BUSINESS 
HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 

Another arty evening for the BCCT

Aussies digging in at Northpoint

Japanese low-cost store chain to build distribution center in Rayong

Luxury condominium project La Royale Beach is topped out

Plus Property extends operations to Pattaya

Nordic Group’s long-stay marketing a success on Pratamnak Hill residential project

Iguana launches two residential projects


Another arty evening for the BCCT

(L to R) Roger W Yee, Dr. Narin, Kamjorn Suriyasin and Araya Peampibul meet and greet people at the networking evening.

(L to R) Antony Chapman, Alan Verstein, Peter Smith, and Andrew Wood mingle at the BCCT networking evening at the Art Café.

By Dr Iain Corness
The British Camber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) presented an ‘arty’ evening for its members with another networking evening on the Eastern Seaboard, this time at the Art Café in Naklua. Held in the tropical garden setting, the card exchanges, however, were more popular than exchanging opinions on the paintings.
The Bangkok Hospital Pattaya was well represented with two assistant directors, Dr. Narin and Kamjorn, with Dr Narin saying on Pattaya Mail TV that the hospital having now been in Pattaya for 16 years, it considers itself to be an integral part of the local community and supports local groups such as the BCCT as much as possible.
A Bangkok resident these days, but always very welcome in Pattaya, was Andrew Wood, the International Councilor for Skål and the general manager of the Chaophya Park Hotel and Resorts. Andrew was proudly boasting of having the only hotel in the world with a driving range in the building, and also assures everyone that the lobby bar now has electric illumination, which will be a great boon for drinkers.
Of course, no BCCT networking evening would be the same without Vice Chairman Graham Macdonald’s smiling face. Graham discussed the current Thai situation as it affects British investment to the Kingdom, and whilst admitting that many are perhaps sitting on the sidelines, the long term future was still very good. He pointed out that the British have had a very strong presence in Thai commercial spheres for well over 100 years, and this was not going to dry up overnight.
One of the principal sponsors of the evening was the Blue Wave Watersports Asia company, with managing director Antony Chapman surprising many with the fact that his company had the largest sailing school in Thailand, and the qualifications gained from it were recognized world wide. The school covers all levels of competency (and the reverse) with different training packages running from an introductory day course, through to a five day course in Bareboat chartering which seems to cover everything from all aspects of sailing to making tea in a 40 knot gale.
Blue Wave are also the importers of much other aquatic equipment, including the very popular Hobie Cats, the ubiquitous yacht for the weekend warriors. In addition, the Blue Wave people are offering day sailing trips off the coast of Pattaya, for those who would like something just a little different.
However, for most people it was feet on the ground at the Art Café, including the AA Insurance Brokerage duo of Peter Smith and Malcolm Scorer, who could however offer dampness insurance for tyro yachtsmen.
Another Brit who is always present at the networking evenings was the disposal expert from Waste Management Siam, the shiny-pated John L Hamilton, who was overheard asserting, “There will always be an England - as long as Scotland’s there!”
The BCCT evening also saw Sanjay Lamba, the executive general manager for purchasing at the Auto Alliance, and his wife, brightening up the evening. With Sanjay from Slough and his wife from Windsor, they certainly were very British, even though Sanjay does good Omar Sharif impersonations. Sanjay is also Head Hog at the new PIGS group (Pattaya International Gentleman’s Society) which has been formed for homeless gentlemen who recognize each other by the secret trotter handshake and the fact that they snuffle a lot. Currently there are very few restaurants in Pattaya that will take a booking from PIGS.
As always, there were many others from Pattaya’s business society who are present at these networking evenings, including the happy Aussies Ian Sherratt (Scale Technology Thailand), Ian Scrivener (the IT and website guru), and Stuart Saunders, the founder of FlossFirst. The American cousins were also there, with George Strampp resplendent in white shirt and tie, looking for nominations as “Pattaya’s Best Dressed”.
Whilst the numbers seemed to be down a little, those who attended were well rewarded with the business connections made that evening, or even just the chance for a little socializing with the odd glass of wine or other amber fluids. The next Eastern Seaboard networking evening will be publicized in the Pattaya Mail.


Aussies digging in at Northpoint

Dr. Iain Corness
The Seaboard Sundowners, the networking event held by the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce (AustCham) was held at the new Northpoint project last week. With sponsorship from Northpoint project operators Raimon Land, plus AA Insurance Brokers and Oilfield Services it was obviously going to be successful evening.

(L to R) Paul Whyte, general manager of Tinfish (Thailand) Ltd. and Peter Smith, director of AA Insurance Brokers Co., Ltd.
The signing in procedure was overseen by the lanky Martin Kyle, the executive director of AustCham, whilst the returned AustCham president, Gary Woollacott, and the Eastern Seaboard coordinator, Tony Emmett, made sure everyone had enough in the libations department. However, Italian prosecco at an Aussie night? Gentlemen, I must protest. After the 15th glass, prosecco makes your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth, especially the next morning. I cannot remember having this problem with the Australian Seaview Brut.
CEO of Raimon Land, the affable Nigel Cornick, spoke on Pattaya Mail TV, and expressed nothing but optimism as far as the top end real estate market was concerned in Pattaya, and in Bangkok. He did say that there could be a brief slowing down period, but with the Northpoint project slotted for completion in two years, he was more than quietly confident. With 30 percent of the condominiums on offer being taken up already, and enormous interest in their new project in Bangkok, called The River, Raimon Land was looking very sound.

