As we celebrate our 30^th year in Thailand, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) will continue to promote scientific exchange and support researchers throughout the region.

www.jsps-th.org/jsps_en

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(2) Japanese Studies and Intellectual Exchange – We allow individual Thai scholars to deepen their dialogue and networks with experts from Japan with the aim of solving current and rising global issues such as our ageing society and natural disasters through symposiums and collaborative projects.

(3) Japanese Language Education – We deliver a range of opportunities and support yearly including the dispatch of 85 Japanese teaching assistants (NIHONGO Partners) to public junior/high schools in Thailand as well as offering training to Thai Japanese-language teachers.

“This year we will continue to strengthen learning, support and understanding between Japan and Thailand through the Asian cultural exchange; the ‘WA Project’: Toward Interactive Asia through ‘Fusion and Harmony.’ Japan and Thailand have a healthy relationship with strong and developing economic ties. This brings great potential to learn, enhance and develop the cultural understanding which many Thai and Japanese people have yet to fully discover.”

www.jfbkk.or.th

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Capital Market

“The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has been instrumental in supporting our economic growth with 711 listed companies and 550 billion USD market capitalization or 102 percent of GDP. We have the highest liquidity and largest initial public offering (IPO) among our ASEAN peers. SET places great importance to sustainability issue, having been recognized as the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchange with 19 listed companies in Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

SET also recognizes the importance of innovations that not only improve our operating efficiency but also enable new opportunities such as mutual fund distribution platform and digital assets ecosystem. SET also collaborates with various exchanges to exchange best practices and promote cross border investment.”

Japan

“Japan has been and will continue to be an important partner of Thailand for many years as our top export destination and key investors in strategic industries such as automotive and electronics. SET has a close collaboration with Japan Stock Exchange on Financial Literacy.”

Message

“The Stock Exchange of Thailand aims to become an efficient capital market platform for sustainable growth to all sectors of the society locally and internationally under the vision ‘To Make the Capital Market Work for Everyone.’”

www.set.or.th

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Thailand and Japan – Two-way Tourism

“Both countries have a strong interest in further developing their tourism industries and working closer together to increase two-way tourism traffic.”

“The number of Thai tourists to Japan in 2018 has increased by almost four times since Japan relaxed its visa requirements in 2013 (1.13 mil visitors in 2018).”

“Japans’ population is double that of Thailand (the Thai population is around 70 million), which means that Thai people are visiting Japan more frequently than the other way round. Today there are over 73,000 Japanese expats living in Thailand and Japanese people feel very welcome here.”

Challenges and Opportunities

“The ageing population is a challenge being faced by both Japan and Thailand. (The birth rate in Japan has fallen to 1.42 from 1.44 in 2016, whereas the one for Thailand remains at around 1.5.). While this challenge is creating opportunities in the healthcare sector, it is forcing companies to look beyond their borders to attract skilled workers and invest in talent. For example, Both countries  need engineers and we want to promote innovation and education to develop tomorrow’s engineers.”

‘Educating a Nation’

“The KOSEN Program, which Japan is implementing in educational establishments in Thailand, aims to provide engineering courses for Thai students.”

“At the embassy we are supporting this program to educate and support future generations of Thai students as they enter the world of work.”

Business and Investment

“The Embassy is actively assisting Japanese start-up companies which want to use Thailand as a springboard to enter international markets. Programs such as ‘Rock Thailand’, ‘Open Innovation Columbus’ and ‘Embassy Pitch’ are bringing companies from Japan and Thailand together and proving to be a huge success in facilitating business.”

“There are more than 6,000 Japanese companies in Thailand and Japan remains the leading foreign direct investor in the country (almost 40 percent). The Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Thailand is one of the largest in the world. While competition from Chinese companies active in Thailand is increasing, Japanese companies are happy to have established their business in Thailand and are using their Thai operations to reach out to regional markets such as India.”

Thailand’s 2019 ASEAN Chairmanship

“With Thailand holding the ASEAN Chairmanship this year, 2019 is an important year for the country. Leaders from across ASEAN are coming to Thailand to discuss the future of the Association and the regional economy.”

Message to the readers of The Japan Times

“As friendly nations with strong economic ties, we need to do more together for the development of both our people and economies. We look forward to working with our Thai partners as we strengthen our relationship.”

www.th.emb-japan.go.jp

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A curious whale shark comes face to face with the owner of Sea Bees Diving, Holger Schwab.  |  © Sea Bees Diving

• Phi Phi Islands: It goes without saying that the Phi Phi Islands are one of the most attractive diving spots in Southeast Asia, with its crystal-clear waters partnered with scenic beauty at all depths underwater. It is truly a thrilling diving experience at Phi Phi and people shouldn’t be scared of an occasional encounter with Phi Phi’s famous black tip reef sharks.

 

Khao Lak, situated north of Phuket, also plays host to Thailand’s most breathtaking diving sites along the Andaman coast. The area includes the world-famous Similan Islands, which are regarded as the holy grail of dive sites for many divers. Made up of nine flourishing granite islands, the Similans — apart from the stunning overhangs and granite boulders — hosts one of the most versatile and dynamic underwater ecosystems that is teeming with rays, jacks, sharks and a cluster of astonishing hard and soft coxhdrals.

A short trip north takes visitors to Koh Bon Island and gives the perfect opportunity to see manta rays up close. Further north is where divers will encounter Richelieu Rock, a renowned dive site in Asia that offers the best chance to see a rare whale shark up close — the reason it is called a whale shark magnet. To put it simply, the Similans are simply a must-visit destination in Thailand.

