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

Em

ba

ssy

of

Be

lgiu

m –

Se

pte

mb

er

20

13

2

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.

Em

ba

ssy

of

Be

lgiu

m –

Se

pte

mb

er

20

13

3

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/

Em

ba

ssy

of

Be

lgiu

m –

Se

pte

mb

er

20

13

4

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/

Em

ba

ssy

of

Be

lgiu

m –

Se

pte

mb

er

20

13

5

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/

Em

ba

ssy

of

Be

lgiu

m –

Se

pte

mb

er

20

13

6

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.

Em

ba

ssy

of

Be

lgiu

m –

Se

pte

mb

er

20

13

7

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

Info@knaibangchatt.com

www.knaibangchatt.com