ScandAsia Thailand - March 2012

MAR 2012

Thailand

Grandfather’s

‘Snus’ on Phuket Admiral’s

Back in Town ScandAsia.dk

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Scandinavian experience is on Phuket to select the right and best quality property for you. poolvilla villa Starting Starting8.3m 8.3m THB THB A Stylish Compact pool Naiharn: These Stylish Compact Pool Villas including, living area, kitchen, built-in furniture, and air conditioning. Just 5 minutes drive to Naiharn beach. A traditional tropical living with contemporary comforts. These villas will come with 2 bedrooms, a master bedroom having an en-suite with bathtub and shower. Living and dining open plan onto the pool terrace.

4 Bedroom private Pool Villa

Oriental Essence Pool Villas Starting 10.2m THB Naiharn: This project belong to one of Phuket's most professional developers and provide their valued clients with elegant, affordable homes, all with private swimming pools in luxurious surroundings. Each individual home is specifically designed. You can choose between 2 - 4 bedrooms just 5 minutes drive from Naiharn beach.

16.9m THB

Naiharn: This very nice, 4 bedrooms private pool villa is located in a very quiet area in Naiharn The villa consists of 2 buildings. The main building provides you with a big open living, dining and kitchen area. As well as a master bedroom and a second bedroom, both with en-suite facilities. 5 minutes driving to Naiharn Beach

Panoramic seaview Penthouse 55m THB Kata: This fabulous condominium has an incredible seaview, overlooking the Andaman Sea. This 2 storey penthouse suite presents 3 bedrooms on the lower floor and a fantastic open living area at the upper floor. Enjoy your private swimming pool and get the feeling that you are swimming towards the sea. The furniture is French designed from Paris by Philippe Starck and is all included in the price. All window covers, awnings and air conditions are all electric controlled.

Thai Style Luxury Private Poll Villa

16.5m THB

Naiharn: Located in the heart of Naiharn-very nearby the shopping & restaurant facilities. A 5 minutes from a pristine naiharn beach. The villa provided you a 3 bedrooms and 1 maid quarter included a big living area and separate kitchen.

Private swimming pool with big terrace, Big bathroom with a bath tub and Jacuzzi in a master bedroom.

Exclusive Pool Villa

89m THB

Kata: This Exclusive villa with many Thai and Burmese carving and statues. From the hand-carved teak doors at the entrance to the contemplative Buddha overlooking the lily pond. There are 4 bedrooms in the property. 2 Master and 2 smaller bedrooms. All rooms feature many decorative items and hardwood floors and ceiling add to the Asian feel. All rooms are, fully air-conditioned and are furnished with top- quality linens and mattresses.

It is a few minutes walking to Kata Beach.

Beach Front Villa

Starting 32.6m THB

Rawai: These fantastic villas are located right at the beach, with uninterrupted views of the beautiful south east coast.

Enjoy your Thai-Sala and get the feeling as you sit on the lovely beach. Provided you a direct access to the golden sands and the amazing blue sea. These villas give you the best opportunity to own your very own piece of paradise here on Phuket.

Lovely Private Pool Villa

14.5m THB

Naiharn: This very nice 3 bedroom private pool villa is located in the quiet part of Naiharn . The villa is nestled high in the landscape, which gives you an excellent feeling. In the villa you have a big open living, dining and kitchen area. The master & second bedroom is connected to the living area and both are en-suite .The third bedroom have separate as well as en-suite.

Stunning Seaview Pool Villa

69m THB

Naiharn: Perched on a hilltop close to the bustling village of Saiyuan, the villa is arrayed over two main levels. Upon entry, the upper level has an expansive living area with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors which retract fully, seamlessly blending the indoors and outdoors and significantly increasing the living space. The upper level also provides you with a master bedroom, with stunning seaview and Mountain view and en-suite bathroom. As well as a well equipped western-kitchen. 5-6 Bedrooms!

Chingari

227,475,000m THB

Kamala: These are 6 bedroom substantial entertaining homes with interior options. The ocean front deck leads to the garden to fantastic snorkeling during the high season with corals head, snapper and color full reef fish. total 6 bedrooms + Gym, Cinema, Central lift, Centralized top end touch screen light/sound system and double garage! Make yourself and make your family with this fresh ocean breath at your extremely exclusive pool villa!

Private Pool Villas for long term and holidays rentals are available on your enquiries. info@kb-realestate.com or www.kb-realestate.com

Sales office: 28/46 Bzenter T.Rawai, A.Muang Phuket 83130 Thailand (Saiyuan Rd, Naiharn Beach) Tel: +66 (0)87 885 5765,

+66(0)87 804 4014

Email: info@kb-realestate.com, Website: www.kb-realestate.com

@ Hotel Mermaid Bangkok Ltd.

The Admiral’s Pub & Restaurant was Re-opened in October 2011 as a Restaurant & Pub located at Hotel Mermaid on Sukhumvit Soi 29. The emphasis is on an informal Pub & Dining environment in a “turn of the century atmosphere” and a decoration theme inspired by the entrepreneurs and officers who came to Siam around the turn of last century.

The restaurant offers Scandinavian specialties as well as International & Thai dishes.

• Admiral’s Restaurant with: A Journey to our Thai, International and Scandinavian Cuisine.

• Admiral’s Wine Cellar The import regulations for wines to Thailand limit severely the wines available and often make them inappropriately expensive.

A number of us also share the uncertainty about how the wines have been stored and thus in what condition especially the more expensive and older wines might be.

• Admiral’s Pub with Cold Carlsberg from the Tap Exciting Maritime and Turn of the century’s decor.

We have created the ADMIRAL’S WINE CELLAR with the following objectives in mind; 1. Proper storage of wines in temperature controlled decor wine cellar.

2. Quality wines at best competitive rates in the market.

3. Profit margin set per bottle not on purchase price in order to make expensive wines comparatively inexpensive.

4. Selection of new world wines and good offers of Classic wines from Chile, Argentina, France and Thailand.

5 Get you own private Wine drawer in our cellar (Terms & Conditions apply)

• The Boat Deck (Outdoor Terrace) Nice outdoor terrace with cool breeze and cozy bar.

• Admiral’s Outside Catering We do Outside catering for your private party at home.

• OR Book your private party, we can accommodate up to 120 pers.

• Opening hours: Everyday from 11.30 - Midnight

Hotel Mermaid Bangkok Ltd. 6 Soi 29, Sukhumvit Road, Kwaeng Klongtoy Nua, Khet Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Thailand Phone: 02 260 9026 Fax: 02 260 9010 Email: bent@admiralspub.dk

Coming Events SAS / SEB Golf Tournament Date: 24 March 2012 Location: Black Mountain, Hua Hin

Your FREE ScandAsia Magazine in Thailand ScandAsia is the only magazine that covers all the Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish residents in Thailand.

We also publish a ScandAsia magazine in China, Singapore and the rest of South East Asia.

Please sign up for your own FREE copy: www.scandasia.com Publisher : 211 Soi Prasert Manukit 29 Prasert Manukit Road Chorakae Bua, Lad Prao Bangkok 10230, Thailand Tel. +66 2 943 7166-8, Fax: +66 2 943 7169 E-mail: news@scandasia.com

All Chamber Young Professionals Date: 29 March 2012 Location: The Lotus Garden @ Centara Grande Central World, Bangkok You cannot miss the first gathering of All Chambers’ young professionals in Bangkok for a unique networking experience. Ranging from all nationalities and professions, this is the first time ever they will be together under one roof Centara Grande has set-up the perfect outdoor venue situated 26 floors above bustling Bangkok with great drink discounts and and a tasty assortment of treats, topping off with great lucky draw prices from preferred sponsors. All proceeds will be donated by the contributing Chambers to the Office of Basic Education to support flood affected schools. For more information about the event please visit http://www.dancham.or.th

Once again, Easter is upon us!

www.lucylearns.com

SAS Airline and SEB Bank are pleased to invite you to world class golf on Saturday 24 March 2012, which will be held at Black Mountain golf club in Hua Hin. The program will start at 10.30 am and at 7 pm there will be prize ceremony and dinner at the club house. Tournament Fee for playing will be 3000 THB including caddie and buggy fee.

Date: 30 March, 2012 Location: Barsu, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok

The Danish Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to the Easter Lunch of 2012. The lunch will be held at Barsu, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit on Friday 30 March. The registration will start at 1 pm, while lunch will start at 1.30 pm – 5 pm. The cost will be THB 1,400 net for DanCham Members and THB 1,800 net for Non-Members. There is a seating capacity of only 100 seats, so please book your seats now!

For more information about the Easter Lunch and booking, please visit www.dancham.or.th or contact@dancham.or.th

Editor-in-Chief : Gregers A.W. Møller gregers@scandmedia.com Advertising : Finn Balslev finn@scandmedia.com Piyanan Kalikanon piyanan@scandmedia.com Nattapat Maesang nattapat@scandmedia.com Graphic Designer : Supphathada Numamnuay supphathada@scandmedia.com Distribution : Wanvisa Rattanaburi wanvisa@scandmedia.com Printing : Lake & Foundtain Printing Co., Ltd.

Daily news and features here: www.scandasia.com

SWEA’s Easter Party for Big and Small Date: 31 March 2012 SWEA invites for pre-Easter party with Easter handicraft, Easter egg hunt, egg painting, games and candy for the big and small in the afternoon.

In the evening we enjoy a good Easter meal together Book in March 31 and contact SWEA to ensure you receive more details of the location.

SSS Annual General Meeting Date: 17 April 2012 Location: Mermaid Hotel / Admiral’s Pub in Sukhumvit Soi 29, Bangkok The Annual General Meeting of the Scandinavian Society Siam takes place on Tuesday 17 April 2012 at 19.00 at Mermaid Hotel in Sukhumvit Soi 29, followed by a dinner at the Admiral’s Pub & Restaurant downstairs. Don’t miss this fun and exciting event Agenda is according to the bylaws that may be downloaded from the website sss.or.th.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY SCANDINAVIAN SOCIETY

A Successful Charity Party for the Baan Jing Jai Orphanage

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round 250 people participated in the successful Baan Jing Jai Charity Party for children in need. The Charity Party was held on Saturday 18 February in the beautiful garden courtyard to the recently completed VN Residence 2, located in Soi 5 – Phratamnak Pattaya.

According to the building committee who arranged the event, the Charity Party has turned out to be one of Pattaya’s so far most important charitable event of 2012.

The building committee and volunteers’ motto: “We have a dream” was the driving force in fostering cooperation and dedication on the big fundraiser. The fundraiser was held to build a new home for the children of the Baan Jing Jai Orphanage, whose current living conditions are overcrowded.

All participants paid an entrance fee of 750 BHT, which went directly to building the new home.

