disarray due to the devastating floods that swept through at the end of 2011. The President’s Award was put on the hold in the wake of a country wide clean up. One year on and after much hard work AustCham was pleased to resurrect the tradition and announce the 2012 recipient during December Sundowners at the Ambassador’s Residence.

AustCham President John Anderson proudly presented the award to well-known and highly regarded Chamber member (and former Director), David Armstrong. Drawing on his career in magazine and newspaper journalism spanning 40 years and several different countries, David has been very strong supporter of the chamber throughout his time in Thailand.

“This year’s President’s award started as a junior reporter on The Australian newspaper as soon as he graduated from the University of New South Wales in 1969. He went on to become editor of The Bulletin,

editor of The Canberra Times, editor-in-chief of The Australian, editor-in-chief of the South China Morning Post, and president and chief operating officer of the Post Publishing media company in Bangkok, Thailand. Ultimately, however, this year’s President’s Award recipient is a person who has achieved much, but – most significantly, and selflessly – has given even more. “

Austcham President John Anderson presents award to David Armstrong: “He is a proud Australian, a tireless supporter of the Chamber and somebody who is always helping others.”

















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

15 Soi Tonson, Ploenchit RoadLumpini, PathumwanBangkok 10330

Tel: +66 (0)2 309 5250 Website: www.beluthai.orgEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/EGpi8

3601 36th Floor, Q Houses Lumpini Bldg.,South Sathorn Rd., Tungmahamek, SathornBangkok 10120Tel: +66 (0)2 677 7393 Fax: +66 (0)2 677 7394 Website: www.mtcc.or.thEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/Xqn32

No. 13, Sathorn Soi 1, Thungmahamek, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120Tel: +66 (0)2 287 3001 Fax: +66 (0)2 679 7720 Website: www.itcc.or.thEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/j3q0Y

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

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

9th Floor, ITF Tower, 140/26 Silom Road,Bangrak, Bangkok 10500Tel: +66 (0)2 634 3283 Fax: +66 (0)2 634 3004 Website: www.nztcc.orgEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/7IxHW

15th floor Amarin Tower, 500 Ploenchit Road,Kwang Lumpini, Khet Patumwan Bangkok 10330Tel: +66 (0)2 256 9170-3 Fax: +66 (0)2 652 0931 Website: www.jcc.or.thEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/Ak9yr

139 Pan Road, Sethiwan Tower, 9th Floor,Silom, Bangrak,Bangkok 10500Tel: +66 (0)2 266 6085/6 Fax: +66 (0)2 266 6087 Website: www.tccc.or.thEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/xOX5c

34 C.P. Tower 3, 9th Floor Tower A, Phayathai Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400Tel: +66 (0)2 354 5220 Fax: +66 (0)2 354 5221 Website: www.dancham.or.thEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/9Y8wd

15 Soi Tonson, Ploenchit RoadLumpini, Pathumwan,Bangkok 10330

Tel: +66 (0)2 309 5250 Website: www.ntccthailand.orgEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/WaAzA

Maneeya Center Bldg, 7th Fl, 518/5 Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330Tel: +66 (0)2 652 0848 Fax: +66 (0)2 652 0671 Website: www.irishthaicc.comEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/vTn6j

25th Fl., Empire Tower 3, 195 South Sathorn RoadYannawa, SathornBangkok 10120Tel: +66 (0)2 670 0600 Fax: +66 (0)2 670 0601 Website: www.gtcc.orgEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/KizCx

193/8 Lake Rajada Office Complex, 1st FloorRachadapisek Road, Klongtoey, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110Tel: +66 (0)2 264 0680-4 Fax: +66 (0)2 264 0688 Website: www.singaporethaicc.or.thEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/hwtqK

Bangkok Business Centre Bldg, 18th Fl., Unit 1802#29, Sukhumvit 63 Road, Bangkok 10110Tel: +66 (0)2 714-4177 Fax: +66 (0)2 714-4179 Website: www.swissthai.comEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/EQ7pz

Belgian-Luxembourg/Thai CC (BeLuThai) Malaysian-Thai CC (MTCC)

India-Thai CC (ITCC) South African-Thai CC (SATCC)

Franco-Thai CC (FTCC) New Zealand Thai CC (NZTCC)

Japanese CC (JCC) Thai-Canadian CC (TCCC)

Danish-Thai CC (Dancham) Netherlands-Thai CC (NTCC)

Irish Thai CC (ITCC)

German-Thai CC (GTCC) Singapore-Thai CC (STCC)

Swiss Thai CC (STCC)

















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

Thai C. C. Tower 9th Fl., 889 South Sathorn Rd., SathornBangkok 10120Tel: +66 (0)2 675 8577-84 Fax: +66 (0)2 212 3916-7 Website: www.thaicc.orgEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/nvgVp

