APR 2015
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Annual General Meeting 2015 Scandinavian Society Siam When: Thursday 23. April 2015, 18.30 – Registration Where: Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok Copyright: Igor Yaruta / 123RF Stock Photo
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 Manukitch 29 Prasert Manukitch 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
The Board of the Scandinavian Society Siam requests the pleasure of your attendance at the 96th. Annual General Meeting. After the Meeting, the Board is pleased to invite you to join a dinner. To participate in the dinner we request you to kindly inform Treasurer Mr. Claus Gundersen – clausgundersen@gmail.com – no later than 19. April 2015.
Price: Free for members. Non-members may participate by joining and paying the regular annual membership fee of 1.000 baht for singles and 2.000 baht for families. Please take this oppor tunity to be par t of the discussion on the future direction of the Scandinavian Society Siam and enjoy an informal dinner together with other active members!
DTCC AGM 2015 & Gala Dinner When: Wednesday April 22nd, 2015 from 17:30 Where: Garden of the Danish Embassy
Assistant Editor: Joakim Persson Joakim@scandmedia.com Advertising : Finn Balslev finn@scandmedia.com Joakim Persson Joakim@scandmedia.com Piyanan Kalikanon piyanan@scandmedia.com Nattapat Maesang nattapat@scandmedia.com Graphic Designer : Peerapol Meesuwan Peerapol@scandmedia.com Printing : Siamprint Co., Ltd.
Daily news and features here: www.scandasia.com
Your chance to participate in the AGM and get all the essential information of DanCham’s future strategic and financial direction. Enjoy a special dinner in the garden, fine western dinner set served by Grand Millennium Sukhumvit Bangkok
Dinner event THB 2,200 for Member and Spouse / THB 2,600 for Non-Member (Winee, beer and soft drinks will be served throughout the dinner.)
More Scandinavians
die in Thailand The last 5 years, an increasing number of Swedes and Norwegians have died in Thailand, while the number of Danes seems to be somewhat constant. The rising number of deaths do not seem to correspond with a stagnant number of Scandinavian visitors to Thailand, so the explanation is to be found elsewhere. by Lasse Henriksen
D
espite a decrease in Swedish visitors in Thailand from 2013 to 2014 the amount of Swedes that died in the countr y rose with 26 percent. According to Senior Consular Officer at the Swedish Embassy in Bangkok Par Kageby there is a quite obvious answer as to why this is happening. More Scandinavians live in Thailand and these residents are growing older. “If you go back 5 years then 70 percent of the (Swedish) deaths were accidents and 30% percent were natural. In 2014 70 percent of the deaths were due to natural causes,” he says. According to Par Kageby some of the most common natural death causes are heart attacks and liver cirrhosis. The total number of Scandinavian deaths in 2014 went up to 270 from 245 deaths in 2013. The last five years Norway like Sweden have experience a steady growth in deaths, from 68 Norwegian deaths in 2010 to 102 in 2014. The relatively new Danish consul Birgit S. KondrupPalmquist Carlstedt, were not able to go into details about the historic development when ScandAsia called her, but she assessed that the amount of deceased is somewhat constant. In 2014 a total of 58 Danes died in Thailand, two less than the year before. “It’s almost, always some sort of disease, last year we experienced one suicide and one fatal traffic accident (among the Danish citizens who died in Thailand red.), the rest died of natural causes,” Consul Birgit S. KondrupPalmquist Carlstedt says.
Nobody knows how many Scandinavians live in Thailand
Dead Norwegians are mostly old men
No one is required to register at their embassies website when they move to Thailand. But in the unlikely event of a disaster it is difficult for the embassies to know where and with what strength they should strike with an effort to find and help people, if they don’t know where and who to search for. This has been an issue for Sweden before. A slow and inadequate handling of the 2004 Tsunami in Thailand, where more than 500 Swedes died, was considered one of the main reasons for the Foreign Minister Laila Frievald’s 2006 resignation. According to Par Kageby the lack of information will be challenging the Swedish Embassy in case of a new catastrophe. “If a natural disaster happened somewhere in the northeast of Thailand, we don’t have a clue how many Swedish people live there, if it is 2 or 150 people we are looking for,” Par Kageby says.
At the Norwegian Embassy their statistics paints a clear image of the average deceased, 64 percent are over 60 years old and some 98 percent are men. 75 percent of them have other insurance policies than travel insurances and according to Brita Ve Magnusson, Counsellor at the Norwegian Embassy’s Consular and Administrative Section, this might indicate that they live in Thailand. So all in all it looks like most of the Norwegians, that die in Thailand are elderly men that resides in the country. “Last year only 2 of the Norwegians who died in Thailand were women, and none of them died of natural causes,” Brita Ve Magnusson told ScandAsia and added that last year some 12 percent of the Norwegian deaths were caused by drowning- and traffic accidents. 4 ScandAsia.Thailand • April 2015
It is not as easy for Par Kageby to figure out how many Swedes live in Thailand. 379 Swedes have registered themselves at the Swedish Embassy, but Par Kageby estimates that the population is 10.000 to 15.000 and currently growing. Brita Ve Magnusson cautiously estimates that around 4000 to 6000 Norwegians live in Thailand one year at a time, but can’t say what the total number of Norwegians who resides here might be. According to Danish Consul Birgit S. Kondrup-Palmquist Carlstedt, the Danish embassy does not want to make an estimate, because they “do not stand a chance to guess the number, when there is no requirement to register”. One of the main sources to the estimates is the number of people that goes to the embassies and consulates to apply for a special certificate they need to get a 1 year visas for Thailand. In the light of the amount of deaths Par Kageby thinks the current estimate of Swedish residents in Thailand might even be conservative. “If you compare how many people die here with the number of certificates we do and see that the number of Swedes that travels to Thailand has gone down the last two years, while the number of our consular cases is still increasing. So it is not connected to how many people comes to Thailand but the number of Swedes who lives here,” Par Kageby says and adds “When you compare the number of people that die with the number of certificates we make, something doesn’t add up.”
In case of an emergency
April 2015 • ScandAsia.Thailand 5
News Brief
Ambassadors on road show to Sweden
D
uring the first week of March 2015 Sweden’s Ambassadors to Southeast Asia, including Ambassador Klas Molin (Thailand), went on a road show together with Business Sweden to make their cause for increased Swedish trade and investment with the ASEAN region, each ambassador also representing their particular country as a business destination. Their road show visited Lund/Malmö in
southern Sweden, Gothenburg on the Swedish west coast and finally the capital, Stockholm. The kick-off for road show took place at Ideon Science Park in Lund to talk about investment opportunities in Asia. Ideon is Scandinavia’s and one of Europe’s most successful meeting places for visionaries, entrepreneurs and for venture capital. The aim with the road show was to attract
more Swedish companies to invest in “the world’s most dynamic region” and where the upcoming ASEAN inner market AEC (ASEAN Economic Community) star ting in December 2015 will be creating improved conditions for ASEAN countries to generate growth. In an open letter in the daily newspaper Göteborgs-Posten, the ambassadors called for more companies who dare to make investments in this region. “It is not enough that most of our major established global companies are investing. We also need to attract small and medium-sized companies to take the leap over to Southeast Asia.” “Companies who have patience and ability to build up relations will be able to succeed. In many countries there are challenges with corruption, and that weakens the CSR transcendently, but exactly therefore it is impor tant that Sweden shows business presence. Many of the large multinational Swedish companies have successfully been established in Southeast Asia for decades and it has also improved the business environment, transparency and working conditions. Through Swedish entrepreneurship, we can contribute to a positive development.” “Let us together meet the challenge of increasing Swedish expor t. We will together with Business Sweden, Swedish Export Credit Corporation and the Export Credits Guarantee Board do our best to welcome and support the brave Swedish companies. We are wanted in Southeast Asia, let us not miss the chance!”
Great interest for Danish jazz on grass
T
he Danish Embassy in Bangkok succeeded to gather around 300 guests to their jazz concert with Danish saxophonist Jakob & Yasmin Dinesen ft. Koh Mr. Saxman.The organiser had aimed for introducing their guests to real Danish “hygge”. “When we are in the garden on the grass, it reminds us of a Danish park event in the summer, where there are lots of jazz festivals in many cities in Denmark,” Asbjørn Overgaard Christiansen said. He is head of the trade department at the Danish Embassy and one of the organizers of the event. But there is also another reason for the choice of blankets on grass, Asbjørn tells. “Blankets on grass makes the event more relaxed and it gives us the oppor tunity to introduce our guests to real Danish ‘hygge’, a ‘cozy atmosphere’,” he says. “The music was just amazing,” one of the guests said. Besides the music, Carlsberg provided free cold beers during the night. “It was fantastic to see and listen to two of the world’s best saxophonists and experience how the whole band of Thai and Danish jazz 6 ScandAsia.Thailand • April 2015
musicians (incl. a french piano master) worked happily together, and also to see and hear Jasmin charm the whole audience both of the young and old generations.Thank you to the Danish Embassy
for opening their beautiful garden for such events like in the old days. Hope you will soon repeat this again,” commented a reader.
