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1
Economic social cultural
The Embassy of
Belgium
NEWS September 2013
Dear All,
I hope that you all had wonderful holidays and that you are back to work full of new
ideas. In this economic Newsletter we present you two Belgian/Belgian linked
companies (Zingametall, Smart Alarm) and we focus on Knai Bang Chatt, an exclusive
Belgian resort in Cambodia. Other good news: the Siam Solvay Foundation is involved in
awareness raising so that people and especially the most vulnerable among us -children-
make a habit of wearing helmets. This nice public affairs event took place on 8 August
2013. I hope you will enjoy the reading.
Kind regards,
Marc Michielsen
Ambassador
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WHAT’S BELGIAN ABOUT THE THAI-BELGIAN BRIDGE?
The nine lives of a bridge
On August 19th, 1986, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration agreed to cooperate
with the Belgian Ministry of Public Works for constructing a fly-over to ease traffic at the
Sathorn - Withayu - Rama IV intersection, known to be one of the most congested
crossroads in Bangkok. It was agreed upon that Belgium would provide the bridge
elements, the preliminary design and the general supervision of the construction work.
The BMA took for its account the foundation works, relocation of water supply and
drainage pipes, the local transportation of the elements, construction costs and all other
expenses related to the construction and use of the bridge.
Over 2000 tons of steel coming from a fly-over which had stood on several intersections
in Brussels were transported from the port of Antwerp to the port of Bangkok. The first
ship, the Far East Navee, carried 40 bridge elements and arrived in Bangkok by the end
of February 1988. The second one, the Ralu, reached Bangkok on 18 March 1988 with
the remaining 83 elements, the substructure, and all the other construction materials
and accessories.
Once all the parts had arrived, it took just over a month to implement all ground- and
foundation work, hardly three weeks to construct the access lanes and a mere sixty
hours to assemble the 290 meter fly-over.
On April 25th 1988 Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously
presided over the official opening ceremony of the Thai-Belgian Bridge. Furthermore
during their visit in March 2013 Their Royal Highnesses Prince Philippe and Princess
Mathilde opened an exhibition on the 25th anniversary of the Thai-Belgian Bridge while
also presiding over a ceremony of unveiling a new emblem of the bridge.
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Renovations
After two renovations in the 1990s, the bridge is currently being renovated with a
product from the Belgian company ZINGAMETALL. The company has a worldwide
distribution network and offers anti corrosion solutions to industries in construction,
mining, energy, water, oil & gas, tanks, public works, bridges, railway, transport,
cement, harbour. ZINGAMETALL develops, produces and commercialises a unique zinc-
rich metal coating, called ZINGA, to protect old, new and galvanised steel structures
from rusting. ZINGA is used to re-galvanise the steel structures of the bridge in order to
extend the lifetime for another 25 years.
In Thailand, ZINGA is distributed by Demarc Trading which is headed by Mr.
Chayut Chao Somhop. ZINGA is well-known in Thailand. As this quick list
shows, you can find ZINGA technology on steel structures all over Thailand:
- EGAT (Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand ): renovation of high tension
transmission towers
- Royal Thai Navy: renovation of barges and ships
- Siam Cement: water cooling systems
- Bangkok Highway Authority: +3000 light poles
- Multiple applications at various hotels such as Hilton, Intercontinental, Marriot
- CAT Telecom: towers
- AIG
- Cosmos Chang Beer: silo’s – bulk storage of grains …
- Don Muang International Airport: structural steel
- Suvarnabhumi International Airport: 9000 steel parts
http://www.zinga.eu/
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SIAM SOLVAY FOUNDATION LAUNCHES A CAMPAIGN FOR KID’S
PROTECTION IN OFFERING HELMETS TO CHILDREN
IN RAYONG PROVINCE
On 8 August 2013 H.E. Mr. Marc Michielsen, the Ambassador of Belgium to Thailand,
presided over the launching of the ‘Helmets For Kids’ program with the Siam Solvay
Foundation and the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation at Wat Prachum Mitr Bumrung
School in Rayong province.
H.E. Mr. Marc Michielsen handed helmets over to the students together with Ms.
Siriporn Wutthilaohaphan, Chairwoman of the Siam Solvay Foundation, and many
government officials in Rayong provinces.
