Econstravaganza

1. Econstravaganza 2012

2. Who is in charge? • Sit down • Raise your right foot • Move your whole foot in clock-wise circles • Raise your right hand and make your finger a pen • Draw the number ‘6’ in the air with your finger pen • Speed Dating • Sit in the order listed if you have an asterisk • If you are still standing line up opposite your first ‘date’ • Both of you ask the questions and note: • ‘1’ if you had the same answer • ‘2’ if you have a different answer • Standing folks move one slot to your left (last one sits down) • Look at the odd numbers – are there more 1s or 2s?

3. Year in Review Fall 2011- Fall 2012 What did we report on?

4. Reporting Issues • Flooding • Impact, cleanup and recovery from Flooding • Rice policy • Burma reforms; Thailand-Burma relations • Trade integration, regional trade policies • National Export Initiative • Thailand as regional platform • ASEAN/AEC

5. Infrastructure, connectivity • Lower Mekong Initiative • Wildlife Trafficking • Minimum Wage impact • Trafficking in Persons • Iran sanctions • NASA/SEACRS

6. Key Strategies • Utilizing Visitors: Cdebaca, Hormats, Chief Economist, Codels • Working with Interagency: FCS, TDA, FAS, USAID, PAS etc • Engaging Front Office • Getting Ahead of Washington • Knowing Washington priorities/interests

7. “Keyest” of strategies!

8. Thinking Ahead… • Areas for improvement • Key priorities • Key strategies

9. TPP THAI-EU FTA ASEAN + 3 AEC WTO RCEP BIMSTEC Trade Alphabet Soup

10. TPP ASEAN + 3 THAI-EU FTA AEC WTO RCEP BIMSTEC Trade Alphabet Soup

11. CUSTOMS MARKET ACCESS RIGHTS PROTECTION U.S. Trade Priorities

12. U.S. Trade Diplomacy

13. Creative Partnership is a framework • Focus on what’s easy • Continue building shared, positive momentum • Target overall next-level economic growth

16. Externally-focused storytelling & network engagement creativepartnership.org @THUSCreate /creativepartnership

17. Social Media and the Gub’mint • 5 FAM 790: Using Social Media • Socialmedia.state.gov • Audience+Message or Tools+Outcome? • Listen to what’s happening • USE it to conduct programs and make changes - not to publicize

18. Economic Gateway Infrastructure Projects. Economic zones. The Neighborhood Opportunities in Burma, from China. Migrant labor and human trafficking. Creative Chiang Mai Chiang Mai Creative City Initiative. Eight universities. Science Park. Local Business Concern about populist policies. U.S. investments. Environment Agriculture still king. Hazy Daze. View from the North

19. Contact Building & Thailand Landscape Econ LES September 21, 2012

20. Culture of organization - varies • Bureaucracy –line of authority and control • Top-down - need formal request (;letter/ fax / email) • Decision can be made only when senior level presence in the meeting • Working level contact • Informal connection

21. How to approach? • Study organization structure before approach • Find key counterpart on specific topics • Depend on individual personality (learning by doing) • Working breakfast/lunch/dinner -not preferable for all Ministries (except MFA)

22. -- Meeting-- After Meeting At Meeting Before Meeting • Follow up your promises/offers given to Thais • find appropriate contact for meeting in U.S., • find technical information when requested, • follow up pending issue • List main discussion topics and share with Thai before the meeting (especially for senior level meeting) • Provide bios of U.S. visitor • Consider appropriate level for meeting • Be considerate on Thai counterpart availability on meeting request (especially for senior level meeting)- short notice request should be avoid unless necessary • Meeting venue • Be punctual and patient (if have to wait for meeting) • prefer friendly requests than direct orders • Smile 

23. Building good relationship • Visa assistance • IVLP • Timely response

24. Thailand Landscape – nuances and misconceptions • Avoids confrontation • Do not directly say “No” • Say “Yes” (but sometimes does not mean it) • Official statement • Intention ≠ implementation • Appropriate level for meeting • Visitor meeting • Embassy meeting • Decline/Not available = do not want to commit/discuss on this topic • Demarche / non-paper/ diplomatic note / signature letter

25. Thank you for your attention

26. Environment, Science, Technology & Health What we do…. Lower Mekong Initiative Promote Regional Environmental Cooperation Wildlife Trafficking, Deforestation, Dams Promote Science & Technology Coordinate Health Efforts in the Region Disasters (Floods) Small Grants Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam

27. Work-Life Balance • BASICS: Sleep, Hydrate, Exercise • RECHARGE: No electronics • INTERRUPTIONS: Medical, Personal, Family • WORK TENETS • Be present. • Take pride in what you do. • Mistakes happen. Self-inoculate and move on.

