Discovering the City 30 DISCOVERING the City
The Livable City
Bangkok is one of the most culturally rich, complex and dynamic cities in the world. Endless energy abounds as the city never sleeps. In the mornings, you can fi nd pockets of serenity on temple grounds, or enjoy the serene harmonious steps of Tai-chi exercises at Lumpini Park. You can have a business-like power breakfast at one of the city’s many luxurious hotels, or be trendy and chic sipping coffee at one of the dozens of Starbucks, surf the net on Wi-Fi within the CBD (Central Business District) areas of Silom and Sathorn, or just be laid-back and traditional and have a friendly chat with an old friend at the old coffee houses in Yaowaraj.
East meets West: Traditional and Chic Bangkok is the epitome of the country’s kaleidoscopic blend of old and new. More than anywhere else, it is an expression of the Thai respect for tradition coupled with their vibrant involvement with modern progress.
The city is metropolitan, yet rich in heritage and ready to accept new ideas. Many foreigners can attest to the cosmopolitan lifestyle that Bangkok offers through its cost-competitive condominiums, international schools, hospitals, shopping centers, sports clubs, and golf courses.
31 Discovering the City 32 around thecity. of parksandgreenpocketsscattered with about8,097rais(12.96sq.km.) now serveasthe“lungsofcity”, recreation andenvironment.They green areasarebeingdevelopedfor Bangkok, morepublicparksand With anincreasingpopulationin Green AreasandPublicParks ENVIRONMENT BANGKOK’S Green Area Beautiful Parks Clean Canals and Clean Roads
Environmental management and energy conservation are included as one of the main strategic pillars of the BMA four-year Public Administration Plan, 2005 through 2008.
The plan mandates the increase of more shaded areas by changing vacant spaces into public parks or green areas. This program is to be implemented around buildings, public offi ces, state enterprises, schools, religious places and private companies, and is part of the effort to improve the quality of life in the city.
33 Discovering the City (Phra Nakhon District) (Phra Nakhon 2. SaranromPark various amenitiesforrecreationandsportactivities. will beopenedtothegeneralpublicandconsistof areas bybuildingtenadditionalpublicparks.Eachpark The BMAwillincreasethirtypercentofBangkok’s green 10 BeautifulPublicParks:“ThenewlungsofBangkok” trees by2006. such initiative,whichaimstoplantfromonetwomillion Her MajestytheQueen’s birthday, on August12,2005,isone The BangkokGreenProject,undertakentocommemorate Over theyears,BMAhasplantednumeroustreesinBangkok. 34 BANGKOK Area :23sq.m. (Phra Nakhon District) (Phra Nakhon 1. RommaneenatPark Area:28 sq.m. GREEN PROJECT 4. ThePublicPark inCommemoration of H.M.The King’s 6 Area: 52sq.m. th CycleBirthony (Ratchatewi District) (Ratchatewi 5. SantiPhapPark Area :20sq.m. 9. ThonburiromPark (Tung Kru District) Kru (Tung Area :63 sq.m. (Chatuchak District) 6. ChatuchakPark Area: 155.1sq.m. (Prathumwan District) 3. LumphiniPark Area :360 sq.m. { £ Ó x Î È £Ó Ç n 12. Vachira BenchathatPark (Chatuchak District) Area :375sq.m. (Khlong Toei(Khlong District) 8. BenchasiriPark £Î £ä Area :29 sq.m. £{ (Chatuchak District) 7. QueenSirikitPark 10. SuanLuangRama IX Area :140sq.m. Area :500sq.m. (Praves District) ££ (Ladkrabang District) (Ladkrabang 14. PhraNakhonPark (Nong ChokDistrict) (Bungkum District) 11. NongChokPark 13. SeriThaiPark Area :350sq.m. Area :50sq.m. Area :35sq.m. +1 //9Ê"Ê7-/ 7/ ,Ê Ê " Ê /,"*" -Ê\ÊVÕ°É`>Þ® 10 Clean Canals Project:
Bangkok once had an elaborate network of canals and hence earned the nickname as the “Venice of the East”. Now, with an existing 1,049 canals left, which are subsidiaries of the major waterways from the Chao Phraya River to Klong San Saab, local communities living along the riverside are faced with pollution problems. The BMA has initiated the Ten Clean Canals project to effectively treat {]äää]äää wastewater in the following canals: The Old City Moat, Klong Banglumphu, Klong Watthepthidaram, Î]xää]äää Klong Wat Ratbophith, Klong Padung-Krung Kasem, Î]äää]äää Klong Bang Saikai, Klong Bangnamchon, Klong Samlayh and Klong Bang Sakea. Ó]xää]äää Ó]äää]äää
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Source: A Feasibility Study of BMA Wastewater User Charge, May 1998
35 Discovering the City 36 while smallparks anddecorationsare arteries inthefi Clean Roads:“SixtyGreen Roads” This projectinvolvesdeveloping the main andsecondarytransportation plants andtrees areplacedabout, scenery alongBangkok’s roads by improving thegreeneryalong the are adornedwith beautifulfloral added andoverpass bridges ornaments. fty districts. Ornamental CITY QUALITY
Health Care Public Safety
During the last fi ve years, Bangkok has increasingly become The current Bangkok Metropolitan internationally recognized as a high quality, but cost competitive Administration (BMA) has made health care provider with dramatic growth in international public safety one of its highest patients from Europe, United States, Japan, Korea, and the priorities. It has ensured that a 24 hour Middle East. Call Center (Dial 1555) is customer Number of Beds friendly and ready to respond with There are a total of 173 hospitals in Bangkok, 42 of which are any problems face within Bangkok. public hospitals and 131 are privately run. In addition, there are in BMA Medical Service Department: 2004 In addition, the BMA has also initiated 144 public health service centers and health stations at over a Bangkok Emergency Service Team 3,000 private clinics within the capital. 6>À> nÎÎ (BEST) that is also a One Stop Service for 24 hour emergency service at all BMA Medical Service iÌÀ> {Îä 50 districts throughout Bangkok. The BMA has established another The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has made 24 hour hot-line particularly for fi res public safety one of its highest priorities. It has ensured that a />Ê- {Óä only (Dial 199). 24 hour Call Center (Dial 1555) is people friendly and ready to respond to any problems faced within Bangkok. In addition, >ÀiÊ ÀÕ} Îxä In order to help prevent crimes, the BMA has also initiated a Bangkok Emergency Service Team the BMA is currently implementing a (BEST) that is also a “One Stop Service” center, providing 24 hour “Bright Lights” programs to light up emergency service at all 50 districts throughout Bangkok. Õ>}Ê* Ê/ >ÜÃ> ÇÓ every dark areas and blind spots in The BMA has established another 24 hour hot-line service all the smaller streets of Bangkok. for fi res only (Dial 199). The BMA is also implementing the }Ê x{ “Bangkok Clear” anti-drugs for youth education and prevention
>ÌÊ À>L>} Èä of drugs-related crimes.