Danish Consulate in Pattaya closed down
T
he Danish Consulate in Pattaya was closed down on 10th March 2015. According to the Embassy, the closing is part of an overall adaption of the structure and tasks of the Danish Honorary Consulates.The demand for consular services have changed, and also new communication channels and technologies as well as new requirements such as bio-metric production of passports has influenced the tasks of Honorary Consulates. The Danish Ambassador Mikael Hemniti Winther explains: “Far most of the tasks that the Consulate is carrying out for the Danish people can be done by e-mail or by surface mail directly to the Embassy in Bangkok, and there is no need to go personally to the office or travel to Bangkok. With the requirement of bio-metric registration for obtaining a new passport, there would always be a need to visit the Embassy in Bangkok anyway. The only slight inconvenience, the Ambassador can think of would be emergency passports and passports for children, where there will now be a need to travel to Bangkok. “However last year we only received less than 20 in total for those two types, so it is hardly worth mentioning,” he adds. The Ambassador thinks that the Danes in Pattaya will find that the Embassy will provide a quick and efficient service for them either by e-mail or normal postal services and with no need to go personally to the office. “Danish people with more serious needs in terms of arrest, serious illness, or other needs for assistance, will receive the same assistance as in the past,” he adds. Consul Stig Vagt-Andersen regrets the closure of the consulate which, in his opinion, hurts the weakest of the Danes living in the Eastern Seaboard area who regularly needs consular services. He adds, that as he has not been consulted prior to the decision there has been no opportunity for him to speak out for the Danish residents in the consulate district. “Among the estimated 900 Danish visit, that we have had last year, 200 of them are pensioners on one year Thai retirement visa, whereof a quarter are an average of 75 years old,” says Consul Stig Vagt-Andersen. “Besides our elderly Danes then families with young kids under 12 will also find it inconvenient to travel with infants to Bangkok to make their children’s passports.” “Danish enterprises in the Eastern Seaboard industrial estates and shipping to Laem Chabang port will also be negatively affected as they no longer will have access to flexible consulate services locally. This will sadly create additional cost and loss of time for these companies”. “I took the initiative to open the Danish consulate 16 years ago in Pattaya, with support of Ambassador Niels K Dyrlund, based on a clearly identified need for local consular services. At that time we reached the clear conclusion that the consulate offered both cost benefits and improved service levels.” “Although we locally only have seen the need for consular services grow steadily year by year, we however, have to accept that we regrettably no longer will be able to provide these services,” says Stig Vagt-Andersen. April 2015 • ScandAsia.Thailand 7
Marsch Siamese “Marsch Siamese” played by Royal Danish Life Guards Music Corps in honor of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 87th birthday. By Henrik Toft Ravn Pedersen
O
n the occation of H.M.K. Bhumibol Adulyadej’s’s birthday December 5th 2014, the music corps of the Danish Royal Life Guard regiment, played a musical composition that has travelled far – both in time and space. The event took place during the changing of the guardsmen at Amalienborg, Copenhagen on December 2rd. The “Marsch Siamese” was composed in honor of Prince Klang Satharn Rajawongse who served in The Royal Danish Life Guard regiment as guardsman number 1000.
Prince Satarn Klang in The King’s service
Prof Wongkulpat and Eric Borgouis at Museum og Royal Life Guards Rosenborg Barracks where his grandfather served. 8 ScandAsia.Thailand • April 2015
Siam 1883. It was decided that the two Thai princes Satharn Klang and Pheen Leck should be sent abroad for military service and thereafter officer’s education. The two princes were sent to Denmark for enrolment in respectively the Royal Life Guard regiment and at the Royal Danish naval academy in Copenhagen. Already at this time the Thai-Danish bonds were strong due to the relation between the two royal families and also thanks to a special Danish naval officer – Andreas du Plessis de Richelieu. Richelieu who had started his service in the Siamese navy in 1875 and advanced to a
Prince Satharn Klang in Gala uniform of Royal Life guards
Chief of orchestra, Eric Enstrøm, Ambassador Miss Vimon Kidchob, Eric Bourgois historic manager at the Royal Life Guard museum in front of Orchestra at Amalienborg. (Photo by Captain Thomas Reimann, Press officer Royal Life Guard.)
position of trust by King Chulalongkorn had been entrusted with escorting the two young princes from Siam to Denmark. Histor y would later show that Richelieu would become the embodiment of Thai-Danish relations as he and several other Danish officers took part in Siam’s defense against the French colonial power at the naval base Pak Nam in July 1893. The two young Princes left Bangkok 11 April 1883 with the admiral and travelled over India and U.K. To finally arrive in Aarhus, Denmark on 8 June 1883. The journey took the young princes and the Admiral over Trankebar (the old Danish Settlement) on the Indian east coast to the British colonial commercial metropolis of Bombay. The Admiral described the journey in detail in his handwritten dairy and an encounter in the finest colonial hotel in Bombay embodies the sentiments of the admiral. When the Admiral entered the hotel, the management denied to ser vice the two young princes as they were Asians – the admiral strongly berated the English management for lack of manners and promptly moved with his young protégées to another hotel. After a two month journey, Richelieu and the princes arrived in Aarhus, where they were to live with a family and get initial Danish language training and later move to the Osterbro district
of Copenhagen. Three years later, in 1886 the Princes were ready to be enrolled in military service, Prince Satarn Klang would join the third company of The Royal Life Guard Regiment as Guardsman number 1000 – a distinct honor. His half brother prince Pheen would enroll in the Danish Naval Academy as a naval cadet.
A dilligent, competent and popular soldier It was said that Prince Satarn Klang was well liked amongst his peers both due to his competences as a soldier, but also for his sense of humor, which was highly congruent with the Danish mentality. The two brothers were also regarded highly by the Royal Danish family, who would frequently invite them to the Sunday family dinners at Amalienborg Castle. Prince Pleen completed his naval training at Royal Danish Naval Academy to become a naval officer and to this very day his photograph can be seen on a wall of honor on the second floor of the Danish naval academy together with nine other Thai naval cadets who have completed their training in Denmark. After completing his conscription, Prince Satarn Klang went on to become an officer. In 1892 he was appointed Commander of 2nd class and received The Order of the Dannebrog.
Thereafter, he retired from the Danish military and had planned to gain further military education in Paris. However, due to incident with the French colonial power in Siam both princes were to return to their country in 1893. Even as an elderly man, Prince Satarn Klang maintained his Danish language proficiency and stayed in touch with his dear friends in Denmark. He never forgot about his time in The Royal Life Guard regiment and was officially appointed as an honorary member of the Royal Life Guard Regiment’s association in 1932. Prince Satharn Klang died in 1940 in Bangkok after a life full of substantial personal and professional achievements.
“Marsch Siamese” In Copenhagen 2006, the bandmaster of the Royal Guard regiment, Per Harbeck, received a special donation from a great-grandson of the composer Hans Niels Hass, who at his death in 1913, was the bandmaster of the Danish Costal Artillery. The donation was a set of musical scores composed by his grandfather. Amongst these scores was the “Marsch Siamese” which was dedicated to “His Royal Highness Prince Mom Rajawongse Satarn Klang of Siam” -also distinct honor. April 2015 • ScandAsia.Thailand 9
preserved Siamese national flag brought back to Denmark by his grandfather.
H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s birthday
Prof Wongkulpat and grandson of Admiral Richelieu, Mr. Jean Just holding a Large Siamese Silk flag brought back to Denmark by the Admiral.
On December 5th 2014, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej turned 87 years old. The King is the longest sitting monarch in the world and, if any, he has the hearts and minds of the Thai people. As a special gesture and admiration for historical events in mind it was decided that the music corps of the Danish Royal Life Guards regiment should recite the charismatic march on 2 December to honor H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the occation of his birthday on 5 december 2014. The six hours time difference resulted in the “Marcsh Siamese” being playing simultanously with the “trooping of the colours” and oath ceremony by the Thai Royal Gguard in Bangkok. Thanks to Prof Wongkulpat who is chairman of the board of Loxinfo, the Thai broadcast of the Trooping of the colours were internet streamed so it could be seen at the Rosenborg Barracks.
Thailand’s Ambassador to Denmark at Amalienborg
Prof Wongkulpat and Eric Borgouis at Museum og Royal Life Guards Rosenborg Barracks where his grandfather served. In 2007 Carsten Geisler, the score-writing specialist of the Band of the Royal Guard, wrote modern scores from the original handwritten scores. Thereafter, the marcsh was rehearsed by the present music corps of the Royal Life Guards. It was played for the first time, in recent times, at a change of the guards at Frendensborg castle in 2008. With the kind permission of the Orchestra chief Mr. Erik Enstroem, Danish honorary consul Stig Vagt-Andersen in 2011 obtained a copy of the scores and permission to share the unofficial recording with interested par ties in Thailand and thus renewed the interest for revival of the historic piece of music. The youngest grand son of Prince Satharn Klang – professor Dr. Wongkulpat Snidvongs joined a visit to Denmark and Norway to trace his grandfather’s Danish days and visitied the Royal guards barracks at Rosenborg Castle. Mr. 10 ScandAsia.Thailand • April 2015
Eric Lerdrup Bourgois, chief historian of the Royal guards kindly received Prof Wong at Rosenborg barracks and showed him the museum, which has a photograph of Prince Satharn Klang among the other Royal officers who have served at the Royal guards. Prof Wongkulpat was presented with a special gift from the commander of the Royal Danish guard, Chamberlain Colonel Klavs Lawes to bring back to his majesty King Bhumiphol of Thailand as a symbol of the high esteem of friendship for Thailand. During his visit he also went to Northern Zealand to meet the grandson of Admiral Richelieu Mr. Jean Just who himself has served as an officer of the reserve at the Royal Guards. Last year Mr. Jean just visited Thaialnd to return Admiral Richelieu’s old blue silk navy commander flag to the Royal Thai Navy. He showed Prof Wongkulpat another uniquely well
On this occassion, the Royal Danish Life Guard regiment welcomed Thailand’s ambassador to Denmark H.E. Miss Vimon Kidchob. The ambassador arrived at the Royal Life Guard regiments garrison next to Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen before noon on December 2nd. Here she first listened to the music corps rehearsal of the “Marsch Siamese”.Thereafter she visited the regiment’s historic exhibition which is located within the garrison and saw the photo displayed of Prince Satarn Klang. Afterwards she followed the guards and band to Amalienborg and experienced the march being played at the royal palace Amalienborg for the first time in more than a century. The musical scores for “March Siamese” has now been given to the Thai Royal Guards as well as the Thai military academy where Prince Klang where the first commander. It is thus the hope that “Marsch Siamese” can be played in both Copenhagen and Bangkok as a unique symbol of the historic and present good bilateral relations. A long forgotten music piece came to life and confirmed that the warm and strong bonds between Thailand and Denmark are still strong and very much alive.
