NEW Italy Visa Application Centre
The Embassy of Italy in Thailand is pleased to announce the introduction of its new visa application facility in Bangkok from the 5th of January 2012, VFS Global will operate the Italy Visa Application Centre at the joint Schengen Visa Application at Mercury Towers in Pathumwan, Bangkok.
Mario Monti to head new Italian Government
Economist Mario Monti replaced Silvio Berlusconi as Italy’s new prime minister on Wednesday 16 November 2011, tasked with saving Italy and the Eurozone from a crisis that has set off alarm bells around the world. The 68-year-old ex-European Union commissioner formally accepted the nomination from President Giorgio Napolitano and was sworn in with a [...]
Floods in Thailand 2011
Central part of Bangkok province has been assigned as the main passage for the maintenance of the northern runoff (50%). Among the alerted/ affected district Sai Mai, Don Muang, Laksi, Bang Khen, Kan Na Yao, Chatuchak, Lad Prao, Wang Thonglang, Huay Kwang and Bang Sue are considered as CENTRAL. The water is currently being drained via two passages.
Flood Relief Measures
Due to the present flood situation in Thailand, the Royal Thai Government has approved flood relief measures which include:
Financial package of 325 billion Baht for assisting affected businesses and households.
Rehabilitation programs for businesses.
Comprehensive work plan for reconstruction and implementation of long-term flood-prevention system, which involves all ministries.
Thailand Board of Investment unveils new website
The Thailand Board of Investment has recently updated its website (http://www.boi.go.th), presenting a new look and features that will make the site more useful to potential investors.
Registered users can now be kept up to date with the latest news, procedures and BOI policies thanks to the new newsletter service.
Operating under the authority of the Ministry of Industry, and through its local and overseas offices, the BOI provides a wide array of information, services and incentives to foreign companies interested in setting up operations in Thailand.
(Bangkok, September 19th 2011)
Sopogy Signs MOU for Solar Project in Thailand
Sopogy, a developer of solar power technologies has signed a memorandum of Understanding with Thai conglomerate MAI development for a 6MW solar plant in Bua Yai Nakorn Ratchsima province. The project will supply electricity to the PEA of Thailand in 2012. MAI currently holds 45 power purchase license to generate 360MW of electricity from solar panels to the PEA at an estimated value of over USD 500mn.
(Source: Business Report, Thailand)
Central goes shopping in Italy
On the 30th of May 2011 Thailand’s No.1 leading retailer and department store operator, Central Retail Corporation Ltd. (CRC) officialized its expansion into the European market by purchasing for €260 million/ ฿10 billion, 100% of the quota capital of the No.1 Italian renowned luxury department store; La Rinascente S.R.L. (Rinascente).
La Rinascente is not restricted to Milan however and can be found in 10 other locations throughout Italy: two in Rome and one in each Catania, Cagliari, Florence, Genoa, Monza, Padova, Palermo and Turin.
First Ikea in Bangkok
IKEA is the world’s No.1 home-furnishing retailer with 316 stores in 38 countries around the world, the first IKEA in Thailand will be opened on November 3rd 2011 and it will be the biggest in South-East Asia expected to welcome more than 4 million visitors a year. IKEA in Bangkok will be located in Bang [...]
BOI approves measures to help flood-affected businesses
New measures unveiled to relieve impact from strong baht Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) has offered new measures to help alleviate difficulties experienced by manufacturer affected by flooding and the strong baht. Under the terms of these new measures, those affected by the floods will be granted an import duty exemption for machinery, while those [...]