ScandAsia Thailand - October 2012

OCT 2012

Expanding culinary delights in Hua Hin ScandAsia.dk

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Opinion

Go home!

O 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 Assistant Editor: Wachiraporn Janrut wachiraporn@scandmedia.com Advertising : Finn Balslev finn@scandmedia.com Piyanan Kalikanon piyanan@scandmedia.com Nattapat Maesang nattapat@scandmedia.com

dense - the provincial town in Denmark known abroad as the birthplace of fairytale author Hans Christian Andersen - was in August the scene of a battle between Danish police and mostly Muslim immigrants.

The trouble started during the celebrations of a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan in Vollsmose - a district in Odense with a high percentage of immigrants. A 26-year-old man was shot in one leg and stabbed in the other, and another man, a 24-year-old, was hit by a car which fled the scene.

Later in the night, members of two groups of immigrants clashed in the centre of Odense.

The violence culminated when a group of 60-70 people stormed the main hospital town in an attempt to reach the victims of the shooting and hit-and-run incident. The group threatened hospital staff and police, vandalising furniture and police cars along the way. In total, one ambulance and four police cars were destroyed from the night’s events.

The police had shot a few warning shots at the hospital but eventually decided to retreat and let the mob vandalise the hospital.

After the incident, the debate about the Danish immigration policy flared up. Many Danes across the political specter resent the Muslim immigrants who often make little efforts to integrate themselves in the Danish society. It adds to their resentment that the immigrants openly push for the Danish society to adjust itself to their culture and religion instead. “Why don’t we send them home?” was the question raised.

The question remains unanswered because it is simply not an option in Denmark. All members of the establishment - the media included - operate on the basic consensus that immigrants have the right to stay and it is the duty of the Danish public sector to integrate them and make them as Danish as possible including giving them all the rights of Danish citizens.

Immigrants from countries in the far east like Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines are by the same people generally perceived as well integrated and used as an example of how all immigrants ought to be integrated. They speak Danish, find work albeit often in the black economy, and are not seen as abusing the public economic support system. Their few temples and public festivals and are seen as exotic display of cultural diversity.

When counting my many blessing from living in Thailand, the Thai tolerance against foreigners is the one I appreciate the most. Resentment against foreigners does sometimes surface. But compared to what I experienced back in Denmark during my summer vacation this August it is negligible.

Even when we as foreigners sometimes attempt to change Thailand - or develop Thailand as we call it - we are largely tolerated, listened to and sometimes our ideas are even adopted. Obviously, if what we suggest is unwanted, we are still listened to but that is as far as it goes.

Wondering why foreigners are being accepted so differently in Thailand compared to back in Scandinavia, I always come back to one fundamental difference in our situation here in our new home country.

Here, we are from the very first day we arrive in Thailand made aware that we are here temporarily. You must leave the Kingdom before this date. I arrived here more than 20 years ago and I am still here temporarily. There is no automatic mechanism that turns foreigners into Thais - which we would never be able to become anyway never mind how fluent we would be in Thai.

The Thais have no qualms telling us that we are different and that there are things we cannot do - like buy their land. If you break the law you serve your sentence - and then you are deported. All Thais regardless of education or political orientation share the natural understanding that foreigners can be sent home - and they find it reasonable and appropriate every time it happens.

Could it be that the reason the Thais have cultural elasticity enough to accept us as foreigners here is based on that fundamental understanding - which is accepted without too much grumbling by us foreigners - that by the end of the day if we really don’t fit here, we can be told: Go home!

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

Gregers Moller is the Editor-in-Chief of ScandAsia and the founder of the Scand-Media Group. He has lived in Thailand since 1988.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY SCANDINAVIAN SOCIETY

CONTENTS 8 20

OCTOBER 2012

Coming Events

10 Past Events 16 ScandAsia News Brief 20 Expanding culinary delights in Hua Hin

Restaurateur Anders Hagstedt shares how he has expanded his presence in Hua Hin’s dining scene. By Joakim Persson

27

22 Finnish diving family finds education solution on Phuket

24 Quests for temple caves

26 Wood Care

The diving couple Sven Schlegel and Virpi Lehtonen happily settled down on Phuket after they found an international programme education for their son, Walther. By Joakim Persson

Norwegian expat Dr. Nils B. Vogt presents a different perspective of what Thailand has to offer. By Wachiraporn Janrut

Thai wood specialist Bunyarit Rotchanarat brings Danish wood care products to the Thai market. By Wachiraporn Janrut

27 First private museum 28 Eco-bungalow project in Laos

Danish Consul General Anders Normann has opened his own Danish museum

By Gregers Moller

Two young Swedish entrepreneurs founded the Swedish organisation “World Volunteer” and initiate projects that put smiles on the faces of the villagers in Laos. By Malin Tornvall

32 Coaching writers in memoir and novel writing 34 Danish village in Sam Roi Yod expands 36 Koh Phangan in Stockholm

Interview with Novelist Caroline Allen who coaches people from all backgrounds to write By Andrea Hessmo

34

Talay Tara adds final houses to its project. By Gregers Moller

38

Swedes who much enjoyed themselves on Koh Phangan brought the touch back to Sweden and opened three restaurants called “Koh Phangan”, featuring authentic Thai atmosphere with imported materials from Thailand. By Helene Benno

38 Go nuts on Koh Phangan 42 Inspiration & Promotion 36 Sudoku & Danish Meatballs in Curry recipe

Coconuts! By Gregers Moller

Hotel News Update

By Gregers Moller

Coming Events

Joint Chambers Breakfast seminar Date: 16 October 2012, 7.30 – 9.00am Location: Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Price: THB 700 net for TFCC Members / THB 1,100 net for Non-members You are invited to a Joint Chambers Breakfast Seminar on the topic “Online Marketing and E-commerce” by Mr. Carl Heaton, founder of Web Courses. The seminar is about Online Marketing and E-commerce and the speaker will mainly talk about the Social Media Tools.

Mr. Carl is the founder of Web Courses and a UX consultant for the United Nations. His projects include some of the biggest websites within the United Nations such as www.unescapsdd. org, www.unescap.org (launching soon) and soon he will also be working closely with UNAIDS. Interested people can sign up at secretary@swecham.com

DanCham 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner Celebration

Dansegalla in Cha Am

Date: 19 October 2012, 6.30pm Location: The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok - Royal Ballroom

Date: 21 – 23 October 2012 Location: Ballroom at Long Beach Hotel in Cha Am

Date: 27 October 2012, 2.30pm Location: Bangkok Patana School, Sukhumvit Soi 105

The Board of Directors of the Danish-Thai Chamber of Commerce is inviting members and friends of the chamber to celebrate their 20th Anniversary with top class entertainment from Denmark. The stylish Royal Thai Navy jazz band will keep you entertained throughout the sumptuous four-course dinner. Other entertainers at the event include the enthusiastic Copenhagen Drummers who will throw a unique show and famous DJ Paul Jackson will spin the dance tunes until late.

Norwegian travel agency OrkidéEkspressen is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year by inviting well-known Norwegian Dance Orchestras to come and perform for the Norwegian community in Thailand.

On October 21, PK & Dansefolket will perform - the price is THB 500 per person.

A dinner plus performance from Lady & Landstryker’n will take place on October 22 – the price is THB 1,000 per person.

And on the 23rd, Ingemars will perform – the price is THB 500 per person. Approximately 300 Norwegians from Norway have already signed up for this event. For further information, please visit our calendar list on www.scandasia.com to see the flyer.

The only Scandinavian football team in Bangkok, the Vikings, will take on a dreaded opponent in Bangkok Casuals Leagues 4th round.

The rivalry between the two teams is at its maximum and if there is a game to watch in the beginning of the season, this is the one!

Dress code: Black tie/Dark suit - Elegant party dress Theme: Blue, red and white Price: THB 4,700 per person

Football: Vikings vs Anatolia

Swedish Golf Day Date: 3 November 2012 Location:Vintage Golf & Country Club Organised by Scandinavian Society Siam (SSS), the golf event is expected to draw approximately 60 to maximum 80 golfers, many of whom are SSS members. All golfers are required to pay their own green fee and caddie fee.

Non SSS members are also invited to participate in the event in the “Guest & CC Group”. NonSSS members are required to pay a guest fee of THB 300. However, Thai-Swedish Chamber of Commerce (TSCC) will pay this Guest Fee on behalf of all TSCC members who wish to participate.

The tournament will be followed by a dinner and prize presentation at the golf club.

For more information, contact +66 2354 5229 or visit www.swecham.com 8 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2012

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Past Events

Huge turnout for Kick-off party

By Rose Jensen

T

he Nordic Young Professionals Kick-off party was a success as usual. It was fantastic to see such a large number of people interested in this event as there were more than 140 attendees present at Speakeasy Rooftop (Hotel Muse, Bangkok) on the evening of Friday 31 August 2012.

While hor d’oeuvres, cocktails and lots of Carlsberg beer were circulated amongst the young professionals, there were plenty of opportunities for attendees to expand their networks due to the presence of many newcomers at the event, which was the best kick start for the new season that allowed everyone to meet new friends and maybe even a business partner?

In addition to networking, attendees had a chance to win prizes, including a big box of Carlsberg beer - and who would turn down an opportunity like that?

Sponsors of the evening included Carlsberg, Visit Beyond, Easycard, DanCham, DTAC, Italasia and Hotel Muse.

But the surprises did not end with lucky draw.

Soon after giving out prizes to the lucky winners, the ‘staff’ of Hotel Muse revealed their identities as professional singers and performed opera for the stunned audience.

Norwegian GSP scheme seminar

O

rganised by the Thai Ministry of Commerce in Bangkok, more than 100 representatives of Thai exporting companies took part in a seminar on the Norwegian GSP scheme (Generalized System of Preferences) on 10 September 2012.

