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Dujduen will be next chairwoman of YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Center
Nittaya Patimasongkroh (middle right), outgoing chairwoman of the YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Center presents flowers to and congratulates new chairwoman Dujduen Ruongvachetivong.
Narisa Nitikarn
Dujduen Ruongvachetivong has been unanimously elected the
new chairwoman of the YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Center, and will take up her new
appointment in June.
The announcement was made at the association’s monthly
meeting held on March 13 at the Diana Garden Resort, headed by current
chairwoman Nittaya Patimasongkroh and with former chairwoman Sopin
Thappajug, advisor Chitra Wattanasin, and general secretary of the YWCA
Acharn Walaiporn Viriyakovin also present.
Chitra in her welcome speech to the new chairwoman said
the position requires giving totally the body and mind and cooperation. “An
important point is that we are a group of Christian women who need God to
lead the way in order that all expectations will be fulfilled,” she said.
The outgoing chairwoman will fill the post of chief advisor to the
association. The vice chairwoman and the committee will be elected at the
next meeting in April.
Laser technology makes light work of engineering problems
The DSU-Treff German-speaking business group gathered at
Dusit Resort on March 18.
Michael Albers
The DSU-Treff German-speaking business meeting gathered at
Dusit Resort on March 18, with Christian Frank, founder of DSI Laser-Service
GmbH, from the small town of Maulbronn in southern Germany, as the guest
speaker.
DSU chairwoman Elfi Seitz and Dusit Resort resident manager
Marcus Wirsching welcomed all guests at the conference room, and equipped with a
glass of wine, attendees caught up on their friends’ and acquaintances’ latest
projects and established contact with newcomers to the monthly function.
Dr Raimund Cerny, president of CD-Presse and Swiss Esther
Kaufmann, 2004 receiver of the German Federal Cross of Merit for her care for
German-speaking prisoners in Thailand, were among the participants.
After a brief address, Elfi Seitz handed over to Walter
Kretschmar, who introduced the “genuine Swabian small-scale entrepreneur”, guest
speaker Christian Frank.
Christian is actually a dentistry technician by training and
background. He worked in dentistry equipment development for 12 years before
founding DSI Laser-Service in 1997. The enterprise uses laser technology to
repair tool-casting molds, and can handle anything ranging from thin-sheet
materials to injection molding devices and major equipment weighing several
tonnes. Major business concerns including Mercedes, BMW and Audi are regular
customers.
DSI’s service is by no means restricted to repair works.
Laser labeling with texts, logos or even all-around labeling can be carried out
on metal, synthetic and specula surfaces as well. Another core theme Christian
offers is the professional training of laser-beam specialists at the factory,
and courses are also conducted on the customers’ own premises. The enterprise
offers corporate sales of hand-operated laser welding systems and welding rods
for tool and mold construction.
Christian Frank has expanded his company to a global
franchise network, with distribution partners in Germany, Switzerland, France,
the USA, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan and Japan. With the support of his Thai
wife Thongplew Banpao, managing director of DSI Thailand, he plans to develop
the Chonburi site to become the center for the entire Asian franchise market.
Perpetual innovation and creative methods of problem solving
are part of the DSI Laser-Service ethos. Even aluminum welding, for a long time
considered a physical impossibility, is undertaken by the company. The advanced
technology gives opportunities to work in heights of over two meters, at any
angle and without any restraints or zones of temperature influence.
More information can be found at www.dsi-laser.de
Floodwaters cause 1M baht of damage to Esso filling station
Patcharapol Panrak
A storm flooded Sriprapat Market in Sattahip during the
morning of March 20 and caused a large amount of damage to the nearby Esso
filling station when water contaminated the fuel storage tanks.
The gas station is located on Sukhumvit Road and is owned by
Pongsan Noppan. A total of 45,000 liters of fuel was contained in the
underground tanks, itemized as 15,000 liters of diesel, 15,000 liters of Benzene
91, and 15,000 liters of Benzene Gasoline 95. Total cost of damage has been put
at 1,171,350 baht.
