On Tuesday 24th April 2013 ATBUK held it's first seminar outside of London with representatives of 13 local Thai businesses in attendance. The seminar on the latest changes affecting UK immigration law took place at Everton Football Club in Liverpool, of which Thai beer company Chang is a sponsor. The event included a main presentation by Keith Smith and Sandra Toppin of Harbour HR Consultants and supporting presentation by Khun Saipin Lee of the ATBUK Committee. Copies of the slides used during these presentations can be downloaded using the links below.

It was agreed by those in attendance that the seminar had been a useful and insightful event. With this in mind ATBUK intend to initiate more similar events outside of London in the future. The Liverpool seminar also resulted in the addition of a further ten member businesses to the Association of Thai Businesses in the UK.

Document Downloads:

| Harbour HR PowerPoint Presentation |
| ATBUK PowerPoint Presentation |

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On Monday 15th April, ATBUK Committee member business SUDA Thai Restaurant in Covent Garden, London hosted a training session for those working in the Thai hospitality industry lead by Edu-Plus CIC. The ARAR (Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing) programme ensures that employees are familiar with UK regulations regarding the sale of alcohol in their respective restaurants. Priority places on the course were offered to ATBUK members.

 

The ATBUK Seminar on Wednesday 20th February 2013 was a great success. You can download the documents used by UKBA and Harbour HR at the following links:

| PowerPoint Presentation: How to Avoid Illegal Employment - UKBA |

| PDF Presentation Document: UK Immigration and Prevention of Illegal Working - Harbour HR |

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On Wednesday 20th February ATBUK and the Royal Thai Embassy will host a seminar, lead by representatives of Harbour HR, to discuss UK Immigration Laws and how they affect Thai businesses in the UK. This seminar is open to all ATBUK members. Please confirm attendance in advance to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone on 0207 225 5517 by the 18th February.

Seminar: Latest Immigration Laws and Dealing with Home Office Business Inspections

Location: Ground Floor Meeting Room, Royal Thai Embassy London, SW7 5JB

Date: Wednesday 20th February, 2pm - 6pm

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The latest ATBUK application form can be downloaded here. The form is valid for applications from 31/03/13 - 31/03/14.

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On Friday 21st December the ATBUK Committee met at the London Lancaster Hotel for the final meeting of 2012 to review the year just ending and discuss the work plan for the year ahead.

H.E. Mr Pasan Teparak, new Ambassador of Thailand to the UK, attending his second ATBUK Committee meeting, lead a review of the recent official visit of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra  of Thailand to the UK in November 2012 and the importance of following up the outcomes of this visit, especially the official visit to Thailand by British Prime Minister Cameron in 2013. The Ambassador thanked ATBUK for their involvement in the programme which included a breakfast meeting with the Prime Minister and the Thai business delegation.

Khun Wanchai, Acting ATBUK Chairman also returned thanks to the Ambassador and the Royal Thai Embassy for facilitating the meeting of UK Thai businesses with the Prime Minister and representatives from related Thai agencies.

The Committee and representatives of the Office of Commercial Affairs in London (DITP) discussed the importance of continuing to build “Thailand” as a strong brand in the UK market. The Ambassador stressed that, as Thailand prepares to enter the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the Royal Thai Government is committed to supporting Thai economic expansion both at home and abroad.

In addition, the marketing of Thai Jasmine rice was touched upon with DITP noting that “Hom Mali Rice” had been registered as a trademark but that “Jasmine Rice” was non-registerable due to it being a type of product rather than a brand name.

Mr Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in London, informed the meeting that Thailand remained in the top ten holiday destinations for the British market with a 2.5% increase in visitors in 2012. With visitors from the UK staying an average of 18 days, Mr Cheawsamoot noted that the organisation’s current campaign aimed at the UK market focussed on “learning trips” enabling visitors to experience everything from Muay Thai to Thai cooking courses.

It was suggested that on screen and radio promotion of Thailand as a destination in the UK media would also play a significant role in strengthening the Thailand brand as a whole which in turn is likely to benefit local Thai businesses, particularly those based in the food and spa industry.

ATBUK in 2013:

Over the coming year the ATBUK Committee aims to:

- extensively increase membership numbers of the Association and expand the variety amongst member business sectors.

- define stronger incentives to become a member.

- hold regular seminars regarding issues concerning the operation of Thai businesses in the UK.

- expand the social media and online presence of ATBUK.

- join with the Royal Thai Embassy to participate in at least two large commercial events.

- assist TAT with the establishment of their 2013 “Friends of Thailand Club Roadshow” which requires host restaurants around the country.

- assist in building a strong Thai brand name amongst British consumers. 

The meeting was followed by a lunch hosted by London Lancaster Hotel at their Nipa Thai Restaurant to bid farewell to Ms. Jitvipa Benjasil of the Royal Thai Embassy who has ended her post in the UK, as well as to wish a Happy New Year to all ATBUK Committee members.

