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Japan provides generous grant for forestry work
Japanese Consul General Junko Yokota (right),
and Ruang Suksawat, Chairman
of the Foundation of Human Resources for Community Development during
the signing ceremony.
The Japanese Consul General in Chiang Mai Junko Yokota held a signing
ceremony with the Foundation of Human Resources for Community Development, a
non-governmental organization that works on forest projects for sustainable
development.
The Japanese government has graciously provided a grant worth 2,373,500 baht
for the
Grassroots Human Security Projects in Lamphun province for further studies
and development.
World’s largest barter network opens in Chiang Mai
At the recent launch of Bartercard Chiang
Mai. From left to right, Mr. Thanakorn Chamnankij, National Sales
Manager, Ms. Panada Dusitakorn, Sales & Marketing Manager, Mr. Graham
Brain, Managing Director, Ms. Lalin Chia, Brokerage Manager, and Mr.
Worawat Rojrangsee, General Manager.
Bartercard, the world’s largest business-to-business Trade Exchange,
continued its Thailand expansion with the opening of its newest
franchise operation in Chiang Mai, throwing its doors open to new
members and the local business community.
Thailand’s General Manager Worawat Rojrangsri joined Managing Director
Graham Brain in introducing local entrepreneurs and new Franchisees
Lalin Chia and Panada Dusitakorn.
The Chiang Mai operation is off to flying start, with 30 members already
signed up in its first month of operation. They will benefit from being
part of an existing international network of member companies, as well
as the Thailand customer base in Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket.
The two women were partners in a healthcare business that joined
Bartercard in 2003. They immediately saw the benefits that being a
member brought to the business by reducing cash expenses, converting
excess stock into Trade Baht, and improving cash flow. After watching
Bartercard grow and expand into Pattaya and Phuket, they felt that the
time was right to take the local franchise both as a business
opportunity and as a way to help stimulate the slow economy by
generating more business and profits for its members.
They have initially targeted the service industry in Chiang Mai,
especially accommodation, restaurants, travel services, advertising and
media, and will gradually link to other related businesses. They expect
to see at least 20-30 businesses joining every month, as Bartercard
allows its members to prosper in both good times and tough times.
Khun Panada feels that companies in Chiang Mai are ready for Bartercard
and will be very receptive to a cashless business system. “We already
have demands from existing members for accommodations, restaurants, OTOP
products and other services in Chiang Mai. This means that new members
already have a whole list of suppliers where they can trade their
services and products for.”
The company operates in a unit of currency known as the Trade Baht (TB)
which is recognized by the Thai government as having the equivalent
value of one baht for tax purposes.
It is a business-to-business (B2B) market place that facilitates
transactions electronically via the Internet, selected swipe card
facilities and telephone “e-commerce”, or by a transaction voucher
similar to that used with a credit card.
For more information visit their website at www.bartercard.com
US Consulate to close for
renovations from Sept. 3-10th
The U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai will temporarily suspend
consular services from September 3 through the 10th.
Visa applications and American citizen services at U.S. Consulate will
be unavailable during these dates due to planned renovations of the
Consular Section. During this period, the Consular Section will provide
only emergency services for American citizens.
Please note that the U.S. Consulate as well as U.S. Embassy in Bangkok
will be closed Sept. 3 for the US Labor Day holiday. The Chiang Mai
Consular Section will reopen for full services on Monday, Sept. 10th.
In addition, the Consulate will also be closed Monday, August 13th in
honor of HM the Queen’s birthday.
For further information: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/consulcm/index.htm
Nok Air to raise funds for
Cardiac Children’s Foundation
Nok Air has launched a “Nok Gives Life” social contribution project,
which coincides with Nok Air’s 3rd anniversary celebrations. The “Nok
Gives Life” project works to raise funds for the Cardiac Children
Foundation of Thailand, Under the Royal Patronage of H.R.H. Princess
Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra.
Last year Nok Air raised a total of 1,760,000 baht from the “Nok Gives
Life” campaign, a donation that enabled life giving surgery and
treatment for 74 young patients.
“Nok Air is pleased to continue our “Nok Gives Life” social contribution
project. The concept is on each Nok Air anniversary we want to create
new opportunities for those children who are in need”, said Mr. Sehapan
Chumsai, Executive Vice President of Marketing, Nok Air.
Nok Air has produced special “Nok Gives Life” key rings which are
available for sale until 10 September 2007. The key rings sell for 40
baht each and can be purchased on board all Nok Air flights and all Nok
Air and SGA Airlines airport counters, including Don Muang, Suvarnabhumi
Airport, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Pai, Chiang Rai, Udon Thani, Loei,
Phuket, Hat Yai, Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi and Hua Hin.
“I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Nok Air in
continuing this project two years in a row, an onwards, and for the
donation they will be making to our foundation,” said Professor Boonchob
Pongpanich MD. FACC, President of the Cardiac Children Foundation of
Thailand. “Most Thais are not aware of heart disease in children, or
that children can suffer from heart disease and that only timely
heart-surgery at the earliest possible age is the only way to change the
fate of these children. This limited knowledge may be due to less media
attention, and I do hope, together with Nok Air this will soon change.”
Farangs learn some
little known Thai rules
David Hardcastle
A few aspects of Thai law little known by many foreigners and three
amusing “golden rules” to keep Thai wives content were included in a
half day seminar held by the provincial Attorney General’s Office on
July 21st.
Despite only sporadic advance notice, there was a capacity audience at
the Lotus PSK Hotel to hear a variety of senior Thai legal officials
advising Thais and foreigners on their rights.
When a foreigner gives money to his Thai spouse to buy land - and maybe
house - he can take out a renewable 30 year lease known as a ‘usufruct’
giving him right of occupation for that period. For the younger among us
farangs it’s good to know that it’s renewable for a second period of 30
years. What is less well known is that the usufruct survives a divorce,
and the Thai spouse cannot sell the property during that period. All
laws apply to heterosexual couples only, as Thai law does not recognize
gay partnerships.
Dr. Uthai Arthivech, acting executive director, Office of International
Peoples Rights Protection, who is fluent in English and French, added
that Thailand has an Ombudsman system for resolving disputes and this is
open to foreigners.
“If you feel you have been unjustly treated, the Ombudsman may be able
to mediate, but you must take along all the facts - and only the facts”,
he stressed.
The International Peoples Rights Protection program and the Ombudsman
service is conducted from the offices of the Provincial Public
Prosecutor at the Sallaglang, Mae Rim, which also offers a free, up to
date English language booklet on all current visa requirements and
property acquisition.
Khun Prasopchoke Wasikachat, stepping briefly outside his serious role
as Senior Public Prosecutor, rounded off the meeting with three “golden
rules” to keep Thai wives happy:
“Number one: gold or diamonds on every special occasion. Number two: she
does not want to share you with anyone else. Number three: in the house,
she is the boss!”
Mozart piano extravaganza at Payap
Professor Bennett Lerner with his
Piano Club students ready to play
on Friday, August 3rd.
The Piano Club of Chiangmai, in cooperation with the Music Department of
Payap University, presents Music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with
performers: Aunchisa Tapanankornvut, Sitang Jittapirom, Aim Sangboon,
Santi Saengtong, Phitcha Thanuparbrungsan, Achira Asawadecharit and
Arnun Jukisalapong.
The event will be held Friday, August 3, 2007 at 7:30 PM at the Luce
Chapel, Payap University (Mae Kao Campus). Admission is free.
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