Many cars and motorcycles were also damaged bikes when they
were trapped in the floodwater.
Plutaluang sub-district and Sattahip sub-district
administrative organizations sent officials from the Subdivision of Protection
and Disaster Prevention to pump water out of the Sriprapat Market area.
Vice Admiral Chanchai Charoensuwan, commander-in-chief of the
Sattahip Naval Base sent personnel into the flooded area where they worked in
cooperation with the fire and rescue services to pump water out of the Esso
station and help members of the public.
The flooding was caused by rainwater flowing from the high
areas alongside Sukhumvit Road, going in the direction of Sattahip to Rayong.
Many hours were spent pumping all of the water out of the gas station and
surrounding streets.
US heightens opposition
to Thai compulsory licensing
The Washington-based US Chamber of Commerce
(USCC) has expressed concern regarding the Thai government’s decision to impose
compulsory licensing on three important drugs, saying other countries might
imitate the move.
Thailand recently broke patents on an antiviral HIV/AIDS
drug, an anti-blood-clotting agent, and an anti-cancer medicine, in a bid to
lower domestic prices for the estimated 600,000 people, who suffer from the
diseases here.
Lt. Gen. Daniel Christman, senior vice president for
international affairs of the US Chamber of Commerce, who recently paid courtesy
calls on key ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister
Kosit Panpiemras and Finance Minister Chalongphob Sussungkarn, said he had
raised concerns on the matter voiced by over 3 million American business members
for discussion with the Thai ministers.
He said the US Chamber’s understanding of Thailand’s decision
regarding compulsory licensing of the drugs in question is that they do not fall
under the World Trade Organization’s agreement on intellectual property.
The US, however, fears the move could have a wider impact as
other countries might follow suit. US investors, particularly those in the
pharmaceuticals industry, are very concerned about the matter.
Gen. Christman said Thailand has been placed on the US watch
list for intellectual property piracy under which it risks losing the
generalised system of preference. But should Thailand insist on applying
compulsory licensing on the drugs, it might be put on a special US watch list.
A compulsory copyright license is an exception to copyright
law that is usually justified as an attempt by the government to correct a
market failure. It has been rarely used in the past.
Gen. Christman added that US investors are also worried about
the Foreign Business Act amendment and the reserve requirement imposed to curb
the currency volatility of the baht.
Thailand needs to find new alternative measures that neither
affect the investment climate nor shake the confidence of investors, he said.
(TNA)
New retail-business
law goes to Thai Cabinet
Commerce Minister Krirkkrai Jirapaet said that
Thailand’s new retail business law, designed to create fair trade competition
between major and minor retail and wholesale traders, would be given to the
Cabinet for its consideration this week.
Speaking at a seminar held last Saturday in Korat, Mr.
Krirkkrai said the draft law - which contains 60 articles - would be first
submitted to the Cabinet for approval and then be sent to the Office of the
Council of State.
It is expected that the draft could be forwarded to the
National Legislative Assembly around May and could be brought into force by
mid-year.
There are currently more than 300 major retail outlets in
Thailand, with signs that the number will continue to increase in the future.
Without proper laws to control them, several hundred thousand small Thai
retailers could be forced out of business, Mr. Krirkkrai said
Even if the current law is enforced, there is no guarantee
that major retailers will stop expanding branches, he said, adding that this new
draft law is intended to create fairness in the market place.
Thai retailers will have to adapt themselves and their
businesses to free trade practices in order for them to compete and survive, he
added.
Hypermarket giants, including Carrefour, Siam Makro and Big C
Supercentre, have agreed to cooperate with the Ministry of Commerce but Tesco
Lotus has adopted a hard-line stance with no commitment to suspend its
expansion.
Meanwhile, Somchai Pornratanacharoen, president of Thai
Wholesaling and Retailing, said such retail-business laws can be found in many
western countries and that major retail businesses which are operated by
foreigners in Thailand should reconsider their stance.
