ScandAsia Thailand - February 2012

FEB 2012

Thailand

Danish Nurses More Swedish Trained in Thailand Schools in Thailand Remarkable Turn-Around page 28-29 ScandAsia.dk

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Coming Events DWN Fastelavn Date: 19 February 2012

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 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

Danish Women’s Network in Bangkok will organize the Danish traditional “Fastelavn” on 19 February 2012. Children will enjoy fantasy costume and adorable makeup. You will meet many characters from famous films. Meanwhile parents will have an opportunity to share experience with others parents. For more information, please contact dwnbkk@gmail.com.

Nordic Young Professionals Night Out Date: 24 February 2012 Kick off the first Nordic Young Professionals Night Out for 2012. Enjoy buffet, drinks and chat with your Scandinavian Friends in Bangkok. The date will be 24 February 2012.

Venue and more info will be announced at www.dancham.or.th.

DanCham Annual General Meeting Date: 29 February 2012 Location: The Ambassador’s Residence Danish-Thai Chamber of Commerce invites members to The Annual General Meeting following by Darden Dinner at the Ambassador’s Residence on 29 February 2012. Only members are invited and registration is a must to contact@dancham.or.th. Official invitation will be sent out to member shortly and more info will be founded at www.dancham.or.th.

Distribution : Pimjai Chaimongkol pimjai@scandmedia.com

SSS Golf Match Against British Club

Printing : Lake & Foundtain Printing Co., Ltd.

Date: 3 March 2012 Location: Thana City Golf & Sports Club

Daily news and features here: www.scandasia.com

Scandinavian Society Golf Club in corporation with The British Club organizes the special golf match between Scandinavian and British on 3 March 2012 at Thana City Golf & Sport Club. Guarantee a great fun match! Registration could be founded at www.zabaigolf.com.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY SCANDINAVIAN SOCIETY

Opening of the European Asean Business Centre

T

he European ASEAN Business Centre (EABC) was officially launched in Bangkok on Wednesday 18 January 2012 at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, The Ballroom.

This opening was hosted by the EABC President Mr. Rolf-Dieter Daniel and presided over by the EU Ambassador to Thailand H.E. David Lipman and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul on behalf of the Prime Minister H.E. Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra.

The mission of EABC is to represent a unified and comprehensive voice of European businesses in Thailand. The EABC will work towards increasing European companies - especially SME’s - trade and investment trade in Thailand and improving the working conditions for the companies already established here.

The voice of the EABC will have considerable weight. It comes with an official mandate of the European Union. It is backed by the existing Chambers of Commerce for Germany, Belgian & Luxembourg, Britain, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Finland, Italy, Norway and Sweden. And the Embassies of the EU Member States in Thailand are linked in as partners of the centre.

The EABC main activities include carrying out of advocacy – drafting and disseminating joint European industry position papers and supporting European businesses with trade related information. In cooperation with its stakeholders EABC will be organising European wide events to foster European businesses in Thailand.

Eight sector specific working groups have been established for the following sectors: Automotive, Food & Beverages, Healthcare & Pharmaceutical, ICT, Insurance, Intellectual Property Rights and Transport & Logistics.

A key cross-sectoral issues working group including a.o financial issues facing investors, manufacturers and associated suppliers in Thailand is named the “Horizontal” working group.

Membership European companies or European business interestdriven companies have the right and are invited to be members of EABC. The members are encouraged to take active part in trade advocacy working groups.

EABC will facilitate its members throughout the development of ideas and thoughts that establish the European business position on relevant matters in each industry by: a) aiding and facilitating the development of trade and commerce in Thailand through activities aimed at improving the business environment and the removal or reduction of regulatory and other political obstacles; b) collecting, developing and disseminating relevant information to the stakeholders and the Advocacy working groups; c) organising and holding conferences and seminars and other such meetings as may be considered desirable to promote the interests of the EABC; d) communicating with the Thai Government and its various ministries and agencies to facilitate the conduct of business in Thailand by EABC stakeholders and members; e) providing industry inputs for the formulation of EC positions and suggesting priorities for trade policy negotiations with Thailand and ASEAN members. Working closely with the EC-led Market Access Teams in Thailand as well as supporting the activities of the EUD and the governments of the EU member states and their respective institutions pursuing objectives to the benefit of EABC.

6 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2012

Networking with Swedish Students at the Huntsman’s Pub

T

he Thai Swedish Chamber of Commerce were back in usual style at the Networking Evening at the Huntsman’s Pub, Landmark Hotel on Thursday 12 January, sharing views and exchanging information in the usual friendly atmosphere.

This particular night, the first rounds of wine, beer, soft drinks and snacks for the evening were kindly sponsored by University of Boras. The University ofg Boras is working closely with the Asian Institute of Technology and other universities in Thailand exchanging students and faculty members.

Many professors and students had joined and seemed eager to get to know the Swedish businessmen in town. Most of these talented students were available for internship in the members’ company so there was also good reason for the bussinessmen to mingle with them before others had been there and made appointments already.

Scandinavian Society Christmas Greeting

O

n Christmas Eve, the Scandinavian Sopciety Siam hosted a small “Merry Christmas Reception” after the service in Christ Church on Convent Road.

The event is a dear old tradition for Scandinavian residents in Bangkok. This year, ScanDeli’s Goran Nyhlen was in charge of the food - which quickly ran out - and the wine and soft drinks of which there was luckily plenty. And anyway, who can be grumpy on a Christmas Eve?

8 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2012

Remarkable Nordic Networking with dtac

O

n 24 January 2012, dtac - or to be precise Total Access Communication PCL - gave a warm welcome to memers of Nordic Chambers in Thailand. About 100 members and guests gathered at the 38th floor of Chamchuri Square, home of dtac.

Mr. Axel Blom, President of Thai-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the guests and thanked dtac for inviting the Nordic Chamber to such a wonderful networking tonight. Then Mr. Jon Eddy Abdullah, CEO of dtac, presented the description of the business situation, the current mobile market, consumer analysis, and future accomplishment.

After his presentation, participants were invited to step up to the open-air bar that was connected to the meeting room. The light wind, the top view of Bangkok’s night skyline, the free flow of drinks and finger foods and the soft acoustic jazz music by Trio Band made the night an evening to remember. Enjoy high resolution picture click here.

Total Access Communication PCL was established in 1989. Telenor became a shareholder in 2001 and introduced the brand name dtac.

The company offers a full range of mobile phone services to its customers through contract and prepaid tariff plans. Currently, dtac is the second largest mobile operator in Thailand.

February 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 9

ScandAsia News Brief

Nordic Countries Increase Green Energy Funding in the Mekong Region F inland will double its support for green energy projects in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia from 4.9 mil. Euro to 9.1 mil. Euro. Finnish Ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Mrs. Sirpa Mäenpää, made the announcement on 31 January 2012 at the 2nd Regional Annual Forum of The Energy and Environment Partnership Programme in the Mekong Region (EEP Mekong) held in Bangkok.

Ambassador Sirpa Mäenpää said the programme had been approved for another three year period and that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland has budgeted Euro 9.1 m for the 2013 - 2016 extension.

At the forum, also the Nordic Development Fund confirmed the extension of the program and its intend to provide the additional funds.

The Energy and Environment Partnership Programme was launched in 2009 by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland with support from NDF, the Nordic Development Fund,

From left to right, Ms.Kati Veijonen, Counsellor Embassy of Finland; Ms. Marita Meranto, Regional Manager; Mr.Helge Semb, Managing Director NDF; H.E. Sirpa Maenpaa, Ambassador of Finland to Thailand, Dr. Hannu Eerola, Program Manager, Nordic Development Fund; and Dr. Ludovic Lacrosse, Chief Technical Advisor EEP

also sponsored by Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. During the first phase of the programme that runs till this year the donors have allocated a budget of Euro 7,9 million. To date, more than thirty projects in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam have benefited from the funds.

The Forum in Bangkok was held for project managers, equipment suppliers, NGO’s and financiers to find ways to overcome the common challenge to find funds to carry through promising projects that - if successful - may be copied by others and implemented elsewhere in the region.

“Positive results cannot be sustained without resources”, the ambassador pointed out being pleased to see that EEP Forum is touching on this important issue.

Focus of the conference is to engage government experts from all four Mekong countries, NGOs and private sectors companies - project developers, equipment suppliers, financiers and others – in dealing with energy and environment issues and clean energy projects financing in combining traditional and new financing instruments.

Mr. Hannu Eerola, Country Programme Manager of the Nordic Development Fund said in his address to the forum delegates on Wednesday that further NDF finance instruments are also available.

“The Nordic Climate Facility (NCF) is a possible instrument of funding challenging and innovative climate change approaches”, Mr. Eerola says.

“NCF might be beneficial to both the projects in the sector of climate change and the donor countries, as the instrument is facilitating the exchange of technology, know-how and innovative ideas between the Nordic countries and the countries of the Mekong Region.”

Interested project developers may inquire whether their projects are eligible for funding by contacting Dr. Ludovic Lacrosse, Chief Technical Advisor of the Regional Office of the EEP Mekong in Bangkok. E-mail : eepmekong@eepmekong.org.

SAS Most Punctual Airline - Again S candinavian Airlines won again this year - punctualy - the award as Europe’s most punctual airline.

Out of SAS’ 239,320 flights in 2011, 208,972 arrived on time. The arrival statistics for 2011 is also an improvement of 2010’s punctuality of 86.47%. In 2009, SAS’ punctuality record was 89.83% and in 2008 it was 83.92%

10 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2012

New Swedish A Drama Series Takes Place in Thailand

new Swedish drama series, “30 Degress in February”, about Swedes leaving their home country to seek happiness in Thailand, has started being aired on SVT. The series follows different Swedes coming to Thailand for their own specific reason: Joys and Wildas mother, Kajsa, gets rid of job and house and buys a Bungalow Resort in Thailand. The goal for the small family is to get happier and stop fighting, but when they arrive they meet another Swedish family who claim they bought the same Resort.

The series also follow Majlis who loves Thailand, as intense as her husband Bengt hates it. After vacationing in Thailand Majlis suggests that the couple should stay there, retire and live on Bengt’s retirement money. Bengt is not happy about the idea and so the drama begins.

Glenn is 45 years old and his dream is ordinary - a family. But the women in Sweden do not recognize a good man. But in Thailand Glenn is sure he will fulfill his dream.

All the destinies in the series believe that happiness is somewhere out there and that it is possible to grasp. Perhaps naively, but the journey exposes them to the challenges and conflicts they would never have met in Sweden. “30 degrees in February” is an emotional drama with excitement, love and warmth mixed with comedic elements.

Readers with SVT subscription are able to watch the series directly via satellite.

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13/09/2011 13:45 February 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 11

ScandAsia News Brief

A Proud Moment for the Father of Thailand’s Dairy Industry T

he Danish agronomist, Mr. Gunnar Søndergaard was January 11 2012 honored at the National Dairy Fair held at at the Dairy Farming Promotion Organization of Thailand´s headquarters in Muak Lek District, Saraburi Province.