Participants enjoyed delicious food and beverages kindly provided by Linda’s Restaurant Co., Ltd. The evening’s program was followed by entertainment from Norwegian artists, such as Rune Larsen and Sputnik and Vivian. Not everyone was able to restrain their dancing feet. But the highlight of the evening was the powerful and moving performance given by the children themselves.

By the end of the evening the Baan Jing Jai Charity Party was able to raise 340.000 BHT. There was also a charity lottery which had first class prizes including a large flat screen and expensive bikes. The lucky winners immediately donated their prizes to the orphanage. An antique was auctioned and brought in 10.000 BHT after an initial bid of 1000 BHT. Piangta Chumnoi, the orphanage manager, gave warm and heartfelt thanks to all involved. Tears could not hold back, but it was obvious they were tears of joy.

“The new building project is well underway. The land of 3.5 acres is already bought and paid for. The new house will have space for 40 girls and 40 boys. In addition it will have a separate section for babies,“ says Gudmund Eiksund from the Norwegian Properties Group.

Gudmund Eiksund answered a question about what will happen to the eldest children as they approach the age of adulthood.

“No one is asked to move out. The orphanage will assist in helping these children to get a vocational training if needed.”

6 ScandAsia.Thailand • March 2012

Young Nordic Professionals First Event in 2012

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he Young Nordic Professionals held its first networking on Friday 24 February. The long awaited event gathered over 80 young – and a few not so young – Nordic professionals on the roof top of at the Hotel Muse, 25 stories above the distinguished residential area of Soi Langsuan in Bangkok’s city center. The Hotel Muse itself is unique with furniture and designs inspired by the early twentieth century, but with a modern touch.

The members exchanged business cards and enjoyed the delicious finger food provided by the Hotel Muse; the platters of food were as tasty as they were visually enticing.

Johan Davidsson, a member of the Young Professionals Committee, welcomed everybody and gave thanks to all the sponsors for supporting the event. They were among others Easykart who gave five gift certificates away to lucky winners from the lucky draw. Other first class prizes were a box of Carlsberg beers, three nights in an executive room of the Hotel Rembrandt, and one nights stay at the Hotel Muse.

One of the good things about the Young Nordic Professionals is, that the older members of the Nordic chambers resist the temptation and actually stay away.

8 ScandAsia.Thailand • March 2012

DanCham First Networking 2012

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bout 40 members of the Danish-Thai Chambers of Commerce gathered on Wednesday 15 February for their first Networking in 2012. The Danish Networking was held at the traditional Scandinavian hotel and restaurant - Stable Lodge, where the cozy surroundings helped create an excellent atmosphere.

While enjoying the hospitality and the delicious food provided

by Stable Lodge, Klaus Støve from Tropical focus who is one of the board members of Danish-Thai Chamber of Commerce welcomed the guests. Klaus Støve also highlighted one of the coming events, a breakfast meeting about Burma with Ambassador Mikael H. Winther as guestspeaker. At the end of the speech Klaus Støve used the opportunity to thank Stable Lodge for sponsoring the event.

Every third Wednesday of any month is the day, where Danish Thai Chamber of Commerce holds its regular networking meeting. Only the location changes.

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13/09/2011 13:45 March 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 9

New SWEA Board

T

he Swedish Women’s Educational Association held its annual meeting on Wednesday 09 February 2012 at the Rembrandt Hotel.

This year there were 30 members who participated in the annual meeting.

Maria Mellblom who has been the Chairman of SWEA since November 2011 was re-elected for another term.

The other members elected for the board are: Vice President: Katarina Svensson Treasurer: Kerstin Andersson Secretary: Cilla Fridlund Webmaster: Kristina Ek Programme “Manager”: Ylva Erlandsson Membership “Manager”: Yvonne Strobel The members enjoyed the food and wine from ScanDeli, while discussing SWEA’s future plans.

“We will among others set up a small group of 3-5 persons that will look for and take care of our donation projects for this year,” Maria Mellblom tells ScandAsia.

“It could be that we find women in the slum that we teach how to bake Swedish bread or cookies and they might need a Swedish oven that we could donate. Or it could also be a sewing machine or something else that they need.”

“It is a condition that there has to be some connections to Sweden, either that the machines are Swedish or that we help and teach them to do or make something typically Swedish. Because for our organization SWEA there always has to be some connections to Sweden whatever we do,” Maria Mellblom explains.

Maria Mellblom adds that she hopes SWEA will attract more members in the year to come.

“Unfortunately many think that we are only an association for older women. That is definitely not the case. Most of our members are young and have small children who benefit from playing with other Swedish children.”

“We welcome all new members young as ”old” just contact Yvonne Strobel who takes care of new members, read more about us at http:// www.sweabangkok.com/”

Top left is Maria Mellblom, top right is Erika Bjorklund.

In November, Maria became acting SWEA Chairman after Erika and the AGM elected her officially for the post in 2012. The new board plans a series of new SWEA events.

10 ScandAsia.Thailand • March 2012

Danish Network, Hua Hin Monthly Networking

D

anish Network in Hua Hin held its monthly networking on Friday February 10 at the wine bar Mondo Vino. About 60 people attended that evening. Not only because of the excellent buffet from restaurant La Grappa, but also because of the evenings guest speaker, the Danish policeman Mogens Sørensen.

Currently Mogens Sørensen is living in Bangkok and is at the moment the only Danish liaison officer who is stationed in Bangkok for a united Nordic cooperation, which has the task of finding criminals who are connected to the Nordic countries.

Mogens has over 40 years experience and started in the police back in 1971. He has since held several director and top positions in the police in Copenhagen, Roskilde and Frederikssund. He also worked in the Narcotics Division, Anti-terrorist division, Interpol Copenhagen and he has also previously been stationed at the Danish Embassy in Turkey.

The Danish police officer held a speech about the work of the Nordic police in South East Asia. He told about the smuggling of narcotics, human trafficking, financial fraud, the hunt for criminals and other exciting subjects.

Afterwards, there was also time for questions from members of the Danish Network in Hua Hin. “We would like to thank Mogens Sørensen for an exciting lecture and hope to see him again before he returns to Denmark again,” says Marck Christiansen and Steve Laursen on behalf of HuahinDK.com

March 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 11

Garden Party

T

he Annual Garden Party of Scandinavian Society Siam took place Saturday 18 February on the terrace of Oakwood Mansion, Sukhumvit. The weather was excellent and the stars shining bright.

The Filipino band was giving an excellent performance.

A few photos will give you an impression of the atmosphere’. Although not so many members were present, the real patrons of SSS showed up and that was appreciated.

12 ScandAsia.Thailand • March 2012

A chance to completely unwind and enjoy the serene scenery found on Koh Phangan and in

Salad Buri Resort & Spa

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Motorcycle Ride to Phnom Penh

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motorcycle convoy headed

by Danish Ambassador Mikael H. Winther and Tommy Christensen, a Danish member of the Harley Davidson Owners Group of Thailand, roared on 16 February into Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital, 48 hours after the bikers had left Bangkok.

ScandAsia’s video photographer and producer Wido Schlichting, who lives in Phnom Penh, produced at videoa upon their arrival which can be seen on youtube.com/scandasia.

The Go4 Charity Ride was organized to raise funds for Helmets for Kids, a 10-month road-safety programme in Cambodia to buy helmets and provide educational training for students.

The Danish embassy had been in charge of organizing all visa arrangements for the riders at the Aranyaprathet-Poipet border crossing on the special capital-tocapital motorcycle ride.

Having crossed the border - and crossed over to drive on the right hand side of the road in Cambodia - the bikers continued on Highway 5 to Battambang City and the Khemrabattambang 1 Hotel where the participants held a BBQ at the pool side with live band.

The next morning, the group continued on Highway 5 towards Phnom Penh he Ride continues toward Phnom Penh, a distance of approximately 300 km. Approaching Phnom Penh, the traffic started being bad and the convoy had to slow down a bit. But still the group managed to be able to roar into the capital before dark, creating acute awareness wherever they passed by.

In the evening, a BBQ party was held at Hotel Cambodiana with view of the majestic Mekong River in celebration of the complwetion of the unique ride.

On Friday, the donation ceremony with the hand-over of the funds in support of purchasing the helmets for the kids took place.

Saturday the ride went back again to Thailand, this time taking the scenic route down south over Sihanoukville and further on Road 48 through the mountains towards the Cambodian / Thai border. This is a very nice road, although the speed on some stretches of the road can max be only 60-80 km/h.

14 ScandAsia.Thailand • March 2012

The Nordic Masters Golf Tournament

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or the first time ever, a waiting list had to be created for eager golfers who wanted to join The Nordic Masters annual golf tournament on Saturday 11 February 2012. The tournament was hosted

by Thai-Finnish Chamber of Commerce and with 128 registered golfers; the tickets were quickly sold out.

The venue was held at The Vintage Club in Bangkok which according to the organizer, Londal Consulting, was in an immaculate condition. All golfers had a great time navigating the golf course. Some excellent golf was being played and at the end of the day the team “TeamT-Rad” was crown as the winners of the Nordic Masters.

Afterwards, the golfers gathered in the restaurant of The Vintage Club to enjoy a nice buffet dinner with a free flow of beers. The most popular gathering spot was the area just around the Finlandia Vodka bar, which offered free samples of their tasty “After Golf” drink.

They also had a record list of sponsors, who made it possible to make this a very special tournament. The winners of Qatar Airways return tickets were delighted with the chance to visit friends and family in Scandinavia.

The Thai Finnish Chamber of Commerce was overwhelmed with the big interest in this tournament and would like to thank all the players who came to enjoy their event. In particular the Finnish Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Mrs. Sirpa Mäenpää.

Dancham Gala Dinner to Mark 20th Anniversary in 2012

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Gala Dinner and possibly also an exhibition will later this year be held by he DanishThai Chamber of Commerce to celebrate its 20 Year Anniversary in 2012. The plans were revealed at the AGM held on Wednesday evening 29 February 2012 at the Royal Danish Embassy by Mai Ellegaard of EuroCenter, who is Chairman of the Chamber’s Events Committee. Mai Ellegaard also promised a continuation of the popular Easter Lunch and in particular the Christmas Lunch which would again be held in the garden of the Embassy.

Kenn Thaysen of Designers Field, Chairman of the Chamber’s Media Committee, broke another interesting news in his presentation of the future communications strategy of the Chamber: As of March this year, Danish-Thai Chamber of Commerce will stop publishing its member magazine “Danish-Thai TradeNews”. Instead, members will receive a weekly eNewsletter with featured articles and other news from the Danish-Thai Chamber of Commerce. It is expected, that the eNewsletter will generate a handsome profit for the Chamber and also increase the traffic to the website. The Annual Membership Directory “Denmark in Thailand” will also this spring be produced for the last time.