Deputy Director General Cecilie Alnæs and Senior Adviser Susann Nilsen from the Norwegian Directorate of Customs and Excise gave a detailed briefing on how Thai companies may use the system to get preferential treatment of goods being exported to Norway.

The GSP system is an offer allowing the poorest countries in the world the opportunity to export their goods free of duty or with reduced duty rates. For more information about the Norwegian scheme, see www.toll.no.

There is considerable potential of increasing bilateral trade between Norway and Thailand.

10 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2012

The possibility of restarting negotiations on a free trade agreement between Thailand and EFTA (the European Free Trade Area, consisting of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein),

which were put on hold in 2006, is now being explored.

For more information about EFTA, see www.efta.int

New Two Chefs openings on Phuket

Past Events

By Joakim Persson

I

n late July, Two Chefs on Phuket premiered their third restaurant in Kata, as well as an additional outlet in Karon, offering a mix of bakery and dining.

Since the trio of Swedish owners opened their first restaurant in July 2001 they have expanded slowly but surely. In 2012, their business has entered a stage of faster growth, and they’ve opened a brand new catering business plus two new restaurants and a bakery.

The Two Chefs’ international dishes, Scandinavian specialties and exquisite modern-style Thai food are a big draw for Scandinavians and even more so for tourists from Australia and New Zealand.

Offering a slightly different concept to their other venues, the new Two Chefs bistro in Kata is located away from the tourist crowds and has more moderate pricing.

New menu items include the Danish smørrebrød, and Swedish teacake sandwiches with fillings such as homemade liver pate, boiled eggs and Kalles caviar – favourites on any Scandinavian breakfast menu.

The second new restaurant, with bakery, is situated on Patak road, not far from the Karon Temple.

Also new is the Two Chefs Catering service, offering anything from delivery of food to family gatherings to full-scale events.

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Past Events

Swedish Consulate officially opens in Hua Hin

By Wachiraporn Janrut

O

n Friday 14 September 2012, the Swedish Consulate in Hua Hin officially opened at the Dusit Thani Hua Hin in the presence of Swedish Ambassador Mr. Klas Molin, Petchaburi Governor Khun Vinai Buapradit, local government authorities, high ranked police officers and many Swedes living in Hua Hin. The honorary consul is Khun Victor Sukseree, General Manager of the Dusit Thani Hua Hin Hotel.

Swedish Ambassador Mr. Klas Molin thanked local authorities for their cooperation and stressed the unique and strong relationship between Thailand and Sweden.

He finished his speech with an informal quote made by Sweden’s Minister of Foreigner Affairs, Mr. Carl Bildt, when he met Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck shinawatra in April this year: “Regardless of the distance apart, we are actually neighboring countries. I don’t think we have as many Swedes visiting Norway, Denmark, or Finland as we do have here in Thailand.”

The second speaker was Petchaburi’s Governor Khun Vinai Buapradit “I’m pleased with the strong relationship between the two countries and would like to welcome Swedes who live in the areas. Congratulations on having the consulate here,” said Khun Vinai.

The new consul Khun Victor Sukseree was the last person giving a speech before the ribbon was cut.

“It’s an honor and privileged to be appointed this honorable position,” said Khun Victor. “More importantly, it’s a great pleasure for me to be of service to the local Swedish community.

After a dinner, Chairman of Swedish Association in Hua Hin Mr. Gert Andersson expressed his delight with the establishment of the new consulate. According to him, the Swedish association in Hua Hin has over 800 members. He also handed a basket filled with Swedish delicacies to Khun Victor.

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Past Events

Skipper Niels ends third in Phuket Race

By Joakim Persson

T

he 9th edition of Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek ends in success at new venue.

Skipper and boat builder Niels Degenkolw (Denmark) did not win his racing class, IRC Racing II, in this year’s Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek, but finished a good third. He did however win a painting with a sailing motif in an auction, as another excellent sailing week came to an end, having moved to Cape Panwa on Phuket’s east coast this year.

This new venue offered a coconut palm-fringed garden by the beach as venue for the daily prize award ceremonies and parties. The Presenting Sponsor Mount Gay Rum (a sponsor of regattas the world over)made sure the race week’s opening party was entertaining by taking the guests on journey with dancers showcasing traditional dances from the West Indies and the Pacific Ocean islands.

Having won the second Race 2 on the third day of racing, the Phuket resident Niels and his crew on board Phoenix ended third overall after the last day which saw 10-12 knots of breeze gusting to 15, and some spectacular competition.

The boats Skandia Endeavour of Whitby and Phoenix had started the day tied on points with all to play for. But after some surprise results, and perhaps with some less experienced team members in Niels’ crew playing part in the tougher conditions with stronger winds, Phoenix came third overall. Before the competition started Niels had told ScandAsia he hoped for moderate winds.

34 entries and over 500 participants from around the world took part in the 2012 Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek.

Niels is a regular attendant at the region’s many annual regattas.

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Phoenix boat with is owner / skipper Niels DegenKolw NielsDegenKolw on stage (to the left) with artist Robin Gillow. Niels won the painting in the charity auction for Kids Sailing

October 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 13

Past Events

Swedish networking at Huntsman’s Pub

By Rose Jensen

M

ost Swedes are finally back from their summer break and on 13 September 2012, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Thailand kick started the season with their first networking evening. The event was held at the usual venue, Huntsman’s Pub, which is located in the basement of Landmark Hotel in Bangkok.

The sponsor of the evening was the largest, oldest, and most international technical university in Sweden, KTH. The university’s educational exchange programs allow for exchange with universities and colleges in Europe, Australia, the U.S., and increasingly throughout Asia.

Approximately 40 Swedes and a few other nationalities showed up for networking as well as catching up on the latest news. Most importantly, “Pyttipanna”, a dish Swedes socially enjoy eating, was served as this has become a tradition of the Chamber’s networking.

Successful CSR and Business Seminar Myanmar

O

n Tuesday 28 August 2012 the Danish Embassy in Bangkok hosted a four-day event which focused on CSR and business in Burma/Myanmar. The first day which was free of charge, served as an introduction to general CSR, whilst the second day covered Myanmarspecific issues and, finally, a number of the participants travelled to Burma/Myanmar to obtain in-dept knowledge and forge local partnerships.

The attendants were greeted by H.E. Mr. Ambassador Mikael Hemniti Winther and Mr. Bo Bjerregaard Rasmussen, Commercial Counselor at the Royal Danish Embassy. Amongst the attendants, several companies and organizations were represented and the non-formal atmosphere ensured an exceptionally active audience and lively discussions. In between the presentations, the attendants could enjoy the beautiful surroundings at the Ambassador’s residence and garden including delicious Danish pastry.

14 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2012

October 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 15

News Brief

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visits the Norwegian pavilion

H

RH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn was guided by Erik Svedahl, Minister Counsellor, and Axel Blom, Innovation Norway, when she visited the Norwegian pavilion at Thailand’s National Science Week at BITEC convention centre in August.

Designed after the official profile of Norway, the Norwegian pavilion showcased flood defence systems from AquaFence and environmental technologies.

Organised by the National Science Museum, “National Science and Technology Fair 2012” was held for two weeks in August aiming to support and encourage the youth and people who are interested in learning about sciences and technologies and to show how technologies have played an important role in everyday life.

The event consisted of three major activities; science and technology exhibition, edutaining science experience, and science seminar. The highlight of the events included an exhibition in honor of “His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej”, Royal Pavilion, The Father of Thai Science and Technologies, Disaster Prevention, The Bus 4D Simulator, and Earth & Universe.

The fair drew over 1.2 million visitors.

SAS suspends Bangkok route from April 2013

By Rose Jensen

I

n order to free up capacity for the new San Francisco route, SAS has taken the decision to suspend the season flight route from Copenhagen to Bangkok.

The SAS flight-route between Copenhagen and Bangkok has been the topic of guesswork and speculation since the airline, in early July, announced its intention of opening a route to San Fransisco and intensifying departures to/from New York.

Flights to San Fransisco will be serviced by Airbus A340-300 planes, which SAS is already using on their Asia-routes – Bangkok, Beijing, Shanghai and Tokyo.

Now SAS has finally confirmed that the route between Copenhagen and Bangkok will become a winter route. For this reason, departures will be suspended from 8 April next year. The decision is made against the backdrop of decreasing numbers of business travelers heading for Bangkok, as opposed to USA, and therefore the New York and San Francisco routes will be assigned priority.

“Copenhagen – Bangkok is a route with a decidedly lower share of business travelers compared to other travelers, when seen in comparison with most other destinations. During the summer months in particular, profitability is higher on the North American destinations than on the Bangkok-route,” Simon Pauck Hansen, VP Partners & Intercontinental Network with SAS, explains.

16 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2012

News Brief

Launch of “Long Live the King of Thailand” medals by Mint of Finland

T

o celebrate His Majesty the King’s 84th birthday, “Long Live the King of Thailand” medals have recently been released by Mint of Finland.

With the new technology applied, the medals represent the design of His Majesty the King’s graphic images. The aim is to reinforce unity among Thai nationals as many of His Majesty the King’s projects help elevate the quality of life of Thai people.

Designed by M.L. Chiratorn Chirapravati under the theme “Circle of Life”, Mint of Finland released the medals in three styles: Plidok (meaning

blossom), Romyen (meaning peace), and Okpon (meaning bloom).

One side of all medals comes with the words “H.M. KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ’S 84TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY”, where the other side has the line that says “LONG LIVE THE KING OF THAILAND”.

For a set of three medals in a well-designed package, the price is THB 4,999.

All proceeds after expenses deduction will be offered to His Majesty the King.