The next monthly meeting date is yet to be set.

The latest list of packing house approved to export Thai fresh produce to Europe is now available to download at the following link:

|Approved Exporter list November 2012|

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Representatives of the ATBUK Committee were honoured to be given the chance to meet with Prime Minister of Thailand, Yingluck Shinawatra, on her visit to the UK last week. 

As part of the Prime Minister’s visit to London she met with ATBUK and representatives of firms in Thailand to discuss the development of Thai businesses in each nation. 

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Last week His Excellency Mr Pasan Teparak, new Ambassador for Thailand in London, attended the first ATBUK Committee Meeting of his term at the Royal Thai Embassy in London.

The meeting was an opportunity for Mr Teparak to introduce himself to ATBUK committee members and learn about the activities of the Association over recent months.  The new Ambassador stressed the importance of international businesses for Thailand and assured the committee of his full support in all aspects of their endeavours.

As well as briefs on the success of the recent ATBUK Chef Skills Development Course and the Mortier Thai Chef Competition the committee discussed their desire to increase the profile of ATBUK over the next year so that it may have a higher impact within its work relating to policy making.

It was noted that, despite the efforts of ATBUK to convince MAC (The Migration Advisory Committee) that the occupation of chef should remain on the official UK immigration shortage list, it seems likely that the occupation is still under the threat of being removed. ATBUK recommitted itself to proving to MAC that measures to train local residents in oriental cuisines are not meeting the demand for supply within the industry in good time and that these changes should be reconsidered.

Elsewhere relative success was noted in relation to the issues regarding the import of fresh Thai vegetables and herbs to the UK. It was noted by representatives of the London Office of Commercial Affairs that the number of shipments entering Europe from Thailand had increased. The Office of Commercial Affairs were confident that increased shipments should lead to a reduction in costs and a more buoyant fresh Thai herb market becoming available to British-based businesses.

ATBUK Committee members will meet with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on her upcoming visit to the UK on the morning of 13th November 2012. The next regular meeting date is yet to be set.

 

The list released by the Thai Ministry of Agriculture now features a total of 18 export companies.

You can download the latest link as PDF here

For the second year in a row ATBUK, in collaboration with The Department of Skills Development of the Ministry of Labour and the Royal Thai Embassy in London, have enabled around 60 Thai chefs working in the UK to gain a Level 1 Thai Cuisine qualification.

Students from ATBUK member businesses were invited to attend a two day course which was overseen by published Thai food expert, Ajarn Srisamorn, also for the second year running. To pass the course, designed to recognise the pre-existing knowledge of the students, the chefs had to sit a paper exam on the afternoon of the first day as well as cook dishes for tasting a grading by Ajarn Srisamorn and her team.

Day 1 focused on food theory with students gathering at a lecture theatre at the University of West London for a demonstration by Ajarn Srisamorn on how to perfect the dishes they would later prepare in the the practical tests following over the coming over the following three days; pad thai, panaeng curry, tom yum soup and a Thai desert.

With morning and afternoon sessions taking place on days 2-4 students returned in groups to demonstrate their practical skills in the kitchen and present their dishes to Ajarn Srisamorn for tasting.

All students passed the course with the highest scoring participant from each session receiving a special prize from VeryThai.co.uk.

To see more images from the course please visit the ATBUK Facebook page where you find updates from each individual day in our albums.

The winner of ATBUK’s first ever Mortier Thai Chef Competition has been decided in a tense final which took place on Monday 10th September at the University of West London.

The finalists (as pictured above) were Chef Jeab of At Thai, Eailing Broadway, Chef Kitty of Regional Thai Taste, Cheam and Chef Dtew of Nahm, Belgravia.

For the final which was judged by Ajarn Srisamorn, a Thai cuisine expert from Thailand, Khun Wanchai Poonum, Chairman of ATBUK and restauranteur and Khun Walaya Sukhasvasti Na Ayudhya, wife to Khun Adisorndej Sukhasvasti, Minister of the Royal Thai Embassy in London. 

Each finalist had to cook a classic Pad Thai making their own Pad Thai sauce as well as one freestyle dish in the Mortier Thai Chef “Invention Test”.

All three finalists did a fantastic job in the kitchen but it was Chef Kitty who took first place winning a return flight ticket to Thailand with Thai Airways and £300 cash. In second place and winning a prize of £200 cash was Chef Jeab and in third place with a prize of £100, Chef Dtew.

For more images from the competition visit the Mortier Thai Chef Facebook page.

ATBUK hope that the Mortier Thai Chef Competition will return next year and we will update you with more info as soon as we can.

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ATBUK vice chair Khun Whanchai Poonum organised a thank you and farewell dinner for HE Ambassador Kitti Wasinondh, who will leave his post in London at the end of October, at Thai terrace, Guildford on 6th Sept‏ember.