(L to R) Dr. Iain Corness, Gavin Maloney, director of sales and marketing of Sheraton Pattaya Resort and Dominik Stamm, general manager of Amari Orchid Resort & Tower.
Peter Smith and Malcolm Scorer from AA Insurance Brokerage were on hand, and although both Poms, they said they enjoyed the atmosphere at the AustCham events. Of course, they added to the atmosphere of this event by being one of the principal sponsors, and had supplied much of the free-flowing alcohol. (The prosecco has already been mentioned, so I won’t mention it again.)
AA Insurance Brokerage was also celebrating having been officially licensed by the Thai authorities and can now negotiate directly with all insurance companies in Thailand, enhancing their services for those needing insurance.
Winner of the most impossible to read business card was Weereeya Tepsarn, the director of sales for Property Network Thailand, with faint grey print on an all matt black card. She should shoot her director of marketing!
Strong Aussie Chamber supporter Steele Lambrinos was there trying to convince Benjawan Thanchom from Savills Agency to come and work for Kirwan. With Kirwan looking as if it has scored the contract to clean up after the Beijing Olympics, they are going to need a few new cleaners. Benjawan turned him down flat. And the job!
Other regulars at these functions included Paul (Tinfish) Whyte who had just returned from a trip to Oz, and Maurice Bromley (Henry Butchers), who has just taken up residence in Pattaya, but looking forward to his annual trek to Chiang Mai for the Sixes tournament (which this year will be sponsored by ESC and the Chiangmai Mail).
The catering was again by the Amari, with GM Dominik Stamm and RM Michael Goetz making sure the pastry swans were keeping their little heads up high (jokes aside, great food, guys). Also expressing interest in the catering side of things were Gavin Maloney, director of sales and marketing at the Sheraton Pattaya Resort (ran a close second in the difficult to read business card competition) and Guido from Gian’s and Habitu.
It was another successful evening for those who navigated their way to Naklua, and despite the media frenzy over such items as the Foreign Business Act (which is not passed yet and still under discussion), the Australians were still very positive and hungry for business.
The next Seaboard Sundowners will be publicized in the Pattaya Mail.


Japanese low-cost store chain to build distribution center in Rayong

Daiso Industries Co, a Hiroshima-based chain of 100-yen shops, has plans to build a warehouse and distribution center in the eastern industrial town of Rayong, according to a senior Thai industry ministry official.
Jhitraporn Techacharn, director-general of the Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Office, said that the investment project demonstrated the confidence the Japanese retail giant has in sourcing supplies from Thailand.
The complex, located on 50 rai in Amata Industrial Estate, should be completed by the middle of this year.
She said that in the last year the company had ordered household items and garments from four Thai manufacturers worth Bt45 million for distribution in its 3,000 stores around the world.
Earlier this month, the company held trade talks with nearly 100 producers in Bangkok and upcountry to supply goods such as aromatic candles, bamboo baskets, ceramic vases, socks and undergarments.
Jhitraporn said both sides were brought together under the government initiative to establish a global logistics and sourcing center in Thailand.
The company identified eight products that it would like to source from Thailand namely sa paper, chopsticks, aromatherapy products, wood products, ceramics, coloured glass, crystal and gift wraps.
Daiso Industries Co is one of Japan’s fastest growing retailers. It opens nearly two new stores every day. The company’s president was quoted as saying that the secret to Daiso’s success lies not in the products themselves but in the wide variety offered.
“Shopping here is like playing a game,” he says. “The shoppers have fun, and whatever they buy is a bonus.” (TNA)


Luxury condominium project La Royale Beach is topped out

(From left) Sombat Chancharoensin, managing director of Wise Asset Group Co., Ltd.; Nuanual Swasdikula, executive vice president of TMB Public Co., Ltd.; Eric Lai, chairman and CEO of Wise Power Land Co., Ltd.; Tawee Butsunthorn, chairman of Bank Thai & chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries; Dhongchai Lamsam, president of Loxley Public Co., Ltd.; and Dominic Der Kevorkian, managing director of K-TECH Construction Public Co., Ltd. smooth out the concrete on the top of the condominium.

