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           Thailand continues to be a desirable location for foreign investors, mainly because of its robust tourism industry. As a result, many entrepreneurs seek investment opportunities that can attract local and foreign clients.           Opening a bar in Thailand can be an exciting and lucrative business enterprise, provided it complies with the rules set forth by the Foreign Business Act for expatriates or foreign investors who wish to settle in the country and make profits. However, there are several conditions and requirements to consider when contemplating the establishment of a bar in Thailand; • Partnership with a Thai citizen: foreign citizens must have a Thai partner who must own a 51% ownership stake in the business.• Unique business name: it is necessary to reserve a unique name for the bar in Thailand.• Bank account: a bank account with a minimum share capital of THB 2,000,000 is mandatory.• Tax registration: VAT registration with the relevant Thai authorities is obligatory for the business.• Business license acquisition: the Trade Register in Thailand will assess the documentation and register the company accordingly.            The liquor license in Thailand is valid for one year and can be renewed within 30 days before the expiration date. The license fee is 200 THB. As you prepare the necessary documents, you must consider translating them into Thai to ensure you understand and comply. Notably, opening an establishment near a school is strictly prohibited. In addition, Thai law bans any bar from operating within 500 meters of schools. Violation of this regulation may result in the rejection of the application.          The process of obtaining a liquor license in Thailand is a crucial requirement for establishments intending to sell alcoholic beverages, whether it be a restaurant or a bar. The responsibility of issuing liquor licenses lies with the District Office in Thailand, which carefully evaluates certain essential documents, including: • The company’s documents, including the Value Added Tax (VAT) certificate.• Lease or rental documents for the location where the establishment will operate.• Identification documents of the bar owners seeking permission to sell alcoholic beverages.         It is important to note that businesses, whether locally incorporated or foreign, are subject to corporate income tax and other applicable taxes in Thailand. This tax obligation applies to both independent companies and those operating under a franchise model. The taxation regulations typically encompass various categories: • Corporate income tax: imposed at a rate of 20%, with progressive rates available for smaller businesses.• Capital gains tax: set at a rate of 20%.• Withholding tax: applied at different rates, such as 10% for dividends paid to another Thai company, 15% for interest paid to a non-resident company, and 3% advance withholding tax for royalties paid to another Thai company.• Real property tax: levied at a rate of 12.5% based on the appraised rental value of the property, with the maximum tax rate varying according to the type of land or building.• Social Security: requires a 5% contribution from both the employer and the employee, based on the employee’s monthly salary, subject to a predetermined monthly cap.• Stamp duty: imposed at a rate of 0.1% in cases involving leases, share transfers, and other relevant transactions.• Specific business tax: applicable to specific transactions in the banking sector and gross proceeds from immovable property transfers, with a rate of 3%.         Understanding and adhering to these taxation regulations is crucial for businesses operating in the hospitality industry in Thailand.          Once you have that license, you must stock that bar with quality booze. Then, you can sign a contract with a single supplier (which may lead to preferential prices but can mean that the types of products are limited) or purchase freely at different prices.  Why don’t you visit our Pub and Bar Asia 2023 tradeshow and explore the opportunities?         PUB & BAR ASIA (PBA 2023) is Thailand’s first dedicated international show for Thailand and ASEAN’s rapidly growing pub, bar, and licensed entertainment industries.         PBA 2023 is here to help you discover the latest products, update new trends, meet new suppliers and networking with like-minded professionals. The 4-day show has thousands of new products from innovative equipment, alcoholic/non-alcoholic drinks, mixers, and ingredient and store solutions. In collaboration with industry associations, chambers of commerce and exhibitors, visitors will significantly benefit from bespoke activities such as;• Bartender Show• Beer Tasting• Craft Beer Workshop & Discussion• Wine Tasting• NetworkingPre-register to visit the show today: Pre-Registration NOW!

