A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN-THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AUSTRALIA THAILAND BUSINESS COUNCIL June 2010 www.auastchamthailand.com BUSINESS AWARDS 2009 Akara Mining: the AustCham Business of the Year Award BUSINESS BRIEF CBRE Survey: Investment Turn- over Jumped 215% Year-On-Year HEALTHCARE Work Doesn’t Have To Be “Back-Breaking”! CHAMBER EVENTS Bangkok Sundowners at the Dusit Thani Hotel 6 8 24 30 Small Smiles in Kanchanaburi Child’s Play
Transcript
A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN-THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AUSTRALIA THAILAND BUSINESS COUNCIL
June 2010 www.auastchamthailand.com
Business AwArds 2009Akara Mining: the AustCham Business of the Year Award
Business BriefCBRE Survey: Investment Turn-over Jumped 215% Year-On-Year
HeAltHCAreWork Doesn’t Have To Be “Back-Breaking”!
CHAmBer eventsBangkok Sundowners at the Dusit Thani Hotel
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FROM THE BOARD
AustCham continues to push for these changes on behalf of our members.
One of the challenges for the AustCham organisation is communicating these advocacy activities, and also obtaining the issues and views from members. To that end I am now providing more timely updates of our activities via the “Presidents Update” page on AustCham’s website. When possible I will try to update news of my meetings with people like the Foreign Minister or trade delegations as well as other information of importance to members.
One such piece of information is that the Thai government has informed us that they will be offering assistance to companies affected by the protests, regardless of ownership. Any affected member should contact their building management (if located in the Ratchaprasong area) or the AustCham office (if outside the area) for details of how to take advantage of the assistance packages.
The AustCham board also met for a two day strategy session and have determined some minor adjustments that will be implemented over the coming months to improve our services and activities for our members. Details are shown in the magazine and will be issued to all members via e-mail and the web site shortly.
On the regional front, the 20 AustChams will now be known as “Australian Business Asia”, and reciprocal agreements are being drafted for Thailand’s members to take advantage of, if trying to expand their business activities. A logo, website and regional marketing planned are being developed. Please don’t hesitate to ask me for more details if you are looking to expand ........... or maybe to move.
Andrew DurieuxPresident, AustCham Thailandwww.austchamthailand.com
Amazing Colourful Thailand
Last month I wrote about loving the way that the Thai people can cel-ebrate so many different events
during the year, and still get on with business. How stupid does that sound now?
After a number of major roads were blocked off, electricity and water cut to some locations, AustCham member’s business operations closed, and even a number of our members are unable to get into their houses, there was a crackdown and then arson of some-thing like 35 buildings across Bangkok and beyond. The protest has ceased for now, but there has been a lot of dev-astation and many deaths. The future remains uncertain.
I have not been this negative on the Thai economy since arriving here more than eight years ago, and I know many of our members share my thoughts. The damage done to the tourism industry, foreign investment and existing busi-ness plans for investments will take some time to recover – time that Thai-land does not have the luxury of when faced with competitors like the rapidly developing Indonesia, aggressive Viet-nam, recovering Japan, solid Singa-pore, expanding India and the biggest of all China. My real fear is now that Thailand is doing long-term damage to itself and things will only slip backwards from here. I truly hope I am wrong.
I also truly hope that all the AustCham members have their business continu-ity plans ready for any event. This is just the last of a long line of “X factor” events to have struck, and who knows what will be next.
I should also note that a number of our members operating on the Eastern Sea Board and in other areas of Thai-land remain largely unaffected, and their sales are improving as the global economy recovers. However, for things to improve further we need an oper-ating government to be able to make some much needed regulatory change. Examples include the Map Ta Phut situa-tion, which is yet to be resolved and still causes delays for some of our member’s projects, and the 3G networks issue.
6 June 2010 AustChamThailand Advance
AUSTCHAM THAILAND BUSINESS AWARD 2009
Akara Mining
responsibility continue to be key themes at Akara. The mine impacts positively on our workers, suppliers and local com-munities. A safe and healthy workplace is critical to efficient sustainable opera-tions. Chatree has over 11.3 million hours worked (six years) without a Lost Time Incident and continues to be the safest gold mine in the world based on pub-licly available data, with no reportable environmental incidents during the life of the operation. All international standards have been maintained and the company is accredited with: Social Accountabil-ity SA 8000, Health & Safety ISO 18001, Environment ISO 14001, Quality ISO 9001, Laboratory Standard ISO 17025 and Thai Labour Standard TLS 8001.
Akara Mining is a highly successful gold mining company. The com-pany owns and operates the low
cost Chatree gold mine in central Thailand using world’s best practice for safe, envi-ronmental and socially responsible opera-tions. Chatree is the largest gold mine in Thailand and, since its commissioning in 2001, the mine has produced over 900,000 ounces of gold and 2.8 million ounces of silver to 30 June 2009 at cash costs which continue to rank Chatree as one of the lowest cost gold operations in the world.
fOrmulA fOr suCCessAkara’s vision is to be a preferred gold mining company delivering shareholder value through profit and growth. Our expertise is based on embracing cul-
Congratulations to Akara Mining for receiving the AustCham Business of the Year Award.
Akara has spent 2009 delivering on the promise of bringing Chatree North into full production, returning to be a low cash cost mid-tier gold producer and positioning itself to be able to expand the processing plant and advance the exploration potential for future deposits. The company is reviewing a proposal to increase ore processing capacity to 5 million tonnes per annum and a deci-sion is expected in the last quarter of 2009. A 12 to 14 month construction period is anticipated which could result in the new Chatree North gold process-ing plant being operational by the start of 2011.
CleAr COmmuniCAtiOnAkara Mining Limited is committed to respecting the safety, health, social, economic and environmental needs of the stakeholders that could be influ-enced by our activities and to antici-pating the needs of future generations in the communities where we work. Our commitment is to operate at the forefront of recognised best practice for environ-
mental achievement and community development. Our management sys-tems support this commitment and we integrate sustainability as an essential element in the duties of all employees and contractors. Our motto is “Success Together”.
winninG COnCePtAkara believe that “People With Educa-tion and Training are Assets, Not Costs”. Akara promotes education through the building of schools, the sponsorship of educational programs in local schools, providing scholarships to local students, providing educational assistance to employees and hiring students as part of their school training program.
tural diversity and skill development, fostering teamwork and a focus on the best result for all stakeholders.
COmPetitive AdvAntAGesAkara has consolidated its position as a sig-nificant and profitable gold producer, with improved growth potential. The operational and financial results reflect the completion of the plant expansions complemented by exploration success near the mine site and regionally. The key growth initiatives for Akara are the continued development of the Chatree operation.
