FEB 2013
FROM RECTOR TO DEVELOPER
SCARCITY AS A PATH TO A BETTER WORLD TEACHING THAI IN PARADISE ScandAsia.dk
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Opinion
Global Economy in 2013 The global economy does not look good. Sorry but that is the truth.
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
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or many years the industrialized countries (US, Europe, and Japan) ran completely irresponsible economic policies. With high growth common sense tells to save for rainy days, but they borrowed to spend even more. It was fantastic as long as it lasted, but in 2007/2008 the bubble burst. A financial crisis plunged well known global financial institutions into bankruptcy forcing governments to step in and print money; they had no choice. If financial institutions were left to fall the economy would have crashed. Neither governments nor banks had savings so print money they did overheating the printing machine! None the less it spilled over into a government debt crisis for ultimately to produce a recession. Remember Stan and Olly from the 1930s ‘another fine mess you got us into!’ For those reading the global financial press it may come as a surprise that the Euro Zone is doing better than the U.S. Euro Zone Government debt is stabilizing close to 90 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and government deficits are brought down from close to 7 per cent of GDP to around 3 per cent forecasts to fall further in 2013 and 2014. The Euro Zone is taking the pain now bringing their house in order through austerity – it hurt, but it works. The U.S. has chosen to ignore the debt and deficit speeding down the road full throttle despite bends and roadblocks ahead. The debt ratio to GDP is about 100 per cent and rising. The deficit stubbornly stays around 7 per cent of GDP. The US hopes that something will show up to solve the debt crisis. Nothing of that sort will happen with the gloomy prospect of a U.S. default on its public debt a likely scenario before 2020 when net interest payments will account for almost 20 per cent of the federal budget– an impossible situation. This takes place at the same time as the world moves from 200 year with easy access to resources available at low prices to an era steered by increasing scarcities. We read about rare earth and similar raw materials, but it is the tip of the iceberg. The global food situation is dominated by rising prices and under-nourishment in 40 countries, commodity prices are up even if during a recession they should fall, energy is scarce and expensive despite shale gas, water scarcity cast a shadow over half of the global population, and clean environment is starting to be a luxury only the well-off can afford. To sort these problems out we need leadership – global leadership. Look around to see where we find it?
Assistant Editor: Wachiraporn Janrut wachiraporn@scandmedia.com Advertising : Finn Balslev finn@scandmedia.com Piyanan Kalikanon piyanan@scandmedia.com Nattapat Maesang nattapat@scandmedia.com Graphic Designer : Supphathada Numamnuay supphathada@scandmedia.com Distribution : Wanvisa Rattanaburi wanvisa@scandmedia.com Printing : Lake & Foundtain Printing Co., Ltd.
Daily news and features here: www.scandasia.com
Joergen Oerstroem Moeller Visiting Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore. Adjunct Professor Singapore Management University & Copenhagen Business School. Author of: • HOW ASIA CAN SHAPE THE WORLD, from the era of plenty to the era of scarcities, 2011 • Political Economy in a Globalized World, 2009.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY SCANDINAVIAN SOCIETY
Coming Events
Annual Rooftop Extravaganza with All Chamber’s Young Professionals Date: 15 February 2013, 7.00p.m. Location: Imperial Queens Park Hotel-Rooftop Bar (39th Floor) Price: THB 200 Young and “young at heart” professionals are invited to attend the All Chambers Young Professionals event at the rooftop of Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel on Friday, February 15. Several drink stations and plenty of food will be available. The party will start at 7.00p.m. and food will stop at 9.30p.m. Interested people are suggested to sign up at www.dancham.or.th
Chiang Mai International Music Festival 2013
Danish business delegation to Indonesia
The three-day International Music Festival will feature a mix of cultural, traditional and entertainments from many different countries. Foreign residents from different parts of the world will present their country’s culture with displays, articles for sale, ethnic cuisine and etc. Free booths are available for foreign residents who would to like to represent the culture of their countries. They are also welcome to perform on stage to join the cast of professional artists and dance troupes which will be flown in from many different countries to form the festival’s centerpiece. The organiser, Earth Wind & Fire Co., Ltd., expects 15,000 visitors over the three-day event. Booths are allocated on a firstcome-first served basis. Date: 8-10 March 2013 Location: Three Kings Monument in Chiang Mai
For more information, contact Ramlah Jafri on 089-851-8059 or visit https://sites.google.com/a/chiangmaiheritage.com/music-festival/
Date: 4-6 March 2013 Location: Indonesia Headed by the Danish Minister for Trade and Investment Pia Olsen Dyhr, Danish business delegation to Indonesia will take place on March 4-6. The trip is aimed at offering the participants the following benefits. 1) Put you in contact with potential partners 2) Provide access to Indonesian decision makers, both public and private 3) An opportunity to showcase your company 4) Get acquainted with doing business successfully in Indonesia and hear the views of established Danish business people in Indonesia, and 5) The opportunity to discuss with the Minister how the Government of Denmark - as part of the effort to prioritize Denmark’s relationship with Indonesia - can assist you as you take a foothold on the Indonesian market during the coming years. For more information, please contact simambevents@um.dk
Dinner theatre comedy “Blithe Spirit”
Date: Location: Price:
14 – 16, 21 -23 March 2013, 7.30p.m. The British Club THB 1,200 including dinner
Bangkok Community Theatre is announcing its dinner theatre production of Blithe Spirit, by Noel Coward. Directed by Mark Sobels, Blithe Spirit is a classic Coward’s comedy. Noël Coward remains one of the most popular and entertaining writers in British history. Blithe Spirit was written in only five days during the Blitz in 1941, and when first produced in London, it broke the record for longest running non-musical British play. The play also did well on Broadway and was adapted for film in 1945. Since then, Blithe Spirit has seen countless revivals on both sides of the Atlantic as well as film and television productions. The play will be performed as dinner theatre at the British Club for six nights over two weekends For more information, e-mail bct.th.org@gmail.com or visit the BCT website at www.bct-th.org or call 087-529-3188. Seating is limited.
Danish Pavilion at Water Philippines 2013
Date: 20-22 March 2013 Location: Manila, Philippines
6 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2013
In cooperation with the Trade Council of Denmark in Kuala Lumpur, Danish Water Technology Group (Danish Export Association) is inviting your company to take part in the Danish Pavilion at Water Philippines 2013 Expo. At the event, participants can get in touch with distributors and co-operation partners as well as gaining more knowledge of the market. For more information, visit http://malaysia.um.dk
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Past Events
Astounding Finnish Christmas Party
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he Thai-Finnish Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) held its annual Pre-Christmas Party 2012 at the Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre, CentralWorld, on 6 December 2012. The event was presided over by the Master of Ceremonies, Marc Spiegel, President of the TFCC. The event was a huge success with approximately 140 guests turning up. Among those attending were the TFCC Patron, Finnish Ambassador, Sirpa Maenpaa; and one of Thailand’s newest Ambassadors, Dr. Vitezslav Grepl from the Czech Republic. Ambassador Grepl has previously studied Finnish and was posted in Finland for several years. The boards warmly welcomed him and his wife into the Finnish community in Bangkok. In 2012 TFCC had fantastic authentic Finnish cuisine from Centara’s new Finnish Chef Mikko Kataja. At the event, an amazing magic show has mystified the children and adults. There were also clowns offering balloons and face-painting to the kids. Santa made his long journey from Finland bringing much Christmas cheer and gifts for all of the children. There was even a surprise exposition from the Thai kids dancing to PSY’s Gangnam Style. For all of the adults there was an extensive array of gifts won during the lucky draw, which was run by TFCC’s Director, Kai Tuorila. The two main sponsors of the evening were Finlandia and Tiger Beer, who provides the free-flow beverages which lasted all night. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
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From left: Chamber treasurer Tommi Ijas, Ari Honka, chamber vice-president, Mr. Spiegel, ambassadors Maenpaa and Dr. Grepl, and Stanley Kang, vice-president of Taiwan Business Association and vice chairman of JFCCT. Jukka Koivistoinen Kai Tuorila, Marc Spiegel and Mikko Kataja Vice President, Ari Honka Santa traveled all the way from Finland to join us, bringing lots of wonderful gifts for all of the children March Spiegel and Kai Tuorila
The Seamen’s Church’s 2nd Golf Tournament
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t was once again time for the second golf tournament of the Norwegian Seamen’s Church in 2012, which took place at Plutaluang Navy Golf Course in Sattahip on Friday 14 December 2012. 20 happy golfers had signed up for the tournament and together had a wonderful day, lead by Priest Jan Olav Johannessen and organiser Kristian Bø. Tee Off was at 11.30 a.m., where all 5 groups were sent off one following the other. The last group finished around 4.30 p.m. The weather turned out nice, alternating between sunny and light clouds. The tournament was played according to the Stableford system with full handicap and a maximum playing handicap of 36. The tournament was held in the east and south parts of the course. In the evening the participants gathered at the Seamen’s Church for a lovely buffet and prize ceremony. In addition, a Lucky Draw was held where THB500 gift vouchers from Happy Massage were given away. The next tournament will be held on 15 February 2013.
