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Customs container scanners at Laem Chabang
are first in Southeast Asia
Arrests made in 22 cases over one-year period
Deputy Minister of Finance Sommai Pasee (right)
and Zhang Jiu Huan left), Special Ambassador and Plenipotentiary of the
People’s Republic of China cooperatively presided over opening the ceremony.
Narisa Nitikarn
An unveiling ceremony was held on March 14 for the plaque commemorating the
opening of the new Customs department office building at Laem Chabang Port.
Director General of the Customs Department Chaowalit Sretthamaetheekul,
legal advisor to the Ministry of Finance Mana Lakthong, and Chonburi Deputy
Governor Monthian Thongnit presided over the ceremony.
The occasion also saw the official opening of the Customs Department
Container Scanning Station, presided over by Deputy Minister of Finance
Sommai Pasee and Zhang Jiu Huan, Special Ambassador and Plenipotentiary of
the People’s Republic of China.
 Laem
Chabang is the first port in Southeast Asia to use these scanners, which
allow inspectors to ensure that all containers into and out of Thailand are
free of harmful goods.
Somsak Pojpatinya, director of the Laem Chabang Port Customs Bureau, in his
speech to guests said that the bureau is under the Customs Department at the
Ministry of Finance. In the past it was located in the Laem Chabang Port
Office at the Port Authority of Thailand, but space was restricted and there
was not enough room to support the continually expanding volume of work.
Under a budget of 280 million baht, the Customs Department began
construction of a new building that had its opening on January 9 last year.
This four-story structure is located at Laem Chabang Port on an area of
34.55 rai. It takes over the Port Authority of Thailand’s responsibility for
Chonburi Province, but not Sattahip District. The main responsibilities are
to collect duties on imported and exported goods, goods being transferred,
and transit cargo.
To increase the efficiency of examining containers, the Customs Department
brought in a movable scanner in 2004. This proved very successful, so two
more fixed scanners were purchased from China at a cost of US$25,640,000
(974 million baht). Laem Chabang is the first port in Southeast Asia to use
these scanners, which allow inspectors to ensure that all containers into
and out of Thailand are free of harmful goods. The project also follows the
Container Security Initiative, CSI, which is a commitment with the United
States of America.
Director general of the Customs Department Chaowalit said that in the
one-year period January 2006 to February this year, the department had
intercepted illegal transportation of goods in containers in 22 separate
instances, making arrests in each case.
A Buddhist priest blessed the new Laem Chabang Port Customs Office during
the unveiling ceremony, praying for the safety and prosperity of officers
and employees. This was followed by a guided tour for the guests, led by
Customs officer Kitti Suttisumpun.
Good beer, good wine,
make networking night fun for GTCC
Michael Albers
The German-Thai Chamber of Commerce (GTCC) invited members and friends to the
year’s second “Stammtisch” at the Moon River Pub on March 9, where they were
given a warm welcome by guest service manager Brigitta Herkner and assistant
manager of the Thai Garden Resort Sanich Benchaman.
 (L
to R) Brigitta Herkner, guest service manager of Thai Garden Resort, Gerhard
Marius von Baum, junior economist of business economics and advisory division of
GTCC, and Boris Karl Witt, junior lawyer of business economics and advisory
division of GTCC enjoy each other’s company.
Equipped with a glass of good wine, networking was easy and enjoyable. Chatting
with old friends, meeting new ones, or just exchanging business cards - this
evening always presents the chance to further business interests in a convivial
atmosphere.
In his opening speech, GTCC executive director Dr Paul Strunk said he was happy
to greet many new faces among the numerous attendees after the two-month break.
He said that last month saw the annual football friendly match between the GTCC
and the “German all-stars” from Bangkok. With his five-minute appearance on the
field, Dr Strunk substantially contributed to the conciliating 6:6 draw.
 (L
to R) Ekkehard Thesen, managing director of Grohe Siam Limited, Dr Paul Strunk,
executive director of GTCC, and Till Morstadt, partner of Lorenz & Partners Co.,
Ltd. enjoy the atmosphere.
After his brief words of greeting, Dr Strunk to loud applause declared the
buffet open.
Thai Garden Resort executive chef Charan Thonghoom is renowned for his excellent
European cuisine, and the German and Italian dishes found appreciative takers,
as did the dishes from the Thai kitchen.
House band Power Jam soon had guests out on Pattaya’s only wooden dance floor,
as they performed nostalgic numbers such as Nena’s “99 Luftballons”, which was
sung flawlessly.
(L to R) Walter Zeitvogel,
marketing expert for the gyrocopter, Peter Drescher and Heinrich Kammermeier
talk German / Thai business over a beer.
Raimon Land appoints
new Customer Relations
Managing Director
Neerja Sachdev: Customer Relations Managing
Director of Raimon Land PLC.
Property developer Raimon Land PLC recently announced the appointment of
Mrs. Neerja Sachdev as the company’s new Customer Relations Managing
Director.
Prior to joining up with Ramon Land, Neerja was Property Manager with CB
Richard Ellis for 2 years where she focused her work on the management of
four high-profile properties in Bangkok, including The Legend Saladaeng and
The Lakes.
Commenting on her appointment Neerja said: “I am thrilled to be joining
Raimon Land as the company’s portfolio already includes some very
high-profile properties, not to mention the ones we will be launching in the
upcoming months.”
Raimon Land’s CEO Nigel Cornick commented: “We are pleased to welcome Neerja
to our company. She has a solid track record of customer relations
management in the property sector and is very familiar with the challenges
of the luxury residential market.”
Mrs. Sadchev grew up in both India and Singapore and is fluent in Thai,
English, Hindi and Malay.
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