Current mArKet POsitiOn And future PlAnsResponsible mining and corporate social
The Asian real estate investment market remained buoyant during the first quarter as investor sentiment
remained largely positive, and inves-tors continued to demonstrate cautious optimism. The steady flow of small and medium sized transactions witnessed in the latter half of 2009 continued to feed through into the year’s opening three months. Given the relatively low level of trading activity at the beginning of 2009, in the first quarter total direct real estate investment in Asia jumped 215% on a year-over-year basis to an estimated US$16.5 billion, according to CB Richard Ellis’ Asia Investment Market View report for Q1 2010.
Despite the strong growth in transactions, as measured on a yearly basis, trans-action volume slipped in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan on a quarter-over-quarter basis. This dip in Greater China investment activity was attributable to the fact that investors began exhibiting a more cautious stance in response to the change in government policy settings with respect to the rapid run-up in prices in local real estate investment markets.
A drop in transaction volume in Taiwan was partially attributable to the limited availability of investment-grade proper-ties for sale. The US$7.8 billion worth of transactions completed in Greater China during the first quarter was 19% lower than the amount recorded in the fourth quarter of 2009. However, elsewhere in Asia, Japan, Korea and Singapore wit-nessed a strong rebound in investment activity on a quarter-over-quarter basis, with the volume of investment transaction turnover in these markets rising by 45%, 32% and 24%, respectively.
Throughout Asian investment markets, transactional activity was largely driven by domestic investors, who accounted for 72% of total investment volume. How-ever the US$12 billion worth of transac-tions completed by domestic investors was US$2.1 billion lower than the previ-ous quarter, this shift, in turn, reflected the
AsiAn Real Estate investment Markets Remain Resilient in Q1 2010
rising proportion of cross-border activity during the review period and the return of international real estate funds.
“The quarter saw both opportunistic and core international institutional inves-tors return to the Asian real estate mar-kets, attracted by the signs of a sustained recovery,” said Mr. Andrew Ness, Execu-tive Director of CBRE Research Asia.
“At the same time, well-capitalised Asian REITs and sovereign wealth funds also resumed the portfolio expansion which they had halted during the most severe period of the global economic downturn, and their return was marked by rising level of acquisitions in Japan and Singapore.”
Prime office properties continued to attract the most interest during the first quarter, accounting for over US$5.8 bil-lion of investment in the first quarter of 2010, 35% of the total volume recorded. Office properties accounted for seven of the 10 largest transactions witnessed during the period.
Residential and retail properties contin-ued to attract similar proportion of invest-ment from investors, residential properties accounted for 13%, with the retail sector comprising 14% of the total investment volume. Despite the relatively high pro-portion of market share, the US$2.1 bil-lion worth of residential transactions was 48% lower than the amount recorded in the fourth quarter in 2009. To a certain extent, this contributed to the tightening of monetary policy and other fiscal and bank regulatory measures which have recently been adopted by Asian govern-
ments seeking to cool down local resi-dential markets.
The revival in Asia business and tourist travel was reflected in Q1 in the surge in activity in the hospitality sector, which exhibited a strong growth during the period under review with a total of seven hotel transactions worth a combined total of US$590 million having been concluded during the first quarter, this sum stand-ing in contrast to the US$62 million and US$26 million recorded in the first quarter and fourth quarter of 2009, respectively.
Reflecting a revival of exports and con-tinued expansion of industrial output within the region, the industrial property sector in Tokyo, Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong all began to see increased investment interest and the emergence of demand from both domestic and for-eign investors, their interest underpinned by recent stabilisation of industrial asset prices. In the first quarter, transactions involving industrial properties rebounded strongly, climbing 21% on a quarter-over-quarter basis and accounted for a com-bined total of US$1.5 billion.
The continued recovery of the regional economy combined with low interest rate regimes continue to provide a favour-able investment environment for real estate investors. Overall capital values are expected to stay on a steady upward trend and rental income is likely to improve in the short-term. These relatively stable real estate investment market conditions will act to attract both local and interna-tional investors to place their capital to work in the region.
notes to Editors• Asiapropertyinvestmentsalesvolume/
value is based on surveys carried out by CBRE Research Asia on major notable property transactions in major Asian cities.
• CBREResearchAsiahasadoptedrel-evant measurements and definitions in calculating real estate investment capi-tal flow figures in Asia (i.e. we only track publicly announced deals above a min-imum threshold which are converted to US dollars using exchange rates recorded during each survey period.)
• Investment volume excludes develop-ment site transactions.
About CB Richard EllisCB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services firm (in terms of 2009 revenue). The Company has approximately 29,000 employees (excluding affiliates), and serves real estate owners, investors and occupiers through more than 300 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide. CB Richard Ellis has been named a BusinessWeek 50 “best in class” company for three years in a row.
CB Richard Ellis established an office in Bangkok in 1988, followed by Phuket office in 2004, and Samui office in 2007. CB Richard Ellis (Thailand) Co., Ltd. has grown to be a leading real estate services provider, offering strategic advice and execution for sales and leasing for all types of property, property and facilities management, valuation and advisory, and research and consulting. For more information, visit the company’s website at: www.cbre.co.th
regional AustChams and related Business Associations • AustChamBeijing www.austcham.org• AustChamShanghai www.austchamshanghai.org• AustChamGuangzhou www.austcham-southchina.org• AustChamHongKong www.austcham.com.hk• AustralianBusinessAssociationof
• Australia-NewZealandChamber of Commerce Philippines (ANZChamPhillippines) www.anzcham.com• AustChamSingapore www.austcham.org.sg• TheAustralianandNewZealandof
Commerce in Taipei (AnzCham Taipei) www.anzcham.org.tw• AustralianChamberofCommerce in Vietnam (AusCham HCMC Chapter) www.auschamvn.org• AustralianChamberofCommerce in Vietnam (AusCham Hanoi Chapter) www.auschamvn.org
Homeland Tax Compliance for Australian expatriates in Thailand
By Steven Herring
tAxAtiOn Of AustrAliAn residents
An Australian expatriate in Thailand who remains a resident of Australia is required to report his or her Thailand-sourced income or gains in their Australian income tax return, as either:
Assessable foreign income is income that is derived by an Australian resident whilst working overseas as an employee for either an Australian or an overseas employer and receiv-ing salary, wages, commissions, bonuses or allowances etc, unless the income earned constitutes exempt foreign income (see below).
Thus, unless Thailand employment income earned by an expatriate who remains a resident of Australia is exempt for-eign income, employment income earned in Thailand by an Australian expatriate who remains a resident of Australia would normally be assessable income in Australia.
