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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.
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