ScandAsia Thailand - July 2017

JULY 2017

Not the average gamer:

Pontus made a career of playing PC BUSINESS The Cabinet 20 years celebrated in Hua Hin

LIFESTYLE Vana Nava Water Jungle Hua Hin

COMMUNITY

KIDS’ CORNER

Nordic Networking held in Chinatown

Bounce Trampoline Park

17 JULY 20

Past Events

Introducing Danish ’hygge’ in Bangkok

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Bounce

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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- , Fax: +66 2 943 7169 E-mail: news@scandasia.com Editor-in-Chief : Gregers A.W. Møller gregers@scandmedia.com Managing Editor: Joakim Persson Joakim@scandmedia.com Journalist: Nadja Dam Jensen 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 : Inthanon Interprint Co., Ltd.

Daily news and features here: www.scandasia.com

Text and photos: Nadja Dam Jensen

W

hen trying to introduce the Danish phenomenon ‘hygge’ to people who are somewhat unfamiliar with it, bringing in some elements of ‘hygge’ might be a good help. Cosy interior, comfy stools, books everywhere, coffee and cake were surrounding the many people who showed up at the launch of the ‘Little Book of Hygge – the Danish way to live well’ on Sunday 11 June 2017.

Thinkspace B2S at Central Festival Eastville welcomed Uffe Wolffhechel, Ambassador of Denmark to Thailand, to talk about ‘hygge’ and what the phenomenon means to him.

“Hygge is about finding a little space of time where you just appreciate the people around you, away from the hurries and worries of everyday life,” he said. “It can be just sitting down with your family, drinking coffee with your colleague by the coffeemaker, preparing a meal together.”

After his speech about his idea of ‘hygge’ the Ambassador joined Patcharin Pattanabunpaiboon, executive editor at Thailand Creative and Design Center, and Jiraporn Wiwa, life style writer at Dichan Magazine, for a talk about implementing ‘hygge’ in Thai everyday life.

A big question from the Thai’s were whether Denmark being a welfare state and being so good at ‘hygge’ were somehow interlinked, stating that Danes maybe have more time for it.

However, the Ambassador did not believe it the case, saying ‘hygge’ is for everyone, and something you can always find time for, no matter what else is going on.

“It is not a matter of material wealth, it is more of a mind frame,” he said.

Patcharin Pattanabunpaiboon and Jiraporn Wiwa agreed that it could actually be very simple to ‘hygge’. Wiva said that was one of the things that was the most eye opening for her.

“I was impressed that you can find ‘hygge’ even when everything is busy and rough,” she said.

“It is about time management. Find that small time or space for ‘hygge.’ Remind yourself that it is important to find time for happiness and fun, even when life is busy and stressful,” said Pattanabunpaiboon.

23-year-old Tarn attended the book launch with a group of friends. She did not know about the concept of ‘hygge’ before, but feels very inspired about the idea of finding a space in her day, that can help her relax.

“I think it is important to ‘hygge’ because we have so many things to do. When my head gets all bombed, finding time for ‘hygge’ can make me feel better,” says Tarn.

Two others who were at the launch were Man and Fern, who both thought that ‘hygge’ was about simple life, and finding ways to be happy in a simple way.

“I like the idea of ‘hygge’ simply being spending time with my family while we are all doing our thing,” said Fern.

“Playing a game, is for me, the best thing. And drinking a cup of coffee in the morning. I feel so calm,” said Man on what ‘hygge’ could be for him.

Jazz diva Malene Mortensen returned to Thailand

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anish modern jazz and pop singer Malene Mortensen was back performing in Thailand in June. She gave a shor t “warm-up” concer t on Thursday 22 June at Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, before heading to Hua Hin International Jazz Festival 2017 and her concert there on the Saturday.

The concert was held in the French loungestyle venue L’Appart in celebration of the World Music Day well known as “La Fête de La Musique 2017”.

As Malene, clearly expecting a baby, posed for a photograph she told ScandAsia that she had been in Thailand many times before. No wonder, given Thailand, and the record label and event organizer Hitman Jazz’s love affair with Scandinavian, and Danish in particular, jazz!

At L’Appar t Malene and her keyboardist started off with her own track ‘Desperado’ and also performed ‘Another Day’ as well as the title track of the in Thailand released album ‘You belong to me’.This album, released in June 2016 in Thailand, included Thai musician Koh Mr.Saxman on saxophone!

