Wednesday 11 June

On Wednesday 11 June, a special political luncheon entitled "Asia & Europe - Partnership and Opportunities" with Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suwit and Belgian Foreign Minister De Gucht, who was on 10-day Asia trip. Over two hundred attendants listened how both Ministers spoke extensively about the good relationship between Europe and Asia and the current investing climate in Thailand. An interesting Q&A session with both Ministers was held afterwards.

Belgian press agency Belga has published great photos covering the visit of Foreign Minister De Gucht to Thailand, including the successful Beluthai event. Please visit http://picture.belga.be/belgapicture/editorial/all/coverage/511892.html for more photos.

On Wednesday 21 of May the BeLuThai organized a private guided tour of the vintage car exhibition in the Royal Paragon Hall of Siam Paragon in Bangkok. The event was combined with an informal networking event with members of various other chambers. With over 300 people attending and free flow of beer and wine, a great night was had by all.

Thursday 24 April

On Thursday 24 April 2008, the BeLuThai Annual General Meeting took place at the Landmark Hotel. After the meeting, our members enjoyed tasty finger food and delicious wine.

Monday 3 April

The BeLuThai, Franco-Thai, Thai-Canadian and Swiss-Thai Chambers of Commerce proudly presented another issue of Les Francophones at the Plaza Athénée Hotel. An excellent mix of members and guests from different Chambers meant a great night was had by all.

Monday 31 March

The NTCC and BeLuThai organized their first LuBe event for this year in restaurant Aux Saveurs. LuBe stands for a special Luxembourg and Belgian event during which one of our members will talk about his experience setting up and/or running a business in Thailand or elsewhere.

Members of the chambers enjoyed themselves with excellent french and mediterranean food. On top of that, Bernard Collin, CEO of Safecoms, gave very interesting presentation about his life passion as Pilot and Manufacturer of ultralight planes.

Tuesday 25 March

The Benelux, Nordic and Swiss Chambers organized an exceptional luncheon with Khun Pana Janviroj, president of The Nation Newspaper, in the renovated ball room of the Banyan Tree Hotel. Khun Pana spoke extensively about the current political situation in Thailand and held a Q&A session with our members afterwards.

Wednesday 20 February

The BeLuThai, NTCC and the Canadian Chambers of Commerce were thrilled to organize a special luncheon with Everest Expedition Leader and Professional Key Note Speaker John Amatt.

In the ballroom of the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, over two hundred attendants listened how John Amatt spoke about his personal experience of climbing the Mount Everest and how his experience actually relates to today’s challenges in the business world.

"In a world where permanent change is the only constant, overcoming your fears and channeling your energy towards an ambitious challenge will allow you to reach amazing heights”

Thursday 17 January

New Years Cocktail

The Board of Directors of the Netherlands-Thai and Belu-Thai Chambers of Commerce took a great pleasure in hosting the New Years Cocktail Party in the lovely garden of Indus Indian Restaurant on 17th of January. It was a brilliant evening for all our members who were offered the finest Dutch and Belgian beers, excellent wines and very tasteful Indian delicacies

Friday 14 December

European X-mas Luncheon

European X-mas Lunch with the Minister-Councellor Jean-Jacques Bouflet of the European Commission Delegation in Bangkok. He made a really interesting speech with lots of time for Q&A on the FBA and other trade issues

Thursday 11 December

Belgian evening at the Landmark

It truly was an all Belgian evening: BeLuThai members and their friends saw some amazing Belgian art by Elly Roolant, Christian Develter, Pierre Ryckmans, Juliette de Salle, Ingrid van der Heyden, Paul de Blieck and David Vee Rodden. Furthemore the 'Memory of a Killer' proved to be a great Belgian feat of cinematography. Great compliments to the Landmark for the splendid array of Belgian dishes and of course to the sponsor of the evening, Katoennatie, for the Belgian Beer.

Friday 30 November

Intellectual Property Right Protection

The Beluthai members took off to the office of Tilleke and Gibbins to visit the counterfeit museum. Mr. Edward Kelly provided them with not only an interesting talk on the enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights but also had a nice anecdote to go with the confiscated items displayed in the museum.

Thursday 11 October

9th Annual Business Award Dinner

Indeed, what a party it was. More than 300 people in the ballroom of the Conrad Hotel Bangkok; Khun Abhisit who had the entire room to an absolute silence during his impressive speech; fabulous entertainment shows; really brilliant food by the hotel; wonderful wines and Heineken beer; a great atmosphere, and a lucky draw that saw lucky winners jump on our MC without shame.