That is, such income is required to be included in an Austral-ian income tax return as assessable (taxable) income, and the tax paid on the income in Thailand claimed in the Austral-ian tax return as a foreign tax credit.
exemPt fOreiGn inCOme
Exempt foreign income is income that is exempt from income tax in Australia under specific circumstances. But whilst exempt foreign income is not included in a resident’s Aus-tralian income tax return as assessable (taxable) income, it is nevertheless reported in the tax return and taken into account by the Australian Tax Office for the purposes of calculating the amount of tax payable in Australia.
From 1 July 2009 (i.e. from and including the 2009/10 Aus-tralian tax year), the specific circumstances when income is exempt foreign income have changed, as follows: • Theincomeisearnedfromforeignserviceasanemployee
continuouslyfor91daysormore;and
• Theforeignserviceisforworkas:
- An aid or charity worker employed by a non-govern-mentorganisation;or
- Agovernmentaidworker;or
- A government defence or police force worker deployedoverseas;and
• TheforeignincomeisnototherwiseexemptfromtaxinAustralia because of:
- A tax treaty agreement with Australia or a law similar toataxtreatyagreement;or
- A law or an international agreement to which Aus-tralia is a party for diplomatic or consular workers or workers connected to international organisations (suchastheUnitedNations);or
- Australia recognising that the foreign country exempts tax on employment services income (for example, Saudi Arabia).
According to these rules, unless employment income earned in Thailand is earned as an aid or a charity worker, or an army or a police officer, or an Australian embassy worker, then employment income earned in Thailand would not qualify as exempt foreign income for Australian resi-dent income tax purposes.
The income earned by an Australian expatriate from a pri-vate or a public company in Thailand would not normally qualify as exempt income, and therefore, it would normally be assessable foreign income, which an Australian expa-triate who remains a resident of Australia would usually be required to include in his or her Australian income tax return as taxable income in Australia.
You should note that if your Thai-sourced income is required to be included in an Australian tax return, you must add the amount of the Thailand tax paid on the income to the net income amount (called grossing up the income), and then claim the Thailand tax paid as a foreign tax credit.
AustrAliAn tAx return filinG flOwCHArt
These rules could, at first instance, seem to be a bit com-plicated, and the flowchart on the following page depicts the Australian tax return filing requirements for Australian expatriates in an easier way.
BUSINESS BRIEF
June 2010 13AustChamThailand Advance
!
CeAsinG AustrAliAn resident stAtus
If an Australian expatriate wishes to change his or her status from a resident to a non-resident, the ATO in Aus-
tralia should be advised by answering ‘Yes’ to the ques-tion, ‘Are you an Australian resident?’ on the front page of the tax return, and specifying the date of ceasing to be an Australian resident at section A2 of the tax return under the ‘Other items’ heading.
From the date of ceasing to be an Australian resident, for-eign sourced income (including Thailand-sourced income) is not reported in Australian tax returns and is not assess-able income in Australia.
Also, any Australian-sourced income that is derived after the date of ceasing to be an Australian resident, such as interest, dividend and royalty income, should have the 10% non-resident withholding tax deducted from the income in Australia.
So, in addition to advising the ATO in Australia, the payers of Australian-sourced interest, dividend and royalty income should also be advised of the date of ceasing to be an Australian resident in order for them to deduct the required 10% withholding tax.
The information herein was contributed by Steven Herring, an experienced and senior RSM International tax law consultant for RSM Advisory (Thailand) Limited.
BUSINESS BRIEF
Contact Craig Somerville by telephone on 081 692 8281 or email: [email protected]
Local expatriates missed the oppor-tunity for their annual catch-up with one of the world’s leading global
portfolio managers last month, when regular Bangkok visitor Scott Campbell’s planned joint address to the Australian andNewZealandchambers fell victimto the political demonstrations.
Undeterred, MBMG Group’s affili-ated portfolio manager, and managing director of award-winning MitonOpti-mal Guernsey, continued with his trip to Bangkok and, despite a number of other necessary itinerary changes, Campbell presented his views to more than 100 attendees at a series of briefings across the city.
Thailand’s volatile political environment combined with the incredible pres-sure that was building in the debt-rav-aged Greek economy, prior to the riots
Global, Local and Home economics
and multibillion-dollar international bail-out package, created an anxious back-drop that highlighted the palpable fears of local investors and raised the ques-tions: is the Western world going to be dragged down into renewed recession by the contagion of the sovereign debt crisis that looks set to consume Europe? And, what does that mean living here, will the momentum of the Asian recov-ery be sufficient to outstrip the poten-tial second fall of the West and how will domestic political risk affect the Thai economy?
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the three-time S&P-award-winning Campbell says that even though foreign investors remain bullish on the growth of emerging mar-kets, Thailand might fail to capitalise on its strengths to become one of the best investment markets in Asia if politics continues to weigh on the economy.
The currency markets provide an indi-
cation that country risk has already affected Thailand’s performance and recovery over the past year or so: Despite complaints from local business chiefs and exporters, any suggestion that the central bank has been interven-ing in the money market to bolster the Baht seems very unlikely given the very visible build-up of Dollar reserves that have been generated by ‘selling’ Baht. In reality Thailand’s seemingly “strong” baht has actually underperformed the region’s other currencies by about 10%. “That is almost entirely down to the local political situation. Currency is a barome-ter of political risk and the Thai baht has been pretty much flat since last year [on a trade-weighted basis]. If the political risk gets sorted out, then you may see the Thai baht appreciate just to catch up with the other regional currencies which it has lagged during this time.’’ accord-ing to Campbell, adding that the funda-mentals for the whole Asian region are still very positive.
BUSINESS BRIEF
June 2010 15AustChamThailand Advance
‘’Asia along with other emerging mar-kets will continue to be the best place for investment for the next 30 to 40 years. Over the past 10 years, western stock markets have done nothing while Asian stock markets have grown three-to-four-fold,’’ says Campbell.
Thailand is certainly part of that devel-opmental shift, but political uncertainty has dampened economic growth since problems arose in 2004, a point rein-forced by observers such as Temple-ton’s Mark Mobius and John Sheehan of Global Markets Asia.
The turbulence has not only slowed Thai-land, it has enabled some other coun-tries in the region to overtake Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy in terms of growth. This can be seen by compar-ing the kingdom’s economic growth, for-eign-exchange rates and stock market valuations with those of comparable economies in Southeast Asia.
‘’If you take the superior GDP (gross domestic product) growth rate of a juris-diction like the Philippines and apply this higher rate to Thailand’s growth from 2005, it can be seen that by the end of 2008 Thailand’s GDP would be some-where between US$30 billion and $40 billion higher than now,’’ says Sheehan.