October 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 17

News Brief

Danish Ambassador inaugurates Georg Jensen’s new building

Danish Minister leads business delegation to Myanmar

G

eorg Jensen has expanded their existing facilities in Thailand with a new building. The building was inaugurated by Danish Ambassador H.E. Mikael Hemniti Winther on 20 August 2012. The extended building is over 2,000 sqm on three floors. The Ambassador had a tour at the factory and learned about jewellery manufacturing from a leading Scandinavian luxury brand.

Thai culture at Olso’s Kulturnatt

A

s part of Oslo’s annual ‘Kulturnatt’ (Culture Night), Thai Ambassador to Norway Mr. Theerakun Niyom and the Thai Ministry of Culture invited dozens of local officials, business associates and a few journalists on board the classic Norwegian vessel Johanna, for an evening of dance, music and, a literal taste of culinary culture.

This year’s Oslo Kulturnatt event was held in the middle of September, featuring concerts and entertainments all over town. However, an entirely different cultural offering was playing out on the Oslo Fjord as the Thai ambassador, who has been in Oslo for six months, wanted to share some of his country’s culture with Norwegians.

18 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2012

D

anish Minister for trade and investment Pia Olsen Dyhr is keen to create contacts and open doors to businesses in Myanmar.

In December this year she will visit the country together with a business delegation with special focus on solutions in energy, water, infrastructure and healthcare. Developments have been fast ever since the European Union lifted its sanctions against Myanmar in April of this year. The move was in recognition of political developments towards democracy.

With the suspension of the sanctions, the last major untouched market in Asia with a population of nearly 60 million has been opened for international – and subsequently Danish - business.

News Brief

Saab enhances Thailand’s strong forces

By Wachiraporn Janrut

I

n 2008, Royal Thai Air Force ordered 12 Gripen fighter aircrafts from Saab, where six of them were delivered in February last year. According to Jane’s defense and security news website, as part of the purchase plan of USD 1,100 million, Royal Thai Air Force will receive the second batch of six Gripen fighter aircrafts from Sweden next year, in which they will have another 340 airborne early warning system.

In August this year, four Thai pilots have completed the Gripen conversion training course by Swedish Armed Force. Swedish Air Force Commander Major General Micael Byden handed certifications to the four pilots who will be based in Wing 7 division in Surathani province in Thailand. They are, in fact, the third batch of pilots from Royal Thai Air Force to enter the training.

Royal Thai Air Force is the first air force in Southeast Asia to have JAS 39 Gripen base.

According to the press release on Saabgroup.com dated 26 September 2012, Saab has received an order from the Royal Thai Navy for the upgrading of the Combat Systems on the frigates H.T.M.S. Naresuan and H.T.M.S Taksin. The order amounts to THB 2,520 million (approximately SEK 550 million).

Running between 2012 and 2015, the contract is a continuation of an on-going program contracted to Saab by the Royal Thai Navy in 2011. The contract adds additional sights and communications equipment to complete the combat suite on the two frigates. The upgrade will allow interoperability between naval and airborne units.

“Saab is now on the Navy’s three major vessels and with data links to the Royal Thai Air Force’s Gripen and Erieye, capabilities and resources can be used more efficiently,” says Gunilla Fransson, Head of Saab’s Business Area Security and Defence Solutions.

Jane’s news also reported that Royal Thai navy also has a plan to purchase two frigates of 2,000 – 3,000 tons with a minimum speed of +25 knots, a missile system and a helipad for a helicopter of 10 tons. The navy has an eye on the ones produced in Korea and Germany.

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The company speculates that Royal Thai Air Force might plan to buy up to 40 Gripens in the future, reported SaabGroup.com.

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Expanding culinary de He aimed at offering something for guests willing to pay a bit more than the average price and getting a good steak for the money.

Thus his opening of Prime Steakhouse three years ago came with perfect timing.

“As it turned out there is really a market. It is different from Phuket actually, because here you have so many more expats compared to there - I actually thought tourism was a larger part of the pie than it actually is.”

“Expats is another audience type. So one had to learn understanding how to cater to them by collaborating with societies and different interest groups, trying to find the way. And after this third year it has turned into a successful restaurant.”

Indeed, during last high season the restaurant was fully booked every single night for three months.

Expats, in the form of secondhome buyers, living in Hua Hin at least four months per year, is his largest group of clients (about 70 per cent being Scandinavians and mostly Swedes).

Blackout a stroke of luck

Restaurateur Anders Hagstedt has done well in Hua Hin. From starting up the Black Mountain restaurant he now owns the Blackout Cocktail Bar, Prime Steakhouse and Mex Restaurant & Bar.

By Joakim Persson

A

fter three years in operation chef Anders Hagstedt’s achievements in Hua Hin form proof that it is possible to enter a seemingly established market in Thailand and yet succeed, for example by introduce something that is missing and brings more quality to the dining and drinking scene.

By the time Anders decided to invest in his own restaurant business he had already gained valuable experience from restaurant operations in Thailand, especially from the prestigious appointment to open and run the restaurant operations on the new golf course Black Mountain from its initial stage.

Starting up Black Mountain The Swedish owner of this golf course had sought him out on Phuket where Anders worked back then.

Initially Anders had declined the offer but changed his mind when good friends had encouraged him 20 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2012

to accept the offer.

“The toughest part was coming to Hua Hin where I knew nobody, so it was practically like coming to unknown territory with the task of establishing a whole food and beverage department at a golf resort within six months,” Anders recalls.

“But it was fun and challenging.”

Moving on to new opportunities What lead Anders to eventually move on and open up his own restaurant was what he thought was a lack of proper dining opportunities.

“A lot has happened here and I felt that things were missing, compared to in Phuket where there is healthy competition with steak houses etc. There was in fact none here! And with Hua Hin growing in all directions that felt like just the right thing to do.”

“Not luxurious as such but qualitative dining - a bit high end, fine dining,” Anders explains when prompted to elaborate.

By chance, and which turned out to be a stroke of luck, Anders was offered to take over another outlet across the side street where he had just opened Prime Steakhouse.

“This street is well positioned but quiet and by opening this second place I could get some more space. It turned out to be perfect because most coming to Prime have a drink there and relax while waiting for their table, and also stay for after-dinner sessions. It became more lively here too.”

This indoor-outdoor bar-style venue was given a name easy to remember: Blackout Cocktail Bar, where one can come by for a glass of wine or a coffee and use the free wi fi. That service, plus its friendly prices and setting, also appeals to anything from students to retirees, Anders explains.

“The niche here is 99 baht for drinks, so that has become a recognition. And we serve quality spirits and one can come and enjoy a nice glass of wine. I think I am most affordable on house wine in the whole of Hua Hin!” “There are very few places in Hua Hin where one can gather over

elights in Hua Hin a glass with family and friends in a more cosy environment and where one can savour wine of slightly better quality or get a nice cocktail served in a proper cocktail glass etc.

Mexican adventure Anders’ operation does not stop here, but a third outlet, Mex Restaurant & Bar, was added to the portfolio earlier this year.

Visiting many Mexican-oriented restaurants, as the devoted food connoisseur including fan of Mexican food that Anders is, lead him into pondering such a cuisine concept as well.

“I felt there is room for a handful more restaurants here and with an opportunity to get a good venue for a good price, I could not resist. And I had noticed about popular Mexican restaurants that these are also attractive also for nationals, especially in Bangkok. So I thought: brilliant, with the location I have I can attract quite a few Thais as well.”

Mex, he says, serves quite genuine Mexican food. To get the concept right Anders researched the competition for ideas and then compared with his own understanding and ideas to come up with his own niche. He also sourced a chef with the right experience.

“I gave my input in addition to his skills and our collaboration turned out in an excellent way.”

“Then I’ve had to adapt a bit since many Scandinavians think this cuisine equals Tex Mex, so one must have that on the menu too.

But it’s so much more than that!”

“By fine-tuning, after some months of operation, I think we have found our way. It’s just a matter of ensuring the quality is better than any other Mexican restaurants.

We make our own handmade tortilla chips, everything is prepared from scratch etc.”

The best advantages Anders sees with Hua Hin is that it is less hectic and that the visitor is on average ten years older (around 50 years of age) there compared to other destinations and thus with more purchasing power.

“Especially appreciated is the calmer atmosphere and with lots of nice people around here. No fuzz and fights on the streets; it feels much safer than in Patong for instance,” states Anders.

October 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 21

Finnish diving family solution on Phuket T Combining Finland and Thailand can seem like an ideal solution – provided the stay in Scandinavia is dedicated to the summers. Many Finns are doing so within the diving community on Phuket, catering to their fellow countrymen coming for diving holidays during the winter high season here.

By Joakim Persson

he couple Sven Schlegel and Virpi Lehtonen are such diving freaks who have turned their interest into a business in Thailand enabling them to do just that, getting the best out of two countries. But now their three small children, all in or approaching school age, is urging them to settle down in one place more than the other.

Thai and Finnish schools Their oldest son, Walther, has so far studied in Finland and yet also attended a school in Thailand; first the English programme of the Kajonkietsuksa School and then the international programme of the new Kajonkiet International School Phuket since 2011.

“For his first grade we were actually in Finland, and Walther learned how to read and write, so the basic skill was so strong that when we moved here and he entered in Kajonkietsuksa it was much easier and they taught how to read and write the English language,” said his mother Virpi, upon a visit to the new school premises to open for the next term in 2012.

“But it was also challenging because we were only here like five months so he was missing too many months of the school year. But

From left to right: Walther, Max and Camilla

22 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2012

Walther has also attended a Finnish school so we also bring the Finnish school books here with us and I try to teach him those books and subjects, but I’m not a teacher so it’s been difficult to do.”

In the middle of April they returned to Finland where many exams and tests covering the whole Finnish school year awaited the boy.

So far they have kept Walther in the Finnish school since he has not attended the Thai school the whole year but still been able to complete his exams in the home country.

“But this is not going to work anymore, because next school year will be his fifth and they will then also learn history, chemistry and physics – subjects that we cannot teach him.”

