I wish to extend my congratulations to the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) for its achievements in a difficult year, and on the publication of its 2024 special T8e anniversary Member's Handbook and Directory.

The United Kingdom is one of Thailand's biggest trading partners. The year 2023 was a strong year for Thai-UK relations, which saw continued expansion in terms of trade and the economy post-pandemic. Thailand and the UK are ready to elevate economic cooperation to an enhanced trade partnership or a strategic economic partnership in sectors such as food, beverages, health, education, automotives, agriculture and digital.

Thailand and the UK have investment, and commercial links dating back to the 16th century and this year 2024 the BCCT is celebrating its 7S-year anniversary of the British Chamber in Thailand. In this regard, I am also confident that the BCCT will continue to serve and promote British business activities in Thailand and work closely with the Thai private and public sectors towards facilitating the expansion of new investment and commercial links between Thailand and the UK. The BCCT can also look forward to continued support from the Thai Govemment in the fine-tuning of our many cooperative links.

On this special occasion, I would like to wish the BCCT and all its members every success, and continued prosperity in the years ahead.

Srettha Thavisin

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As I reflect on the past year, I am pleased to see the continued progress in strengthening the UK-Thailand relationship. Despite ongoing global challenges, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its impact on the European and UK economies, we have made significant strides in deepening our bilateral ties.

Ministerial and high-level official visits from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Department for Business and Trade underscored the UK's commitment to the Indo-Pacific. Numerous business delegations, trade missions and UK Pavilions at key events from Food & Drink, Education, Healthcare, Digital Technology to Defence and Security, further demonstrated our unwavering support for British businesses in the region.

Our work under the Joint Economic Trade Committee (JETCO) continues our collaboration on trade promotion and policy initiatives to improve the business environment. 

Looking ahead, we remain committed to working closely with the new Thai government on shared priorities, including fostering innovation and economic growth, promoting free and fair trade, and enhancing regional security and prosperity. The upcoming Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) will mark a significant step forward in our economic partnership.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to the entire BCCT team for their unwavering support for British businesses in Thailand. Your partnership is invaluable, and we look forward to collaborating closely in the years ahead to unlock further opportunities and strengthen the UK-Thailand relationship.

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On the occasion of the British Chamber of Commerce's publication of the 2024 Handbook and Directory of Members, it is my pleasure to extend my heartfelt congratulations on your success and to express my appreciation for your sustained support for Thailand's economy.

On behalf of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), I can say that the 78th anniversary of this publication demonstrates the enduring and strong relationship that has been growing between the business communities of Thailand and the United Kingdom, as well as the trust and collaboration that the UK business community always extends to Thailand. It also demonstrates that the two nations are taking steps to facilitate their transitions into the new economy and that Thailand, as a key market and regional investment and operations hub, can serve as a gateway for British businesses in ASEAN due to its infrastructure, human resources, and policy advantages.

The amount of UK investment application submitted to the BOI is a testament to this collaborative spirit. In 2022, UK investors submitted a total of USD 126 million (GBP 100 million) worth of investment for BOI promotion, and a total of USD 404 million (GBP 323 million) between 2016 and 2021.

As Thailand continues to advance its global competitiveness as an investment hub, I am pleased to announce that the BOI's new five-year investment promotion strategy-which will be in effect between 2023 and 2027-seeks to reshape the country's entire industry supply chain to support smart and sustainable industries. We will also focus our effort on the Bio-Circular-Green economy, electric vehicles, smart electronics, digital industry, and creative industry. These five target sectors, we believe, will be Thailand's strategic industries with wealth of opportunities for investors to benefit from.

The strategy will increase the inclusiveness and sustainability of Thailand's economic development, elevate the country's industrial supply chain and ecosystem in the new economy, and encourage investors to thrive on newly emerging global sustainability standards. These efforts, combined with Thailand's many advantages, will become an ideal investment hub that can address global issues, such as supply chain resilience, food and energy security, and the reduction of carbon
emissions.

The BOI always appreciates the UK business community's contribution to Thailand's economic growth and competitiveness through the ongoing collaboration and investment in many areas. As the BOI launches its new investment promotion strategy, we expect to increase our capabilities as an investment hub and to continue to enhance our support and collaboration with the UK business community.
Allow me to reassure the members of the BCCT that the BOI is looking forward to welcoming UK investment and will do our best to facilitate UK investors and businesses. I wish you continued success in your future endeavours.

Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General Thailand Board of Investment (BOI)

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Thank you to all of our members for your ongoing & enthusiastic support for the Chamber.

It’s time to reflect on another remarkable year. We're thrilled to report significant progress as evidenced by our latest metrics. As of Q3 2023, we've welcomed over 94 new members, underscoring our growing community and collective success and the Net Promoter Score (NPS) from our member satisfaction survey for events has reached an impressive 47, indicating high member satisfaction. These achievements reflect our positive trajectory and the effective collaboration within the BCCT.

Member feedback remains the foundation of our initiatives. Responding to this, we've adopted a more business-oriented networking approach, enhanced our advocacy efforts, facilitated greater access to government officials, and diversified our events to cater to SMEs, Young Professionals, and reintroduced Business Leaders Dinners. We're also dedicated to assisting our members in acquiring new clients and enhancing their business visibility through our Connecting events, improved social media strategies, and enriched benefits & sponsorship opportunities. These focused efforts underscore our commitment to delivering value and support to our community.