Unofficial recordings are available at youtube (by H.E. Miss Vimon Kidchob) http://youtu.be/qu4E9pkSc8c and the rehearsal at barracks of Rosenborg castle; http://youtu.be/yIGhId5fTYo Opening housr for the Historical collection of the Danish Royal Life guards; Saturdays and sundays 11.30-15.00 Livgardens Historiske Samling Livgardens Kaserne Gothersgade 100 E-mail: historisksamling@mil.dk
Last glass facade installed at Bhiraj Tower at EmQuartier
B
hiraj Buri Group, one of Thailand’s leading proper ty developer led by Dr. Prasarn Bhiraj Buri, President & CEO, Mrs. Prapee Buri, Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Pitiphatr Buri, Executive Director and Ms. Panittha Buri, Executive Director recently installed the final piece of curtain wall on the 43rd floor balcony at “Bhiraj Tower at EmQuar tier”. This distinguish Grade A office building is located in the prime area of Sukhumvit road connecting to Prom Phong BTS station. The installation is to complete the outside construction and the building will be launched in March 2015. Bhiraj Tower at EmQuartier is built according to engineering principal and modern innovation. The building is designed to use vacuum insulated glasses, which comprise of 2 types of glasses namely Low E glass and reflective glass. These glasses work as 2 layers of insulated glass, which
is modern technology and high quality materials. This can help using natural light effectively, reducing leak of inside sounds and ventilating heats. It helps saving energy from reducing uses of air conditions. Bhiraj Tower at EmQuartier installed 5,487 pieces of curtain walls for 28,596 square metre, worth more than 300 million baht. The last 1.2 x 1.56 square metre piece of curtain wall was installed in a meeting room on the 45th floor with 180-metre high above sea level. Bhiraj Tower at EmQuar tier is a 45thfloor premium office building becoming a new landmark on Sukhumvit road in Prom Phong area. The construction is in a “mix use” concept comprising of a depar tment store for office worker’s lifestyle. It is located in a prime economic location including an easy access to transportation and main roads of Bangkok.
Dr. Prasarn Bhiraj Buri (2nd from left), President & CEO, Mrs. Prapee Buri (far left), Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Pitiphatr Buri (2nd from right) Executive Director of and Ms. Panittha Buri (far right), Executive Director at the installaton of the final piece of curtain wall on the 43rd floor balcony at “Bhiraj Tower at EmQuartier”.
For more information contact: CBRE Tel: 02-662-2010
April 2015 • ScandAsia.Thailand 11
Thai-Swedish Chamber of Commerce
Annual General Meeting 2015 By Joakim Persson
Kenneth Radencrantz, former President of ThaiSwedish Chamber of Commerce, resigned from the board after many years of dedicated service. 12 ScandAsia.Thailand • April 2015
President Jan Eriksson reported on the Chamber Strategy, which includes having established working committees within the Board.
O
n Thursday 26 February 2015 the Annual General Meeting of the Thai-Swedish Chamber of Commerce (TSCC) was held, traditionally at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit in Bangkok. The AGM saw two veterans within TSCC, in particular Worachai Bhicharnchitr, resigning after 25 years of service! Worachai is the only Governor of the Board that has served the Chamber since its inception. Kenneth Radencrantz also resigned after a many years of service, mainly due to retiring back to Sweden, where he and his wife will spend a larger part of the year onwards. Jan Eriksson (Spica), Hakan Alm (Vision House), Lars Andersson (Capaciton) were resigning and running for re-election. Anders Olsson (MDVAColor) and Joakim Persson (ScandMedia) were nominated as new Governors to the Board. These were unanimously elected by the AGM along with Björn Richardsson (Oakwood Residence), Christer Nilsson (Media Partner), Dan-Åke Enstedt (Saab Asia Pacific), Eric Hallin (Rembrandt Hotel & Towers), Fredrik Bergman (Diakrit), Jacques Michel (Volvo Group), Johan Nordqvist (Amadeus), Lars Svensson (Oriflame Cosmetics) and Sutti Manokitjarunman (Elextrolux Thailand).
The Chamber reported on the Activities and Events from the past year. Many events were coorganised with the Nordic chamber partners, as well as other international Chambers in Thailand in order to offer more quality events on a winwin basis. “Increased co-operation gives more for less,” Director Peter Björk reported. The most impor tant event during 2014 had been the celebration of TSCC’s 25 Years Anniversary with a 3-day exhibition and a gala dinner, which had taken up most of the resources in terms of planning and execution as the main activity during the year. TSCC needs to have such a big project each year in order keep up the revenue stream needed, the AGM was told. President Jan Eriksson (also re-elected as such by the new Board) reported on the Chamber Strategy, which includes having established working committees within the Board. Chairman of each is a Board member. TSCC is also a member of Board of Trade Lobbying activities take place both directly and indirectly. Indirectly TSCC is involved through JFCCT, various committees and EABC. “Sweden is rather well represented,” commented Jan Eriksson. He underlined what TSCC spends a lot of time in these groups and also in
connection with the other foreign chambers. Directly TSCC communicates with the Thai Government and public institutions in Thailand. Among the things the Chairman mentioned from these activities was the interest of Thailand’s current government to simplify things for foreigners working here. A result is that the 90 days reporting will soon become electronic. The AGM continued repor ting, and commenting, on the balance sheet and financial result for the year and with a comparison with previous year, plus forecasting. The Chairman said that the Chamber had set up some KPIs, which included getting more members as one driving force. In 2014 TSCC had 120 members, of which 43 were individuals, 58 corporate and 19 Premium members. Membership income increased year by year. Following on the AGM, TSCC members and guests enjoyed a Dinner consisting in: Chicken Pastrami, Semi-dried tomato, walnut aquavit lemon dressing, and shaved fennel as star ter ; Pan-seared salmon, potatoes, spring vegetables and dill cream sauce as main course; and Valrhona chocolate tart with Maracuja sorbet as dessert. Closing the long night was the special Guest Speaker for the Dinner : Dr. Don Nakornthab, Director of Macroeconomic Policy Office, Bank
of Thailand. Dr. Don entertained the guests by sharing a few anecdotes connecting him with Sweden. A great inspiration for Dr. Don to finish up his studies in the U.S had been the prominent Swedish professor in political economy Lars E. O. Svensson. Speaking on the topic of ‘The economic outlook for Thailand 2015’ a main conclusion from Dr. Don was that Thailand’s growth in the foreseeable future would not be high enough to develop the country on par with how countries in the west had done. The disparities between the few big cities versus the countryside were still very high, and the Thai population is still impeded by high household debt and depressed farm income. The prospect of a public investment shortfall and the slow recovery of domestic demand in turn have weighed on the investment decisions of most private businesses. It was crucial that the current government would sign off on and get infrastructure projects going, and with a volume that the next elected government would have to follow through on. Fur thermore, Thailand badly needed to upgrade its export of obsolete products (such as hard disks) such as the manufacturing which is losing in demand, where manufacturers of solid state drives (SSDs) are currently setting up their factories in other countries. April 2015 • ScandAsia.Thailand 13
Thailand deposits rice seeds in Svalbard Global Seed Vault Thailand has opened up a “bank box” in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in the far North of Norway half way to the North Pole. The idea is to keep valuable genetic material safe for future generations “what ever may come”. Photo: Dag Terje Filip Endresen
14 ScandAsia.Thailand • April 2015
O
b s e s s i o n ove r d o o m s d ay scenarios may be the exclusive domain of astrophysicists, science fiction buffs or End-ofthe-World cult members. But national governments around the world, while not susceptible to irrational fears, have been quietly making preparation for less dramatic events, like pest or plant disease epidemics or natural or man-made catastrophes that could wipe out major food crops. The Thai government, along with those of 231 other countries, has chosen the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway’s far north to preserve the genetic diversity of the country’s food crops for future generations. Thailand’s Agriculture Ministry has deposited 81 varies of rice seeds at the seed vault, considered the most secure in the world. Located deep inside a mountain on a remote island in the Svalbard archipelago, halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, Global Seed Vault is ensconced in permafrost and offers ideal conditions for safe storage of the world’s most comprehensive seed collections. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s visit to the Global Seed Vault in March 2013 to deposit two species of Thai bean was the
photo : IRRI Images/Wikipedia
beginning of Thailand’s contribution. On her return to Thailand, the princess suggested to the Agriculture Ministry’s Depar tment of Rice to consider depositing Thai rice seeds there in order to preserve rice seed, not only for Thai people but also for the benefit of the world. In July 2013, Thailand’s Rice Depar tment delegations brought 81 varieties of rice seed which was selected and duplicated from 25,000 rice varieties maintained in the rice seed bank of Thailand, to deposit in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. According to the Global Seed Vault, the reason the world need a maximum security depositor y of seeds even though there are already more than 1,700 genebanks that hold collections of food crops for safekeeping is because many of them are vulnerable, exposed not only to natural catastrophes and war, but also to avoidable disasters, such as lack of funding or poor management. “Something as mundane as a poor ly functioning freezer can ruin an entire collection. And the loss of a crop variety is as irreversible as the extinction of a dinosaur, animal or any form of life,” it said. It was the recognition of the vulnerability
of the world’s genebanks that sparked the idea of establishing a global seed vault to serve as a backup storage facility. The purpose of the Vault is to store duplicates (backups) of seed samples from the world’s crop collections. Permafrost and thick rock ensure that the seed samples will remain frozen even without power. The Vault is the ultimate insurance policy for the world’s food supply, offering options for future generations to overcome the challenges of climate change and population growth. It will secure, for centuries, millions of seeds representing every impor tant crop variety available in the world today. It is the final back up. The Seed Vault has the capacity to store 4.5 million varieties of crops. Each variety will contain on average 500 seeds, so a maximum of 2.5 billion seeds may be stored in the Vault. Currently, the Vault holds more than 830,000 samples, originating from almost every country in the world. Ranging from unique varieties of major African and Asian food staples such as maize, rice, wheat, cowpea, and sorghum to European and South American varieties of eggplant, lettuce, barley, and potato. In fact, the Vault already holds the most diverse collection of food crop seeds in the world.
