presidents message - SwissThai Chamber of Commerce

ISSUE 20 | FEBRUARY 2011 | SWISS-THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | NEWSLETTER
Happy Chinese New Year
Chinatown, Bangkok
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE ..............
03
07
....................... UPCOMING EVENTS
REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS .....
04
08
..... BATTLE OF THE CHAMBERS
SWISS SCHOOL ................................
06
10
...... WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

FEBRUARY 2011 | SWISS THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | 03
The President’s Message
DEAR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
DR. NITI MEYER, PRESIDENT
May I start by wishing you all a prosperous
and happy New Year 2011 full
of personal and professional success.
Our STCC Newsletter has turned over a
new page, the format of the current issue
should contain some definitive improvements,
not least that the publication is
now in full colour. I am confident that we
can rely on the support of our members
to keep the newsletter going, advertising
rates are very reasonable and our editor,
Thomas von Aesch, is striving to improve
the contents with every issue. In accordance
with the wishes of our readers
based on the survey done in November
2010, we will try to increase coverage
of local business and regulatory issues
which are of concern to our members.
Issues from our board meeting: At its
latest board meeting on December 16th,
2010 the STCC board reviewed a copy of
the BOI confidence survey report resulting
from a survey done among foreign
chamber members earlier in 2010. It
is encouraging to see that investor
confidence in the Thai economy is still
relatively high. Another topic discussed
was the invitation by H.E. Kiat Sitthiamorn
the President of the Thailand
Trade Representative Office to all Joint
Foreign Chamber (JFCCT) members to
submit details to him on delays in granting
permanent residency to qualified
foreigners. A meeting with Khun Kiat
has been scheduled for January 20th and
will be attended by representatives from
the various chambers including ours.
It is interesting to note that among our
chamber alone 12 members are waiting
for residence permits and 4 for Thai nationality.
While I do not expect immediate
results from the Jan. 20th meeting,
at least we should learn the reason why
these applications have been kept pending
for so long and what can be done to
speed them up. We will report back to
the members as soon as there are further
developments.
The committee on the JFCCT’s structure
has met regularly in the past weeks
and has produced 3 draft proposals
(written respectively by AMCHAM, the
Austhai and Norwegian Chambers) for
amending and elaborating the working
procedures and coordinating guidelines
which have been in force since 2003 and
2004 respectively. It is not easy trying
to incorporate all the different wishes of
each chamber into this document. In particular
the American chamber feels very
strongly about surrendering any of their
rights as an individual chamber to the
JFCCT although this need not necessarily
be the case. It is a delicate situation at
the moment and is being watched with
concern not only by the foreign chambers
but also by the Thai government
which strongly supports the idea of a
united JFCCT as the voice of foreign business
in Thailand.
On Thursday, January 27th, 2011 at 18:00
hrs. the STCC Annual General Meeting
will be held at the J.W. Marriott Hotel on
Sukhumvit Road. This will be followed
by a dinner which is free of charge for
the members (1 person per member
company). Khun Dusit Nontanakarn,
the Chairman of the Board of Trade, has
kindly agreed to address the meeting.
We are hoping for a good turn-out and a
productive AGM.
Sincerely yours,
Niti Meyer
President
SWISS THAI CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE DIRECTORS
President
Dr. Niti Meyer
president@swissthai.com
Vice President
Mr. Bruno Odermatt
Executive Director
Mr. Thomas Gerber
info@swissthai.com
Executive Director
Mr. Brian Sinclair-Thompson
Director, Membership & Website
Mr. Stefan Kuhn
Director, Treasurer
Mr. Andreas Leutenegger
Director, Stamm Father
Mr. Daniel Reinle
Director, Legal Matters
Mr. Dhira Yoonaidhama
Director, SMEs & Newsletter
Mr. Thomas von Aesch
Director
Dr. Rolf Ammelburg
Director
Mr. Christof Gasser
Director
Mr. Nophadol Siwabutr
Director
Mr. Nandor von der Luehe
ADVERTISING & LAYOUT
EuroThai Media Co., Ltd.
Mr. Mark Sonntag
sonntag@euro-thai.net
STCC CALENDAR
Stamm at Amari Atrium Hotel
• Thursday, 10 February 2010,
18:00 hrs.
• Thursday, 10 March 2010,
18:00 hrs.