28. How to be Successful in the Office

29. How have we done- Priorities for 2011/2012: • Promoting Trade and Intellectual Property Rights through the Trans-Pacific Partnership and National Export Initiative • Placing a renewed Focus on Trafficking In Persons (TIP) • Encouraging new initiatives such as Lower Mekong Initiative and the U.S.-Thai Creative Partnership

30. 2011 Areas for Improvement • Taking better advantage of Bangkok's strategic regional platform in reporting (i.e. China, Burma) • Leveraging public diplomacy and online social media to advance our overall messaging. (ex: Utilizing Twitter to receive breaking news) • Reemphasize interrelated priorities between sections by enhanced alignment and synergy with other offices within Embassy and Consulate Chiang Mai. (ex: TCAS,USAID and Econ all cover Corruption in different ways) • Maintain momentum in promoting NEI’s goal of increased trade through FCS; encouraging Thailand to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership

31. Mission Thailand Strategic Plan • Harmonize op’tl and foreign policy goals -USG hub • The U.S.-Thailand economic partnership advances U.S. & Thai prosperity and secures environmental sustainability. • Open democratic system responsive to its people’s needs • Thailand - effective ally, promoting peace & security • Thailand – fair & effective criminal justice system • Thailand - vital humanitarian partner in refugee protection • Thailand &United States assess/respond to health threats • Assist Amcits to travel, conduct business, live securely • Thai public sees value of a strong U.S.–Thai relationship.

32. Priorities for 2012/13

33. Chiang MAI Reporting Plan September Ambassador’s Visit (Paul) Regional Red Shirt Movement Overview/Shifting Support for Thaksin (Jin) Young Executives Chiang Mai Economic Outlook (Paul) Exile groups Mixed on U.S. engagement with Burmese military (Paul) October New Chiang Mai Governor (Jin) Phrao Trip Report: proposed new border crossing, statelessness issues, TIP, NGO, Peace Corps Volunteer, U.S. business. Ambassador’s Visit (Jin) Update on returning Burmese exiles (Paul/Jin) Chinese investment, tourism in Chiang Mai (Paul) November Mae Sai Trip Report: Border trade trends, especially with IPR, China (Paul) Sentiments of Puea Thai’s performance (Jin) Progress on Chiang Mai’s Efforts to Boost Innovative Sectors (Paul) Trends on agricultural developments (Paul) Updates on Chiang Mai Decentralization Movement (Jin) December Assessment of the Lower Mekong’s East-West Economic Corridor: Assess shifts of economic activity following the implementation of the ASEAN EC in 2015, infrastructure update. (Paul) Update on Anti-Human trafficking efforts (Paul) Consulate Support for Older Americans in northern Thailand (Jin)

34. Chiang MAI Reporting Ideas Economic Policy New Thai-Burma Border Crossings Puea Thai Policies Tech Corridor: Is Chiang Mai the next Silicon Valley of ASEAN? Infrastructure: report on major infrastructure developments, including dams, high-speed railways, airport expansion, and Mekong River ports. Regional Architecture: Assess views on the Trans-Pacific Partnership and ASEAN 2015. China: Monitor Chinese trade and investment in northern Thailand. Labor: Provide analysis on labor unions, labor conditions, labor rights. Commercial Issues Trade and investment promotion: Describe efforts to promote US business/trade/investment? U.S. Company: Spotlight a U.S. company in northern Thailand. Suandook massage training: Profile how this school represents an example of traditional arts combining and modern creative economy Intellectual Property Rights: Highlight trends and U.S. promotion. Thai students not choosing U.S. Schools: Follow trends for Thai families send their children to schools in the UK, Australia, etc. instead of the United States. Opportunities for U.S. education institutions: Research higher education opportunities in northern Thailand for U.S. schools. Agriculture: Follow trends in organic farming. Examine East-West Seed Company. Customs: Are there customs problems at northern Thailand borders and the Chiang Mai airport? Do customs agents get 45% cuts of fines as they do in other parts of Thailand?

35. Chiang MAI Reporting Ideas Environment, Science, Technology, and Health Climate Change: Report on adaptation and alternative energy development programs. Rice sector: Review reports about climate change affecting the rice sector. Has this affected Thailand’s traditional role as one of the world’s largest rice exporters? Dams: What are the impacts of dams being built on the Salween and Mekong rivers? Diseases: Follow activity on about AIDS, Avian flu, malaria assistance along the border. Report on the HIV drop-in center in Chiang Mai. Energy: follow nuclear, oil, gas, and alternative energy activities and policies. Air quality: Continue to monitor poor air quality, especially during burning season. Trafficking in Persons Cases: Report any high profile trafficking in persons cases in northern Thailand. Law enforcement: Monitor progress on anti-trafficking in persons activity, especially law enforcement efforts and increased cohesion between organizations and government. Organization profile: Describe the work of a single anti-trafficking organization.