And as she was singing “dance with me” in another tune, she invited a senior man, most likely a Dane, to dance with her!

She then said – when it was time to play a song written by the late His Majesty the King

Community

Bhumibol Adulyadej Rama 9 of Thailand – that she was honoured to be asked to do saw.

The performance of this beautiful melody was welcome with loud applause.

Saturday she performs in Hua Hin, on the beach stage at 7.15 pm and the progressive jazz band Jazzkamikaze, also from Denmark performs the same night at 10.00 pm.

A modern stylish hotel centrally located in the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok, only 7 minutes away Hotel Bangkok also offers a wide variety of services

Sanctuary Wellness & Spa, Fitness Centre, Pool Bar just some of the unique services which provide our

July 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 3

July 2017

ScandAsia Community

Ambassador Uffe Wolffhechel

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Swedish representatives visited RECOFTC Vana Nava Water Jungle Hua Hin Nordic Networking held in Chinatown

Introducing the Danish concept ‘hygge’

10 E-Sport Professional gamer Pontus Hähler

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ScandAsia Business 11 Restaurant of the month

Rang Mahal at Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok

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Ms. Malene Mortensen Danish jazz diva once again performed in Thailand

13 B&O Play launch

Bang & Olufsens new store in Bangkok

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13 Volvo Trucks Thailand Swedish Embassy visit

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Mr. and Mrs. Hogane

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4 ScandAsia.Thailand • July 2017

Community

Swedish representatives visit Trat mangrove forest restoration

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n 20-21 April, RECOFTC, a regional organization for sustainable community forestry, and partners visited mangrove forest communities in Prednai and Tha Ra Nae in Trat province, Thailand to learn from their forest restoration journey. The delegation included the Ambassador of the Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok H.E. Staffan Herrström, the Ambassador of the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangkok, and representatives from the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Bangkok and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Communities living in Trat province in Thailand are restoring the mangrove forest, mobilizing for sustainable use of the natural resources available.

Recoftc has a strong partnership supported by Sida through the Swedish Embassy.

“The field trip to Trat province with Recoftc was an extremely inspiring experience. First and foremost because of the people we met, their dedication to community forestr y, and their ways of preserving nature and improving their livelihoods. The results are impressive. We had the opportunity to experience, hands on, the magic of the restored mangrove forests – it was just unforgettable. I was particularly happy to see how youth from the communities have become engaged. We are proud to be a partner of such a professional organization,” said Swedish Ambassador Staffan Herrström, Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok.

The field visit aimed to deepen understanding of the par ticipants of the current situation of community forestr y and natural resource management in Thailand, through interactions with local people in the Prednai community mangrove forest and its network. The trip also explored the impacts of Recoftc’s work with partners to enhance local community capacities for sustainable forest management.

Local community members have developed and are actively implementing a community management plan for the sustainable management

of forests and natural resources, reports Recoftc.

The plan is comprised of research, information dissemination, and conser vation, networking with other sub-districts, and capacity building for the community. As a result, the community has improved their livelihoods and the sustainable use forests. For example, the Prednai community established a Mangrove Community Forest Fund, which was used to buy a degraded area that was formerly a shrimp farming area of about 20 hectares, and has successfully rehabilitated the mangrove ecosystems and increased mangrove forest area.

Recoftc – The Center for People and Forests – has been the primary institution for promoting community forestry in Asia and the Pacific since its inception in 1987. By building the capacity of the various stakeholders – from communities to governments to non-governmental organizations and the private sector – Recoftc has worked in partnership to improve the policies, institutions and practices of community forestry in the region.

More than 450 million people in Asia and the Pacific are dependent on forests for part of their livelihoods – for food, fuel, fodder and other forest products – as well as for environmental services such as water and microclimate regulation, biodiversity and cultural conservation. Despite many positive developments, these forests are still subject to wide-scale degradation and conversion, and are becoming fragmented within increasingly diverse and intensively used landscapes. This often creates negative impacts for local people, particularly the poor and excluded, as well as on national and global issues such as climate change.