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

1126/2 Vanit II Building, 16th Floor, 1601B New Petchburi Rd., Makkasan, Rajdhevee,Bangkok 10400Tel: +66 (0)2 255 8695 Fax: +66 (0)2 253 9896 Website: www.thaitch.orgEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/AAoTx

38th Floor, State Tower 1055/914 Silom Rd, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500Tel: +66 (0)2 630 6307Fax: +66 (0)2 630 6303 Website: www.jfcct.orgEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/PVRjt

Empire Tower, 25th Floor, 195 South Sathorn Road, Yannawa, Bangkok 10120Tel: +66 (0)2 343 9000 Fax: +66 (0)2 343 9029 Website: www.thta.or.thEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/qY8zE

888/142 Ploenchit Rd, 14th Fl., Mahatun Plaza, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330Tel: +66 (0)2 650 8444 Fax: +66 (0)2 627 3042 Website: www.norcham.comEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/wom78

C/O FINPRO Office, Netpoint SEA Ltd. 2nd Floor Wandee Siam Bldg, 58/84 Muangthong Thani, Chaengwattana, Klongklua, Nonthaburi 11120Tel: +66 (0)2 574 2879-80 Fax: +66 (0)2 574 2877 Website: www.thaifin.or.thEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/bZC1O

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

6th Fl. Rajapark Bldg, 163 Asoke Sukhumvit 21 Rd, Klong Toey Nua, WattanaBangkok 10110Tel: +66 (0)2 204 2503 Fax: +66 (0)2 204 2504 Website: www.korchamthai.comEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/H33BK

14th Fl., Manorom Building, 3354/45 Rama 4 Rd., Klongton, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110Tel: +66 (0)2 672 7020 Fax: +66 (0)2 672 7021 Website: www.thaisraelcc.comEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/ua3Aw

No. 30/207 Sukhumvit Soi 39, Sukhumvit Rd., Kiongtannua, Bangkok 10110Tel: +66 (0)2 662 7335-6, 662 7385Fax: +66 (0)2 662 7382 Website: www.ttba.or.thEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/DdLeZ

34 C.P Tower 3, 9th Floor Tower A, Phyathai Rd, Ratchathewi Bangkok 10400Tel: +66 (0)2 354 5229-31 Fax: +66 (0)2 354 5232 Website: www.swecham.comEmail: [email protected] http://goo.gl/rPFRL

Thai-Chinese CC (Thai-CC) Thai-Pakistan CC (TPCC)

Thai-Italian CC (TICC) Joint Foreign CC of Thailand (JFCCT)

Thai-Hong Kong Trade Association (THTA)

Thai-Norwegian CC (TNCC)

Thai-Finnish CC (TFCC) Thai-Russian CC (TRCC)

Korean-Thai CC (KTCC)

Thai-Israel CC (TICC) Thai-Taiwan Business Association (TTBA)

Thai-Swedish CC (TSCC)

Bangkok Business Brief offers a unique service to promote your business in a different way – video interviews on our website’s homepage for a month. Advertorial videos are not welcome here! Your company will provide actual, relevant content that will be of interest to our viewers and show that your company is knowledgable in its field so that they will seek you out in a professional capacity. We can recommend a one-stop production service that can work with you to create your video.

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Publisher and Managing Director (Thai Sales)Pavinee Chaymanee • [email protected]

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In cooperation with Siam Gazette Co., Ltd.Alan Verstein • 081-761-9302

Volume 2, Issue 2 • Mid-January to Mid-February 2013Copyright 2013. All rights reserved.

Ban or plan? Story continued from Page 1.customers. There are more than 1 billion Facebook users, and another 500 million Twitter us-ers, and these numbers con-tinue to increase. According to the latest statistics, Thailand’s internet penetration is growing quickly, with nearly one-third of the population (20 million peo-ple) now online, and more and more people using mobile de-vices to get online. According to www.socialbakers.com, young people (ages 15-24) are the larg-est portion of the 20 million peo-ple online (45%), while there are 18 million people on Facebook in Thailand.

With so many smartphones and tablets owners out there (and many people now have both), people are online all the time, and they don’t actually need their office computer to get on-line. They may not be actively checking Facebook or posting on Twitter, but from the time they wake up in the morning until they go to bed at night, they are ‘reachable’ (some would also argue that this blurs the

line between work time and personal time).

On the other hand, when em-ployees are actively chatting, reading, commenting, or viewing something online, they are also ‘reachable’ and can be engaged by a savvy digital marketer. With so many people communicating online, marketers and other so-cial media advocates find it hard to believe that companies, no matter what industry they are in, would not want to be part of the conversation or at least monitor the conversations that are taking place about their brand.

