AsiaNews Magazine Jan10-16,2014 ( Jan 1-7,2014) | Page 36

BUSINESS

January 10-16, 2014

long-term private office leases
that include cost of utilities and
reception service," Kant says.
"Our space is not only a
workplace, but also a community
that allows you to network
with like-minded people."
The hot-desk zone can seat
15 and boasts a phone booth
area for private conversations
and online conferences,
as well as a photocopier,
printer, scanner and fax.
There's even a small pantry
equipped with a refrigerator,
microwave oven and coffee
maker where you can grab free
drinks and a selection of snacks.
"We're just a short distance away
from the BTS and MRT, though
we also provide free parking
space for those who prefer to
come by car. Co-working space is
becoming a popular trend in many
big cities because entrepreneurs
from Europe are expanding their
businesses to Asia," co-founder
Nattamon Limthanachai says.

PanchaphatLert-U-Thai, who
has just launched a travel and
cultural website in Chinese,
recently moved into Klique Desk.
"I have a small company and
just a couple of staff. Klique
Desk was an obvious choice
thanks to its attractive location
and fully serviced space. The
flexible lease helps me save on
costs and works out cheaper
than turning my house into an
office. All you need to move
in is a notebook computer;
everything else, even the coffee,
is provided," Panchaphat says.
One of the pioneers of coworking spaces in Bangkok,
Hubba is still the most popular
spot for foreign tourists and
expatriates. Tucked away on Soi
Ekamai 4, the white, two-storey
house with a shady courtyard is the
property of Charle Charoenphan.
A business consultant for many
years, Charle set up Hubba as
an alternative for those fed up
with working in coffee shops.

The prices range from 265 baht
($8) per day to 36,500 baht
($1,100) per year, inclusive of
hi-speed Internet connection,
office equipment and drinks.
"I launched Hubba last year. At
that time, co-working was a very
new thing and people had no idea
what we were all about. We had
just one member the first month!
We've tried to educate people in
the shared working space concept
and its benefits," Charle says.
The spacious house is
decorated in minimalist-style
and offers a "hot desk" area that
can accommodate, indoors and
outdoors, a total of 50 visitors.
The ground floor boasts a
small library with books in
several categories, a fitted pantry,
three private offices, a spacious
shared working space with
phones and a meeting room.
The second storey has two
fully equipped meeting rooms
that are the right size for small
seminars or workshops.