Community forestry and related communitybased forest landscape management has proven to be an effective approach for reducing forest loss and degradation and improving forest conservation and restoration. It is a powerful approach for improving the rights, governance and fairer access to benefits of local people and smallholders and consequently, their livelihoods

and food security. There is increasing national policy support for this approach in many forested countries in the Asia and the Pacific region, and greater interest in more sustainable forest management by national entities and international agencies.

An independent stakeholder review conducted in 2013 confirmed that Recoftc is deemed highly relevant, has a recognized niche, and is effective in contributing to the outcomes desired by national governments and development partners.

This strategic plan for 2013-2018 builds upon the gains of the previous phase and identifies clearer strategic outcomes that Recoftc hopes to achieve through partnerships during the next five years. Emerging issues such as landscape approaches, food, water and energy security and rural out-migration, and their linkages to community forestry will be explored. Recoftc will also strengthen its rights-based approach founded on the three underlying principles that strong and secure rights, good governance and fair benefits are the basis of sustainable forest management.

Source: Recoftc, Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok July 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 5

Community

Vana Nava

Water Jungle Hua Hin:

Excitement on all levels!

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or those new to water parks, or used to a very limited number of choices for amusement parks in these Thailand waters, we’ve got news for you! And what could be better than to find this in the Scandinavians’ favourite seaside resort of Hua Hin! Additions in recent years have certainly raised the bar a few notches for what one can get to experience, where ‘Vana Nava Water Jungle’ in Hua Hin is a flagship entertainment complex in terms of achieving this.

Located at the southern end of town this waterpark is designed as a tropical jungle, where visitors get to spend most of the time in touch with water, be it by the swim-up bar, the manmade beach or bobbing along the 345-metre long Lazy River, where one snakes through the tropical jungle landscape.

And tropical it is; given the location it is remarkable how lush and jungle-like this waterpark feels! The by now full-grown 200,000 trees and plants certainly make things green.

Especially parents will feel concerned about security and safety when entering an entertainment park of this kind, and Vana Nava Water Jungle gives a strong feeling of that this is of utmost concern also to the operator. The strong safety starts already at the entrance where all hand luggage is carefully checked.

Lockers are available and just by topping up one’s smart wristband one can enjoy the entire visit without having to carry cash, credit cards, 6 ScandAsia.Thailand • July 2017

or even mobile phones (instead order photos automatically captured within the park)!

Once inside, every ride and slide is managed by dedicated lifeguards (holding int. certificates), ensuring that each and every guest ride takes place safely and in an orderly manner, using radio combined with yellow and red flags.

Even the swim-up bar ‘Fisherman’s Tavern’ in the Infinity Pool has a lifeguard overlooking guests chilling with drinks – by the way an excellent spot for adults and a relaxing respite.

In terms of excitement and fun – from toddlers to adults – there is something everyone!

As for the 19 world-class attractions these all come from a world-leading slide manufacturer from Canada, supplier to many thousands of waterparks worldwide.

And what’s with ‘Vana Nava’? These names are ancient Sanskrit, meaning “forest” and “boat” – and forms two creatures, based on a local legend in the small fishing village. You can buy them as souvenirs in the excellent gift and clothes shop by the entrance.

Of course this water park also features its own beach with artificial waves, where one can also rent a private BeachHut or cabana, taking a party up to 8 people.

Rain Fortress is, meanwhile, the child-friendly pool and splash area.

But for those coming here for the thrills there are two main “clusters” where one walks up stairs and often brings one of the inflatable

rafts provided. At 13 metres ‘Rattler’ takes you through a series of cylinders. The orange ‘Inner Tube’ takes you through slides, dramatics twists and turns. Or get launched into a giant ‘Super Bowl’ while natural forces keep you stuck along the wall before dropping you down into the pool below. Then don’t miss the ‘Master Blaster’ tunnel, this gravity-defying ride soaring uphill at speeds of up 45 km/h with hair raising drops.

Going further up to the 18-metre platform for the more daring - things get very exciting, as the “level” of challenge of the rides also increases.

‘Freefall’ drops you straight down at 50 km/h! And then the vertical looping slide, ‘Aqualoop’: here you enter a kind “cockpit” where you are dropped down; reaching a speed of up 60 km/h that takes your body up-side-down through a loop… Weak knees? You bet.