Online conversations are not just happening with people outside companies. Many organizations have now embraced social media to encourage collaboration and communication internally. They see social media as a way for teams in different departments or locations to communicate ef-ficiently and in real time. One marketing strategist has even suggested that the phrase ‘so-cial media’ be outlawed at work because of its connotations of frivolity and time-wasting. He advocates using the phrase ‘real-

time media’ instead because it is a more accurate way to describe these communication tools and more appealing to executives. Indeed, many big corporations now have command centers to monitor and manage all of the conversations about their brand in real-time.

In addition to making use of so-cial media sites internally, some companies are empowering their workers and encouraging them to be online brand ambassadors, but only after completing com-prehensive training programs.

Intel has had one of the busi-ness world’s most innovative social media policies for many years, but since 2008, has been using its ‘Digital IQ Program’ to enhance the knowledge of and train all of its employees in the use of new media. With over 100 online modules compris-ing a video, text, and a test, each Intel employee is able to self-train and move at their own pace through the program. Once they have passed a certain level in the program, they are then allowed to speak or write on behalf of the company.

Intel is not the only company that trains its employees to use social media/real-time media in the right way. Coca-Cola, Cis-co, IBM, and many others work with their teams to help them make use of the opportunities that these platforms offer. For companies that want to engage, not only their employees, but also their customers and all of their stakeholders, digital media and social networks can have a very positive effect on morale, brand awareness, and ultimately, on profits.

Finding the right balance and having the right policy and training program is key to mak-ing full use of the social media revolution that is changing the way we work and play. So for companies in the era of social media, the choice is theirs: They can either ‘plan’ or ‘ban.’ While banning social media sites in the workplace may seem to be helping employee productivity in the short term, in the long run, companies that ban may be missing opportunities to im-prove their businesses and their bottom line, and risk getting left behind.

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

goo.gl/6ngBgBangkok Trader Networking Partyhttp://goo.gl/6ngBg

Monday Tuesday

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

AMCHAM: Professional Women Cmte. – Inside the FCC http://goo.gl/O1m4F

AMCHAM: Business Econ – Review of Thailand’s Property Market http://goo.gl/TN279

AMCHAM: Committee Leadership Orientation http://goo.gl/lusdA

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

Bangkok Trader Networking Nighthttp://goo.gl/EnNbR

Bangkok Trader Networking Nighthttp://goo.gl/EnNbR

AMCHAM: HR & Legal – Labor Enviro. Update http://goo.gl/CB7Dv

Jan.

Sunday

20 21

27

3

2928

4 5

1110 12

1817 19

262524

AustCham: Board of Directors Mtg.http://goo.gl/rmsWlAustCham: Joint Property & Infrastructure Evening Presentationhttp://goo.gl/eZkux

Feb.

PPi Professional Hourhttp://goo.gl/EbSqX

22

Bangkok Entrepreneurs http://goo.gl/JihG3

Bangkok Entrepreneurs http://goo.gl/JihG3


Send us your event details for the Mid-February/March issue by February 6th to [email protected]

Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

26

3130 1

6 87 9

14 16

22 23

27 28

2

AMCHAM: 2013 Gala Installation Ballhttp://goo.gl/f1FsK

AustCham: Sundownershttp://goo.gl/mko8P

AMCHAM: SME Cmtehttp://goo.gl/Qrshx

23 24 25

13

AMCHAM: Customs & Transportation – National Single Window & AEO Programhttp://goo.gl/0uw3S

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

15

20 21

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

PPI Masters: Expat Invitational Golf Tourney http://goo.gl/NV1DL

1 2

Joint Chambers: Professional Women’s Group Speed Networking http://goo.gl/SRqsQ

AMCHAM: Lao Chapter – Trade Show / Gala Dinner & Miss Minnesota http://goo.gl/WiU0y

AMCHAM: Monthly Luncheon – World Bank on Thailand’s Economic Outlookhttp://goo.gl/2al4i

AMCHAM: Monthly Luncheonhttp://goo.gl/3esbS

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

AMCHAM: Board of Governors Meetinghttp://goo.gl/JNdUX

AMCHAM: Myanmar Task Force – Sanctions Briefing http://goo.gl/Uxlbb

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

AMCHAM: CSR Cmtehttp://goo.gl/EXEPU

PLEASE VISIT OUR FRESH NEW WEBSITE ATWWW.VILLAMARKET.COM

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089-991-1199PLEASE CALL OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE

A Very Happy&

Healthy New Year!!

Wishing All of Our Customers

bangkok business brief magazine - january 2013

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