8 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2013
Results for the tournament were as follows: 1. place and winner: Christer Ollson 36 points 2. place: Morten Schelle 34 points 3. place: Karljot Johansen 33 points 4. place: Nora Helene Ness 31 points Willy Hindsjø 31 points Rolf Olofsson 31 points 7. place: Per Anton Kleppa 23 points Christer Melkerson 23 points Prizes were also given for longest drive and ”closest to the flag”: Women’s longest drive hole 15: Nora Helene Ness Men longest drive hole 15: Christer Ollson Closest to flag hole 2: Nora Helene Ness Closest to flag hole 5: Willy Hindsjø Closest to flag hole 13: Knut Hauslo Closest to flag hole 16: Rolf Grøndalen
Past Events
Incredible first ever NYP Christmas Dinner
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he first ever Nordic Young Professional (NYP) Christmas Dinner in Bangkok was held on 14 December 2012 at the Admiral’s Pub & Restaurant, gathering over 50 cheerful attendants. On this occasion, two long tables were occupied by excited attendants and the snaps bottles were happily consumed by the eager Christmas celebrators. Admiral’s Pub & Restaurant provided a wonderful buffet with delicious dishes such as marinated herring, Skagen Toast, marinated Norwegian salmon, cold potato salad, chicken salad, ham, roast beef, homemade Duck Christmas pate, and meat balls. While everybody was enjoying their Scandinavian food, NYP committee member, Ms. Rose Jensen reminded the guests about the traditional rice pudding dessert which has to be eaten with care, as one lucky guest will find the whole almond in his/her portion winning the “almond prize”. Shortly after, Kristian Skak had found the almond and therefore won a bottle of Absolute Vodka. Beforehand, the NYP committee had prepared a Christmas game called ‘Kalenderleg’ which substituted the traditional Lucky Draw. NYP committee member, Ms. Ditte Rosenquist, explained the rules and named the generous sponsors of gifts. All the guests were involved in the game and were running around to get hold on their preferred gifts. The sponsors of the evening were Admiral’s Pub & Restaurant, Bangkok Base, Capaticon, Carlsberg, DanCham, Designers Field, Easy Kart, Finlandia, Grand Millennium Sukhumvit, Hotel Mermaid, Impressions, Oakwood Residence, Rembrandt, ScandAsia and WearYouWant.
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Kristian Skak winning the bottle of Absolut Vodka Martin Lauritzen and his beloved vodka bottle Apinya, Grace and Puri Yuki Laerke Thorndal and Martin Toft Sorensen
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8/29/11 1:57 PM February 2013 • ScandAsia.Thailand 9
Past Events
Delightful Swedish Christmas Lunch By Puri Yuki
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he Thai-Swedish Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Lunch was successfully held on Saturday 15 December 2012 at The St. Regis Bangkok. Many members and friends brought their families and kids to attend this festive occasion. Upon arrival, a traditional Swedish welcome drink “Glögg” (Warm wine with spices) was served to the guests. Meanwhile traditional Christmas songs were played by the Swedish Jazz band at the St. Regis bar. After the guests enjoyed mingling at the bar, the president of SweCham, Kenneth Radencrantz welcomed all the guests and asked them to join him for a dance on the dance floor. The Swedish Christmas song “Nu ar det jul igen” was sung at the same time. The lunch featured the delicious Christmas buffet in the open kitchen and a free flow of wines and cold beers. Ice cold snaps were also served. During the Christmas Lunch, the Swedish Jazz Band entertained and encouraged guests to sing along. After enjoying the buffet, the Santa Clause entered the restaurant with gifts for all the 25 kids there. An impressive number of raffle tickets were sold during the lunch. At the end the winners of the lucky draw were called upon and the prizes were given away to the winners by the Santa Clause. This year the chamber had many prizes from The St. Regis Hotel Bangkok, Amari Huahin, Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok, Nishavilla Prachuapkirikun, H&M, Centara Grande at Central World, Volvo, and Huntsman Pub at Landmark hotel. 1. 2. 3. 4.
Klas Molin and his wife Santa and executive director of DanCham, Savija Pannark Korslund Peter Bjork getting himself some food All kids very excited about Santa reading for them
Danish Network in Hua Hin
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he Danish Network in Hua Hin held its last networking event in 2012 at The Beat restaurant and music venue on 14 December 2012. Guests enjoyed their buffet where all proceeds went to charity. The total amount of THB 11,250 went to the Panyakul school in Cha Am. Panyakul School is a public school and a home for children with neurobiological problems and autistic children who mainly come from poor families. The school has 290 pupils and the kids are in need of everything from socks to toothpaste and school supplies. After dinner, Mr. Sven from Your Guide in Thailand shared with the guests pictures illustrating the company’s functions and services. The evening carried on well into the night with much jolly cheer, song and dance.
10 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2013
Past Events
TSCC hosts its first networking in 2013
By Rose Jensen
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he Thai-Swedish Chamber of Commerce (TSCC) on 10 January 2013 hosted its first monthly networking event of year 2013 at their usual spot Huntsman’s Pub, located in the basement of Landmark Hotel in Bangkok. Approximately 50 Swedes attended the event. As usual they enjoyed walking around, socializing and appreciating the friendly atmosphere. Following the holidays, most had some catching up to do with old and new friends, or intentions to get off to a good start in 2013 by engaging new potential business associates.
February 2013 • ScandAsia.Thailand 11
Past Events
The last Swedish networking event of 2012
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he Swedish community in Bangkok gathered for their last networking of 2012 by rubbing shoulders in the lovely surrounding of The Admiral’s Pub & Restaurant on 6 December 2012 with approximately 40 participants. The main sponsor of the event was The Admiral P&R, who laid on a tasty spread of finger food and provided the guests with plenty cold amber delights. And last but not least, the Swedes had the chance to tuck in and enjoy a little of home from home, their traditional dish of Pyttipanna.
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Christer Nilsson and Bjorn Tarras-Wahlberg Rafique U. Ahmed, President of TSCC Kenneth Radencrantz and Executive Director of TSCC - Peter Bjork Monica Holertz and Berit Radencrantz The guests waiting for their Pyttipanna Sivapol Pipatanangura
The last SSS Cup in 2012 By Christer Holmvall
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n Saturday 8 December 2012, over 60 golfers journeyed out to Subhapruek Golf Club in Bangkok for the last SSS tournament of 2012 – the SSS Cup. It was a glorious day in December – especially seeing most of the Nordic region with temperatures between minus 10 and minus 25 degrees. After guests had enjoyed delicious Thai dinner, the prize ceremony followed. The C group was won by Johan Winroth by a 1 point margin over Sverre Haug. The C group was won by Christer Holmvall with a 3 point margin over Leo Alexandersen, and the A group was won by Jari Turunen whom also had the lowest gross score of the day. Jan Hammarlund took 2nd place in the A group. The overall winner became Jari Turunen thanks to his lower net and lower handicap.