The focus of the Vault is to safeguard as much of the world’s unique crop genetic material as possible, while also avoiding unnecessar y duplication. It will take some years to assemble because some genebanks need to multiply stocks of seed first, and other seeds need regenerating before they can be shipped to Svalbard. A temperature of -18ºC is required for optimal storage of the seeds, which are stored and sealed in custom made three-ply foil packages. The packages are sealed inside boxes and stored on shelves inside the vault. The low temperature and moisture levels inside the Vault ensure low metabolic activity, keeping the seeds viable for long periods of time.
April 2015 • ScandAsia.Thailand 15
Agneta’s World
Pea Soup
for Ladies Pea soup with hot Punsch reminds me of dark and cold winter evenings in Sweden!
D
uring the long, cold winter s in Sweden, it has always been popular to invite a little circle of friends together on Thursday evenings, to enjoy the Yellow Pea soup with small pieces of salted pork and thyme. The soup can be homemade or just bought in a can or plastic roll.You can easily find this popular soup in almost every store. Some people take mustard to add more spice to the soup and it tastes yummy. To this you usually drink a cold beer and, not to forget, a hot Punsch. Pancakes with whipped cream and strawberry or blueberry jam, are to be followed after the soup. It is easy to eat too much, but it is just so delicious. For several months, Rembrandt Hotel has offered the men (yes you saw it right, the men) 16 ScandAsia.Thailand • April 2015
I am a
walker in Bangkok
a Pea Soup evening every third Thursday monthly. It became, from the beginning, a great success and I think many of us women were annoyed that we were not allowed to join……. As these events take place in the Presidential Suite, it also offers a kind of “home feeling”. I remember from my high school years, that every winter month I had some good friends, males and females home for Pea Soup and before the soup, we used to sit in the sauna and just chatted and had one or two beers together. These evenings are dear memories that I often think about. Believe it or not, now, since two months, we ladies also have our Pea soup evenings at Rembrandt, same as for the men……second Thursday monthly. The first evening we were only eleven ladies, but already the second month, the number of participants had increased with 100%. We are a group of ladies. all ages and not just Swedes. We have great fun. David Nilsson, who has been working a long time at Rembrandt, is in charge of these events and he has put his whole heart into it. I think he was quite impressed by us ladies last time. We managed to drink a lot of wine and for us it was just ridiculous to buy coupons for one glass, we changed it into bottles. We also stayed so long that David left for home and his staff started to clean and arrange for next day. I am sure, they prayed for us to leave and we did at last. It was a really enjoyable evening, so if you are free next month, book a Pea Soup ladies’ night at Rembrandt, - you want regret it!
I
f I can walk, I will. But walking in Bangkok is not that easy and both shoes and feet suffer. You mustn’t forget to look down at the pavement. There are plenty of different things sticking up between the stones and lazy street dogs that you have to jump over along with plenty of other obstacles. Your shoes don’t remain intact for long. In Europe it’s not much of a problem finding shoes that fit me. I normally have shoe size 39 and that is not unusually big for my height, 174 cm.To go out in Bangkok or anywhere else in Thailand, to find shoes in my size that feel comfortable and look nice, is almost like looking for a needle in a haystack. How often have I heard the salesman/woman telling me “don’t have elephant size mam”, no mostly they are not that impolite saying “elephant size”, but they let me know that my feet are big. I have looked everywhere, even had shoes made, but never been quite satisfied. Since Terminal 21 opened, I have found a cute little shop named BALLERINA and as the name says, they have plenty of nice Ballerina shoes in almost all colors. They are made of real leather and are very reasonably priced. Best of everything all, they have big sizes, up to 42, they are like house shoes, no more blisters. I have seen this shop also in Central Embassy and there might be even more branches. Just a little tip-off for ladies with big feet. THESE SHOES ARE MADE FOR WALKING……….
April 2015 • ScandAsia.Thailand 17
First Thai
sex worker on Danish stage
May 1st, Thai sex worker Thanta Laovilawanyakul enters the Danish stage in Copenhagen to add a new perspective to the question; why do Westerners travel around the globe to get something as ordinary as sex. By Louise Bihl Frandsen
O
ne by one, people from the audience will be lead onto the stage to play different experiences with sex worker Thanta Laovilawanyakul at Betty Nansens Theatre in Copenhagen in May. The controversial play ‘Love-Theatre’ has been developed by two Danish instructors: Tue Biering and Jeppe Kristensen. “The sex industry is a very unique ‘place’ to see how we behave and who we are as citizens in a modern time with capitalism and globalization,” Jeppe Kristensen says. In several years, the two instructors have been curious about the phenomenon with Westerners travelling around the globe to get something as banal as sex. And they want to investigate the different feelings, which they believe exist in this specific industry – such as respect, selfesteem, fantasy and the need of engaging in deeper relations. “Our curiousity, and not our opinions, will control the play to make us try and understand what happens in this industry – and through this; try and understand modern identity as well,” Jeppe says.
“Clients want to feel comfortable. Some of them do not want sex but just someone to talk to and someone that listens. Some of them are even looking for a friend,” Thanta says. According to Thanta, her job as a sex worker has many different aspects. She sees herself as a professional giver of love. “My job is about love in the sense of giving care and support to customers. I allow them to let go and be themselves, and it makes me feel that my job is very important,” she says. She explains and shows with her eyes and bodylanguage, how she will connect with the
A complex job Thanta Laovilawanyakul plays one of the mainroles in the play ‘Love-Theatre’ – the audience plays the other. Thanta will choose who is going with her on the stage. Through acting she wants to show the Danish audience what men in the industry are looking for. 18 ScandAsia.Thailand • April 2015
Thanta is helping her mother with her clothing store in the city Korat.
person, she brings to the stage. But laughs, when I ask her to act with me. “Go see the play, and you will see,” Thanta laughs while slightly blushing.
A real person When the Betty Nansen Theatre in Copenhagen recreated the movie Pretty Woman on stage, they hired sex workers from the street to play the different characters. The play ‘Love-Theatre’ is different, because it is not a recreation of a movie, but a recreation of a lived life: The life of Thanta Laovilawanyakul. “We want to know, what happens in that moment, when a sex worker and a client meet. What is love and what is theatre?” Jeppe Kristensen explains and continues: “It is quite essential for us that the actors in the play are ‘normal’ people – not famous Hollywood actors, but people who lived a life with experiences, which they can transfer to the Theatre,” Jeppe says.
Prejudice on prejudice When Thanta Laovilawanyakul started as a sex worker, she started feeling sad about what she was doing, because she felt that society was looking down on her profession. “I remember people walking by the bar, where I was working at that time, and they were looking at us in a certain way,” she says. Although she had many different jobs and possibilities to do other things at that time, she did not want to stop working as a sex worker.
“I found out that I was providing useful services. I have helped people and they have been able to move on with their lives, and that really makes me proud of, what I am doing,” she says. Thanta started working as a sex worker, when she was 22. Today she is 43.
The right job Although Thanta is happy with being a sex worker today, she believes there is a long way to improve the working conditions for sex workers and the industry in general. The big challenge is to change the society’s opinion about the profession. “We are working in legal bars and nightclubs, but still we are considered as outlaws,” she says with a certain look in her eyes. In her opinion, it is a process, like in any other job, to become good at what you are doing. To help improve the working conditions in the industry, she teaches other sex workers – both men and women, how to be safe and how to become professional. She hopes that by passing on her own experiences, she will be able to help others, who choose to become a sex worker. “We have the right over our own body - it does not belong to any society. The society and the culture should no longer dictate what women or men should do,” she says. Thanta has also been writing a book about the life of a sex worker called: “The Right Job”.
Thanta thinks that when society judges the sex industry, it not only hurts the sex workers’ feelings but it also make their profession unsafe.
April 2015 • ScandAsia.Thailand 19
Unique design at Vartika Resovilla KuiBuri
Vartika Resovilla KuiBuri proudly offers its uniqueness in terms of design of both the interior and exterior of the resort.