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Source: Planning Sub-Division, Technical Division, Medical Service Department
37 Discovering the City and theprovisionoflearningfacilities. human resourcesforeducation, standards, thedevelopmentof such astheimprovementofeducation education developmentprojects, Welfare jointlyworkonvarious Education andDepartmentofSocial of Bangkok.TheDepartment education forthechildrenandyouth to primary, secondaryandcollege schools rangingfromkindergarten Bangkok. TheBMAmanages434 There areatotalof1,657schoolsin Bangkok SchoolsandColleges EDUCATION Source: Technical Division,EducationDepartment, BMA Vajira –Thefi rstBMAMedicalCollege The BangkokMetropolitanAdministrationMedical Collegeand 38 Academic Year 2004 Segmented byeducationlevel Number ofStudentsinBangkok ‚√ß欓∫“≈«™‘√– development and schoolmanagement. the learningenvironment, career of theirteaching capacity, improving the qualityofBMAteachersin terms of generaleducationinthecapital. project, aimedatenhancingthe quality part oftheBMA“smart-school” ideas .TheYoung Engineerclassesare analyze problemsandexperiment with encourage studentstothinkcreatively, run bytheBMA,wheretheywill in thenewsemesteratall433 schools Ñ Ñ BMA SmartSchools Projects BMA SchoolDevelopment centers inBangkokarea. of the9BMAhospitalsand60health from KCNandafterwardsworkinone approximately 120studentsgraduate University since1993.Eachyear, KCN hasbeenaffi by theThaiNurses’Council.Inaddition, (B.N.S.) programhasbeenaccredited The BachelorofNursingScience for providingcareinBMAhospitals. established in1954topreparenurses College ofNursing(KCN),whichit run bytheBMAisKuakarun Among otheracademicinstitutions Teacher Development:to improve Young Engineers:classeswillstart liated with Mahidol and professionally. lifestyle willbeheldcontinuously dancing andexhibitionsonThai of Thaiclassicalmusic, culture andwayoflife.Performance so thatstudentswillbeproudofThai Thai CulturewithintheBMAschools Ñ schools inBangkokincludeHarrow curriculums. Examplesofleading Japanese, andSingaporeanaccredited American, Chinese,French,German , that includeawiderangeofBritish, 65 internationalschoolsinBangkok in theregion.Therearecurrently most competitiveeducationalmarket choices andhasbecomeoneofthe recent years-offeringawiderangeof school systemcontinuestoexpandin Bangkok’s burgeoninginternational & Universities International Schools 1999 -2004 Number ofStudentsBMAAcademic Year: Source: Technical Division,Education Department,BMA Thai CulturalPromotion:topromote £
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Î{Ç]ÈÎn and theAsianInstitute ofTechnology. and theWharton SchoolofBusiness Business atChulalongkorn University include theSasin GraduateSchoolof international academicprograms fields. Amongthemostprestigious to doctoraldegreesinwiderange of international programsfrombachelor universities inBangkok,many with 19 stateuniversitiesand18private At theuniversitylevel,thereare establishment. year-old nobleEnglishsister Bangkok, isanaffiliate ofthe450 UK; ShrewsburyInternational School and whosefacultyismostlyfromthe traditions ofEngland’s HarrowSchool, the fine reputationandeducational International School,thatdrawson Education Department,BMA Source: Technical Division, Schools 433 Classes 10,074 Teachers 13,012 Students 347,638 Academic Year 2004 Classes andSchoolsofBMA Number ofStudents,Teachers, RECREATION The BMA runs over 740 recreational facilities for local communities within the 50 districts throughout Bangkok. The facilities are organized for outdoor physical activities such as aerobics, football, basketball, and the local Southeast Asia sport of Takraw. For indoor activities, table tennis, badminton, and weight lifting facilities are available.
There are also many private sports clubs and numerous international standard golf courses in and around Bangkok. Among the leading sports clubs is included the Royal Bangkok Sports Club.