The Siam Solvay Foundation cooperates with the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation on
the ‘Helmets For Kids’ program to educate and increase helmet use in order to reduce
road traffic injuries among child motorcycle passengers at Wat Prachum Mitr Bumrung
School in Rayong province. 238 students and teachers received helmets and helmet
usage education.
Solvay is a Belgian company with 150 years of experience in chemical production. The
company started its business in Thailand in hydrogen peroxide at the Map Ta Phut
Petrochemical Complex in 1987. Through the Siam Solvay Foundation (SSF), Solvay gives
something back to the community of the country where it is located. The Siam Solvay
Foundation was established in 2005 to promote and provide suitable welfare to children
in Thailand and to carry out activities or cooperate with other charitable organizations
for public benefit.
http://www.solvayasiapacific.com/
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BELGIAN COMPANIES IN THAILAND
SMART ALARM
Smart Alarm is based in Hua Hin, Thailand, and offers a wide range of solutions,
products and services to protect all kinds of properties and projects from intruders. The
company was founded by Belgian national Wim Verlinden in 2006. The company offers
the most advanced alarm systems you can find on the Thai market.
Before moving to Thailand, Wim was a research
and design engineer at the University of Antwerp in
Belgium. He designed special electronic systems
and software for many companies.
Many years were spent developing and testing several biometric products and software
for fingerprint and face recognition and several of his products for smart houses and
GPS tracking systems were commercialized. Today Smart Alarm designs, manufactures,
supplies and installs all types of intruder detection systems. The majority of its
customers is based in Thailand. The feedback from the customers and their in-house
experience allowed Smart Alarm for example to adapt the systems to the specific needs
of foreigners who own a house in Thailand.
Smart Alarm recently designed a unique complete building automation and protection
system. It is suitable for small condo’s to big hotels and resorts with intruder alarm,
both indoor and outdoor, and even fire and gas detection. The implementation of a
“Zigbee” mesh network enables the company to create a long distance network in both
buildings and projects.
The research and development done over the past 7 years combined with the
experience Smart Alarm has gained on the field has lead to where Smart Alarm is now.
After having successfully secured many projects from small homes to full scale resorts
with our own products, they have obtained a clear view and insight in the sector and we
have been able to secure their spot in the market.
Smart Alarm’s participation last month at the
Secutech Bangkok Trade Fair showed that people
were impressed, and that they finally found a
solution they had long been looking for. As interest
came from all over Thailand and beyond the borders
Smart Alarm expects rapid growth to be imminent.
http://www.smartalarm.co.th/
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IN THE PICTURE
KNAI BANG CHATT RESORT
Knai Bang Chatt is situated on coastal Cambodia in the reviving seaside town of Kep, or
Kep-Sur-Mer, as it is known by the French, and aptly translates to ‘a seaside getaway
and weekend retreat’ for people living in South east Asia.
The resort is Belgian owned; French
managed and located only 2 hours
from Phnom Penh International
Airport. Knai Bang Chatt provides a
perfect oceanfront oasis nestled
amid the lush vegetation of the
surrounding Kep National Park.
This Boutique style retreat originally consisted of several 1960’s villas which were
recently (2013) fully renovated and restored as a luxury seaside lifestyle resort. Eighteen
air-conditioned, art-deco style rooms provide a perfect mix of modern minimalist and
authentic Khmer style décor, while still preserving their original architectural grandeur.
The feeling of understated luxury, will give you space to fully rejuvenate.
Manicured gardens, a stunning saltwater infinity pool, full spa treatments with senior
trainer therapists and daily yoga and meditation are available. Besides lots of beach fun
at the Sailing club, the resort is offering an abundance of activities to keep guests
occupied. Island hopping, adventure trekking or architectural & heritage tours are only a
few of the possibilities.
We suggest sunset cocktails at the Sailing Club
and a fine dining experience at the “The
Strand” restaurant where fresh Mediterranean-
western style cuisine, infused with a Khmer
touch, is served in the open-air dining pavilion
or in the new air-condition roof top
restaurant.At Knai Bang Chatt, we hope to give
you private time and memories to take home.
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Special promotion for all Belgians in Thailand:
Period : From August 1 – December 20
Promotion : Enjoy local walk in prices: - 20%
2013 local walk in prices:
August / Sept Oct / Nov / Dec
Sgl 97$ 145$
Dbl garden 134$ 181$
Dbl sea 189$ 283$
Suite 283$ 425$
Reservation & Info
www.knaibangchatt.com