Evidently, Thailand has no shortage of astonishing dive sites. To visit these places, people have the choice of doing a single day or a weeklong trip. An award-winning dive resort, Sea Bees Diving is known to be at the forefront at offering services that allow people to explore the Andaman Sea at its full potential. With more than 30 years of experience and located at the best dive destinations in Thailand, premium quality dive courses and excursions that are carried out by their custom- built fleet of dive boats are offered. Together with their own resorts in Khao Lak and Phuket, they offer a diving package truly unique in Thailand.

www.sea-bees.com

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“We are thinking of the best solution for our customers, so our service is not only providing the equipment and after-sales service, but also training programs and finance services. As we continue to work closely with our partners and friends in Thailand, we are opening the door to local Thai employees who want to work for a successful and dynamic international company in Thailand.”

www.hitachicm.co.th

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“We focus on quality and safety and exceed expectations by tailoring our solutions to address the challenges our customers face,” said Mitsushika Nagano, managing director of Hitachi Transport System Vantec (Thailand).

“We always find a solution, and by minimizing disruptions we are able to stay one step ahead of the competition.”

While Japanese enterprises in Thailand currently account for 90 percent of the company’s client base, Nagano is reaching out to the local Thai business community in order to expand and diversify.

“We have a strong connection with Thailand and the business community here,” said Nagano. “Our 2,500 dedicated employees are working closely with our existing and new customers to form a united approach to doing business together.”

Hitachi Transport System Vantec (Thailand), Ltd. is actively supporting Thailand 4.0, the country’s value-added technology and manufacturing initiative. The launch of its live-tracking system will enable companies to locate and reserve vehicles and reduce the number of empty trucks on Thai roads.

“Only around 50 percent of trucks on Thai roads are carrying goods,” said Nagano. “Once drivers have completed a delivery, our live-tracking system will connect customers with those empty trucks that can then deliver their goods at a reasonable price.”

“Our ability to innovate enables us to deliver quality services, increase efficiency and stay competitive. We will continue to provide solutions to our customers in Thailand and strengthen our close ties to the country.”

www.hitachi-tstv.com/en

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“Thai companies are becoming more advanced in terms of adapting and implementing new technologies and as a dedicated solutions provider we play a role in the development of the country’s industrial sector,” said Preechai Trannitad, managing director of Yokogawa (Thailand) Ltd.

“We are transforming our company to better serve our clients. By delivering advanced digital solutions with innovative ideas, we have great potential and adequate resources to transform our clients’ businesses.”

Yokogawa (Thailand) Ltd. has six branch offices in Thailand and manages Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. By investing in its workforce and building strong customer relationships, the company is achieving success in Thailand and the region.

“The demand for real-time integrated management solutions is driving our enterprise resource planning (ERP) business,” said Trannitad.

“We are already delivering our ERP software and solutions to Japanese companies in Thailand and serving more local Thai companies looking to expand and upgrade their business processes.”

The company’s main customers are active in the oil and gas, petrochemical and general industry sectors. Today, new clients from the power, sugar, automobile, food and beverage and pharmaceutical sectors are reaching out to Yokogawa (Thailand) Ltd.

“Japan and Thailand share a strong partnership,” said Trannitad. “With support, cooperation and investment from Japan, Thailand’s digital transformation is accelerating and Yokogawa (Thailand) Ltd. is committed to delivering first-class solutions to clients across a wide range of industries. Our aim is to provide our customers with the necessary tools to grow their business and achieve their goals.”

www.yokogawa.com/th

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Toyo Business Engineering (Thailand) Co. (B-EN-G Thailand) was established in March 2003 to meet the needs of the business community across the country. Today, 80 percent of B-ENG Thailand’s clients are active in the Thai manufacturing sector and the company is building on its reputation for delivering quality service and support.

“B-EN-G Thailand provides simple solutions that enable our clients to optimize their processes and digitize the knowledge and experiences of leading manufacturing companies,” said Yuichi Watanabe, B-EN-G Thailand’s deputy managing director.

Developed in-house, mcframe (manufacturing and communication framework) is B-EN-G’s software product line, covering manufacturing operations from shop floor to upper management. With mcframe, ERP solutions include accounting, supply chain management, cost management, product line management and internet of things solutions as well.

“We have developed tailored solutions to meet the needs of our customers in Thailand,” said Watanabe. “In Thailand, 90 percent of our customers are Japanese and while the country continues to successfully attract investment from Japan and other Asian countries, we want to connect with local Thai companies and work together to create new business opportunities by leveraging on the strengths of one another.”

B-EN-G Thailand’s collaboration with the Department of Industrial Promotion will support the country’s Thailand 4.0 initiative to revive small and midsized manufacturing industries. In addition, the Thai–German Institute is implementing B-EN-G’s IoT Series when consulting with their customers.

“The country of Thailand provides not only a good ‘trial market’ for companies developing new businesses and technologies, but also a forward- moving economy, an industrial realization of new technologies and an abundant workforce,” said Watanabe. “By creating solutions together, we can contribute to the strengthening of the Thai economy and build future opportunities.”

www.b-en-g.co.th

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“Our people are our most important asset as we bring new experiences to our customers, and our salespeople are taking on more consultancy-orientated roles to better serve our customers.”

The company is also growing its business by delivering garment and T-shirt printing solutions and karaoke machines.

Brother Commercial (Thailand) Ltd. remains committed to operating its business in Thailand while supporting the local community, environment and Thai people.

The company provides underprivileged Thai cancer patients with life-saving treatment and has planted almost 10,000 mangrove trees annually over the last decades to support environmental initiatives across Thailand.

“We are in the era of ‘digital disruption’ and we need to empower our people by guiding and developing them as they grow,” concluded Woody.

“We believe that the next generation will shape Thailand’s future and we want to play our part by developing, investing in and nurturing the younger generation.”

www.brother.co.th/en

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