20 ScandAsia.Thailand • April 2015
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ith the concept “Experience a new world with every visit”, we guarantee the guests that they cannot get enough with the resor t with internationallydesigned accommodation. The variety ranges from villas decorated as in a country such as Bali, China, Bohemian, Japan, India, Siam, and Europe, and all the way to suites with sea view located right next to the beach. A particular highlight would be the Penthouse where the guest can experience the panoramic sea view through 180 degree curved window glass.
even be our pleasure if the guest wants to shift one room to another night by night, there is no problem at all. Even the shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel are homemade and produced by Vartika spa. They certainly all use natural herbs and other ingredients. Regularly, they rotate new recipes with the initiations of expertise. Often, the one that impresses the guest most they would like to purchase either for own use at home or in bulk since they love it so much.
The Traveller’s New room every night? Not two rooms are identical. Every little detail in the room both the scent and bathroom decorations are different to the pleasure of those staying in that particular room. Because the resort has 23 different rooms to explore. It would
Vartika Resovilla Kuiburi also offers an all day dining restaurant named The Traveller’s where both Thai and Western food is served. Many dishes have earned awards and all are elaborately cooked by our talented chef. By the end of the day, the dinner on the
beach close to the sea with BBQ seafood is an unbeatable experience. Eating, chatting, enjoying the fresh air, and listening to the sound of the sea are definitely what you want before your day vanishes.
VARTIKA Resovilla KuiBuri 69 Moo 5, Bornok, Muang, Prachuapkhirikhan 77210 Tel: +66 32 820 164-7 +66 89 887 7539 www.vartikakuiburi.com www.facebook/vartikakuiburi April 2015 • ScandAsia.Thailand 21
22 ScandAsia.Thailand • April 2015
How to pick a school By Louise Bihl Frandsen
H
ow do you pick the perfect school for your children, when you move to another country? It might not be as easy as it sounds. During the years, more and more schools are established, and each institution offers different courses and has different ways of teaching. Many parents use social platforms like Facebook to get advices from other parents. But there will probably be no way around making your own inquiry into each avaible option.
Local vs international Are you looking for a local or an international school? In most countries in Asia, it is possible to sign your child into a local school – but it can be a challenge, if your child does not have Asian roots. Local schools provide your child with a local environment and another benefit is that most of the local schools are more affordable than the international schools. One thing to be aware of though, is that psysical punishment has not been abolished in many Asian school systems. If you go for an international school, consider that international students grow up in an environment that is much different to that of your own. Known as Third Culture Kids (TCKs), they often develop a different attitude. They will develop other ways of thinking that might be very different from their schoolmates at home. Once this is said, many expat families decide to go for the international school – at least through primary school up to grade 9.
A few suggestions As said before, many parents seek advices from other parents. But in the end, it is your choice and only you know what needs your child has. First: Observe Visit the schools you are interested in during a regular school day. Ask to observe teachers in class so you can get a feel for how the adults treat the children, parents and one another. You don’t have to be an expert to get a good sense of what is - or is not - happening in a classroom when you visit. Second: Distance Make sure the school is not too far away from your home. Have in mind that in most big cities, it is travelling time between your house and the school that matters. Will you be driving your
child to school yourself or how will your child be going there? Especially in cities like Bangkok, the traffic is hectic and you can easily use hours stuck between cars, taxies and tuk-tuks. Third: Reputation Use your network in the city. Ask as many as possible, what their experience with this school is. Do not listen to people, who have no children at the school themselves. And remember that the age of the school is no sure indication either. Nothing guarantees that the reputation of a hundred year old school is better than a oneyear-old school. Fourth: Courses The school’s courses and programs will most likely be listed in the school’s informations packages or on their website. They will talk about British Curriculum and American Curriculum and what most Scandinavians go for these days is the IB Curriculum. The IB Curriculum is an educational programme managed by the International Baccalaureate for students aged 3 to 12. Students are required to learn a second language during the programme. Fifth: Supplementary courses More and more parents find it important that their children are receiving lessons in their mother tongue language. On some of the international schools, the different Scandinavian communities have organized mother tounge language lessons as a supplementary course. It all depends on the needs of your child. Many children already have a long day in school with lessons in Thai, English and other courses, so if the lessons are not included on the schedule, a normal day in school can all the sudden become very long and exhausting.
Stay involved As a parent you might wish there were some secret education-analyst methodology. No matter how hard you do your homework, stay involved with your child’s everyday life. Is your child happy and motivated or tired and introver ted? Talk with your child about how school is and spend more time together in the beginning. First period will probably be as exhausting for your child as for you – starting up your lives in a completely different country.
Copyright: Igor Yaruta / 123RF Stock Photo
April 2015 • ScandAsia.Thailand 23
From NIST to the Halls of the United Nations
W
hile many spent the spring holiday sunbathing on beaches, visiting exotic countries or spending time at home with their families, 22 students from NIST International School’s Model United Nations (MUN) team were working hard, preparing speeches and writing resolutions in anticipation of the annual three-day SEASAC MUN conference. From 27 February to 1 March, they and students from almost a dozen international schools around the region came together at UWCSEA East in Singapore to debate real-life issues, all through the perspective of the countries they represented. Though NIST offers over 300 extra-curricular activities, Model United Nations is unique in that it is based on a real organization that influences world affairs on a daily basis. Through research, debates and dialogue, students tackle contentious regional and global issues, and identify the best possible solutions. This model reflects the actual
Yana Charoenboonvivat, second-year MUN participant Before participating, I was always afraid of voicing my opinions in public. My attitude towards public speaking changed once I attended SEASAC MUN. I was placed in a committee where I was obligated to speak and soon gained my confidence.
24 ScandAsia.Thailand • April 2015
day-to-day operations of the UN and prepares students for possible careers in international affairs, law and non-governmental agencies. More impor tantly, it provides them with a unique perspective into the lives of others, fostering a sense of empathy and justice. The annual MUN conference attended by the NIST students, organized through the South East Asia Student Activities Conference, allows them to hone their skills against their peers from other top schools in the region. Through this they engage with others who represent an astonishingly diverse range of nationalities, cultures, religions and backgrounds. As they took to the stage to represent their countries, they not only debated ISIS, economic development and human rights, but also gained the confidence to take their experiences to the next level and make a positive impact on the world. And ultimately, isn’t that what education should do?
Kohei Hayakawa, first-year MUN participant As a delegate with only two conferences under my belt, I was first intimidated by the atmosphere and the seriousness. But as the conference got underway, I realized that anyone who wanted to debate was welcome, and I was able to step up and go to the podium, where I was able to gradually learn how to debate effectively.
April 2015 • ScandAsia.Thailand 25
Learning Environments for the 21st Century and Beyond
“Good facilities do more than teach, they inspire. They aspire to shape minds both inside and outside the classroom.” Pit Li Phan
A
good school is a place where students are stimulated to learn and grow. It is a place that prepares them for life as well-rounded, global citizens in a future world we cannot
yet imagine. Facilities certainly do not make a school; it is essential however that students learn within a setting that supports their individual educational and pastoral needs. In modern pedagogy this learning environment is known as the Third Teacher, alongside adults and other children. At Bangkok Patana School its mission of fulfilling the potential of every student is achieved through the excellence and exper tise of the school’s teachers, curriculum and extra-curricular programme. The aim is to ensure that students aged between 2 and 18 years consistently receive a diverse and engaging education both in and outside the classroom. In keeping with the third teacher philosophy, the Bangkok Patana environment also plays a key role in achieving their mission; the range of facilities are specially tailored to create an atmosphere that is safe, conducive to learning and supportive of student wellbeing. In August 2014 the school unveiled its renovated Year 1 and 2 facilities. This area has been given a complete up-grade to provide a 26 ScandAsia.Thailand • April 2015
setting that stimulates and encourages children’s learning and development. The redesign has provided Primary students with more outside play space and greater access to areas designed to foster social, behavioural and problem solving skills that inspire imaginative play and present unique opportunities for larger scale learning. Primar y Principal Clare Sharp explains more. “Research indicates that exposing children to many experiences can help build up a bank of learning styles, which they can tap into depending on the activity. This is also true for buildings and the design and flow of a building can influence how we learn. We know that the children in Year 1 and 2 will benefit immensely from their new learning environment, specifically designed to promote inquiry, encourage learning through doing and to develop creativity, collaboration and independence.” The school has a continued commitment to provide an inspiring environment that supports the excellent teaching and learning. In August 2015 Bangkok Patana School will open a brand new, purpose-built Science Centre. This exciting building, with designated floors for Chemistry, Physics and Biology/Environmental Systems, and where optimum student learning has been at the very core of all stages of the design, will provide
a stunning setting for enhanced scientific learning from next year onwards. It is testament to the school’s vision and continued determination to fur ther improve the learning environment for the benefit of its students. A testament that reflects not just the school’s mission to fulfil the potential of every student, but also the original wish of the school’s founder, Mrs Rosamund Stuetzel, to develop students “… who love learning because it is satisfying to themself.” For more information on Bangkok Patana School please visit www.patana.ac.th, click on the QR code below, email admissions@patana.ac.th or call +66 (0)2 785 2206. Bangkok Patana School 643 Lasalle Road (Sukhumvit 105) Bangna, Bangkok 10260
Fulfilling Potential from Foundation to Graduation
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t Bangkok Patana School we provide the essential rigour of a British curriculum incorporating best practice from other programmes to reflect our international setting. Our strong academic and extra-curriculum programme nurtures students of over 60 nationalities, between 2 1/2 and 18 years of age, to become highly skilled, independent learners.