04 | SWISS THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | FEBRUARY 2011
Regional Operating Headquarters
THAILAND’S NEW MODEL ROHs
On 5 November 2010, the Royal
Decree tax law prescribing the new
Model 1 and Model 2 ROH regime was
published in the Government Gazette,
and on 15 November 2010, the rules,
procedures and conditions of the Thai
Revenue Department under the new
law were issued.
These new laws enhance the ROH regime
that was introduced in Thailand in 2002.
The 2002 ROH regime still exists and
continues, and the new laws insert new
provisions in relation to an additional
new Model ROH regime.
The Thailand ROH regime is now a
two-tiered regime – the original ROH
introduced in 2002 and new ROH introduced
in 2010 – which we understand the
Thailand Revenue Department officials
are referring to as ROH Model 1 and ROH
Model 2.
RSM Advantage should like to make it
clear up front that whilst many foreigners
may find them-selves attracted to the
tax concessions offered under the ROH
regime, the ROH models are really only
for international and multinational companies
that have operating businesses in
a number of South East Asian countries.
A Thailand Regional Operating Headquarters
company falls under the supervision
activities of the Revenue Department’s
Large Business Taxpayers Administration
Office (LTO), which investigates ROH
companies quite rigorously, and should
the LTO audit officers discover any prescribed
rule, procedure or condition has
not been fully complied with by the ROH
company, the ROH company will lose its
entitlement to all the tax concessions that
are prescribed under the law retrospective
to the 1st year, and the ROH company
will be required to pay the shortfall
in tax between the normal rates of tax
applying to the income and the reduced
rates of tax that has been paid under the
regime, plus penalty and surcharge.
Model 1
The Model 1 ROH (or the old or original
ROH regime) remains largely as it was
with no significant changes being made
to either the tax concessions offered for
that regime or the rules, procedures and
conditions required to be met under that
regime.
Virtually, the only new condition that has
been added to the old Model 1 ROH regime
is that a company claiming the tax
concessions under the 2002 regime shall
not be entitled to the tax concessions
under the new 2010 Model 2 ROH regime.
The tax concessions offered under the
Model 1 ROH remain and continue to exist
alongside the new ROH Model 2, and
thus, a company that finds it difficult to
meet the conditions for the tax concessions
under the new ROH Model 2, can
choose the ROH Model 1 regime if they
wish.
Model 2
The new Model 2 ROH regime offers enhanced
tax concessions, but at the same
time, because the tax concessions are
enhanced, a company wishing to apply
for the Model 2 concessions is required to