Stig Vagt-Andersen, Ben Adisti Co., Ltd., briefed in his presentation on how the members of the Chamber had now easier access to getting a Schengen-visa for their staff and Danish members of the Chamber with Thai spouses could now also get a 3 year multiple entry visas for their spouses. He promised that he would continue working for further improvements in this field.

The accounts of the Chamber for the past year, presented by treasurer Soren Presmann, showed a small profit of 2,767 Baht which was less than expected but the accounts followed otherwise quite closely the budget for the year.

Soren Presmann explained that the deviation was among others caused by the flooding in the late autumn. The accounts were approved and so was the budget for the coming year, which had incorporated the activities announced above by his fellow board members.

The AGM was attended by some 30 members who elected three new members of the board of directors and reelected one member, Thomas Nyborg from Pandora. The new board members are Niels-Henrik Hansen, SAS; Supareak Charlie Chomchan, Pacific Rim Rich Group, and Jorgen Lundgaard, Jebsen & Jessen.

Chairman of the meeting Mr. Poul Weber announced at the dinner held in the Ambassador’s garden immediately after the AGM, that the board members had decided to re-elect Mr. Peter E. Romhild as President of the Chamber.

Before the meeting started, Ambassador Mikael H. Winther welcomed the members to the embassy and by the end of the meeting, Peter Romhild presented Mrs. Rattanawadee H. Winther with a bouquet of flowers for once again welcoming the Chamber into her and the Ambassador’s home.

16 ScandAsia.Thailand • March 2012

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March 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 17

Busy Day at the Diplomatic Red Cross Bazaar in Bangkok

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rs. Ratanawadee Hemniti Winther presented the 45th Diplomatic Red Cross Bazaar 2012 to Her Royal Highness Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn at the official opening ceremony on Saturday 3 March 2012. After her speech, she accompanied the Princess on a visit to all the international booths selling signature products from 54 different countries.

After the opening ceremony, the public was let in and quickly the hall was filled with eager shoppers hoping for a bargain among the many items for sale.

At the Danish stand, it was good to see Carlsberg back and visible. Also Emborg cheese was popular and so was dz wine next to them. Further down the side of the large booth you found Scandproducts and Ecco. On the other side of the stand, Paradox displayed the impressively wide range of kitchen utensils that the company now sells in Thailand. Next you could find a delicious tower of Danish ‘kransekage’ and other bakery products created by Suppanai “Yu” Ratanaprakarn of Fyn Bakery and Ellegaard Trading who also imports and sells Danish Urtekram products in Thailand.

This year, Sweden participated for the first time. The stand was organized by Mrs. Theresa Ildefonso, the wife of the Swedish Ambassador. Agneta Bekassy representing Scandinavian Collection and Theresa Ildefonso were both dressed in traditional Swedish national dress. Other exhibitors were Electrolux and ScanDeli.

The Norwegian stand was swarmed with people trying to secure salmon raw, marinated, frozen and in any other shape and form that salmon can be enjoyed. The booth seemed constantly to have sold out as fast as new supplies could be carried in.

At noon, Danish Ambassador Mr. Mikael Hemniti Winther came on stage. He explained - in Thai - that he was originally supposed to have been playing with a band, but then plans were changed... It was a first for him to be playing guitar and singing in front of a public audience. He had chosen two songs to perform, the first was “I Won’t Back Down” because, he explained, this song expressed in many ways also what he stands for. The second song was “About time” which he wrote himself while living in Vietnam and performed with his band. It expressed his longing for his wife Ratanawadee when she was not with him.

Danish Ambassador’s Wife Reveals Her Real Life Story

By Wachiraporn Janrut

B

eing a wife of an Ambassador is a dream of many girls who wish to travel the world and enjoy living the high society lifestyle.

Unlike fairy tales, wife of Danish Ambassador to Thailand Mrs. Ratanawadee Hemniti Winther revealed her real life story in a recent interview with Thairath Newspaper.

Mrs. Ratanawadee met the Danish Ambassador Mikael Hemniti Winther during his first posting to Thailand 15 years ago. Currently, she is the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation’s Country Director for Thailand. Though she travels a lot for her work, she never fails to play her role as an Ambassador’s wife. In fact, she plays major roles in many activities for the Ambassadors’ wives to Thailand. For example, she is the president of the 45th Annual Diplomatic Thai Red Cross Bazaar,

18 ScandAsia.Thailand • March 2012

held at Siam Paragon on March 3-4, 2012.

When asked by Thairath newspaper if her life is like living in a TV soap opera, Mrs. Ratanawadee smiled and answered “For me, an Ambassador’s wife should be a working woman. The time of being a housewife is over. It’s not like I wait around for my husband to come home and then get dressed up to go out to social events somewhere. For Europeans, wives of Ambassadors should have their own career. I’m a wife of Danish Ambassador and we both have our own careers.

“In fact, having our own careers is good for many reasons. We can support each other in our social status. When we meet people we have more stories to share. When I go out to social events as an Ambassador’s wife, I have something interesting to talk to people. I imagine it’s not the same as talking to a housewife who doesn’t go out much.

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“The life of a housewife could be so dull that maybe your husband doesn’t know what to talk to you about” added Mrs. Ratanawadee with a laugh.

Thairath then asked “Is it true that an Ambassador’s wife should always be dressed up and look pretty all the time?” She smiled gently and answered “I think you don’t have to always look perfect or like you just stepped out of a soap opera. I usually wear something casual on my day off or when I travel. Nevertheless, it’s important to wear something nice and look good when I go out to social events because I’m the representative of the country.”

Thairath finished its interview by asking “Is it true that you have to be a good cook?”

“I have to say that it’s not necessary,” said Mrs. Ratanawadee. “There are already many good cooks at the Ambassador’s Residence. What’s more important is that I successfully manage the people who work there.

People are more likely to respect you if you can manage them properly.”

352/322, Moo 12, Pratamnak Soi 4, Nongprue, (Opposite New Nordic) Banglamung, Chonburi Hotline +6681-983-8629 +6683-120-4107 E-Mail Designersstyle@yahoo.com Tailorthailand@yahoo.com

www.tailorsthailand.com March 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 19

Dr. Einar Ammundsen - the The lively Danish doctor lived 50 years of joy in Thailand.

By Flemming Winther Nielsen

Dr. Einar Ammundsen and Aks - third and fourth from left - were as usual at the centre of events when the Scandinavian Society Siam celebrated its 75 year anniversary in 1995. To the right of Aks is Chairman Eva Loven. The couple left for Denmark shortly after.

W

hen in Aarhus, Denmark, I often pass Tage Hansensgade and it goes through the head: ‘But who was Tage Hansen’. Many streets, many names, once well known, now forgotten.

There is no Einar Ammundsen Street but the man and his story lives on, not only in a golf tournament, but in the memories of so many Scandinavian old hands. But here you are, a bit of information for the newcomers! -Only a glimpse, the material on Einar Ammundsen is big and the anecdotes countless.

Einar was born in 1915. His father became bishop over Haderslev diocese, he died in 1935. His strong mother Charlotte, born Balslev, lived from 1877 till 1961. After her husband passed away she moved to Copenhagen and soon became

the fix point for Einar and his 5 siblings. Furthermore ‘Bispinden’ gave shelter to saboteurs wanted by Gestapo, whom Einar brought to her.

Einar Ammundsen joined the Résistance movement early during World War II, at the same time graduating as an M.D. He functioned as a deputy for the Resistance leader Mr. Toldstrup, who was also responsible for the reception of weapons dropped by British flights over the heaths and in the forests of Jutland. Among the saboteurs Einar was only known as ‘Hr. Bloch’ and his job was also to see to that the weapons received were brought to the right persons and groups, The personal risk was high indeed. Late during the war he had to flee to Sweden, he was then exposed.

In 1946, a year after the war ended, a friend asked him to join the general practice he wanted to open in Bangkok and after a four

20 ScandAsia.Thailand • March 2012

month ‘Tropical Medicine’ course in London, he went off. Three days with KLM the journey took. They opened a practice on the corner of Charoum Krung Road and Oriental Avenue. Ammundsen also worked at Bangkok Nursing Home for many years.

Why did he travel to this faraway country? Once source mentions that Ammundsen was most disappointed with the lukewarm way the courts and the old politicians handled the trials against Danes and Danish Companies in Nazi service. – In a few words: The small thief’s were hanged, the big thief’s acquitted.

Denmark 1946 was a GREY place, grey and poor. He came to a world where colors are bright and smiling, where life is easy going, but it is still possible to get things done.

There is furthermore no revenging God like in Haderslev. Ammundsen

once said that “Here we don’t feel the same deep pain about death, as we do in the West” [Rastrups Asien, google]. Death was on his heels in Denmark, now he learned that life and death walk together.

Peace of mind? At least Einar Ammundsen became a very generous and liked person ‘with a warm heart’ as the Thais say. For more than three decades he was the center of The Scandinavian Society – and the golf.

The last round Golf was Einar Ammundsens total joy and passion, at least until he met Aks again. She was a teenage girlfriend. They married in 1979 and she took active part in both work and leisure. Einar sponsored his annual tournament alone for many years, including some drinks in ‘Bamboo Bar, Oriental Hotel’, afterwards.

As the numbers of golfers grew, he

Centre of the Community The Ammundsen Memorial Golf Cup

T

he Ammundsen Memorial Golf Cup took place Saturday the 25th of February. It was a great success with more than 50 players. Presentation of rewards and the dinner was held at ‘Admiralen’. A short speech with glimpse from Dr. Einar Ammundsen’s life was given.

Photos by Siranath Boonpattanaporn

finally couldn’t afford that anymore, but new sponsors were ready.

There are so many, many anecdotes about this man, as a doctor, as a golfer, as a friend. Time and space is not available here, but one last thing: In 1996 the 25th Ammundsen Tournament was played at Rose Garden Golf Club as usual. Ammundsen himself couldn’t play, suffering from a shoulder problem.

He there announced that he and Aks would retire and move back to Denmark. He was not in favour of calling the tournament ‘The Ammundsen Cup’ in the future. He did not like the idea of future participants wondering who this guy Ammundsen was. Einar Ammundsen died in 1999.

Now you maybe know a bit more about this very facetted man – we will keep it that way.

March 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 21

Grandfather’s ‘Snus’ Swedish Mik Wadström - a system architect by profession - has started his own production of the Swedish moist powder tobacco product called Snus locally on Phuket.

By Joakim Persson

M

ik Wadström had produced his own snus for domestic use since 15 years back when another Swede on Phuket, Jörgen Sandström at Restaurant Trädgården suggested that he should produce it commercially.

