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Cuvee Wine Bar hosts BCCT business networking
evening on the Eastern Seaboard
From left: Bruce Hoppe, Judy Hoppe, Tom Zofkie, Sue K,
Charoenruth Dheerakool, and Pangphim Panutrakul.
Kim Fletcher (2 nd
right), landlord of Jameson’s the Irish Pub, and BCCT’s chairman, Rodney
Bain (right) debate England’s chances in the Cricket World Cup, as Jack Levy
(left) and Malcolm Clare (2nd
left) remain in deep conversation in the background.
Sue. K
The British Chamber of Commerce Thailand held its
Business Networking Evening on the Eastern Seaboard at Cuvee Wine Bar
recently. BCCT Vice Chairman Graham Macdonald was on hand as usual to
receive over a hundred members and guests who turned up in full force that
evening. On behalf of Pattaya Mail TV, Graham also interviewed the two
sponsors that night, Robert A Collins of Savills Agency and Investment
Services, and Daniel Poole of Mackenzie Smith Law.
BCCT Vice Chairman Graham Macdonald (right) interviews
Robert A Collins (left) of Savills Agency and Daniel Poole (center) of
Mackenzie Smith Law for Pattaya Mail on TV.
Robert introduced his company’s new project, The Lakes at
Phoenix, and invited the guests to drop by and take a look. This new project
consists of two low-rise seven-storey condominiums surrounded by lake,
fairways, and mountains. When asked about the new FBA regulations, Robert
said there was no problem whatsoever for potential clients and that there is
plenty of scope for foreign allocation. For those who would like more
information please contact Robert at robertc @savills.co.th
Daniel Poole in turn gave some advice to those wanting to
start up a business here, saying that everyone is welcome to consult with
Mackenzie Smith Law. One of their specialities is company formation and an
initial consultation will enable people to get some idea of what to do.
People can also monitor the present situation and get regular updates as and
when they happen. He cautioned the investors not to sit on their hands and
do nothing, because if people do delay then it could be difficult to react
as quickly as you would like to. If you need more advice contact Daniel at
danielp @macsmlaw.com
The night went by very quickly with guests enjoying the
food and drinks laid on by the new management of Cuvee Wine Bar. This was
General Manager Adam Keith’s first large networking evening since taking
over and he was very enthusiastic about the event.
BCCT’s chairman, Rodney Bain, was in attendance as was
Stephen Frost, who is also on the main board of the chamber. Many familiar
faces were also there, such as Jack Levy, Kim Fletcher and Malcolm Clare,
and it was apparent that the BCCT is the place to come for making new
business contacts and cementing old ones. Nearly half the people there were
first time visitors to a BCCT Networking Evening and many promised to come
back as they were so impressed with the ability to make so many contacts in
one place. Without doubt the evening was a great success for all concerned.
For details of when the next BCCT Evening Networking is please watch this
space.
The crew from The Lakes at Phoenix are surely enjoying themselves at
Cuvee.
Expo success for ABC
Peter Nordhues
The Asian Business Club (ABC) held its first Member Expo on
April 3 at Woodlands Resort, as a way of showcasing the products and services
offered by the membership.
A couple lovely lasses try out one of the gaming machines on
display.
ABC chairman Helmut Buchberger welcomed some 80 guests to the
exhibition. In his opening address, Buchberger said the club is a forum for
entrepreneurs in Pattaya and currently consists of over 40 members from various
nations including Thailand.
“We are an international club with the aim of bringing small,
medium and large sized establishments together and supporting their business
activities,” he said.
Nearly two dozen exhibitors displayed their products and
services inside the Woodlands Resort showroom. The wide range included imported
groceries, foodstuffs, arts and crafts, business consulting services, web
design, textiles, transporting, gaming machinery, health consulting, credit
cards, media, energy-saving lighting and real estate business.
Buchberger said that more exhibitions of this kind would take
place in Chonburi province.
Exhibitors and visitors alike spoke of their confidence in an
event like this, and the buffet supplied by Woodlands Resort helped to make the
evening a great success.