“We will spend more than six months here so it will be easier to stay and quit the school in Finland,” thought Sven, even though they intend to continue running a business they have also in Finland during the summer periods.

Kajonkiet’s international programme The new international school Kajonkiet with its international programme, and which moves to a brand new campus for the upcoming autumn term, has certainly also helped them to take this decision.

“I have to say that this international programme has been much better for Walther,” said the mother. They support each other and all share the feeling to have a home country where you have friends. In the English programme, on the contrary, most students are Thais and have their roots here so they don’t miss anything.”

“Class sizes are much smaller and I like what they are teaching them; much more than just Thai subjects. Now they have Europe’s history and these kind of things.”

Kajonkiet follows the British Curriculum and is currently a Cambridge Examination Centre (the world’s largest provider of international education programmes and

qualifications for 5–19 year olds).

The new school will provide facilities with the promise of “a fantastic learning environment”, situated along a mountain hillside in the outskirts o Kathu outside Phuket Town, featuring a number of swimming pools, and many other sports and arts facilities.

Walther’s English skills have grown to the level that he could independently answer to questions from ScandAsia.

“They teach us more English here than in the English Programme.

Now I don’t need any extra books, such as an English-Finnish dictionary.

I know the meaning of the words now anyhow.”

“I used to be sad being in Thailand but now I have much more fun in the International Programme, so I don’t really want to go back to Finland,” he said before the departure.

“I must add that it’s been so nice with this programme and the teachers who are amazing, like family for Walther. It is the first school year I’ve heard him saying that he wants to stay here – because the most important was all the friends he has back in Finland,” said Virpi.

“Yesterday was the last day for him so he’s been very sad. He realised he wants to stay here.”

“Nowadays it’s easier because he’s all the time playing games online with friends in Finland. They can speak, also on Skype, and it does not feel like long a distance between friends,” added the father.

Phuket conveniences Within a few years also their two youngest children will need to start a proper school. So far, the youngest son Max and daughter Camilla have been in a nursery in Chalong near their home.

Life on Phuket is different in many ways for the Finns. Given they are within a seasonal industry the adults have to work long hours during the diving/tourist season. Then one the things they really appreciate, is that here they can afford things

finds education more, such as hiring their own nanny to look after the children at home.

“It’s so nice that there is someone to take care of the children if you are working. And to clean up your home,” said Sven with satisfaction in his voice.

“And many basic things that take a lot of your time in Finland you can skip here because you can have that nanny and you can just call a restaurant and order take-away food.”

Exploring Thailand If they have some days off they prefer to stay home, explained Sven. But they enjoy going to Splash waterpark, aside swimming, and diving of course.

“Walther has now also completed his open water dive course.

So sometimes we go diving the three of us,” said Virpi.

Visiting other parts of Thailand is also something they will continue doing onwards.

“We have lived in Samui, and here in Phuket, but as for other places in Thailand – we have just visited Pattaya, Bangkok and Khao Lak a few times. But I have to say there are so many places still to see and we try when we have holidays to visit other destinations,” Sven added who came here for his first diving season in 2000/2001.

In 2006 he and Virpi bought a diving company on Samui and later moved on with their live-aboard diving boat and became co-owners of Chalong Sea Sport. Their plan is to continue catering to the Finnish base, which makes up 90 per cent of their customers.

“Diving is a popular hobby in Finland nowadays and most people do it when going on holiday outside Finland. It’s one of the best things you can do because the underwater scenery that you can find here is very beautiful. Also, if you don’t want to spend your whole day on the beach, you can get sun but also some action when you dive. I’ve been diving since 11 years old. For me, going some place for a holiday I always wanted to go diving.”

I used to be sad being in Thailand but now I have much more fun in the International Programme, so I don’t really want to go back to Finland.

October 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 23

Quests for templ Norwegian expat Dr. Nils B. Vogt spends much of his time searching for temple caves in Thailand. Long journeys and steep hills do not stop him from hunting for his treasures.

By Wachirapon Janrut

I

ndiana Jones’ quests for ancient treasure have long fascinated movie fans. After all, many people would love to discover an ancient cave filled with precious relics that tell stories of many years past. The earth is an ancient machine - one packed with many secrets. Start to discover these secrets and you’re most likely to get hooked. That’s what happened to Norwegian expat Dr. Nils B. Vogt.

Dr. Nils - as most people call him in Thailand - spends much of his time searching for temple caves in Thailand. Long journeys and steep hills do not stop him from hunting for his treasures.

“I just want to see them. It’s like finding jewels,” says Dr. Nils.

Long education

Farangs who came here either sit on a beach or enjoy the nightlife. I don’t think many of them have seen temple caves.

I’d like to present different perspectives of what Thailand has to offer.

24 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2012

Born in Bangkok in 1954, Dr. Nils Vogt is half-American half-Norwegian. His parents moved to Thailand before he was born and Dr. Nils spent his childhood in Thailand until he was six. Then he left Thailand and travelled around the world twice with his family before they ended up in Norway in 1961.

Dr. Nils went to school in Norway. He has a Master’s Degree in Chemistry and a Dr. Philos degree in “Chemometrics and Chemosystematics”. He also has an MBA. His working experience includes a rather wide range of industries - Pharmaceutical/Nutraceutical through Solar/Plastics to Finance and Company Start-Up (Seed) funding and he has worked in many different

le caves Tham Wat Kiriwong (Phang-Nga)

Wat Tham Khao Laew in Kanchanaburi

functions within these industries from Manager to CEO & President.

To Norway - and back For many years Dr. Nils enjoyed travelling to Thailand for both business and leisure. It was on one of these trips, that he met his wife Khun Sompit Panpipat. After 18 months of convincing her to marry him, he succeeded. The couple lived in Bergen for 3 years and later moved to live in Ålesund for a year.

After living in the two most beautiful cities in Norway for a total of 4 years, the couple decided to move back to live in Thailand in 2006.

“In fact, a friend of mine said to me that it seems like you have always wanted to move to Thailand. I didn’t think about it until now,” says Dr. Nils.

“It’s worrisome. My first language was Thai but I can’t speak Thai anymore and I find it difficult to learn.”

The couple owns SiamAlgamate company in Bangkok selling their proprietary Oxo-Bio Degradable Plastic Additive (Noibei). Khun Sompit also runs the small apartment building and a brokerage for industrial conveyor belts.

Time for Isaan photos After over 25 years of working, Dr. Nils decided to retire 4 years ago as his ambition is no longer success in business. “I don’t have a big ambition to fulfill anymore,” says Dr. Nils.

Fascinated with the Khmer influence in the northeastern parts of Thailand (Isaan) and the Prasats (old Khmer ruins from the Angkor era from about 8th - 12th century),

Dr. Nils started photography as his hobby and established Isaanphoto. com, presenting the beauty of Prasats from the Khmer Empires and the way of life in Isaan today. He learned a lot about history, ancient cultures and arts in Isaan and throughout Southeast Asia.

Isaan has an interesting history.

Positioned in the center of the mainland in Southeast Asia, Isaan was a meeting place of people, cultures and empires.

“I think I became a Thailand and Southeast Asia history buff. These places that I have been to are steeped in history. To some people the Prasats simply look like ‘piles of stones,’ but the beauty lies in imagining what was there before,” says Dr. Nils.

The first temple cave Three years ago when Dr. Nils travelled to Rayong with his wife, he happened across a temple cave for the first time.

“It was so pretty and peaceful.

And I wondered how many people would have seen it. I think foreigners and even Thais don’t realize that there are so many beautifully kept temple caves in Thailand,” says Dr. Nils.

“The thrill of seeing the temple caves had me hooked. After that, I’ve been around searching for more temple caves,” adds Dr. Nils.

Dr. Nils took various road trips to search for temple caves in many parts of Thailand. He said that the estimated number of registered caves in Thailand is over 4,000, though sources estimate that the real num-

ber is double. Many of the temple caves are in the North (Chiang Rai), along the border to Myanmar (Kanchanaburi is famous) and down to i.e. Phuket and Krabi. But there are clusters practically all over Thailand.

“I found a couple of nice clusters in the Provinces Loei and Phetchabun and in Nakhon Sawan stretching in to Saraburi Province.

He enjoys taking pictures of the temple caves and is working on a Picture-Guide book that will also include descriptions and directions.

So far he has found over 300 temple caves in Thailand and has collected pictures from about 30 temple caves for his book.

Dr. Nils has also read a lot of books about history and Buddhism in Thailand and how temple caves emerged. He certainly knows about Thai history and Buddhism more than an average Thai person who grew up here.

Want to open their eyes “Farangs who came here either sit on a beach or enjoy the nightlife. Many don’t know about history and I don’t think many of them have seen temple caves. I’d like to present different perspectives of what Thailand has to offer,” says Dr. Nils.

There will be 3 categories of temple caves in Dr. Nil’s book; 1) Those temple caves that he has visited where pictures, description, direction and maps will be included 2) Registered Temple caves that he hasn’t been to but he knows where they are and 3) Possible temple caves.

Our talk with Dr. Nils was cer-

tainly entertaining as he has had a lot of adventures and knowledge of historical events to share. From one of many interesting stories, he told how he found a possible temple cave in Mae Phim in Rayong.

“I went to Rayong with my wife and some friends. We found 3 signs to a temple cave that I haven’t seen registered anywhere, but I just had to seek it out,” says Dr. Nils.

It was in the middle of the day near the border between Rayong and Chantaburi provinces. After a few hours searching, he thought he wouldn’t find it. With despair, he turned his 4-wheel drive car around and headed for home. Thinking it was his way out, he went for 500 meters and turned left. And there it was. The small hill with 2 stunningly beautiful temple caves that he didn’t expect to find was right in front of him.

“Wow… it was like I found a jewel,” Dr. Nils says with a dreamy voice. “Finding the temple caves made me so happy,” he adds.