39 Discovering the City CITY FORCITY INTERNATIONAL LIFESTYLE 4 The Reuters’office inBangkokisits who covertheASEANregion. to numerousforeigncorrespondents for thefreepress,cityisalsohost of Bangkok’s reputationasacenter embassies areinthecity. As a result largest andmoststrategicforeign corporations andsomeoftheworld’s headquarters ofmanymultinational many ways.Itishometotheregional Bangkok isaninternationalcityin International Institutions Institute ofTechnology (AIT). Organization (ILO),andtheAsian (ESCAP), theInternationalLabour Commission forAsiaandthePacific United NationsEconomicand Social long beenbasedhere,including the Key internationalinstitutionshave and India. United States,theKingdom 40 th largestintheworldbehind Technology. Business andthe AsianInstituteof Management, the WhartonSchoolof operates withthe KelloggSchoolof at Chulalongkorn University, which Sasin GraduateSchoolofBusiness academic programsisincluded the Among themostprestigiousinternational of fields. to doctoraldegreesinawide range programs, andwhichofferbachelor Bangkok, manywithinternational public and18privateuniversitiesin At theuniversitylevel,thereare19 Singaporean accreditedcurriculums. French, German,Japanese,and range ofBritish,American,Chinese, schools inBangkokthatincludeawide There arecurrently65international educational marketsintheregion. become oneofthemostcompetitive wide rangeofchoices,andhas expand inrecentyears,offeringa school systemhascontinuedto Bangkok’s burgeoninginternational International Schools&Universities Channel. Cinemax, ESPN,MTVandtheDiscovery such mediaasCNN,BBC,NHK, HBO, available inBangkok,whichinclude and over40internationalTVchannels pop hits.Thereare8localTVchannels UK Virgin RadioNetworkofpopular throughout thecountry, includingthe 330 FMradiostationsoperating FHM, andPCWorld. There areover Elle, Cosmopolitan,Esquire,Seventeen, National Geographic,Reader’s Digest, international publications,suchasthe There arealsonumerousThailanguage of businessdailiesandweeklies. newspapers thereisawidevariety broadband andWi-Fi.Withover30 service providersinBangkokoffering There are18commercialinternet International Media and EarlKlugh. musicians suchasBobJames,Incognito has alsoattractedworldfamous The annualBangkokJazzFestival Williams, andDavidCopperfield. Dion, MariahCarey, TheEagles, Robbie Elton John,WhitneyHouston,Celine by internationalcelebritiessuchas regularly isavenueforperformances United StatesandEngland.Bangkok operas fromVienna, andjazzfromthe State BalletTheaterfromRussia, in theBolshoiBalletandBashkir Thailand CulturalCenter, bringing Music thatisheldannuallyatthe International FestivalofDance& such astheprestigiousBangkok hub forinternationalculturalevents, Bangkok isfastbecomingaregional City ofMulti-Culture COST OF LIVING
CLUB MEMBERSHIPS HEALTH CLUB Low Cost of Living ROYAL BANGKOK SPORTS CLUB JW MARRIOT Bangkok has a lower cost of living compared with other major cities in Asia. Entry 135 US$ Startup 856 US$ th Yearly 3,365 US$ CLARK HATCH The Mercer Human Resource’s 2006 Cost of Living Survey ranked Bangkok 127 PACIFIC CITY CLUB Individual Entry 377US$ among 144 cities, measuring the comparative costs of over 200 items, including Startup (2 People) 4,529 US$ (1 Year) housing, transport, food, clothing, household goods, and entertainment. The Monthly 3,365 US$ FOUR SEASONS HOTEL Entry 755 (1 Year) survey is used as a resource for foreign multinational companies and governments Yearly 1,258 (1 Year) to determine compensation allowances for their expatriate employees. Bangkok is more affordable in global survey on cost of GOLF CLUB MEMBERSHIPS (per 25 years) Selected Costs of Living in Bangkok living Alpine (Bangkok) 4,594 US$ Average Cost Bangpakong (Chachoengsao) 4,026 US$ Pinehurst (Bangkok) 3,529 US$ US$ The new global cost of living Lamlukka (Pathum Thani) 4,273 US$ Education Programme survey by Mercer Human Muangake Vista (Bangkok) 5,248 US$ - International University 10,000-15,000 per year Resource Consulting ranks Navathanee (Bangkok) 11,323 US$ th - International School 3,000-14,000 per year the Thai capital as the 125 most expensive, down from 119th in the 2004 survey. Membership - Health Club 50-280 per month -ERCER (UMAN 2ESOURCE #ONSULTING - Golf Club 3,280-26,420 per 25 years #OST OF ,IVING 3URVEY 7ORLDWIDE 2ANKINGS ä Óä {ä Èä nä £ää