Mr. Søndergaard received a wristband in gold, at gift from the staff at the Thai-Danish dairy farm. The gift was presented

by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

His his outstanding effort for Thailand is in helping to establish the Thai-Danish farm in the 1960’s. The farm was funded by Danish Agricultural Promotion Board and the project brought modern dairy technology to Thailand, paid scholarships for Thai dairy technicians to be trained in Denmark and made Danish genetic material the foundation of a new, high yielding milking cow stock in Thailand.

Mr. Søndergaard´s three sons, his daughter, his sister and grandchildren witnessed the honourable moment in the huge tent in Muak Lek. After the ceremony Mr. Søndergaard continued his work for the Thai dairy industry as he presented the Soendergaard Award to members of the Thai-Danish farm, whom had performed with excellence during 2011.

Mr. Søndergaard is already elevated to Commander of the Most Admirable Order of Direkgunabhorn, Thailand’s highest possible order for a non-Thai citizen. Also the Order of the White Elephant was received previously.

Thai Airways to Start Direct Route Between Phuket and Stockholm T

hai Airways starts direct flights from Stockholm (Arlanda) to Phuket from the 1st of November 2012. The new route is good news to the many Swedes who each year travel to Phuket and those who use Phuket as a stop before the journey continues to the very popular Phi Phi Islands.

The departure will be every Thursday and Saturday. The time of departure is 20:45 from Arlanda Airport and the flight number of flightTG963. That basically means that there will be two aircraft from Thai Airways taking off from Arlanda every Thursday and Saturday.

12 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2012

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

Salad Buri Resort & Spa

Salad Buri Resort & Spa 60/2 Moo 8, Haad Salad, Koh Phangan, Suratthani 84280 Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 77 349 146, +66 (0) 77 349 147 / Fax: +66 (0) 77 349 148 Email: saladburi@yahoo.com / www.saladburi.com February 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 13

Danish Nursing Students at Ramathibodi Hospital Students from Danish nursing schools work regularly as trainees in Bangkok at Ramathibodi Hospital, a hospital related to Mahidol University. The nurses are supervised by Clinical Instructor Bualuang Sumdaengrit, who has trained Thai nurses for 10 years and foreign exchange students for two years.

By Steen Poulin Nielsen Photos by Disraporn Yatprom

14 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2012

T

he three Danish students currently working as interns in Bangkok are Nora, Mai and Therese – all between 21 and 24 years old and here in Thailand for various reasons. ”I have been backpacking in Thailand before I started studying to become a nurse”, says Nora who studies in Copenhagen.

“I knew that i would like to be a trainee outside Denmark. For me Thailand was a natural choice because I already knew about the culture from my travelling and i wanted to know more,” Nora explains.

Mai is studying in Roskilde and her way to Ramathibodi Hospital was more coincidental. ”There was an opening due to a cancellation and I asked if I could go. I am born in Korea and has always wanted to try to work in Asia sometime, now seems to be a good time”, Mai says.

Therese has known for long time that she wanted to go, since she started her studies in Odense,

she was on the waiting list for a trainee ship in Thailand. ”I wanted to have this cultural experience as Denmark is increasingly getting a multicultural society.

The experience I get here in Thailand will be valuable for me when I go back to work at a Danish hospital,” she says.

The appointed supervisor for the three Danish nurses is Clinical Instructor Khun Bualuang Sumdaengrit, Ramathibodi Hospital. ”I have worked with education of Thai nurses for 10 years now and two years with foreign exchange students,” Khun Bualuang says.

“I really like working with western nurse students, they are more focused on ethical questions compared to Thai students. But they are less skilled when it comes to dose medicine and to work with instruments”, Khun Bualuang says.

Some differences Nora believes that there is not too much difference between the tasks of nurses in Denmark and in Thai-

One lesson learned by all of them is the big difference in the approach to being busy. None of the Danish students have seen or heard Thai nurses complain about working hard. It seems that the Thai nurses appreciate that they are lucky to be able to work as nurses.

When it comes to terminally ill patients, we would never keep the truth away from them in Denmark, but in Thailand it is quite normal. The family is often informed before the patient,” says Mai

land, but some of the differences in culture are seen in the methods used in the two countries, like the way the nurses communicate with the patients. Here in Thailand it seems that the nurses are more talking to than talking with the patient compared to Denmark, she says.

This is acknowledged by Mai as well. ”Sometimes the relatives are the first to be informed about the condition of the patient; that would never happen in Denmark where the patient is the first to know,” says Mai. She has seen terminal patients unaware of their condition.

She adds that the Thai nurses seems more skilled in basic jobs like injections and medicine dosing.

Danish nurses are expected to learn this after graduation when working at a hospital.

Therese thinks that the differences are significant, including the corporate culture. ”Thai nurses seems to be more relaxed and informal in their inter-

action, the culture seems less competitive than in Denmark,” Therese says.

She mentions that the organisation of the work is different here, more specialized with one nurse measuring pulse and blood pressure, another giving medicine etc.

In Denmark the nurse is the key person for the patient taking care of most details in nursing. She also thinks that the Thai nurses seems to be higher educated when working at the hospital, maybe due to the difference in the education. In Denmark it take only three years to become a nurse against four years in Thailand including two years work at a hospital. ”The two years practical training gives the nurses some skills we don´t get at home”, Therese says.

Much more antibiotics but less painkillers Nora tells that antibiotics are much more frequent given to patients here, even patients with no need for this are giving penicillin. She has

asked her teacher if they are not concerned about resistance from the bacteria but she was told that they just order another antibiotics if resistance is found. Much different from Denmark, she says.

In Denmark it is regarded as important that patients are treated against any pain. The scale for pain goes from 1 to 10 and here it is not uncommon to find patients scoring 6 on the scale, still they are not given painkillers. Pain is much more accepted here as part of a disease.

Lessons learned All three Danish nurse students agree that they have learned a valuable lesson here in Thailand. ”I have learned that there are several ways to perform and still be a good nurse. I have been working with children here in a much different way than we do at home, but the children are as nice and wonderful as the kids at home, different treatment can give same result”, Nora says.

Mai thinks that focusing on ba-

sic skills has learned her much more than she would have been able to learn at home.

Therese likes the way Thais seems to observe the patient and to make decisions based on observations. In Denmark most decisions are founded in statistics and literature, but she has learned that the individual treatment can be beneficial.

Also her understanding of cultural differences are much better now, she tells.

The main lesson One lesson learned by all of them is the big difference in the approach to being busy working. None of the Danish students have seen or heard Thai nurses complain about working hard. It seems that the Thai nurses are very happy to be able to work as nurses and appreciates that they are lucky to be able to do so. In Denmark complaining about how busy work can be at the hospital is much more common, they tell.

February 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 15

My Wife Took My Son Preben Pretzmann has a problem. His ex-wife took their son to stay with her in the USA and there seems to be nothing he can do about it.

By Steen Poulin Nielsen

A

round 15 years ago Danish Preben Pretzmann visited Thailand. He met a Thai woman, fell in love and the couple went to Denmark to get married and to stay. Two years later, the couple relocated to Thailand and set up the FBI Udon Real Estate business in Udon Thani. It was a happy time, according to Mr. Pretzmann. A few years after arriving in Thailand they had a son, the business was growing and things went well for the couple. But the happy time came to an end, and around three years ago they agreed on a divorce. The divorce was managed without much fighting and disagreement.

As the couple was married in Denmark they had to get married in Thailand before a divorce could be granted in Thailand according to the Thai law. They married on one day and got the divorce on the next.

“While we were getting the divorce she asked me if I agreed that my son could live in her house, which I confirmed,” says Mr. Pretzmann. All documents were

signed and the divorce was in effect.

The ex-wife moved from the house into another house only 500 meters away and their son could come and see both his parents as he wished.

Trouble started About one year ago, Mr. Pretzmann´s ex-wife met another man, an American, and she decided to relocate to the USA. She asked her sister, who also lives in the neighborhood, to take care of the boy while she was visiting the States. But she forgot to tell Mr. Pretzmann about it.

“When I found out about this arrangement I was quite disappointed and my son was not happy to live together with his aunt, so he moved back home to live with me,” says Preben Pretzmann.

Mr. Pretzmann contacted a lawyer who discovered that when the couple had divorced Mr. Pretzmann had not only accepted that their son should stay with his mother, he had also accepted that his ex-wife had the full custody of their son.

“I was quite shocked,” he tells.

But according to his lawyer Mr. Pretzmann was entitled to take action because the mother had fled the country leaving Preben Pretzmann as the person in charge.

The son now lived together with his father and Mr. Pretzmanns daughter from a previous marriage back in Denmark who had stayed with him throughout the marriage and the time after the divorce. It was a good family life, according to Mr. Pretzmann.

“Then one Friday afternoon my phone rang, it was my ex-wife calling from the US telling me that her sister was to come and pick up our son,” says Preben Pretzmann.

He told her that he would not allow it.

Mr. Pretzmann did seek advice at the Danish Embassy. He tells that they warned him about not to let the aunt take care of the boy.

“This is simply wrong as you can not transfer the parental rights to a third party, in this case the sister.

When my wife is not in Thailand, I am the one in charge of my son. I am very disappointed that the Em-

Then one Friday afternoon my phone rang, it was my ex-wife calling from the US telling me that her sister was to come and pick up our son.

16 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2012

Away bassy gave me incorrect information and bad advice instead of helping me,” he says.

What the ex-wife did not know was that Mr. Pretzmann had brought the matter about custody to the court of Udon Thani.

Mr. Pretzmann had asked the court to make it impossible for the son to travel outside Thailand until the case was over. The judge refused to do so as Mr. Pretzmann could not present hard proof that the mother was planning to take their son out of Thailand.

Armed police in the house Less than one hour from the phone call of the ex-wife, armed police came to the home of Mr. Pretzmann. Eight policemen in total. The police officer in charge told Mr. Pretzmann that he would be charged for kidnapping his son.

“I called my lawyer and told him what was going on. He was able to convince the police that they did not have to arrest me,” he says.

One of the police officers interviewed the son and asked him if he would like to go and live in the US with his mother. The boy told the police that he did not wanted to go but wanted to stay in Udon Thani with his father and his sister, according to Preben Pretzmann.

“The policeman then picked up a mobile phone and called my exwife in the US. He forced my son to take the phone and my son talked to his mother for nearly one hour.

At some point my ex-wife asked my son about something which my son confirmed. I don´t know what the question was, but at the moment my son confirmed the question, the policeman said: ´Listen now, your son wants to stay with his mother´ and in a hurry my son was taken out of the house and into a police car,” he says.

Mr. Pretzmann has been seeking advice at the Danish Embassy when his son moved back into his home.

They warned him about not to let the aunt take care of the boy, he tells.

“This is simply wrong as you can not transfer the parental rights to a third party, in this case the sister.

