Thailand ~ The SE Asian Entrepreneur's Heaven

[TuskegeeBen]

With the onset of the 1965 A.S.E.A.N. Trade Treaty agreement finally launched, Bangkok is rapidly becoming the centrally located hub focus, for some of the most brilliant business people, on the planet.

As a western expat resident of Thailand, and, as an outsider, the developing scenario, will be a very interesting turn of events to observe. Does anyone else (farangs, including SE Asian farangs ) have points of view to share, regarding the probable outcomes, of this historic event?

Please, only serious contributors to the topic thread, need reply. Thank you,

[realenglish1]

You re delusional. Why would a smart person ever believe this is a central Hub Hong Kong or Singapore or even the Philippines with much more friendly democratic environments

[Bobotie]

You re delusional. Why would a smart person ever believe this is a central Hub Hong Kong or Singapore or even the Philippines with much more friendly democratic environments

A lot of companies are decamping from Singapore and moving to KL, as the costs in Singapore are getting far too expensive

HK and Singapore have been successful as they have always stuck close to the original model they were founded on...ie that of a "free port"

Bangkok is not a central hub and never will be simply because of its relatively difficult bureaucratic processes getting things set up, a population that struggles speaking English and too many banking "restrictions". if your looking at setting up a company your need to look at:

1. a relatively politically stable country

2. Reasonable well educated population

3. Like it or not - the ability to converse in English

4. Reasonably low cost labour force

5. Easy to understand rules and regulations

6. A Banking system which is use to working with international business/companies

look at the above 6 comments and answer them honestly with respect to BKK

[oxo1947]

You re delusional. Why would a smart person ever believe this is a central Hub Hong Kong or Singapore or even the Philippines with much more friendly democratic environments

Hong Kong----- friendly democratic environment.------------Really....

The Philippines...now rates as the 2nd worst transport system in the world (Mumbai is first) Just great for moving your goods around'

http://jalopnik.com/in-the-philippines-we-have-jeepneys-a-fair-share-of-648628130

Singapore---Singapore remains world's most expensive city ---BBC report...the next 4....that aren't as expensive as Singapore...are Paris, Oslo, Zurich and Sydney... http://www.bbc.com/news/business-31689124

.........................................

[HikeFromLA]

You re delusional. Why would a smart person ever believe this is a central Hub Hong Kong or Singapore or even the Philippines with much more friendly democratic environments

A lot of companies are decamping from Singapore and moving to KL, as the costs in Singapore are getting far too expensive

HK and Singapore have been successful as they have always stuck close to the original model they were founded on...ie that of a "free port"

Bangkok is not a central hub and never will be simply because of its relatively difficult bureaucratic processes getting things set up, a population that struggles speaking English and too many banking "restrictions". if your looking at setting up a company your need to look at:

1. a relatively politically stable country

2. Reasonable well educated population

3. Like it or not - the ability to converse in English

4. Reasonably low cost labour force

5. Easy to understand rules and regulations

6. A Banking system which is use to working with international business/companies

look at the above 6 comments and answer them honestly with respect to BKK

Which city in Asia meets your 6 criteria?

[Bobotie]

You re delusional. Why would a smart person ever believe this is a central Hub Hong Kong or Singapore or even the Philippines with much more friendly democratic environments

A lot of companies are decamping from Singapore and moving to KL, as the costs in Singapore are getting far too expensive

HK and Singapore have been successful as they have always stuck close to the original model they were founded on...ie that of a "free port"

Bangkok is not a central hub and never will be simply because of its relatively difficult bureaucratic processes getting things set up, a population that struggles speaking English and too many banking "restrictions". if your looking at setting up a company your need to look at:

1. a relatively politically stable country

2. Reasonable well educated population

3. Like it or not - the ability to converse in English

4. Reasonably low cost labour force

5. Easy to understand rules and regulations

6. A Banking system which is use to working with international business/companies

look at the above 6 comments and answer them honestly with respect to BKK

Which city in Asia meets your 6 criteria?

