Professional Documents
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02 / 2012
Corporate
Premier Sponsors
Partnership
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Calendar
Calendar of events:
2011/2012 TCCC Executives
His Excellency Ambassador Ron Hoffmann President John Casella Vice President Ali Fancy Vice President John Stevens Secretary Dr. Tim Cornwall Treasurer Michael Howard John Casella Sranyoo Chanate Neil Chiu Dr. Tim Cornwall Ali Fancy Michael Howard Ron Livingston Geoff McIntyre Alan Ng Sukanya Rattanavadee John Stevens Derek van Pelt
TCCC
WHEN: WHAT:
Patron:
Tuesday, February 7, 2012; 11:30 am 2:00 pm Speaker Luncheon: Dr. Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum, Deputy Director - General, Department of ASEAN Affairs will talk on the ASEAN-Canada: 35 Years of Partnership and Friendship WHERE: Four Seasons Hotel, Bangkok PRICE: 700 baht Members; 850 baht Non Members WHEN: Wednesday, February 15, 2012; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm WHAT: Canuck Connections Networking Night WHERE: Bourbon St. Restaurant, Oyster Bar & Boutique Hotel. This networking will be held at Bourbon Streets new location (See event flyer for complete details) PRICE: Members - 200 baht; Guests & Non Members 400 baht WHEN: WHAT: WHERE: PRICE: WHEN: WHAT: Wednesday, March 14, 2012; 10:30 pm to Noon & 1:45 pm to 2:00 pm 21st TCCC Annual General Meeting (AGM) Grand Millennium Sukhumvit Hotel (Asoke Rd) No Charge (TCCC members annual business meeting)
Executive Board:
Embassy Representative:
Ping Kitnikone
Wednesday, March 14, 2012; Noon 1:45 pm AGM Speaker Luncheon: Mr. Isadore Reaud from Population & Community Development Association (PDA) will speak on the Village Development Partnership (VDP) and the TCCCs 2011 CY contributions to the village of Baan Nong Phai WHERE: Grand Millennium Sukhumvit Hotel (Asoke Rd) PRICE: 700 baht Members; 850 baht Non Members WHEN: WHAT: WHERE: PRICE: Wednesday, March 21, 2012; 7:00 pm 9:00 pm Canuck Connections - Meet the New Board Night Bar Su - Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Hotel 200 baht Members; 400 baht Non Members. Beer & wine Compliments of the TCCC (while supplies last).
Raymond Bodemer Sam Cohen Surachit Chanovan Zoltan Kosa Don Lavoie Niccolo Sozzi Picharn Sukparangsee Michael White Peter Van Haren
Advisors:
CCBA
Executive Director:
Randy Shockley
China: http://www.ccbc.com WHEN: Thursday, February 16, 2012; 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm WHAT: Shaun Rein: The end of cheap China and its implications for manufacturing sectors WHERE: Please visit www.malaysia-canada.com for more details PRICE: $30 fee includes admission to webcast on Feb. 16, Shaun Rein's book "The End of Cheap China" released in March, recording of the webcast for replay and full transcript & slides. Japan: http://www.cccj.or.jp WHEN: Friday, February 17, 2012; 6:30 pm onward WHAT: Maple Leaf Tohoku Support Gala WHERE: The Grand Hyatt hotel in Tokyo PRICE: Please register at www.cancham.com.ph Philippines: www. cancham.com.ph WHEN: Friday, February 22, 2012; 8:30 am - 10:00 am WHAT: CanCham Executive Management Series WHERE: New World Hotel Makati City PRICE: P1000 for members, P1500 for Non-members
The Voyageur is the monthly magazine of the Thai-Canadian Chamber of Commerce, covering all Thai-Canadian business, legal and social news of interest to the members and others who are active in expanding Thai-Canadian bilateral trade. Editor: Randy Shockley, Executive Director, Thai-Canadian Chamber of Commerce Publisher: Scand-Media Corp., Ltd. 4/41-2 Moo 3, Thanyakarn Village, Ramintra Soi 14, Bangkok 10230 Tel: +66(0) 2943-7166-8 Fax: +66(0) 2943-7169 Design: Disraporn Yatprom Email: disraporn@scandmedia.com Advertising Contact: Mr. Finn Balslev, Marketing Director Scand-Media Corp., Ltd. Tel: +66(0) 2943-7166 ext.151 or 08-1866-2577 Email: finn@scandmedia.com
Chamber News
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Chamber News
BBQ 2012
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Great Canadian BBQ 2012 Sponsors:
Food & Beverage Sponsors:
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Prize Sponsors:
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Ladies competing for a 12- pack of Moosehead in the Best Dressed Cowgirl Competition Socializing a major part of any BBQ The Howards looking marvelous The Livingston family real black belt cowboys This lady was the happy raffle draw winner of the beautifully framed reproduction of Van Goghs famous vase with 12 sunflowers donated by Natee International Law Office Limited 6. Cant have a BBQ without a game of horse shoes 7. Childrens game area sponsored by Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) 8. Khun Yui & Khun Aomy welcoming the BBQ guests 9. Members of the Outlaw Brothers band 10. On this night, the Moosehead beer was free flowing and thoroughly enjoyed! 11. The Casellas attended with friends from out of town 12. Darwin Forer VP Asia, REDEV Properties with his two sons 13. No bales of hay, but plenty of Cacti 14. (R-L) Dr. Rujirat & Olivia pointing out the benefits of the Genesis Skin Klinik treatments 15. Winners of the Best Dressed Cowboy & Cowgirl competition 16. - 18. Cowboys and Cowgirls embracing the Stampede Spirit