 

 

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On Friday 31st August ATBUK with The Office of Agricultural Affairs, Brussels, held a seminar at London Lancaster Hotel on ways in which Thai businesses can use preserved herbs to produce authentic Thai dishes should fresh herbs not be available.

Over the past year or so Thailand has imposed self-regulation of shipments of fresh produce to Europe to ensure that EU standards were being met on all imports from the country. This has resulted in a shortage of fresh Thai produce for a restaurant industry which, with an increasingly knowledgeable customer base, is under pressure to deliver authentic dishes every time.

At the seminar on alternatives to fresh herbs Chef Chang of Blue Elephant and Khun Cholavit Chulabutra of the Brussels Office of Agricultural Affairs gave tips on how restauranteurs could overcome this problem. Ideas included using alternative dried herbs in soups and curries which should be soaked prior use and deep frying fresh herbs before blending with oil to create herbal oil which can be added to dishes before serving, e.g. pad grapow.

Guest from various Thai businesses in the UK then had the chance to attend a demonstration by Chef Chang in London Lancaster Hotel’s Nipa Thai Restaurant kitchen where he proved that a great tasting Thai soup could be made using dried spices and oils.

Those in attendance also received the booklet “New Style of Thai Cooking” which we are working to upload as PDF as soon as possible.  

Also, visit the ATBUK Facebook Page to see more images from the event.  

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On Thursday 23rd August The Office of Educational Affairs of the Royal Thai Embassy hosted a seminar organised by ATBUK to provide career application advice to Thai students in the UK. The seminar was opened by HE Mr Kitti Wassinondh, Ambassador of Thailand and the panel was made up of representatives from the following four business sectors:

1) Corporate - Andrea Palmer and Saravut Lasomboon of CP

2) Restaurant -  Saipin Lee of Patara

3) Hotel and Hospitality -  Mano Piece of Lancaster London

4) Media and Journalism - Bhiyada Wongworachart of ThaiSmile Magazine

Around 30 - 40 students attended the event where they were given advice regarding preparing CV's and job applications as well as techniques for use at interviews.

Thank you to ThaiSmile Magazine for the use of their images from the event. 

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On Monday 20th August The Office of Educational Affairs of the Royal Thai Embassy hosted a seminar organised by ATBUK to provide career application advice to Thai students in the UK. The seminar was opened by HE Mr Kitti Wassinondh, Ambassador of Thailand and the panel was made up of representatives from the following four business sectors:

1) Corporate - Andrea Palmer and Saravut Lasomboon of CP

2) Restaurant -  Saipin Lee of Patara

3) Hotel and Hospitality -  Mano Piece of Lancaster London

4) Media and Journalism - Bhiyada Wongworachart of ThaiSmile Magazine

Around 30 - 40 students atteded the event where they were given advice regarding preparing CV's and job applications as well as techniques for use at interviews.

Committee members met today to discuss many upcoming events arranged by ATBUK including:

The ATBUK Job Application and Interview Technique Seminar:
- Thursday 23rd August 2012, Office of Education Affairs, Princes Gate

The 2012 ATBUK Thai Cooking Course with Ajarn Srisarmorn:
- 10th – 13th September 2012, University of West London

The Mortier Thai Chef Competition 2012:
The final stage and judging for the competition, which will involve three restaurants creating one specified dish and one dish of their own from a set of provided ingredients, will take place on the afternoon of the 10th September with Ajarn Srirsamorn acting as a guest judge, also at the University of West London.

The ATBUK and Brussels Office of the Thai Ministry of Agricultural Affairs Seminar on Alternative Thai Cooking Methods using Preserved Herbs
- Friday 31st August 2012, London Lancaster Hotel

Thailand’s Paralympic Athletes who will arrive at London Heathrow Terminal 3 on Wednesday 22nd August in two batches, one at 7:15am and one at 7:15pm.
Members of ATBUK may host the Thai Team for meals during their time at the Games. 

The next meeting date is yet to be decided. 

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Due to the recent difficulties in sourcing some fresh Thai ingredients in the UK, in cooperation with the Department of Agricultural Affairs office in Brussels and the Royal Thai Embassy in London, ATBUK will run a seminar providing tips for the use of alternative dried and preserved herb products in Thai cooking exclusively for ATBUK members.

The seminar will take place at Nipa Thai Restaurant within the London Lancaster Hotel on Friday 31st August 2012. If you would like to take please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


All attendees will receive a complimentary copy of "New Style of Thai Cooking: How to cook delicious Thai food with Processed Herbs and Spices", a book produced especially for this event.



Full details below:

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The latest list of approved vegetable packing houses, consisting of 14 companies, and which products they are cleared to export to Europe can be found at the link below.

| Approved Thai Vegetable Exporters List - August 2012 |

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The 2012 ATBUK Cooking Course for Thai chefs in the UK will run between the 10th and 13th of September. All those who successfully complete the two day programme will earn a Level 1 Thai Chef Skills certificate from the Department of Skills Development of the Royal Thai Government.