“Snus had been my hobby since fifteen years back. One day Jörgen, who is himself a devoted user of snus, asked me what brand I was using and then learned that it was home-made,” Mik recalls.

Surprised, Jörgen asked Mik: “Why

are you not selling this to others?”

Jörgen placed an order and Mik got into action even though he remained skeptical. He started a company, Nitro Sweden Co., Ltd., produced the first 30 tins of ‘Nitro Dynamit’ and went out on Phuket to test the market.

“Some were very positive, especially when they heard the price.

It turned out to be good enough to sell - then I started actual production over night.”

High demand from day one Up until then Mik’s work had cen-

22 ScandAsia.Thailand • March 2012

tred around his own POS system that he had developed here in Thailand. The fact that the other local snus brand on the market was not considered good was also a significant factor of encouragement.

“Two out of three are bad,” says Jörgen who claims his brand is now the best one produced in Thailand.

So far Nitro Dynamit has been in high demand, with high turnover directly since the launch during the low season in 2011.

“Now I’m getting more and more retailers, also selling directly to consumers. I only want to be the producer and distributor.”

Initially the most complicated aspect was to source more ingredients as well as the machines being used. The suitable tobacco he could find with ease from a provider, a tobacco farmer in northern Thailand, able to deliver enough quantities.

He had already been experimenting a while on his recipe on Phuket by the time he met Jörgen.

He had run out of the product a while after returning from a trip to Sweden so he had started to source the ingredients and components in Thailand to make his own snus as a hobby here.

“I knew how to get it right with the new ingredients, but it had been a process with quite a few trials and errors.”

Recipe from grandfather No one should think that starting this kind of production is easy.

“I spent hundreds of hours each year for ten years when it was my hobby,” says Mik who inherited the recipes from his grandfather fifteen years ago.

“He was a baker and my mother was given his recipes, which also included the recipe for producing his own snus. ‘I must test this’ I thought and started experimenting.

The result was a catastrophe in the beginning. But year by year it became better.”

The tricky part, he discloses, is the mixing process and when to add the sodium bicarbonate.

And it’s a lot about taste and textures.

“The bakery is what makes the difference for the recipe. You also cannot get ground tobacco here so you must buy it in raw form and grind it and find out how to do that most effectively.”

Illegal in the EU For Asian readers who may not be familiar with this product it is appropriate in this context also to provide some background information.

Snus, or Swedish snuff, is a moist powder tobacco product originated from a variant of dry snuff in the early 19th century in Sweden, consumed by placing it under the lip

’ Produced in Phuket Some were very positive, especially when they heard the price. It turned out to be good enough to sell - then I started actual production over night.

for extended periods of time, writes Wikipedia.

Snus is also unique in that it is steam-pasteurized rather than firecured, is not fermented and contains no added sugar. The sale of snus is illegal in the European Union but with exemptions it is still manufactured and consumed primarily in Norway and Sweden, - and not to forget USA which is the biggest market in the world.

There are loose snus, and portion snus where this moist powder is pre-packaged in small teabag-like sachets. According to Mik, the latter has 75 per cent of the market in Thailand.

And in order to be able to sell Nitro Dynamit and Nitro Gustaf also as portion snus he will need to invest in an expensive machine which does this packaging into bags - which he cannot do before having an established market. So sourcing more retailers around Thailand is now the priority. Long-term Mik also eyes Asia as growth market.

“It’s all about quantity; if only I can build the market for loose snus I will know there is a market for snus in bags as well!”

be interested in improving their health while not giving up on their nicotine addiction.

“All those I talk to here, even the authorities, ask if this can replace smoking. However they are not used to keep it under the lip; they would swallow it and feel ill. But then the portion snus would open up this market.”

Mik is keen to stress, that he is not looking to create a market among current non smokers.

“Encouraging new consumers is not the idea. I have enough with those either smoking or using snus

already.”

For smokers, snus improves their health.

“Definitively! Nicotine is a neurotoxin which in too high doses gives negative effects. Also in small doses it gives positive short-term effects but also a negative long-term. But your breathing is not affected; you don’t get this direct effect on your lungs as you get from smoking.”

However, the largest reason for smokers converting to snus is the increased restrictions: it is becoming increasingly difficult for people to smoke in public places. Enter snus.

Health benefits Snus could be on the verge of a break-through also among Thais with a high number of mainly male smokers who, Mik believes, could March 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 23

Admiral’s Pub & Restau

After six years of absence the Admiral’s Pub & Restaurant has a new location in Bangkok. At the helm are still Danish Bent Laasholdt and his Thai wife Na. But despite many things being the familiar same, some features have been upgraded.

T

he 56 years old Dane Bent Laasholdt looks like a Captain of the finest ship in the harbour as he proudly overlooks his staff at the bar of the newly opened Admiral’s Pub & Restaurant

By Dennis Krog Photos: Disraporn Yatprom

24 ScandAsia.Thailand • March 2012

in Bangkok. The years without an Admiral’s Pub & Restaurant in the Thai capital are finally history.

“It has been terrible,” he says and looks dead serious. Then he adds with a big smile; “It was like being homeless; Imagine that - I had

to spend my time at other people’s bars!”

The latest Admiral’s Pub & Restaurant in Bangkok had to close down, not due to lack of business, but simply because the owner of the building had new plans for his in-

urant Back in Town vestment. Since then it has taken six years to find just the right location for the new Admiral’s Pub & Restaurant, but with the location, as a part of the Mermaid Hotel, in Soi 29, Bent Laasholdt could not be happier.

“It has taken quite some time to build it all, and sometimes it has been frustrating, but it has definitely been worth the wait,” says Bent.

For the regular guests at the old Admiral’s Pub & Restaurant the time without the Admiral has not been without longing either. This was clear when a group of Scandinavian golfers recently celebrated the Ammundsen Memorial Cup at the new Admiral’s.

“That evening I really found out how much the community has missed us. When coming here the golfers gave us a standing ovations, that really made my heart melt,” says Bent.

Same, same – but different

The Admiral’s Pub & Restaurant resembles in many ways a small museum with a lot of pictures and collective items from the time when the first Danes set sails and came to Thailand, bringing electricity, trams and law and order to the country side. Sitting by the bar, shaped like the bow of a ship, Bent gives a quick history lecture before turning to the subject of the well known concept of the Admiral’s Pub & Restaurant.

“We have the best of Thai and international cuisine, and off course we have our Scandinavian dishes that are always popular in our restaurant,” says Bent who quickly starts talking about his wife, Na – the Admiral behind the Captain of the Admiral.

“Did you know she was trained in the renowned ‘Grøften Restaurant’ in Tivoli Copenhagen?” Bent asks, not waiting for an answer.

“From that restaurant our famous “Stjerneskud – a typical Danish lunch dish containing of fish - is inspired. The rest of her Danish cooking, she learned from my mother, the best cooking school in the world. I am just so proud of her,” he says.

Khun Na has also appeared in a Thai national television show, cooking Danish food for the morning viewers.

Some of the staff from the previous Admiral’s Pub & Restaurant are back at the new Admiral and

much seems quite the same as “in the old days”, but there are some features that have seen an adjustment to the better.

“Our wine cellar is much better.

This cellar can compete with the best in Bangkok,” Bent says as he proudly shows around.

“It is always the right temperature, and the cave-like design is just perfect for wine tasting and private gatherings. We also have private shelves, where guests can store their own wine.”

“Yes, well that is our table for regulars. That table has been with us since 1993,” says Bent, who then returns to a previous question about his role at the Admirals Pub & Restaurant.

“Well, during the day I have a lot of duties, but in the afternoon and the evening I am the happy and joyful host, a host who enjoys spending my time here as much as our guests do,” says Bent.

This is definitely a role that Bent stakes seriously. Throughout or tour of the premises, Bent has constantly been shaking hands with new guests and old friends and as the interview comes to an end the “working day” for Bent is far from over.

“Hi Michael, how are you? I will be right with you,” Bent says before quickly saying goodbye to a guest who just finished his ice cold Carlsberg.

Calm and cozy in the middle of Bangkok Just a couple of stairs up from the wine cellar you will find the terrace that overlooks the swimming pool and at the same time offers a beautiful view of some of Bangkok’s many skyscrapers. As you sit here and enjoy your breakfast, lunch, dinner or just a nice glass of wine, you might see a group of men standing around a round wooden table at the bar at the end of the terrace.

That evening I really found out how much the community has missed us. When coming here the golfers gave us a standing ovations.

That really made my heart melt.

March 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 25

Dane Sells Paradise It only took two years for Klaus Bernhardt and his Thai business partner Kanchit Wapee to built up the new real estate agency ‘KB Realestate’ on Phuket. The Danish - Thai team serves mostly Scandinavian customers who dream of a life in paradise.

By Dennis Krog

The entrance to KB REALESTATE where Klaus Bernhardt welcomes his costumers.

Klaus Bernhardt standing proud in front of the office, together with his Thai business partner, Kanchit Wapee.

M

ost of us have tried it: You are on vacation. The holiday surroundings with palm trees assisting you on your stroll down the beach walk, the sand between your feet as you watch your kids having the time of their lives swimming in the fantastic blue sea. That’s where you think “Would it not be great to live here?”

But the following Monday most of us are back to our jobs - a dream richer but not much more.

Some people do, however, risk it all. They say goodbye to long winters and summers that goes by at the speed of a knockout punch in boxing, you blink, and it’s gone.

Klaus Bernhardt took the step.

In 2008, the now 45 year old Dane and previous hardware store owner from Fredericia, Denmark sold his business, and now he lives in Phuket,

Thailand, comfortably away from the cold north.

“I just had to experience something else, and I wanted to come to Phuket. I just needed to live in this fantastic place,” says Klaus Bernhardt, who had been vacationing frequently in Phuket over the last ten years before finally fulfilling his dream.

Klaus Bernhardt has now been living in Phuket for four years making a living as a real estate agent. The company is set up jointly by Klaus Bernhardt and his business partner, Kanchit Wapee.

And although Klaus misses his two sons, Andreas and Frederik, 17 and 12 years old, life is good for the Dane.

“Of course it is tough that I dont have my kids around me all the time. But they are so grown up now, and they come and visit me all the

26 ScandAsia.Thailand • March 2012

time. They love it here as much as I do,” Klaus Bernhardt says.

Welcome to paradise.

Welcome to Phuket The first line, you see, when you visit KB Realestate on the internet is the headline “Welcome to paradise.

Welcome to Phuket”. And Klaus Bernhardt really means it.

“The area of Phuket, where we have our main business, is a new area without that many tourists. It is an area with many houses build for vacation and permanent residence.

There are not many hotels here.