FEBRUARY 2011 | SWISS THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | 05
meet conditions that are a bit more onerous
or stringent.
Basically, in order for an ROH company to
be entitled to the enhanced tax concessions
under the Model 2 regime, an ROH
company is going to have to put a higher
level of commitment into its ROH operations
in Thailand.
It should also be noted that companies
wishing to claim the tax concessions
under the Model 2 ROH regime, must do
so within 5 years of the issue date of the
Revenue Department’s rules, i.e. within
15 November 2015.
Summary of the Concessions
and Conditions
A summary of the more important of the
tax concessions and conditions under the
two ROH models on offer is as follows.
Tax Concessions
CONDITIONS Model 1 ROH Model 2 ROH
Corporate tax concessions
Corporate income tax on services income received from associated companies 10% 0%
and branches outside Thailand
Corporate income tax on services income received from associated companies 10% 10%
and branches inside Thailand
Corporate income tax on dividend income received from associated companies 0% 0%
and branches whether inside Thailand or outside Thailand
Corporate withholding tax on dividends paid to the ROH company’s foreign 0% 0%
company shareholder
Personal tax concessions
Personal withholding tax rate on salaries paid for hire of labor outside Thailand 0% 0%
Personal withholding tax rate on salaries paid for hire of labor in Thailand 15% 15%
for a max
for a max
of 4 years
of 8 years
CONDITIONS
Minimum paid-up capital requirement Bt 10m Bt 10m
Minimum number of associated companies or branches outside Thailand
In the 1st and 2nd years 3 1
In the 3rd and 4th years 3 2
In the 5th and subsequent years 3 3
Minimum income requirements for income earned and received from associated
companies and branches outside Thailand
For the 1st, 2nd and 3rd years 33,33% 50%
For the 4th and subsequent years 50% 50%
Minimum expenditure requirements
Minimum annual operating expenditure paid to recipients in Thailand (not including – Bt 15m
depreciation, expenses paid to recipients outside Thailand, raw materials, packaging,
and royalties); or
Minimum annual capital investment expenditure paid to recipients in Thailand – Bt 30m
(not including investment in shares on the stock exchange)
Minimum requirements in relation to employees
Minimum number of employees possessing high school education and diploma or – From the 3rd year:
equivalent professional qualifications
75% of all employees
Minimum amount of remuneration – At least 5 shall have
income of Bt 2.5m
each per year

06 | SWISS THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | FEBRUARY 2011
Education
NEWS FROM THE SWISS SCHOOL
From August 2011: Excellent European education
in German – and English
In August 2011 in Kindergarten up to grade 3 new English
speaking classes will be introduced at the Swiss School.
Christmas Fair
On the 16th of December 2010 the Swiss School Bangkok invited
all friends of the school to the traditional Christmas fair. The
event started with a Christmas workshop and many activities
in different classrooms. Then guests were greeted with welcoming
words from the School Director, Dr. Halter, and could enjoy
the Christmas performances presented by the students of the
school. Later in the evening the Christmas buffet offered typical
Christmas dishes and the visitors were entertained with more
Christmas - songs and performances by the students.
Visitors from Switzerland and Germany
The English-speaking European Branch will later apply at the
IBO to be able to offer the International Baccalaureate Programme
and students will then have the opportunity to leave
the school with the IB Certificate or IB Diploma. With these
additional programmes the school hopes to attract more international
students and offer an international education with a
focus on German language. The German-speaking branch of the
Swiss School will remain a Swiss-curriculum school for Germanspeaking
children offering a balanced program from Kindergarten
(from 2 years) to graduation.
Please contact the school for more information:
Call: 02 518 - 0340 or visit: www.swissschool.org
Meeting of Principals
In November 2010 the annual conference of the headmasters
of the German schools in Asia was held at the Swiss School
Bangkok. The headmasters of Singapore, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur,
Manila, Delhi, Mumbai and Sydney participated. Among other
topics such as new curricula, recruitment problems and conditions
of employment were discussed. Over lunch the internationalization
of German schools abroad and the future financial
support by the German government was discussed with the
German Ambassador.
On 30th November her Excellency, Mrs Ambassador Schraner
Burgener accompanied the director of resources in the Swiss
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Helene Budliger Artieda and
the director of the Swiss HR department, Mrs. Barbara Schaerer
during a visit of our school.
From 15th through 17th December Mr. Heribert Wegmann,
representative of the German Office for Schools Abroad, visited
the school. In addition to talks with the German ambassador
and members of the committee and management he looked into
lessons to get some insights about the school‘s internationalization
process.
Premier International Co., Ltd.
We fabricate P.T.F.E. Coated Glass Fabric Material into different kind of belts for many Industries.
We produce textile dryer belts, packaging belts, processing belts
and tapes according to customer specification
Contact us: Tel.0-2935-9023 to 5 Fax. 0-2539-1743, 0-2935-9026 E-mail: premier_admin@csloxinfo.com
Website: www.premier-belting.com, www.premier-belts.com
MADE TO ORDER
NEW
www.thaizeit.de
Everything about Thailand:
Travel, Lifestyle, Hotel & Restaurant Tips, Event Calendar
Thailand‘s leading German language print and online magazine