Click here for the full report

Click here for all the photo's (35 MB)

Tuesday 25 September

Breakfast meeting

Beluthai, NTCC and the Scandinavian Chambers were thrilled to announce a special breakfast meeting with Tilleke and Gibbens consultant Michael Ramirez.

After our members were offered an ornate display of breakfast buffet, Michael provided an overview of dispute resolution in Thailand, an introduction to the Thai court system, its specialized courts and jurisdiction.

For the slides of the presentation please click here

Thursday 20 September

Company Visit to Rayoong

On 20 September 2007 the chamber planned an unprecedented visit to Rayong: we had a look at the new plant of Purac and visited the assembly lines of General Motors.

As the Purac plant was not yet operational we were able to go inside and see everything. CEO Alexander van Oyen and his team showed us around and provided the necessary information.

To make the trip to Rayong worth our while, we used the occasion to pay a visit to General Motors where Belgian General Director Marc Absillis showed us around.

All in all the day was quite spectacular and many thanks go out to the companies for having us and showing us around.

Thursday 23 August

Welcome Back Cocktal at the Banyan Tree

What a marvellous evening it was. Enjoying the fabulous atmosphere of the Latitude Lounge & Bar of the Banyan Tree Hotel, the members of the Beluthai chamber of commerce and the NTCC got to catch up with each other after the holidays. The beautiful outdoor location provided the perfect setting for a night that was very well recieved.

Tuesday 19 June

Dinner talk with Dr. Sutharm - International Legal Consellors
Permanent Residency: How helpful is it really?

Dr. Sutharm made a very interesting speech during this dinner in The Landmark Hotel about the Permanent Residency in Thailand. Almost 200 guests of the Belgian-Luxembourg, British and Netherlands Thai Chambers of Commerce listened to him and asked him questions. Charles Siller, who has the Permannet Residency, also talked about his own experience.

If you were not able to come to this dinner or would like to have some more information, just download Dr. Sutharm's presentation by clicking here.

Thursday 3 May

"Les Francophones autour du Zinc"

This thursday in the "Lattitude Bar" of the Banyan Tree, French was definitely the guest of honor of the evening. Around 160 people coming from many different countries attended this wonderful party with a wonderful view on the City of Angels. For the occasion, we had asked the rain to stay home... which she fortunately for all of us did... Let's just hope, the Belgian-Luxembourg-, Canadian-, French- and Swiss-Thai Chambers will organize such an event very soon!

Wednesday 25 April

Beluthai Annual General Meeting

Monday 26 March

Closed-Door Session with:
Dr. Pisit Leeahtam and H.E. Mr. Pieter Marres

An overwhelming attendance, two very interesting and highly recognized speakers and a great lunch with Japanese bento-boxes made this luncheon very successful. President of the NTCC Dr. Pisit Leeahtam, who is currently one of the 35 people who is writing the new constitution, kicked off. He gave his insights on Thailand’s current political and economical situation, and where the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) stands at the moment. After which Netherlands Ambassador H.E. Mr. Pieter Marres gave his personal speech on the current issues. The closed door character of the luncheon gave way to a frank and open question session, and made the event very well received by the attendants.

Wednesday 21 February

Luncheon with Deputy Minister of Industry

This Wednesday 21 February the Deputy Minister of Industry H.E. Piyabutr Cholvijarn was the guest of honor of the luncheon co-organized by the Canadian, Australian, Dutch and Belgian-Luxembourg Thai Chambers of Commerce. More than 100 people attended the speech about “Thailand’s plan for logistics improvement related to industrial development”.

To download his PPT presentation, click here

Saturday 10 February

"Colors of Bangkok" bicycle tour

The tour was called "Colors of Bangkok". And that is exactly what we got. A bicycle tour of unknown Bangkok organised by cycle-crazy Dutchies Andre Breuer and Co van Kessel. Some 20 of us were taken passed small scale industries, high rises under construction, and through small slum areas of Yannawa. A boat took the cyclists across the river, to the green area of Phra Pradaeng for Phad Thai at a local restaurant. After lunch we were samlored/ rickshawed to the local floating market of Bang Nam Phung. But then, it was bicycle touring again over small concrete pathways, a meter or so above the marshland and coconut plantations. Back by boat to Yannawa for other discoveries after which a debriefing (water, beer and some more beer) at Andre's office closed the trip.

Andre and Co, thanks for the invite. Let's do it again next year.

Wednesday 24 January

The Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce were invited to the Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont speech this Wednesday in Conrad Hotel. Much of you were present to listen to him. He spoke about Thailand’s plans for the future and told foreigners will always be welcome in the Kingdom. You can download this speech by clicking here.

Past events 2006