February 2012
Feature Story
have a good cup. Most people are lazy and dont take the time to process it properly. It took us five years to figure this process out. Im sure in the next five years people around the world will know a lot more about Thai coffee, says Khun Wicha. Coffee was first introduced to Thailand way back in the 1800s but it didnt really gain a footing until 1974 when when the Royal Project for Hilltribe Development under direction of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, conducted research on highland cultivation of Arabica coffee. It was found that quality Arabica coffee could be grown throughout the kingdoms northern mountains, beans were distributed, methods of production shared and opium became a thing of the past. Today Doi Chaang Coffee is producing 2,000 tons of beans, way up from a meager five tons back in 2000. Part of this dramatic increase in production is due to a Canadian businessman from Vancouver who invested in Doi Chaang Coffee back in 2006, gifted 50%
of the international venture to the community and has been working hard to put their coffee on the international map. Its now widely available in a number of major Canadian grocery stores, coffee shops and can also be found in Japan and Europe. Things are looking good for Doi Chaang. The Ahka farmers are originally come from Tibet, some of Thai citizenship while many dont but have lived on the mountain for generations. They start early, just as the sun comes over the hills and get picking lush, ripe, red berries off the trees which can grow to more than 1.5m in height. Picking season lasts from mid-October until early February and it takes the plants three years to reach maturity. Hand-woven baskets full, they carry their loads to the coffee processing facility where the real work begins. You have to get up early in the morning, pick the cherries, bring them to the washing station, pre-wash them, pulp them, then dry ferment them for one day. Underwater fermentation takes another day, then we soak the beans with natural spring water for another 24 hours, drain it properly and naturally sun-dry them for seven to eight days. All these processes take about 14 days then you have to store it for another six to seven months, then pulp it to get the parchment off the green bean and then you finally roast it. Its this meticulous process that ensures coffee tastes great by the time it hits your cup. While starting with good quality Arabica beans is key one must ensure they dont rush the process, use fresh water and are meticulous each step of the way. Its adhering to these techniques that have seen Doi Chaang Coffee score as high as 91 out of 100 at several international coffee competitions. But its not just large operations that are doing well in the Thai coffee trade. About 75km north is the charming town of Doi Mae Salong. Famous for its Oolong tea fields, which were introduced in the late
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Feature Story
1970s by Kuo Ming Tan (KMT) soldiers from China, villagers and some intrepid entrepreneurs are trying their hand at Arabica beans too. Khun Wilai and Weeral Cheewinwon, both originally from Doi Mae Salong got tired of living in large Thai cities and returned to their village about five years ago. Here fields are at about 1,000m, just high enough to produce decent beans and they decided to give it a go. Its been a struggle but according to Khun Wilai things are improving each year. We have about 2,500 trees which produce 400kg of roasted beans per year. Its not a lot, but they can fetch up to $15US/kg and since the trees are only three years old this is a pretty decent yield. We stroll into their coffee fields for a look then continue further along small footpaths through small villages for a look at more independent farms. Mostly Ahka people are now planting coffee trees under the shade of larger cherry, lechee and macadamia trees, giving a boost to their lands yield. Discarded fruit from the coffee beans is all along the footpaths, bringing to my attention that fact that with coffee the fruit is discarded and its the seed thats utilized. Women in full tribal headdress work their fields, sing songs and are clearly happy to be improving their lives. Another 40km north Im at perhaps Thailands most famous mountain for coffee, Doi Tung. Started by His Majesty the Kings late mother in 1988, the Mae Fah Luang Foundation has played a major role in eradicating opium, introducing replacement crops, providing schools, clinics and weaning addicted persons off opiums grip here. Coffee has played a major role in this process. Doi Tung now has coffee shops across the country, has 1.7 million trees that are farmed by a collective of 1,000 hilltribe people and annually produces 200 tons of