T
o find out how our child-centred approach to learning and outstanding teaching staff can help your child fulfil their potential, please contact our admissions team at admissions@patana.ac.th
www.patana.ac.th |+66 (0) 2785 2206 | 643 Lasalle Road (Sukhumvit 105), Bangna| BTS: Bearing or Bangna April 2015 • ScandAsia.Thailand 27
Saniya More
7 Reasons to ‘IB’ it Up
By Saniya More, Grade 12 at KIS International School in Bangkok, Thailand, Class of 2015
A
KIS Students at a glance: • KIS students score on average 34-35 points on their IB Diploma, compared to the global average score of 29.8. • On average 91% percent of KIS students taking the IB Diploma pass, compared to 78-79% worldwide. • KIS students are accepted at excellent universities around the world, often with substantial scholarships. 28 ScandAsia.Thailand • April 2015
s I come closer and closer to the end of senior year and graduation, I can’t help but look back on the last (almost) 8 years of my life- into the education system that I’ve been a part of since the fourth grade: the IB program.Two years ago, I began the IB Diploma Program- one of the most respected, most difficult programs in the world. We can all, as IB students, agree that the IB is no joke, because pulling all-nighters and finishing essays the day before they were due are just some of the skills we have. But honestly what are the benefits of this hellish program? Well, it’s me so here’s another list (once again). It’s a challenge- making it through the IB program is no easy task because it is a very well rounded curriculum. To do well in the IB doesn’t mean just memorising a textbook of content or being able to list all the facts- you have to be able to apply what you know to new situations. It helps you to develop excellent critical thinking skills- from the beginning of the IB program, we are pushed to have our own opinion on what is happening in the world, as well as attempt to understand the perspectives of the people around us. IB pushes us to question the world around us, and try to make sense of why everything is the way it is. It transforms you into an independent learner- by carrying out independent research, writing many investigative essays, completing a personal project and writing an Extended Essay, IB helps you develop the skills you need to understand the world around you without
depending on anyone else. It gives you your first taste of the real worldthree words: Creativity, Action, Service- for me, some of the best, more memorable parts of the DP program have come from my CAS activities. Whether it be volunteering at a local shelter, or helping to host a yoga workshop for street children in Phnom Penh, Cambodia (best spring break EVER!), CAS shows you that the world isn’t a perfect place, and there is a lot that we as individuals can do to help society move forward. It impels you to be a well-rounded person with a wide variety of interests- throughout the program, we are encouraged to develop our talents, be able to express ourselves, but also write good essays and learn theories. We are exposed to a variety of subjects, and thus can discover our own individual interests. It helps you to develop a holistic, accepting state of mind- most IB communities are international, and being open and appreciating about other cultures besides your own is definitely an IB value. It makes you a part of a global elite (and very small) group of highly intelligent, talented individuals- Globally, there are only about 1 million IB students- it’s one of the smallest educational minorities. IB is tough, and it’s definitely not a program for the faint-hearted. But I’ve been a part of it for 8 years, and yes although at times it has been a real challenge, I definitely do not regret being an IB student. For more information please contact: admissions@kis.ac.th, www.kis.ac.th
At KIS International School in Bangkok, Thailand, all students can shine. The midsize, caring community allows KIS students to be confident and to be appreciated as an individual, with unique dreams and strengths. The school is a full IB school, offering the International Baccalaureate Programmes for all age groups (IB Primary Years Programme, IB Middle Years Programme and IB Diploma), ensuring an academically rigorous curriculum that not only prepares students to be successful at university, but also teaches important life skills. KIS, it’s all about Knowledge, Inspiration and Spirit.
“With the power of imagination, characters can actually fly off the page” Jun, Grade 11.
Check out the students’ videos to learn more about their passion www.kis.ac.th
World School
Accredited
Tel: +66 (0) 2274 3444 Email: admissions@kis.ac.th April 2015 • ScandAsia.Thailand 29
Performing Arts Showcase: Senior School Production 2015, Romeo & Juliet
Looking Ahead and Moving on up, the
Shrewsbury Way…!
M
oving school is a big decision for any family. The following article explores some of the issues that families face and explains some of the things we do at Shrewsbury International School to support children throughout their learning journey, whether they are transitioning from our own Primary School into the Senior School, or joining us from elsewhere.
30 ScandAsia.Thailand • April 2015
At some point, all families will ask themselves whether their child’s current school is still the best place for them to be. A change in personal circumstances, or shift in priorities, interests and ambitions could bring the issue into focus at almost any stage of their child’s learning journey. However, the transition from primary school to secondary education presents a distinct point for many families to really think
about where their child is heading in terms of their academic, pastoral and co-curricular needs, especially where the child’s current junior school does not offer the option to continue at a senior level. Although an 11 year old child still needs considerable support and nurturing there is also a definite feeling that they are growing up and that they are ready for a change. It’s both a challenging and an exciting time when the following considerations may well come to the fore: If your child is an exceptional learner: is their current school offering enough individual support in order for them to reach their full potential? Has your child developed a passion for a particular subject or activity: whether they have a particular talent or interest in mathematics, music, art, drama, or sports, are you sure that their current school offers the opportunities, facilities and specialist staff to fully support and develop these interests? Is the current school the right size for your child? Is the current school too small leading to lack of oppor tunities? Or is it too big leaving your child feeling lost in the crowd? Thailand offers a wide, sometimes overwhelming choice of reputable international schools, many boasting impressive facilities, a strong academic record and a rich programme of subjects and co-curricular opportunities; factors which may well inform the initial comparison of competing schools. With 69% A or A* grades at IGCSE, and 75% A*, A or B grades at A-level Shrewsbury’s enviable academic record, combined with reputation of musical and sporting excellence are a strong draw for ambitious young learners. Above this, however, families need to be convinced that a new school will support the unique individual needs of their child and allow them to thrive. There is of course a strong emotional element to the decisionmaking process, especially where a child is moving away from familiar surroundings and established friendship groups. For those changing schools ahead of important public examinations, it is particularly crucial that they settle quickly and do not feel distracted or overwhelmed by the change in scenery at this pivotal moment in their studies. The most important investment than any school can make is an investment of time and resources to both understand and respond
to the individual needs and circumstances of the students in its care. At Shrewsbury we go to great lengths to ensure that every child in our community is given both the opportunities to explore their interests, and the specialist, structured support they need to thrive. High adult:child ratios inside the classroom, a particularly important consideration for our youngest learners, are complimented by the support of specialist personnel across every aspect of learning; from teachers, tutors, Learning Mentors, and dedicated Special Educational Needs and English language specialists. Our school house system and extensive programme of co-curricular activities also ensures that even students who are new to our school gain an instant sense of identity and belonging, and are able to reap the benefits of individual and shared achievements outside the classroom. Crucially, this structured support is coupled with an increasing emphasis on independence as students progress through the school. We teach our students to think independently, to challenge and discuss rather than be treated as empty vessels to be filled with facts. This approach gives them the lifeskills to prepare for and succeed in the next stage in their learning, whether at Shrewsbury or beyond. Our specially developed transition programmes ensure that students understand what lies ahead, and that they have the information they need to succeed as they take the next steps in their learning journey: from Early Years to Junior, from Junior to Senior and from GCSE to A-level. We pride ourself on helping children make these transitions, irrespective of whether a child is new to the school or whether he/she has been there since the age of 3. Learning to adopt change is a key component of the experience and an invaluable lesson for life. Schools across the world have the responsibility to educate their students for careers in industries that have yet to be invented.This requires both the students and the curriculum they study to be flexible and to focus on other higher order skills, analysis and evaluation. Shrewsbury students learn to master key transferable skills; Communication, Collaboration and Creative problem solving. Our aim is to enable students to think for themselves to develop skills and the attitude to become lifelong learners.
In adopting this approach, the teaching and learning that takes place in Years 7, 8 and 9 lay the foundations for General Certificate of Secondary Education or IGCSE courses for Years 10 and 11, and even for the A level examinations taken in Years 12 and 13. Public examinations may appear to be a distant consideration for children aged 11 or even younger. However, the knowledge, skills and work habits that are introduced
and adopted even at this young age are all part of the preparation, part of the recipe for future success. To find out more about Shrewsbur y Inter national School please call Ilka Hodapp 02 675 1888 ext. 1110 or visit www.Shrewsbury.ac.th
April 2015 • ScandAsia.Thailand 31
Sukhumvit 53 (Adjacent Thong Lo BTS) T: 0 2260 7890 | www.bkkprep.ac.th
“PREParing students for life in an international community�
Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions that you will ever make. Bangkok International Preparatory & Secondary School (Bangkok Prep) provides children with the opportunity to experience the very best educational practice, in line with a broad curriculum primarily based on the National Curriculum of England. All of our highly qualified and committed teaching staff are experienced in the delivery of this curriculum. Our Primary School offers an excellent environment for children from 3 to 11 years of age to acquire and develop all the important skills, knowledge and understanding that they need for a successful transition to Secondary School. We foster mutual respect; trust and understanding in our school which ensures all children feel valued and included. Teaching and learning is personalised to each learner and follows a creative thematic approach, where children learn in real life contexts and develop a set of skills that will enable them to progress to the next stage in their educational life. In the Secondary School, Bangkok Prep provides a rigorous learning path for students aged 11 to 18 years. Our students study the internationally recognised qualifications of IGCSE, in Year 10 and 11 followed by the A Level programme, in Year 12 and 13 (also known as the Sixth Form). We ensure that our students meet the standards required by prestigious universities around the world. We are highly committed to developing our students academically and are dedicated to equipping our students with the virtues and strengths to serve them for the rest of their lives.