When my wife is not in Thailand, I am the one in charge of my son. I am very disappointed that the Embassy gave me incorrect information and bad advice instead of helping me,” he says.

Meanwhile, the police was still

waiting for a conclusion on the case and Preben Pretzmann’s lawyer advised him to drop the legal battle to get the custody of his son.

With no support to be found from any other party, Mr. Pretzmann felt that he had no other option than to do as the police told him to do.

Held a Danish passport The boy holds both a Thai and a Danish passport, and when he left for the US he travelled on his Danish passport. Doing so the ex-wife was, however, not able to get a permanent stay for the boy as the US authorities asked for a signature from the father. She then made a U-turn into Thailand together with the boy in order to travel back into the US on the Thai passport.

“After three month my ex-wife called me. She and our son was in Thailand and she offered me to see my son during the weekend which I did. We had a great time together. (,) but I got sad when I learned that my son lives under difficult circumstances. He has not his own room, he sleeps in the same room as his mother and her husband. Where they live, you need a car to get around, but can not afford to have one. The only way I can contact my son is through his mother on Facebook. I really don't feel comfortable about this situation. And my son told me that he would rather live in Udon with me and his sister,” Preben Pretzmann says.

Eventually, with neither his son or his ex-wife living in Thailand, Mr. Pretzmann decided to withdraw the case at the Udon court.

Preben Pretzmann thinks that he will most likely not get to see his son again until the boy gets older, maybe 16-18 years old, and on his own initiative contacts his father. He hopes that the boy will find his father on the Internet and send him an email and that Mr. Pretzmann will then get the chance to send him a ticket to Thailand.

“When I look back I made a big mistake about not having the divorce documents translated before signing. It was a huge mistake. If I knew that my son was well and lived under good conditions in the US, I guess that I would be able to accept the situation not living near him. But as it is, I feel this is a very bad situation,” Preben Pretzmann says.

February 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 17

The Wilderness and Th In this second article about the Norwegian explorer and scientist Carl Bock we follow his journey to the North of what is now Thailand.

By Flemming Winther Nielsen

C

arl Bock left Bangkok the 9th of November 1881. A river steamer provided by the King took him to Nakhon Sawan, - Pak Nam Pho. Captain Andreas Richelieu of The Royal Thai Navy was in command, so our explorer was in professional hands.

It took four days to cover the 250 kilometers. The ship did 6 miles per hour but the current mounted to 4.

The journey became monotonous and – unless you are a devoted botanicus – it really is. Your outlook from water level + 20 cm’s is limited to the banks of the river with their vegetation, maybe a croc now then, a village is passed. No horizon is visible. So, 6 miles forward but the current sets you 4 back; sometimes miles are longer than sometimes.

Years later, the railway reached Nakhon Sawan town where the waters, River Ping and River Nan with their tributaries meet. That happened in 1905 and from then on, miles were miles and the importance of the rivers started to decline.

North from Pak Nam Pho – and no money When Bock arrived Pak Nam Pho, the comfort of the journey ended.

He hired small boats and crew to take him up River Ping towards Chiang Mai and beyond. It was hard work from the beginning. The crews were not willing to travel north of their own district, new men were to be hired. Boats were lost in the cataracts and some of the men simply ran away.

Finally the strong and stubborn Mr. Bock reached the provincial town he calls ‘Raheng’, it must be the town and province today known as Tak. Tak town, beautifully situated by the river, is approximately 360 kilometers NNW of Bangkok. It was then the real border town between Siamese and Lao territory and Carl Bock arrived up here the 10th of December 1881.

As mentioned in the first article

Official photo, 1884.

Elephants taking a break outside the Missionary Hall in Chiang Mai.

published in December 2011, Bock was equipped with Letters of Introduction from the King and these still worked. He got a warm reception by the governor and was provided with 6 elephants for the journey onwards. Bock toured town and got impressed by the intense gambling, mostly with cards, here there and everywhere. Even children and grandmothers participated – a tradition well-known to this day.

It is a reliable sign of sovereignty that the country’s currency is accepted on the market. Although still – in principle - on Siamese soil; just a few kilometers north of Tak, around 20 o N. laterals, our traveler learned that the Ticals or Bahts of Siam were no longer current currency and could not be used. He was on Laotian territory. Here, only Rupees of British Burma were valid.

This of course also caused trouble.

Furthermore the reception from the Laotian Princes along the route, although allied with Siam, became lukewarm even hostile. The small courts used the old tricks of holding him back for a period, for example by arranging prolonged parties or create ‘misunderstandings’ between him and some more or less noble. They undoubtedly wanted to show that they, not the Siamese King, had the power over this foreigners schedule and travel.

Chiang Mai and beyond

18 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2012

It would be much too extensive and beyond the scope of these articles to describe all Bocks writings about daily life and culture among the Laotian, Shan, Karen people north of Siam. Therefore only that he in the rather small but more developed principality of Chiang Mai established a fruitful contact with the Siamese Deputy Commissioner.

The commissioner himself had got himself so hated, that he had been called back to Bangkok. Many people came to Bock, expressing their grievances over him, especially over his ‘loose justice towards Laotians and Burmese people’, wanting only that a British Consul would be appointed. It should be noted that the Burmese were British subjects under British jurisdiction.

The Chiang Mai Royal House was ailing and the Siamese ready for a full take over. Officially the principality had been affiliated with Siam since 1774.

Of course also The American Mission was visited and Bock is well aware of the importance of this hastily expanding institution, especially in the field of providing medical care – although he suggests that the motives of the many sisters and nurses might not be totally altruistic but more “for ladies with whom, for instance, the course of love has not run smooth,

and who are willing to seek solace in devoting themselves to a good work far away from the scene of their disappointments” (p. 223), a bit venomous our scientist can be.

Then what we now call ‘The Golden Triangle’ was travelled and Bock visited the beautiful Pau, as one of the first Europeans ever.

His book has many interesting ethnological drawings from these areas. Up here, no Siamese or their rules were seen. But then he turned south and hastily travelled back to Bangkok, where he arrived 14th of June 1882.

Bock had a farewell audience with the King. He showed all his drawings and the King asked in dept about various matters up North.

Again, Bock writes with admiration about the King’s noble character and about his aspirations and achievements. Finally Bock was invited to visit the Royal Harem, a very honorable farewell present.

Perspective As we know it was a narrow escape for Siam not to be swallowed up by the British and French Empires, especially around the time of the Paknam incident in 1893. Not so known is that the Siam of the delta and Bangkok was itself very expansive too, but ‘internal’ so to speak.

By then the northern frontiers

he Power Sources: BOCK, CARL (1884) : ‘Temples and Elephants’ (Oxford University Press, 1986)

Wat Chedi Luang in the centre of the old ruined city of Chiang Saen, which Bock visited on his travels.

ran along a line around 20 o N. lat. from Tak, north of Sukothai, Phitsanulok to around Phetchabun. To the east Korat, Nakhon Ratchachima, was the border, then some Lao townships and the vast area they named ‘Kmer Wilderness’. Nowadays called Esaan, no natural resources then, no fertile land then and now. Not inter-

esting for a power to be.

The land East of Mekong where Siam had a foothold was conquered land with no real relations to Siam.

This was the case for the rich province of Burapa containing Battambang, Srisophon and Siemriep.

In 1907 Siam had to give over the province, inhabited by Kmer people,

Bock had a farewell audience with the King. He showed all his drawings and the King asked in depth about various matters up North. Finally Bock was invited to visit the Royal Harem, a very honorable farewell present.

to France. This was a serious and real loss. The city and province had for many years been governed by a Siamese Vice regent. The regent of the day, Pharaya Katthathorn had to relocate back to Siam.

To arrange this ‘trek’ became the first major assignment of Captain Erik Seidenfaden of ‘The Royal Provincial Gendarmerie’. An astonishing number of 1350, - one thousand three hundred fifty (!) ox carts and buffalo wagons were engaged in the relocation of the Phraya, his household, Siamese civil servants, his endless belongings and gathered wealth. All transported from Battambang to Prachinburi in the rainy season of 1907 – with no roads but many rivers. Not a small job really.

Meanwhile Siam gained control of more and more principalities to the north, not necessarily with acceptance or blessing of the various peoples. It was not just blood thirst when the Shans immediately killed all and every person of Siamese origin, officials and privates alike, in the principality of Phrae where they made their revolt in 1902.

SEIDENFADEN, ERIK (1999) : ‘Det Kongelige Siamesiske Provinsgendarmeri og dets danshe Officier’ (Poul Kristensens Forlag, 1999)

and ready borders were made and where a political new order was under creation. Therefore all his ‘clinical’ observations alone speak volumes about the political development process. Also because of his academic references, his observations stand and are often confirmed by other foreign sources.

Note: To get the full story, please read the first article in the December issue of ScandAsia Thailand.

No politics Siamese 5 Ticals banknotes - front and back - issued during the reign of Rama V by Banque de L’Indochine, Bangkok. Siamese banknotes like these were rejected when Bock entered Laotian territory just North of what is today Tak.

When starting his journey Bock had promised the Siamese government to ‘refrain from any political allusions’ and he kept his word. But he travelled a land where only rough

Prince Indavijayanond became the ruling prince of Chiang Mai in 1873, and was promoted to King of Chiang Mai in 1881 by King Rama V of Siam.

February 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 19

Hands-on Integration of Karen Refugees

B

irgit Tybell and Annica Alexanderson are two Swedish enthusiasts who have shown how innovation and nonprofit efforts can achieve social integration of immigrants. The two women started the not-for-profit company “Handtaget” - The Handle - in Lindesberg, a small town between Orebro and Borlange in central Sweden - with the purpose to create jobs for immigrants who have fled the military dictatorship in Burma.

“Handtaget is about Fair Trade at home where all parties win,” the two explains.

Immigrants are allowed to work and pay taxes of their wages. “Paying taxes is good for the future,” stated the employees when they received their first pay check.

Households too busy to take care of certain household chores get help with cleaning, ironing, mowing and other household services - and they do not have to feel guilty for paying “black market” money.

Society wants the immigrants integrated into the labor market that provides tax revenue instead of

being a cost.

“And we can feel satisfaction and pride to be able to contribute to this,” said the two executives who run “Handtaget” on a voluntary basis since they retired.

“The big advantage of a small town” Birgit Tybell previously worked with coordination of the newly arrived immigrant families with children in child care and school in Lindesberg. Her involvement continued after retirement - and with the help of Birgit's large network of contacts, many immigrants in Lindesberg received help during their integration phase.

“It is the great advantage of a small community - there is a closeness and it helps in many cases,” explains Birgit.

Annica Alexanderson previously worked in marketing and public relations in a major international company. When she reached retirement age she saw the need to assist the newly arrived Karen people integrate in Lindesberg.

“But I did not really know how to start,” says Annica who was un-

aware that Birgit had similar plans.

