A Quick Recap: Thailand Visits

Thailand's company visits have certainly been an experience.  Most took place at the hotel, so it was great to have the opportunity to get out and explore more of Chiang Mai when we went to the companies.  Here's a quick recap of the visits from this past week.

Sunday, March 16th: 
--- Mr. Chalderchart Nakarungkul of Denchai Trading Company and the Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce discussed the high quality of products and services that come from Thailand, the increasing health tourism industry, and how Thailand is the center of Asian business because of its increasing infrastructure. 
--- Mr. Phunut Thanalapanich from the Thai Hotels Association spoke to us about the association, the huge amounts of Chinese visitors, and the importance of credit cards in Thailand hotels.
--- Mr. Smith Taweelerdniti from Nithi Foods spoke to the class about Thailand's geography, different types of agriculture, and the spice industry - canning, drying, and dehydrating.

Monday, March 17th:
--- Mr. Mike Mann from the Integrated Tribal Development Project spoke to us about the hill tribe people of Thailand who grow coffee beans for Starbucks, and how Starbucks gives back to the community by donating to health clinics and schools.
--- Mr. Kittisak Somjai of the Micro Economic Development Foundation talked to us about the different types of loans available for hill tribe members, how the foundation is working to change the attitudes of the hill tribe people, and how they are working with the people to get the tribes to work together.

Tuesday, March 18th:
--- Mr. Sakchai Luangsathikul from the Thailand Board of Investment spoke to us about why Thailand is a good place for companies to invest and the investment trends of the future.
--- Mr. Ongart Kittikhunchai spoke to us about the Sunsweet Company about the canning business, particularly about corn.  For the company, corn is life.
--- Mr. Somkhit Kanokmaniphon from the CM Apparel spoke to us about the competitive market of clothing manufacturing, and how his factory is struggling to compete with the cheaper products being made in China. 

Thursday, March 20th:
--- Mr. W.K. Chow from Hana Microelectronics Public Company spoke to us about the business of creating microchips and microchip boards for various companies, such as Apple and Sony.  We were also able to meet with many of the employees during our tour of the facility.
--- Mr. Peytel Bruno of the SMV Company which is an exporting jewelry factory.  He spoke to us about the extensive process for making the jewelry, and we also got to hear from experts in finance, production, and industrial design.

It has been a great week in Thailand, and we can't wait to arrive in Singapore tomorrow!  Ashley will be headed back to Cincinnati, and we will be meeting up with Jeri.  Should be a great two more weeks!



The Hana Microelectronics Public Company