FEBRUARY 2011 | SWISS THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | 07
“A new perspective on Mars” exhibition
On 9th December, our students from classes 10, 11 and 12
visited an exhibition of the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the
German Embassy in Bangkok and the Chulalongkorn University
about Mars pictures. “A New Perspective on Mars” showed
large-format 3D images taken by the German High Resolution
Stereo Camera (HRSC) on board of the European orbiter, Mars
Express.”
Upcoming events
29.01.2011
HOFFENHEIM SUPPORTER
FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
The annual football tournament organized by the Hoffenheim
Supporters Bangkok will take place on our football
ground. In addition to the games and barbecue many other
entertaining activities will be offered. For more information
please visit: www.hoffenheimsupporters.org
23.02.2011
OPEN HOUSE DAY AT THE SWISS SCHOOL
Visitors are most welcome to take a look at our school,
peek in the classrooms and inform themselves about our
new English-speaking branch from 07.30 - 14.00.
NOVATECH
Industrial pumps
Aircraft refuelling vehicles and equipment
Service provider of
Aircraft Co., Switzerland
Novatech Co., Ltd. | +66 (0) 2573 5699 | www.novatech.co.th

08 | SWISS THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | FEBRUARY 2011
Golf
BATTLE OF THE CHAMBERS
The second edition of the Ryders Cup
Golf competition between the Swiss
Thai Chamber and the German Thai
Chamber, duly named the “Battle of
the Chambers”, was held on Friday,
14 January, at the prestigious Alpine
Golf Club in Bangkok.
Each Chamber selected 12 players
to take part in the tournament and a
modified Ryders Cup format was applied,
whereby the first 6 holes were played in
Four-Ball format, the second 6 holes in
Foursome format and the remaining 6
holes in Single Match Play format.
It was a truly splendid day on the golf
course and both Chambers were able to
convince their respective Ambassadors
to join their ranks and be part of this
great event. The Swiss team, who won
the first competition in 2008, was well
prepared for this fight and a number of
new players, who joined the team for the
first time, fitted into this group of likable
players just perfectly.
We were fortunate enough to have the
Swis Ambassador Christoph Burgener to
join our team and his likable manner and
contagious fightig spirit will be well remembered.
After building up a solid lead
over the first 12 holes, the Swiss team
encountered stiff resistance from the German
team during the the single matches,
whereby every pounce of energy and
Adhesive & Sealant Technologies
imported from Switzerland
Adhesives & Sealants
Disposable Mixers
Dispensers, Cartridges
Southeast Asia Link Co., Ltd. | Tel 0 2732 2092 | www.seal-ast.com

