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British consul awarded MBE in birthday honours
Consular hot spot to have office soon
Barry Kenyon, the British embassy’s honorary consul in
Pattaya, has been given an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire)
in the Queen’s birthday honours recently announced in London. The award is
for meritorious service to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
 Barry
Kenyon
He has worked for the Embassy for ten years in several capacities and was
promoted to his present position last August. His main role is to represent
the embassy’s interests when British nationals are arrested and imprisoned,
fall seriously ill or even die in the resort. He also liaises with the
immigration police to issue clearance documentation for some long stay visa
holders.
Barry graduated from Liverpool University in 1963 and later studied for a
doctorate degree in the United States. He was variously an income tax
officer, a journalist and a police college lecturer before settling to a
career in further education management in Britain and overseas. He has lived
in Thailand since 1992.
He said that around 700,000 Brits visit Thailand every year, including the
expat community, and around a third of them come to Pattaya for a short or
long stay. “We hope by the end of this year to open an office in the resort,
with a paid secretariat, as the work has really outgrown me and my mobile
phone in this consular hot spot,” he explained.
Tourist police moving
to new offices
Officers make merit at the new
Tourist Police Office.
Piyavadee Suvannahong
Pattaya tourist police will move to their new offices at Pratamnak Hill, in
front of the TAT Central Region 3 premises on June 26.
Superintendent of the tourist police in Pattaya, Pol Lt Col Wuttichart
Luaensucant led regular and volunteer officers at a merit making ceremony on
June 8 at the new premises, where food was offered to monks and prayers said for
the success of the move.
Wuttichat said that tourists and members of the public who require support or
information are welcome to visit the new offices or to call on 038 425 937.
Stammtisch members advised
on pitfalls of real estate purchase
Markus Klemm
Members of the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce’s Stammtisch were given some
sound advice and insights on the local property scene during their May meeting
at the Amari Orchid Resort, when lawyer Markus Klemm presented a talk on
developments in the international real estate market in Pattaya.
Markus said that potential investors should take a little time before going
ahead with any purchase, as the information available is not always clear and
the advice they may be given is not always reliable.
For example, it is not allowed for foreigners to finance the purchase of a
condominium through a Thai bank. Buyers have to prove that the money is from a
foreign country. Many contracts to buy condominiums are based on
monthly-deferred payments, and with the last payment the condominium will be put
into the name of the buyer.
Markus recommends that a buyer first calculates if he is in a position to make
all of the payment obligations, because although the monthly payment itself may
be affordable the lion’s share of the total sum will be due with the final
payments. Many buyers are then not able to pay such a large sum and all the
already accomplished payments will be lost. Therefore it is absolutely necessary
to draw up a finance plan before beginning.
Markus pointed out that some Thai banks in foreign countries, for example in
Singapore, are willing to help. Customers could receive a committed loan in
Singapore dollars to buy a condominium in Thailand.
Green space in Pattaya is becoming less every day, said Markus, and the smallest
piece of land is offered at top prices and after sale will be covered with
buildings. The infrastructure problem in Pattaya is well known and alert
observers are asking how this building boom can happen in what appears to be
such an uncontrolled way.
Many believe that Pattaya doesn’t have any planning or building laws, but this
is not true. There is legislation that divides the municipality into zones and
sets out exactly what can be developed. There also exists an infrastructure plan
that allots bypasses, sewage treatment plants and other public facilities. It is
advisable to look into the plans otherwise it might happen that the owner of a
condominium after a few years is peering out onto a four-lane highway.
Buyers should in addition to taking time with finance and legalities also take
time to examine the credentials of the contracting company. Legal cases
undertaken because of defects in construction processes are long, tedious and
cost intensive.
Everybody should begin by asking themselves why it is that their dream house in
Thailand is so much cheaper than in their home country. The answer lies in the
costs of the labor. A Thai construction worker makes in a normal case
approximately 194 baht per day and most of them are not skilled in what they are
doing. Buyers who want to build a house to European standards will have to pay
much more to the constructing company. It is also advised that they look first
at some finished projects of the contractor.
After Markus Klemm’s informative talk, and a visit to Grohe in Rayong,
Stammtisch participants met at the Moon River Pub in Pattaya. Stefan Buerkle
gave a short speech of welcome, then all enjoyed an evening with networking and
fellowship, accompanied by good food and musical entertainment.
The author is a partner of Asia LawWorks Co Ltd, 300/45 Moo 12, Thepprasit Road,
Chonburi, 20206, Tel: 038-411 591, Email: [email protected]
Food and Beverage Association launches magazine
The Food and Beverage Association
of Eastern Thailand’s new executive committee and their mentors announce the
launch of their FB Magazine.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The Food and Beverage Association of Eastern Thailand has launched a new
publication that will advertise the activities of the association to visitors
and the general public.
Association president Raywat Thongsong chaired the annual general meeting at the
Garden Cliff Resort and Spa on June 7 at which the new executive committee was
named for 2006-2007.
Santsak Ngamphiches, Chonburi senator, Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn, and
members of the House of Representatives for Chonburi Chanyuth Hengtrakul and
Poramet Ngamphiches were named as honorary advisors.
The new publication, FB Magazine, was also announced as a media that will be
used to promote activities and events within the Eastern region.
The Food and Beverage Association of Eastern Thailand was formed 22 years ago
with the purpose of exchanging knowledge between members who are executive
management at hotels throughout the region. In addition to promoting activities
at the hotels, restaurants and elsewhere to generate more tourism business, the
association also conducts training programs to increase the level of expertise
at the hotels.
Raywat, who is food and beverage director of the A-One Royal Cruise Hotel, said
that the management of the association was one of the most challenging positions
of his life. However, he said, all members of the executive committee share the
same vision in delivering new and exciting food and beverage concepts and in
building quality and expertise, and the association continues to go from
strength to strength.
“FB Magazine is a good example of the work done by the association’s committees,
and everyone wants the magazine to bring more knowledge and understanding to the
food and beverage profession,” said Raywat.
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