Its more ‘real Thailand’, “ says Klaus Bernhardt and explains that the area of focus, for this real estate agency, is from Patong and down south with a special focus on Naiharn, Rawai, Kata, Karon and Chalong.

In Phuket, it is not that common for a real estate agent to focus on

a certain area. According to Klaus the advantage of being a specialist in specific cities is one of the lessons he learned watching how real estate agents work back in Denmark.

“In Denmark an agent focuses on one city or area. That makes him an expert in this certain area, and he knows everything that needs to be known. We wanted to do the same here. We do business on the whole Island, but the South of Phuket is where we know everything there is to now,” says the Dane confidently.

All-inclusive service as trademark Most of the customers doing business with KB Realestate are Scandinavians who seek to buy condominiums or houses of high quality with 2-3 bedrooms. But most of all the Scandinavian buyers want a property where they can enjoy their

One of the many luxuries villas KB REALESTATE can offer client in the Island of Phuket.

lives without worrying about maintenance.

“That’s our specialty. We have an entire maintenance team that takes care of pool service, gardening, cleaning and even maid service.

You don’t have to lift a finger, unless you want to,” says Klaus Bernhardt.

But the service does not only provide for pampering when you have bought the house. For Klaus Bernhardt his business is all about being “all-inclusive”, and that is in every aspect of the buying of a residence in Phuket.

“That is really our trademark.

We assist all the way. We assist when it comes to finding a lawyer, getting the deed, writing the contract, everything,” says Klaus.

We even help rent out our clients properties at very flexible conditions, it they wish to do so, when they aren’t in Phuket.

Easy to be house owner in Phuket In Thailand you can own your house 100 percent as a foreigner and according to Klaus Bernhardt the land on which the house is build is no problem either.

“You can easily own both the land and the house here in Phuket.

There is really nothing to worry about, we always help and assist you in every single step of purchasing your property” says Klaus Bernhardt, who has never experienced any problems when it comes to the legal arrangements regarding buying a house in Phuket.

So the next time you are in Phuket, walking under the palm trees or standing with your feet in the find sand, thinking to yourselves “this is paradise – I should live here” well maybe the move is not that impossible as you might think.

From the base of your own home, you can set of to experience what Klaus Bernhardt calls the “real Thailand” March 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 27

Lotus Star Celebrates Lotus Star celebrates its 10 Year Anniversary throughout the year with special Chakra Balancing Sessions.

By Kirsty Turner

28 ScandAsia.Thailand • March 2012

L

otus Star held a special chakra balancing meditation session on Wednesday 22 February 2012 as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations. The session was guided by professional healer and energy therapist Vicki Weber and designed to empower and balance the energy fields of everyone who took part as well as expanding their consciousness and leaving them with a feeling of peace and harmony.

The meditation session took place in Vicki and Poul Weber’s lavishly decorated private suite of the Crystal Garden hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 4. At the start of the session, Vicki warmly greeted each of the participants and performed a short ritual by moving a crystal attached to the end of a string over their heads in a circular motion to begin the balancing process. The meditation session was attended by just over a dozen participants, who

were mostly in their mid-thirties to late forties and hailed from various parts of Europe and Asia.

Tribal music was playing lightly in the background as the participants seated themselves in a circle, placing their bare feet on the floor with their hands in their laps. They were then instructed to take a deep breath and exhale in order to expel all the toxins from their lungs.

The participants were instructed to focus on each part of their body in turn, starting with the feet and moving up to the top of the head. The participants then focused on the perception of a beam of light connecting the top of their head to the universe through their crown chakra. Vicki described how the light spins in a circle and gradually expands, speeding up and radiating out in all directions as well as up and down the body.

As Vicki explains; “The amount of movement that you experience

10 Anniversary th

depends on how much blockage you have in your body. If your energy is already flowing freely you won’t experience as much movement as people whose energy is being blocked.�

Vicki goes on to explain that through this meditation participants gain a connection with their purpose on Earth and feel focused and content. Each chakra of the body is opened in turn, and as blockages are removed the body is filled with the coloured energy associated with that chakra, which heals the body.

This year, Lotus Star was transformed into an international cooperative with members from all over Scandinavia as well as France, India and Thailand.

Bangkok-based company Lotus Star works to promote wellness through regular educational workshops, which are open to everyone. Lotus Star also sells special bio energy products and energy di-

agnostic equipment that helps the body to recover its natural ability for self-healing by balancing the inner energy and raising the general energy level. This in turn maintains youth and strength and restores the body’s natural capability to resist physical and mental illness.

Lotus Star has gone from strength to strength in the ten years since the company was established and has added a host of products and elements to its service. However, their main focus remains their special meditation sessions, which regularly attract people from all walks of life. These meditation sessions are held once or twice a month, either at the Crystal Garden hotel or the JW Marriott hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 2. If you would like to attend one of these meditation sessions or want more information about Lotus Star email info@lotusstar.com or visit www.lotus-star. com

True Luxuries : Time Norwegian Arnfinn Oines explains all the aspects and efforts behind hospitality company Six Senses’ concept of ‘Intelligent Luxury’. Sustainability efforts make good business sense, he says.

By Joakim Persson

T

he first 130,000 trees have been planted as the start of a new reforestation project in northern Thailand, courtesy Six Senses Resorts & Spas.

The initiative is part of their efforts to mitigate emissions, an estimated annual 160,000 tons of CO2 by replanting 200 acres of forest yearly in the fight against climate change, and underlines their commitment to become a decarbonising company by 2020.

This Thailand-based hospitality company is as such deeply dedicated to sustainability, taking the lead when it comes to CSR and environmental concerns.

Responsible to oversee their efforts is Norwegian Arnfinn Oines,

on the position as Social & Environmental Conscience, based out of Evason Phuket but looking after all their properties - from Vietnam to Oman.

“There are certain things we can do about our operations, for example reducing energy consumption and using renewables, while regarding flights one must find different ways to eliminate those emissions,” Arnfinn explains the reason for starting this reforestation effort in collaboration with the PATT (Plant A Tree Today) Foundation.

“We have established a carbon sense fund where we take a certain percentage from the guest revenue and allocate that to projects which reduce carbon emissions.”

“Point of departure is our wish to

accomplish a company that absorbs more carbon than we produce. And within this we consider not only the energy consumption but in a wider concept include the import of products, the guest flights etc.”

Environmental conscience in the blood Arnfinn has become their man in charge for environmental and CSR efforts even though all employees and managers are involved, all the way up to CEO level. Each Six Senses resort also has an on-site Environmental Officer to run and oversee these efforts within the operations.

Arfinn’s own background is not at all any environmental expertise, though coming from Norway, Scandinavia, these things are very much in the blood, he thinks.

“It‘s such a wide theme so one cannot really be specialist on it all.

But I see the wider picture in understanding the industry and being able to ensure we do things in practice, and take things step by step and improve. That’s more important than 30 ScandAsia.Thailand • March 2012

aiming for being perfect and being in danger of achieving nothing,” Arfinn explains.

His background is in fact an ordinary hospitality and tourism education, with a Bachelor from England and an MBA from Thailand. He got in touch with Six Senses while he was studying on Phuket - they were looking for someone to handle a Green Globe certification of Evason Phuket back then. Arnfinn was hired for the task and after graduation he started working full time with them.

“Clearly, my interest in this field has grown and it is now my entire focus. So for me it has been an interesting path to take and I want to continue with this. I find it very interesting and looking forward it will just keep on growing in importance, not only for the marketing but as part of the direction in which businesses and hotels operate.”

The right business model Six Senses is extra interesting in that sense as a forerunner, a company rooted in the principles of sustain-

and Access to Nature

ability and with CSR playing a natural part.

Six Senses’ efforts are not a result of any greater proportion of green-demanding guests but the way it has been operating for a long time, taking environmental and social responsibility seriously, says the Norwegian.

“We do it because we believe it’s the right business model, not necessarily because it is consumerdriven. You want to save energy; you want to go for renewals because the oil price is going up. You want to save on water as well. You can reduce the operational cost and improve the bottom line.”

“And I’m very caught up in this and seeing that it’s not something we’re doing to look good and satisfy just some element of the marketing, but that it in fact makes business sense.”

“And of course, if you look into quality it makes sense having things guests often appreciate, like organic and local products. You give a better product and service and that’s

We do it because we believe it’s the right business model, not necessarily because it is consumer-driven. It is not something we do to look good and satisfy just some element of the marketing. In fact it makes business sense.

March 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 31

And if you treat sewage water and use it for the gardens that also saves a lot of water.

what people are after.”

And with its environmental practices and sustainability Six Senses is demonstrating to the world that the travel industry can be both sustainable and profitable. Six Senses have set many new benchmarks and shows that it works for anyone.

“Those with a strong focus on environmental concern, or the social part, oftentimes forget the financial component and in order to really reach sustainability you need to have the balance of all these three parts. If you then can see how things connect; that it actually benefits the finances by doing good things for the environment and the social part you also reach a larger impact and in that way are able to achieve more,” Arnfinn points out.

“Therefore this also makes it interesting for those who necessarily don’t have it as part of their philosophy. Those businesses able to understand this and doing something with it long-term are the ones that will address the challenges of the future - and be successful.”

The business gains are significant when taking into account lower costs, strategic advantage and enhanced reputation from a genuine commitment to sustainable development. It can also be an effective new element in strategic thinking and planning.

Luxury and sustainability works together “Our approach is doing this across the board, as much as possible in every aspect. We look at the holistic side, also including our guests’ flights, in our emissions calculations. And

it’s obviously challenging - sometimes you have to weigh up whether it’s worth the effort or not. But we feel it’s the right model and it’s definitely something that few others are doing in such detail.”

Case in point that it can be profitable is the implementations done at Evason Phuket. Only by being selfsufficient on water the resort saves 300.000 US dollar per year (the main reason, like for many other hotels on the island, being that it is not connected to municipal water).

“And if you treat sewage water and use it for the gardens that also saves a lot of water.”

Other retrofitting of this property meant installing modern heating and cooling systems and using natural airflow in order to reduce energy usage from air conditioning.

The list is very long.

Going green is mostly about the finances needed for the upfront investments in cost-saving techniques and refitting. Pay back time rarely takes more than three years. Making changes and embracing a wide range of environmental and cost-saving actions have turned Evason Phuket into a very energy-efficient resort.

“Several resorts here on Phuket copied us and which we assisted getting in touch with our suppliers.

So that has been positive.”

“And it’s also a matter of being smart on design; a lot can be done that will both improve the profit, use less energy, but also enhance the guest experience.”

Another initiative is banning plastic bottled water and importing water.

“It’s a paradox in the travel industry to import water from the

32 ScandAsia.Thailand • March 2012

other side of the planet, when you have millions, if not billions with no access to clean drinking water or cleaning equipment.”