Over the last year, responding to member feedback, we've launched three new Working Groups: Design, Talent & Skills, and Manufacturing, bringing our total to 20. These groups have seen greater member involvement and have collectively organised over 50 events in 2023. Notably, the ESB Working Group alone hosted 8 successful events, including multi-chamber gatherings and Networking by the Lake. Additionally, we're planning to introduce two more groups in 2024, focusing on Healthcare & Wellness and Race to Zero.

Despite the changes in the Thai government, the BCCT Advocacy Group has remained steadfast in advocating for our members. Their objectives include building relations with the Thai government, engaging in dialogues to influence government policies and supporting advocacy in social, economic, and political spheres, especially in areas of Thai-UK trade and investment. In 2023, the group planned high-level meetings with various Thai government departments such as the Bank of Thailand, BOI, and the Ministries of Finance, Commerce, and Education, among others. Additionally, they have organised several member meetings to discuss crucial topics like excise tax and intellectual property rights.

The British Chamber has been closely involved with several key organisations, continuously working to represent and advocate for the interests of British businesses in Thailand. This year, our relationship with the British Embassy, under the supportive guidance of Ambassador Mark Gooding, and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), led by Country Director Ben Morley, has grown even stronger. This partnership has been integral in facilitating our series of Embassy Briefing breakfasts with the Ambassador, all four of which received an enthusiastic response from our members.

2023 saw us participating in the prestigious UK Investment Day, marking a significant milestone. Additionally, the numerous visits we hosted throughout 2023, including those from the All Party Parliamentary Group, and Mark Garnier – the UK Thai Trade Envoy have been instrumental in deepening our diplomatic connections.

This year, we have significantly strengthened our partnerships, expanding our network and enhancing member experiences. A much closer collaboration with the British Club has led to a series of co-branded events. These events, including an Embassy Briefing and the 'Connecting Bangkok with Wine Tasting' evening, have not only been enjoyable but also invaluable for networking and community building.
Our collaborative efforts with the Foreign Chambers Alliance (FCA), including Australian, American, and German Chambers, and occasional liaisons with the Japanese Chamber and British Chambers of Commerce globally continue to address the needs and concerns of British businesses operating in Thailand.

In addition to these collaborations, we've extended our outreach by working with various non-chamber partners, such as Samaggi Samagorn (The Thai UK Student Association), Asia Pillars, and FACE. These partnerships have opened doors for our members to connect with a wider circle of professionals, offering unique networking opportunities. Such interactions are not just beneficial for our current members; they also play a crucial role in introducing BCCT to potential new members, thereby growing our vibrant community.

Our engagement has also extended beyond the national borders with the new Thai Ambassador to London. Following the retirement of Ambassador Pisanu, we warmly welcomed Ambassador Thani, developing a bond through meetings in both London and Bangkok. These discussions opened new avenues for cooperation, enhancing our role as a bridge between British and Thai business interests. Myself and Greg Watkins have also conducted a series of successful meetings in the UK with the UK ASEAN Business Council, the Thai UK Business Council, BCCT Honorary Advisor – Michael Marshall, the Thai Anglo Society, and many UK based BCCT members.

I am proud to report on the exceptional efforts of our team behind the scenes. The Executive, Board, Honorary Advisors, Working Groups, and Regional Representatives have all dedicated themselves tirelessly to serve our members’ interests.

At the heart of our day-to-day operations and event management is our outstanding Executive team. Each of these individuals has shown remarkable commitment and drive, which has been instrumental in the success of the BCCT. I want to extend my genuine thanks to each of these exceptional colleagues. Their hard work and dedication are what allow the BCCT to continue making significant impacts, consistently punching above its weight. We owe much of our success to their unwavering support and efforts.

As we adhere to our constitution, several of our Board Directors are concluding their terms. Martin Hurley and Jantima Hiraga have completed 4 years on the Board and will be stepping down, whilst David Norcross, Ann Bell, Rachel Jones, Giorgio Gamba, and Waraporn Mupaisan will be stepping down with the option to stand for re-election. I extend my gratitude to each of them for their dedicated service and invaluable commitment to the BCCT.

Reflecting on my first year as Chair, I am filled with appreciation for the support I've received from the Board, our members, and the operational team. Their collective effort and encouragement have been fundamental to our achievements. As I look forward to continuing my role in 2024, I am enthusiastic about furthering our collective goals and building on the strong foundation we've established together.

As always, we're excited to invite those interested in taking on leadership roles within our community. If you're considering a position as a Board Director or wish to be more actively involved in our Working Groups, we'd love to hear from you. Please contact our Executive Director Greg Watkins for more details. Your participation is not just an opportunity to network but also a vital contribution to our Chamber. Discover more about the BCCT, upcoming events, and other activities at our website. For direct inquiries or to join our LINE Group, please reach out to Greg Watkins at greg@bccthai.com or connect with us at @bccthai on LINE. We also encourage our members to spread the word to British businesses not yet part of our community. Learning more about BCCT's offerings and how we can support them could be greatly beneficial.

Finally, a heartfelt thank you to all our members for your continuous support and engagement. Remember, BCCT is your chamber, always striving to serve your best interests.

Gareth Davies, Chair 2023 - 2024

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