FEBRUARY 2011 | SWISS THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | 09
commitment was thrown into this memorable
battle. The final decision point on
to whom will take the trophy home came
to the final game, whereby the German
colleagues secured the singles match
play by 8 to 4 points and hence won the
competion by 12 ½ to 11 ½ points. During
the closing dinner at the clubhouse, both
teams renewed their friendships and the
Swiss team extended their best wishes to
the Germans colleagues for the priviledge
of keeping the winner’s trophy for one
year in their possession. This is true
sportsmanship and will keep the spirit of
this annual competition alive.
It was a truly memorable event in a
stunning setting and both teams agreed
to continue the traditition of the Ryders
Cup amongst the two Chambers. The
Swiss team is already looking forward to
the next battle in January 2012, where
they will take up the challenge and give
the best to call the tropy their own.
Bruno G. Odermatt
Captain Swiss Team
MARKETPLACE
TO RENT EV. FOR SALE
Apartment with balcony, 135 m 2
Living, master bed room with bath room,
Guest room with toilet/shower, all furnished
European kitchen, washing machine
Swimming pool, parking space
Office same as above but office outlet without kitchen.
Location: Very quiet!
Bangkok, Prakanong, Sukhumvit 71 Road
Pridee Banomyong 14, Yeag 3
5 Bike-Taxi minutes from BTS (Prakanong)
5 walking minutes form Jusco
price per unit 23‘500 per month
and 20‘000 for office plus monthly costs
TRINA
INTERNATIONAL
ONE STOP
Your reliable Partner
in Thailand
+ Swiss Management +
Since 1996
Business Consulting
Start up – Business Registrations – Visa & Work permits
Recruiting
Accounting Services
including VAT, Tax, year-end closings, reportings
Insurance Solutions
Medical Insurances (individual and staff / groups)
Car~ , Bike~ & Property Insurance
Life Insurances
TRINA Management (Thailand) Co. Ltd.
18 th Floor, Unit 1802; Bangkok Business Center Building
#29, Sukhumvit 63 Road, Wattana, Bangkok 10110
Tel: 02 714 4177; Fax: 02 714 4179
trina@loxinfo.co.th www.trina-thai.com
Member of the Swiss & German Chamber of Commerce
Gudel Lineartec Co., Ltd. 567
Building 567, 7 th Floor
Seri 6 Road
Suanluang, Suanluang
Bangkok 10250, Thailand
Phone +66 (0) 2 300 1587
Fax +66 (0) 2 300 1342
www.gudel.com
www.thaiswissautomation.com
Automation, Robot, Handling,
Control
Great Solutions for Smart
Applications

10 | SWISS THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | FEBRUARY 2011
Member News
WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS
BDP Project Logistics
6/28 Moo 9, Sukhumvit Road
Nongprue, Banglamung, 20150 Chonburi
Tel: 02 204 7962, Fax: 038 719 070
rainer.roessler@bdpprojects.com
www.bdpprojects.com
Representatives: Mr. Rainer Roessler,
General Manager, and Mrs. Siriporn
Sathidtisungworn, Operations Manager.
Activity: Logistics freight forwarder ,
Import & Export, transportation, Logistics
Management
Endress & Hauser (Thailand) Co. Ltd.
111 Moo 4, Bangkruai – Jongthanom Road
Mahasawat, Bankruai, 10130 Bangkok
Tel: 02 477 6900, Fax: 02 447 6920
infobkk@th.endress.com
www.endress.com
Representatives: Mr. Supoth Pokpattanakul,
General Manager and Mr.
Patrick Rotzler, Marketing Manager
Activity: Global Leader in the provision
of measurement instrumentation, services
and solutions for industrial process
engineering to optimise processes in
terms of economic efficiency, safety and
environmental protection.
Vital Residences Ltd.
87/2-3 Petchkasem Road, Huahin, 77110
Prachuabkhirikhan
Tel: 032 909 069-71, Fax: 032 909 068
info@thefalls-huahin.com
www.thefalls-huahin.com
Representatives: Mr. Paul Derstroff,
Managing Director, and Mr. Michael
Ruess, Financial Manager
Activity: Developing communities offering
upgraded lifestyle options for those
seeking a 2nd home. The Falls, Huahin, is
the first for Vital Residences, and will be
a 5 star residential resort with high lifestyle
and based on health and wellness.
VR Insurance Brokers
Tonson Building, Suite 405, 4th Floor
50 Soi Tonson, Ploenchit Road, Pathumwan,
10330 Bangkok
Tel: 02 652 1911, Fax: 02 652 1914
contact@vr-brokers.com
www.vr-brokers.com
Representatives: Mr. Bruno Odermatt,
Partner, and Mr. Michel Bezardin, Partner
Activity: Broker for all kind of insurances
Next Stamm: Thursday, 10 February,
Amari Atrium Hotel, 18:00 hrs.
Plastic Welding Equipment
Industrial Heater & Blower
Hot Air Equipment
GTT GROUP
INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
Talingchan | Bangkok | Tel 0 2448 7466-8
www.gttgroup.co.th
Talingchan | Bangkok | Tel 0 2448 7469
www.hotairtools.in.th

FEBRUARY 2011 | SWISS THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | 11