Evason Phuket produces its own water, provided in glass bottles, and also sells its own Wellness Water of which 50 per cent of the sales revenue goes to organisations helping people getting access to clean water and sanitation.

Six Senses constantly strives to develop pioneering designs, ones that can play a part in changing the world for the better, and also demonstrates the simple steps people can make to achieve a more sustainable lifestyle.

Another take on luxury Each property is run following the core principal of ‘SLOW LIFE’ where the perception of luxury is challenged. Six Senses’ basic premise is that luxury and sustainability can be and is, a happy marriage.

Arfinn explains their own ‘intelligent luxury’ concept: “We look at luxury in a different way; nowadays it’s not necessarily about the need to consume a lot of material things.

People work long hours and live in crowded cities so what people miss the most is the true luxury to have time and space - which is what we offer them.”

“In many ways it’s about making people realise what luxury really is, which we often forget and just think of material things. From point of the departure the traditional luxury is something with is not very positive and isn’t that suitable when it comes to the environment aspect.”

There are things to show to peo-

ple what this different luxury actually is (such as growing their own organic vegetables), so they can see that it’s about having clean water and access to nature, according to Arnfinn.

But back to their reforestation programme - 38 million acres of rain forest deforestation takes place each year worldwide. So is there really any point with their new effort in Thailand?

“You might think not, but on the other hand if one doesn’t do anything and takes action it certainly won’t get any better. Of course we are a pygmies in the global picture – our project in Thailand is very small but on the other hand it’s what we can manage to accomplish – but if we can contribute and inspire others we can perhaps turn that trend around.”

And even when trying all one can to reduce negative impacts and demonstrating a strong sense of responsibility towards the surrounding environment and the local community it is not always possible to get it all absolutely right. Six Senses concluded that the best option in order to transport its guests to the new Soneva Kiri resort south of Koh Chang was to build an island airport.

“I do understand some of the criticism we have received,” replies Arnfinn, “and clearly, no matter what one does it’s never perfect but one has to do it in one way or the other.

You must give and take. And looking at the larger picture, other alternatives - we considered seaplane transportation, which could not be done - aren’t necessarily any better. And we do take responsibility and compensate for our flight emissions.”

March 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 33

Fort Denmark Denmark’s embassy in Thailand has over the last ten years been marred by the construction of several ugly anti-terror protection measures. I suggest we tear down these useless arrangements and open the Embassy compound for picnics!

By Flemming Winther Nielsen

A fact to be recognized: From this and hundred other windows in nearby high rises the embassy compound is open field.

The 230 cm. front gate with spikes; the locked door with a trapdoor; the surveillance camera, possibly legal but definitely an image disaster.

T

en years ago, visiting the Danish Embassy was a pleasant experience.

Entering from Soi Attakarnprasit there was an unobstructed view to the magnificent old trees, to the Little Mermaid in the pond in front of the chancery and behind it you could see the Ambassador’s residence. The office building, ‘Main Entrance’, was on your right hand, under the colonnade. When you walked through the always open iron gates in the yellow brick wall, a friendly guard would rise from his light slumber and salute you.

In September 2005 the Muhammad cartoons controversy occurred.

A Danish newspaper had published

12 cartoons depicting the Islamic prophet Muhammad and although the newspaper explained the publication as an attempt to contribute to the debate regarding criticism of Islam and self-censorship, the cartoons created a rage in the Islamic world.

In Bangkok, a demonstration was arranged on February 6, 2006 in front of the Danish Embassy in Bangkok. Two years later, in March 2008, another demonstration was also staged there, protesting a reprint of some of the cartoons.

A line of policemen confronted the demonstrators with their back against the embassy gate which was at this point still the open iron bar gate with a view to embassy buildings inside.

Meanwhile Ambassador Michael Sternberg showed sound judgment and leadership. He went out on the street alone to talk to the demonstrators, but after a while he went back in.

“They were not interested in speaking to me, they just wanted to read their statements and to praise Allah,” the ambassador said. Nevertheless, he defused a tense situation and that was more useful than any wall -easily climbed by as bamboo ladder. Unfortunately you can in general neither expect courage nor common sense among the civil servants in the Foreign Ministry. If you read their travel warnings you have the impression that the bureaucrats in charge are afraid of their own shadow.

Right wing swing in 2008 Four months later, a suicide bomb attack on 2 June 2008 against the Royal Danish Embassy in Pakistan killed six people and wounded several more. Two of the victims were Danish embassy staff.

From a cool point of view, this was an isolated case, but that year, fear and paranoia gripped the Danish government and administration.

The government entered a strategic agreement with a right wing political party in Denmark, which among

other things included setting aside a budget of 26 million kroner for securing the Danish Embassies against terror attacks.

The fortification of Danish embassies around the world has been designed by the foreign ministry in consultation with the Danish National Intelligence Service. It is supposed to be a graduated response modeled differently according to the perception of threat in each location.

In Bangkok, the old gate has been replaced with a solid metal gate at least 2.20 meters tall and with spikes on top. In the door to the right of the gate there is a small trapdoor. A man from inside will ask you what you want, whether you have an appointment - and if that can be confirmed you will eventually be let in. Many will notice an innocent looking lamp that in fact contains a hidden surveillance camera.

Once inside there is a sort of sluice where you see three doors on the side of the building. One leads into a room for visa applications, although the bulk of that work has since been privatized, the second leads into a ‘Citizen Service Office’. That is where you get e.g. authorized letters to Thai authorizes stating domicile, income, etc. This is also where passports are dealt with.

Picnic at the Danish Christmas bazaar in 1994.

34 ScandAsia.Thailand • March 2012

All transactions take place on either side of a thick glass wall with an intercom and a shuttle drawer for exchange of documents and money.

Behind the third door you can relieve yourself and wash your hands.

At the farthest end of the sluice there is one more gate which has presumable been erected to prevent visitors from walking unhindered to the sign-posted ‘Main Entrance’. This gate is made of galvanized metal mesh and although it does allow the visitor a glimpse of the little ‘Garden of Eden’, the ‘Main Entrance’ and the ambassador’s residence it is from an aesthetic point of view rather ugly.

Photo shepherded Along with the hostile fortification of the embassy a change in attitude has also taken place. When ScandAsia asked for permission to take photos of and from the embassy, we were given permission but only after some hesitation. And on occasion we were followed by an embassy representative wherever we walked in the peaceful area of exotic trees and plants, instructing us where we could and where we could not take photos, although no sophisticated electronic equipment or other hardware seemed to be hiding behind the bougainvilleas.

This ‘no-go’ even included the galvanized steel gate and the pub-

lic street outside the embassy with the innocent looking camera house.

Before we left the embassy grounds all the photos in the camera were furthermore examined, accepted or deleted although the shots had been taken under very close supervision.

The whole affair gave me this feeling of ‘Big brother is watching you’ paranoia, as so chillingly described in George Orwell’s: ‘1984’.

Believe me, earlier, visiting Danes loved to see the Embassy and felt proud that we could maintain such a place as our representation in a far away country.

An open flank The shepherded tour was also a bit hilarious. From the towering high rises very nearby, you have an excellent and most detailed view of the whole plot and even from your home you can get detailed knowledge of the situation plan via Google Earth.

The bombastic and ugly fortification of the front of the embassy is furthermore just put up for show.

From the South/Eastern side of the embassy, there is almost unhindered access to the Ambassador’s garden behind the residence. The bush grass on the neighboring empty plot could give cover to a whole squadron of men with ill intentions. The view of the embassy with buildings, windows and trees is completely

The galvanized gate by the end of the sluice area with the offices mentioned. Here you will also find the uniformed guards.

open from there and even from the little public Soi by the end of this neighboring plot. This because the buildings are facing that direction, South/East. The fence marking the border of the plot is not higher than 1 meter, mostly just old wire and poles. Shouldn’t there here be a wall, 2.30 meters high and with broken glass on top?

Stop the paranoia I personally beg to differ. I would regard the Danish Embassy as belonging to a very low security risk category regarding violent attacks.

To me, the whole arrangement of front wall, solid gate, spikes, photo control and surveillance cameras is bureaucratic and paranoid, it cannot protect anything: ‘The Emperors new Clothes’, it should be demol-

ished and the Embassy Park opened for picnics! Furthermore, recognizing the ‘Arabian Spring’ and the most successful NATO assistance to the Libyan freedom fighters, it would be fair to say that the ‘climate’ is changing.

On Champs-Elysees in Paris you find The Danish House, ‘Maison Danemark’. It has been there since 1955. A bright, courageous and offensive decision back then. A new such house has just been inaugurated in Shanghai.

EU and the speed of IT communication has changed the role and the time for a traditional embassy, so why not create a house for trade and cultural exchange, music, literature, theatre out of the embassy compound?

March 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 35

History of the Danish Embassy in Bangkok

By Gregers Moller

T

he Danish Embassy in Bangkok is located in the middle of what is today downtown Bangkok. It is hard to believe that just one hundred years ago, this area was just a swamp to the east of the city.

The development of the area goes back to 1892, 24 years into the reign of King Rama V, when Chao Sua Yom a wealthy Chinese immigrant was commissioned to dig a canal linking the Chao Phraya River near Wat Yannawa to Hua Lam Pong canal. The soil from the excavation was used to build a road running along each bank of the new canal and the concession-holder was granted ownership to a strip of

land 1,600m wide on both banks of the new canal.

In recognition of his services, Chao Sua Yom was awarded the royal title Luang Sathon Rachayuk and the name of the road and canal were subsequently changed to Sathon in his honor.

Luang Sathon parceled the land on the banks of the Sathon canal into smaller lots and sold it to rich merchants, both foreign and Thai.

European styled mansions were built on some lots, other lots became orchards and plantations.

The area, where the Danish Embassy is today located, was bought by ‘The Borneo Company’, one of the earliest British companies in South East Asia. The Borneo Company opened a branch in Bangkok in 1856 following introductions made to King Mongkut by the Danish explorer and merchant Ludwig Verner Helms who early on was recruited to join the company by the British ‘White Rajah’ Brooke of Sarawak.

This was all a result of ‘The Bowring Treaty” (1855) between Great Britain and The Kingdom of Siam.

Building history

The ‘modern’ winding staircase from the ground floor to the second floor in the Ambassador’s residence.

In 1954, Denmark appointed its first Ambassador to Thailand, Gunnar Seidenfaden, who consequently served 1955-1959. Gunnar Seidenfaden was a prominent botanist and a world class expert on orchids. It is thanks to his botanical interest that

The renovated office building and attache’s residence.

36 ScandAsia.Thailand • March 2012

The building prior to renovation.

After renovation and addition of the reception area and terrance.