“It was only when we met that our business idea took shape and we formed a joint partnership - not to make money but to be able to handle the administrative task of paying bills and salaries.”

Birgit and Annica a successful combination Birgit Tybell and Annica Alexanderson was a successful combination:

“In order to package and market such a service concept a genuine knowledge of immigrants' possibilities and limitations is required,” Annica explains.

It was easier than expected to find the right task and customers to handle: “The friendly attitude and high work ethic of the Karen immigrants has actually made them ​​ very popular - and they want nothing more than to work and be self-sufficient,” says Birgit.

Birgit and Annica knew they were willing to work and diligent but they had no prior work experience after many years in refugee camps in Thailand before coming to Sweden.

“For them to just go and register as unemployed doesn't work - what should they write in their resume?” says Birgit and Annica who chose a different path.

“We investigated what kind of work they could do and wanted to work with - and, from there we tried to find solutions.”

Have developed faster than expected Bsck in Burma and Thailand the men were mainly working with growing rice and vegetables.

“So we rented allotments of the municipal housing company where the Karen now grow vegetables which they sell themselves to the retailers in town,” says Birgit.

The women wanted to learn how to clean a house “the Swedish 20 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2012

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way” - including window cleaning, which was something completely new for those who lived in refugee camps with no windows.

“They learned quickly - and after a few weeks they were out on their first cleaning mission,” says Annica.

Since then (March 2011) the business has evolved faster than Birgit and Annica dared hope for from eight hours invoiced in March to 425 hours in October.

And the positive trend continues.

“Our satisfied customers recommend us to their friends and acquaintances,” Annica says.

The timing is also right. More and more Swedes see paying for household chores as a convenient way to contribute to the integration of immigrants into society and at the same time there are public funds that can be applied for to help pay the cost.

Helps the elderly- and learn Swedish ‘Handtaget’ has already broadened its range of services from a growing social need - to help older people in addition to home care.

“Older people can stay longer in their homes if they receive help both with housework and gardening,” says Birgit.

“And our Karen immigrants are trustworthy and are enjoy instinctively talking with the elderly - it is the best way to learn Swedish,” adds Annica.

“Handtaget” has currently six Karen immigrants employed on an

hourly schedule - four women and two men - who all completed an introductory course in Swedish.

“Ultimately this is about confidence and trust - trust in us who sell their services as well as trust in our staff whom they let into their homes,” explains Annica: “Language difficulties can lead to misconceptions - that we minimize, for example by teaching our staff the basics of how a Swedish household work.”

For ‘Handtaget’, the ultimate ambition is that theeir staff gets so integrated that they can find full time employment in another company.

“Then, we will recruit some new immigrants into our business,” summarizes Birgit Tybell and Annica Alexanderson.

The two enthusiastic champions were recently recognized for their voluntary efforts by Lindesbergs Rotary Club. The business is also supported by Lions Clubs in Lindesberg and Sparbanksstiftelsen Bergslagen.

Handtaget offers: Cleaning (weekly cleaning, autumn / spring-cleaning and final cleaning); Window cleaning; Ironing; Mowing / snow removal; Easier repairs; ‘Handtaget’ will invoice 250 SEk per hour, minus government support, which means the customer will pay only 125 SEK per hour for the services.

About the Karen people Karen people are the largest of the ethnic groups in Burma. The Karen people have systematically been repressed by the military regime since the end of the second world war.

Karen are also found in southern China and northern Thailand.

Since 2004, Sweden has annually received a large number of socalled “refugees” from Burma. Most have been granted refugee status by the UN for many years in refugee camps in Thailand.

Today there are nearly 800 immigrants scattered all over Sweden.

The Karen immigrants in Lindesberg are from Burma and have been in refugee camps in Thailand for 1015 years before they 5-6 years ago came to Lindesberg with the help of UNHCR.

Contact Information: Birgit Tybell, phone 0581-61 18:09, 070-382 20 91 Annica Alexanderson, phone 0581-12013, 070-227 95 98 E-mail: info@handtaget.com www.handtaget.com 22 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2012

Finnish-Swedish Second Dewa Karon is a Finnish-Swedish second home project come hotel on Phuket which now rises from the ashes of the mismanaged Baan Paradise / Priority Village project, that fell apart in 2008 leaving many Swedish investors with their money wasted... or so they thought.

By Joakim Persson

T

he Scandinavian-initiated second home project Baan Paradise, a holiday dream investment for many foreigners, fell apart in 2008 along with the market changes. Many investor feared bitterly that all their money was lost.

After some six years, up until the spring of 2011, this project, built on a hillside a short walk away from Karon Beach, had still not been completed.

But now, in a remarkable turnaround and thanks to a new investor and big efforts from the various stakeholders, the project has now finally been completed. In December, it was ready to open, rebranded as Dewa Karon hotel.

The doomed second home abroad project on Phuket have thus now eventually been saved but at high cost for the individual property investors - half of whom are Scandinavians. Their very own paradise living had to be turned into a hotel operation in order to get the finances back on track. This was indeed a different outcome than the condominium project they had initially bought into.

Inexperienced developers Many of the turns in this mishandled property bugger-up cannot be verified but one thing is for sure: the two initiators from Finland could

Before repair...

24 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2012

not get their ambitious project completed. The individual buyers fell victim to these two Finnish entrepreneurs-come-developers with no previous experience of building in Thailand and also to the global financial downturn that came with full force in 2008.

“Starting a project in Thailand is very complicated - it’s not easy by any means, which one can be led into thinking since it is a fairly simple environment to live in and a carefree setting to have vacation on,” says developer and hotel operator Lars Ydmark of Tri Asia, now operating Dewa Karon.

“There are many projects of this kind more or less designed by companies with no sort of experience within either this or that – being very opportunistic, seeing the market: ‘Here it is, let’s go! Wow! Let’s build something and sell!’ I’d say 99 per cent of them have good intentions from the start, but it‘s a complicated world here and one encounters difficulties all the time,” says Lars who is someone with enough practice to know the ins and outs of what it takes - and with a track record of project completions.

“One must keep track of it all in order for things to run smoothly.

And buying something you don’t see, you must have certain trust in the person you are dealing with.”

With so many green field proj-

ects back then Lars describes the market as resembling Russian roulette regarding whom to buy from etc.

“One can do due diligence but it doesn’t say much about a particular person or company’s basic intention - or what happens if the market drops.”

No ending in sight Looking back at the heydays for real estate on Phuket around 2003 - 2005 Lars was himself active with housing projects.

“It was very much starting to take off with plenty of buyers and a sound financial world. Things felt sort of enormous. One almost thought there would be no end to it; that this was to be the norm for the coming 20-25 years,” Lars recalls.

His residential project Grove Gardens was a product out of that development where he not only built a new home for himself but a whole estate for residential investors.

“But I’m much more conservative than most other entrepreneurs; doing one thing at a time. I could see then a number of projects taking off extremely and moving on with the next before the previous one was finalized.”

“Those who did not have time enough to finalize with the cash flow

d Home Project Saved

...and after the complete restoration. at hand from the buyers ended up in a very problematic situation when the market halted in 2008. And the finalization when something is not ready is a difficult equation getting together if there are no more buyers for any unsold units.”

This was most likely the scenario with Baan Paradise - a typical off-plan project, meaning that the financing mainly comes from the sales of the units. Then there are all kinds of other influential factors such as increasing construction costs, the market conditions, construction delays etc.

“I might have been lucky being able to deliver, but I don’t think developers aimed at tricking customers, but had bad luck.”

“Today the market looks completely different than back then when the byers themselves were senseless and bought with their eyes closed. You have other buyer

It was still a stormy period then and I saw as the simplest possible solution was converting it to a hotel in order to get financing.

February 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 25

groups now, a different mind-set and the products are different.”

Condominium becomes a hotel In the summer of 2010 the apartment investors’ group at former Baan Paradise contacted Lars per

recommendation in order to look at what one could do. These investors, who were only supposed to be condominium owners, had by then managed to get legal control of the whole development.

“This was in itself positive, because their investments had financed

the project which they nearly lost.”

“It was still a stormy period then and I saw as the simplest possible solution was converting it to a hotel in order to get financing.”

The market was not strong enough in order to sell the remaining units and besides a lot more

money was needed.

All the 39 apartment owners, whom are all recognized as investors in the hotel, endorsed this plan together with a local group had entered into the company as new investor in order to finalize the project.

ScandAsia has been unable to reach any apartment investor to get further details on how their money had actually been spent prior to this.

As for the initial developers, last time in contact Jonas Broberg (featured as their representative in ScandAsia in 2006) disclosed that he had sold his shares in Priority Village, the company behind Baan Paradise, in 2007 and that he regretted not having followed the saying that one should not do business together with one’s best friends; indicating a split.

His business partner Staffan Libäck promised to tell his side of the story as late as in May 2010, claiming that he had finished negotiations regarding financing of the remaining work and that they would “complete the project whatever it takes and hand over the sold units to their buyers” as “the only viable and honest thing to do”. But his lawyer later advised him not to comment due to an on-going legal dispute. He has then gone quiet.

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According to Lars Ydmark the project had halted twice and after the intended condo owners could eventually gain legal control of the land it was moved to a new company in early 2010.

When final construction could start in March of last year more or less everything in terms of installations such as piping and air-conditioning had to be redone.

“The standard is really good here, and the structure and facades were in good shape. But with a project on and off construction for so many years many things happen in this climate with products being unused.”

Dewa branding “I saw the potential to work with this group, and not only because of that we were on good terms but also that the product had certain synergy with Dewa in Nai Yang.”

The Dewa concept is Lars’s own where the resort on Nai Yang beach - by now well established on the market - is also a mixed-used property. Gradually he realised that the project in Karon was similar and would fit well into the same branding which focuses on giving the guest an experience of a quality product and destination.

“We are very clear on what we are selling and delivering and this is for me a relatively easy product to attach to Dewa Nai Yang, since we have apartments there too.”

He says the owners also feel comfortable in that he has experience in running this type of mixed

hotel product.

“We have turned to a very traditional market active in Karon, which is also a very strong destination already promoted hard all over the world so one just have to jump on board that merry-go-round and position it correctly price-wise.”

Dewa Karon will continue the hotel operation until 2013 in a first stage in order to go through any teething problems. Then they are jointly to define the next stage about what to do with the product from 2016 and onwards.

Meanwhile each individual investor will enjoy four free holiday weeks yearly. The worldwide standard is 28 days for this kind of leisure home.

“The investors ought to be happy,” says the hotelier, “going from buying a dream to loosing it completely, and coming back from that – is fantastic. Then this might not be the kind of investment they had anticipated from the very beginning, but hey, at least it exists now!“ “It’s not this group of owners’ fault that that things turned out differently. But it’s their happiness and success that they have been capable of taking over the project, getting it finalized and then turning it into something that can generate revenue.”

“The time ahead is the positive thing,” Lars ends while sitting in the restaurant with lights on in the apartments and listening to the sound of the waterfall in the spot lit pools.