For those who are interested in temple caves, Dr. Nils’s book will (hopefully) be published by the end of this year. Some of the temple caves he found are featured here with pictures and description.

Nils B. Vogt, Dr. Philos Tel: +668 5661 0900 E-mail: me@nbvogt.com or nbv@gmail.com

October 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 25

Wood Care D

Wood has always been a main material for the creation of furniture, walls, floors and many other home decoration products in Thailand.

To maintain its charm and beauty, wood requires proper treatments and care.

enmark is famous for its high quality green products for treatments of wood, and good news is that many of these products are also available in Thailand. Bunyarit Rotchanarat is the man bringing the products to the Thai market.

“Danish people are fond of wood. Their woodworks also have great designs. And this is the main reason why I moved to Denmark and joined the wood care company there,” Bunyarit Rotchanarat, director of WoodCare International Co., Ltd. told us during a recent interview.

By Wachiraporn Janrut

A graduate of Chulalongkorn university of Thailand, with a master’s degree in Chemistry and a master’s degree in MBA, Bunyarit has always been interested in wood. “A house without wood has no life. Wood can soften and add life to a house,” says Bunyarit.

After a few years of work at TOA Company in Thailand, Bunyarit moved to work as General Manager at a German Company called Treffert, where he was in charge of Asia Pacific region. He later moved to Denmark and joined Trip Trap WoodCare in Hadsund in 2004.

At this company, he was involved in product developments and was responsible for Southeast Asia and

For more information, contact Protego International Co., Ltd. Tel: +66 (0) 2914 2191 or visit www.protego.co.th

Bunyarit Rotchanarat

26 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2012

China markets. Together with his team, he provided a technical support to all markets in the region.

Wood Care Company With over 20 years of experience in the wood care business, Khun Bunyarit decided to set up his own business called Wood Care Co., Ltd. in 2009. Apart from wood care products from Denmark, the company also offers wood care products from other countries such as Sweden, Italy and Germany.

The wood care products serve many purposes such as wood priming for bringing colours to wood, finishing with natural oils to protect wood, cleaning the oiled wood with natural soap and rejuvenating the oiled wood with natural maintenance oil.

Bunyarit puts a lot of work into the selection process of each item to make sure that it suits the Asian environment and markets.

The company holds the brand PROTEGO, offering a wide range of premium quality wood care products both for exterior and interior wood treatments.

Certified and approved by various institutions in Europe and Singapore, all of the company’s products are either free of ‘Volatile Organic Components’ or with a minimum quantity in order not to compromise the quality of the products. In other words, customers can ensure

a healthy living using the products which are environmentally friendly and do not cause harm to children and animals.

The company’s expansion The three main groups of customers are industrial businesses producing furniture and floors from wood, fivestar hotels & resorts and end users.

“One major advantage of our products is that clients can easily use them applying to wood to make it look new again when they want,” he says.

The company expanded every year. Since 2009, the company’s products have been distributed in over 20 branches of HomePro in Bangkok and other provinces such as Chiang Mai, Phuket, Samui, Hua Hin, Korat and Kon Kan. Currently, the company exports the products to other countries in South East Asia, China, India and USA. Bunyarit shared the secrets of his success that “Clients are familiar with me and know me as a specialist because I know how to take care of wood from Asia as well as imported wood, so I can give clients good advice.

“When I’m with wood, I’m happy. I enjoy talking and suggesting good products for wood. I always train my staff to believe that wood is a living thing. This way they respect wood, know a lot about it, and can also give customers good advice.”

First private museum

From electricity to dz cards - industrious Danes have over the years brought many “firsts” to Thailand. So it feels natural that it had to be a Dane, the Consul General Mr. Anders Normann, that would give Thailand its first private museum - with the Golden Robe of the Danish Admiral Richelieu of the Royal Thai Navy as its most prized item.

By Gregers Moller

The Golden Robe that Danish Admiral Andreas de Richelieu received from Rama V is the single most valuable piece of artifact preserved from the Golden Era of Denmark in Thailand during the reign of Rama V King Chulalongkorn around the turn of the past century.

D Solid teakwood panels, glass cabinets, handknoted oriental carpets, embedded lighting in cabinets and ceilings, - Anders Normann has selected only supreme materials for the renovation of the Nicolie Spa and Museum.

Each exhibit has a personal story to tell. This is a unique piece of coral embracing two stacks of antique Chinese porcelain bowls from a Chinese shipwreck.

enmark’s Consul General to Thailand, Mr. Anders Normann has established Thailand’s first privately owned museum in a building he bought in the late 1990’s just off the deep end of Silom Road in Bangkok.

This building has been transformed into Thailand’s most exclusive boutique spa, the Nicolie Wellness Center using only the highest quality of interior decoration materials like solid teak from ground floor to the top third floor of the building.

The massage treatments take place surrounded by the artifacts of the museum and the quality materials used in the renovation on each spacious floor.

The jewel of the exhibition is the well preserved Golden Robe given by Rama V King Chulalongkorn to the Danish Vice Admiral of the Royal Thai Navy Andreas du PLessis de Richelieu - among Thais better known as Phraya Cholayuth Yothin - when he left for Denmark after 27 years of devoted service to the King. This is the single most valuable piece of artifact preserved from the Golden Era of Denmark in Thailand during the reign of Rama V King Chulalongkorn around the turn of the past century.

The robe has been restored by the US-based textile conservator Julia Brennan and is placed in a uniquely designed cabinet with light and mirrors that makes it possible for the visitor to admire the robe both from the from and the back.

A booklet has been produced detailing the uniqueness of this robe and its path from being packed up in a bank vault to now being accessible and admired by Thais and Danes alike in the Nicolie Museum. It is obtainable upon visit to the museum which can only be made by prior appointment.

On Saturday 8 September, Anders Normann hosted a champagne reception for the board of the Scandinavian Society Siam and treated them to a personally guided tour of his collection. Most of the many historically valuable exhibits are hand picked from his even larger private collection at home(!) primarily for their antique beauty as artifacts by his partner Khun Orawan, who is in charge of the Nicolie Spa. Visits to the Museum and Spa can be arranged by contacting the Nicolie Spa at phone number 02 233 6957 or email reservation@nicolie-th.com.

The Nicolie is located at 1041/5 Sun Square, Silom Road (Between Soi 21 - 23) Bangrak, Bangkok 10500.

October 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 27

Eco-bungalow pr

28 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2012

roject in Laos This autumn, a new exciting project for social development will take place in rural Laos, initiated by two young Swedish entrepreneurs with the drive and motivation to create lasting socio-economic impact for the vulnerable people of the Lao PDR.The ecobungalow project will create an opportunity for a remote village to earn an income for the first time, giving the villagers a chance to have an impact on their own development.

J

esper Lejfjord and David Jonsson are two young entrepreneurs and the founders of the Swedish organisation World Volunteer.

Based on their experience with volunteering and managing education projects in the Lao PDR, they have formed a net of invaluable contacts, on which the foundation of World Volunteer is built. The organisation is based in Stockholm, but with staff in five different countries.

World Volunteer tailors suitable volunteering experiences for people of all ages within a wide range of projects, e.g. teaching, child care and sports coaching. If you want to volunteer at a project it can be adapted to suit your requests, no matter if you are a family looking for an adventure, or a business leader in need of a new challenge. This way, World Volunteer and its partners are able to provide a once in a life time experience for any type of volunteer as well as creating a lasting impact on the community.

Now the organisation is initiating its second social development project in Laos after last year’s success in building a school in the village of Ban Na Luang, giving 100 children the opportunity for education/to attend school.

“The school building project is like nothing I have done before. It is hard work, but worth every second when you see the smiles on the children’s faces.”, says Elizabeth Doern-

hoefer, SSHL Student and participant in the School Building Project 2011.

Eco-bungalow The eco-bungalow project is an initiative made possible through collaborations with Tiger Trail Adventures, pioneers within the eco-tourism sector, and the Ministry of Tourism in Laos.

World Volunteer will, together with groups of volunteers, start the building of the bungalow in November 2012 in the village of Ban Long Lao Mai, situated one hour outside of the picturesque World Heritage city of Luang Prabang. Ban Long Lao Mai is a Hmong village with just over 700 inhabitants, where approximately 70% have food to last them all year around. The village lies next to a trekking track leading to one of Laos’ most beautiful waterfalls, which is very popular among tourists.

Local materials The volunteers will participate in the building, using earthen materials found locally, together with the villagers and experienced guides. The project also gives the volunteers the chance to learn about the rich cultural heritage that Laos has to offer through various activities in the village such as harvesting, bamboo weaving or cooking.

The bungalow will work as an exclusive hotel, which will be owned and run as a business by the village

and marketed as part of Tiger Trail’s adventurous trekking tours. In this way, the project creates an opportunity for the villagers to generate an income and also labour opportunities for generations to come through services like cleaning, cooking and guided tours.

“When a CEO gets involved in activities and creates opportunities for people in need, it is hard not to get inspired by the commitment. It´s a lot of fun as well!”, says Charlie Hansson, CEO Chas Management Consulting and participant in the Laos program 2011.

Make a difference The organisation is always looking for new motivated individuals to take part in the projects, the most important prerequisite being the ambition to help others. There are a number of ways where volunteers can make a difference together with World Volunteer, from own participation, to spreading the word to friends or improving a company’s CSR by funding parts of the project.

“Of course, the most rewarding way, both for the participants and the communities we work in, is to come and work with us in the field during the project”, says David Jonsson, Co-founder World Volunteer.

If you are interested in more information, please contact malin@ world-volunteer.com or go to www. world-volunteer.com

By Malin Törnvall

The school building project is like nothing I have done before.

It is hard work, but worth every second when you see the smiles on the children’s faces.

October 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 29

Searching for the winners

To find the best fund managers to invest your money with is a core investment decision for all of us.You need a sophisticated and tested method to scrutinize the investment funds available.