Programme:

September 10th - theory lectures and exam. All participants must attend the first day.
Spetember 11th - 13th - practical classes with Ajarn Srisamorn, groups of 20. Applicants must select just one of these days.

The course will take place at the University of West London's Ealing campus.

The course is free for ATBUK members or £40 for non-members.

| Download an application form now |

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ATBUK now have a brand new Facebook page. It's the only place that Thai students in the UK can enrol for ATBUK's upcoming seminar on the UK employment market and interview technique:

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To keep up to date with the latest news and info on The Mortier Thai Chef Competition 2012, click "Like" at our new facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/MortierThaiChef

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On Thursday 19th July the ATBUK Committee members met for their first meeting since Taste of London in June.  

Amongst other issues the group discussed the following:

- Sponsorship opportunities for ATBUK members to provide food for the Thai Team who will participate in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

- The performance of the ATBUK cocktail bar at Taste of London 2012 which was generally well received despite lower than anticipated takings across the entire event most likely due to adverse weather conditions.

- The progress of the apprenticeships for Thai Cuisine scheme which has received just a small number of applications to date, thus lending support to the belief that there is a shortage of Thai chefs in the local employment market.

- The current stage of progression with applications for participants in the Mortier Thai Chef Competition as well as the logistics of the programme.

- The 2012 Thai cookery course with Ajarn Srisamorn which will take place between 10th-13th September and accommodate approximately 60 participants.

- An up coming seminar on job application technique in the UK which will cover international businesses, the food industry, hotels and the media.

Vegetable exports to Europe which have been under self imposed tight regulation for the past year. Representatives from the Department of International Trade Promotion assured that the problem was being eased as more packing houses were approved to export fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs from Thailand. The current approval list includes a growing number of 14 packing houses.

The next ATBUK Committee meeting has been scheduled for 10:30am on Monday 20th August.

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Online application for The Mortier Thai Chef Competition is now open at the link below. Please check that you meet the entry criteria below before submitting the form. If your application is successful you will be asked to submit a second application form detailing your menu.

| Online application form |

 

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Competition Details:

Dates to note:

Closing date for receipt of preliminary entries: Tuesday 31th July 2012

Paper judging: Wednesday 8th August 2012

Semi Finals (6): From Monday 13th August 2012, Location: Your restaurant

Announcement of the finalists (3): Friday 31th August 2012

Final and Awards: September 2012. Date and location to be announced later.

 

Entry Criteria:

The competition is open to chefs who are 23 years or older as of the competition date. Competitors may come from all areas of the hospitality business including hotels, restaurants, pubs, contract catering, fine dining, private and public sectors. Competitors may be working in London (Within the M25).

 

The Challenge:
Competitors are required to produce a creative a la carte menu for the 3 judges. The menu must reflect an authentic Thai cuisine.

The Semi-Finals:

For the 6 successful entrants judges will reserve a table in your restaurant with the intention of trying first hand the dishes in the competition  entry form.

 

The menu must consist of:

- One Starter Dish and One Soup

- Two Main Courses – One dish using either chicken, pork, beef or vegetables. One dish using Seafood

- One Accompanying Rice or Noodle Dish

Each dish will need to be immaculately presented. These dishes should be on your restaurant menu and available to your patrons.

Final:

The 3 finalists will compete at a location to be announced later for the chance to win the coveted title the Montier Competition 2012. The finalists will compete over two hours to deliver a two-course menu for 3 guest judges.

The menu must consist of: (Dishes should be Thai authentic and preserved to a modern or classic style)

- One Starter Dish

- Two Main Courses – One dish using either chicken, beef or vegetables. One dish using Seafood

- One Noodle Dish

 

Competitors should pay particular attention to:

- Authenticity

- Wastage

- Sourcing

- Seasonality

- Balance of menu

- Mis en Place allowed

- Timing – menu must be capable of being completed within a 2 hour timeframe.

No preparation is permitted other than:

- Weighed ingredients

- Peeled, not prepared fruit and vegetables

- Basic stocks and sauces

- Marinated meats or fish

Please note - Competitors are required to supply all food and specialist equipment.

 

Additional Information:

- All dishes to be plated either on individual plates or on platters where appropriate to category cooking style.

- Specialist equipment: such as water baths and mixers will be permitted.

- All electrical equipment must be PAT tested.

- Please contact the organisers if in any doubt.

- Please note: The organisers and those acting on behalf of the organisers reserve the right to remove equipment that is excessive and unsafe.

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Following the success of the 2011 cooking course ATBUK is now launching their 2012 cooking competition. Application for The Mortier Thai Chef competition is now open. See the poster below for more details and download the PDF application form here.  