Narisa Nitikarn
La Royale Beach, the luxury condominium project at Na Jomtien Beach was topped out on February 19, with a ceremony to celebrate the occasion led by Eric Lai, chairman and CEO of Wise Power Land Co Ltd.
Amongst those attending the ceremony were Tawee Butsunthorn, chairman of Bank Thai and chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries; Dhongchai Lamsam, president of Loxley Public Co Ltd; Nuanual Swasdikula, executive vice president of TMB Public Co Ltd; Dominic Der Kevorkian, managing director of K-Tech Construction Public Co Ltd; and Sombat Chancharoensin, managing director of Wise Asset Group Co.
Lai and his guests of honor smoothed out the concrete on the top of the condominium, and then the champagne was uncorked and fireworks lit the sky.
Following the topping out, said the CEO, work would begin on fitting out the units and the handover of the completed apartments would begin at the end of this year.
Guests were invited to view the mock-up rooms on the fourth floor of the project. Lai said that when the project was first planned, three years ago, there was a shortage of luxury condominium projects in Pattaya.
“We have employed top designers and consultants to produce quality freehold apartments that are of equal standards to five-star hotel suites,” he said, “yet we have kept prices at affordable levels. We started at about 60,000 baht per square meter, and as of today our prices have risen by 30 percent.
“Even at current prices, our products offer considerable value, considering we are so close to completion.”
Lai added that La Royale is Wise Asset’s first project here but that others are planned and the company hopes to make an announcement later this year.


Plus Property extends operations to Pattaya

Mayta Chanchamcharat, chief executive officer, and Boonrux Tangsritrakul, assistant managing director / asset management department, along with employees celebrate opening the new Plus Property branch in Pattaya.

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Plus Property, the real estate company that deals in both sales and rentals of property, opened an office in Pattaya on February 16. Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh conducted the opening.
Chief executive officer of Plus Property Mayta Chanchamcharat said that the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport has helped stimulate the demand for residences around the area.
The company has been successful in Bangkok and Hua Hin, he said, and enjoys a good response from both Thai and foreign customers. Plus Property has a different approach to other real estate companies, said Mayta, as its service is aimed at the lifestyle of its potential customers. For example, its website www.thaipropertyplus.com offers a lot of information additional to that on its properties.
Plus Property now has four branches, two of them in Bangkok, one in Hua Hin and the new outlet in Pattaya, which is located on Second Road in front of the Golden Beach Hotel.


Nordic Group’s long-stay marketing a success on Pratamnak Hill residential project

Chanyuth Hengtrakul (2nd left), former member of parliament for Chonburi, congratulates Sa-Nga Kijsamred (2nd right), Kalle Kristensen (center) and Thor-Olaf Hegna on the opening of the 3 residential projects.

Narisa Nitikarn
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn on February 20 performed the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for a residential project being developed on Pratamnak Hill Soi 4 by the Nordic Group and built by SK Pattaya Construction Development Co Ltd.
Guests were greeted by Nordic Group’s Sanga Kijsamrej, Kalle Kristensen and Thor-Olaf Hegna.
Sanga said that three styles of residence were being built, namely Nordic Terrace, Nordic Residence and Nordic Garden Resort. Most of the units have already been sold, all of the buyers being from overseas, with almost 90 percent being from Norway and Sweden.
They are mostly, he said, retired people who are planning on staying in the country on a long-stay basis. Nordic Group has ensured that appropriate services are part of the development, and there are 70 CCTV cameras as part of the 24-hour security service.
Sanga said that in the five or six years since he has become involved in the long-stay sector, the response from overseas has been very strong. He said that in addition to designing the project around the needs of buyers in this sector, the marketing has been very targeted. A purpose-built sales office in Norway was part of the marketing strategy.
He added that Pattaya is now developing in the direction of Bang Sarae Sub-district and Sattahip District, because the Pattaya City area is becoming too crowded and the price of land is becoming too high.
Nordic Bangsarae Resort is being constructed on an area of approximately 100 rai. It is divided into three phases under a budget of approximately 200 million baht, and is being designed as a series of options, such as a single-story house, a two-story condominium, and a seven-story apartment block.
The first phase of about 180 units is already 90 percent sold, and it is expected the three phases will be completed within two years.
Nordic Group organized live performances and a meal for guests attending the Pratamnak Hill opening, and Sanga announced the company has donated 100,000 baht to the fund for helping tourists who are the victims of crimes.
The projects of the Nordic Group can be viewed at www.nordicgardenhotel.com


Iguana launches two residential projects

Narisa Nitikarn
Iguana Real Estate and Investments launched two projects, the Hyde Park Residence and Pattaya Heights, at a ceremony held on February 9 at the Mercure Pattaya Hotel.
The company is managed by Rony Fest and Meny Borenstein, and has been dealing in real estate in the Pattaya City and Jomtien areas for three years.

(From left) Rony Fest, executive of Iguana Real Estate & Investments, Scott Malone from Home Hunters Asia Co., Ltd., and Ralph Gerald, executive director of Home Hunters Asia Co., Ltd. Enjoy opening night.

Along with the launch ceremony, Iguana held a thank-you party for its agents and handed prizes to those who have done the most business.
Hyde Park Residence is a luxury condominium project located at Pratamnak Hill, on Thappraya Soi 4. There are two seven-story buildings, each having 79 units. Work began on the first building in November, and it is currently more than 30 percent completed. Thirty-seven percent of the units have been sold. Completion is due in February 2008.
Work will begin on Pattaya Heights in April. Again, there will be two seven-story buildings, each with 57 units. About 20 have so far been sold, and completion is due in July 2008.
More than 60 real estate companies attended the launch party, with 200 people present.
For more information on the projects contact Miki at tel 086 502 2090, Poo at tel 086 939 7501, or office tel 038 364 843-4.