Another climb takes you up to take-off on Vana Nava’s other biggest rides. They are: ‘Abyss’ (green-blue hued and resembling a gigantic version of yesteryear’s funnel gramophone, or a megaphone), where up to six people can soar together to a height of 28 metres, share multiple, near-ver tical spins and then plummet into a huge funnel at high speed; and the 179-metre long ‘Boomerang’ where you get to experience weightlessness as you shoot up and down a wall at up to 45 km/h before splashing down into a pool over 20 metres below.

Are you ready to ride!?

July 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 7

Community

Nordic networking explores

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Text and photos: Joakim Persson n 9 May an unusual Nordic networ king took place in Bangkok. Not that Nordic business networking events as such are very common either in Bangkok but what was really unusual was the location for the event: Chinatown!

The Nordic Chambers of Commerce in Thailand hosted this Axis Communicationssponsored event, where attendants got to know a bit, a teaser, about an area most people rarely visit and cannot easily penetrate without having an insider’s knowledge and network. But one should; not least for its culture and the many clusters of equipment and retail goods that lacks a parallel anywhere in the country!

Swedish-managed Hotel Royal Bangkok Chinatown stood host to the event, which was the destination of a guided walk tour that preceded the actual event as such.

A good crowd of around 30 people had gathered before sunset at the exit of Hua Lamphong MRT station – to be guided just as tourists normally are. And indeed the guide did not seem to have a clue that we were residents of Bangkok – some of whom have been here more than 30 years – and saw the group as tourists. It felt awkward to get general tourist advice, the likes of dos and don’ts. In hindsight though it was somewhat interesting to get to hear what these tour guides actually do tell visitors, and reflecting on the truthfulness in it based on one’s own experiences.

8 ScandAsia.Thailand • July 2017

And along the walk those not ‘in the know’ did get some interesting insights about sightseeing spots of significance.

Samphanthawong is the Bangkok district regarded as Bangkok’s Chinatown. It is the smallest district in area but has the highest population density of Bangkok’s districts. The area has been a Chinese community since the early days of Bangkok.

The first stop was the gilded temple Wat Traimit Wararam Worawiharn (Wat Sam Chin) with its legendary golden Buddha Maha Suwan Sculpture (Luang Pho Dang).

This is a massive golden statue of Buddha with a thrilling history, told in a permanent exhibition.

It is officially titled Phra Phuttha Maha Suwana Patimakona and is a gold statue, with a weight of 5.5 tons (5,500 kilograms).

In February 2010 a large new building was inaugurated to house the Gold Buddha. The building also contains the Bangkok Chinatown Heritage Centre.

The origins of this statue are uncertain. It is made in the Sukhothai Dynasty style of the 13th14th centuries, though it could have been made after that time.

At some point, the statue was completely plastered over to prevent it from being stolen.

The statue was covered with a thick layer of stucco, which was painted and inlaid with bits of coloured glass. And only in 1955, by accident, gold surface underneath was discovered.

Next stop was the Chinatown Gate in

the middle of the Odeon traffic circle, which marks the ceremonial entrance to one end of Chinatown.

The gate, we learned, was built relatively recently in 1999 to commemorate the King’s 72nd bir thday, and it celebrates the cultural diversity of the modern city. The gate was just one of the most notable projects that marked the transition of Chinatown from a rather seedy district into a tourist destination in its own right.

Offerings and prayers are made at the gate, especially during the annual Chinese New Year celebrations.

Hotel Royal Bangkok Chinatown on Yaowarat road (a street constructed in 1892 during the reign of King Chulalongkorn) is an old hotel that was recently renamed and completely refurbished. It features a rooftop pool and sky venue, with panorama views over Chinatown towards Chao Phraya river. Its Swedish General Manager Nicklas Moberg introduced the hotel as he welcomed all the Nordic guests to the networking event.

Talking of ‘Nordic’ it must be said the representation of several of the Nordic countries was week, despite this being the only joint networking this spring. It seemed like this being a result of that all the four chambers had not equally promoted this networking event – which puts into question the very idea of having these Nordic gatherings in Bangkok. The venue was stunning so those who did not know about it or opted not to show up can only have regrets!

After Nicklas the Thai-Swedish Chamber of

Chinatown: tourists anew Commerce’s President Mr Eric Hallin briefly took over the microphone to also welcome all guests, followed by Sweden’s Ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Staffan Herrström.