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How TTA Turned Baconc Company Around Norwegian businessman Sigmund Stromme is a legend among Nordic businessmen in Vietnam. In 2009, Sigmund Stromme became the Chairman of the 15 year old fertilizer company Bacono. Last year, only two years later, the company produced a profit 242 percent above the performance the year he took over. In this article, Sigmund Stromme shares his strategy for successfully turning the company around.

By Indius Pedersen

The Boss Sigmund Stromme Norwegian Chairman of Nordcham

B

aconco is today a fast growing fertilizer and crop care company in Vietnam, Since 2009, it has been chaired by the Norwegian businessman Mr. Sigmund Stromme. Last year, the company produced its best result ever, delivering a profit of THB 197.16 million or 242% above the performance in 2009.

Baconco’s core business is the production and sales of NPK chemical fertilizers, including imports and sales of single fertilizers and crop care products viz. insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, and spraying fertilizers.

Related businesses areas are warehousing, logistics and bagging of fertilizers for client companies.

“Today, 70% of our income comes from NPK fertilizers, another 20% is from single fertilizers and crop care products, and the remaining 10% is from warehousing and logistics,” Sigmund Stromme explains.

First the staff

When Thoresen Thai Agencies Group took over and Sigmund Stromme came on board as the Chairman, Baconco had been for sale for several years. The company had been taking fairly large losses during the financial crisis and staff moral was very low. Something had to be done.

“The first thing we did was to make an interview with managers and supervisors. Then we reorganized the company, re-assigning to suit skill sets and to increase responsibilities and accountability. All this made the work much more interesting,” Sigmund Stromme explains.

“We then gathered up all the supervisors and staff for English lessons and organized leadership skill

R

esiding in Vietnam for 19 years, a shipping executive with more than 30 years working shipping industry.

Worked for T.Klaveness Group, Oslo, Norway from 1980 to 1993.

Arrived in Vietnam in 1993 and established Thoresen-Vinama Co - Joint Venture and currently holds the following positions: • Managing Director, Thoresen - Vinama Co Joint Venture Company, largest none container

28 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2012

ship agent in HCMC - Baria Vung Tau Area, active in Maritime Logistic for Offshore sector, forwarding/logistic/ warehousing as well as chartering/operation of Vietnamese vessels.

• Chairman of the board of Thoresen-Vinama Logistic, 32.000m2 bonded warehouse complex in Phu My industrial zone.

• Chairman of the Board of Baconco Co fertilizer company, 100% foreign invested company acquired by Thoresen in July 2009, 410 employees, producing 200.000 mts per year.

• Board Member of Baria Serece Phu My Port J/S Co, where Thoresen acquired 20 % of the shares in 2010.

co Fertilizer sessions for department heads. We also provided a good health insurance for everyone. At the same time we established a transparent promotion, remuneration, and merit system, and were able to provide our employees with 2-3 months bonuses in the first profitable year.”

“We have focused on development and growth of the company, giving the employees confidence in the future. Prior to this, our staff had no opportunity for training, nor were there any HR personnel looking after personnel development. All this we are doing for our staff, so that it can develop and grow with the Company.”

A recent staff survey indicated that of the current 365 people working in the company, around 80 percent have been there for the past 8 years and the staff turnover rate remains below 1%.

More turn-around tools

“Baconco’s extraordinary sales and profits last year come from first of all from our employees. They are loyal and motivated, driving performance in the truest sense,” Sigmund Strommme modestly says.

But several other factors have clearly also contributed to the higher profits.

“We switched from leasing to owing the production machinery and at the same time we took over our own machinery maintenance and terminated third party contracts for such services,” Sigmund Stromme explains.

“As for procurement, we have particularly focused on centralizing purchasing and inventory management, reducing raw material reserves from 4-5 months to less than

three weeks. The purchasing policy was changed to reflect more frequent but smaller volume purchase.

Raw material sourcing has also been reoriented from 90% imported to 60% local sourcing. This sharply reduced previous high financial cost.”

“Furthermore, our cash only policy also provides us with a stable cash buffer,” Sigmund Stromme adds.

Future growth

There are six large fertilizer producers in Vietnam, four of which are government owned. The remaining two, including Baconco, are foreign owned. Sigmund Stromme estimates Baconco’s market share to be currently 10 percent.

Although the year 2011 was a year of high growth, Sigmund Stromme is confident there is room for great market growth in future.

“Demand will remain strong as Vietnam is 2nd largest exporter of rice and coffee,” he says.

“Baconco’s strength lies in the quality of our products,” Sigmund Stromme explains.

“Baconco’s “Conco” brand is well known as good quality fertilizers and the farmers are willing to pay a premium for our products.”

“Our fertilizers come in 60 formulations, meeting the individual needs of the farmers. Although the niche market is small, we have few competitors. Furthermore, we have a flexible production system that allows us to adapt our products to changes in market needs very quickly.”

“Our strategy is to provide products that meet high standards, to continually innovate and provide new products, and to focus on niche market products to keep our competition at a minimum.

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Great Party and Norwegian Colors Thoresen Vinama Logistic inaugurates a bonded warehouse near Phu My in the province of Baria Vung Tau near Ho Chi Minh City.

By Indius Pedersen

T

horesen Vinama Logistic with its foreign shareholders Thoresen Thai Agencies, Elkem Chartering and Preco Norway as well as Japanese Maritime24, affirmed its desire to invest in Vietnam by inaugurating a 16,000 sqm warehouse near the deep sea port that has Thoresen Thai Agencies as co-owner. The new warehouse, built in record time, will in future be used to store 64,000 mtgs. cargo. And yet another warehouse is underway from the option of warehouses at Thoresen Vinama’s disposal.

It all started when Thoresen Thai Agencies bought the thendeficit given Baconco Fertilizer Factory. The company then made a thumping deficit. In just two years, Thoresen Thai Agencies changed the scene. From a turnover of 197 million THB a tidy profit of just over five million was made - after taxes. No debt to the bank, and only bright prospect for the future.

Behind all this is the daily management headed by Sigmund Stromme. Among several hundred participants he was the proud participant at the feast when the new warehouse in Phu My in the province of Baria

Vung Tau was inaugurated.

“The good reputation we have established with our many clients is demonstrated by the fact that the new bonded warehouse facility, in which we are today, is in fact already filled up with cargo from the day of opening. The open storage is filled with steel oil from BP, and bulk cargo will arrive to fill up the new warehouses this evening, right after the opening ceremony is over. This only show that we want to continue investing in further projects here in Phu My,” Sigmund Stromme says.

Sigmund Stromme stressed that all this had been no success if not the local authorities had been very cooperative. Both political and technical wise and from customs authorities. Through the entire process they have given us highly professional advice.

It was party all day. First the opening ceremony followed by lunch. Then the inspection of Thoresen’s latest investment in the Baria Serece deep-sea port. The investment that was completed in 2010 has furnished Thoresen with a 20 percent of the share capital. Finally, there was a great celebration with dinner at the Grand Hotel in Vung Tau.

February 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 29

Finns, Flatties and Sauna in Chalong Bay Think of Finland and mention what comes to your mind.

Sauna?

Finlandia Vodka?

Santa Claus?

Finnish cuisine? Eeeh…

By Joakim Persson

I

n Chalong Bay on southern Phuket Finns are pretty common thanks to Raya Group Asia, run by Finns and hiring dozens of diving instructors from their home country not to mention the steady stream of fellow countrymen who are among their core customers.

But aside the admiration for marine life, what else are those exotic Finns from the Land of the Thousand Lakes and Santa Claus up to in Chalong these days?

Well, last high season they became reality TV-show stars when no less than 48 episodes about the life of the Raya divers were portrayed on prime time TV in Finland!

And actually being sailing enthusiasts from the beginning they launched in 2010 their new Raya Sailing cruise division and bought their own catamaran to offer something more price-friendly to both five-star guests as well as charter tourists.

As for Finnish restaurants, this is a rare species in the area, just as in Thailand as a whole. So why not opening one! This was however not what the diversifying Raya Group Asia first thought of, as Janne Miik-

kulainen, COB, explains how Restaurant Skiffer came to life.

“We didn’t plan to open a restaurant from the start - but starting a kitchen that could prepare meals for all our diving and snorkelling trips.”

Regarding Finnish saunas these are just as scarce, while the chance to jumping into a hole in the ice (another habit of those strange Finns!) is certainly non-existent. And yet, remedy for the lack of these things now exist on Phuket - within a spa situated next door to Restaurant Skiffer in Chalong.

It features a steam sauna combined with a substitute for the Finns habit to take dips in frozen lakes after their sauna sessions - Janne calls it “a specialty brought in for the crazy Finns”. On weekends a large tub with room for three people is filled

Janne Miikkulainen, Managing Director of Raya Divers.

30 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2012

with large ice blocks and, as a result, freezing water. That combination is, so to speak, the Finns’ cup of tea and now also some Thais’!

“It’s really freezing and you can dip in after the sauna and feel really cool and fresh for the rest of the evening. First the Thais looked at us like: ‘These guys are absolutely mad!’

And we were prompting them to try and they were watching it for six months. Eventually one tried it and then many others followed suit.”

After the sauna they usually head for the spa neighbour; the since on year ago opened Restaurant Skifffer, which is just slightly tucked away from the main street, enough to give it a much more laidback and unrestrained atmosphere.

Guests chill on comfy sofas lining the walls around the open-air but roofed, and slightly rustic, dining room. And, suitable when close to the beach and like its sister restaurant in Helsinki, it has a maritime feel - even though it still awaits some more decorations relating to boats and the sea.

Restaurant Manager Janne Moilanen explains what is their ‘unique’ offering aside the ambience which does not all resemble those ubiquitous, kind of year-round Christmas-decorated bars found all over the island.

“You can see when guests are coming over here from the sauna,” he smiles.

“It’s really laidback and from my point of view you can come here just as you are and always be welcome. And our service is unconditional; whatever you want we try to deliver.”

“We try to be different in our own unique way with the atmosphere, really good service and our food,” he adds.

Most of all they are known for their ‘Flatties’ (or ‘liuska’ in Finn-

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ish), a sort of a gourmet pizza with distinctive fillings (such as one with goat cheese, strawberries and cashew nuts, or the one with a special little tasty fish from Finland) and an uneven, oblong shape. The Flatties concept, just as the restaurant actually comes from the original Skiffer restaurants in Finland.

Once Raya Group hade decided to open a restaurant they turned to their friends in Finland for help.

“We started thinking it would be nice after all to have our own restaurant that would be a kind of expat place where you go to hide away from tourism and all this,”

Janne Miikkulainen explains.

Previously they only had a handful of restaurants, all a bit cosy and hidden, that they kept on going to again and again, which becomes too repetitive after a long time. And the Raya Divers team have lived on Phuket for many years now.

“Together we came up with the idea to open Skiffer in Thailand and the chef who designs the menu there came and it was really hard at the start: ‘cause if you look at it quickly you think: ‘It’s just another pizza place’. But the thing with our pizzas is that they are these Flatties!”

