Thailand – It is a kingdom of great culture and tradition. Bordered on the north by Laos and Burma, and to the east by Cambodia, it is the fiftieth largest country in the world. It is a place of great possibilities for a trader looking to enhance his Thailand export-import business.

1. Pay attention to the Thailand market. Did you know that Thailand’s annual exports total around $105 billion? One of their biggest export products is rice. These are the types of considerations you must make when selecting product and starting your own Thailand export-import business. No matter which country you are operating from, it always pays dividends to be educated, both figuratively and literally.

2. Pay attention to Thailand sports. With Muay Thai its national sport, Thailand is a country that values contact and competition. Rugby is also a growing force in the Thailand sporting world. Why does that matter to the Thailand export-import businessman? Because by knowing what interests your potential customers, you can make better decisions when it comes to which products you should sell.

3. Pay attention to Thailand culture. India, China, and Cambodia, are heavy influences in Thailand culture, due to the closeness of the lands and the people. Pastimes, hobbies, and religions, are great places to get started. For example, kite flying is a major hobby in Thailand culture. So why not test the waters on a new line of handmade or custom designed kites. Ask yourself what products are viable to the interest in question, and then check with your government, embassy, or consulate to see if there are any licensing requirements or restrictions you should be aware of.

4. Pay attention to the business. It always helps to get involved closely with a network of others who know what they are doing. Start with the consulate or the embassy for the country where you wish to do business. There, you will find a number of helpful resources such as manufacturer lists, catalogues, and the industries where there is need.

5. Be a businessman. It is not enough to acquire information. You must get into the day-to-day workings of the business and be responsible for its upkeep. In addition to doing the research that is needed for you to get started, you should maximize your efficiency on the job. As a businessman, you will have to make tough decisions with regards to shipping, customs navigation, and, if necessary, outsourcing. Outsourcing to customs brokers and freight forwarders can save you tons of time, money, and trouble in the long run.

Business meetings can be full of trouble and strife, hard work and just downright harrowing, especially if the hotel isn’t up to it. But it needn’t be like this—that is, if you are prepared to spend a little time, do a little homework and research to know what to look for in a hotel. In theory the weary business person would like to not only glide through a business meeting in a relaxed atmosphere, but also be able to wind-down after the show. Creature comforts supplied by a hotel are all important.

For the host of the conference, it is paramount to consider location, accessibility, hotel facilities and service. Winding up at a hotel which is away from good public transport and amenities, or one that does not have the required facilities would not only make life uncomfortable for your business guests, but may end up costing you money in lost clients in the long run.

The location of the hotel should be near a convenient area at the heart of Bangkok’s business center and ideally set back away from the main drag to allow space for freedom and relaxation. Good access to and from the international and domestic airports is also important. Around 90 minutes to airports by car or by public transport should be the maximum. It goes without saying, but easy access to all business hubs within the city is also necessary, plus access to the famed Thai tourist attractions should not be forgotten either. Business people usually find a little time to see the city, even if it’s just for a few hours.

Now that hotel location and access has been covered, it’s time to look at hotel facilities. Again, the decision is yours and should be considered according to you or your guest’s needs. The following questions should be asked; can your hotel offer a variety of rooms from superior standard to high rating suite and deluxe rooms? Does the hotel have a good track record of staff efficiency and service? Are the hotel suites and conference rooms sufficiently equipped to allow conferences and meetings with high-technological tools? Does the hotel provide high speed internet ports?

Hotel food raises other questions; does the hotel provide a sufficient range of food that would suit the everyday business person? Not only does this mean that the food should always look appealing and appetizing, but it should also be of a high quality with an array of menus to include vegetarian, Japanese, Chinese and of course Thai.