Most likely none meet all 6....but which come the closest....at one point in time Singapore would have met all 6, and at one point in time so would have HK

The new boy on the block is KL in more recent times....

but if we take the cost aside i.e. Number 4....Singapore would have 5 out of the 6.

But seeing as the debate is about BKK/Thailand

1. Political stability - No

2. Responsibly well educated populous.. Not really

3. English ability - Nope

4. Low cost labour force - Yes, but getting more expensive by the year

5. Rules and Regulation...nope very cumbersome / bureaucratic and blatantly corrupt

6. Banking system - exchange controls, etc, although there is a functional banking system, not exactly dynamic or particularity "user friendly"

so lets say - 2/6

[Thaidream]

I would never open a business in Asia unless I had total control which is especially difficult in Thailand. Most of the expats I have met are using Thai partners or wife's or girl friends. This is extremely difficult and usually ends in failure.A small business run by the wife or girlfriend in the right spot and with the right products can survive but will never get them rich. You can count on one hand the number of foreigners who have opened a business in Thailand and got rich. You better have a great idea that is difficult to copy and not make any enemies. The one business that a foreigner should never get involved in is the bar or restaurant business.Most of the so called entrepreneurs in Thailand have left-hat in hand- and little money in their pockets to go back to their country to go to work.

[HikeFromLA]

You re delusional. Why would a smart person ever believe this is a central Hub Hong Kong or Singapore or even the Philippines with much more friendly democratic environments

A lot of companies are decamping from Singapore and moving to KL, as the costs in Singapore are getting far too expensive

HK and Singapore have been successful as they have always stuck close to the original model they were founded on...ie that of a "free port"

Bangkok is not a central hub and never will be simply because of its relatively difficult bureaucratic processes getting things set up, a population that struggles speaking English and too many banking "restrictions". if your looking at setting up a company your need to look at:

1. a relatively politically stable country

2. Reasonable well educated population

3. Like it or not - the ability to converse in English

4. Reasonably low cost labour force

5. Easy to understand rules and regulations

6. A Banking system which is use to working with international business/companies

look at the above 6 comments and answer them honestly with respect to BKK

Which city in Asia meets your 6 criteria?

Most likely none meet all 6....but which come the closest....at one point in time Singapore would have met all 6, and at one point in time so would have HK

The new boy on the block is KL in more recent times....

but if we take the cost aside i.e. Number 4....Singapore would have 5 out of the 6.

But seeing as the debate is about BKK/Thailand

1. Political stability - No

2. Responsibly well educated populous.. Not really

3. English ability - Nope

4. Low cost labour force - Yes, but getting more expensive by the year

5. Rules and Regulation...nope very cumbersome / bureaucratic and blatantly corrupt

6. Banking system - exchange controls, etc, although there is a functional banking system, not exactly dynamic or particularity "user friendly"

so lets say - 2/6

OK, +1 to you for a fair objective answer.

Cost cannot be neglected, so SG is really good for nothing except if you are a corporate minion in banking/derivatives. Ah, how I wish I had been! Oh well...

Like you I would reluctantly pick KL as the winner for SEA business in general, that was my judgement, almost went there last Fall, but fitness/health stuff got me to sojourn here in compact, bicycle/pedestrian friendly Chiang Mai.

KL would STILL be my choice for a five-flags style "business base" from which to do business internationally, should I be so fortunate as to need one.

Sorry if I'm rambling... but though I agree with 80 percent of criticisms of TH on this site, still I want to see comparisons to real alternatives, not to a Platonic Ideal and so on. As one old-school executive used to say, "Don't bring me problems. Bring me solutions."

[chilli42]

What kind of business, what industry, how large? Are you trying to justify living in Thailand? Too many barriers in Thailand and insufficient government incentives and infrastructure for it to be the hub of anything. I looked at Thailand wanted wanted to see it work but there is no way it can compete with Singapore (outstanding incentives, no barriers and great infrastructure). Sure Singapore is expensive but if cheap is your primary criteria try Laos or Cambodia. Hong Kong is OK but there are no government incentives and that about kills it unless you are in Financial Services. KL is OK but does not have the government incentives.