“The main chef from Finland

32 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2012

had to spend a lot of time here to get it right; again and again, shape, size, sauces… it took us a couple of months.”

Then they have also added Thai cuisine to the menu and cooks it properly: making sure that Thai guests think the dishes are genuine, and thus, as for most Thai dishes, doing it relatively to very spicy.

“I put really big effort in having our Thai menu tasting like real Thai food. Last season it was considered only O.K.; Thais are very critical about Thai food. We made changes to do the genuine - like for Thais and not like cross-kitchen, which we do with the Flatties.”

And, after all, the client base of Raya Group are tourists so they also offers an activity where one can taste and get an introduction to Thai food, aside the ordinary menu; held by the restaurant manager who has studied the background of each dish and the traditions within Thai cuisine carefully. One sits down at a long table where different kinds of Thai food are served while Janne Moilanen explains each dish and its origin.

Then there is also something for the Scandinavians: Every Thursday evening one surprise dish in the form of a Scandinavian specialty, cooked by Janne himself, is served - it could be Potato Hash, Creamy salmon soup, Mama’s meat balls

with mashed potato etc. He picks from the local expat community’s favourite menu and anyone can place a request.

“Scandinavian food is my responsibility. And of course I try to teach the Thais how to do it, but if you try to teach something to Thai people they always like to put chilli in it - always” he laughs.

As for the vodka - yes they have it.

“Of course, every bar with a Finnish owner has to have it. However guests come here mainly for the food.”

Website: www.skiffer.fi/chalong

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Finns Finding a Way to Study in Holiday Paradise Every university school term a number of Scandinavian exchange students, primarily Finns, study on Phuket at the satellite campus of Prince of Songkla University. It turns out that Asia Exchange from Finland enables such students to go there since four years back.

By Joakim Persson

A

sia is among the fastest growing economic regions and who says no as a young business student to swap the harsh winter period in northern Europe for studies in Asia’s tropics?

During the autumn term of 2011 Anna Vuorinen and Antti Säynätkari, both 23 and from Helsinki, took full studies at the Faculty of hospitality and tourism on Prince of Songkla University’s (PSU) Phuket campus – in the eyes of many a paradise destination.

One logically assumed that their

studies aimed at a career within hotels and tourism. But when seeing them before their departure, along some 28 other Finnish students, back to university studies in Finland it turned out that they were studying real estate and business, with a major in Real Estate Economics.

“This faculty is responsible for the business education on this campus,” explained Antti, as they were about to attend a farewell dinner hosted by PSU. “And our exchange was arranged by a Finnish company called

34 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2012

Asia Exchange or just AE,” added Anna.

AE has offered ‘freemovers’ an opportunity to take part in studyabroad semesters at selected partner universities currently in China, Indonesia, and Thailand since 2007.

In Thailand students can opt for Kasetsart University and Siam University in Bangkok or PSU on Phuket.

The universities represented by AE are ideal for students who are interested in Asia, but aren’t able to find suitable options via their own universities or are left outside the placement quotas.

Unless the student’s home university has a bilateral agreement with the host university, finding a study place on one’s own is very troublesome and the tuition fees are high, AE states on its website.

There are not enough available options but thanks to its services more students interested in Asia get to study there and get discounts on fees. In addition, in its role as a representative for Asian universities they can most often decrease the administrative steps of the home universities.

So far students from over 100

universities have participated in such semesters via AE, including 30 % of all the student movement from Finland to Asia.

“They are trying to expand their target markets also to other Scandinavian countries and other parts of Europe,” says Anna.

AE, the only facilitator for foreign students at this Thai university on Phuket, encourages students to plan their studies carefully and to include the course syllabi in their study plans to help their home universities make decisions about transferring credits.

The home university also decides any scholarships. The university paid for Anna and Anti’s student term fee (1400 Euros per person) to study abroad.

“We can’t replace the official courses back home, but our student point total will get us closer to graduation after the term here. As for the freely chosen courses, we can use those in our Master’s studies,” said Antti.

“Lots of Finns come here from many different schools and most students can get scholarships if they apply for it.”

Most of the courses Anna and

I find that nice because in Finland you just go to the classroom and basically just listen and that’s it.

Here’s much better cause you get to do something and speak. Then you learn the things better than if you just listen to it and then study at home.

Antti Säynätkari (left) and Anna Vuorinen (right) with their lecturer, Pornpisanu Promsivapallop, Ph. D. Antti chose study on were business courses; such as international business, marketing, strategic management and human resource management.

“There were some international courses that were quite close to tourism but we did not choose those as we felt they were less suitable. For our education in Finland the basic business courses were better,” elaborated Anna.

“The courses we studied here are a bit different than back in Finland. It has been O.K but the overall quality here haven’t been that good.

I think that if studying like tourism or hospitality back home then this school would be really good because of this faculty,” she also thought.

A few other things both the Finnish students especially noted were the obligatory classes and secondly the many case studies which they found striking. Says Anna: “In our university we don’t have to do that many cases studies, or it depends on the course, whereas here all of the courses have case studies.

But if you compare altogether the amount of work it’s about the same.

Here you cannot skip it while in Finland you can if you know it.” ”And we had a lot of in-class exercises and group assignments, which is different from our university in Finland where it’s only a lecturer speaking and maybe ask questions,” said Antti.

“I find that nice because in Finland you just go to the classroom and basically just listen and that’s it.

Here’s much better cause you get to do something and speak. Then you learn the things better than if you just listen to it and then study at

home” Anna added.

As for interaction with Thai students the language barrier was obvious even though all courses are taught in English on this faculty.

“Most students couldn’t converse in English that well, said Antti.

“That’s a shame ‘cause they did put together the exchange students and Thais for the reason that we would be able to mix and get to know each other but it was really hard.”

“And it really depends on in which school year they are; there’s one course where they are in their third or fourth where we could see a difference in that are more used to English,” said Anna.

“The teachers also say the studies are much harder for Thais because of the English language. But anyway it’s good for them that they are forced to use it daily, then you learn it!”

“Some are really active even though they don’t know English that well; they try to learn and come to speak to you at the best of their ability,” added Antti.

“But we’ve made friends outside the school.”

And noteworthy: when returning home they have made new great friends from all over Finland as well!

“Next summer in Finland we can travel to meet our new friends,”

Anna smiled. You usually know people mostly where you live but it’s also nice to have friends around Finland.”

Without exception, students have described their time in Asia as the best experience of their lives, according to AE. Preferring Phuket to a major city they had time for leisure too and the favourite pastime activities were sunbathing, snorkelling, and cable skiing according to Anna.

“It’s been a really great autumn for us, a good mix between lying on the beach and going to school and actually learning something,” ended Antti.

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February 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 35

Sakon Nakhon 2

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Sakon Nakhon is located in upper Northeastern of Thailand. The most famous attraction is the Puparn Royal Development Study Centre. If your visit is in December, one festival that you can’t miss is Parade of Christmas Stars Festival during Christmas time.

By Pimjai Chaimongkol

3

36 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2012

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akon Nakhon province has a long story. Legend says that the present city of Sakon Nakhon was built in 11th century when Khmer ruled this region and named Nongharn town. When the Khmer lost its power, the town was under the rules of Lanxang or Laotian Kingdom, it was renamed “Muang Chiang Mai Nongharn”.

During the Thonburi dynasty, King Taksin successfully won the war with Vientiane and Luang Prabang, and the city was returned un-

4

A form of Star handmade Star of David Parade Worship Ceremony The Birth of Jesus Performance on stage Phrathat Narai Cheng Weng

der control of Thai as a colonized town and renamed again into “Sakon Thavapi”. In 1830, during the reign of King Rama III, it was finally named “Sakon Nakhon”.

As could be expected with this mixed bag of heritage, the language spoken in Sakon Nakhon is a mix of Thai and Lao but your Central Thai will be understood by most. There are few ex-pats living in the city and few foreign visitors so don’t expect much in the way of spoken English or English translations beyond road signs.

An interesting heritage of the many years under Laotian rule is the significant presence of Christianity in the area. Sometimes, a place named by the locals as a Wat - a temple - turns out indeed to be a Christian church.

5

The Parade of Christmas Stars Festival Especially the village Baan Tha Rae is well-known for its Parade of Christmas Stars Festival. During the month of December, Tha Rae residents will decorate their houses, shops and street with beautiful small to big stars, colorful light bulbs, or Christmas trees. The event culminates December 23 - 25.

The celebrations feature the Star of David. There will be about 200 procession of vehicles joining in the parade. Santa Claus and little goddess will be on board, too, and greet all visitors with candies and sweets along the parade path.

At St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral, the children will perform the birth of Jesus following by a Mass and carol singing concert.

Food stalls and souvenir shops are of course never far away.

February 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 37

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Puparn Royal Development Study Centre An all year attraction is the Puparn Royal Development Study Centre.

During His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej’s frequent visits he realized the area suffers from soil deterioration, water shortage, forest encroachment as well as the lack of technical knowledge on agriculture. In 1982, Puparn Royal Development Study Centre was established as a place to conduct research and experiment on actual factors and problems.

The Centre provides one-stop-

service demonstrations of development methods and techniques that is appropriate to the conditions of the area. One of its key activities is the “New Theory Demonstration Project” designed for the study and experimentation of appropriate agricultural techniques, which enable small-scale farmers to have enough agricultural production for yearround consumption and eventually become self-reliant.

Visitors are welcome but need to inform the centre in advance.

Please call +66 42 712-975.

7

38 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2012

Mr. Richard Barrow enjoyed feeding milk to a calf.

Development of Black Puparn Chikens that is good for health.

Tilapia fish experiment

How to Get There • •

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The distance is about 647 km from Bangkok.

Nok Air operates daily flights from Bangkok to Sakon Nakhon.

Another option is Thai Airways which operates a flight from Bangkok to Udon Thani. Here you can catch a bus to Sakon Nakhon, 159 km away or a r3 -4 hours drive.

The public bus service from Bangkok operates daily at Mor Chit 2 Terminal. It takes about 8 hours from Bangkok.

If you like to drive yourself, start from Highway no. 1 to Saraburi then turn to Highway no. 2 though Nakhon Ratchasima and take the right to Khon Kaen on Highway no. 2 to Baan Tha Phra and onwards to Highway no. 23 approaching Kalasin and finally go on Highway 213 leading to Sakon Nakhon.

Don’t Asian Women Suffer During Menopause?

Most women in the western world believe Asian women suffer less from the effects of menopause, says Danish author Hanne Jensen.

Dr Michael J. Moreton, Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin, tends to agree.

Having practised as a gynaecologist both in Beijing and Bangkok he believes Asian women have a different attitude to the issue.

By Kirsty Turner

L

ike sex, menopause is a taboo subject in the Nordic countries. Not many people feel comfortable talking about it.

