The economic department of the Dutch embassy in Bangkok has published another factsheet, this time entitled “Tourism in Thailand”. If you or your company is active in the tourism sector and are interested in doing business in Thailand, please download this information sheet via this link: www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/documents/publications/2017/06/05/tourism-in-thailand
It has been recreated by Bernhard Kelkes and Martin van Buuren, two young diplomats from the economics department, whom I have already praised in several articles on this blog. Two hard-working men who, in addition to handling countless trade applications, organizing and supervising company visits and other diplomatic obligations, have managed to produce a respectable number of publications.
Goodbye
Unfortunately, both gentlemen are leaving Bangkok to work elsewhere for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is a great loss for the Dutch business community in Thailand for the time being. Not only I appreciated their informative work, because Bernhard and Martin were recently put in the spotlight at a special meeting of MKB Thailand. They officially said goodbye, because their departure is imminent, but not really a fact yet.
Previous publications
To show what the economics department has published in the last two years, I thought it would be good to list them again.
General Information:
* Doing business in Thailand www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/documents/publications/2017/02/04/factsheet-doing-business-thailand
* Doing business in Laos www.netherlandsandyou.nl/latest-news/news/2015/12/08/factsheet-doing-business-in-laos)
* Doing business in Cambodia www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/documents/publications/2016/05/07/factsheet-doing-business-in-cambodia
* Doing business in Southeast www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/doing-business-in-southeast-asia-asean/documents/publications/2017/04/25/asean
* Economic review Thailand 2016 www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/documents/publications/2017/04/05/index
Industry information:
* Asia Water management www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/documents/publications/2016/05/18/factsheet-water-sector-in-thailand
* Architecture www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/documents/publications/2017/05/06/architecture-in-thailand
* Bioenergy www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/documents/publications/2016/09/12/factsheet-bioenergy-in-thailand
* Solar energy www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/documents/publications/2016/05/05/factsheet-solar-power-in-thailand
* Poultry www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/documents/publications/2016/12/12/factsheet-poultry-sector-in-thailand
* E-mobility www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/documents/publications/2016/12/13/factsheet-on-e-mobility-in-thailand
* Life Sciences & Health www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/documents/publications/2015/12/04/factsheet-ls-h-in-thailand
* Tourism in Thailand www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/documents/publications/2017/06/05/tourism-in-thailand
Coming soon
Don't you think that the two gentlemen sit back and wait for their departure date, because Martin van Buuren informed me that there are still 3 factsheets in progress, which will be published within the next two months. This concerns “Design”, “Maritime” and Wastewater”, for which in-depth market studies are used, commissioned by the embassy.
And last but not least:
Says Martin van Buuren: “We have worked hard on the factsheets, mainly with the aim of making important sectors in Thailand more transparent for the Netherlands for Dutch entrepreneurs and of course also to help Dutch companies, which did not yet have a clear picture of Thailand, to point out opportunities here”.
It was an exciting time with this good staffing of the economic department, which has been of service to many a businessman under the inspiring leadership of Ambassador Karel Hartogh. Of course there will be replacements, who can also do good work, but it will be difficult for them to surpass the work of Bernhard and Martin.
We will of course keep you informed.
About this blogger
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Bert Gringhuis (1945), born and raised in Almelo in the beautiful Twente. Later lived for many years in Amsterdam and Alkmaar, working in export for various companies. I first came to Thailand in 1980 and immediately fell in love with the country. Been back many times since then and moved to Thailand after my (early) retirement as a widower. I have been living there for 22 years now with my somewhat younger Thai lady Poopae.
My first experiences in Thailand as a kind of newsletter sent to family, friends and acquaintances, which later appeared under the name Gringo on Thailandblog. Many, many articles followed those first stories and that has grown into an almost daily hobby.
In the Netherlands still an avid footballer and football referee, but the years are starting to tell and in Thailand still avid, but the pool billiards is really of inferior quality, ha ha!
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I just read that fact-sheet 'Tourism in Thailand'. It starts like this:
Thailand has one of the most developed tourism markets in Asia. The 'Land of Smiles', is known for it hospitality, beautiful beaches, historical places and eco-attractions, its world-famous cuisine, good infrastructure and affordable accommodation. In 2016 Thailand welcomed a record number of 32.6 million visitors and is expected to remain a prime tourist locations in the years to come. The sector also provides interesting business opportunities for Dutch businesses active in this sector.
Not a word about the sex industry! Not a word about any negatives!
I also find it interesting to read that on average those 32,6 million visitors only stay in Thailand for a little less than 3 days…
Not so strange if you look closely at the real stats. Then it turns out that no fewer than 3,5 million tourists come from Malaysia. Yes, you read that right: Malaysia. Well, they don't go to Bangkok or Chiang Mai, but the majority (perhaps more than 95%) cross the border in the south to the well-known but not allowed nightlife in Malaysia a la soi nana. Back home the same night unless…
Yes, that's a pity, isn't it, Tino!
But if you have an a go go bar or karaoke place in your Thai hometown
want to start, I'm sure the guys at the embassy would like you
to help!