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EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITY OF PARTNERSHIP
 IN BIOSCIENCE WITH THAILAND
in Seattle and San Francisco
 
A delegation of Senior Thai officials from the Kingdom of Thailand Ministry of Science and the Board of Investment of Thailand traveled to the U.S. from July 10-17, 2005, for seminars in Seattle and San Francisco and for meetings with biotechnology and knowledge industry investors and companies in both locations.  The visit was coordinated by Runckel & Associates on behalf of the Thai government.

 biotech seminar 5 biotech seminar 2
Left Picture: Biotechnology seminar in Seattle was co-hosted and presided over by Honorary Consul General of Thailand, Mr. Nick Stanley (second from right).  Seen from left: Mrs. Vasana Mututanont, head of Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) New York office, Ms. Acharin Pattanapanchai, Acting Assistant Secretary General of BOI, Honorary Consul General Nick Stanley and Dr. Sirirurg Songsivilai, Assistant President of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA).
Right Picture: Biotechnology seminar in Seattle

Dr. Sirirurg of NSTDA


In both venues, presentations were given by Dr. Sirirurg Songsivilai, Assistant President of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and Senior Expert at the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) on the current state of bioscience in Thailand and prospects for partnering, clinical ties, joint research and investment in Thai bioscience (click here to see Dr. Sirirurg's  presentation online). 

Dr. Sirirurg noted that Thailand’s geographic position in Asia gave it an unique bio diversity.  He discussed current research in rice, shrimp, tropical fruit and other areas plus noted the large number of medical clinical trials that are now taking place in Thailand.  Dr. Sirirurg also noted that each year over one million foreigners go to Thailand for medical services.  This is three times the number that choose Singapore for such service and shows the way in which Thai hospitals have now become not only area leaders but also world leaders following 9/11 when it has become substantially more difficult for many patients to travel to the U.S. or Europe.
Khun Acharin Pattanapanchai - BOI
Ms. Acharin Pattanapanchai, Acting Assistant Secretary General of the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI), then gave an in depth briefing on current Thai government policies with respect to investment incentives and other policies relating to the biotech and other knowledge based industries.  Thailand has developed a host of new programs that simplify investment and that focus more on building complete supply chains and increased value added services.  She noted that Thailand’s bioscience industry is still small by U.S. standards but that government policy offers many opportunities for U.S. companies in many fields of research, development and industrial production  (click here to see Ms. Acharin's  presentation online).

Chris Runckel
Chris Runckel, President of Runckel & Associates  was the final speaker.  Mr. Runckel and his firm have been working with the Thai government to study biotechnology trends worldwide and to suggest policy, incentives and other supporting issues relating to fostering a more vibrant bioscience industry in Thailand.  Mr. Runckel’s presentation provided detailed information on research, lab rental rates and other cost comparisons between Thailand, the U.S. and other Asian locations.  These showed that Thailand has the human and intellectual capital resources to foster a growing bioscience industry.  The figures also show that Thailand compares very favorably in terms of costs to other Asian locations and is one of the lower cost research and development areas in Asia.  Runckel also noted the benefits that Thailand offered in rule of law, rapid work permit and visa issuance, strong IP protection, a convertible currency, the right to own land and other issues that distinguish Thailand from countries like China, Vietnam and elsewhere in the region where these conditions have yet to be achieved (click here to see Mr. Runckel's  presentation online).

A large proportion of time was left at both seminars which involved nearly 20 people in San Francisco and 30 people in Seattle including a wide range of Seattle area biotech CEOs, for questions and answers.

Honorary Consul General Nick Stanley  biotech seminar
Pictures above: Honorary Consul General of Thailand, Mr. Nick Stanley, starts Questions and Answers session,
while biotechnology CEOs participate.

biotech seminar 7 biotech seminar 4 

Left Picture: some of the participants at the Seattle biosciences seminar
Right Picture: Ms. Acharin Pattanapanchai of BOI talks to one of the guests.

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Left Picture: Dr. Sirirurg Songsivilai of National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) talks to Dr. Wing Tsau, Dean of the City College of San Francisco about biotechology training. 
Right Picture: Some of the participants at the seminar in San Francisco.


Outside the seminar presentations, the Thai delegation met with major U.S. companies like Genentech and other major bioscience companies in San Francisco to discuss what such large corporations looks for in deciding on an investment location for bioscience.  They met with major non-profit firms to discuss collaboration in further development of vaccines for tropical and other diseases in developing countries.  Additional meetings with groups like City College of San Francisco and the University of Washington in Seattle discussed staff training, tech transfer management and future partnership potential.


Company visits are planned for later in 2005 in a number of additional locations in the U.S. to better inform U.S. Biotech companies of Thai bioscience developments and the prospects for collaboration

 
Reported by:  Christopher W. Runckel, a former senior US diplomat who served in many counties in Asia, is a graduate of the University of Oregon and Lewis and Clark Law School. He served as Deputy General Counsel of President Gerald Ford’s Presidential Clemency Board. Mr. Runckel is the principal and founder of Runckel & Associates, a Portland, Oregon based consulting company that assists businesses expand business opportunities in Asia (www.Business-in-Asia.com).

Until April of 1999, Mr. Runckel was Minister-Counselor of the US Embassy in Beijing, China. Mr. Runckel lived and worked in Thailand for over six years. He was the first permanently assigned U.S. diplomat to return to Vietnam after the Vietnam War. In 1997, he was awarded the U.S. Department of States highest award for service, the Distinguished Honor Award, for his contribution to improving U.S.-Vietnam relations. Mr. Runckel is one of only two non-Ambassadors to receive this award in the 200-year history of the U.S. diplomatic service.


More information on Biotechnology Industry in Thailand:

 

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