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The ATBUK team led by P’Puk (Kanjana Issaravit) kept visitors to Taste of Thailand at Taste of London 2012 well refreshed throughout the four days of the annual food festival between 21st and 24th June. Sponsored by Mekhong and ORA Restaurant, the ATBUK bar had a beach bar theme offering a selection of exotic Thai juices and cocktails made with Mekhong Whisky.

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This year ATBUK are proud to be a part of Taste of Thailand at Taste of London between Thursday 21st and Sunday 24th June. The annual event, which showcases the capitals top restaurants, will this year feature an expansive Thailand area offering Thai entertainment, a Thai Cooking Theatre, Thai massage and of course great, fresh Thai cuisine. To compliment all of this ATBUK will be operating a Thai Cocktail Bar serving exotic drinks such as the Phuket Fantasy and Samui Breeze, as well as refreshing coconut juice.

If you are at Taste of London this weekend come along and see us at stand TH8 in the Taste of Thailand area!

 

The latest list of approved exporters for fresh Thai herbs and vegetables has been released by the Thai Ministry of Agriculture and now includes a total of 13 packing houses.

The list can be downloaded at the link below:

| List of Approved Vegetable Exporters PDF |

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The MAC (Migration Advisory Committee) are making a call for further evidence from employers affected by changes to the law for Tier 2 immigration into the United Kingdom.

For full details please download the file below where you will find a letter from MAC and a document outlining the full specifications relating to this latest call for evidence.

Responses to the call for evidence must be received by Friday 27 July 2012.

| MAC Call for Evidence Files |

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The ATBUK committee met for their second meeting of 2012 at the Lancaster Hotel on Friday 27th April.

Amongst other issues the committee discussed the following:

- The upcoming ATBUK committee audience with Thai Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, who will visit London to coincide with the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

- Marketing events for the Association of Thai Businesses in the UK including presence at the Taste of London festival in Regent's Park where ATBUK will opperate a bar from 21st - 24th June 2012.

- Plans for promotion amongst the Thai community of "Apprenticeships for Thai Cuisine" with which the committee have been highly involved in the establishment of.

- Logistics of the upcoming ATBUK-run "Mortier Thai Chef" cooking competition.

- The expansion of the approved establishment list for Thai vegetable exports to the EU which now includes 12 export companies.

- The lifting of an EU ban on imports of fresh chicken from Thailand effective from 1st July 2012 allowing more freedom of raw poultry exports from Thailand besides cooked meat products.

- An update on ATBUK's participation at the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) consultation on the impact of immigration regulations on the SME sector at the House of Common on 21st March where ATBUK raised the concerns of Thai SME's in the UK.

The next ATBUK meeting will take place on Wednesday 6th July at 10:30am at the Royal Thai Embassy, London.

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The latest list of approved vegetable exporters, including which products can be exported by which companies, can be downloaded as a PDF now at the link below. The list now includes a total of 12 approved exporters meaning many fresh Thai vegetable products are now accessible to business in Europe and the UK:

|List of Approved Thai Vegetable Exporters PDF|

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The next ATBUK Committee Meeting:

Friday 27th April at 9:30am at the Lancaster London Hotel.

Please note that this meeting is for committee members only and will take place in the Lancaster Hotel Boardroom.
We will notify members of the next general ATBUK meeting when a date has been set.

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New reports regarding the MAC's change to immigration law have been published via the groups official website.

"In October 2011 the Government asked the MAC to advise at what level the limit on Tier 2 (General) should be set for 2012, taking account of the economic, labour market, social and public service impacts of the limit; and of the uptake of Tier 2 (General) and intra-company transferee visas in 2011/12. The MAC was also asked to consider some associated policies, including the intra-company transfer route, the resident labour market test and the minimum skill level for Tier 2. This report presents the MAC's findings and recommendations."

The reports can be found at the links below:

MAC Tier 2 Limit Report
Further MAC Research Reports

 

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The ATBUK Committee met for their first meeting of 2012 on 31st January to discuss a number of issues relating to Thai businesses in the UK.

These issues included the following:

1. The role of ATBUK in promoting and facilitating the Hospitality Guild’s Apprenticeships in Thai Cuisine programme.
2. Updates on status of exporting controlled vegetables from Thailand to the EU and progress on the potential lifting of the ban by the EU on raw chicken exported from Thailand.
3. The Golden Mortar Thai Cooking Competition so called “Mortier Thai Chef” planned to take place later in the year.
4. The plan to organise a cooking course in the UK for the second time following on from the success of the ATBUK Cooking Course held in 2010.

Details for when the next meeting will be held will be published in due course.

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On Monday 31st January 2012, ATBUK committee members and representatives of various Thai companies in the UK, gathered at the Royal Thai Embassy for a seminar on a new initiative from the Hospitality Guild to provide Asian and Oriental Cuisine training to British residents through a brand new apprenticeship scheme. 

