The Thai-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1996 with the aim of facilitating increased trade and investment between Norway and Thailand. It provides members with a forum to improve business conditions and opportunities as well as creating venues and channels for exchange and sharing of information. The chamber organises business related events from breakfast meetings covering current business affairs, to topical business seminars and networking events featuring guest speakers.
Current membership stands at around 50. The chamber office is co-located with Norway Connect’s office in Bangkok’s central business district and also works closely with the Royal Norwegian Embassy as part of Team Norway. Through its membership of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand, the chamber identifies challenges and opportunities in doing business in Thailand, seeking support in Thai Government policies to address such issues. This includes interaction with key stakeholders in Thailand relevant to the business community such as the Board of Trade, the Thai Customs Department, The Immigration Department, The Revenue Department and the Board of Investment as well as providing access to top officials in the Thai administration.
The Norway-Asia Business Review Magazine is issued four times per year. Business Review features interesting articles about business, trade, politics and life style in both Norway and Southeast Asia. It is distributed free to the members of all Norwegian business associations in South and Southeast Asia as well as other contacts. The Chamber website norcham.com contains news and information about the latest Chamber activities. It also provides links to useful intelligence within business and trade in Thailand.
Axel Blom is the President of the Chamber (re-elected in 2019) and the founder of the business advisory network Norway Connect and its Thai partner Blue Business Solutions. Axel is the past Country Representative for Innovation Norway and in this capacity he was instrumental in opening Myanmar to Norwegian business. Axel served as President of the Thai-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce from 2007 to 2013. He has previously worked as Regional Director for Scandinavian Airlines.
Vibeke Lyssand Leirvåg is Chairwoman of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce as well as an Advisor to Thailand’s Board of Trade. She is also the past President of the Thai-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce (2013-2017). She has almost 30 years experience from Thailand and understands the Thai business culture better than most. Ms. Leirvåg is the CEO of Felicia Design, a 100% Norwegian controlled and owned high end silver and gold jewellery design and manufacturing company employing close to 200 staff with customers all over the world.
Yanin Srathongnoi is the Executive Director of the chamber responsible for the chambers operational management. Yanin joined the chamber in 2019 from Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) where she worked as Assistant Marketing Manager. Before joining HKTDC she worked with Norway Connect as market advisor with full client responsibility for a number of Norwegian clients. While working at Norway Connect, Yanin furthered her education and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Marketing Management from Mahidol University.