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Thailand’s economy has suffered badly because of the floods in recent months. Hundreds of businesses have reported significant damage to machinery and facilities and have lost both customers and suppliers. The imagination, energy and almost cheerful calmness with which those affected in the country have dealt with adversity, and in some cases the loss of all they own, is really admirable. Industry was making plans for reconstruction even before the floodwaters had reached their highpoint – and the amount of water flooding the city was already the equivalent of 500,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Politicians and people alike have an overwhelming desire to rebuild what was lost.
Important trade fairs that had to be postponed, such as Metalex, will be going ahead over the Christmas

Following China’s claim to 80 percent of the oil and gas-rich South China Seas, the other neighbouring countries are becoming increasingly concerned about their own access, and have complained about China’s often aggressive behaviour in asserting its claims. Chinese warships have, for

Left image: The grande intrduction show of BERRYWELL in Thailand, ASEANS probably most fashion orientated country. Right Image: Berrywell Sales Director Michael Linker (2.f.r.) and Deputy Managing Director Narong (Joe) Srikriengthong of Modern Cass enjoy knowing their teams motivated and succesfull.

In 2013 there are apparently going to be significant changes to the huge incentives that are on offer to foreign investors in Thailand. In light of drastic tax cuts for businesses, applications made after 31st December 2012 are unlikely to still qualify for the current 13-year full tax exemption or 50% tax reduction, or the many special write-downs and capital allowances that have proven so attractive to foreign investors in the past.
In fact, not all these incentives will actually be needed after the planned cuts because of the first-class industrial climate and infrastructure that the country has to offer. In future, Thailand’s investment

While Vietnam was able to achieve growth of 5.3% in the middle of the financial crisis in 2009, and looks likely to report even higher growth of around of 7% in 2011, there are still some warning signs for the country’s economic outlook. The rate of inflation and the weakness of the country’s currency, the dong, are giving particular cause for concern. In March 2011, inflation hit 14 % and the dong was

On our website you will find up-to-date references and information relating to the projects we have been involved in over the last few years, along with relevant contact names and details. Please note

After the personnel difficulties of recent years, everybody agreed that in Norbert Peska, the GTCC (German-Thai Chamber of Commerce) in Bangkok had finally found an excellent CEO. But unfortunately health issues have put a spoke in the works and Norbert Peska has had to give up the position for

A special edition of the business magazine for Asian business, Asia Bridge, looks in depth at Thailand as one of the most attractive entry markets in Asia. GTCC President, With the benefit of his many years of experience at Städtler, Rolf-Dieter Daniel gives a general overview of the economic situation in his host country, while Dr Christoph Hein, FAZ Asia-Pacific business correspondent

To cut a long story short: 16 huge anchor bolts had been drilled into the wall and were now sticking out through the exterior rendering of the building as some kind of contingency overkill. Seven of Somchai’s workers were cheerfully treading dirt, dust, bits of breakfast and fallen plaster into the imported carpet, swinging around huge drills and fixing hooks for the glass cabinet, clearly ready and willing to commit further crimes.

The next thing I remember are how my frightened colleagues’ described me chasing “team Somchai” out of the building, while loudly informing them that I waved my 50% down payment back just to get them out.

After 14 years in Thailand, I should have known better. I once found my new fridge as a kind of attractive centre-piece in the middle of my kitchen (they had used the 1.8 metres to the wall for the drinking water filter and associated piping). The installation of the outflow for my shower should have acted as a warning too! It was ingeniously designed so that the meagre spray from my shower would flow down the slope to the other end of the room and then out under the bathroom door, presumably so my rubber duck would be able to swim downstream to freedom while I was taking a shower.