The German-Thai Chamber of Commerce (GTCC) has celebrated its 60th anniversary through a crafted four-course dinner paired with a fine selection of premium wines in the elegant atmosphere of the award-winning Millennium Hilton Bangkok and a spectacular view of Chao Phraya River.
2022 marks the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce (GTCC) which has been supporting companies and institutions from Germany and Thailand, opening up and strengthening trade and investment opportunities since 1962.
The Chamber organised “ The GTCC Celebration Wine Dinner” to commemorate this new milestone with its members, partners and friends, on Friday, 17 June 2022 at the Flow Restaurant of the Millennium Hilton Hotel in Bangkok. Included in the guests of honour from the German Embassy Bangkok were Mr. Hans-Ulrich Südbeck, Deputy Head of Mission.
At the dinner, GTCC President Mr. Michael Welser welcomed about 80 guests. He said “It is my great pleasure to welcome all of you to our “GTCC Celebration Wine Dinner” tonight. As you all know, this year marks the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce. Our history officially started on the 19th July 1962 at the Erawan Hotel.
Over the past 60 years, GTCC has grown into one of the largest foreign chambers of commerce in Thailand, from 57 founding members comprising German and Thai merchants and entrepreneurs in 1962, to 535 member companies currently operating in various business sectors. Our service portfolio has also significantly extended from import-export support to market and sales consultancy, information events and trade fair services as well as dual vocational education and training in Thailand based on German standards.
Guests were invited to participate and make a donation for the CD“Tree for ALL Initiative” as one of the activities during GTCC’s 60th anniversary celebrations. “GTCC supports the RECOFCT Tree for ALL Initiative to enhance the private sector contribution to tree planting and long-term landscape management to develop livelihoods and restore ecosystems. GTCC aims to plant a total of 600 trees with the contribution of our members in commemoration of GTCC’s 60th anniversary,” said GTCC President Mr. Michael Welser.
GTCC Board members
GTCC has been supporting companies and institutions from Germany and Thailand in opening up and strengthening trade and investment opportunities since 1962.
▫️1962
• 19 January: “Founding Committee” was elected by German businessmen in Thailand for the establishment of a German Chamber of Commerce.
• 8 June: First office (1962-1964) was located on 35 Suriwong Road, first floor, with the area of 25 sqm.
• 19 July: Official foundation meeting/establishment at the Erawan Hotel with 57 German and Thai merchants and entrepreneurs as founding members. There was also an election of the Executive Committee. Mr. Kurt von Laer was elected as the first Executive Director (1962-1970).
• 25 July: The first meeting of the Executive Committee took place and the first President (1962-1964), Mr. Charoon Sibunruang, Bangkok Trading Co., Ltd. and the Vice President, Mr. Hans Jürgen Gosch, Bangkok Engineering Co. were elected.
• 14 August: The Chamber submitted a formal application to the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHT) for official recognition.
• 25 October: Official registration as “Thai-German Chamber of Commerce” at the Association Register in Bangkok under the registration number 901.
▫️1963
23 January: The “German Chambers Aboard” Working Group of the Association of German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHT) officially acknowledged the Thai-German Chamber of Commerce.
▫️1964
The Chamber moved to the second office (1964-1972) on 331 Silom Road, Bangkok. After the old Silom Canal has been filled in by the authorities in a move to widen the road, Silom Road becomes the best address for business locations in Bangkok.
▫️1965
The second GTCC President (1965), Mr. R. Nimphius, B. Grimm & Co. was elected.
▫️1966
The third GTCC President (1966-1967), Mr. Charoon Sibunruang, Bangkok Trading Co. was elected.
▫️1968
• The Chamber’s name was changed to “German-Thai Chamber of Commerce (GTCC)” by the Association Register in Bangkok.
• The fourth GTCC President (1968), Mr. R. E. Waetjen, Berli Jucker & Co. was elected.
President Michael Welser with sponsors
▫️1969
The fifth GTCC President (1969), Mr. E. R. Pawelzik, Bayer Thai Co., Ltd. was elected.
▫️2020
• The thirtieth GTCC President (2020), Mr. Andres Richter, Blumenthal Richter & Sumet Ltd. was elected.
• The new weekly newsletter GTCC members promotion was established in order to support members during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
• In addition, a special e-newsletter called GTCCs Update on Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) was established, to provide members with the latest information about COVID-19.
• GTCC Clean Air Initiative (GTCC CAI) was launched in 2020 with a Clean Air Initiative working group of around 20 participating member companies. The GTCC President, together with Board members and the Executive Director met with H.E. Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit on 15 December 2020 and introduced the GTCC CAI to the Minister and respectfully submitted a copy of the paper to him.
▫️2021
• The thirty-first GTCC President (2021), Mr. Markus Lorenzini, Siemens Ltd. was elected.
• Ms. Waranya Pratumtin, Thai Switchboard and Metal Work Co., Ltd. was elected as the Acting President of GTCC.
• “GTCC Clean Air Initiative Series – Green Solutions from Germany” was initiated by GTCC CAI working group. GTCC member companies will introduce and promote their technologies, concepts and services regarding the prevention and reduction of air pollution for the markets in Thailand and the Southeast Asia region through webinars. The first webinar was held on July 13, 2021 with the topic of “GTCC-Vehicle Transport Clean Air Initiative – Bosch Mobility”.
• GTCC Board of Directors established GTCC Industry Committees on Human Resources; Tourism & Hospitality; and Logistics to enhance the active participation of our members in GTCC activities, offer platforms for the exchange of knowledge and experiences among our members and, discuss suggestions and proposals GTCC can put forward in the cooperation with our Thai partners in business, government and society.
◻️2022
• GTCC’s 60th anniversary celebration starts with the new logo of diamond jubilee as a symbol of this significant milestone in all media platforms. The diamond jubilee also coincides with a sexagenary cycle in Asian beliefs that a total of sixty years completes one cycle.
• The Chamber will organise a “GTCC Celebration Wine Dinner”, and German Ball 2022 “60 Years Celebration” with the participation of representatives from Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) and our partners in Thailand.
• The thirty-second GTCC President (2022-present), Mr. Michael Welser, Powertech 2004 Co., Ltd., was elected.
For more information on GTCC’s 60th Anniversary, please visit: https://thailand.ahk.de/gtccs-60th-anniversary
Andrew J WOOD
CEO