Denmark has today not only an old Embassy in Bangkok, but also a substantial park around it with plenty of interesting flora and fauna.

Gunnar Seidenfaden recommended shortly after his arrival that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Denmark acquired the large piece of land along Soi Attakarnprasit - today Sathorn Soi 1 - from the Borneo Company. On 29 July 1955, the permission was given on the condition that the acquisition and re-construction of the existing villa on the plot did not exceed the amount of 1.2 million kroner.

The Danish engineering company Christiani & Nielsen was given the contract to transform the property into an embassy with the villa as the residence and a chancery opposite. This expansion added the current reception area in the residence where guests enter the building and the “modern” spiraling staircase up to the second floor of the residence.

The chancery building opposite was where the embassy’s offices were located, but only on the ground floor. The second floor was the attache’s residence and this remained so until the mid 1990’s The lotus pond with the Little Mermaid replica placed on the lawn between the residence and the

chancery was also added as part of the Christiani & Nielsen transformation of the property. Denmark’s first tourism promotion in Thailand.

In 1956 the whole project was concluded and the Danish Embassy in Bangkok was a reality.

In the early 1990’s, the chancery was renovated. The apartment of the attache on the second floor was changed into offices and the living room of the attache became the current Ambassador’s office. In 1993 it was decided that the Danish Ministry for Environment and Energy should establish its own development cooperation organization called DANCED and to create offices for this new organization, a further expansion was undertaken on the ground floor to the west where part of the garage was located.

Since then, no further expansion has taken place; only minor maintenance projects.

In 2007, the responsibility for Danish public property was transferred internally from one financial authority to another under the Danish government. For the purpose of this transfer, the value of the property was that year estimated to be 90 million kroner. Given the current land prices in Bangkok, this estimate is probably rather conservative.

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Bangkok by Bike Explore Bangkok by bicycle, an ideal way to truly see the lifestyle and unseen aspects of Capital.

By Vatcharin Tavornwong

38 ScandAsia.Thailand • March 2012

S

peaking about Bangkok, what generally comes to mind are the many high rise buildings, the busy streets filled with people and - definitely - the notorious traffic jams.

Still Bangkok is a fascinating city and one of the best tourism cities in Asia.

Exploring Bangkok, most tourists would realize only the main attractions dotted down in the map, while the lifestyle in local communities, fresh markets, shophouses, shrines, temples, schools may have been completely forgotten. This is what inspired Co Van Kessel - a Dutchman who has lived in Thailand for 30 years - to initiate a bicycle tour named after himself that allows the tourists to experience Bangkok in different angle.

“Co Van Kessel took thousands of hours to survey every corner of Bangkok,” explains Ms. Chanmanee Phonphakdee, General Manager of Co Van Kessel.

Going around on his bike gave him the opportunity to experience

the hospitality of the local communities and diversity in lifestyles and cultures as well as the beautiful nature that springs up in contrast to the civilization of Bangkok.

“In his early year in Thailand, he would love to take his close friends to explore Bangkok on bikes, in order to prove his appreciation on his new home,” Ms. Chanmanee Phonphakdee explains.

From there, his small business started growing when tourists started to know about his trips and were eager to have him lead their ways.

Year by year, the number of tourists who wanted to join his trip increased until in 2005, he decided to establish his specialized bicycle tour programme as a business for the first time ever in Thailand and that way share Bangkok’s treasures with the world in a new form of traveling.

We began our journey early one morning from the Grand China Princess hotel, China Town where the office of Co Van Kessel is situated with our guide and a small group of

After the morning ride, we changed to a long tail boat that took us - and our bicycles! - on a trip into the Dao Kanong canal.

enthusiastic travelers. Within a few minutes, we rode into one of the oldest wholesale districts, Sampeng Market as we whisked pass array of shophouses showcasing all kinds of ornaments and decorative items and shoppers with the hand full of some small or big shopping bag.

Soon we found ourselves in the old Yaowarat fish market where buyers were choosing fresh fish and aquatic animals to take back home or to their restaurants. With no hesitation our guide led our bicycle convoy through the amazing tiny paths and alleyways which made us wonder how this scene could exist in the heart of Bangkok rather than some suburban area.

Biking was the ideal way to get around the neighborhood since we could blend into the crowd very well even though we might have to ride pass the front yard of local houses. Villagers always had a smile on their faces, waiving and greeting us when our procession of bicycles passed through.

From one alley to the next, up some local streets and down some

tiny paths again and again, we suddenly arrived at the Tien Fah shrine which is situated by the sacred Chinese Goddess, Guan Yin. We smelled the faithful incense sticks and saw devotees praying and wishing in front the shrine.

Behind the tall red gate, this place is also where the Tien Fah foundation and its hospital is located, providing medical care for the poor especially emphasizing acupuncture treatment.

Here, we could take a sip of water after our moderate ride. Shortly, we got back on the bike saddle and continued our exploration.

The guide quickly led us once again through the alleyways which headed us to the next stop.

As the guide wanting us to experience the innocence minds, he brought us to Wat Patumkongka Elementary School whereby all kindergarten students were lining up singing the Thai national anthem at 8.00 am which is the traditional way to give the young awareness of the sovereignty of the country and pay respect to the ancestors who protected the

country from the past up until now.

The picture of the kids secretly chatting with their friends while standing and listening to the school teacher’s order calmed our minds and put the smiles on our faces.

Shortly after leaving the school, we arrived at a small private pier on the Chao Phraya river where a regular size long tail boat was waiting on us. Our bikes were loaded onto the boat and we stepped on board and were ready to cross this big river into the next hidden destination that was waiting for us to discover.

After the morning ride, the cool breeze and the water splashing next to the boat was soothing and relieved our fatigues. The boat cruised along the river and turned to the connected Dao Kanong canal as it introduced us to the charming canal lifestyle of the Thais which has existed unchanged for ages. Scenes of classical wooden-framed homes on stilts, intact and untouchable, demonstrated how a lifestyle of simplicity still remains in this big city.

We stepped ashore at the pier of Wat Bang Pratun Nok temple,

Bicycling along the embankment of the Chao Phaya river is a wonderful way to experience the City.

March 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 39

Bang Kun Thien district and started further exploration.

The guide led us down on the local street and made the turn into the local community. All of a sudden, the local streets were turned into the narrow raised pathways above the water which could fit only two bikes or motorcycles commuting in opposite directions. The raised pathways led us through the luscious green belts as we explored the forgotten plantations which surprised us on how this area could be emerged up in this sprawling metropolis area.

The weather now was warming up with the strong sunlight shining down on the area, but we enjoyed this refreshing scene and totally forgot the rising temperature.

Riding down on this route involved some little adventure since once in a while, we needed to lift our bikes in order to cross either small or big bridges with a few steps of stairways in both end or enter through the narrow doorway. This ride was quite long before we finally hit Wat Khun Jan temple with its sacred giant Buddha statue for devotees to offer their worship. Another interesting thing here was ‘Yeab Sha’ treatment which could cure the pains and aches symptom on the particular part of body such as arm, leg, waist, etc.

The masseur or masseuse would dip the foot in Thai herbal oil and then place that foot on a hot steel sheet being burnt in the kiln, then immediately place that foot on the body part of the patient. When the foot of the masseur touched on the body, it made some sizzling

In Co Van Kessel’s early year in Thailand, he loved to take his close friends to explore Bangkok on bikes, in order to share his appreciation on his new home.

Ms. Chanmanee Phonphakdee, General Manager of Co Van Kessel

noise similar to the chunk of meat being stir-fried on the cooking pan.

From here, it took another ten minutes cycling before we hit one small restaurant looking out over the canal. We had Thai-style meal include Thai fried egg, tofu soup and stir-fired mixed vegetable and white rice which we very enjoyed eating after the long period of cycling.

After the wonderful meal, we went down to the pier aside the restaurant and took the same boat back. The short boat trip took us

across back Chao Phraya river and stepped ashore at Atsadang pier.

From there, the guide led us to one fresh market featuring many kinds of fruits and cooking ingredients.

We rode down the narrow alleys of the stalls from one section to the next until after a short while we plunged out of the market and rode down on the pavement which led us to the Sapaan Put bridge. The beauty of the bridge made such a picturesque scene and backdrop while we were cycling pass and

across the bridge.

That way we arrived back a the Sampeng Market once again which it implied that we were at the end of our journey. By the time we got to the market at noon, the market was so busy and crowded with cars, but it couldn’t stop us from moving forward. We easily slicked into the traffic and passed all busy shophouses before crossing the street back to our starting point safe and sound.

It was such a memorable moment to discover the unseen aspect of Bangkok which not everyone could ever experience until they really jumped on the bike saddle and began the journey.

You would be amazed on how you could get from place to place in this big city with tons of tiny lanes and alleyways as well as the beautiful lifestyle of people and not to be forgotten about the hospitality and smiles that could easily be found throughout your journey.

For more information on the bicycle tour programme and other activities, please visit www.covankessel.com, while the reservation could be made through website or by phone Tel. 02 688 9933

This is Bangkok!

So green and beautiful!

Only on bicycle...

40 ScandAsia.Thailand • March 2012

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to see a side of Bangkok you never knew existed!!! www.covankessel.com Tel: +66(0)2688-9933

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Hotel de la Paix Cha-am

Launches Once-in-a-Lifetime Deals

I

magine immersing yourself in the contemporary comfort and cuttingedge style of Duangrid Bunnag’s architectural piece-de-resistance, Hotel de la Paix Cha Am Beach - Hua Hin (www.hoteldelapaixhh. com), for as little as THB4,000 per night, or pushing the boat out for a three-day decadent pool villa indulgence from just THB22,000.

It is a once-in-a-lifetime deal - just two hours from Bangkok - to lose yourself in the sublime and striking vision of one of Asia’s most celebrated architects, at a hotel where every angle is a photo opportunity. Come and play supermodel, laze in the amazing maze by the pool, or cocoon in your oversized room where the most wow-factor shower you have ever experienced awaits, amid minimalism at its most luxurious.

To celebrate the hotel’s 4th birthday, visitors will also have the opportunity to discover the ultimate privacy and chic of Hotel de la Paix Cha Am’s coveted pool villas for just THB12,000 per night, or a Garden Terrace suite from THB4,500.

These offers, available for Sundays to Thursdays between 1 March and 31 October 2012, also include a complimentary “Increase the Peace” welcome booster, free Wi-Fi throughout the resort, complimentary mini-bar refreshed daily, 10% discount (excluding alcohol) off all food and beverage and all Spa Treatments, and free shuttle service to Cha Am and Hua Hin. For those in search of a longer encounter with this unique and world-renowned hotel, three-day packages are also available at the Horizon rooms from THB7,000, and the Garden Terrace from THB7,500.