Problems in Europe loom large on the economic radar, however. Even though Greece received the largest ever finan-cial bailout package offered to a single country, the package failed to yield the desired bounce in the markets. Despite the huge problems that Greece faces its public debt, equivalent to about 125% of GDP, is a small proportion of the EU’s overall deficit and the fears that the con-tagion will spread to Portugal, Spain, Ire-land and even the UK, are very real.
“Some people are predicting that in the long-term we won’t remember the prob-lems of the last few years as a financial crisis, because that will be subsumed by the emerging sovereign debt crisis in Europe,” says Campbell.
He believes there is at least a 30% chance of the established Western economies being dragged back into recession by the problems in Europe and possibilities of a hollow recovery.
Whether this will happen or not should
become clear in the figures of major economies, such as the US, when they are published in the early second half of the year, with job creation and growth key indicators to follow.
Regardless of the situation in Europe, the clear fact is that Asian economies and other emerging markets will domi-nate the global markets for the next sev-eral decades, a time when the former world powerhouses will continue their decline. Campbell says this is down to simple fundamentals and economic cycles. The Kondratieff Seasons, a long-term economic model that essentially explains boom and bust, give a clear outlook on investment opportunities and asset and equity allocations. This com-bined with a look at population growth, development and demographics paints a positive picture for Asia.
‘’The region is exporting within itself. This has shown that Asia is much less dependent on the west which is very positive. Asian demographics also are positive with the population distribu-tion being similar to that of the United States Baby Boom era. An economy that has a bigger chunk of people at the bottom [age group] is in a much better shape than the economy that has bigger chunk of people at the top. India, for example, will progress through the baby boom stage and isn’t projected to reach the top heavy state that is starting to impact on the growth of the US today until 2050. In long term trends this is a theme very supportive of emerging markets growth for another 40 years or so.’’
“Of course, there will be business cycles, stock market crashes and credit crunches, but for the next 40 years or so, until the major Asian economies get top-heavy, the region will be the driver of global growth,” he adds.
This changing global dynamic is seeing other economic phenomena migrate from the West to the East.
“In the past, a high-risk portfolio was emerging market bonds, Japanese equities and developing market prop-erty. At the same time a low-risk one contained US government bonds, German blue-chip companies and UK property but now, the situation is com-pletely reversed.’’
Asian commercial property is particu-larly attractive in many cases with low gearing ratios and good yield carry. And while Asian growth may lead to higher interest rates, the strong carry differen-tial will be partially protected by eco-nomic growth leading to higher rents and occupancy rates.
Campbell remains bullish on gold as one of the allocated asset classes and based on a number of technical and fun-damental factors expects gold prices to ultimately rise to between $2,000 and $2,500 an ounce. Gold has been one of the asset classes that have helped Campbell to achieve exceptional out-performance over the last 10 years; aperiod in which the Dow Jones Indus-trial average has fallen by around 30% and the gold price has increased almost fivefold from its lowest point to current levels just below $1,200 an ounce.
From a personal investment point of view, expatriates living in Thailand need to have a balanced global portfolio, diver-sified across cash, gold, hedge funds and property. But they should also try to keep their regular costs and expenses covered off in Thai baht to reduce cur-rency risk.
“If you live in an emerging market and you have liabilities, costs and debts, you need to match those off in the local cur-rency. If your expenses are in Thai baht, they should be covered off in Thai baht. The reason why people traditionally did it the other way round is because it made sense when the emerging markets were in a disinflationary cycle while the west was bullish – but now it’s the other way round.”
People who have investments and sav-ings in western currencies would do well to hedge those risks by looking at strong Asian currencies such as the Singapore dollar. Campbell actually manages for MBMG Group one of the only global funds to hedge in Thai baht and Singa-pore dollars.
Despite the current global and local uncertainties, Asia and Thailand remain strong investment markets, says Camp-bell.
“If you’re living in this part of the world it is a very positive thing. It is where all the growth and the change is going to be,” he says.
BUSINESS BRIEF
16 June 2010 AustChamThailand Advance
By Geoffrey R. Storey
With the present economic crisis and with organisations looking to fight, not for profit but for sur-
vival, we find that there are four emerging issues that are shaping the global risk landscape:systemicfinancialrisk;foodsecurity;supplychains;andenergy.
Below is a look at the supply chain.
All companies and governments depend-ent on external suppliers are exposed to the risks of disruption in their supply chain. But the extent and complexity of current global supply chains mean that
Helping Organisations To Survivethat they may never encounter domes-tically, as well as very different cultural approaches to the management of risk.
As supply chains grow more and more complex and intertwine, the risk of cross-contamination from risky supply chains to secure/safe supply chains increases. Managing risks, in particular sectors, become very difficult. Cultural barriers can also add to the confusion and lack of common understanding and consen-sus of what should be done.
A way needs to be established to reduce the exposure and risks, such as the fol-lowing:
• Culture – Inadequate knowledge about the Peoples, culture and lan-guageinforeigncountries;
• Opportunism – The danger of suppli-ers or customers behaving opportun-istically;and
The interactions between the different types of risk, including risk event exam-ples similar to the risk applied in most of the supply chain risk literature: supply risk, demand risk and operational risk.
risK mAnAGement strAteGies
In developing risk management strate-gies we divide the strategies into seven categories: avoidance; postponement;speculation; hedging; control; transfer-ring/sharingrisk;andsecurity.
In selecting the appropriate strategy, man-agers should consider both market risk and business risk, as each need to be bal-anced. Supply chain operations are just not capable of doing their normal daily func-tions and preparing strategy risk plans: can you afford not to have the risk manage-ment plan for survival and profitability?
five stePs ACtiOn PlAn in ACHievinG A funCtiOn risK strAteGY PlAn
Five steps of global supply chain risk management can be used, following in the footsteps of the classic circular risk analysis paradigm: Identify > Assess and Evaluate > Mitigate > Monitor and Re-assess. In specialist terms, they are called:Risk Identification;RiskAssess-ment and Evaluation; Selection of RiskManagement Strategies; Implementa-tionofRiskManagementStrategies;andMitigation of Supply Chain Risks.
Each step needs to be fully examined and mapped so as to enable one to analysis the information correctly as “Cause and Effect” and then to formulate the strategies that are then needed to act. Once in action these plans need to be assessed regularly to ensure that the strategy plan always remains proactive rather than reactive.
the problem of supply chain manage-ment is not limited to a single enterprise or industry: even a relatively small supply chain disruption caused by a global risk event may ultimately have consequences across the global economic system.