When Hanne Jensen, Danish television journalist and writer, discovered that she suffered from menopause at the age of 39, she found getting information on the subject very difficult.

Few of her peers had experienced the effects of the menopause at that time, and she felt depressed and went through a long period of depression.

“In my job I am used to performing a lot of different tasks at the same time and making quick decisions. I remember how I suddenly felt unable to do this, it was very confusing and distressing.”

Hormone Replacement

Hanne finally went to see a doctor, who confirmed that she was going through the menopause. Because she was thin and a smoker, Hanne’s doctor prescribed Hormone Replacement Therapy, which she went through for seven years.

However, Hanne was concerned about the risks of taking the hormones and finally decided that it was time to find a new approach to deal with the emotional and physical effects of the menopause.

Hanne’s quest to find information on menopause has not been easy.

“Nobody prepares women for the menopause in the same way that they do for their period. They simply pretend it doesn’t happen,” she said.

“People associate getting the menopause with being old and useless

and try to turn their back on it so that they can pretend they are still young.”

Hanne’s research into the menopause has led her to write a book, which is divided into two sections.

One section focuses on the physical effects of the menopause, while the other focuses on the psychological effects. The book has generated a lot of interest in Denmark, and Hanne also leads several special seminars and discussion groups.

No problem in Asia?

One comment that Hanne often hears from women in Denmark is that Asian women seem to suffer less from the effects of menopause than women in the Western world.

This sparked her interest and inspired her to travel to Thailand to discover if there is any truth behind this belief

Hanne Rolsted Jensen

Hanne Rolsted Jensen, 51 years Journalist, author and lecturer

H

as worked in television since 1989. This spring she will work as the editor of the program “Denmark coast to coast” on DR1 to be aired this summer on Denmark’s DR1 channel.

Has written the book “Studieværterne” (The Television Hosts) together with reporter Irene Manteufel - about Jes Dorph Petersen, Michael Meyerheim, Soren Smoking,

40 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2012

Mik Schack and Cicely Frøkjær and their path to the host role and views on this role.

Has also written the book “Hedeturen - rejsen til et andet sted” (Hot Flashes - journey to another place) about menopause. This book is currently being revised for publication in a 3rd edition.

The book is published by Forlaget Radius, and is available as a book, audiobook and ebook.

and, if so, the possible reasons for this.

Hanne met Dr. Michael J. Moreton at Bangkok Hospital in Hua Hin to discuss this with him.

Dr. Moreton originally hails from Canada and spent several years living in the northern English city of Liverpool. Now in his 70s, Dr. Moreton has had a long and successful career as a gynaecologist and obstetrician. He developed a special interest in menopause in the 1980s, when there were big changes occurring in the way that the condition was thought about and treated.

After completing his studies in England and Canada, Dr. Moreton spent five years working in a Beijing hospital, where he was perfectly positioned to observe the differences both in Eastern and Western medical care and the attitudes of the patients that he treated.

Dr. Moreton now lives in Thailand, dividing his time between the large medical facility in Bangkok and its sister hospital in Hua Hin. Around 50% of the patients he currently treats are from Scandinavia and either live in Thailand permanently or have come here on holiday.

Or they complain less?

When asked whether women in Asia suffer less from the effects of the menopause than those in Europe, Dr. Moreton replies: “It’s hard to say from sure. This is mainly because Asian women

Menopause is an unavoidable change that every woman will experience, assuming she reaches middle age and beyond.

Menopause has a wide starting range, but can usually be expected in the age range of 42–58 and signals the end of the fertile phase of a woman’s life. It is helpful if women are able to learn what to expect and what options are available to assist the transition. tend to complain less about medical conditions in general. There tends to be a lot more acceptance in Asia regarding medical conditions.”

“Older people also get a lot more respect in Asia than they do in Europe,” he continues.

“This means that conditions such as the menopause, which are a sign of aging among women, are less likely to feel like a burden to them.”

Diet may also play a role in lessening the symptoms of the menopause in Asian countries. One thing that Dr .

Moreton has observed regarding diet is that Asian people tend to eat a lot of tofu, which, he says, could maybe help to minimize the negative effects of the menopause.”

Difference in attitude

The doctor also highlights the fact that people from wealthier countries have more time to focus on themselves, both internally and externally.

They pay more attention to what is happening to them personally, while many Asian people are simply concerned with living and surviving.

It seems that when it comes to the menopause, as with so much else, the main difference between the East and West is attitude.

Hanne Jensen agrees with this.

“In Denmark, women try hard to fight against the effects of aging.

We try to deny aging and push it away with surgery and special skin care products. Menopause is anoth-

er sign of aging and we try to turn our backs on it,” she says.

“When a daughter in Denmark asks her mother about menopause, her mother simply answers; ‘yes, I had it.’ Subject closed.”

Hanne describes menopause as a “new crisis of identity”, as women going through this transformation within themselves struggle to rediscover what they are capable of.

She says that when women are going through the menopause it is “important to talk about it. Let your family know what is happening so they can support you.”

for each person, Hanne’s book contains a comprehensive list of possible symptoms to help women identify what is going on with their bodies.

She also recommends that smokers quit smoking immediately and take up regular exercise, as this helps to boost hormone levels.

As with many medical conditions, stress can act both as a trigger and to accelerate symptoms. It is best to avoid stress in our daily lives as much as possible and to learn techniques to reduce stress at times when it is possible to avoid going through a certain amount of stress.

Relationship issues

Busy TV editor

Hanne explains that this is particularly important when women are in a relationship.

“Some women may find sex painful sometimes and turn away from their partners. However, without talking, the man in their life may think it is their fault and that they are not loved.”

Although some women may find talking about sex and their feeling a bit difficult, it is important to learn to talk freely and open about what is happening both physically and emotionally.

More recommendations

Hanne recommends carefully examining your diet and eliminating foods that seems to trigger symptoms. Also the symptoms of menopause vary

Although Hanne often suffered severely from symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, she has refused to simply give in. Now 51 years old, she is extremely active, and her career has gone from strength to strength. In fact, when she returns home from her travels in Thailand, Hanne will be working as chief editor on the high profile television programme Coast to Coast, which features some of the coolest coastal travel destinations in Denmark.

Hanne also plans to continue spreading information on the menopause and empowering women to talk about their symptoms. Although more people are starting to talk about menopause in Denmark these days, there is still a long way to go before the taboo status of the subject is finally lifted.

Michael Joseph Moreton Born and raised in North of England - British and Canadian Citizenships Medical School - Liverpool • Worked 2 years in UK National Health Hospitals • Went to Canada for 2 year fellowship - stayed 32 years • Trained in Obstetrics and Gynecology - Mc Gill program in Montreal • Practised in Ottawa - Associate Prof at Univ of Ottawa • Moved to China in 97 - started first two western styled Maternity programs in Beijing and Shanghai.

• Now International Medical Coordinator BKK Hospitals BKK & Hua Hin

February 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 41

Danish Support for Thai Motorcycle Helmet Campaign Mikael H. Winther, Ambassador of Denmark to Thailand and his wife Ratanawadee H. Winther played in each their way a significant role at an event on 11 January to promote the use of motorcycle helmets in Thailand.

By Gregers Moller

T

he Ambassador led a convoy of motorcyclists on his big Honda TransAlp motorcycle around the block in a central part of Bangkok while Mrs. Winther represented the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation that co-hosted the event at the Interior Ministry's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

The Danish stamp on the event was complete with the participation in the motorcycle convoy of the Ambassador's driver, 'Thom' Surasak on his own chopper.

The helmet wearing campaign took off last year and is designated to last throughout the decade 2011 to 2020 to achieve that 100 pct. of all motorcycle drivers and passengers will be wearing safety helmets.

In selected areas, where the campaign in 2011 has been going all out, significant results were achieved. In Phuket, for instance, the number of motorcyclists killed in road accidents

Surasak ‘Thom’ - the Ambassador’s driver - participated on his own big motorcycle.

Ambassador Mikael H. Winther and Mrs. Ratanawadee H. Winther with the ambassador’s big Honda TransAlp motorcycle.

42 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2012

I support this campaign so warmly, because I feel deeply with the bereaved families who looses one of their loved ones in this meaningless way, and also because these many traffic fatalities are such a big loss for the whole country.

Mrs. Ratanawadee H. Winther presented the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation and its commitment to the next steps of the road safety campaign. dropped from 58 in 2010 to 26 deaths in 2011 although the number of accidents were unchanged.

For all of Thailand, the number of people killed in traffic accidents remains shockingly high: On an average day, the death toll is 34 people - that is one dead person every forty minutes.

Thailand records roughly a million road accidents every year - including non-fatal collisions. Of these accidents, 75 percent involve

motorcycles. And half of those accidents involve drivers or passengers who did not wear a helmet.

Mikael H. Winther sees the situation as a tragic loss both individually and for the nation.

“I support this campaign so warmly, because I feel deeply with the bereaved families who looses one of their loved ones in this meaningless way, and also because these many traffic fatalities are such a big loss for the whole country,”

the ambassador says.

Ratanawadee H. Winther mentioned in her presentation of the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation some of the areas, that the campaign would need to focus on in the years to come.

“This year, especially the use of helmets for children and students is an area that we will focus on,” she said. In Vietnam, the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation has already had a major impact within this area,

among others by supporting a legislation that makes it illegal for children under 14 years of age to drive a motorcycle.

The culmination of the event was the signing of an MOU between the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation that marks another step forward in reducing the high fatality rate of motorcycle-related road accidents in Thailand.

Putting helmets on kids. Among the areas to be focused on this year is the promotion of 100 percent use of helmet for children and students.

44 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2012

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Tough Youngsters Go for Gold at Thanyapura Ironkids Phuket Triathlon

H

undreds of children from all over Asia, from future world champions to those who just want to have fun, converged on the world's new Ironman and Triathlon mecca, Phuket, in December last year to contest the Thanyapura Sports & Leisure Club IronKids Phuket Triathlon, presented by True Visions.

IronKids is one of the world's fastest growing youth sports movements and provides the perfect antidote to the sedentary habits of the Playstation generation. For these kids, their play stations are the pool, the track and the bike.

A total of 228 children registered for the race, including 126 individual racers and 102 children in 34 relay teams. Most were in it for fitness and fun, but some serious future champions put their elders in the sport on notice.

The brightest star and overall winner was Kuala Lumpur-based Australian Zoe Bowden, 12, the defending champion and one of the world's fastest triathletes in her age group. Not only did she beat all the older girls from the 13-15 year old category, she also beat the older boys as well, shaving three minutes off her previous personal best to finish in 39 minutes and 23 seconds.

She has been tipped as a possible future world champion by none other than TSLC's triathlon director Juergen Zack, himself an eight-time world champion in the sport.

Edwin Thiang, also from KL, finished second in a time of 40 minutes and 36 seconds. Eight corporate teams of 12 to 14 children were sponsored by local businesses.