One Bangkok, the largest holistically integrated district in the heart of Bangkok, has become the country’s first real estate project to obtain the Platinum WiredScore certification– the highest certification from WiredScore for its office towers. The One Bangkok District has been designed to meet the Wiredscore and SmartScore standards ensuring Tenants on the stability of digital connectivity to support their businesses. One Bangkok, the largest holistically integrated district in the heart of Bangkok, has become the country’s first real estate project to obtain the Platinum WiredScore certification– the highest certification from WiredScore for its office towers. The One Bangkok District has been designed to meet the Wiredscore and SmartScore standards ensuring Tenants on the stability of digital connectivity to support their businesses. WiredScore is the global company behind the WiredScore and SmartScore certifications of digital connectivity and smart building rating platforms for real estate. Founded in the United States in 2013, outstanding buildings around the world have been certified with WiredScore Platinum, including Empire State in the US, Two Taikoo Place in Hong Kong, International Towers together with101 Collins Street in Australia, 22 Bishopsgate in England, Hammerbrooklyn in Germany, and Skylight Madrid in Spain. Lim Hua Tiong, Chief Executive Officer of One Bangkok, commented: “Our vision for One Bangkok is to develop the district that will set new benchmarks for the real estate industry and elevate Bangkok to become one of the world’s great metropolises. We actively seek to incorporate best-in-class technologies and solutions into our buildings and are therefore delighted that One Bangkok Office Towers 4 and 5 have been certified WiredScore Platinum. We are proud to be the first in Thailand to achieve this certification and will continue to work with WiredScore to promote technology, smart services and enhanced digital experiences throughout our assets and to the communities we support.” During WiredScore’s recent official launch in Thailand, Lim Hua Tiong presented his vision at a roundtable forum on “Smart Building Investments for Thailand 4.0” in his capacity as an Executive of One Bangkok, Thailand’s first real estate project to obtain WiredScore Platinum certification. He said the main goal of One Bangkok development is to offer an experience beyond the expectation of the project’s tenants and customers. They will be provided with powerful digital connectivity and smart technologies to reassure them that the project’s technology infrastructure is future-proof and goes beyond the standards. Moreover, digital connectivity and smart services that meet world-class standards are an essential factor that attracts talents with high potential to become office building tenants and occupants. A survey by the Gensler Research Institute on worker satisfaction found that smart technologies have significant impacts on workers. People who work in office buildings equipped with latest technologies reported more cases of “great working experience” than those working in office buildings without smart capabilities by 3.7 times. One Bangkok will be the largest integrated development in central business district and most comprehensive real estate project in Thailand, with an investment value of over THB120 billion, on the total land area of 108 rai When fully completed, the project will include 5 premium Grade A office towers, 4 distinct retail precincts, 5 luxury and lifestyle hotels and 3 luxury residential towers operating under the core values of people-centric, sustainability and smart city living. The project’s first phase is scheduled for opening in the first quarter of 2024. Credit By: www.onebangkok.com