1. Erik Dahlstrom & Jari Turunen 12 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2013
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News Brief
Åge Aleksandersen performing in Singapore Tickets can be purchased at SGD 125. If you are interested, please contact Norwegian Business Association (Singapore) Tel: +65 6622 9100 Fax: +65 6224 7079 E-mail: admin@nbas.org.sg Contact persons: Kjersti Thorvildsen and Mona M.Brisbane
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ongwriter and performer, Åge Aleksandersen and his lead-guitarist over 30 years, Gunnar Pedersen, the man behind the guitar solo on “Lys og Varme”, will perform at The Tanglin Club on 15 March 2013. Åge is one of the main initiators and creators of the so called “Trønderrock” movement, a rock-’n’-roll style emerged out of Trøndelag, a region in the central part of Norway, anchored in Anglo-American folk-rock traditions, but with strong elements of local culture and traditions. He is the most celebrated and profiled rock-musician in Norway with a significant Scandinavian fan-base. With his band “Sambandet” he has toured Scandinavia for more than 40 years. This year he has parked “Sambandet” and is holding a concert series together with Pedersen performing and explaining how his songs have originated and developed. The inspiration and history of the songs are told through a dialogue between Åge, Pedersen, and the audience, delivered in a sordined musical landscape. The concerts have received fantastic reviews in Norwegian newspapers and all concert dates since the start of the tour have been sold out. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to experience Åge and Pedersen in this one-off live performance in Singapore.
TUI will commence direct flights from Scandinavian cities to Phuket
Pictured (from left): Christian Clemens, CEO of TUI Germany, Garry Wilson, managing director of purchasing, Peter Long, CEO old TUI Travel PLC, and Henrik Norlin, CEO of TUI Nordic (Travel Daily Media) 14 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2013
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ui Travel PCL, one of the world’s leading leisure travel companies, is aiming to drive more business to Thailand this year, following the roll-out of its new Boeing 787 Dreamliners, reports Travel Daily Media. The company revealed on 8 January 2013 at the press conference in Bangkok that it will commence Dreamliner flights to Phuket from two Scandinavian cities – Stockholm and Copenhagen – as TUI Nordic aims to boost its presence in the Thai market. TUI will also launch the first ever direct flights between London and Phuket later this year, using the new B787. Speaking at a press conference at the Centara Grand Bangkok at CentralWorld, TUI’s top executives, led by CEO Peter Long, outlined the company’s plans for Thailand. TUI Nordic, which takes 110,000 holidaymakers from Scandinavia to Thailand each year, expanded on Thailand’s changing demographics. “We have changed perceptions of Thailand on the Nordic region from a backpacker destination to a place for families. We have also turned it into a destination for repeat business,” CEO of TUI Nordic Henrik Norlin says. As a result, TUI Nordic will upgrade its direct Copenhagen-Phuket and Stockholm-Phuket charter flights from a B767 to the new B787 from late October 2013. Then the following month, TUI will commence its first direct services to Phuket from London’s Gatwick airport. Garry Wilson, TUI’s managing director of purchasing, revealed that the company already has 7,000 bookings for the first year and added that his company would consider direct charters from other UK airports in the future, including Manchester.
News Brief
New address for visa center
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perated by VFS, the Visa Center for Sweden, Denmark and Norway has moved from Amarin Tower to the Alma Link Building, 12th Floor, Soi Chidlom on 7 January 2013. The building is right behind Central Chidlom department store on Sukhumvit road. The inauguration for the new location was held on January 7 in presence of Danish chargé d’affaires Mads Beyer, Norwegian Ambassador Katja Christina Nordgaard and Swedish Ambassador Klas Molin. From now on, visa applications can be submitted at the new address. The Alma Link Building is a short walking distance from the previous location at Amarin Tower, but on the other side of Sukhumvit. The new visa center is easily accessible from Chidlom BTS station, exit 4 or 5. Parking is available in the soi behind the building. The issuing of visas to the three Nordic countries is outsourced to VFS-Global, a commercial company own by the Switz tourist company Kuoni Group. VFS-Global handles visa applications for 42 sovereign governments in 88 countries with 802 Visa Application Centres.
Ikea ad upsets Thai Trans group
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16 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2013
hai Transgender Alliance has sent an open letter to IKEA to complain about a ‘negative and stereotypical’ advert, Gaystarnews reported. The offensive advert, called Luem Aeb (meaning ‘forget to deceive’), was broadcast on Bangkok’s sky train system from 28 December 2012 to 13 January 2013 and on YouTube. ‘The MTF transgender/transwomen character is openly mocked as being “deceitful”,’ read the open letter to IKEA from Thai Transgender Alliance. ‘The transgender content of the advertisement is negative and stereotypical in nature, perpetuating misunderstanding transgenderism as human sexuality for “deceitful and deviant lifestyle”.’ The advert shows a woman who is so surprised by a sale item that she speaks with a male voice. The man she is with looks shocked and horrified. The last scene of the advert shows the man running away as the woman carries a box of flatpacked furniture by herself. The letter from Thai Transgender Alliance demands that IKEA Global issue an official public statement about the advert.
News Brief
A gift card that makes a difference
Scandi Village SE Hi.pdf 1 28/1/2556 14:19:30
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gift card for a leg sold for 250 Danish kroner is the latest initiative from DanChurchAid. Each of the 535 Danes who received the card as a Christmas present has sponsored one tenth of a leg for victims of landmines in Myanmar. “A prosthetic leg is usually very expensive, but we managed to get them made so cheap that 10 donations can cover expenses for one leg. It maybe doesn’t sound like much, that 53 Burmese have been helped to new legs this year but for those 53 it makes a big difference,” states Kim Skytte Graae, campaign manager for Give a Goat at DanChurchAid.
Rock festival gives 1,458 rabbits to Myanmar Another of DanChurchAid’s popular gift cards were for Myan-
mar as well. The “Give a rabbit card” jumped the list with 1,200 cards sold equal to 2,400 rabbits (each card representing one male and one female rabbit). The record sale was help by the Danish rock festival “Roskildefestival” which bought 728 cards as presents for their volunteers. The President of the Roskilde Festival’s Board, Steen Jorgensen, visited the Burmese village Myanng Yoe Gui in November 2012. Here he experienced the impact a small gift as two rabbits can have. “We saw how money from rabbit breeding was used in the community, making it possible for the village’s women to help each other to set up small businesses and support each other financially with expenses to education and health. We saw how a small gift as a few rabbits could trigger the development of a democratic community,” said Steen Jorgensen in his Christmas message to the volunteers. “You should know that it is not just two minor fur-creatures that you send to the Far East. It is self-help, and you directly support efforts that change the lives of others.” Steen Jorgensen said in his greeting.
February 2013 • ScandAsia.Thailand 17
News Brief
SSS website hacked again-three times
Pocket Playlab launches ‘Lost Cubes’
By Sippachai Kunnuwong
By Sippachai Kunnuwong
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ocket Playlab, a Bangkok-based developer and publisher of mobile games, founded by young Danish entrepreneurs, has introduced its latest iOS (soon to be on Android) title, “Lost Cubes.” And it looks like it has become a hit. After launching on the U.S. iTunes store for 6 hours, “Lost Cubes” is now number 35 on the over-all ranking of the Games section. The puzzle game revolves around a mission to save the Cubes planet where gamers have to connect the identical pairs of cube characters to complete each level. Deemed to be an upgrade of a mobile sensation “Free Flow,” where gamers connect similar colored dots to win the game, “Lost Cube” comes with better animation and extra fun, said its creator Thomas Andreasen. “Instead of lines in simple hues, the blocks are connected with streaks of fire, wind, earth, water and other more creative elements,” cited a post on Kotaku, a video game-focused blog. “It picks up where [Free Flow] left off.” “Lost Cubes” is Pocket Playlab’s first big product to be launched after Andreasen and his friend, Jakob Lykkegaard set up the company in March last year. The company now consists of 20 staff, both Thai and international and plans to release more games throughout this year. Andreasen told ScandAsia said he would fly to Singapore on 11 January 2013 to look for more investors in order to get the company’s products spontaneously streaming on the web. Lost Cubes is now available in the App Store in the Puzzle section of the Games area as a free-to-download app. You can download it here: https://itunes.apple.com/app/lost-cubes/id570621454?mt=8.