Vulnerabilities to the supply chain are generally poorly understood and man-aged. This is partly because the risks in the supply chain are obscured, as enter-prises and governments may be indirectly exposed to a global risk disruption through a complex range of sub-supplier arrange-ments. To some measure this is due to the range of possible global risk disruptions – from geopolitical risk to natural catastro-phies to pandemics. A US or European based company which sources key com-ponents from Asia will indirectly face risks
• Currency–Changesinexchangerates;• Transit time – Variability of time spent
intransitandportclearance;• Forecast – Errors in prediction of
demand leading to shortage or excess ofstocks;
• Quality – Defective, damaged or wrong products or components, with problems and issues differing from sitetosite;
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. –WinstonChurchill
20 June 2010 AustChamThailand Advance 20 June 2010 AustChamThailand Advance
COMMUNITY SERVICES SUPPLEMENT
Participants on the AustCham Hell-firePassANZACDayweekendtripvisited the Kindergarten amenity
block at Wat Putakian in Kanchanaburi, which is a major Community Services project undertaken by AustCham.
The kindergarten/day care centre caters for up to 100 children from local families living near Wat Putakian and in the sur-rounding district. Families rely on the facil-ity to take care of their children while they are at work. The Wat (Temple) is on the main Kanchanaburi to Sai Yok Yai road, approximately 10 kms from the Australian government museum at Hell Fire Pass. The Thai government does not financially support this community facility.
On 24 April, 46 of AustCham’s members and their friends arrived at the school in the late morning. Around 60 of the small school children were seated outside ready for a show by AustCham’s popular Entertainer;ClownEckie.Thechildren’senjoyment of the show was obvious as laughter filled the newly built structure. After the show, attendees served the children a lunch of sandwiches, milk, and coconut ice-cream. Each of the stu-dents went home with gifts brought by those attending. AustCham Treasurer Nigel McKinnon gave stationary goods and dolls to the kids as well as tennis and soccer balls donated by Boral.
Small Smiles inKanchanaburi
AustCham gave out gifts packages of books, pens, drink bottles and toys.
Those attending were invited to contrib-ute towards outstanding items on the purchasing list for the school and improv-ing the dining, kitchen and toilet facili-ties. AustCham is pleased to announce that a total amount of Baht 28,300 was donated! Thank you so much to every-one who has contributed to supporting the Community Services project. Your gifts will help us improve the lives of the children who attend the kindergarten.
Back in 2009, the kindergarten had only a main building with five classroom bays and a small toilet block. A make-shift kitchen was sited in a tent. The Wat funds one teacher and there are two vol-unteer assistants and a maid.
Stage 1 Constructing the columns and attaching the roof of the Kindergarten amenity block was completed at the end of February this year.
Stage 2 The floor and kitchen walls, along with the installation of the door and windows, were completed by ANZACDay.
Stage 3 Painting, plumbing and elec-trical work will be completed in June this year.
AustCham would like to give a spe-cial thank you to Meinhardt, HASSELL, ECC Lincoln Scott, and Boral for initiat-ing this project. With many other gener-ous sponsors who shortly followed, all of whom we wish to thank. The list of all these considerate sponsors are listed next page.
The local community is delighted with the new building and is looking forward to using the kitchen and dining room as the rainy season approaches.
Back in March the sub committee inspected progress. During the visit quilts made by Aus Gems, a Sydney quilters’ group were presented to the Head teacher and the children. Aus Gems became aware of the AustCham project through Jo McIntyre, a teacher who worked at St Andrews International School in Sathorn. Jo’s mother is a quilt-ing teacher so she and her group were very pleased to be able to donate 25 quilts to the kindergarten for the children to rest on during their daily nap session. The gifts were reciprocated when the children kindly offered gifts of tamarind to sub-committee members.
If you would like to contribute to this great cause, please contact Brett Gannaway at: [email protected]
June 2010 21AustChamThailand Advance
COMMUNITY SERVICES SUPPLEMENT
June 2010 21AustChamThailand Advance
by Dimet (Siam) PCL.
the list of donors to this project continues to grow
The Board of Directors conducted a strategy review meeting on Friday, 7 and Saturday, 8 May. This update is to inform the members of the outcomes.
On Friday the board invited a number of key individu-als and stakeholders to offer their views on areas that AustCham can improve. This included past presi-
dents, Austrade, the Embassy and sponsors. Thanks to all who attended and for giving up their time for the members’ benefit.
I think it is an excellent trait amongst Aussies that we can dis-cuss ideas, options and express different views without per-sonal attacks and then make decisions for the benefit of all with all the information available to us.
The key findings on Friday were:
• Australianbusinessfocusislackingalittleatthemomentwith a perception that AustCham is more focused on “Social Activities” rather than business.
We should also recognise that the strengths of the cham-ber are in our diversity, tolerance and inclusiveness and that AustCham facilitates business activity through the networking (and social) activities.
The board and guests reviewed the current objectives of AustCham: To represent and promote mutual business interests of our membership in Thailand by
1. Leadership in business community2. Building on the successes of the Thai Australian Bilateral
Relationships3. Being an information source of all members4. Promoting corporate social responsibility (CSR) through
good corporate citizenship.
In discussions, the Board and guests agreed that these words should be changed to better reflect the current objectives, which include:
1. Advocacy on behalf of the members towards the Thai and Australian governments
2. Promotion of key Australian Values: • Informality • Inclusiveness • Tolerance • Diversity3. Providing business benefits through a balance of social
FROM THE BOARD MEETING
and business activities. 4. Acting as a Middle Person for business opportunities.5. Increasing the membership to allow further member
benefits.
The board agreed that the following are the key actions that should be undertaken:
memBersHiP CriteriA
The Board plans to review the membership criteria to better align with the AustCham objectives. The criteria for full mem-bership and affiliate membership will be updated and com-municated once finalised.
More frequent member briefings are being regarded, pos-sibly prior to Sundowners, as well as more frequent “Pres-ident’s Updates” which will be delivered via e-mail and on the AustCham website. The information to be provided will include Advocacy updates, information provided by outside groups and other updates which are likely to be of benefit to our members.
ADvAnCe mAGAZine
We have been reviewing the outsourcing model used and have received two bids for production of the magazine, but both of these are unacceptable at this time. The Board agreed that we will continue to work with the current provider (Scand-Media), but are re-negotiating the terms and conditions in relation to advertising revenue.
tAlKs
The Board agreed we will focus more on topics of business relevance to our members using the “Australian focus”. There was recognition that members still look for their own market-ing opportunities, and events such as breakfast briefings and webinars should still remain available to members who want to provide these. This topic is now a Board Portfolio.
events
AustCham will spend less office resources on events of a social nature and focus more on those activities that are in line with the Australian focus. Events that make good returns will continue as a way to generate funds for to provide busi-ness benefits to members. The Business Awards (business focus) will continue, as will the AFL (profitable). The Australia Day Ball and Xmas BBQ are being reviewed.