With funding from the government People 1st, a training and skills specialist for the hospitality industry, has lead the establishment of a fully comprehensive programme designed to prepare students for employment in commercial kitchens through a mix of formal training and work experience.

The Hospitality Guild encompasses several hospitality training bodies consisting of People 1st, the National Skills Academy for Hospitality, BII, the Institute of Hospitality, Springboard UK, AICR, the Academy of Culinary Arts, the Academy of Food and Wine Service, the Professional Association of Catering Educators and the Worshipful Company of Innholders. Their aim is to train up to fifty apprentices for entry into work in the Asian and Oriental Cuisine sector in the first year of the programme which is being run in partnership with “Centres of Excellence”; Westminster Kingsway College, University of West London, Leeds City College, University College, Birmingham and Trafford College, Manchester.

The aim of the seminar was to explain the process behind the apprenticeship to those in attendance and to stimulate interest amongst Thai restaurant owners who may be willing to take on trainees for part-time employment at their own establishments. Having had a positive experience of working with apprentices, Khun Saipin Lee of ATBUK and Patara Restaurants has been liaising with the Hospitality Guild along with representatives from other areas of Asian and Oriental Cuisine to assist them in creating a beneficial apprenticeship scheme for both the student and potential employers.

Khun Savaporn Issaravit of Thai Upon Thames and ATBUK noted that her restaurants had indeed taken on apprentices through other channels and that the experience had been a very positive one for both the non-Thai student and the existing team within her kitchen.

Several attendees expressed an interest in getting involved with the new apprenticeship scheme with some already showing a desire to assist in extending the scope of the programme beyond the reach of the current pilot run.

Training those who are currently resident in the country, British or otherwise, to become qualified Thai chefs is seen as way to circumvent future problems which may arise from a change to immigration law which makes it increasingly challenging for restaurants to employ skilled staff from abroad.

Full more details please download the PowerPoint file used by Annette Allmark of the Hospitality Guild during the seminar.

 

 

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The very latest list of approved exporters of selected Thai vegetable products has been released by the Thai Ministry of Agriculture.

The list published on 30th January 2012 now features a total of 11 export companies. 

You can download the latest list as PDF here.

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Apprenticeships in Thai Cuisine:

Tuesday 31st January 2012, 2pm - 3:30pm, Ground Floor Meeting Room, Royal Thai Embassy, London

This seminar by representatives from People1st and Westminster Kingsway College is aimed at those who are looking to begin or further a career in Thai cuisine and marks the beginning of measures to attempt to alleviate a potential shortage of skilled Thai chefs amongst Thai restaurants in the UK which may arise from alterations to British immigration law.

Please notify ATBUK of your intention to attend by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone to 0207 225 5517.

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The next ATBUK Committee Meeting:

31st January 3:30pm – 4:30pm, 1st Floor Meeting Room, Royal Thai Embassy, London

This session is for committee members only to discuss the current and upcoming activities of ATBUK.

The meeting follows a seminar on "Apprenticeships in Thai Cuisine".

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ATBUK would like to announce that as of Tuesday 9th Jan 2012, there are now a total of 10 packing houses entered onto the approved establishment list that can export 5 groups of controlled vegetable exports from Thailand to the EU.

|Download the full list as a PDF here|

Please check back for further updates regarding this case.

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Please join ATBUK in voting for VAT reduction by simply clicking the following link

https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/10288

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On 28th November 2011, ATBUK Committees met with Ambassador Kitti Wasinondh at the Royal Thai Embassy in London to donate £2,500 towards flood relief efforts in Thailand. The said donation will be transferred to support the Thai Red Cross's various activities in helping the flood victims in many affected provinces of Thailand. ATBUK and Thai businesses in the UK share our sympathy with the affected people in Thailand and hope that the situation will return to normal very soon.

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All members of ATBUK are invited to a special annual meeting hosted by the ATBUK committee on Monday 28th November at the Royal Thai Embassy.

The meeting will be a chance for all members to gain an insight into to the work of ATBUK over the past year as well as discuss the issues on which the group will focus in the future.

The annual meeting is a great opportunity for Thai business owners to come together and discuss the issues that are currently affecting them with the ATBUK committee.
All those in attendance will receive a small gift as a gesture of thanks to all of our valued members.

ATBUK Annual Meeting:

Monday 28th November 2011, 10am – 12pm, 1st Floor Meeting Room, Royal Thai Embassy, London

Please confirm your attendance by Thursday 24th November using one of the following contact methods:

e-mail:   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Telephone:  0207 225 4890
Fax:   0207 823 9695

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ATBUK has received the following communication from MAC, the Migration Advisory Committee concerning the following issues regarding proposed changes to UK immigration law. Before changes are implemented MAC seeks the opinions of those who may be affected by any changes to such laws by means of public consultations, know as "calls for evidence":

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has been asked by the Government to advise on what level the annual limit for Tier 2 should be set at for 2012/13 and on some associated policies including the minimum skill level for Tier 2, intra-company transfers and the Resident Labour Market Test.  In order to assist in its consideration of these issues, the Migration Advisory Committee has today launched a call for evidence and would like to hear from all those with an interest.