The corporate awards went to 1st Place Team Quest and the children from Ban Manik School, 2nd place to Lee Marine and the children from Ban Bangtao School, and 3rd place to Team Anantara Club from the Anuban Phuket School.

Phuket has become one of the world's leading locations for serious ironmen and triathletes, and Thanyapura's world class facilities have captured the interest of leading exponents of the sport. Globally renowned triathlons and training camps are offered on the island every year, such as the Laguna Phuket Triathlon, Phuket Ironman 70.3, Phuket International Marathon and the FIVB Women's Beach Volleyball World Tour.

TSLC has the ideal facilities and surroundings to host events and training camps for professional or amateur triathletes, as well as young athletes tackling their first ever multi-sport event. The 50m and 25m pools offer ideal swimming conditions, while the quiet roads are perfect for young cyclists to learn biking skills. Most running is done on the property or on surrounding tracks in the National Park area. This spectacular location is set to become the "home" of triathlon for young, upcoming triathletes.

The next Thanyapura IronKids Phuket races will be held on 22 April, 2012 and 1 December 2012.

Speaking after the race and looking like she'd barely broken a sweat, Zoe Bowden revealed her secret.

“I train every single day,” she said.

“I mostly run and swim. I don't often cycle, that was something that I later on developed exclusively for the triathlon”.

She said this year's race was much more competitive than her last race in Phuket. As for the future, her vision is clear: “My ambition is to be a profes-

46 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2012

sional Ironman.”

IronKids triathlons are raced over various distances depending on age groups: Junior (ages 6 to 8): 50m swim, 3km bike and 500m run Intermediate (ages 9 to 11): 150m swim, 6km bike and 1km run Senior (ages 12 to 15): 300m swim, 12km bike and 3km run TSLC's partnership with IronKids includes races and professionally led training camps run throughout the year, under the banner of TSLC IronKids Phuket.

Weekend Getaway Package at X2 Kui Buri

X2

Kui Buri is offering a special “Weekend Getaway Package” for three days and two nights in Deluxe Pool Villa until 31 March 2012.

The package is aimed at those city dwellers that need to take time out from their busy lives and focus on themselves and their own needs, a personal retreat can be a great way to unwind and recharge.

Aim Higher at Altitude

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ltitude, the new rooftop function space at The Westin Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok is designed to take meetings and events to new heights.

The Westin Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok’s refreshing approach to meetings and events transforms your vision into reality. Now, with the opening of its innovative rooftop function space, “Altitude”, you can take your event to new heights.

Altitude includes an indoor function space, an elegant breakout room called The Library and The Terrace. The 502-sqm chic new function space is located on the 25th floor and takes advantage of dramatic views of downtown Bangkok. Guests can gather on The Terrace for appetizers, wine and cocktails and take in what is surely one of the best panoramas in the city.

Designed to exceed the requirements of today’s discerning guests, Altitude provides the personalized service and amenities to make your event stand out from the crowd. With no access to the public, Altitude also benefits from total privacy and security.

At Altitude, the expansive 255-square-metre indoor room called Lounge is bathed in natural daylight and is ideal for meetings, events, conferences and cocktail receptions for 80 to 250 guests. Guests can also enjoy delectable dining and refreshments from a buffet island and live cooking stations with a talented culinary team serving gourmet a la minute cuisine.

The 49-square-metre Library makes the ideal break-out room or meeting space for up to 30 guests. It includes comfortable lounge seating, a large LCD TV, and a refreshment centre stocked with your favourite beverages and snacks.

Designed to ensure unique ‘out of the box’ meetings and events, Altitude combines contemporary luxuries, the latest technology, absolute privacy, and a dramatic elevated setting– all at sky level. With dedicated staff providing thoughtful service, and the best facilities creating the perfect ambience, a rewarding experience is assured.

Enviable location Guests of The Westin Grande Sukhumvit also enjoy direct access to BTS Asok SkyTrain and MRT Sukhumvit underground stations, providing ease of access to all Bangkok has to offer.

With quick access to the expressway, guests are only 40 minutes from Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Inspire fresh thinking.

For your next special event, aim higher.

To discover more about Altitude and The Westin Grande Sukhumvit’s refreshing approach to meetings and events, please visit westingrandesukhumvit.com or call 02 207 8000 ext. 8111-15

The Weekend Getaway Package includes: • Complimentary daily Champagne Breakfast for two • Complimentary one time signature set dinner for two at 4K Restaurant & Bar • A 1-hour massage of your choice, for 2 • Welcome drink and cold towel upon arrival • Complimentary fresh fruit bowl in room on arrival day • Complimentary Internet Wi-Fi • 50% discount off best available room rates on extended night(s) Rates: Only Baht 16,200 per package for 2 persons. Rates valid until 31 March 2012.

X2 Kui Buri offers 23 uniquely designed villas with fixtures and furnishings carefully chosen to be consistent with the X2 concept of using luxurious designs with maximum function. All villas come with their very own private plunge pool ranging in size from 20 to 30 sqm. The pools are accompanied by generous terrace and garden courtyard areas.

Inside one will find a very spacious bathroom with both indoor and outdoor rain showers. All villas feature a full range of home theatre and entertainment options along with complementary Wi-Fi internet access.

X2 Kui Buri also has a range of recreation activities for guests’ enjoyment including kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, mountain biking and Petanque.

For more information please contact Corporate Public Relations Department at Bangkok Office Tel. +66 2696 8200 ext 107 Email: projects@bhmasia.com

For rates and reservations call X2 Kui Buri at tel +66 3260 1412 or +668 4466 5553 or email book.kb@X2Resorts.com or visit the website www.X2Resorts.com

February 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 47

Vikings Kicked FC Cosm Scandinavian Vikings played the best football this season when they won 2-0 against Cosmos on Saturday 21 January 2012.

O

n Saturday afternoon Scandinavian Vikings took on FC Cosmos in a crucial game. In order to avoid relegation, Vikings were in desperate need of three points, and a loss against Cosmos, another team in the bottom third of the table, would be devastating. How did Vikings handle the pressure, you might ask? By playing the best football of the season!

Vikings started off at a furious pace, leaving no room to breathe for the noticeably stressed Cosmos players. Five minutes into the game, after a beautiful through pass from Filip, Martin V was alone with the keeper, but the linesman raised his

48 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2012

flag for offside. From the sideline it definitely looked like the wrong decision. However, Vikings' supporters had no reason to worry as there would be plenty of more chances this afternoon.

A few minutes later, Filip tried another through ball, this time to Siva, but the swift-footed midfielder's shot was denied by the keeper. In the next attack Filip decided not to pass, instead he simply ran through the visibly astonished Cosmos defence and placed the ball to the right of the keeper. 1-0, and a very well-deserved lead for the Vikings.

The rest of the first half followed the same pattern – Vikings dominated completely. They cre-

ated chance after chance, the next player in line to test the keeper was Mofok, but his beautiful first touch was unfortunately followed by a poor shot. Three corners in a row caused a lot of panic in Cosmos' penalty area, at least one of them should have resulted in a goal. It was just a matter of time before Vikings would extend their lead, and when the second goal finally came it was a thing of true beauty. Martin V was kicked down 2 meters outside the penalty area and took care of the free kick himself.

In what might have been the most beautiful free kick ever seen on the Arsenal pitch, he blasted it around the wall, into the upper right corner. There was absolutely no chance for the goalkeeper, in fact he didn't even move an inch. Vikings ran circles around perplexed Cosmos players and kept creating chances for the remaining 15 minutes of the first half. The half-time lead was only 2-0 though, a score the Cosmos players must have been very happy about.

The second half wasn't exactly something to write home about. Vikings defended their lead, Cosmos tried to get back into the game, but all their efforts were taken care of

by Vikings' rock solid defence. Cosmos never got closer than a shot that hit the post, apart from that very few actual chances were created. A brilliant first half was enough for Scandinavian Vikings this afternoon, and all-in-all the 2-0 victory was very well-deserved.

mos Back Into… Cosmos

February 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 49

Medium

Flæskesteg Roast Pork

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othing is as nice as a traditional Danish pork roast. You need to find a shoulder of pork with the fat rind on. If you can’t find pork roast with the rind attached then look for a fresh ham, remove 2/3 of the skin and you will get crackling with the rest.

Evil

Ingredients

4½-6½ lbs of Shoulder of pork w/rind on 2-3 spoons of course salt 2 lbs small cold boiled potatoes 4 spoons sugar 1½ oz butter 1 pint of water 2 lbs canned red cabbage

The Roast

Preheat oven to 350°F. Put the roast in a roasting pan with water with the rind facing downwards. Let the water cover the rind. Use as small a pan as possible to get good tasty gravy.

Leave the roast in the bottom of the oven for 30 minutes. Using a sharp, heavy knife cut deeply through the rind and fat until you reach the meat, making the incisions 1/2” apart lengthwise and crosswise. Rub salt liberally into these gashes. It will make the crackling to bubble up and get crispy.

Put the roast in bottom part of the owen for 1½-2 hours. Take it out and pour the gravy into a pot to make brown sauce from it. Put the roast back in the oven and set the temperature to 530°F. Watch the crackling, it may suddenly be overdone.

Are you done?

Brown sauce

W

hen you have completed the above puzzles, please send your solution by fax to +66 2 943 7169 or scan and email to puzzles@ scandasia.com. We will make a lucky draw among the correct answers. Five lucky winners will receive a ScandAsia polo shirt.

Name:

___________________________________________________

Age: ________________________

Mobile:

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Deadline for submitting your solution is 15 March 2012 50 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2012

Let the gravy rest a while in the pot and remove the grease from the surface. The gravy is thickened by a mix of flour and cold water, add black gravy color, and salt and peper.

Red Cabbage

Use precooked red cabbage in a can or in a glas. If of German origin pour in two spoons of sugar. Add some water in the pot and let it cook at low or medium heat for 30 minutes. Alternatively, the cabbage can be heated in the microwave owen which will make the cabbage more crispy.

Candied Potatoes - Brunede Kartofler

Caramelised Potatoes is delicious with almost all kind of roast meat, especially pork. It is important to follow the recipe exactly for a good result.

Run the cold tap over the cold boiled potatoes just before starting.

Use new potatoes if possible and boil well in advance to ensure they are cold before use. Run cold water over potatoes before starting.

Put the sugar on frying pan and heat until melted and golden. Add butter and mix well. Add potatoes and shake frying pan well. Add water carefully and stir lightly until water has evaporated.

When it’s time to do business, we’re exceptionally open.

Every business has a different story and a different goal. We understand that.

Over many years in this market of unique opportunities, we’ve developed the local knowledge, resources and connections needed to turn ambitions into reality. That’s why we’re one of the most well-established northern European banks in the region. For corporates, financial institutions and private banking clients, we’re ready to listen and cater to your needs – in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore and New Delhi.

Welcome to contact us at Tel: +65 63 57 08 95 singapore@sebprivatebanking.com.sg www.sebgroup.com/privatebanking