University Acceptances Bangkok Prep is proud of its Secondary students for being offered a place in the following prestigious universities: Boston University, USA; Chulalongkorn University, Thailand; Florida Institute of Technology; USA; The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HK; Illinois Institute of Technology, USA; Nanyang Technological University, SG; NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering, USA; SOAS University of London, UK; University of the Arts London, St. Martins, UK; University of Queensland, Australia; Worcester Polytechnic Institute, USA. (This list is from Academic Years 2012-2014).
International Student Body
57%
Non-Thai
43% Thai
Non-Thai 57%
Thai 43%
*Data updated as of August 2014
The Location Bangkok Prep is located in a safe, secure and prime residential area of Bangkok, situated adjacent to the Thong Lo BTS skytrain station in the hearth of the Sukhumvit area. It is considered by many to be the most conveniently located international school in Bangkok.
Nurturing each child to become a life-long learner
The Primary Years IB World School Constantly Evolving The Magic Years that children and parents have grown to love is evolving. To achieve our long-term vision of providing quality education to an increasing number of families, Magic Years has begun to construct a new campus in Nonthaburi near Nichada Thani . The school’s new facility provides a sizeable setting for a likewise expanded learning program comprising the early years up to Grade 5. Similarly complementing the school’s expanded objectives is a Specialized Primary Program, which upholds the principle of ensuring students are afforded modern and well-maintained facilities.
Purpose-built Campus The new campus site has been designed to high standards and comprises purpose-built components including:
Spaces designed for collaboration and innovation Library learning commons Outdoor sports and play facilities 21st-century technologies and infrastructure
Related elements within the Specialized Primary Program include inter-school exchange opportunities for students such as sports events, joint field trips and online networking. Indeed just as preschool and kindergarten children enter a delightful environment where important learning takes place, primary students undertake serious study that’s rounded out with many engaging activities.
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As an IB World School, and the first stand-alone Kindergarten in Thailand to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP), Magic Years International Kindergarten is committed to educating the whole child by developing the intellectual, physical, social, emotional and spiritual domains. Its well-rounded program is intended to equip children with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to succeed in today’s world.
Leader in the Early Years Over the course of more than two decades, Magic Years has gained a reputation as one of Thailand’s leading early years institutions. Its abundant experience in early childhood education has meant a considerably enriching experience for children. Indeed children who have attended Magic Years over the years have received the kind of early nurturing and guidance that lead to sound learning dispositions, academic achievement, and purposeful action coupled with responsible citizenship.
Quality Programs All children, from newborn to the Primary Years, become part of a vibrant and dynamic learning community at Magic Years, whose programs are designed to instill a life-long zeal for learning.
Mommy & Me (0-1 years) Trust & Caring (1-2 years) Joy & Confidence (2-3 years) Peace & Unity (3-4 years)
instagram.com/magicyears
Creativity & Service (pre-K) Excellence (Kindergarten) Grade 1 Grade 2
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59/307-8 Chaengwattana Soi 29, Pakkred, Nonthaburi 11120 Email: office@magicyears.ac.th www.magicyears.ac.th
Garden International School Student - centred learning for children from 2 to 18* years of age
Your choice. Their future. Our family. *Internatio na for student l A-Level departmen t sa open in Au ged 16 to 18 will contact the gust 2016. Please sch Alevels@g ool for more details . ardenbangk ok.com
Bangkok Campus
34/3-4 Yen Akart Road, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120 Thailand Tel : +66(0)2 249-1880 Fax : +66(0)2 249-1943 Email : info@gardenbangkok.com www.facebook.com/Garden.International.School.Bangkok www.gardenbangkok.com www.twitter.com/gisbangkok www.youtube.com/gisbangkok
Rayong Campus
188/24 Moo 4, Pala-Ban Chang Road, Tambon Pala Amphure Ban Chang, Rayong 21130 Thailand Tel : +66(0)38 880360-3 Fax : +66(0)38 030805 www..gardenrayong.com Email: enquiries@gardenrayong.com
Bangkok Campus: Playgroup every Monday from 2.30pm. to 3.30pm. Ages 8 months to 2 years.
Nyborg Gymnasium has stx, hf, IB and boarding school
International School of Bergen
Danish upper-secondary school environment with an international agenda. Nyborg Gymnasium addresses the growing internationalisation with programmes, study streams and a boarding school, which makes the ‘international’ the order of the day. The students at Nyborg Gymnasium have an eye open onto the world, and they are fully capable of exploring this in school. This happens, for example, if stay at the boarding school with other young people from all over the world, or if they are students in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, where all subjects are taught in English. Over recent years, Nyborg Gymnasium has expanded and rebuilt school facilities to ensure that the framework for the tuition is updated and inspiring. The latest addition to the school is a new building for the sciences, and a special ‘language’ zone. At the boarding school the students have their own rooms, a strong community, and a kitchen, with focus on organic cooking, providing the meals of the day. Nyborg Gymnasium ….en route to the world
nternational School of Bergen (ISB) is situated on the west coast of Norway and offers an English language learning environment to students between the ages of 3 and 16. Our mission is to provide an internationally accredited education serving the business and Bergen communities. The educational programme of the International School of Bergen (ISB) has been developed to help prepare its students for a successful future. ISB is accredited by the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges in addition to being authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization to offer their Primary Years and Middle Years programmes.
A
NYBORG GYMNASIUM - an alternative to the Danish ‘Studentereksamen’
International School of Bergen Vilhelm Bjerknesvei 15, 5081 Bergen, Norway Phone: +4755306330 Fax: +4755306331 Website: www.isob.no E-mail: post@isob.no
• internationally recognized • gives admission to universities all over the world • taught in English You can stay at Nyborg Gymnasium’s boarding school. Contact us for more information about theprogramme and the boarding school.
www.nyborg-gym.dk Tlf +45 65 31 02 17
ENGELSKSPRÅKLIG PRIVATSKOLE FOR BARN OG UNGDOM MELLOM 3 OG 16 Få elever i hver klasse Trygt læringsmiljø med god individuell oppfølging God kontakt med foreldre Internasjonalt godkjente og utfordrende læreplaner Utmerkede resultater i internasjonale og norske nasjonalprøver Sentral beliggenhet med bybanestopp rett utenfor døren Contact us for more information: www.isob.no eller post@isob.no 36 ScandAsia.Thailand • April 2015
Our students and staff All teacher s hold univer sity degrees and appropriate teaching qualifications. Classes are small, and with students and staff representing more than thir ty different nationalities, we pride ourselves in having a welcoming and including community. ISB was founded in 1975, giving us nearly 40 years of experience as an educational institution.
International Baccalaureate
• • • • • •
I
Persistent parents
Danish Children
without mother tongue language In Thailand, the Danish children have not the same home language education as children from the other Nordic countries. The parents need to organize themselves like in Singapore. By Louise Bihl Frandsen
W
hile Finns and Swedes are or ganizing mother tongue language lessons for their children at the international schools in Thailand, and Norwegians have pr ivate teachers, many Danish parents are educating their children themselves. It is not as effective, secretary from Danish Supplementary School in Singapore says. Mai Ellegaard is Danish and her husband is from Thailand. The older of their two sons, Eivind, is seven years old. Like many children with different cultural backgrounds, he is registered at an international school - in this case NIST, in Bangkok. In school Eivind learns to speak Thai and English. However, it is important for Mai that he learns to speak Danish as well. But Danish is not offered as a supplementary course at the school, so she is teaching him at home with educational materials from Danes Worldwide. “The material is so well prepared that you
as a parent easily can adapt it. But if there was a Danish teacher who could teach the children with materials from Danes Worldwide, I would definitely consider using that oppor tunity,” she says. According to Line Klitgaard, secretar y at Danish Supplementar y School in Singapore, there is a huge difference between educating children at home and having them in classes with other Danish children. “I do not believe that home schooling with your parents is as motivating and effective as the interaction with other children in a classroom,” the secretary says. Line Klitgaard has two children herself and is a former schoolteacher. Her daughter is registered at one of the international schools in Singapore and is taught Danish as a supplement.
Mai Ellegaard is a volunteer for Danes Worldwide. She meets a lot of Danish parents, who want their children to maintain or learn mother tongue language. “I have been asking everyone; ‘Do you know a Danish teacher?’, but it is difficult to find a well educated one. Secondly there is a long distance between the schools in Thailand - it makes it even more difficult to arrange,” she says. In Singapore mother tongue language has become very popular. This summer, two of the international schools in Singapore, German European School (GESS) and Overseas Family School (OFS), will start a brand new scheme - mother tongue language will now be a part of the schedule and not just a supplementary course. “It is a mixture of very persistent parents and new scientific knowledge. The international schools now see how impor tant it is for a third culture child to be taught in their mother tongue language,” the secretar y from Danish Supplementary School says. Line Klitgaard emphasizes that Bangkok is much different than the city of Singapore regarding traffic and distance, and that it makes it difficult to organize a school network. But she believes that if the parents really want it, it is possible.