Since the event took place on the same date as the EU’s European Day, the ambassador wished everyone: “Happy Europe day!” He reminded everyone present that peace and democracy cannot be taken for granted.

He held a brief speech in connection to the evening’s sponsor and presentation of the Swedish company that has turned global and is highly successful, and very much based on constant innovation and R&D. The ambassador related this company to Sweden’s strong tradition of being innovative.

“This is Nordic event so excuse me for being biased towards Sweden but that’s my job!” said Staffan Herrström as he continued by listing examples of his home country’s innovations – from the pacemaker and the seatbelt to Spotify’s music streaming.

“Stockholm is today Europe’s hottest unicorn city and the world’s second tech city and Sweden is a country fostering innovation,” he informed.

“And that is about questioning.”

“I’m a strong believer of free trade as major driver of innovation and economic development,” he continued.

“Here in Thailand our profile fits Thailand well, with the smart cities solutions from Sweden and there is a lot to learn from the solutions of safety that you at Axis Communications and others

promote.”

This was the perfect introduction for Mr Magnus Zederfeldt, Regional Director South Asia Pacific for this Swedish IT, and IoT company – a pioneer on the networking surveillance market and now a global market leader in network video solutions. Axis reinvests heavily in R&D (17 per cent in 2016) to stay at the forefront, and these days has Canon as majority owner.

Magnus began his presentation ‘When Safety Meet Productivity’ by that saying that it is important for Axis Communications to be part of Sweden and the Nordic community where they operate.

“We send every employee to Sweden for a week,” he said as the explanation to how impor tant the connection to the Swedish/ Scandinavian culture is for this company.

As for their strong market presence he said: “You are using our products whether you know it or not.”

Axis Communications concentrates on solving companies’ and governments’ problems, which covers most end-user segments, ranging from large multinational corporations to small-tomidsize enterprises.

“Putting up a camera is yesterday!” said Magus and explained how today it is all about being proactive and using live intelligence, for example to monitor the consumer traffic and behaviour in retail stores.

“The new thing is that today cameras have brains.”

Axis also offers specific smart cities solutions, including those that make cities safer.

After this it was time not for a history lesson but for some humour, as a talk about Chinatown’s history had been replaced by three stand-up comedians from Bangkok Hilarous and Chris Raufeisen.

With all the good intentions, this did not work out well, mainly due to that the comedians had not done their homework. So the audience once again found itself being seen as tourists (!) by these guys who did not seem to “get” what audience they were talking to. And if you are to make fun of Viking you had better make sure you know at least the minimum about Danes, Finns, Norwegians and Swedes and their respective cultures!

The stand-up guys, who were themselves stand-ins for a lesson in history, therefore failed to break the ice and it turned more and more embarrassing the longer they went on, with their sleazy jokes that were doomed to fail in this setting. Sorry to say, it felt like they guys were on the brink of getting rotten tomatoes thrown at them – had there been any at hand (but this was not the kind of audience who would resort to that anyhow)!

This element was easily forgotten in an otherwise splendid evening and as the Lucky Draw followed the proceedings could end on a high note with some happy winners of hotel packages from Hotel Royal Bangkok Chinatown.

July 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 9

Business

Not the average gamer:

Pontus made a career of playing PC 22 year-old Pontus Mähler from Sweden moved to Thailand seven months ago trying to evolve as a professional gamer.

Now, beside making a living of playing computer games, he is the CEO of Neolution E-Sport and working on a restaurant project.

By: Nadja Dam Jensen

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pending all day alone in a dark room, only lit up slightly by the colourful lights flickering from a computer screen.

Whenever there is a slight pause in the game playing on the PC, a hand reaches down into a bag of chips and then to take a sip of the coke bottle standing next to it. Isolated.

Socially awkward. Lazy. Unhealthy.This is how some people imagine the life of a gamer.

Being a gamer can bring along a lot of prejudice. 22-year-old Swede Pontus Mähler, known as Zlapped in the gaming world, is not what many would expect when thinking of someone who makes a living of playing computer games. He is social, outgoing and a hard worker, and is fighting to break the stereotypes.

Bigger market in Thailand

Thailand is the biggest place for playing Heroes of Newerth, the strategic computer game which Pontus plays professionally. If Pontus wanted to evolve, the best option would be to move from Sweden to Thailand. And around seven months ago, he did.