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hey say the second time’s a charm but for the Scandinavian Siam Society’s chairman, the association website’s third hack in a month is putting him in a concerned mode. The Scandinavian Siam Society (SSS) website was hacked again on 17 January 2013 for the third time in a month period, said the association’s chairman Robert Kronberg. Kronberg said he is perplexed by the incident given that the webmaster has successfully created a new website under a new host Wordpress.com – which would reduce the security flaws the old SSS site had. “We inspect it is either a result of technical problems at the server in the U.S. or we’re hijacked by a group of professional hackers,” the chairman said. The cause could also stem from the association board’s computer being hacked and someone stole the website password from it, he said. Only minor email problems occurred after the hack but all the files and member database have been saved in a backup storage. As for the solutions, Kronberg said he is asking many technology enthusiasts for help. “We are investigating on the matter right now and I hope to see (the problem) fixed within seven days,” said Kronberg. SSS website was first hacked in early December, resulting in a new web designer being brought in to help revamp the old site. The rejuvenation process went well but the website was eventually hacked - again - in late-December. The website is now under construction. Its front page now displays only an Indonesian flag and logos with the country’s national anthem playing along in the background. “From what we see, the new hacker might be from Indonesia,” Kronberg said.
Sommerskole på Herlufsholm - for piger og drenge i alderen 13-15 år
FRA 19. JULI TIL 2. AUGUST 2013 Tilbring 2 sjove og spændende uger i sommerferien på Danmarks ældste kostskole i selskab med 13-15 årige fra hele verden. Programmet byder på niveauinddelt dansk undervisning, sportslige og kreative aktiviteter samt ekskursioner og oplevelser. Lær om Danmark, mød nye venner og nyd de enestående historiske og smukke rammer som Herlufsholm Skole kan tilbyde.
LÆS MERE PÅ WWW.HERLUFSHOLM.DK 18 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2013
HERLUFSHOLM SKOLE OG GODS HERLUFSHOLM ALLÉ 170 REKTORKONTOR@HERLUFSHOLM.DK TLF. +45 55 75 35 00
DK - 4700 NÆSTVED
News Brief
Cambodia, Thailand launch single visa for Nordic visitors
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ambodia and Thailand on 27 December 2012 commenced implementing a single visa scheme in a move to encourage more foreign tourists and business people to the countries, according to a press release from Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The visa costs USD 20 for a single entry and is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. The single visa scheme is under the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya- Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) framework, initiated in 2003 by five ASEAN countries, namely Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. The Thai-Cambodian single visa is viewed as a pilot project of the ACMECS member states. The press release said the ACMECS single visa is available at diplomatic and consular missions of Cambodia and Thailand. “With the issuance of the ACMECS single visa by one country, either Cambodia or Thailand, the holders of this visa are authorized to enter both Cambodia and Thailand,” it said. It added that 35 countries and regions are eligible to apply for the visa including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bahrain, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, China’s Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, India, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait,Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Portugal, Qatar, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. The launching of the single visa was made after the 8th Thai- Cambodian Joint Committee meeting in Bangkok on December 26, which was co-chaired by Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong.
Colin says...
” ? e n o y n a s p “Fush‘n’Chu
Kiwis may not say it properly, but they sure cook them well. The best fish, all the way from NEW ZULAND (and did we tell you – awarded Bangkok’s Best Fish’n’Chips).
THAILAND TATLER
BEST RESTAURANTS
Great taste’n
Kiwi Fish’n’Chips & Seafood! 1/22 Sukhumvit Soi 11 / Ph. 02 651-1098
www.snapper-bangkok.com February 2013 • ScandAsia.Thailand 19
From Rector to Charles Gorder is a proud Swedish Property Award Winner on Phuket By Joakim Persson
C
harles Gorder is a proud man. The property project he developed with his Thai partner has recently won “Best Condo Development -Phuket” award, one of the 36 categories in the Thailand Property Awards 2012. In January 2011, Charles was selling a new beachfront development to prospective Phuket island lifestyle investors at Phuket’s international boat show (PIMEX). About 20 months later, mission accomplished, he invited us to take a closer look at the result: Nchantra @ Sirey Beach condominium on a yet relatively unknown island east of Phuket town. “I must say that winning the award is much better than I had anticipated,” says Charles. “But I think my partner had envisioned how it would be. I could not grasp all the details with Thai features, landscaping etc. That’s his part. And it’s been like that with each project we’ve done together, be it pool villas, town houses or shop houses. The result has always exceeded my expectations,” says Charles who 19 years ago made Phuket his home.
20 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2013
The vision for the project was conceived based on the typography of the land and by the skilled architect team within TAA & Associates, overseen personally by Charles’ business partner, Mr. Ekasak Thonthawes. Together they’ve created high quality projects where Nchantra is their most prominent project so far. “We set the bar high; it should be European quality,” says Charles. Representatives from Thailand Property Awards team have inspected short-listed developments and noted the high quality of Nchantra project, combined with that they liked the setting with magnificent sea view – especially the planning with a roof garden for each unit. The nomination had been completely unexpected, says Charles. “I must say it was a fantastic feeling; 500 persons were there on the gala dinner, including the elites within Thailand’s property industry. And many well-known builders were left empty-handed. So it felt great to go up on stage and get the prize. It’s a long time since I was so happy and it took several days for me to digest.” The Nchantra @ Sirey Beach
consists of terraced two-storey residences, all with semi-private plunge pools and a terrace with unobstructed sea view. From the beachfront units you step out right onto the sloping sandy beach and all residents enjoy a common beachfront pool with restaurant. Half of the units are for sale (most already sold) as freehold condominium, and as the property also functions as a hotel resort - Nchantra Pool Suite Residence – investors can join a rental pool. The hotel starts with Korean honeymooners as its main client group, which they also have experience in catering to with a previous pool villa residence project in Phuket’s southern area, Nai Harn.
Five-star developers Despite a previous portfolio (and having designed and constructed projects also on assignment such as the new Marriott hotel in Khao Lak as well as the five-star Beyond resorts) they did not have any model for the creation of Nchantra. “We have tried to build based on the contour of the land, but this was only
It was a fantastic feeling; 500 persons were there on the gala dinner, including the elites within Thailand’s property industry. And many well-known builders were left empty-handed. So it felt great to go up on stage and get the prize
Developer partly possible in order to have a sea view on all levels. We found a middle way to follow the landscape and keep as many of the large trees as possible but invested a lot also in landscaping – 148 trees were put in here.” Having achieved wholly or partially sea view from each apartment the conceptual design is rather unusual, where all air condition units are hidden underneath the buildings along with various installations to clean water. Some of the trees protrude up between the houses and the walkways, for the whole construction is elevated from the ground resting on concrete foundations. The property gets own water from a well and all purified water from the sewage controls system used for irrigation. “Water is still not enough so we also have rainwater collection with pipes leading down to two tanks of 250 cubic metres.” As for the high quality, Charles highlights features and materials such as the double walls with Siporex, a lightweight structural material with high thermal insulation properties, and the “Rolls Royse of air condition-
ing” from Daikin - both contributing to energy saving. “It costs more but has lower sound level and provides more effective energy consumption than any other brands.” Other features contributing to less water consumption are water efficient toilets, urinals in the bathrooms on living room level and tap aerators restricting the flow of water. “Many of our customers or buyers also see it as a good investment – which is probably the most important thing.” Sirey is seen as an up-and-coming area, and with a new Westin resort having paid the way other hotel brands such as Centara Hotels & Resorts, Park Hyatt and Marco Polo are about to follow suit and develop resorts there. “We sell it at a much lower price than what it would cost on the west coast, so within a few years with more five-star resorts the prices here will go up significantly. So it is certainly a great investment,” states Charles. The proximity to Phuket town is also an advantage and with several marinas at short distance.