Nordea’s International Private Banking unit, which is also represented in Singapore, has devised such a method.

T

o invest in today’s markets takes a considerable amount of time and effort. To leave the investment decisions to the professionals allows your wealth to grow without having to make every decision yourself. In 2008, Nordea developed the Multi-Manager portfolio management investment solution as a way to offer investors convenient access to the best investment funds in the world. To learn more about this investment solution, we talked to Jørgen Jakobsen, Head of the Investment Department at Nordea in Luxembourg.

What do you look for when selecting a fund manager?

Finding the best fund managers in the world is easier said than done.

How do you pick the winners?

Generally, around 20 funds. This allows an appropriate diversification in terms of managers.

It may happen that a manager underperforms the benchmark for a period of time, but this would normally be compensated by the outperformance of another manager in the same asset class.

We select the best fund managers from a universe of more than 60,000 investment funds. We do not focus on, or limit ourselves to one country or legal framework, but are internationally oriented. We look for managers who can beat the benchmarks in the respective asset classes consistently over time.

The fund manager selection is based on both quantitative analysis and qualitative evaluation.

Our quantitative analysis is based on a rating system graded by historical performance. But, as past performance does not guarantee future results, the final selection of managers is also subject to a qualitative evaluation of the investment philosophy, process and management team for each prospective fund.

How many funds are you normally invested in?

How can you be sure that yesterday’s winners will also be tomorrow’s best-performing investments?

Jørgen Jakobsen, Head of the Investment Department at Nordea in Luxembourg We look to see whether the investment team has a competitive advantage that will increase the probability of their fund being best-in-class in the future. Before we determine whether or not to invest in a particular fund, we talk in detail to the managers to make sure that we understand their strategy and investment process, and that they understand our mandate. The investment process must be maintainable and the skills that have created outperformance in the past must remain in the team. That is why we constantly monitor the funds in the portfolio to insure that the right elements are still in place.

How often do you change funds in your portfolio?

Some changes are due to an asset allocation decision, whereby we might change the weight of the asset classes represented in the portfolio, or its geographical allocation and currency exposure. Other changes occur when we decide that a manager might no longer be able to deliver consistent outperformance, or if we identify a manager who we deem able to deliver superior results

What are the typical reasons for pulling out of a fund?

If a fund manager is not true to the strategy that has been communicated or starts to change the strategy, then we pull out. Also, if key members of the team leave, and it is not clear that continuity with the results obtained previously can be assured, we would sell the fund concerned.

Do you offer different risk classes?

There are three risk categories available: conservative, balanced and aggressive, each of which contains an appropriate mix of funds that invest in a variety of securities and markets.

How do you control the risk in the portfolio?

Risk is defined by the category in question. For each category, this corresponds to a variable, asset-class target allocation of the portfolio between relatively “safe” investments (typically bonds) and relatively “risky” investments (typically stocks). We can deviate from these targets, in order to add value with active management, but not in a way that significantly alters the specific risk profile.

30 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2012

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Due to that we soon are moving back to Sweden the following 3 items will be for sale:

1. Townhouse Ekamai soi 12. The house is in a very good condition and located app 600 meter from Ekamai BTS station and app 600 meter from Ram Inthra tollway station. The house accommodates 5 floors where each floor is app 60 sqm that can be reached separately by a staircase in the back of the building. The house can be used either as office or home. There are a total of 3 toilets and 2 showers located at floor 1,3,5. Totally there are 38 similar townhouses in this area with parking facilities and 24 hours guard. Price: Bath 8,9 million, negotiable or rental Bath 50,000 Bath / month 2. Single house at Vacharaphon, This house is located in a small moban with a total of 100 houses. The house was built in 2004 and has 2 floors with a total of app 200 sqm with a land area of 74 sqw. First floor consists of a European kitchen 20 sqm, open living and dining area, 2 smaller rooms and 2 toilets with shower.

Second floor consists of 3 bedroom 1 living room and 2 toilets with shower, one with Jaccuzi. Parking space for 2 cars. Access to sport facilities such as pool, badminton, gym etc not more than 50 meters away. Easy access to expressway. The house will be accessible May 2013. Price: 8,6 million, or rental Bath 35,000/month 3. Benz C200 Compressor, Avantgarde, 2009, model, black with white leather, 25,xxx km.

Price: Bath 2,05 million, negotiable For more info and picture kindly contact P-O at dofen@csloxinfo.com

Novelist Caroline Allen

Coaching writers in memoir and novel wri She has helped people from all backgrounds all over the world, including Singapore and Asia, to unlock their creative potential.

Thanks to Skype, it’s possible to coach business executives, farmers, and housewives, actors, a former prostitute wherever they may be - all with one thing in common: a burning desire to write their story.

Meet Caroline, who is also a visual artist, for a conversation on creativity, her unique coaching of writers, and even her thoughts on Stieg Larsson’s character Lisbet Salander of the Millennium series.

By Andrea Hessmo Photo by Adrien Bisson

I want to build an empire, a huge network of creative coaches and writers and help people unlock their true selves.

32 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2012

A

fter an international journalism career at The Financial Times and The Independent in London, as well as for newspapers in Asia, former American expat Caroline Allen decided to devote herself to fiction writing, painting, coaching and spiritual practice.

Why do expats want to write?

We leave our security for new customs and we’re embedded in another culture. When I lived in Japan, not a single custom resonated, not even the lettering. This pushes us deep into ourselves where even survival taps our deepest creativity.

It’s difficult to live in another culture, it’s life changing and sometimes you can’t go back. You don’t fit in anywhere any longer and you may have to accept that. But not fitting in is the mark of writers of all time, so it’s as if being an expat is training for being a writer.

Who are your clients and how do they find you?

It happens quite magically. They come in serendipitous ways by word of mouth, some google me cold or they read my blog. Right now I have clients such as a Microsoft employee, a farmer, a financial advisor, a metaphysical healer. I have to figure out how to help people who cannot afford it. I try to give a scholarship a year.

You are committed to help women finding their voice. In what ways do women need help with that compared to men?

Throughout history women have been told to shut up and play a secondary role. A lot of the time, women don’t even feel they have a right to express what they’re feeling and sometimes they don’t even know what to say. Men seem to be given that freedom from a young age.

When you start working with a client, do you start from scratch or do they already have an idea for a novel or memoir?

All of the above. Sometimes people come to me with an idea for a

character like Tess Hardwick whose novel Riversong got published and has done very well. Or someone will have written 40 000 words and know something is missing.

How does the coaching process work and what are the benefits of it?

I talk the story through with the client one-on-one via Skype. It shaves off about half the time it takes to write a novel, it’s more focused.

Writers also don’t feel so alone when they have someone who intimately knows their story. The main benefit is keeping the person accountable to produce words and that makes them go faster.

Why don’t more professionals in the industry do this kind of coaching?

It’s very challenging work and I resisted it in the beginning. Right now, I’ve got 15 people’s stories in my psyche, it’s like creatively dating 15 people. You need to have the artistic side to be able to do it but also the counselling and guidance part.

You have recently hired Jon Sternfeld, a former literary agent from New York. How will you be working together?

I bring the soulful metaphysical storytelling aspect and he brings the extensive experience of bringing a book all the way to publication. He knows exactly how to do that which is so exciting. He’ll also be coaching and his expertise is content editing.

When a book needs to be popped up to high professional standard, he goes through it and looks at language, structure and plot.

You are both an artistic, psychic and a spiritual guide Yes and that’s part of who I am. I’m fascinated with psychology and the way people are and think, especially around creativity. What are the creative blocks for an American? For a Scandinavian? It’s different with different cultures. It’s an intimate collaborative creative process. If you are a novelist and you align with it, every door will open for you to be able to do your novel.

iting What are the reasons for people not going ahead with writing that book?

When you write or do any art, you’re expressing what you really feel. A lot of people have issues that come up and if you haven’t dealt with it, it sits like a weight on top of that creativity. Usually it’s a hurt from childhood or a strenuous focus on perfectionism. I think when you’re new at any art you’re really bad at it. That’s just true. I look at my old paintings and they suck and that can really shut down a person creatively. Julia Cameron writes about this in “The Artist’s Way.” The book is a little New Age, but many people have this issue. It’s so much easier for all of us to be a critic.

In Scandinavia we’re currently being very entrepreneurial about exporting our crime novels. What do you think of Stieg Larsson’ trilogy?

I was really addicted to the Dragon Tattoo books. I haven’t seen female character as abused and raw and full of spit and intelligence as Lisbet Salander. That’s what did it for me.

And I didn’t even know about the success of the crime literature genre in Scandinavia.

Many Scandinavian expats do think of writing in English after spending time abroad but they worry about not being an English native speaker/ writer. What are your experiences?

I have clients who worry about it. A powerful story can carry you far. You can hire a content editor to clean up the language. The English of a non-native speaker can be more lyrical, more quirky and that’s a publishing advantage right there. I love it and find it so profoundly interesting to read.

Do you coach writers who write in another language than English?

That’s my goal for my coaching company Art of Storytelling, to have coaches across Europe and Asia who can coach in several languages.

AofS is expanding every day so the answer is yes.

What about talent?

Of course, there are people with

logical planetary crisis is speeding up individual spiritual evolution, and I believe writing is part of some people’s evolutionary process.

What authors are your greatest influences?

I come from a rural upbringing in Missouri. We hunted and butchered animals and grew our own food.

When I was a little girl, there were no books in the house but the King James bible. I took it inside the bathroom every night for weeks, locked the door and read it from start to finish. So the biggest influence was that bible as well as spiritual and philosophical thinkers.

more talent than others. My novel Earth was sent out to top publishers who gave great feedback but it has yet to be picked up. The message I’m getting is that all my four novels will be finished before they get published, similar to Stieg Larsson’s Dragon Tattoo books.