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41 Discovering the City INVESTMENT production. rapid growthofthecountry’s industrial of skilledworkers,contributingtothe natural resourcesandanavailability confidence. Thereareabundant which hashelpedsustaineconomic growth ratein2005was4.5percent, The GrossDomesticProduct(GDP) growth duringthelastfewyears. It hasachievedsteadyeconomic diversified andbalancedeconomy. 60 millionpeoplewithanincreasingly has alargedomesticmarketofover investing inThailand.Thecountry There aremanyadvantagesfor Climate Thailand’s IdealInvestment 42 GATEWAY by thegovernment. innovation arehighlyencouraged skills enhancement,technologyand especially thosethataimtopromote free trade.Foreigninvestments, on liberalizationandencouraging defined investmentpoliciesfocused In addition,thecountryhaswell- superior services. boast sophisticatedfacilitiesand State-of-the-art industrialestates business andlivingconditions. and ITnetworksensureoptimum as wellupgradedcommunications and modernizedtransportationfacilities, ready forforeigninvestors.Improved Thailand alsohasagoodinfrastructure Supportive Government practical destinationforinvestment. in 2005,Thailandisanidealand Trade andDevelopment(UNCTAD) in asurveybytheUNCommissionfor attractive nationforforeigninvestment Ranked astheworld’s thirdmost as priorityorpromotedindustries. list ofbusinessesthatareregarded concessions availabletoanextensive support servicesandimportduty offers arangeoftaxincentives, Investment (BOI),thegovernment investors. ThroughtheBoardof resources tosupportandassist The Thaigovernmenthasestablished to globalcorporatecustomers. in invoicing,billing,andcallcenters or BPO(BusinessProcessing Offices) important providerofshared-services in theregion,itisalsobecoming an as comparedtoothermajorcities competitive workforceinBangkok, Given thelowoverheadandcost- materials formanymultinationalfirms. for procurementofpartsandraw regional andglobalsourcingcenter Indeed, Bangkokisfastbecominga India andtherestofAsia. a convenientspringboardtoChina, market. Thecityiswell-placedas as thelargestgrowingeconomic Asia-home towhatisregardedtoday location isrightintheheartof 500 millionpeople.Itsidealstrategic the growingASEANregionofover investment intheThaimarketandto Bangkok isastrategicgatewayfor Investment Gateway The BangkokAdvantage: Composition of Non-Agriculture Sectors in Bangkok GPP 2004-2005 Bangkok Gross Provincial Product (GPP) {¯ Ó]xää]äää *,6/ Ê"1- " - 7/Ê * "9 Ê* ,-" - £Î¯ /Ê Ê-" Ê7",
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43 Discovering the City services areallcompetitive. cost ofliving.Pricesforelectricity, water, internetbroadband, and telephone Comparatively, Bangkokoffers lowoffi ce rentsandaveryaffordableoverall COST OFDOINGBUSINESS Source :CBRichardEllis,Q32005 Bangkok, Shanghai, andHanoihavethelowest waterprices. 44 US$ per square foot 0.5 1.5 2.5 3.5 0 1 2 3 Shanghai and Guangzhou, Beijing, China Reasonable PricesforPrimeOffice Space Mumbai, and Bangalore, New Delhi, Monthly PrimeOffice Rents(asofQ32005) India Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Singapore, Singapore expensive. highest rates are more in Bangkok, but their rates arelowerthanthose and Shanghai’s lowest hour (kWh).AlthoughBeijing at about$0.04perkilowatt- competitive electricitycosts Bangkok offersquite rates ofcitiessurveyed. Kuala Lumpurthelowest and withtheexceptionof affordable offi Ellis, Bangkokoffershighly According toCBRichard Bangkok, Thailand City, Vietnam Ho ChiMinh c space ce V and socialsecuritycontributions. wages refertototalpre-tax,whilenetrelate topayminustaxes contributions andworkinghoursin2003forthirteendifferent professions.Gross UBS