[TuskegeeBen]

You re delusional. Why would a smart person ever believe this is a central Hub Hong Kong or Singapore or even the Philippines with much more friendly democratic environments

My OP topic is based upon info received from several, quite successful, and well-rooted Sino-Thai & Singaporean business people, with whom I interact on a regular basis. I'll be sure to advise them of your most knowledgeable (as usual), and considered opinion. Thank you,

[TuskegeeBen]

You re delusional. Why would a smart person ever believe this is a central Hub Hong Kong or Singapore or even the Philippines with much more friendly democratic environments

A lot of companies are decamping from Singapore and moving to KL, as the costs in Singapore are getting far too expensive

HK and Singapore have been successful as they have always stuck close to the original model they were founded on...ie that of a "free port"

Bangkok is not a central hub and never will be simply because of its relatively difficult bureaucratic processes getting things set up, a population that struggles speaking English and too many banking "restrictions". if your looking at setting up a company your need to look at:

1. a relatively politically stable country

2. Reasonable well educated population

3. Like it or not - the ability to converse in English

4. Reasonably low cost labour force

5. Easy to understand rules and regulations

6. A Banking system which is use to working with international business/companies

look at the above 6 comments and answer them honestly with respect to BKK

Which city in Asia meets your 6 criteria?

Most likely none meet all 6....but which come the closest....at one point in time Singapore would have met all 6, and at one point in time so would have HK

The new boy on the block is KL in more recent times....

but if we take the cost aside i.e. Number 4....Singapore would have 5 out of the 6.

But seeing as the debate is about BKK/Thailand

1. Political stability - No

2. Responsibly well educated populous.. Not really

3. English ability - Nope

4. Low cost labour force - Yes, but getting more expensive by the year

5. Rules and Regulation...nope very cumbersome / bureaucratic and blatantly corrupt

6. Banking system - exchange controls, etc, although there is a functional banking system, not exactly dynamic or particularity "user friendly"

so lets say - 2/6

What becomes increasingly more apparent, is the large number of Western expats "residents" of Thailand (their choice to be here), who consistently criticize the LoS, yet never seem to have a valid (traveler's_experience) base of comparison, relative to other SE Asian countries, to share with other TVF members. Very interesting, indeed.

[chumpy]

You re delusional. Why would a smart person ever believe this is a central Hub Hong Kong or Singapore or even the Philippines with much more friendly democratic environments

My OP topic is based upon info received from several, quite successful, and well-rooted Sino-Thai & Singaporean business people, with whom I interact on a regular basis. I'll be sure to advise them of your most knowledgeable (as usual), and considered opinion. Thank you,

are they well rooted by you?,is thar why the thinking is not so clear perhaps mmm?

[TuskegeeBen]

You re delusional. Why would a smart person ever believe this is a central Hub Hong Kong or Singapore or even the Philippines with much more friendly democratic environments

My OP topic is based upon info received from several, quite successful, and well-rooted Sino-Thai & Singaporean business people, with whom I interact on a regular basis. I'll be sure to advise them of your most knowledgeable (as usual), and considered opinion. Thank you,

are they well rooted by you?,is thar why the thinking is not so clear perhaps mmm?

Right, Chumpy! You're trying to get "my" Irish up, eh? Again, In simple "no-brainer" plain English language. Please, only serious contributors to the topic thread, need reply. Thank you,

[buythisdashcam]

So true ! people only see what they want to see... but nowhere is paradise as long as we are alive !

You re delusional. Why would a smart person ever believe this is a central Hub Hong Kong or Singapore or even the Philippines with much more friendly democratic environments

Hong Kong----- friendly democratic environment.------------Really....

The Philippines...now rates as the 2nd worst transport system in the world (Mumbai is first) Just great for moving your goods around'

http://jalopnik.com/in-the-philippines-we-have-jeepneys-a-fair-share-of-648628130

Singapore---Singapore remains world's most expensive city ---BBC report...the next 4....that aren't as expensive as Singapore...are Paris, Oslo, Zurich and Sydney... http://www.bbc.com/news/business-31689124

.........................................