We will also explore opportunities to work with other groups suchasAITandANZWGasawaytoensurethesocialeventsenjoyed by many are maintained.
Sundowners is clearly seen as a business networking event,
June 2010 23AustChamThailand Advance
FROM THE BOARD MEETING
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ChonburiSaraburiRayongHemaraj industrial estates with world-class infrastructure, Free Zones, and deep-sea
port proximity, are built around a cluster concept to optimize supply chain logistics: automotive (Detroit of the East), petrochemical and export-oriented, etc. There are multiple locations to suit your different needs with BOI Zone 3 and Zone 2 benefits.
Whether you are a large multinational or an SME business with long-term investmentin mind, Hemaraj can provide you with total sustainable solutions of developed land, factories and services.
so no changes will be made to the Bangkok, Eastern Sea-board, Phuket or Chiang Mai events at this time.
Alumni
The group agreed that Alumni has a longer term business benefit to members and Australia, and should therefore be continued and improved. A more detailed strategy and plan for how to make this work in the longer term. Some differentia-tion between the age groups is probably required.
COmmunitY serviCes
Community Services is a worthwhile activity for the chamber to conduct on behalf of the members. However, it is not a key business activity. Therefore only a small amount of office admin-istrative resources should be used to provide this service.
• Major projects will ceaseonce theKanchanaburi Kinder-garten is completed.
thing to recognise Khun Suttipong’s legacy but have not determined the appropriate outlet for this yet, and remain open to ideas.
• Convoy for Kids status needs to beclarified in terms of risks and liability and overall management, but in the short term it will continue to be sup-ported.
COmmitees And suB-COmmit-tees
No existing committees will change as a result of the strategy session.
An initial step will involve the creation of an “Australian Interest” group or com-mittee. Leigh Scott Kemiss assisted by David Armstrong will initially look after this as a Board Portfolio. This will be for Australian owned members only, with the aim of highlighting issues for advo-cacy with either the Thai or Australian authorities.There was also agreement that more focus should be made with Industry groups. AustCham has many mem-bers in areas such as Infrastructure, Construction, Education and Hospital-ity, so if sufficient interest can be found amongst the members, sub-committees will be formed.
A review of the Automotive Focus Groups status, activities and member-ship structure needs to be undertaken. There was agreement that this group is not to be disbanded as it serves an Industry Focus today. However, issues from this group are not being raised
with the Board and liability/administration is not clear.
An advisory group of senior Thais and prominent Australians will also be considered.
imPlementAtiOn
This meeting was the first step, with further canvassing of ideas to continue at Sundowners and via e-mail.
This update is the initial communication of the results of the strategy review, and a wider member briefing will be pro-vided prior to the June sundowners by the president and the board.
The Executive Director has been asked to prepare a detailed project plan for review by the board ASAP with specific actions and timeframes identified to move the chamber towards adop-tion of the items above. This should be available soon.
Dr. Num Tanthuwanit Graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Australia, and is a Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. He was the winner of the AustCham Young Alumni Awards in 2009. He offers us some advice
today about keeping a healthy posture. Questions can be emailed to: [email protected]
AustCham’s Young Alumni Award Winner, 2009
Back pain is one of the most common complaints that patients present their doctors with and is especially common amongst working-aged people. You might
think that only people engaged in labor-intensive work, such as heavy lifting, will suffer from back pain, however you may be surprised that even sitting at your desk in the office, or on the couch at home, can be just as detrimental to your back if you’re not careful.
Most cases of acute back pain are due to ‘soft-tissue’ inju-ries, that is, sprains and strains of the muscles and lig-aments around the spine. This can be attributed to a precipitating event such as twisting the wrong way, bend-ing down to pick something up, or other strenuous activi-ties. In over 80% of cases recovery is expected within a
Work Doesn’t Have To Be “Back-Breaking”!
few weeks with relatively simple measures (such as a short period of bed rest and medication), with no long term con-sequences.
However, more serious and even permanent damage can be done just by sitting at your desk. Poor posture, espe-cially ‘slouching’ or ‘rounding forward’ when sitting holds the back muscles in a poor position for long periods of time, which weakens them. It can also slowly degenerate your discs (the little cushions between your back bones) and push the discs outward from your back. This is how discs becomeherniated;otherwiseknownasa‘slippeddisc’.Aslipped disc can bulge outward enough to press on nearby nerves, sending pain signals down your legs, this is called ‘sciatica’.
June 2010 25AustChamThailand Advance
HEALTHCARE
This is a side view of your spine. Left: normal disc between two vertebrae. Right: disc pushed out (herniated) from bad bending habits.
Bending forward incorrectly gradually pushes discs out from the back. Lift and bend properly to avoid damaging your discs.
Poor posture, especially in overweight people, can lead to premature disc degeneration, bulging, and hernias.
Check to see if you slouch when sitting, at work or at home.
26 June 2010 AustChamThailand Advance
HEALTHCARE
Instead of sitting forward in your chair, move your hips all the way to the back of the chair, and lean slightly back in comfort. If the chair back is rounded, put a small cushion in the space between your low back and the chair.
At the office:
• Movetheseatinandsitclosertothedesk so you can sit up instead of hunching forward.
• Putthemonitoruponabook,block,or shelf. Use an external keyboard for laptops.
simple Preventive Measures
Other bad habits include sitting on the edge of the seat, too far away from the desk, and crossing your legs.
Another common thing that can hurt your back is sitting too far away from the back of the seat; ‘sliding down’ and leaving a gap between your hips and the chair.
June 2010 27AustChamThailand Advance
HEALTHCARE
Try these simple exercises at work:
..or lie flat with your knees bent and lift up your hips…
…or simply lie flat and rest on your elbows for a little while!Simply stand up and extend your back …
Even without a seat back, you can sit comfortably. Move your seat in, put your monitor up on a block or shelf. Put a cushion or rolled up towel behind the small of your back. Depending on your height, you can lower your seat a bit so you don’t have to reach down for the desk. Sitting up straight will ensure even distribution of pressure on the discs.
Get Up and stretch at least every hour!
So there it is- work doesn’t have to be back breaking!!! So start checking your posture and take care of your spine. Remember also that regular exrcise and keeping your weight within a healthy range will help prevent back pain.
28 June 2010 AustChamThailand Advance
By Christie McKanna,Regional Workplace directordwp (design worldwide partnership)
Slippery slides, running tracks, fake trees and vertical gardens? Do we really need to create indoor play-
grounds to make people work?
Do workplaces of the future need to be filled with follies and adult play grounds to add value to the operations of major business? What constitutes valuable real estate decisions in these times of economic volatility? Do we standard-ise furniture systems and consolidate shared facilities resulting in less netta-ble floor areas?