Jamroon Wisawachaipan elected new PBTA president
The new committee members hold their positions for the next
two years.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Jamroon Wisawachaipan has been elected president of the
Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, succeeding Thanet Supornsahasrungsri
whose term ended in March.
Sopin Thappajug (center), head of the Associate Judges at Chonburi Juvenile
and Family Court, and Thanet Supornsahasrungsri (left), former PBTA president
congratulate Jamroon Wisawachaipan.
The announcement was made at the PBTA annual general meeting
held on March 29 at the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya conference room. The incoming
president, 3 vice presidents, and 17 committee members hold their positions for
the next two years.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn presented the progress report
at this meeting, summarizing the work done by Thanet and his committee.
There were six people running for the position of president,
namely Jamroon Wisawachaipan, Sanga Kitsamrej, Sinchai Wattanasartsathorn, Naris
Petcharat, Banjong Bantoonprayuk and Suwat Paepiromrat. 28 of the 53 association
members elected Jamroon.
The three vice presidents are Sanga Kitsamrej, Sinchai Wattanasartsathorn and
Suwat Paepiromrat.
Total vehicle purchases still high despite economic slowdown
Purchase orders for vehicles placed at this
year’s Bangkok International Motor Show remained high, with 11,365 units worth
15 billion baht being ordered during the 10-day exposition - this despite
people’s reluctance to spend due to the economic slowdown, according to the
event organiser.
Prachin Iamlamnao, chief organiser of the 28th Bangkok
International Motor Show, said up to 1.5-1.6 million people had visited the
event held during March 30-April 8 at the Bitech Trade Exhibition Hall.
He said a launch of new series of cars and a sale promotion
campaign by carmakers and traders had encouraged consumers to decide to buy
vehicles at the event.
Of the total purchase orders, 3,800 units are Toyota, 1,862
units Isuzu, 1,323 units Honda, 1,036 units Chevrolet, 1,119 units Mitsubishi,
912 units Nissan, 720 units Ford, 700 units Mazda.
Luxury cars had also been attractive with total sales of 290
units of BMW, and 530 units of Mercedes Benz. (TNA)
Auto parts makers told must boost competitiveness
Thai auto parts manufacturers need to improve
their competitiveness against regional rivals according to a senior industry
ministry official.
Atchaka Brimble, director-general of the Industrial Economics
Office, said several countries, including China and Vietnam, were now taking
advantage of cheaper wages and “global sourcing” production, or ordering parts
more cheaply from around the world.
Producers in these countries have also switched to buying
goods on a “made to order” basis and designing cars in which major parts could
be used interchangeably.
The official’s warning came even as the relocation of Japan’s
one-tonne truck production completed its transfer to Thailand, Mrs. Atchaka
said.
The Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA)
will lower tariffs for general auto parts to less than 20 per cent in the next
five years while current tariffs imposed on auto engine and parts will be
maintained for another seven years, she said.
Currently, auto exports rank second in terms of earnings for Thailand,
generating revenue of over Bt360 billion annually and creating about 300,000
jobs. (TNA)
Finance Ministry seeks to continue 7-per cent VAT
Thailand’s Ministry of Finance will seek cabinet approval for maintaining
the country’s current value-added tax (VAT) at 7 per cent for another year
in order to alleviate public hardship from the country’s economic slowdown.
Deputy Finance Minster Sommai Phasee said the Revenue
Department was working out details on the VAT collection, which would be
forwarded to the ministry for consideration.
He said all parties shared a common view that the 7 per
cent VAT collection should be extended for another year.
Originally, the relaxation period for the VAT collection
at 7 per cent was set to end on June 30.
He said the extension of the period was aimed to help
relieve consumer hardship from the economic slowdown. It is expected the
proposed extension would be submitted for the cabinet approval after
Songkran, the Thai New Year festival.
Mr. Sommai said the current government agreed to extend
the VAT relaxation period for only one year because it viewed it has only an
interim status. The decision on extending the tax for more than one year
should rest with the new elected government, he said.
He emphasised that the extension of the 7 per cent VAT
collection would not irreparably harm the ministry’s revenue income, even
though the state revenue collections have fallen short of their original
targets. (TNA)
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