UK Trade & Investment, through it’s Trade & Investment team at the Embassy, works closely with the Thai Government, Thai business and the Thai people to build strong partnerships that help us achieve our objectives. Below are some examples of our work.

Education trade & investment manager’s activities

Stewart and Pisarn have been busy on the education front.  A group of six British exhibitors participated at WorldDIDAC and subsequently reported business leads not only from Thailand but Malaysia, Taiwan and Israel.  Stewart organised an informal dinner for the British exhibitors to meet with Thai businessmen who have attended UKTI supported education events.  The feedback from the dinner guests was wholly positive with some saying it had been one of the best networking events they had attended.  

To coincide with WorldDIDAC UKTI sponsored two speakers Mark Roelofsen, Director at Alaska Events and Jim McManners, Head teacher at Cassop Primary School to visit Thailand and present on the topic of Educational Sustainable Development supported by the BCCT's Education sub-committee.   I know that Martin Kneath, Chairman of the Education sub-committee is arranging for a separate article to be placed elsewhere in Brief on the presentation but this was a good example of UKTI and the BCCT education sub-committee working together to deliver a very well received event.  My spies even tell me that both presenters were still there networking at 10:00 p.m. So much for an 8:30 finish.  Immediately after WorldDIDAC Pisarn accompanied six Thai companies to attend an All British Exhibition and Conference in Kuala Lumpur 2-3 November.  

The six Thai companies were very prominent at the event with two of the Thai companies presenting at the Vocational Training and Special Education Needs workshops.  The immediate feedback we have received has again been very positive with two companies advising that they have plans to follow up by visiting the UK to meet again with contacts made at BES Asia.

McKinnon & Clarke’s introduction dinner

From left: Mr. Simon Northrop, CEO, Mr. Quinton Quayle, British Ambassador and Mr. Sandy McKinnon, Chairman

McKinnon & Clarke Thailand, in collaboration with the British Embassy Bangkok, recently hosted an Introduction Dinner at the Ambassador's Residence for the headmasters of all major British International Schools in Thailand. As the experts in all areas of energy management including purchasing, environmental solutions, engineering and auditing of energy and utilities markets, lots of discussions went on how McKinnon & Clarke could help achieve energy efficiency and sustainability at the schools. Major utilities like electricity, water and telecoms would be areas which McKinnon & Clarke could help schools run more efficiently.

British Ambassador hosted farewell party for Dr. John Lerwitworapong

Mr.Quinton Quayle, British Ambassador to Thailand, recently held a farewell party for Dr.John Lerwitworapong, who is the former Director of Medicine For The Medical Correctional Institute. This well-attended event was held at the Ambassador's Residence and marked Dr John's retirement after 33 years of dedicated service

From left: Mrs Wasana Lerwitworapong, Dr John Lerwitworapong, Mr Quinton Quayl, British Ambassador and Mrs Alison Quayle

Medical fair Bangkok and UKTI healthcare trade mission to SE Asia in September 2009

UK Trade & Investment organised a Healthcare Trade Mission to SE Asia during 10-18 September 2009.  There were 13 UK companies participated in the mission visiting Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.  Mr Anil Vaidya, Sector Specialist – Biotech & Healthcare for Far East & Asia Pacific, was the mission manager bringing the group to visit this region.

As the visit date to Thailand coincide with Medical Fair (formerly known as Hospimedica), the Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI) organised a group of their members to exhibit at the fair under the UK Pavilion.  The Medical Fair, a regional event being held biennially between Bangkok and Singapore, was held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre during 16-18 September. This year, there were 258 exhibiting companies from 30 countries including national pavilions for group from Austria, Belgium, China, Germany, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and UK. The show attracted more than 3,600 visitors from 54 countries.  UK Trade & Investment has provided support to UK exhibitors in participating at this event for the past 4 years.

Photo Caption: Mr Paul Reid, the Deputy Director of UK Trade & Investment (second from right), Mr Anil Vaidya, UKTI Sector Specialist – Biotech & Healthcare for Far East & Asia Pacific (third from right), Mr Paul Benton, ABHI Director of Commercial & International (first from left) and UK business delegates at the networking reception at Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel.

During the visit, UK Trade & Investment team in Bangkok arranged a networking reception at the Grand Hyatt Erawan for both groups to meet with potential clients and partners.  Additionally, a UK Innovative Healthcare Technologies & Services Seminar at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre for the mission members to present their products and services to local audiences.  In order to promote healthcare opportunities in SEAsia, Trade & Investment Managers from UKTI offices in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Philippines also joined us in Bangkok and participated in these activities.

This was the first Healthcare Trade Mission to SEAsia sponsored by UK Trade & Investment.

VIV Asia 11-13 March 2009

VIV Asia 2009, a bi-annual trade event for the livestock industry, was held on 11-13 March 2009 at Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre by VIV AsiaPacific.  568 exhibitors from all over the world participated in this event. Among these were 102 from China, 52 from the Netherlands, 51 from the US, 50 from Thailand and 28 from the UK. The UK group was sponsored by the British Pig Association, with UKTI support. The event attracted about 20,000 visitors. This is also the first time cattle breeders from the UK have participated in such a trade event in Asia.  

Picture from left to right
1. Steve Buckley, Director of UK Trade and Invesment
2. Chris Jackson ,  Industry Specialist, British Pig Association
3. Mr.Apiruk Kosayothin, Advisor to Prime Minister
4. Mr. Rirksmai Sukhum, Vice Chairman of N.C.C. Management & Develoment Co.,Ltd
5. Khun Ladda Mongkolchaivivat, General Manager of N.C.C. Exhibition Organiser Co.,Ltd

Thailand case study-tameside college

After working closely with the Thai community in Manchester, Tameside College has established strong and sustainable cultural and educational links with a number of Universities in Thailand. The project is a real success for both nations, Tameside College will gain much knowledge and understanding of the many rich values embedded within Thai culture. Thai Universities will gain knowledge of our experience in providing vocational education in both educational institutions and work base employer focused programmes.

To date we have signed MOU’s with The Thai Culture Forum UK and The Suan Dusit Rajabhat University in Thailand .We have also trained 18 staff to be assessors in Thailand. We are preparing to enrol 50 learners on a level 3 Hospitality Award in June 2009 using the Suan Dusit Rajabhat University’s own staff. The learners will have 24/7 access to our Learning Box and they will use electronic portfolios linked to our main website .

The value of the support of Philomena Chen, Stewart Gorman and the team at UKTI is without doubt one of the main reasons we have been able to move this project forward speedily. Their knowledge and understanding of doing business in Asia, was of significant benefit to our team.