The closing date for responses is 21 December.

Download the documents you need to have your say below:

| Full details of the Call for Evidence on Tier 2 letter |
| Instructions on How to Respond to the Call for Evidence |

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The next ATBUK Committee Meeting:

17th November 3pm – 5pm, 1st Floor Meeting Room, Royal Thai Embassy, London

This session is for committee members only to discuss the activities of ATBUK as well as the current situation regarding severe flooding in Thailand and the ways in which ATBUK could contribute to the relief effort.

The date and time of the next member meeting will be decided during this ATBUK Committee session.

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On the 10th of October 2011, ATBUK Chair and Committee members met with Mr. Anusorn Kraiwatnussorn, Thailand's Vice Minister of Labour during his visit to the UK for a lunch at Blue Elephant restaurant. He discussed with ATBUK issues surrounding on-going Thai business and the employment of Thai workers in the UK. The Vice Minister also had a chance to meet and talk to some of the Thai chefs that participated in the recent ATBUK cooking course organised in September in collaboration with Department of Skills Development of Thailand.

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thailand has set-up a special account to accept donations for the ongoing relief effort that is currently underway in Thailand as the nation faces the worst flooding seen in years. If you would like to make a donation towards this effort you can do so using one of the methods below:

Bank Transfer:

Transfer funds directly to the Ministry of Thailand’s “Donations for Flood Victims” account using the following details:

Bank Name:       Krung Thai Bank Public Company Limited, Samyod Branch
Account Name:  Donations for Flood Victims
Account No:      Savings Account No. 002-028256-7
Address:            632 Mahachai Road, Wangburaphapirom, Phranakorn, Bangkok 10200
Swift Code:       KRTHTHBK

By Cheque:

If you prefer to pay by cheque the Royal Thai Embassy can take your donation and will ensure it reaches the official donation fund on your behalf.

Please make your cheque payable to “Royal Thai Embassy, London” marking the back with the words “Donations for Flood Victims” and send to the following address:

Donations for Flood Victims
Royal Thai Embassy
29-30 Queens Gate
London
SW7 5JB

All donations are received with the deepest gratitude on behalf of the Thai nation during this difficult time.

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Below is the current list of approved suppliers able to export fresh vegetables from Thailand to the E.U:

1. บริษัท สวิฟท์ จำกัด -  Swift Co., Ltd. - http://www.thaifreshproduce.com

2. บริษัทไทยเวอร์ล อิมปอร์ต เอ็กซปอร์ต จำกัด -  Thai World Import & Export Co., Ltd. - http://www.tw.co.th

3. บริษัท คูรเนอร์ อะโกร เอ็กซปอร์ต เซ็นเตอร์ จำกัด - Koerner Agro Export Center Co.,Ltd.  - http://www.koerneragro.com       

4. บริษัทอะกริ เฟรช จำกัด - AgriFresh Co.,Ltd. - http://www.agrifreshco.com

5. บริษัทเอเชีย เอ็กโซติค คอร์ปอเรชั่น จำกัด - Asia Exotic Corporation Ltd. - www.asia-exotic.thailand.com

6. บริษัทเอ็กเซล ฟรุ๊ทต์ จำกัด - Excel Fruits Co.,Ltd. - http://www.excelfruits.com

7. บริษัทวี เอส เฟรชโค จำกัด - V.S. Freshco Co.,Ltd. - http://www.vsfreshco.com

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You can now find a selection of recipes from the top students as decided by Ajarn Srisamorn in each group from the ATBUK Thai Chef Skill Development Course which took place last month in the new VeryThai.co.uk Recipe section.

Follow this link to find out more: Exclusive Recipes from Top Cooking Students at VeryThai.co.uk

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The following downloads are materials used during the ATBUK Cooking Course at the University of West London with Ajarn Srisamorn.

The first file explains the benefits of individual herbs in authentic Thai cooking and is in English.

The second file contains four recipes from Ajarn Srisamorn as cooked by the students in the practical sessions throughout the course. The recipes are in Thai.

File 1: Benefits of Thai Herbs

File 2: Recipes from Ajarn Srisamorn

Cooking Course Image Gallery: View photos from the course at the VeryThai.co.uk Facebook Page.

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The ATBUK and Department of Skills Development cooking course began yesterday with the students being given a masterclass by Ajarn Srisamorn Kongphan.

Ambassador for Thailand His Execellency Mr Kitti Wasinond opened the course whosted by West London University and sponsored by The Royal Thai Embassy, VeryThai.co.uk, Rumwong Restaurant in Guildford, Nava Thai Restaurant at the Hamilton Arms in Stedham, Blue Elephant and Manning Impex.