[TuskegeeBen]

Sigh! The topic thread focus point is A.S.E.A.N. Please confine comparatives, re: Manila, compared to Jakarta, or BKK compared to HCMC, etc., within that parameter zone. ~ Hong Kong, Oslo, Paris, Timbuktu, or Zurich are not in the loop of directly associated AEC member cities. Thanks again,

[Mr Money Bags]

Politically and economically, Singapore will always be the Top Dog in ASEAN. Yes, it's expensive here, but one gets what one pays for.

Thank you, Mr. Lee......

You're Welcome!!

[Bobotie]

What becomes increasingly more apparent, is the large number of Western expats "residents" of Thailand (their choice to be here), who consistently criticize the LoS, yet never seem to have a valid (traveler's_experience) base of comparison, relative to other SE Asian countries, to share with other TVF members. Very interesting, indeed.

Please, only serious contributors to the topic thread, need reply. Thank you

Hence the reason I have contributed having many years experience in SEA, 20+ and having worked in the corporate environment and have direct experience of HK, Singapore, BKK and for a short while KL.

Don't start whinging and slagging people off because your not getting the answer you want to hear.

So lets hear about your SEA experiences and CV then ?

Fact is if ASEAN is considered a family...BKK would be one of the hill billy/Redneck cousins with no teeth

[Bobotie]

You re delusional. Why would a smart person ever believe this is a central Hub Hong Kong or Singapore or even the Philippines with much more friendly democratic environments

My OP topic is based upon info received from several, quite successful, and well-rooted Sino-Thai & Singaporean business people, with whom I interact on a regular basis. I'll be sure to advise them of your most knowledgeable (as usual), and considered opinion. Thank you,

are they well rooted by you?,is thar why the thinking is not so clear perhaps mmm?

Right, Chumpy! You're trying to get "my" Irish up, eh? Again, In simple "no-brainer" plain English language. Please, only serious contributors to the topic thread, need reply. Thank you,

You ask for serious contributors and when getting a measured response you start slagging people off as it doesn't fit with your version of reality....maybe you should take your own advice

[Bobotie]

Politically and economically, Singapore will always be the Top Dog in ASEAN. Yes, it's expensive here, but one gets what one pays for.

Thank you, Mr. Lee......

You're Welcome!!

The issue with Singapore these days its becoming a victim of its own success, in some respects they have done things far too efficiently...

[TuskegeeBen]

Politically and economically, Singapore will always be the Top Dog in ASEAN. Yes, it's expensive here, but one gets what one pays for.

Thank you, Mr. Lee......

You're Welcome!!

The issue with Singapore these days its becoming a victim of its own success, in some respects they have done things far too efficiently...

An interesting perspective, for sure. I'd be most interested in reading the elaborated detains of your conclusion, presuming you're predisposed to do so, sir.

[TuskegeeBen]

bobotie

I disagree with you, on several points, re: you views on Thailand.

However, I do beg your pardon, and apologize to you, sir! Apparently, I've mis-posted a reply sent to you, intended for post #4 instead.

Thank you, sincerely, for setting me straight on that point. Regards

[Mr Money Bags]

Politically and economically, Singapore will always be the Top Dog in ASEAN. Yes, it's expensive here, but one gets what one pays for.

Thank you, Mr. Lee......

You're Welcome!!

The issue with Singapore these days its becoming a victim of its own success, in some respects they have done things far too efficiently...

An interesting perspective, for sure. I'd be most interested in reading the elaborated detains of your conclusion, presuming you're predisposed to do so, sir.

Please pardon me for chest thumping. I do so enjoy this little island city-state.

Has to be Singapore by a long shot. It's superiority in economic performance, financial services, stable (non military or police state) governance, transparent and corruption free governance, highly educated English speaking work force, tight relationships with both Western powers and China (and Taiwan and HK) all combines to render it the Asian Switzerland status, not only a SEA Switzerland.

But, then again, I am frightfully stoopid......

You're Welcome!!