I’m saying this because sometimes people think that talent means you get published. Some people just need to write because it’s their soul’s path. And yes, some people have talent that the publishing industry cannot even see. I’m all for my clients getting published! That’s why I hired Jon. Tell us about your novels Earth, Air, Fire and Water I woke up in the middle of the night seven years ago and the four novels Earth, Air, Fire and Water went through me like a wordless epiphany. The novels are mystical and represent a person’s evolution towards what Carl Jung calls individuation, a person’s spiritual evolution from be-

ing just a drone of society to understanding who they are.

Earth is about a person who has never left home and they only know the customs and ways of their family. Air is about leaving that to be an expat, it’s about floating above the culture and in that separation from the culture you knew, you start to get stripped down to your essence.

You get to see who you are behind all the things you thought you were and you took for granted. Fire is when you crash and burn because you really don’t know who you are anymore. All the structures and foundations that held you up had to be completely torn down so you can start from scratch. Water is about the healing process.

Your novels are also about the ecological breakdown of the planet Yes, I’m fascinated with how tsunamis, earthquakes, global warming affect our psyche as humans. How do we remain stable when the very earth is unstable? I believe the eco-

You were raised Catholic Yes but I’m not Catholic now. I went to a Catholic school for 15 years and was taught by nuns and brothers, it was very intense. Most of the nuns didn’t advocate open creativity; they slapped you down with rulers. Still, I had insatiable curiosity, I was the top student with straight As and I had a scholarship for university with everything paid for, so some aspects worked for me. The contemplative side of a religious education influenced me.

The brothers chose a sacred inner lifestyle instead of say, a life of going to the mall. I admired that.

What are your ultimate goals with Art of Storytelling?

I want to build an empire, a network of creative coaches and writers and help people unlock their true selves.

I’m seeing screen-writers coming to me now, song writers, writers who are also visual artists. Still, I need to do my own art too so I can’t do it on my own. I’m looking for clients who are committed to their creativity, and coaches all over the world who want to be part of this immense global creative output.

More information on Caroline Allen and her coaching of writers: http://www.carolineallen.com/ http://www.artofstorytellingonline.com/

October 2012 • ScandAsia.Thailand 33

Danish village in Sam

34 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2012

m Roi Yod expands Five new 120 sqm houses or smaller 60 sqm single units about to be added to popular Talay Tara vacation village in Sam Roi Yod.

By Gregers Moller

T

alay Tara is a Danish vacation village near Sam Roi Yod beach and the national park in Prachuabkhirikhan, three hours south of Bangkok. The village today has around 80 houses built in clusters of 16 houses, each centered around a big swimming pool.

The Danish owners are now opening up a new phase of Talay Tara, which will make 16 new units available for sale. ften of the unit.

Fourteen of the units may be combined two-by-two into a larger house of 120 sqm with a private rooftop terrace. These are offered at around 1.1 mill Danish kroner. Single units are half the size and a little more than half the price but still contains bedroom, bathroom, kitchen / living room and private rooftop terrace.

“I think they will all be gone by the end of this year, because the whole Talay Tara is now near completion and buyers no longer need to see a vision - we are already here,” says resident manager and owner Poul Waehling.

ther be an Irish Pub and a restaurant with a large 50 sqm kitchen.

“The kitchen and the two outlets - the restaurant and the deli and bakery - will consolidate Talay Tara’s current position as the best dining place in Sam Roy Yod,” Poul Waehiling explains.

New service center

Who owns what?

Along with the new residential cluster comes a new service center for the whole of Talay Tara. This center will have a small supermarket with a delicatessen and a bakery. These will also serve the growing number of other high society Thai residents and foreigners in the area. There will fur-

Respecting the law that foreigners cannot buy land in Thailand a special ownership model has been set up.

The company that owns the land that Talay Tara is built on is Jysk Development Co., Ltd.. This Thai company is owned partly by Poul Waehling’s Thai wife, and partly by

Rent a house It is also possible to rent a single unit or a double unit as most residents of Talay Tara do not live in their houses all year round. They use it for their own vacations and then put it up for rent the rest of the time. The Talay Tara office staff makes sure the house has been cleaned when you arrive, new linen is on the beds, the refrigerator is plugged in the water heater has been checked etc.

To go exploring the beautiful area along the coast of Sam Roi Yod and up in the tropical jungle hills of the area you can rent bicycles at the office, or car with chauffeur for trips further away in the region. Talay Tara can also take care of your laundry and all sorts of practical things.

a holding company that Poul and his Danish partner Anker Olesen have set up together in Thailand.

To separate land and house ownership, Jysk Development Co., Ltd. has set up two 100% owned subsidiaries - Talay Tara Co., Ltd.

and Jysk Construction Co., Ltd. When you buy a house, you set up a 30 year rental agreement for the land with Talay Tara Co., Ltd. while Jysk Construction Co., Ltd. is the company that you pay to build your house.

Koh Phangan in Stockholm T Picture yourself with a cold Singha, a spicy ‘Som Tam’ and the sound of the sea served with a smile in a small bamboo hut surrounded by glittering lights and green leaves.

A magic moment on a beach in Thailand?

No, you are in the Koh Phangan restaurant in the middle of Stockholm!

By Helene Benno

36 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2012

he magic of Koh Phangan has been reproduced in three restaurants in Sweden. Only the prices are Swedish and of course the weather outside.

But inside you can dream yourself back to your latest vacation to the Thai dream island.

The Koh Phangan restaurants count three today. One in Sodermalm and one in Ostermalm in Stockholm and one in Uppsala. The first restaurant opened sixteen years ago, and at that time all together three people were working there.

It all started in the early nineties when one of the founders, Thomas Emblad and his brother Lasse went to Thailand for the first time. In those days Thailand was neither the fanciest nor the trendiest country to visit. But for a bunch of backpackers from Sweden it sounded like a moderate challenge.

“The only thing we knew in Bangkok was Khao San Road, so that was where we went from the airport,” Thomas recalls.

“Then we took a bus to Krabi.

Quite disappointed, we decided to take a long tail to Railey beach.

When we saw the white beach, the palm trees and the huts, it was like we had found paradise!”

Lasse – who was educated as a chef - liked it so much that he spent the winter there. He worked for room and board, and that way

he learned Thai cooking properly.

When Lasse came home from Thailand in the spring of 1994 he had taken pictures to show Thomas what kind of restaurant, he would like to open. He had chosen the materials. He had thought of the sounds. And he had, of course, made the menu.

To start up a restaurant on one’s own is hard work from dusk till dawn. The guys went to Thailand to buy furniture, bamboo, wood, lights, cushions, ingredients and this and that. Everything was then sent in a container to Sweden.

“Our idea was that people who had been to Thailand and liked it as much as we did should have a place to go to where they could have tasty Thai food, discuss diving, talk about Thailand and take it easy.”

When they could finally open the tiny restaurant it really looked as if they had moved a small piece of Koh Phangan to Sweden. Only the sand was missing but nobody noticed since everything else felt so totally authentic. From day one the place was jam packed.

Koh Phangan quickly became a meeting point for people in Stockholm interested in Thailand and although other restaurants with Thai food has opened later, the Koh Pangan is still unique in Sweden.

Check it out: http://www.kohphangan.se/

Go Nuts on Koh Phangan Coconuts! Before backpackers and other good people started coming to the Full Moon parties on Koh Phangan, coconuts provided one of the main streams of income on the island.

By Gregers Moller

C

oconuts used to be one of the main sources of income for the people of Koh Phangan long before the advent of tourism. Even today, the coconut plantations continue to be much more than just a beautiful backdrop for the islands many resorts. It’s serious business!

Let’s take a quick tour, starting with the obvious. The coconut.

Monkey business Many tours around the island will include a demonstration how to pick coconuts: Trained monkeys climb up the trees and with a swift twist with their hands they detach the nut and let it drop to the ground.

When one tree is done, they jump from the palm leaves to the next

tree to continue. Sometimes, the locals arrange friendly competitions whose monkey can pick most nuts in a given time.

The coconut factory One of the remaining coconut factories on Koh Phangan is found on Ban Tai Road just 50 meters from the entrance to Wat Khao Tam. Here you can see pickup trucks deliver coconuts harvested all around Koh Phangan.

At the factory, the nuts are first freed from their thick layer of fibres before being sent off to every province in Thailand. The nuts are in high demand as many Thais believe coconuts from Koh Phangan and Koh Samui are more tasty than coconuts from other province in the country.

The long fibres that are peeled off

38 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2012

the hard shells have a myriad of uses and are a product in itself.

The coconuts Apart from the tasty, white flesh that you can readily scoop out and eat, the water inside the coconut is a great refreshing drink with its slightly sweet taste. The water is said to have many beneficial functions from a booster of the immune system to ridding the body of intestinal parasites.

Coconut milk is essential in the Thai cusine. It can be included in almost all their dishes but are essential in all curry dishes and in many soups like the famous Tom Kha Gai soup.

The coconut meat is used to make candies, pastries, and even ice cream. Heating the meat will also extract the oil, which can be used

for cooking, and even moisturizer for the hair and skin.

The oil is a chapter on its own with a myriad of uses. Traditionally, matured coconut meat or copra was used for producing a non cholesterol cooking oil. But these days the oil finds a more refined use in all spas all over the island offering oil massage with coconut oil or scalp and hair treatment using coconut oil.

Coconut oil is even being explored as a potential biofuel!

The coconut shell, which in the past was often used as charcoal for cooking, is today more often used in producing decorative artwork, jewelry and souvenirs.

The fibres The fibrous material found between the outer coat of a coconut and

the hard, internal shell is technically called coir. These natural fibres are used in products such as floor mats, doormats, brushes, mattresses, etc.