Sales and environmental/ marine expertise Charles’ own expertise is having been selling products his whole life, everything from diesel engines and submarines to off shore oil platforms and cruise ships. On top of that, he possesses in-depth technical knowledge about ships. Charles is from Kalmar and a Naval Architect. He was 20 years ago Rector for the Maritime Academy in Sweden. “Many things emerging within environmental technology and solutions now have been around within shipping for many decades!” The reason he ended up on Phuket is pure coincidence, just as it was to meet and form a partnership with Mr. Ekasak. Working for a shipping company in Dubai he travelled frequently to Southeast Asia and one time the managers in the region suggested they should meet on Phuket. One of his good friends had bought a house there and when Charles got an opportunity to buy a house within the same project he decided to invest. He has bought and sold homes ever since. Together with
his current business partner, they formed joint companies 12 years ago where they invested in land and property developments. Charles still thinks it is great fun and has plans that will keep him busy for the next four years so retiring is not on the agenda.
Next up: eco villas The next project will be 17 pool villas near Nai Han, where he anticipates to fully being able to meet the requirements for eco homes and incorporate the ClimateWell climate solution which was too costly for Nchantra. “I will try to include as many environmentally friendly and energysaving features in that project as possible. In environmental point of view I find it worthwhile to achieve this and they will be moderately priced and investors will be able to save money in the long term even though the maintenance fee will be slightly higher,” says Charles. He also says he has indication it will be a sought-after project and with the eco focus he hopes to reach many Scandinavian and Northern European buyers.
February 2013 • ScandAsia.Thailand 21
Scarcity as a path to a better world He believes that ethics and Asian philosophical values will be part of a new world economy and blames those responsible for the financial crises for being greedy and reckless. But don’t get him wrong, Joergen Oerstoem Moeller is far from being an old hippie. By Kim Birkkjaer Lund
F
or years Joergen Oerstoem Moeller was a highly respected Permanent Secretary of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was the architect behind the three exceptions which saved both Denmark and EU after the Danes had rejected the Maastricht Treaty in a referendum in 1992. When he decided to leave as head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1997 to become Ambassador in Singapore, he ended up as Ambassador for not just Singapore and Brunei but also Australian and New Zealand. He is a work addict who by the age of 68 still publishes a breathtaking stream of books and articles and when he launched his last book “How Asia can shape the world” Singapore’s Minister of Foreign Affairs showed up to get a copy. When you choose to leave as Permanent Secretary you were free to choose whatever position you liked. You chose to be ambassador to Singapore – Why? I have always taken great interest in
22 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2013
Asia. Back in the 1980’s it was obvious for me that the world economy was moving to Asia. My interest for Asian culture was a second reason. Being married to a Vietnamese woman of course strengthen my interest in Asia. The last reason can maybe be difficult to understand if you haven’t been head of a large organization, but as Permanent Secretary I had had huge influence on the instructions to our embassies worldwide and some influence on Danish foreign policies in general. Being used to such influence I found it would be difficult to be an ambassador at one of the big Embassies and receive instructions from my successor which I might disagree. So when leaving the top post I thought it’d be wiser to get far away. I didn’t want to be left with a lot of ideas on what to do, without power to actually do it. But why Singapore, there were other embassies in Asia? In my opinion Singapore has got the largest assembly of intellectual capacity in the world. All major mul-
tinational companies are represented in Singapore. The Singaporean diplomatic service has always been known for its high standards and Singapore has think tanks on China, Japan, India, Middle-east and Europe, so there is access to enormous amounts of information, which only is comparable to what you find in Washington and London. In your latest book “How Asia can shape the world” you commit high treason against your profession economy. Why? I believe economic science has killed itself. All economists use very complicated models based on math and thus they have broadly stopped thinking. When you use that kind of models you need some preconditions on how people and companies normally react. To obtain those precondition you look backwards to see how they previously behaved. That works in stable economic times, where things don’t change much. But we don’t live in stable economic times. The world is changing.
Singapore has got the largest assembly of intellectual capacity in the world.
The last 20 years we have seen a shift in economy from USA and Europe towards Asia. We have seen soaring commodity prices and we have seen a financial crisis followed by a debt crisis. In such times people don’t react as they used to and economic models based on previous behavior produce false answers. If you look at IMF’s prognoses or official prognoses from USA on economic growth, you will see that they have been wrong and not been able to forecast the development, because they are based on a behavioral pattern which no longer exists. It becomes increasingly clear that the precondition for the economic theory: “that people are largely guided solely by economic incentives” are wrong. It becomes obvious that psychology, anthropology, and sociology, our relationships with other people have great influence on our economic behavior and dispositions. And this influence is not part of the economic theory. So today economy is a science which has killed itself. When you look at what has
happened trough the financial crisis the last 5-6 years then it is trigged by greed, reckless conduct, a totally irresponsible attitude of some of those who are supposed to be pillars of society. Under such conditions you cannot use economic theory. Have you lost faith in market economy? Yes greatly. Pricing is what matters but market economy pricing is based on short sighted factors instead of long term. To simplify, it means that a commodity which is cheap to extract but which we know will be used up in 20 years will be priced according to the expenses to extract it. The long-term impact of the raw material utilization is not incorporated in the market economy pricing. I consider it a system failure in the market. Another failure in market economy pricing is the lack of pricing of side effects. Economic sciences operate with concepts like external diseconomies which try to price side effects, but they are not part of the market pricing. The only reason, that some side effects are priced, is that
governments intervene and with taxes and duties set a price on the side effects. But without intervening it would, as an example, be extremely cheap to smoke despite smoking has a catastrophic impact on society health expenditure. Market economy pricing does not incorporate these two very important factors and by not doing so, market pricing of course does not function. You believe a new economy will emerge from Asia. Why from Asia? I believe the British historian Arnold Joseph Toynbee (a controversial historian who explains civilizations fall with their moral decay. 14 April 1889 – 22 October 1975) was right when he said: “Civilization is a response to challenges.” In Asia you got the largest population mass, the largest increase in population, the largest economic growth and it is Asia that have had the strongest increase in consumption. The urgency for changes will be stronger in Asia than anywhere else.
And if you believe Toynbee the answer will come from where it is most needed. The western world offspring is the Abrahamic religions where nature was given man by god. Therefore we are free to do whatever we want with nature. If you want an apple you are free to trap the tree to get it. In Asian religion and philosophy humans are not superior to nature, but parts of nature, so if you want an apple you will have to climb the tree. If Asians don’t believe they are superior to nature, why do we then see environmental scandals and catastrophes in Asia? To get where Asia is today, Asia has played a catch-up game with the western world, adopting western values. Now when it becomes obvious that the western model doesn’t have the answers needed for today’s problems, Asia will have to look somewhere else for solutions and my guess is that Asia will turn to its own fundamental philosophical values.
February 2013 • ScandAsia.Thailand 23
Nordic Club Jakarta – Nordic Club Jakarta provides the perfect platform for Scandinavian expats to meet, socialize, and even make a positive impact on Jakarta’s community. By Melissa Holck
N
ordic Club is both a social club for nationals of the Nordic countries and a non-profit social welfare organization with a focus on offering financial and volunteer support to Jakarta’s less fortunate. As a non-profit organization, it is run by a group of enthusiastic volunteers looking to make a difference in both the Nordic community and the local community while fostering friendship and unity between its
members and host city. The Nordic Club’s primary objectives are: • To assist newly arrived Nordic expatriates with settling into their new life in Jakarta • To unite the Nordic community in Jakarta through social gatherings • To carry out local charity work through both financial assistance and volunteer support. The current Nordic Club board was elected at the Annual General Meeting which is held every April.
