Thai entrepreneurs thrive in UAE’S friendly environs
The two missions of the Southeast Asian kingdom in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have been swamped with calls for more of their products
The decision of the UAE leadership in relaxing the rules for 100 per cent foreign ownership of businesses as well as the increasing demand for the availability of authentic goods and services throughout the Novel Coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic, have strengthened the confidence of the over 6,700-strong Thai Community across the country to embark on entrepreneurship.
On Saturday, Thailand Ambassador to the UAE Waravuth Pouapinya told Gulf Today the two missions of the Southeast Asian kingdom in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have been swamped with calls and requests from locals and even other expatriate residents to import and make available more of their products “because they could not travel to Thailand due to COVID-19.”
“It is also easy to invest in the UAE; especially now that (amendments to a law have been implemented) since several months back. Foreigners can now fully own their businesses without a local partner,” he said.
Pouapinya was asked about the state of Thai entrepreneurship in the UAE as on Saturday, mother-and-son Sajai Waiyakrutha and Pisun “Paul” Chaipreechachot opened their first Krua Thai (Thai Kitchen) at the Thai Souk Section of the Souk Al Marfa in Deira Islands, Dubai.
“The Thai entrepreneurs have the same goal as the other entrepreneurs and that is to expand their businesses all over the world. That is good because they help the economy of the country (they reside in). They also help their countries, the SMES (small-medium enterprises) in particular,” he said, adding that aside from food and because of strong bilateral relations, Thai foreign investments include the hospitality, service, energy as well as oil and gas sectors.
Asked about entrepreneurship being a combination of economic and cultural diplomacy, Pouapinya mentioned the “sot power in international relations” which is connecting with friendly nations by way of culture, food, music, sport and people for beter understanding.”
An example is the Thai Souk in Dubai that provides business for at least 30 Thai entrepreneurs while in Bahrain it is the Thai Mart. Soon-to-open – again with the assistance from long- tim eU AE resident Thai businessman Tony Tang si li ku son wong–is the Thai Mart in Kuwait.
Tang si li ku son wong reiterated what the ambassador had said, pointing out that the creation and establishment of these concepts in foreign shores is a win-win situation for all; for as SMES prosper, “good products at reasonable prices are ensured globally,” add to that the generation of jobs.
Happy and supportive too for the growth in Thai entrepreneurship, particularly the decision of Waiyakrutha and Chaipreechachot to put up their own food booth at the Thai Souk, was Consul General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates Chairat Sirivat.
The enterprising Chaipreechachot is among the staff at the Royal Thai Consulate General in Dubai, being its Economic/cultural/protocol assistant: “Theirs is a story of success, an inspiring one because from having their food stall at the Floating Market in Global Village for years, they now have this, an achievement.”
Mass Communications graduate Chaipreechachot moved to the UAE in 2010 to join his mother, Waiyakrutha, currently the Thai Professional Culinary Club in Dubai and the Northern Emirates president, a resident of the country since 1999.
Several months back, this reporter learnt that Chaipreechachot would help his mother at their small stall at the Floating Market in Global Village.
They conceptualised the Krua Thai in 2020 since it is close to the heart of Waiyakrutha to promote the art of Thai culinary.
“I am an entrepreneur at heart and always wanted to create a destination that generates emotions. I have always been a gourmet loving to try delicious food because it allows me to travel through world cultures with the spices and exotic ingredients. Whenever I start conversations with the locals and other residents and they learn I am Thai, they always say ‘I love Thai food.’ So why not me and mom recreate the authentic taste of Thai Royal Street Food with the original ingredients straight from Thailand. I believe the best time to be an entrepreneur is now and for me, what else but Thai food. The last two years it has been difficult to travel so our moto is ‘If you cannot come to Thailand this year, then we will bring Thailand to you,’” Chaipreechachot said.