What makes a great indoor space for our office workers? dwp workplace is uncov-ering new trends in the workplace, through research and testing ideas within current projects under construction. As dwp were founded by Australians – the outdoors is a common term used in Australia to show case our natural and diverse, rugged geography and landscape. The great indoors is founded on the longing for people to feel inspired and calm within an enclosed environment.
The glitz and glamour is now replaced by authenticity and driven by functional planning. Our spaces we shape as archi-tects and designers demonstrate the practicalities required in our workplace, designed within envelopes express-ing a company’s core values. People often wonder – how we do this? In what way do you create a brand and culture within the built environment? dwp aim to create communities. We unite people in the workplace with shared facilities and a variety of work points. We focus on spaces and places for people to occupy and gather within.
The great indoors is a term we use to create communities specific to the organisation. These places are designed for people to interact, collaborate, focus and socialise. All in a day’s work, from senior director levels to admin our work
The Great Indoorsethic is to provide the client with congen-ial and dynamic working environments.
Our latest project for Beyer Thailand, has these elements introduced early enough in the project to allow the con-struction process to incorporate post formed slabs that will become the struc-tural envelopes for our designed com-munities. dwp has introduced external landscape design into the internal areas for informal meetings and discussions. The central focus on the floor plan is the man feature known as the ‘Beyer Color Wheel’ designed to showcase the new water based paint colours of the rain-bow. The architectural feature has a double layer, designed to show case internally the history of the company.
HR and the recruitment counters are all open and transparent upon arrival, adja-cent to the Beyer Color Wheel to inspire and inform new staff about the history and corporate responsibility of the com-pany. Beyer has been registered as the first LEED interiors project by dwp Thai-land. We believe the client has taken steps and supported the direction of sustainability with their “eco smart pro-gram” –and dwp have aligned the “great indoors” to match the aspirations of our clients products and commitment to the environment.
Christie McKanna is a key figure in the design industry and heads the regional workplace portfolio for dwp. With Over 13 years experience in the commercial property industry Christie has worked on projects ranging from education master planning, property portfolio feasibility studies, award winning hotel developments and corporate interior workplace design. Christie has delivered papers at Cornet Global, Environmental Planning Law Association and the Property Council of Australia. Her projects have covered diverse geographies from UAE, China, Taiwan and APAC. Contact: [email protected]
bangkok Sundowners at the Pathumwan Princess Hotel on 12 May 2010
4
CHAMBER EVENTS
1) Back: Ektanut Suwan - Lang Suan House; Barry Petersen - Lang Suan House; Robin Hyde - Sebera International Movers and Logistics; Alan Verstein - Siam Gazette; Neil Chiu - Allied Pickfords. Front: Andrew Durieux - AustCham President, Coverage; Christoph Knichel, Pathumwan Princess Hotel; Marcel Sawyere, Pathumwan Princess Hotel. 2) Mark Cope - Downer EDI Engineering; Amanda Canavan - AustCham Director, Energi Design; Belinda Skinner - AustCham Director, Top Talent Asia. 3) Jon Matthews - Cojo Productions; Pru Colville - Cojo Productions; Carolyn O’Neill - Photographer. 4) M.L. Laksasubha Kridakon - AustCham Vice President, Baan Laksasubha Hua Hin; Khun Jurairat Jammanee - AustCham Director, HASSELL.5) Khun Wanida Niamhom - Oakwood Asia; Khun Darin Choochuay
3 5
1 2 2
June 2010 31AustChamThailand Advance
CHAMBER EVENTS
- SAS; Khun Nutthaya Tiannanon - Oakwood Asia. 6) Jeremie Duthel - French Embassy in Thailand; Guests of Jeremie Duthel. 7) Luis Carlos Perez Gomez Ramirez - KPMG; Khun Attaporn Pacharanan - KPMG; Thomas V. Jacobs - KPMG; Amanda Spikes - KPMG. 8) Jo Hagan - B. Com; Robert Hagan - Artist; Barry Petersen - Lang Suan House; Khun Sawaeng Panthurasri - Lang Suan House; Khun Ektanut Suwan - Lang Suan House. 9) Christoph J Knichel - Pathumwan Princess Hotel; Martin Kyle - BTS Group; Marcel Sawyere - Prathumwan Pincess Hotel. 10) Khun Waranya Sangtong - Tellus; Khun Putita Rojsiriphan - Tellus; Khun Panchaya Hotrakit - Tellus; Khun Maythiya Yodsawas - Shewsbury International School. 11) Eddie Howarth, Guest of Eddie Howarth Ian Webb - BTD Asia.
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Despite the unrest through Bangkok, AustCham made the decision to continue with Sundowners. There was a great atmosphere at Pathumwan Princess Hotel, who we must thank for their steadfast sponsorship in hosting this event. AustCham would also like to extend its thanks to Akara Mining for continuing with their sponsorship of the evening. With much unrest in Bangkok it has been great to see AustCham’s Sponsors and Members sticking together and supporting one another.
32 June 2010 AustChamThailand Advance
NEW MEMBERS AND MEMBERS’ CHANGES
CHAnGe Of COmPAnY nAme
Global Fleet Sales Co., Ltd. has changed company name to be rmA Automotive Co., ltd.
Tanayong Public Company Limited has changed company name to be Bts Group Holdings PCl.
CHAnGe Of rePresentAtive
Mr. Volkert Geertsen, Director of Sales + Marketing is a new representative of Plaza Athénée Bangkok, A royal méridien Hotel.
Khun Pratamaporn Svasti-Xuto, Group Representative, Thailand is a new representative of Australia and new Zealand Banking Group limited.
AustCham seeks writers, journalists and co-editor to assist, on a voluntary basis, with the Chamber’s very successful monthly magazine, Advance. 3,500 copies are distributed monthly. If you have some free time each month to help then please contact:[email protected].: 02 210 0216
Find Your inner J.K. rowling, Aravind Adiga or John Grisham
AustCham Thailand is now on Twitter.Follow us at: twitter.com/austcham
AustCham Thailand is now on Twitter.Follow us at: twitter.com/austcham
Amari Orchid PattayaEnjoy one of the best BBQ sensations for only Baht 990 per person. Delicious Wagyu Beef BBQ Night is on every Saturday from 18.30 and fea-tures our chef’s finest selection of Australian Wagyu Beef and free flow drinks.
AusWa ThaiAustCham members can get their profiles including com-pany logo, link to their website and an extract of their company details registered at Longdo Map Thailand for FREE! To receive full details of this offer, please email [email protected].
baan LaksasubhaBaan Laksasubha at Hua Hin is delighted to offer readers two nights stay in the Garden Veranda for only Baht 7,000. Set in plush landscaped gar-dens, spacious guestrooms are ideal for a romantic getaway or weekend retreat with the family. Enjoy dining at our Costanera Beach Restaurant & Tapas Bar which overlooks a private beach and serves a variety of culinary delights. To book this offer, kindly email [email protected] or contact us on 032 514 525-31 and quote ACOO1.