24 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2013
The 2012-2013 board positions are held by Melissa Holck, President, Isabelle Ulvenholm, Vice President, Torill Olufsen, Secretary, Irene Knardal, Treasurer, Carmela Lindell, Charity Representative, Gitte Winberg, Danish country representative, Anne May Rostoen, Norwegian country representative and Monika Engstrom, Swedish country representative.
Membership Membership to The Nordic Club
is as simple as contacting the President or country representative. Membership is open to nationals of any of the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Membership is also open to spouses of Nordic nationals and individuals who work for a Nordic company regardless of nationality. As a member of Nordic Club you are invited to participate in our monthly coffee mornings. Members and their families can join in
Uniting Scandinavians The biggest event of the year was by far the Crayfish Party, which was the organization’s biggest fundraiser hosting nearly 300 guests in 2012.
the many other activities offered such as family events, sports clubs, pub nights and the annual charity fundraiser. In addition to these events there are country specific events arranged related to each countries traditions like Midsummer party, Crayfish party, Lucia celebration, Fastelavnsfest, Juletraesfast and Christmas lunch. Most importantly, as a member you become part of the Nordic community fostering friendship among your fellow countrymen and expanding cultural
growth in our colorful host city.
Events Monthly coffee mornings are held the first Tuesday of every month at a new location each month with each country alternating and ensuring that there is always delicious traditional foods to be enjoyed amongst friends. The coffee mornings offer members an opportunity to catch up with old friends, meet new friends and share their Jakarta experiences and expertise.
The majority of the members join Nordic Club for the opportunity to participate in the various family events planned throughout the year. These events offer a great opportunity for Nordic families to come together and give their children the sense of tradition that can easily be missed as an expatriate. It is also a chance for Nordic children to interact with their Nordic peers. The past year has been full of exciting events for the club’s members. Events have included a mini
bazaar where vendors were on hand selling many lovely handi-crafts ranging from housewares to jewelry. Pub nights are another well-attended event, which offers working spouses a chance to get together with fellow members over a nice cold beer. The club’s charity group planned two events last year allowing members to get more hands on experience with the charity aspects of the organization. The first was a meet and greet event which offered members the opportunity to get acquainted with one of their newest charity efforts of supporting, Mama Sayang Orphanage. The second was a Christmas event for Nordic families at Mama Sayang (MS). During this event, the club provided each of the 130 orphans at MS Christmas gifts, which included a new school uniform. Everyone enjoyed a day of outdoor games and spreading some Christmas cheer. The biggest event of the year was by far the Crayfish Party, which was the organization’s biggest fundraiser hosting nearly 300 guests in 2012. The club is continually adding new events to suit the every changing need of its members and community with 2013 is sure to be another exciting year. For details about upcoming events, membership or for all other inquires please contact Nordic Club Jakarta on the web at www.nordicclubjakarta.org or via e-mail at president@nordicclubjakarta.org or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook/nordicclubjakarta
February 2013 • ScandAsia.Thailand 25
A touch of Denmark of the Chinese art s The center piece of the current exhibition in Beijing, Crouching Spider, by Louise Bourgeois.
In the midst of Art Zone 798, one of the most happening art venues in Beijing, lays a stylish Scandinavian exhibition venue. It is owned by Danes Jens and Luise Faurschou, who decided to start up the Faurschou Foundation in Beijing because of the fast developing international art scene in the city. By Anya Palm Photos by The Faurschou Foundation
26 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2013
A
big, ugly metal-baby sits with his legs on each side of an oversized gun. His face is grimaced in an evil scream and the inscription on the gun barrel says: “Made in China”. Near the provocative statue hangs a silhouette of a man-spider from a massive steel constellation. Beneath him, passers-by walk along the clean, carless streets past gallery after gallery and open-air art pieces like the hanging homo arachnid. Colors, statements, beauty, dreams, sorrow and future oozes out of every piece,
every building, every shop in Art Zone 798 in Beijing. This is where art lovers go when they go to China. Near the heart of the quarter is a square building with glass façade, elegant use of heavy material and clear, long lines in the architecture. It has an air of Scandinavian design and as it happens, the inside is pretty Scandinavian as well: This is the Faurschou Foundation, a Danish exhibition venue based on a private collection owned by Jens and Luise Faurschou. The two Danish art connoisseurs opened up their place in Beijing in 2007.
k in the heart scene We aim to display art that has quality - both esthetically and in content. We do exhibit art with a political edge.
Jens and Luise Faurschou with curator Jerry Govoroy, here seen at the opening of the current exhibition in Beijing “Alone and Together”
“A lot of the most interesting Chinese artists are concentrated around Beijing,” says Luise Faurschou. Since the opening, the couple has featured a range of internationally acclaimed artists on their premises including hot Scandinavian names. Michael Kvium, Christian Lemmerz, and Erik A. Frandsen, the three Danish artists who have done quite well in China, were all first introduced by Faurschou in Beijing. “We want to bring Western art to China,” Luise Faurschou says. But she and fellow owner Jens Faurschou are not only looking to
introduce foreign art to the Chinese – it goes the other way as well. The hottest artist in Beijing right now, is provocateur, blogger, artist and system critic Ai Weiwei, says Luise Faurschou, and of course, the Faurschou Foundation has already had an exhibition featuring art from the controversial Chinese artist. “We aim to display art that has quality - both esthetically and in content. We do exhibit art with a political edge,” says Luise Faurschou about the choice and elaborates: “We run exhibition venues, because we strongly believe that art
has the ability to touch and move, please and challenge the beholder. We believe art can contribute to a bigger intercultural and compassionate understanding between human beings,” she says. Both Luise Faurschou and her husband live in Copenhagen, wherefrom they also run a gallery, Galleri Faurschou. The Ai Weiwei-exhibition ended in February 2012, and was replaced by another artist that has broken barriers: The current exhibition “Alone and Together” is featuring pieces from the French sculptor Louise
Bourgeois, born in 1911, and one of the most influential artists in her field. She is a personal favorite of the two Danish art lovers: “This is the first retro perspective exhibition with Louise Bourgeois. We want to spread the knowledge of this unique artist – our opinion is that she is one of the greatest artists of the past 100 years,” says Luise Faurschou. “Alone and Together” runs until 24 March 2013. To see details of the mentioned artists displayed at the Faurschou Foundation, visit www. faurschou.com.
February 2013 • ScandAsia.Thailand 27
Modern Tropical design and Danish functionality is well received in Pranburi
I
f you have lost your heart to Thailand, you owe it to yourself to visit the favorite weekend retreat of Bangkokians where they hide from everyday life and responsibilities and recharge their batteries every weekend. The place is Pranburi, only 2.5 hours’ drive from Bangkokj Here you find the things we all love about Thailand: the magnificent local temple with the many monks , which is a totally integrated part of everyday life, the same for the colorful fishing boats and the many seafood restaurants along the beach. Pranburi is unspoiled by mass tourism and has practically no traffic but at the same time hosts some of the world’s best resorts with Evason Six Senses probably being the most famous but also the two 5-star resorts Aleenta Resort and Villa Maroc are routinely winning prices around the world. The authentic local environment, mixed with those excellent resorts, gives the visitor the opportunity of a fantastic lifestyle, which is also why the Dane, Jon Plate, fell for Pranburi several years ago: “We have an amazing landscape with national parks and mountains all around and of course the ocean and the beaches. We have fresh produce from the ocean and surrounding farms as well as a remarkably friendly local culture with monks, dolphins, rivers and many other things as the icing on the cake. When you look around you find world class golf courses and kite surfing. What more do you want?”