Terms and conditions apply, and surcharges apply for weekend or public holiday stays.

For further information please contact: Siriwan Pongchairerk Director of Sales Hotel de la Paix Cha Am Beach Tel: +66 (0) 2381 4823 Mobile: +66 (0) 81 822 2125 Email: dos@hoteldelapaixhh.com www.hoteldelapaixhh.com 42 ScandAsia.Thailand • March 2012

New Venue for Young Artists

W

ai Art Partners with Banyan Tree Bangkok to Promote Young Thai Artists with Stunning New Exhibition

Innovative non-profit arts organisation Wai Art has joined hands with leading hotel Banyan Tree Bangkok to launch a series of exhibitions aimed at promoting young and up and coming artists in Thailand and give them an opportunity to showcase their talents.

Currently and until March 31 you can see the first solo exhibition of Thanapon Junkasain - a collection of contemporary Buddhist paintings that explore the concepts of right and wrong in society by drawing on traditional mythology. His show – titled Mara – is open daily.

For many artists in Thailand there are few opportunities to exhibit as galleries are not keen on taking on an unproven artist.

Key to Wai Art’s philosophy and the partnership with the Banyan Tree Bangkok is to not only provide this opportunity but to ensure that sales profits are given to the artists rather than the galleries. A small amount of the proceeds will also be donated to Banyan Tree Bangkok’s Corporate Social Responsibility Fund, which supports various community projects in Thailand.

Typically artists in Thailand need to work as lecturers in universities or have a range of other jobs to survive rather than have the time to truly develop their skills. There is no creative support system. But this is something Wai Art curator Thanom Chapakdee - who has worked with artists in Thailand for more than 30 years - is seeking to change.

“Thai artists are hugely undervalued. This is not because of a lack of talent but because they lack the opportunity,” he said. “There is a disconnect here and one which is not only stifling the innate creativity in Thailand but obstructing an appreciation of arts and its role in society in a wider sense.

“We are very happy that Banyan Tree Bangkok shares our vision and we hope to work with them on many projects to help develop the young pool of artists in Thailand.”

More information: Sumana Phadungphan, Wai Art, Mobile: +668 1697 4866, E-mail: waiart@in.com www.facebook.com/pages/Wai-Art

Tune Hotel Pattaya

T

une - the award-winning budget hotel brand taking Asia by storm - open the doors of its latest property on February 17 when the 192-room Tune Hotel Pattaya received its first guests.

To celebrate the opening of the second Tune hotel in Thailand (The Tune Hotel Hat Yai opened in December 2011), Tune is offering guests booking through www.tunehotels.com the chance to stay in Pattaya at the amazing rate of just 199 baht per night. Extra hotel services can be requested at the time of booking.

The rooms will go on sale between February 10 and 17 for travelers booking stays in Pattaya between February 17 and April 5, with no black out dates.

Tune Hotel Pattaya is located on the beach resort’s bustling Second Road, just minutes from the beach, shopping, entertainment and nightlife.

Just a 90-minute drive from Bangkok’s international airport, the hotel is already proving popular with Thai and international tourists who want a comfortable, clean, safe and secure hotel to stay in before enjoying all that Pattaya has to offer.

Tune Hotels currently operates 17 hotels globally including two in Thailand, ten in Malaysia, two each in Bali, Indonesia and London and one in the Philippines. It plans on opening 30 more hotels throughout the year. For booking and more information log on to www.tunehotels.com.

For more information (0)2 207 2901 Mobile: +66 (0)84 121 4930 E-mail: mark.armsden@redplanethotels.com

“I saw her being run Danish actor Karl Bille is making a documentary film in Cambodia about the country’s struggles with “land grabbing”.

Three years ago the actor witnessed a violent eviction in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh and the experience has affected him deeply.

By Anya Palm

From the left: Turis, former resident of Dey Krohom; Vichet, the star of the documentary; Panha, Vichet’s youngest son; Dtieun, wife of Vichet; Bro Van, Vichet’t oldest son; Karl Bille; Borey, NGO-worker; Kir Viedt and Jayk, Vichet’s middle son.

F

irst time, Danish actor and musician Karl Bille came to Cambodia he heard people whispering; “they are going to tear down our

houses!”

Back then, in 2005, he did not understand why or who “they” were. But he quickly learned that one of the main problems in Cambodia today is “land grabbing” – when authorities force citizens away from an area of land without compensating them.

Karl Bille became involved with a couple of Danish activists who showed him an area called Dey Krohom, a poor neighborhood but located precisely in the middle of the capital Phnom Penh. The habitants here, well aware of their lucrative location and lack of means to keep it, were the people whispering about losing their homes.

“Dey Krohom is where the Cambodian musicians live – many of the most famous Cambodian artists live here, and they make instruments here. I was very welcomed by them, when I first came, and I made a lot of really good friends in Dey Krohom,” says Karl Bille, who quickly made a habit of visiting the neighborhood every day, while he was visiting the country. It was with an uncanny feeling, he left for Denmark – he knew that the future for

his friends in the district was very uncertain.

Three years later – in January 2008 – he came back to a changed neighborhood: “There were daily stand offs with authorities. There were threats and intimidation, and we frequently got insane phone calls from scared people, who wanted us to come down to Dey Krohom,” he says, with a voice suddenly a tone deeper. That the presence of a Westerner might help reduce how violent a stand-off would be. It did not help in this case, however. One morning, he woke up to witness Dey Krohom being demolished.

“I lived nearby and could see smoke coming from the rooftops in the early morning. I ran down there and the area had been surrounded by police and bodyguards from the company 7G, who had bought the land from the Cambodian government,“ he says. He managed to get in behind the barricades.

“People were screaming and crying, and the bulldozers were driving over people’s houses. The men with black helmets giving orders were very aggressive, and I saw my friends trying to save their things, but they were beaten and pushed away,” he recalls.

During his time in Cambodia, he has gotten particularly close with

one family, and in the chaos he saw one of them, in front of a bulldozer.

“I called her my “mother”, because she was taking so good care of me and everyone else. I saw her fall down, and then I saw her being run over by the bulldozer. I thought she was dead,” he says. Later, he realized, she had fallen down to the other side of the bulldozer, and was in fact unharmed, but because of the chaotic situation, none of it really registered with the actor.

“I was completely in shock, and deeply devastated. I didn’t know what to do,” he says.

He then did something unexpected, even by himself. He started filming himself while singing.

“I felt deeply torned about walking around singing, while the world is coming to an end around me. But I felt I did something,” he explains.

He later released the song “Off the Agenda” from the album Love & Eviction, which he wrote during the tumultuous times in Cambodia. In the music video he uses the material, he recorded that day.

Bille was not the only one with a camera at Dey Krohom that day.

Documentarist Kir Viedt, one of the Danish activists that initially showed Bille the neighborhood, documented the eviction as well.

“It was a matter of finding out what we could do, both in the situ-

There were daily stand offs with authorities. There were threats and intimidation, and we frequently got insane phone calls from scared people, who wanted us to come down to Dey Krohom.

44 ScandAsia.Thailand • March 2012

over by a bulldozer”

ation and after,” she explains. In the aftermath, hundreds of families sought refugee with friends, neighbors and NGOs, and both Kir Viedt and Karl Bille got deeply involved in the immediate problems the eviction constituted for the now homeless villagers.

“We interviewed them, and followed them in their legal struggle to get back their land. We have so much of this on tape,” she says.

All this material that was recorded by Kir Viedt’s camera and Bille’s mobile phone is the main reason the pair is now back in South East Asia: To make a documentary that focuses on land grabbing in Cambodia.

“Today, I am feeling very ambivalent about this and it is quite nerve wrecking,” Bille says. He is sitting in Bangkok, about to leave for Cambodia,in his shorts and t-

shirt, and he is nervous. The words come out of his mouth disorderly, as he constantly remembers more and more bits and pieces from what happened to him in Cambodia.

He is mainly looking forward to reuniting with him friends from Dey Krohom, and to hear how their situation is now.

“I am deeply emotionally affected by this. And what I am most scared of is whether we can make a documentary that does these people justice. If we can get the message about how serious a problem land grabbing is through to other people, the viewers. This has become very personal for me, so I am going to Cambodia now to have closure by documenting what I saw, and the consequences of it today,” he says.

Kir Viedt agrees with him.

“We are going down there to finish what we came for in 2008: To

tell the world about what’s really going on in Cambodia,” she says.

The yet unnamed documentary is due to come out in 2013.

March 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 45

Medium

Swedish Meat Balls and Mashed Potatoes

T

Evil

here are as many different recipes for Swedish meatballs as there are Swedish Mammas. When it comes to meatballs, it gets personal. This is a basic recipe on which to build your own. Over the past twenty or so years, most families only bother making meatballs from scratch for special occasions and tend to stick with the bought version for everyday events. This is a shame because homemade meatballs taste rather different. Most would say that a dish of meatballs, mashed potato with cream gravy and lingonberry jam is about as Swedish as things get. It’s up there with ABBA, Volvos and Wallander.

For the meatballs:

• 700 grams lean minced beef AND 500 grams minced pork (min 10% fat) • 1 onion, grated • 60 gram porridge oats • 2 eggs • 350 ml stock (chicken stock works well) • 2 ½ tbsp plain flour or corn flour Spices: 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp ground allspice, ½ tsp ground black pepper, 2 tsp ground white pepper

For the cream gravy

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A knob of butter (approx. 10g), a heaped tablespoon of plain flour (10 g), water from the potatoes, 50 ml of cream. Lingonberry jam (we recommend Lingonsylt from either Tillmans or Felix, both available at Scandi Kitchen).

1. Soak the porridge oats in water for fifteen minutes. Whisk the eggs together and mix with the oats. Add onion and spices and mix well.

2. Mix the meats together in a mixer to ensure thoroughly mixed.

Add the egg mix and flour. You should be left with a mouldable, but sticky, mixture.

3. Roll the individual meatballs in your hands and leave ready to fry.

It helps if your hands are damp. Each meatballs should be around 2 cm in diameter – or larger if you cannot be bothered making 80 meatballs.

4. Melt a knob of butter in a frying pan and once hot, carefully add meatballs. Shake the pan gently to ensure they don’t stick and keep them moving as they fry – thus ensuring their “roundness”.

You will most likely need to do two batches. Fry until done – for around 5 minutes. Keep in a warm oven until needed.

5. Add a knob of butter to the meatball pan over medium heat. Add flour to form a roux and whisk. Add the water from the potatoes bit by bit and let it boil to thicken. Once at desired quantity and thickness, add the cream. Season with salt and pepper.

6. Serve meatballs with mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables and the gravy, with lingonberry jam on the side.

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