Conrad bangkokEscape the summer heat and retreat to The Conrad Bangkok with our special “Great Geta-way: 20% off for stays between 28 May – 6 September, 2010”. Simply book between now and 15 July 2010 to enjoy up to 20% off Best Available Rate. Classic rooms start from Baht
5,200 / single room per night. Reservations can be made through: [email protected] or by calling +66 2690 9999.
CoverageSARS, Tsunami, Bird Flu, Coup, Swine Flu, Riots, - what’s the next X for Thailand? What’s next for your business? Are you prepared? Coverage knows and understands all parts of your business and can help provide a plan, training and exercise for you and your staff in English and Thai. Andrew is offering a 20% discount for all AustCham members. Call 02 261 8485.
emiratesFly Emirates and enjoy 10% discount on all fares as an esteemed member of the Australian Chamber of com-merce. Be privy to a choice of over 100 destinations worldwide and enjoy our award-winning service. We also offer our First and Business Class customers a complimentary personal airport transfer in a chauffeur-driven car at selected airports. This offer is valid for bookings made by 30 November 2010 when you quote thepromotionalcode:THEMBZY* Mile restrictions apply
Manohra Dining CruisesBoard a beautifully restored antique rice barge and enjoy a gold menu set of 10 courses for Baht 1,990 per person or a Silver set menu of 8 courses valued at Baht 1,250 per person. The boat departs at 19.30 each evening. For reservations, please call 02 476 0022 Ext. 1416, or email [email protected]
Marriott resort and SpaSchedule your next meeting at Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa to take advantage of their “Achieve & Relax package”. Offering a special price for deluxe rooms starting at Baht 3,400 per night. Book before 30 June to take advantage of this offer which will run until 31 October, 2010. For more information or reservation, please contact the Sales Center at (66) 2 476 5005, or email [email protected].
Millennium Hilton bangkokMillennium Hilton is offering Spe-cial Treats for those residing in Thailand: Baht 3,000 for room and breakfast with a complimentary upgrade to Executive Room. Baht 3,500 for room and breakfast with a complimentary upgrade to Executive Suite and Thai Mas-sage for two persons. Break-fast for two, afternoon tea and evening drinks are some of the additional priveledges included. For information and reservations please call 02 442 2000.
Novotel bangkok on Siam SquareNovotel Bangkok on Siam Square is offering x10 Bonus points when holding banquets and meetings in May and June. In addition to the regular point collection pro-gram, you will receive ten times the regular amount of points redeemable for an International Buffet Dinner Voucher, for every Baht 5,000 spent. For more information, please call Banquet Sales on 02 209 8888.
rajas FashionsWe are offering AustCham Mem-bers some great deals for the month of June! Buy any suit and
get two free Egyptian Cotton dhirts for free. Buy four egyp-tian cotton shirts and get the fifth one free. Buy a Baht 5,000 gift voucher for your colleague or loved one for only Baht 4,000. These offers expire at the end of this month.
Shangri-La HotelShangri-La is offering rooms for just Baht 4,500 per night. Their special weekend offer includes breakfast for two, and your choice of lunch or dinner at Next 2. The offer is valid until the end of June. For bookings and enquiries, please call the Reservations Department at Tel: 02 206 8788 or email: [email protected].
SukhothaiSukhothai offers you a 30 minute Absolute Skin Purifying sea salt scrub and marine seaweed wrap to improve blood circulation and eliminate toxins. Followed up with a one hour Sukhothai signature massage and complimentary fruit juice, this package is valued at Baht 3,400 for one person, or Baht 6,400 for two. For information or reservations, please email: [email protected]
WestinThe Westin Power Up Package includes a daily complimentary buffet break-fast at the new international restaurant ‘Taste’ and compli-mentary high speed internet access. Bookings are subject to availability with rates start-ing from Baht 4,900/room/night for stays from now until 31 December 2010. For reservations, please contact: 02 207 8000
Please note, all details are subject to change, please contact respective businesses directly for latest details.
MEMBERS’ OFFERS
34 June 2010 AustChamThailand Advance
FROM THE CHAMBER OFFICE
Calendar of eventswednesdAY, 2 JuneBangkok Commonwealth sundowners18.00 – 21.00Venue: TBA
fridAY, 4 JuneConvoy for Kids Charity Golf day10.30 Registration12.30 Shotgun StartVenue: Laem Chabang Golf and Coun-try Club
fridAY, 11 Juneeastern seaboard sundowners18.00 – 21.00Venue: Hard Rock Hotel, Pattaya
sAturdAY, 12 Junevoluntary english teachingVenue: Baan Khao Din School, Chonburi
Thank you to all May sponsors
tariat office. The aim of the meeting was to take a look back at our recent history, distinguish where we are as a chamber and our future direction. The board of directors then had the rare opportunity where they could sit down as a group for a full day and work out the best way to achieve those goals which provide the best benefit for our members. By having the representatives from the var-ious organisation s, it allowed us to have input from all sides and get a balanced view from all stakeholders concerned. The process of continuous improve-ment for the chamber and continuing great value to you, our members is an ongoing one. As always, I welcome everybody’s comments and feedback so please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you would like to share your views and opinions.
We were all deeply saddened by the events that took place last month in Bangkok and various provinces
throughout Thailand. The disturbances caused the chamber to postpone a number of our events scheduled in Bangkok, Rayong and Chiang Mai and while the chamber and directors realise the inconvenience caused to our hosts, sponsors and members, every-body’s safety was the chambers first prior-ity. Thank you to all of our members for your understanding and we apologise for any inconvenience caused due to these post-ponements. As things get back to normal the Chamber will continue to provide you with great events, informative lunches and breakfast sessions and fantastic networking opportunities.
Speaking of events, this year it looks like we will be making some key changes to one of our major events, the Australia Busi-ness Awards. We are busy crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s on a new revamped and restyled awards evening and I will bring you further details as they arise. It is never too early to get your application in or to nomi-nate someone who you believe is worthy of one of the six category awards. The nom-inations are open to Australian and Thai companies and to other companies that can demonstrate a contribution to the Thai and/or Australian economies. Nomination forms and guidelines for nominees can be down-loaded at: www.austchamthailand.com
On pages six and seven of this month’s edi-tion of Advance, you can find a summary of a recent strategy meeting that took place with stakeholders of the Chamber which included the current board, past presi-dents, embassy representatives, Austrade representatives, and sponsors along with representatives from the AustCham secre-