Developer:
Sukhothai Capital
Location:
Pranburi, Prachuap Khirikhan
Ownership: freehold Contruction finished:
condominiums January 2013 and pool villas May 2013
Prices:
starts from 3.8MB
Sizes:
1, 2 and 3 bedrooms
Contact: jon@modenacondos.com or 0884956455 Further info:
www.modenacondos.com
28 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2013
Four years ago, Jon Plate saw the opportunities in Pranburi and began to plan what would later become MODENA Condominiums & Pool Villas. His background was A.P. Moller and an MBA from INSEAD, but he had long held a dream to one day build a project of the highest caliber in Thailand, which has been his home for more than 13 years. Now, four years and numerous headaches later, MODENA is finished and sits in Pranburi like a wonderful diamond next to the ocean. Low-rise, designed by an award-winning architect and with the typical Danish focus on clean lines, functionality and environmental sustainability. MODENA consists of 27 condominiums of which 12 are penthouses with private roof gardens for every condo Pranburi is the place where the simple life meets all the other good things in life such as golf, kite boarding, massage, spa treatments etc. It is all there. “At MODENA we have our own Concierge Service which we call “My Barefoot Luxury” and it helps owners and their friends and family to get the absolute best out of Pranburi and Hua Hin since there is so much to choose from”, says Jon Plate who is clearly proud of the great reception MODENA is getting both in Thailand and abroad.
February 2013 • ScandAsia.Thailand 29
Together for Charity
English class at the English School of Mui Ne in Vietnam
A group of seven professional Swedish women in Singapore initiated the charity organization “Together for Charity” to make a difference for the needy children in the region. By Ika Forssell
W
hile realizing that their situation in affluent Singapore is extremely privileged compared to that of most people in the neighboring countries, the ladies – whom most refer to as ‘expat wives’ - have decided to make good use of their professional knowledge in different areas to make a difference where they can. ScandAsia talks to two of the organization’s founders; Stina Hotine and Elisabeth Lewenhaupt who share the stories with passion and energy. “This is quite a bubbly place,” says Stina as she refers to the impression of sitting inside a protected bubble in a sea of poverty, but fittingly enough also describing the constant flow of champagne that is commonplace in certain circles. Everything about the organization is beautifully and respectfully thought through and executed. The group is inviting people to think twice before spending money on the usual things, and offer easy opportunities to do and feel good while at the same time presenting thoughtful gifts to a dinner host or a jubilee. “People want to know what their donations do and how effective they
are,” says Elisabeth while showing the ‘printed gift card’ where the donor can specify what the amount they donate will achieve for the needy children. At the moment, the organization focuses on the two projects: ‘Deak Kum Pa’ Orphanage in Luang Prabang, Laos, and ‘The English School of Mui Ne’ in Vietnam.
The two main projects Deak Kum Pa Orphanage is run by the Laos government, and to a great extent managed by Australian Andrew Brown. Andrew relies on donations and makes sure that every penny donated to the children is put to the best use. He keeps an
30 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2013
eye on the premises to see what needs to be done or purchased for the orphanage to function smoothly. Children are rescued from the streets and a life in severe poverty. They are given a chance to go to school and live their lives in a safe and relatively comfortable way. The English School of Mui Ne in Vietnam is a step further in the development. They are inviting children among the poorest in the village to learn English in order to be able to make a living in the future in the growing tourism industry. As they expect these children to be able to support their poor families in the future, they carefully choose the
The Swedish ladies and the children at Deak Kum Pa Orphanage in Laung Prabang, Laos
neediest candidates to admit – and always just one sibling from each family. At the school, which is in addition to the regular school during the weeks, the kids are not only taught English, but also valuable lessons of friendship and sharing as well as computer skills. Through internet, many students have discovered possibilities for themselves for the future and have dreams that they never imagined before. Five former students of the school have recently posted a video on Youtube speaking in English about the opportunities that have opened up for them. Interested readers can see the video on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DztbebGzqus&f eature=youtu.be The school is also on Facebook sharing events, activities and giving updates to its donors and interested people. Elisabeth and Stina emphasize that Together for Charity is a lifelong project that they have taken on. They keep it very simple and personal, focusing on only two projects at the moment. They keep close contact with the two entities and aim to offer them 100% of the funds they collect. For more information, visit www. togetherforcharity.com
Teaching Thai in Paradise
On the beautiful island of Koh Lanta, Swedish Paula Westberg is making a living offering Thai lessons to other foreigners at Lanta International Language School. Running a school in Thailand has had its challenges, but after a couple years of hard work, the Swede is ready to give her, the school and the staff a top grade. By Dennis Krog
32 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2013
K
oh Lanta is for many people known as a quiet island where relaxing and enjoying the beautiful beaches are the main reasons for coming. But for an increasing number of people, it has also become a great place to get familiar with the Thai Language at Lanta International Language School. The school in Koh Lanta is owned and run by 39 year-old Paula Westberg. Lanta International Language School opened up for students in 2008, but even though the opening of the school was a milestone for Paula Westberg, who has been living on Koh Lanta since 2005, it was far from the most important day for her five-year-old business. “My luckiest day here was when our now head teacher Ninnete Surarat knocked on the door looking for a job. She has come here with great motivation and she is hard working. I really owe her a lot,” says Paula Westberg. The head teacher is Ninnete
Surarat, who has a bachelor in English and previously worked as a journalist at The Nation. Together with Ninnete Surarat, Paula Westberg managed to turn a rough start for the Lanta International Language School in Koh Lanta around.
Finding the right teaching method Paula Westberg came to Koh Lanta after finishing her master’s degree in Educational Design from the university in Linköping, Sweden. In 2006 Paula started a learning center, which in many ways functioned as internet café, but this was not to be the final stop for Paula Westberg. “The learning center didn’t feed my creative drive, so we started to teach some Thai too. More or less for fun,” says Paula Westberg. However, teaching Thai was a challenge for Paula Westberg and her staff. “In the beginning we taught in the traditional Thai way, but it didn’t work out. At the end of a course we
My luckiest day here was when our now head teacher Ninnete Surarat knocked on the door looking for a job. She has come here with great motivation and she is hard working. I really owe her a lot.
would have 2-3 students left, and the teachers were frustrated as well, which meant that they left too,” says Paula Westberg. While looking for the best way to teach the students, participants on the courses didn’t pay any fee. Instead the students gave valuable feedback to the teaching methods, which has led to great results. “We started looking for teaching methods that would make our courses more interesting and fun and at the same time allow the students to learn pretty quickly. When we had that sorted out, I opened up Lanta International Language School, concentrating on only teaching Thai,” says Paula Westberg.
Learn Thai in 13 weeks Lanta International Language School offers courses from 4 weeks to a full year. Around 90 percent of the students are Swedish. Some of them come to Koh Lanta from Sweden, while the rest live in Thailand or other places in the world. The most
popular course is the 13 weeks course, which meets the requirement of the Swedish government for financial support to the students. The students attend school five days a week, and for most students 13 weeks takes them pretty far. “In 13 weeks you can handle common situations, and you can read easy books, but you will still be looking for words as you speak. When you have studied for six months you will start getting some flow in your Thai language,” says Paula Westberg. With the teaching methods in order and the students being happy, most of the challenges have been solved, but Paula Westberg has faced more difficulties, because even though Koh Lanta may seem like paradise to many Scandinavians, not all Thai people see it the same way.
Difficult finding teachers Learning Thai and doing your homework under a palm tree or at the beach may sound like the perfect way of learning, but attracting skilled
teachers to Koh Lanta turned out to be another problem for Paula Westberg, especially at the beginning. “The teachers have all studied in Chiang Mai or Bangkok, and for them it’s not easy getting used to a more quiet life on Koh Lanta, but our core of teachers is growing all the time. Now teachers stay more than one season,” Paula Westberg laughs. Paula Westberg emphasizes that it is much to the credit of head teacher Ninnete Surarat that the teachers are now staying at the International school. “Ninnete has put in a lot of work structuring the courses so that both the teachers and the students feel that the time they spend together develops them,” says Paula Westberg.
