Back Cocktail Isaan Power - the Netherlands - Thai Chamber of ...

Dear Members and Friends,
Editorial Message
We are happy to present the third edition of this year’s Commerce Magazine. Our recent Welcome
Back from the Holidays Cocktail at the Okura Prestige Bangkok was the chambers’ largest and most
elaborate networking event ever. You will fi nd the pictures in the centerfold of this edition.
The chambers have some important changes in their boards. With the arrival of Belgian Ambassador
HE Marc Michielsen, Beluthai has a new Patron. We welcome Mr. Marc Michielsen and express our
gratitude and thanks to his predecessor Mr. Rudi Veestraeten who played a very active role in support
of Beluthai. The NTCC elected a new board in April followed by a wonderful networking event at
the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel. We are happy to report that Dr. Pisit Leeahtam has accepted another
term as President of the NTCC. Newly elected members include Alwin Hollander (KLM), K. Att apol
Lohkitt ivanich (Cryotech), Lars Schaumann (Thai Tank Terminal), Jantje Schiphorst (FrieslandCampina
Foremost) and Ernst-Ott o Smit (Greenwood Travel). New advisors are K. Porntida Boonsa (Unilever)
and Peter Ong (Heineken). We had to say goodbye to the following board members who left Thailand
(we hope for only a short period of time): many thanks to Susanne van Laarhoven, Alko Plas and Hein
Swinkels for their outstanding contribution over the past years.
In June, delegations of Dutch and Belgian companies visited Myanmar for additional fact fi nding
missions. The country has seen some dramatic changes over the past months. Just think how much the
situation has changed in just a year. Now is the time for you to assess the opportunities in your industry.
Responsible investment is what our companies can off er to the Burmese people who have suff ered
so much under the military regime and the sanctions. Or, as Luc de Waegh who led our delegation
would put it: providing training, decent salaries and real career opportunities to people in Burma is
your company’s ultimate CSR program. Myanmar has tremendous potential for European business,
but please be prepared for a bumpy ride and do start in a small way (but do start). Opportunities go
hand in hand with risk, especially in a country that has been isolated for such a long time.
In this issue of Commerce, you will fi nd interviews of two excellent chamber members. Bram Jansen
explains how waste from the rice fi elds may be Thailand’s next source of energy, whereas award
winning member Vinythai (Solvay) presents even more sustainable initiatives.
Enjoy !
Bert Cesar
Commerce, Vol. 3, 2012
A quarterly publication of the Netherlands-Thai Chamber
of Commerce and the Belgian-Luxembourg/Thai Chamber
of Commerce. Views expressed do not necessarily refl ect
those of the Chambers.
Editor-in-chief: Bert Cesar
Assistant Editor: Margot Campman and Inge Kaars
Sijpesteijn
Designed and printed by Hanky Panky Toys Thailand Ltd.
Vol. 3, 2012
Netherlands-Thai Chamber of Commerce
Belgian-Luxembourg/Thai Chamber of Commerce
15 Soi Tonson, Ploenchit Road
Lumpini, Pathumwan
Bangkok, 10330
Tel: +662-309 5250
info@ntccthailand.org; www.ntccthailand.org
info@beluthai.org; www.beluthai.org
volume 3, 2012 7