“I thought: ‘Whatever comes my way’, and moved here only as a professional gamer.

10 ScandAsia.Thailand • July 2017

One week into it I got a sponsor and a job as international product manager,” says Pontus.

Since then things have evolved quickly for the young Swede, who after just three months became the CEO of the company he was working for, Neolution E-Sport.

He had previously worked with managing an eSport team and organization, Sync eSport, so the transition was somewhat simple to him, the biggest difference being that Neolution is much bigger, in fact the biggest eSport group in Thailand.

eSport, just like any other sport

Not everyone has heard of the phenomenon eSpor t, and professional gamers often meet confusion and questions about whether this is really a thing, and something you can actually make a living of. The answer is yes. eSport is a constantly evolving phenomenon, but really, it is not that much different from other kinds of sport.

Everyone know what football, hockey and basketball is, it is spor t. So is eSpor t, but for gaming. Dota, League of Legends, FIFA and Heroes of Newerth are just a few of the games you can become a professional gamer in, just like you can in sport. People specialize in a game, and

if they are good enough, they get a sponsor, join a team and start competing against other teams.

Playing on a PC, PlayStation or Xbox is a normal part of many young people’s lives, but to take it to the next level and become professional, it takes a lot of time and practise, and of course talent, just like any other sport.

More acceptable in Sweden

Pontus also experiences the confusion and lack of understanding of eSport, but he also sees a much more positive view on it than what could be expected.

“Many people are not just like: ‘What is eSport, that’s stupid!’ Many see it as something interesting and cool, as the future.”

A career in eSport seems to be much more acceptable in Sweden than in Thailand though, believes Pontus. Opposite to in Sweden, parents in Thailand are not very supportive of their kids being professional gamers.

“Even though many of them make a lot more than the average Thai salary, their parents do not show up at events to watch or support them.”

There is a lot of negative things that people connect with gaming. Pontus hopes that he can

This is what playing at an E-Sport tournament looks like. Photo: Pontus Mähler

I thought: ‘Whatever comes my way’, and moved here only as a professional gamer.

One week into it I got a sponsor and a job as international product manager

Pontus at Game Over Lounge. Photo: Pontus Mähler

somehow help break through the negativity and show the good things about eSport, and to make people accept it on the same level they accept other sports.

“They beauty of it is that it is available for everyone online. It is not discriminated by age, gender or race.”

Making gaming sexy

In what was supposed to be his gap year after high school he started streaming, which means people can watch him online and ask him questions while he is playing on the computer, a very popular trend in the gaming world. As he is streaming, people can sponsor and donate money to support him.

His streams quickly became popular, and in 2012 he was invited to join his first professional team.

He now has 32 000 followers on his stream, more than 95 000 fans on Facebook and more than 100 000 subscribers on YouTube. Pontus says the stream is what ultimately lead him to where he is today. Allowing him to play professionally and making contacts, it is what in the end got him his CEO position. But beside that, he has is also part of another project, which he hopes can also make some changes on people’s perspectives of gaming.

Game Over Lounge is a restaurant, bar and lounge; a social place that has pool, board games, computer rooms for gaming, as well as a kids’ part for families. It is a project that Pontus joined three months ago, one month after its opening in Bangkok.

“It is a very big mix, but that is what makes it awesome. And then the design and interior of it, it is very cool and cosy.”

Planning to expand the project to Sweden, Pontus just came back from an eight-day visit in his home country, looking for partners, investors and a venue. He hopes that Game Over Lounge will open in Sweden sometime this year.

Pontus wants to make E-Spor t sexy, and is hoping that as board member and eSpor t Director at Game Over Lounge, he can help make that happen.

Working to the breaking point

Juggling so many projects means often working form 9am until midnight, six days a week. He star ts the day with his Neolution job, then streaming around 2 or 4pm, depending on his schedule, until 10 or 11pm. Then afterwards he will be fixing videos for YouTube or whatever else

he has missed through the day. And somehow he even finds time to go out and see friends.

It is a lot of work, and Pontus have previously had a breakdown from working too much.

“The pressure I put on myself to always put out the same amount of content and still keep the same schedule regardless of stress ultimately lead to the breaking point. It lasted for quite a while but I never came clean with it; I just sat there.”