green beans. Executive Director at Doi Tung, Khunying Rungroi explains that coffee was a natural crop to introduce and fit with their goals. Our main intent was to figure out how we can keep man and forest together so they wont be destroyed again. We did several trials and found that coffee worked well under the shade of the pine trees that we planted to reforest the mountains. While helping to improve locals lives and reforest the mountains, introducing eco-friendly farming and growing methods is also a key objective according to Khunying Rungroi. We say our coffee is Bird Friendly. Its a coffee term meaning that when the birds eat the coffee they dont drop dead. They can live on the coffee as we dont use pesticides and let it grow naturally. Thailand is now the third largest coffee producer in SE Asia after Vietnam and Indonesia and is setting the bar high for not only great coffee but bettering local communities at the same time.
Heres drinking to that. Story & Photos courtesy of Scott Coates and Smiling Albino (www.smilingalbino.com), the region's top custom travel company
Scott Coates - Originally from Calgary, Canada, Scott moved to Thailand in 1999 to follow a dream and start an innovative travel company, Smiling Albino. Hes written for publications around the world, published photography, consulted for international businesses and received international recognition for his community work in the region. An avid mountain biker, dirt biker and jogger, he thrives on exploring and discovering the next big thing. He currently resides in Bangkok about 50% of the time and loves a pint of Guinness (or two).
February 2012
February 2012
Community News
hospitality in the countrys biggest and most beautiful world-class island. This years event will be hosted at a new venue, the Centara Karon Resort Phuket, which we are extremely confident will provide the same outstanding standard of facilities, service and fun as we have always enjoyed at the Mekong Cup. In addition, the Mekong Cup supports a very worthy cause with a charity auction held at the banquet dinner, which has been able to raise more than THB220,000 for the Vivian Slot Scholarship Fund (http://www.unizg.hr/vivianscholarship/), named after the daughter of a Hong Kong / Singapore ball hockey player who unfortunately lost her life in the 2004 tsunami while visiting Phuket on holiday with her family. Please make sure that you dont miss this great tournament and an opportunity for a fun-filled weekend in Phuket with friends. For further information, please contact our Tournament Director, John Casella, email address: johncasella@iname.com, telephone: +66-81-829-8954.
sport of ball hockey in Thailand, throughout the South-East Asia region and around the world, and also to open doors in welcoming all Mekong Cup visitors to our renowned Thai
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Community News
ohn Casella, President of the TCCC, and one of the Flying Farang players was one of the VIPs introduced at the beginning of the game. As was Jennifer May, Canadas Charge daffaires, who represented the Canadian Embassy at the event decked out in a Montreal Canadians jersey. TCCC board members Geoff McIntyre and Derek van Pelt also played for Team Canada. The Canadian team fell behind 2-0 early in the game; then rallied with four straight goals to take the led 4-2. MP Brown scored on a beautiful slapshot to tie the game at 2 and Kirk Nell tipped in a clearing pass to put the Canadians in the led. The World team rallied to within one scoring to trail only 4-3. But the Canadians seemed to draw energy from a skirmish in front of the World net and exploded for three goals in quick succession to take a commanding 7-3 lead. The World squad later two added goals late in the game to make the final score a respectable 7-5. Thomas Doucet was in goal for Canada during the first period, Simon Halverson during the second period and Lance Parker was in net in the third. Fifteen-year-old Halverson, the son of RCMP officer Gary Halverson, was particularly brilliant during stretches of the second frame when the World team stormed the net trying to tie the score.