Brown coir - made from ripe coconut - are also used in upholstery padding, sacking and horticulture while white coir - harvested from unripe coconuts - is used for making finer brushes, string, rope and fishing nets.

The fibres are also sold as a soil conditioner for gardening

The leaves

How to make a broom of coconut leaves First, choose coconut leaves that are long and with thick midribs. Second, cut the leaves off from the thick, center stem. Third, remove the thin part of the leaves left and right of the midrib with a knife. When you have enough midribs to make a broom you can tie a thick rubber band or any string around the thick end. Your broom is ready! Add a stick on the middle if you wish it more like Harry Potter’s broom.

Source: http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-make-a-coconut-broom-or-broomstick 40 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2012

But almost all the parts of the tree can be used for a variety of purposes and products.

The leaves used to be the most common material for people on Koh Phangan and elsewhere arond the country when thatching their roofs or for weaving sleeping mats and separation walls.

These days, with the increasing number of tourists to Koh Phangan, fresh green palm leaves have found a new popular use as cool straw hats.

Also the center spine of the leaves have found good use as barbecue skewers in all the beachfront restaurants around the island. Traditionally, these coconut ribs were used for brooms and sold both for household purpose and street cleaning.

The trunks Coconut palm trees provides excellent timber. Many of the huts on the island are built using coconut trunks as the main pillars. Not only is coconut lumber readily available, it also sold at a lower price than any other timber.

In later years, the wood has also found its way into furniture production. One of the advantages of using coconut wood in the furniture industry and in the flooring industry is that the wood has no annual growth rings, rays, heartwood or branches, meaning that coconut timber is free from knots and other such imperfections.

Many craftsmen and carpenters prefer working with coconut wood because it is very strong and durable - as seen from how the the trees sway with the wind and don’t break even in strong typhoons.

The sap While the tree is still on its root, you can tap the sap from the palm tree. Syrup based on coconut sap is a popular product sold in many shops as a souvenir product to bring home to your friends and colleagues after your vacation. The syrup this is also processed into various kinds of candy.

Locally on Koh Phangan, the sap also used to be tapped and fermented into wine or liquor, but if this still takes place it is only for domestic use. Instead, palm tree liquor is imported from abroad. Most known products are toddy and kalua that many beach bars offer as a cocktail ingredient mixed with coffee, fruit juices, rum or vodka.

The roots Coconut root is still used as a traditional medicine among others for the treatment of diarrhea and dysentery. While its medicinal use is declining, the root is still popular as dye for textile.

The Colors Of Life

Phangan Bayshore Resort and Spa Haad Rin Beach Phangan Bayshore Resort and Spa is directly on Haad Rin Nok, at the heart of the action most suitable for the Full Moon Party

and to enjoy the exotic nightlife available at Haad Rin.

141 Moo 6, Haad Rin, Bantai, Koh Phangan , Suratthani Thailand Tel: 66 77 375224, 375227 Fax : 66 77 375226

Email : info@phanganbayshore.com

The 2nd Samui Fine Dining Festival

H

For more information, visit www.samuifinediningfestival.com

ere is good news for gourmet food lovers. The 2nd Samui Fine Dining Festival launched on 1 September and will end on 31 October 2012.

Elite chefs from leading fine dining restaurants on Koh Samui work together to put Samui on the fine dining map. Every day during the two-month festival, each participating restaurant will present an individual fine dining menu with paired wines. Prices are from THB 2,200 to THB 4,000 per person.

Participating restaurants, hotels and resorts include AKARYN Samui, akyraChuraSamui, Banyan Tree, Beach Republic, Da Pasquale, Dining on the Rocks, Four Seasons, Full Moon, Intercontinental, Le Jaroen, Le Meridien, Le Salon de Ti, Nikki Beach, Olivio, Orgasmic, Prego, Red Snapper, Renaissance Resort, Rockpool, Sui Kin, The Barge Fine Dining, The Dining Room, The Edge, The Five Islands Restaurant, The Height, Tree Tops, W Retreat and Zazen Restaurant.

Held for a month in March 2012, the 1st Samui Fine Dining Festival was well received by tourists, participating outlets, and local and international food writers. Thus, the organisers planned the 2nd festival for two months with more participating restaurants.

I SPA Thailand

opened at Landmark Hotel

F

ollowing the success of its seven years of operations in China, the Thai-inspired spa branded “I SPA” has expanded to its country of origin, Thailand.

Sirirat Fungkhajon, co-founder of I SPA China and Thailand, said that the company has enjoyed a rapid growth from having just one spa in Beijing in 2005 to 15 spas to date. I SPA currently operates in Beijing, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Tangshan, Nanjing, Xian and Sanya.

Positioning itself as a luxury spa brand in five-star hotels and serviced residences, the first I SPA in Thailand opened at the Landmark hotel on Sukhumvit Road in the beginning of August. Occupying a 750 sqm space on the 9th floor of the hotel, the spa features Thai architecture and design with 10 treatment rooms with 12 spa beds and four foot therapy rooms with five loungers.

With the slogan “I SPA Thailand, where legendary Asian therapies live on”, I SPA in Thailand offers a range of ancient health and beauty therapies from China, India, Indonesia, Japan and Thailand to create a sanctuary of well-being. All of the therapists are well trained as the company has set up a training centre and has already sent a few batches of Thai therapists to train on-the-job at various I SPA outlets in China.

The company has also launched “I SPA life” brand for hotels with smaller scale spas with a flexible setup and treatment range. According to Sirirat, the company also plans to expand I SPA and I SPA life brands to other destinations in Thailand and Southeast Asia.

For more information, contact The I SPA and Leisure Consultant Co., Ltd. Tel: +66 (0) 2553 0047 or E-mail: sirirat@ispathailand.com 42 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2012

Early bird meeting package at

Intercontinental Hua Hin Resort

S

tyled after the legendary King Rama IV Summer Palace or Maruekhathaiyawan Palace, Intercontinental Hua Hin resort is a luxurious beachfront resort located on Petchkasem road in the centre of Hua Hin, offering five-star meeting facilities.

MICE planners can take advantage of the early bird business package by booking before 21 December 2012. With the special meeting package, rates start from THB 5,000 per room per night for a minimum of 10 room nights. By confirming a booking 30 days in advance of checkin, groups will also receive either a complimentary team-building activity or pre-dinner cocktail, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi internet in all guest rooms, complimentary use of audiovisual equipment and complimentary room upgrade for VIP members of the group.

Other additional complimentary elements include one complimentary room with daily breakfast for two persons for every 25 paying rooms, with a maximum of two per day, and a 20% discount at Spa InterContinental for the A La Carte spa menu.

For more information, contact +66 (0) 2252 3323 or e-mail nattapun.runyasewa@ihg.com

Meeting deal at

Novotel Bangkok Platinum

L

ocated near the Platinum shopping mall in the heart of Bangkok, Novotel Bangkok Platinum offers a range of MICE facilities and services for all kind of meetings from a small gathering to a large event with up to 250 guests.

The hotel’s 7th floor is a dedicated events area with 360 sqm of function space, a business center and a large multi-purpose foyer for guest registration, coffee breaks or product presentations. There are three styles of meeting rooms on offer: The Boardroom, Topaz Suite and the Sapphire Suite Ballroom.

The Boardroom is suitable for brainstorming or management meetings, fitting up to 12 persons. Topaz Suite is designed to seat up to 40 guests, offering flexibility with a purpose built partition.

The Ballroom Sapphire Suite is geared toward a larger scale of event with a maximum theatre-style capacity of 250 persons, Gala dinner for 180 guests or cocktail receptions for up to 280 guests. The room is also fully equipped with audiovisual systems, LCD projectors, and recording video cameras. The highlight here is an outdoor terrace with a striking view overlooking Ratchaprasong.

The meeting packages start from THB 950 net including function room rental, coffee break, International Buffet Lunch, unlimited WIFI internet and all standard meeting equipment.

Book a residential meeting package with a minimum of 15 room nights by 31 March 2012 and you will receive three complimentary one-night-stay vouchers.

For more information, contact +66 (0) 2160 7100 or visit www.novotelbangkokplatinum.com

44 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2012

Medium

Danish Meatballs in Curry

T

his great tasting traditional Danish recipe is very popular amongst Danes of all ages. It has undoubtedly been introduced in Denmark by seamen returning from the Far East, but there is very little of its original hot spicy taste left. This is a very mildly spiced dish, and many Danish children happily call this their favorite food.

INGREDIENTS (Serves 4) Meatballs: • 1 pound ground pork • 3 garlic gloves • 1 cup breadcrumbs or 2 tablespoon flour • 2 finely chopped onions • 1 egg • Salt • Pepper

Evil

Curry Sauce: • 2 tablespoons Danish butter • 2 heaping tablespoons yellow curry • 1 large chopped onion • 1 large chopped leek • 5 tablespoons flour • 3,5 ounces cream 35% • 4 cups Beef stock • chopped fresh parsley (just enough for a light sprinkling just prior to serving)

Are you done?

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:

___________________

Address:

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

Email:

__________________________________________________

Deadline for submitting your solution is 15 November 2012 46 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2012

PREPERATION Meatballs: Mix Breadcrumbs or flour, egg, onions, garlic salt and pepper go into a big bowl. Add ground pork and mix it well again. Leave the mixture in the fridge for 1 hour.

Scoop up the meatballs with a tablespoon, and place in boiling water with the beef stock.

Boil for 5-10 minutes, depending on the size of the meatballs. Take meatballs out of the water, but keep the water (you will need it for the Curry Sauce).

Curry Sauce: Melt butter in a pot.

Add curry and brown it for a couple of minutes.

Add onions and leek and brown it for a couple of minutes. Add flour and mix well. Add water from meatballs a little bit at the time, until the sauce thickens. Add cream and meatballs.

Let it simmer for 12 mins. Serve with boiled rice, and sprinkle with parsley on top. Enjoy!

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