ATBUK and The Department of Skills Development of the Thai Ministry of Labour have opened applications for those wishing to participate in a special training programme for Thai chefs working in the UK.

Participation in the course will be free for chefs representing ATBUK members and £40 for non-members. A limited number of 60 student places are available.

The course will take place at West London University (formerly Thames Valley University) from the 5th – 8th September 2011.

The 5th of September will be a session on the theory behind kitchen skills development. Sessions on the 6th, 7th and 8th will be based on practical skills. Students must select one practical session only, each of which will have a capacity of up to 20 students.

Full terms and conditions can be found on the attached application form:

|Download: Cooking Course Application Form|

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The following is an official message from the Royal Thai Embassy regarding the riots that continue to take place in London and accross the UK:

ตามที่ได้เกิดเหตุการณ์จลาจล และการชุมนุมประท้วง ในบางพื้นที่ในกรุงลอนดอน (Tottenham, Tottenham Hale, Wood Green, Chingford Mount, Enfield, Islington, Oxford Circus, Ponders End, Walthamstow, Ealing, Camden, Hackney, Clapham, Peckham, Woolwich, Lewisham, Croydon)และเหตุการณ์ได้ลุกลามไปยังเมือง Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol และ Birmingham ในสหราชอาณาจักร นั้น

สถานเอกอัครราชทูต ณ กรุงลอนดอนขอแจ้งว่ากลุ่มธุรกิจร้านอาหารเป็นอีกกลุ่มหนึ่งที่อาจได้รับผลกระทบจากการก่อเหตุไม่สงบโดยกลุ่มผู้ก่อการจรจลและผู้ประท้วง จึงขอให้ช่วยประชาสัมพันธ์ไปยังสมาชิกร้านอาหาร โดยเฉพาะในพื้นที่กรุงลอนดอนและเมืองที่เกิดเหตุการณ์ไม่สงบข้างต้น ทั้งนี้ ขอให้ติดตามข้อมูลข่าวสารอย่างใกล้ชิดและเพิ่มความระมัดระวัง รวมทั้งปฏิบัติตามคำแนะนำของทางการสหราชอาณาจักรอย่างเคร่งครัด และสามารถตรวจสอบข้อมูลล่าสุดได้จากเว็บไซต์ของสถานเอกอัครราชทูตฯ (www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk) และหากประสบปัญหาขอให้ติดต่อสถานเอกอัครราชทูตฯ ได้ที่หมายเลขโทรศัพท์ 079 1865 1720 (สายด่วน) และ 020 7589 2944 (ฝ่ายกงสุล)

ขอขอบพระคุณมา ณ โอกาสนี้

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The ATBUK committee members met with a delegation from the Office of Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion (OSMEP) and the Thai SMEs business group from Thailand on Tuesday 26th July in order to exchange ideas and experiences with regard to business establishment, market access and management in both Thailand and the UK.

Predominantly based in the food sector, the business delegation was partly made up of participating companies featured in the Team Thailand in London’s recent “Senses of Thailand” food promotion at Selfridges (14th -30th July 2011) including mulberry tea brand Ranong tea, grape juice brand Village Farm and Mae Bun Mee, a Thai mango cake producer.

The aim of the meeting was to enhance the understanding of ATBUK members regarding the operation and potentials of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Thailand as well as the ways in which the group works to assist such businesses in Thailand while also bettering the understanding of Thai SME’s regarding the operation of Thai businesses in the UK. This extended to the related rules and regulations of establishing a business in the UK and how to form the right marketing strategies for the UK market.

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On Monday 18th July representatives of the Office of Agriculture, Royal Thai Embassy in Brussels as well as the Department of Agriculture in Thailand met with ATBUK members to inform them of progress being made in order to combat the on-going problems relating the export of some fresh Thai vegetables into the EU.

The panel explained to those in attendance the ways in which the Thai government is working to adjust the systems of both production and packing of fresh produce to ensure that EU standards are adhered to and the future smooth running of Thai to EU exports.

At present Thailand is continuing to implement a 100% control check on regulated fresh produce exports to the EU and putting in place new requirements for packing houses to ensure EU standards are met right from their contracted farms in order to gain approval to enter onto the “Establishment List” (EL) to be able to export their produce to the EU. So far there have been 4 companies that have been approved to export some of the controlled vegetables from Thailand, which include Swift, Thai World Import Export, Kurner Agro Export and Agri Fresh.

The panel advised all buyers in Europe to encourage their exporting counterparts in Thailand to work to gain approval to be included on the EL and thus ensure the whole process of exporting fresh produce from Thailand to the EU can return to normal as soon as possible.
 
For the most current and up to date information on the progress made regarding this matter, including the details of approved exporters, ATBUK members should check the website from the Thai government dedicated to European affairs at www.thaieurope.net. 

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