At that point, one and a half year ago, a sort of anger started to show from the 20-year-old Pontus. His fans star ted to notice his mood changes, and some even stopped following him because of he just was not the same guy they used to follow.

“Basically, I was working too much. I could not sleep because I was always thinking of work, and the only way to get my mind off it was to drink.

At 20 that is really really bad. Ultimately it ended up with me puking blood.”

After that night, where he suddenly found himself puking blood, Pontus realised it was time to change things.The way to do that was to come clean to his fans and write a long Facebook post explaining everything. And the support he got was overwhelming.

July 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 11

Business

Even though many of them make a lot more than the average Thai salary, their parents do not show up at events to watch or support them

“I think I received like 200 or 300 personal messages from people who had went through the same thing. I still have those today. The support was amazing.”

As he made a significant cut in his working hours, his fans still supported and helped him through the transition that would get him back on top. It has made Pontus focus a lot more on always being open about anything that affects his followers. He hopes that it can somehow help them.

“My advice is; don’t overwork, don’t put that much pressure on yourself. I was blaming myself for everything; lower viewer numbers etc. and it just gets worse and worse until you get to the breaking point. Don’t be afraid to talk to people about your problems, and fix it, before it happens, before you get to the breaking point.”

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“I was too proud to say that I was working too much. You realize you can’t keep going, but also tell yourself that you have to. You don’t.

Nothing should get in the way of you being healthy. It was a very big mistake, which is why I am so open about it. I don’t want people to make the same mistakes I did.”

An addictive feeling

When asked whether his advice was not a bit hypocritical considering his work load today, Pontus laughed it off.

“I’m very good at giving advice, but not good at following it myself.”

However, he does believe he has learned and will not go back down that road again. He also admits that right now he is working too much and cannot keep going like this, so he has hired people that will help him with his YouTube channel, which will cut two hours down in his day, and he is also hiring someone else that will take a big part of his workload away as well, so he can focus on the things he enjoys the most.

At some point he will have to say goodbye to some of his work. Not long ago, he said that he would stop playing professionally after his latest world finals, and then focus only on streaming. But as he played at the finals in front of a crowd of around a thousand people, Pontus did something that made the crowd blow up in cheering and amazement. The feeling he got from that was something he had not felt in a long time.

“After that, I don’t want to quit.That feeling is very addictive and I am not ready to give that up.”

Game Over Lounge to make gamers social

Pontus says it is impossible to tell where he will be in 10 years, but he definitely does not want

to leave the gaming world. Right now, he really believes in the Game Over Lounge project and hopes that it will be able to expand to many more countries, and be a revolution for the world of gaming.

“With Game Over Lounge we really want to make gaming more socially acceptable, and help gamers meet other people and be more social, because they are often a bit socially awkward, and we really want to help with that.”

Helping people is in general something Pontus is happy to do. When it comes to giving relationship advice or helping people making big life choices, Pontus is also a big help for his many followers, who feel safe asking him big questions.

“Watching my stream everyday, people get to learn more and more about me, at some point they maybe feel like they get to know me, and then it is natural for them to ask for my advice.”

Earlier this year he also took par t in a charity project, where people would ask him questions, and for every question he answered, an organization would donate to a mental health fund for gamers.

The rate of suicide is higher among gamers than among people with other sports and hobbies.

Pontus points out that it is mostly the gamers who shield themselves off from the world and only interact online. So being able to go to a place like Game Over Lounge and feel accepted and meet people might just be a way to also help this.

He is not sure how, but continuing his career in the world of gaming, wants to keep helping other people. Whether it is opening a place for them to be more social, helping a kid reach stardom or by talking about the mental challenges that can come along with gaming.

“I will always be involved somehow. I love this world too much to leave.”

Business

Swedish embassy Bangkok visited Volvo Trucks

K

hun Kamlarp Sirikittiwatn, President of Volvo Group Trucks Asia & JVs Sales and Ms Helen Savemyr, SVP of Volvo Group Trucks Asia & JVs and Operations, welcomed H.E. Ambassador Staffan Herrström and his colleagues from the embassy to the plant in Samutprakarn outside of Bangkok on 18 May 2017.

The visit included a walk-through of the factory showing the full assembly line from the engine to the finished truck. The presentation also emphasized safety, which is built into the Volvo brand, heritage and culture.

“Deeply impressed. Many thanks to Volvo Trucks for a very informative visit!” stated Ambassador Staffan Herrström.