Not just a language For more than 16 years, Holger Jensen was a Danish schoolteacher in Thailand. He offered both private lessons and had classes at the international school NIST, who provides free classrooms for foreign languages. During Holger Jensen’s time as a teacher, he had almost 700 students. In his opinion the mother tongue language is very important for the children. “Danish has an unique status for many of the children. The children were highly motivated - although many of them received Danish lessons after the schedule at the international schools and therefore were exhausted,” he says. But in June 2013, Holger retired. Since then no one took over, and Danish children have been educated at home by their parents - some have
Mai Ellegaard is using the material for distance learning provided by “Danes Worldwide”. Photo at top from www.danses.dk April 2015 • ScandAsia.Thailand 37
Q&A
Reader profile of the month
Torsten Edens
T
orsten Edens, 49, moved to Vietnam with his wfe Mona and 16 year old daughter Sophia in January 2014 to work as Managing Director for Diethelm Travel. Working in tghen travel industry, Torsten has overv the years lived in “around 20 countries”. His daughter Sophia star ted at UNIS in Hanoi and is going for the IB program. I decided to move to Vietnam... because it was a great opportunity and I instantly felt a great affection for the country and its people. Runnning a travel agency in Vietnam has taught me... not to judge the book by it’s cover, the Vietnamese might not be smiling as much as the Thais but they are fantastic, have a great sense of humor and are hardworking and qualified.
When I moved to Vietnam I wish I had known... how cold it gets in the winter here in Hanoi, actually it is usually colder inside the houses than outside. Living outside of Scandinavia has made me realize... how narrow minded and fixated with 1st world problems we have become in Scandinavia. Live and let live and don’t worry too much about a bus that is 5 min delayed or if your internet connection is a bit slow. Your rights come with obligations and we become too much focused on our rights and do not want to contribute. It is a great shame and shows how petty we have become. Since I became an expat... traditions like Christmas have become more about quality and less about quantity. I love that everything looks normal until 7 days before Xmas and it is all removed the day after Xmas. We don’t over eat in sweets and Danish food and Xmas lunches with hangovers are - almost - a thing of the past.
In my spare time... I try to see as much of Vietnam as I can, I do trail running wherever I can and that is a great way to get close to the nature.
Finding a school for my daughter... was relatively easy. In her age there was only two options and UNIS was by far the better choice, apart from that they have a great reputation worldwide and doors to further education will be open in all continents for her.
It never ceases to amaze me... when I drive to work every morning in the traffic here in Hanoi and I don’t see accidents all over the place.The traffic is almost organic and every little piece of pavement is used.
In Vietnam I have picked up the habit of.... smoking too much. But it kind of filters the dust in the air.
I will never get tired of ... the old Quarter in Hanoi with its constant life and mixture of new and old. The worst thing about doing business in Vietnam... is the constant change of rules and regulations which means that you are never completely certain of what the law says. Sometimes the laws that are passed makes absolutely no sense what so ever. 38 ScandAsia.Thailand • April 2015
The Scandinavian community in Hanoi is... relatively small. Actually, we have not been seeking out Scandinavians so far. To satisfy my social needs... I go out for a Bia Hoi with my staff or run in the Hanoi Hash House Harriers I will return to Denmark when... not really. I am enjoying it too much here!
been attending a three weeks summer school - and some Danish children are not learning or speaking their mother tongue language at all. That is a shame, Holger thinks. “A language is not just a lot of words, grammar and some phrases. A language is a culture courier.” Mai Ellegaard agrees, and she believes that Holger’s retirement has been a big loss for many of the children in Thailand. Approximate two years ago, she decided to stop working to have more time with her children. But she meets families that do not have the same possibility to educate their children. And that is a problem, she thinks. “The children miss the opportunity to go to Denmark and receive education, if they want to do so one day - and they loose the connection to their roots,” she says. Exactly this is one of the main reasons, why Holger Jensen thinks his students were so motivated for learning Danish. “They could see the meaning in learning the language. The children cannot only use it at home, but also in Denmark, when the family goes home on vacation,” he says. Holger also experienced that many parents were very aware of returning to Denmark one day, and that the children would have to go back to a Danish school. “The parents wanted to help their children as much as possible,” Holger says.
Swedish success Agneta de Bekassy has been working with the Swedish school organization in Thailand for a couple of years now. The organization was established by a group of parents in 1970, and it works closely together with Swedish Women Educational Association (SWEA) and the Swedish church. Agneta is teaching children in four different international schools in Thailand: Patana, ISB, KIS and NIST. “I cannot see any reason why Danes should not be able to start an organization like ours. If there are enough families who want their children to brush up, start or just learn Danish as beginners, I think they should do so,” she says. All together the organization has around 25 children and five teachers.
A Danish teacher It is impor tant for Mai Ellegaard that the educational material is approved by the Danish Ministr y of Education, because this makes it possible for the Danish children to enter the Danish educational system later on in their lives. She is now in contact with a potential Danish teacher in Thailand, and she has been talking with Danes Worldwide and the international schools in Thailand about starting something up together. It is still not as simple, as she thought to begin with. “And furthermore, I do not know, how many parents would be interested, and I need other people to help me organize it. I cannot do this by myself,” she says.
มุมภาษาไทย l mum pha:să: thai l Thai Language Corner
Getting down to Business in Thai By Klavs Johansen (thai@snakthai.dk)
T
his month, we will look at some useful words for working and doing business in Thailand. Obviously, you will not master Thai to a negotiation level just by reading the following, not even close (unless you already did), however, it may get you started and help you catch a word now and then to gather the essence of what is talked about when the language of meetings and discussions from time to time may change into Thai. Let’s tune in with a few keywords. As usual you could read them out with a Thai close to you:
ธุรกิจ / thúrákìt / ~ business, นักธุรกิจ / nák thúrákìt / ~ a business person, ทำ�ธุรกิจ / tham thúrákìt / ~ to do business, งาน / nga:n / ~ work, ทำ�งาน / tham nga:n / ~ to work, ที่ทำ�งาน / thî: tham nga:n / ~ work place, บริษัท / bor:rísàt / ~ company, เจ้าของ / jâo khŏr:ng / ~ owner, ออฟฟิส / orfít / ~ office, โรงงาน / ro:ng nga:n / ~ factory, ผลิต / phàlìt / ~ to produce, manufacture, ขาย / khă:i / ~ to sell, ซื้อ / súe: / ~ to buy. So we get:
คุณทำ�งานอะไร / khun tham nga:n àrai / ~ what’s your job? เป็นเจ้าของบริษัท / pen jâo khŏr:ng bor:rísàt / ~ (I) am company owner.
From the organization chart we may take the following common departments, ฝ่าย / fà:i /:
คณะกรรมการ / kháná’ kammáka:n / ~ board of directors,
ฝ่ายจัดการ / fà:i jàtka:n / ~ management department, ฝ่ายขาย / fà:i khă:i / ~ sales department, ฝ่ายจัดซื้อ / fà:i jàt súe: /~ purchasing department, ฝ่ายบุคคล / fà:i bùkkhon / ~ personnel department, ฝ่ายผลิต / fà:i phàlìt / ~ production department, ฝ่ายวิศวกรรม / fà:i wísàwákam / ~ engineering department, ฝ่ายบัญชี / fà:i banchi: /~ accounting department. And the following common positions, ตำ�แหน่ง / tamnàeng /: ประธาน / pràtha:n / ~ chairperson (of the board), กรรมการ / kammáka:n / ~ director, กรรมการผู้จัดการ / kammáka:n phû: jàt ka:n / ~ managing director, ผูจ้ ดั การฝ่าย / phû: jàt ka:n fà:i / ~ department manager, ที่ปรึกษา / thî: prùeksă: / ~ consultant, เลขา / le:khă: / ~ secretary, ผู้ช่วย / phû: chûai / ~ assistant, พนักงาน / phánák nga:n / ~ employee, คนขับรถ / khon khàp rót / ~ driver. So we get:
คุณมีตำ�แหน่งอะไร / khun mi: tamnàeng àrai / ~ which position do you hold? เป็นพนักงานขาย / pen phánák nga:n khă:i / ~ (I) am a salesperson.
Common work and business activities in no particular order are: นัด / nát / ~ appointment, to make an appointment with (someone),
มาพบ / ma: phóp / ~ to come to see, ไปพบ / pai phóp / ~ to go to see, ประชุม / pràchum / ~ meeting, to have a meeting, ปรึกษา / prùeksă: / ~ to consult, ลา / la: / ~ to take leave, ลาพัก / la: phák / ~ to take vacation,
ลาป่วย / la: pùai / ~ to be on sick leave, ลาออก / la: òr:k / ~ to resign, จ่าย / jà:i / ~ to pay.
And, finally, a few common business tools and terms:
เงิน / ngoen / ~ money, งบ / ngóp / ~ budget, รายได้ / ra:i dâ:i / ~ income, ค่าใช้จ่าย / khâ: chá:i jà:i / ~ expenses, ต้นทุน / tôn thun / ~ cost, capital, ลงทุน / long thun / ~ to invest, การลงทุน / ka:n long thun / ~ investment, ราคา / ra:kha: / ~ price, ลด / lót / ~ to reduce, เพิ่ม / phôe:m / ~ to increase (something), กำ�ไร / kamrai / ~ profit, ขาดทุน / khà:t thun / ~ loss, หุ้น / hûn / ~ shares, ผู้ถือหุ้น / phû: thŭe: hûn / ~ shareholder, ดอกเบี้ย / dòr:k bîa / ~ interests, ภาษี / pha:sĭ: / ~ tax.
Phew! That became a lot of words this month, but if you have ever par ticipated in business meetings where Thai is spoken, you are bound to have heard several of them and, if you participate in such meetings on a reoccurring basis, keeping a copy of this column, should help you put the time to good use. โชคดีนะ / chô:k di: ná’ / ~ good luck, and remember that you can ask questions or suggest topics to be treated at the Thai Language Corner by contacting us on the email above.
April 2015 • ScandAsia.Thailand 39
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