Not about the money Lanta International Language School has become more and more popular. In the high season there are 25 – 30 students attending the school, while the low season has 15 students in the class rooms.
The popular 13 weeks course on Koh Lanta will cost you around 50.000 Baht, and if you decide to go all the way and stay for 52 weeks, you will pay around 200.000 baht. The price includes all the teaching materials. Although it to some people may seem like a lot of money, Paula Westberg has not yet become rich offering Thai lessons. “If I was here for the money I should have run away a long time ago, but the last year has been better and it seems like the school has a bright future,” says Paula Westberg.
Great future With the school now doing well Paula Westberg is very happy that she decided to open the school on Koh Lanta instead of more obvious places like Bangkok and Chiang Mai. “Everyone here in this small community becomes good friends and we always have something to do at night,” says Paula Westberg, I can just feel that it is the right place for me to be right now,” she adds.
February 2013 • ScandAsia.Thailand 33
InterContinential Hua Hin launches cooking class promotions
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For more information, contact 02 656 0236 or visit www.intercontinental.com/huahin
nterContinential Hua Hin has added traditional Thai cookery classes to its Thai heritage services. Hosted by the five star resort’s culinary staff, the classes will involve a truly Thai trip into town on a tuk-tuk to visit Hua Hin’s traditional fruit and vegetable market. Chefs will advise on purchases and educate guests on the available ingredients before returning to Pirom restaurant to whip up an authentic taste of Thailand. Priced at THB 2,500 per person, the Thai cooking class is at 8.30a.m.-1.00p.m. In addition, InterContinental is offering guests the opportunity to combine the ‘Thai Cooking’ classes with a boat trip to the local TAKEAB fish market to make purchases before heading back for expert tuition in preparing and barbequing fresh fish. The Thai cooking class including a boat trip to fish market is priced at THB 3,200 per person. The time is at 8.00a.m. – 1.00p.m. The resort also offers classes for families to enjoy the culinary experiences together. Hosted by Chefs Lek and Jinajog, the family cooking classes will involve step-by-step guides on the creation of either two Thai dishes or two Italian dishes. The classes for children will also be taught by the resort’s friendly culinary experts, teaching children to create delicious baked pastries, cakes, breads and delicious chocolate-based treats. For the family cooking class, it’s THB 2,500 per adult and THB 1,900 per child. The resort offers morning classes on Wednesday to Saturday at 11.00a.m. – 1.00p.m. The afternoon session is also available on Saturday and Sunday at 2.00p.m. – 4.00p.m.
Ramada Resort Khao Lak wins travellers’ choice
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amada Resort Khao Lak has recently won the 2013 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice award in the Top and Luxury Hotel categories. It is the second time the hotel has come out top in this category. According to the press release, TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice winners are based on millions of reviews and opinions from travellers around the world. This follows the receipt of the prestigious HolidayCheck Award in the beginning of January, also decided by positive reviews of satisfied guests, which lists Ramada Resort Khao Lak as Thailand’s number one hotel for positive customer feedback and one of the top 99 hotels in the world. A HolidayCheck spokesman said Ramada Resort Khao Lak was a worthy winner. The presentation of the HolidayCheck Award would take place at the opening event for the ITB in Berlin on 5 March 2013. To be eligible for the award, hotels and resorts had to receive a recommendation rate of 90 percent or more, at least five ‘suns’, and the reviews were vetted to make sure there were no detectable manipulations. Located in the centre of Khao Lak in a beachfront location at Bang Niang Beach, Ramada Resort Khao Lak is an hour away from Phuket International Airport. The resort is also infused with community spirit and takes pride in its efforts to reach out to the local community and preserve the natural environment.
For more information, contact 076 427777 or visit www.ramadakhaolak.com 34 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2013
Valentine’s Day Dinner
at the AETAS Bangkok
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hat is your plan for this Valentine’s Day? AETAS Lumpini offers to host your romantic evening with International Valentine’s Day dinner at its signature GMT Lounge. Featuring an experienced kitchen team, GMT Lounge offers the view overlooking the skyline of Bangkok’s Lumpini Park. On 14 February 2013, it offers the international five-course dinner set menu for lovers to enjoy. The set menu starts with Spinach, avocado and smoked salmon salad with strawberry balsamic reduction as an appetizer. Then guests can enjoy Pumpkin cream soup, which will be followed by Lychee sorbet. Two choices of main course include Classic roasted rack of lamb marinate with fresh rosemary and mustard gravy sauce and Pan grilled salmon with white wine cream sauce with berry and roasted potato. The finish of the special meal will be sumptuous Cherry and chocolate brownie cheese cake with cream berry sauce. GMT Lounge is located on the 9th floor of AETAS Lumpini. It is THB 1,899 net per couple including two glasses of cocktails.
For more information and reservations, contact 02 618 9555 or visit www.aetashotels.com
Anchana Resort & Spa
offers ‘Unlimited Member’ promotion
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ocated 30 minutes south of Hua Hin on Pranburi Beach amidst the mountains in Sam Roi Yod National Park, Anchana Resort & Spa boasts traditional architecture and Thai style decoration. The resort’s rooms range from Deluxe, Anchana Suite, Suite connecting room to one or two-bedroom villas. All rooms are equipped with facilities such as cable TV, wifi internet, private balconies and amenities. The resort has recently launched an “Unlimited Member” promotion for ScandAsia readers to enjoy special room rates throughout the year. The price of the membership is THB 19,999. Within a year after the purchase, members can enjoy the first night stay at the resort for free of charge. For a stay of extra nights over weekday (Sunday to Thursday), the surcharge is THB 1,000 per room night. For a stay over weekend, the surcharge is THB 2,000 per room night and a minimum stay is two nights. For long weekend, the surcharge is THB 2,500 per room night and a minimum stay is also two nights. One week stay is the maximum stay for a booking. The offers are not applicable for Songkran and New Year periods.
For more information, contact 02 516 1574-8 or 032 559-366-7 or visit www.anchana.com 36 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2013
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Fish sandwich (Stjerneskud) By Anders Holm Nielsen
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ith “Stjerneskud” the Danes combine their love for the traditional open sandwich also known as “Smoerrebrøed” and the easy access fresh fish via the large Danish coastline. There are many different variations of the dish but the most common is toast with fried plaice, shrimp, boiled cod, salad, asparagus and the essential red dressing. Translated, “Stjerneskud” means shooting star because how the dish resembles a star when it is put together in the old fashioned manner. The fresh seafood is key to creating the classic meal, and ordering the dish in a dodgy place can be a risky move, but if made right, the fish sandwich makes for both a fine lunch and dinner.
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Ingredients: (Serves one)
Are you done?
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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:
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Deadline for submitting your solution is 15 March 2013 38 ScandAsia.Thailand • February 2013
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2 pieces of fried plaice in a breadcrumb coating (or other sorts of flatfish) 100 ml flour 100 ml egg whites 100 ml crumbled bread 1 piece of boiled cod 75 g. shrimp 75 g. asparagus 1 slice of toast Butter – salt – pepper 200 ml white wine. 1 lemon Sliced cucumber 2 tbsp. crème fraîche 2 tbsp. ketchup Lettuce of various sorts Dill 1 half, sliced tomato
Directions Take the fresh fillets of plaice and turn them in flour, then egg whites and finally the crumbled bread. Fry them on a pan with oil at a steady heat. Put the cod in a pot, ad white wine, lemon juice, a dash of salt and pepper and steam it slowly on the stove. Mix crème fraîche and ketchup and try your way by adding dill, paprika, salt, pepper and lemon juice a bit at the time. Scrape you toast with the red dressing and put the lettuce on. Place the fried and steamed fish on top. Add the rest of the red dressing and the asparagus and shrimp on top of the fish and finally top it off with sliced lemon, cucumber, tomato and dill. Enjoy!
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