calculatednetandgrosswagesbasedonwagefi Low Wage Rates COST EFFECTIVEWORKFORCE(WAGE RATE) aglr 0.80– 1.33* Source: JETRO * Differsbyamountofuse **Includeswatersavingtaxandsewage commission***Includes10%VAT sewagecharge Bangalore Thailand Bangkok 0.28** Singapore ChargeinUS$/m3 Malaysia Kuala Lumpur India Mumbai 0.47 0.37 Shanghai City 0.53 China Beijing Country 0.15 WATER RATES FOR those inShanghai. except Mumbai.Forinstance, Bangkok’s grosswagesare45.6%cheaperthan Wage ratesinBangkok are signifi Source :UBS Index Score (Zurich = 100) enmHni 0.22*** ietnam Hanoi 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 24.9 igpr KualaLumpur Singapore 26.2 13.3 0.25 –0.52 15 UBS Wage Comparison cantly lowerthaninalloftheothercities, 12.7 hnhiBnkkMumbai Bangkok Shanghai 12.4 Vietnam Thailand Malaysia Japan China Rate Tax Country Income Corporate Tax MAXIMUM TAX RATES Capital (%) Tax Gains Rate(%) Rate(%) 4 3 30-60 33 45 3 3 20 30 37 4 2 10 28 40 3 3 7 30 up 37 2 2 30 28 28 6.9 gures, socialsecurity 8.7 Gross Wages NetWages 3.2 3.8 STRATEGIC INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Gems & Jewelry - A World Center a walking street that offers wholesale The Thai government has identifi ed jewelry shopping at international gem one of the key issues for the industry Thailand is a leading exporter of and jewelry outlets. Furthermore, the is brand-building and design. Although colored gems and the world’s number BMA is building a medium-sized there is a strong OEM (Original Equipment two exporter of fi ne jewelry after Italy. convention center to support an Manufacturer) garment industry, Thai diamond cutting expertise is export center. A multicultural community it needs to move further up the value world renowned, as well as its design marketed as an all-in-one “Work- chain to the more up-scale fashion and precision assembly. Live-Learn-Shop-Play” is envisaged segment. for exclusive residential areas for expatriate professionals, jewelry retail shops and a jewelry bourse. There will be an exhibition and shopping center, together with hotels and serviced apartments supporting residents and visiting tourists.
Fashion
Fashion is still a relatively young industry in the Kingdom compared Bangkok Fashion City Project to the leading European fashion ú Top Fashion Report Bangkok’s Gemopolis houses. The government has been In order to develop a more competitive ú Fashion Road Show enthusiastically supporting the edge for the Thai international fashion ú Bangkok Fashion City Promotion Gemopolis is Thailand’s specialized development of the local industry, market, the government established ú Bangkok International Fashion industrial estate exclusively for gems which is aided by the country’s the Bangkok Fashion City Project. Academy and jewelry located within a 5 minute strengths in the jewelry, leather The project’s roadmap consists of the drive from the Suvarnabhumi Airport, and garment industries. following 11 projects: The fi rst project implemented was the east of Bangkok. A complete supply establishment in December 2004 of chain of gems and jewelry industry ú International Fashion School an international fashion school - the can be found within a single compound ú Fashion Trend Center Bangkok International Fashion here. There are over 70 large global ú Textile & Garment Industry Academy (BIFA), by Chulalongkorn companies and SMEs that have Competitiveness Development University, in conjunction with the established their production and ú Leather Industry Competitiveness Institute Francais de la Mode in Paris trading facilities at Gemopolis. ú Jewelry Industry Competitiveness and the Fashion Institute of Technology Development in New York. In the coming years, the This industrial estate is a foundation ú Bangkok Fashion Week focus of the fashion sector will be on to build a “Gemopolis City”. A mall is ú Trend Setting (Fashion Workshop) improving and developing new product being constructed in 3 phases to cover ú International Fashion Contest designs and advancing Thai brands.
45