The Jim Thompson House Museum In late 1946, after being discharged from the U.S. Army, Jim Thompson decided to settle down in Thailand. Charmed by the simple way of life along the canal, he bought this plot of land and built his home in 1959. Thompson’s famous compound comprises of six old teakwood Thai-style houses he procured from various locations in Bangkok and Ayutthaya. The old houses were dismantled and transported by boats to this location. He then had them reconstructed by a group of skilled carpenters. Since he loved collecting antiques, the house he stayed, between 1947-1967, also displays his collection under the Jim Thompson Foundation. On entering the gate, you will see the ticket office in the midst of a beautiful tropical garden landscape. Jim Thompson designed the garden with the intention of making it look like a “pocket jungle.” Some of the trees here were planted when he was still alive. The houses are divided into rooms with the purpose of displaying Jim Thompson’s wonderful arts, crafts, and antique collections, such as sculptures, paintings, silverware, some rare Chinaware from Song dynasty, hard-to-find Sukhothai and Sawankhalok painted potteries from 13th – 15th century AD are also displayed here, as well as ancient Buddha painting and statues. Jim Thompson disappeared while holidaying in the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia on March 26, 1967. However, he has left this invaluable heritage that embodies his life and his love for Thailand for everyone to learn from and cherish. Museum About the Man: the legendary journey of “The King of Silk” Museum About the Man is an exhibition showcasing the incredible journey of Jim Thompson’s silk products, milestones and identity. In 1947, Thompson, fond of costume design and textiles, discovered a small community of silk weavers in the Ban Krua area – a historic neighbourhood along Bangkok’s Saen Saep canal (Khlong Saen Saep). His admiration and passion for Thailand’s culture, way of life, and art motivated him to promote locally made fine silk textiles to save the dying craft. Thus, out of this keen interest, the Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company was born in 1950, and he opened his first shop on the iconic Surawong Road in Bangkok the year after. With a great entrepreneurial spirit, he sought the opportunity to encourage craftsmanship and to promote the distinctive qualities of Thai silk to the world by sending portfolios of hand-woven silks to influential names in the fashion industry in New York City. His portfolio of Thai silk captivated many leading names in the fashion industry, including the editor of Vogue Magazine. Once Thompson’s silk fabrics landed on the cover of Vogue and featured in Broadway (The King and I) and Hollywood movies, they rapidly gained worldwide reputation and recognition, making 1950-1960 the era that made Thai silk famous internationally. According to Time magazine he “almost single-handedly saved Thailand’s vital silk industry from extinction.” For his contribution to the Thai Silk industry, Jim Thompson was bestowed with the ‘Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant’ by Royal decree; the only exalted order awarded to foreigners for rendering exceptional service to Thailand. The Iconic Store A 2-storey building next to a café is The Iconic Store. Spread over two levels, every part of the store, from the earth-toned décor to the undulating walls, is designed to promote the beautiful hues and tones of the silk products. The Store has more than 6,000 premium quality silk products from Jim Thompson’s fashion; clothes, bags, accessories and home decorations, with special editions exclusive to this location – making it an essential destination for all silk lovers visiting Bangkok. Jim’s Terrace On the 2nd Floor of the Iconic Store at Jim Thompson Heritage Quarter is “Jim’s Terrace”, an open-air café and bar inspired by Jim Thompson’s canal-side balcony. Visitors are welcome to relax and taste delicious tapas-style Thai fusion food and sip on chilled drinks while enjoying the serenity and the exclusive view of Jim Thompson’s Thai house and the garden. The service here is excellent and reminiscent of Jim Thompson’s legendary hospitality. Some recommended menus are Jim’s Creamy Croquettes, a slow-cooked Oxtail with Red Curry dish, Isan Style Beef Tongue and Crispy Mushroom Chips from the Royal Project. The Jim Thompson Art Center Next to the Jim House Museum is The Jim Thompson Art Center, which showcases works from inspiring artists in a more contemporary atmosphere. Visitors are welcome to use a free library, hang out at a rooftop bar, and enjoy a city view. This heritage landmark in central Bangkok is an ultimate lifestyle destination that will make a perfect day trip for anyone. Visitors can study Thai history from the past by observing beautifully decorated rooms, the architectural beauty of traditional Thai houses, and priceless Jim Thompson’s antique collections. One can experience a tropical jungle garden ambience in the heart of the city while sipping on freshly made coffee or tasting delicious Thai fusion food and enjoying shopping, all in one place. Notes: Getting There: Jim Thompson Heritage Quarter is located on Rama 1 Road. Bangkok. It is conveniently reached by car, taxi, tuk-tuk, and the BTS Sky Train (National Stadium station exit no.1), as well as by Khlong Saen Saep Express boats (Sapan Hua Chang Pier) Credit by: www.traveldailynews.asia Written by: Darin Nicha

Since the reopening of the country and pub bar, and entertainment establishments, the business has recovered swiftly and many players are enjoying the 2019 peaks. With the influx of international tourists, estimated to top 30 million this vs 11 million in 2022, combined with domestic consumption, the industry is expected to enjoy  robust growth in this and the following years.

Tackling the upcoming industry challenges: Update latest trends and challenges at Pub and Bar Asia http://go.kavinintertrade.co.th/b/2710/331/a00000k/F/F/F/F/F

Discover why South East Asia is the go to place for food, beverage and equipment suppliers http://go.kavinintertrade.co.th/s/fb/2710/264/a00000k/F/F/F/F/F?fbclid=IwAR1ga0w-vPrDzhLuX5WL7jEwO0HNRtOnVSRpIvICUchqP10jbIhdHUdbrYg  

6 January 2020, Kavin Intertrade Co Ltd. is delighted to announce that it has entered into a partnership with Kingsmen Hospitality Services, joining forces to develop the hospitality business in Thailand