The BNH mascots were on hand delivering good cheer as they worked the crowd. Everyone seemed to enjoy the show, especially the Canadian MPs who were presented with their own personal Flying Farang jerseys before the game. Organizer Scott Murray said, We were on pins and needles up until game time because the Zamboni was broken, but in the end it all worked out and everyone had a good time. The Flying Farangs would like to thank Khun Noi of The Rink, Sakchai Chinanuvatana and Scott Whitcomb, without whose help we could not have staged this game. The game raised 70,990.25 baht for the Thai Red Cross in support of flood relief.
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Embassy News
Arthur C. Perron 08-Nov-1990 to 12-July-1994
50th Anniversary
It was a privilege for Nicole and me to live in the Kingdom of Thailand from 1990 to 1994 and for me to serve as the Ambassador of Canada. Our memories are as vivid today as they were fascinating and enlightening to experience at the time. From the beauty and pageantry of the festival of Loi Kratong in Sukothai, to the joyous celebrations during Songkran everywhere, to the sheer magical spectacle of thousands of candle-lit lanterns rising in the dark night sky during Yi Peng, Thailand is a land of tradition, of spirituality and of beauty. During our stay in Thailand, the Canada -Thai relationship evolved and deepened. It was a time of change, a time of seizing new opportunities and a time of creating the foundations of a mature and mutually beneficial partnership. We worked together in policy institutions that focused on economic development, technology, governance, energy and human rights in the region. It is with particular pride that we organized a historic visit to Thailand of the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates to further human rights in Myanmar. Serving on the International Advisory Board of Chulalongkorn University allowed us to establish integrated programs with universities around the world, including Canada. The governments decision to bestow one of its highest honors in recognition of our programs designed to enhance the role and status of Thai women as leaders in society was yet another highlight of my term. Working with Khun Anand Panyarachun, following his appointment as Prime Minister by His Majesty the King, to restore democratic processes and good government was evidence of the close collaboration between our two countries. Nicoles leadership as President of the Diplomatic Corps Red Cross Society and contribution towards initiatives to assist those in need were recognized by civil society and Royalty. Thailand can take its place amongst the leading Asian countries of the world and Canada is particularly proud of the close and dynamic relationship it enjoys with this impressive nation
Email info@innitynancialsolutions.com
Cambodia +855 23 997 121 Hong Kong +852 2855 6961
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February 2012
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Chamber News
Contact: Linda Belonje Tel: 02-274-3444 ext. 4116, Email: linda@kis.ac.th KIS International School 999/124 Kesinee Ville, Pracha-Utit Road, Huay Kwang, Bangkok 10320 Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 2274 3444 Fax: +66 (0) 2274 3452 E-mail info@kis.ac.th www. kis.ac.th
uring our Tuesday, January 24th Speaker Luncheon, the members were provided with an excellent economic presentation by Khun Pimpaka Nichgaroon, Head of Research for Thanachart Securities. Her presentation was titled Winds of Change and highlighted some key insights on Thailands forward economic environment: 1. The Thai economy is cyclically peaked out with the key economic drivers of Consumption, Private Investment, Government Investment and Exports lacking unified momentum. For CY 2012, Consumption was seen as the primary economic driver. 2. Given the outlook for peaking farm income, weaker exports and the loss of purchasing power from the recent floods, it is anticipated that Consumption will also lose some of its prior momentum. 3. Government spending packages have change from being infrastructure oriented to consumption oriented-populist packages over the last two years.
4. Runaway populism is becoming a growing concern given the countrys large tax revenue shortfalls and the fact that its entering into a low quality public debt cycle straddled with twin deficits in 2012 and 2013. 5. The Thai markets earnings growth was a key factor in driving the SETs strong performance over the last two years, but this could be coming to an end with increased prospects for single-digit growth. Please contact the TCCC If you would like to acquire a full copy of Khun Pimpakas luncheon presentation
Chamber President. Mr. John Casella presenting Khun Pimpaka Nichgaroon, Head of Research - Thanachart Securities with a TCCC speaker gift.
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Amantee