“How can it be fair if only one party gains while another loses?” Mr. Somchai
asked. (TNA)
Soho Square bringing a new dimension to Walking Street
Soho Square Plaza, situated on a busy spot of Pattaya’s world
famous Walking Street is now almost 18% complete, with business operators such
as fast food outlets and coffee shops, banks, souvenir shops, a bookstore, wine
bar, offices and restaurant all booked to move in upon completion. At a recent
signing ceremony, Chatchawal Wimugtayon (pictured right inset photo) CEO of Soho
Square Plaza, signed an investment contract with Gary and Julie Anne Miller
(pictured center), a couple from England. The Millers have booked a frontage
building at the new plaza for their fast food restaurant. The entire project is
due to finish in November this year. For further information please call 038-710
119, 038-374 590 or go to Web site www.sohothailand.com, email:
[email protected]
Raimon Land to auction one-of-a-kind penthouses in Bangkok and Pattaya
The Northshore penthouse comes with its own lap pool.
When it comes to condominiums, there is nothing better than
luxurious amenities, high ceilings, commanding views of the surrounding areas,
and most importantly expansive spaces.
On April 2, publicly listed developer Raimon Land will
auction two of its lavish penthouses; the penthouse of The Legend Saladaeng and
Northshore penthouse in Pattaya.
The penthouse of The Legend Saladaeng is a 421sqm urban oasis
in the heart of Bangkok, between lively Silom Road and the Sathorn business
district. It is within walking distance of the BTS/MRTA. Perched on top of this
exclusive development, the last remaining penthouse offers discriminating buyers
the ultimate city living lifestyle.
Located on Soi 5 off Pattaya’s Beach Road, Northshore has
been widely credited with setting new standards in luxury on the Eastern
Seaboard. Sitting on the 28th floor, the penthouse comes with its own private
access, lap pool, outdoor patio, mezzanine, and walk around balcony. With 954sqm
of overall area, the generous living spaces offer unrivalled ocean views of
Pattaya Bay.
The two unique penthouses are available for discerning buyers
at www.penthouselover. com. Raimon Land advises interested parties to place
their bids before 5pm. April 2.
King Power has rights to sue AoT, says transport minister
Thailand’s Transport Minister, Admiral Thira Haocharoen, has admitted that
King Power International Group is within its rights to file a lawsuit
against Airports of Thailand PLC for its decision to terminate contracts
that allow the company to run duty free shops and commercial areas in
Bangkok’s new Suvarnabhumi airport.
The AoT board last Thursday resolved to scrap the
contracts with King Power, saying it must follow the Council of State ruling
on March 19, that the agreements the company made with AoT are considered
void due to the failure to comply with the Public-Private Joint Venture Act.
Admiral Thira said he had acknowledged the AoT’s board
resolution and wanted to assert that its decision was made in accordance
with the law and without an intention to bully any party.
However, he acknowledged that King Power had the rights
to challenge the decision by suing AoT if it believes the decision is
unfair.
The transport minister said he was not worried about any
possible lawsuit as the Council of State clearly stated the contracts are
considered nullified.
Thira made no comment on the selection of a new operator
for the duty free shops and commercial areas at Suvarnabhumi Airport other
than to say it was up to the AoT management to decide.
However he said he has instructed AoT’s executives to
strictly adhere to the law for the concession granting process, and
indicated that King Power could still reapply.
A source said King Power executives were awaiting formal
written notification by AoT of the termination of the contracts before
taking any further legal action.
King Power management affirmed that the company made the
contracts with AoT in accordance with all legal procedures. They said the
company had clear evidence from the previous AoT board that the deals need
not be approved under the Public-Private Joint Venture Act.
King Power was authorised by AoT to run the two, billion
baht airport projects for 10 years. Its commercial contracts were leased to
food outlets and other retailers. (TNA)
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