RBSC
The Official Magazine of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club & RBSC Polo Club Vol.16 | No.183 | 17th Year | NOVEMBER 2016
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THURSDAY, 13th OCTOBER 2016
PRAYERS FOR THE KING
Thais express their loyalty to His Majesty the King as they visit Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok on the morning of 13th of October to pray for his quick recovery.
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The Prime minister spoke after the Royal Household Bureau announced that His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej had peacefully passed away at 3.52pm on Thursday, 13th October 2016. He was 89. “The late King named his heir as per the Laws of Succession on December 28, 1972. The National Legislative Assembly will implement the process,” Prayut said. In his speech, the prime minister said His Majesty’s passing was the country’s “biggest loss” since the death of King Rama VIII in 1946. “A day that all Thais did not want to think about or hear about has arrived. The 70-year reign of King Bhumibol has come to an end,” he said. Thais had been closely following news about His majesty’s illness and medical treatment at Siriraj Hospital, Prayut said, adding that whenever the beloved monarch felt well enough, he continued working for the benefit of Thai people. “October 13 will live in the memory of Thais forever, like October 23 which is King Chulalongkorn Day,” Prayut said. The King’s 70-year reign began after the end of World War II, when the country was recovering from the aftermath of the war. At that difficult time, the country was blessed with a new King who turned people’s desperation into strength and was absolutely committed to tackling their problems. “For 70 years, the King has been deeply loved and has been the centre for Thai people. He spent 70 years reigning the Kingdom with righteousness for the benefit of the people,” Prayut said. The Government has called on people to wear mourning attire for a year and has ordered government offices and educational institutes to fly the national flag at half-mast for 30 days. Also, all sectors of society should consider suspending any entertainment for 30 days as a mark of respect.
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HEARTBROKEN
The atmosphere outside Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok after hearing the news of the monarch’s passing.
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A KING A FATHER A GUIDING LIGHT The people of Thailand are in deep mourning following the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. They grieve as people who have lost a benevolent parent, and His Majesty was undoubtedly the father of his country. During His Majesty’s 70-year reign he was a symbol of unity and hope who spent his long life working for the good of his people. Deeply loved at home and held in high esteem around the world for his humanitarian achievements, His Majesty’s loss is keenly felt by the millions who have grown up only knowing life under their one revered monarch. A force for good in an often troubled world, his examples of duty and service will continue to inspire generations of Thai people forever.
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FRIDAY, 14th OCTOBER 2016
Mourners wearing black congregate on Friday morning, waiting for the procession of the King’s body in the afternoon.
The procession of His Majesty the King’s body left Siriraj Hospital about 4.30pm, with mourners from all walks of life lining the route where the motorcade passed. The motorcade procession of the King’s body left from Gate 8 of the hospital, turned right to Arun Amarin Road, crossed Phra Pin Klao Bridge, and moved along Ratchadamnoen Avenue to the Grand Palace, entering by the Thevapirom Gate.
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SPORTS ROUND-UP
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15th - 16th OCTOBER 2016 His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn take part in a candle lighting ceremony to mark the beginning of prayers for His Majesty the King at the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
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Black-clad mourners form lines outside the Grand Palace to await their turn to sign condolence books inside the Sala Sahathai Samakhom Pavilion.
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The King and Queen of Bhutan pay respects to the Royal Urn of His Majesty the King at the Grand Palace.
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SATURDAY, 22nd OCTOBER 2016
Mourners sing the royal anthem at Sanam Luang on Saturday.
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Credit: The Bureau of The Royal Household / www.Thairath.co.th / Phurit Netimongkolchai / Panupong Khongpennil / Jakawin Poosawas / Sornchai Kitwatananuson / Pathompong Mongkolpornpiroj / Sitentsoundstory page / Hai An Tran Ngo / Teeraporn Chanta NOVEMBER 2016
ADVERTORIAL 49
INTERCONNECTED INVESTMENTS As President of Snitnan Company Limited, Warapong Nandabhiwat is well acquainted with top-level boardrooms and corporate life. So, when this venerable gentleman decided to call it a day and sell his stake in Universal Food Plc for less stressful decision-making activities, he turned to an old friend and YPO Thailand Chapter member for advice. “After I sold my stake in Universal Food Plc, I decided to turn my attention to investment. I knew that I didn’t want to be monitoring share prices all day so I had to find a solution that could realize my investment allocation, including my property and real estate holdings. Like most investors, I look for a good return on any investment so that I continue doing the things that are important to me. In the meantime, I can be confident that my investment keeps working and that’s why it is vital to find the right partner,” says Warapong. “In life, everything goes up and down, so I decided to talk to Kasemsit Pathomsak, Executive Chairman at Merchant Partners. He came up with a very focused investment plan for me, totally tailored to my kind of investment. Over the years, we’ve done well on a strategy of painstakingly searching for companies when their share prices are quite low and exiting once they become household names. That is part of the philosophy at Merchant Partners and one that I appreciate.” “As Kasemsit and myself are both members of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), we naturally have many friends in common. Our interests extend further than the investment world and we play golf together quite regularly, sometimes at RBSC, which I find quite challenging. We also like to meet at the Club from time to time with our children. I’m a very outdoors type of guy and take after my father in that respect. Whether it’s playing golf, horse riding, scuba diving, sailing or clay shooting, I like to be among likeminded friends.”
“Here at Merchant Partners we are dedicated to finding the hidden gems before they become main stream. We have fund managers, researchers, analysts; all types of professionals dedicated to looking at the markets. The key to investing is not always following the cycle. You must be aware of what’s on in the market, what your clients are looking for, and most importantly understanding your own risk appetite. You have to understand what is it you are investing for. Maybe you want to put a certain portion aside for cash flow or long-term investment, you don’t want to be looking at the price every day. That doesn’t help as you’re not planning to sell any day soon. But more importantly, as an investor, have a dedicated team behind you, because just looking at the price does not tell you anything; value is key and relative,” Kasemsit says. “What we do is look at stocks and apply the stocks on a matrix comprising not just of historical evidence but including the prospective growth, and then advise our clients what to do. These studies and analysis allow the company to bring in the types of returns that will be consistent and resilient whatever the cycle of the economy. For example, when a stock starts to dive, everyone panics and begins selling, but if you have done your homework and you know these are good stocks, and the company has a good future and a solid business model you believe in, you buy more because you know you’re going to be holding these stocks for the long term.” Summing up his relationship with Kasemsit and the investment team at Merchant Partners, Warapong adds, “I know my investment is being professionally managed. It gives me peace of mind and I don’t have to interact with the team on a daily basis. We have quarterly meetings as I don’t want my mood to go up and down like the market index. I understand that this is a medium to long-term investment. There is a companionship between us, we know each other and we value our relationship. Trust is key for me. It is like a bond and I feel that I am in good hands.”
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