| What do most successful Western business owners | | | | by realizing their situation and doing something about it, |
| in Thailand have in common? Well they have many | | | | either by getting back on tract and remembering why |
| things in common but the three most glaring and | | | | they came to Thailand in the first place or creating a |
| obvious are discipline, patience and the ability to | | | | solid business plan. |
| network with people efficiently. Possessing these three | | | | Second, patience is needed. Doing business in Thailand |
| skills could be be called common knowledge for any | | | | requires self restraint when dealing with Thai's in |
| business owner around the world but it's in even higher | | | | positions of authority; especially in a difficult situation. |
| demand in Thailand. Business in Thailand requires these | | | | Corruption runs deep in Thailand but holding firm on a |
| things from a man, without them success is a long | | | | business transaction that has obviously gone wrong |
| shot. | | | | without losing control takes great skill. When finding |
| Why is this and what's so important about discipline in | | | | one's self in this situation be sure to point out |
| Thailand? Discipline is an absolute desire to get things | | | | differences in the agreement, got to their manager, let |
| done and to complete a mission without comprise. The | | | | them know that the local papers, police, embassy and |
| intoxicating snares that life in Bangkok or anywhere in | | | | even a lawyer may be contacted. Thai's do not like to |
| Thailand has to offer can be overwhelming without this | | | | lose face or have their problems made public and |
| skill. | | | | many will back down or renegotiate if confronted with |
| Foreigners coming to Thailand with a plan can quickly | | | | the previously mentioned options. |
| lose focus by all the countless bars, nightlife activities, | | | | Lastly, networking with others is just as important as |
| and women that are readily available. | | | | discipline and patience. Thailand is a very viral |
| Westerners arriving without a plan and no direction | | | | community and networking with others is easy. |
| (thinking they will create a business plan later) will most | | | | However, using those contacts efficiently to build a |
| likely be swallowed up by the relaxed Thai life style. | | | | business is a whole other story. If a great resource is |
| Putting it off until tomorrow can quickly turn into not | | | | found, expand upon it and don't let it sit idle. |
| doing it all. The ones that fit into this category aimlessly | | | | In closing, be as serious about business as you would |
| wonder the streets of Bangkok, are at every party | | | | in your own country. Stay away from the pitfalls, have |
| and gathering or have their elbows propped up on bar | | | | patience, network with others, and successful business |
| table telling stories of bar girls. | | | | in Thailand will only be an experience away. |
| Many can overcome the above mentioned scenarios | | | | |