Photo credit: Volvo Trucks

B&O Play launched in Bangkok

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n 26 May Denmark’s Ambassador to Thailand Uffe Wolffhechel held the opening speech at the launch of B&O Play where he talked about the strength of Danish design.Through RTB Technology, B&O Play and its cutting edge, smart and functional Danish design is now available to Thai consumers.

Bang & Olufsen plus Play equals B&O Play, marrying the values of Play with the substance, quality and luxury of Bang & Olufsen. B&O Play delivers stand-alone products with clear and simple operations - portable products that are intuitive to use.

Source: Embassy of Denmark in Bangkok, B&O Play

How can you make your money work while you enjoy life?

Kim Osborg Nielsen kim.nielsen@nordea.sg www.nordeaprivatebanking.com Nordea Bank S.A, Singapore Branch is part of Nordea Group, the leading financial services group in the Nordic and Baltic Sea regions. Some products and services may, due to local regulations, not be available to individuals resident in certain countries and their availability may depend, among other things, on the investment risk profile of persons in receipt of this publication or on any legislation to which they are subject. Nothing in this publication should be construed as an offer, or the solicitation of an offer, to purchase, subscribe to or sell any investment or product, or to engage in any other transaction or provide any kind of financial or banking service in any jurisdiction where Nordea Bank S.A., Singapore Branch or any of its affiliates do not have the necessary license. Published by Nordea Bank S.A., R.C.S. Luxembourg No. B 14.157 on behalf of Nordea Bank S.A., Singapore Branch, 138 Market street Capita Green #09-03 Singapore 048946. www.nordeaprivatebanking.com subject to the supervision of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (www.mas.gov.sg).

July 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 13

Business

The Cabinet’s 20 years and expansion celebrated among partners and customers

Fr. Left: Janeric Hogane; Mrs.Apinya Hogane; Victor Sukseree, Sweden’s Honorary Consul in Hua Hin; TSCC Vice President Jan Eriksson; TSCC President Eric Hallin

F

Text and photos: Joakim Persson riday 9 June 2017 was an auspicious day for Thai-Swedish business relations, consisting in celebrations of ‘20 years in Business’ combined with dealership expansion and the launch of an additional showroom.

The business concerned was the well-known The Cabinet Interior Design (established in 1996), hosting the event along with the Thai-Swedish Chamber of Commerce (TSCC) Husqvarna, Hogane Outdoor Furniture, Electrolux,Volvo Cars and also CID Construction (the construction wing of The Cabinet) which saw its own showroom being inaugurated in front the auspicious guests from far and near. Many TSCC members had come to Hua Hin from Bangkok, and also other clients of The Cabinet from the Eastern Seaboard to participate in the celebrations, held at The Cabinet Showroom in downtown Hua Hin. The evening event star ted with a parade 14 ScandAsia.Thailand • July 2017

arriving, including classic Thai music, as all guests gathered next to The Cabinet’s big showroom for the Grand Opening of CID Construction.

Founder and co-owner Janeric Hogane welcomed everyone and introduced Khun Victor Sukseree, Sweden’s Honorary Consul in Hua Hin as well as the General Manager for Dusit Thani Hua Hin Hotel, who joined to cut the ribbon for CID. Janerice explained that CID Construction has been born in March 2015 and due to growing up and expanding this business now needed its own space.

“This is the day for CID Construction!” he declared.

Next, a second and quite unusual ribboncutting took place to inaugurate the dealership for gardening tools from the brand Husqvarna and Gardena, where TSCC President Eric Hallin, Husqvarna’s Thailand representative Jan Eriksson

as well as the Honorary Consul used chainsaws to saw through the wood ribbon.

Then all guests were invited inside to an introduction to CID by co-owner Mrs.Apinya Hogane and the CID team.

Apina went even further than Janeric and said that, having been with its parents, inside The Cabinet for a long time, CID was now ready to stand on its own feet.

General Manager Surakom Thongthaen Na Ayuthaya, Director and GM for Spica Co., exclusive representative for Husvarna and Gardena, congratulated CID to become the first distributor of Husqvarna and Gardena in Thailand.

The big celebration of The Cabinet 20 Years and networking then followed inside the fabulous furniture store and kitchen showroom, enjoying a fabulous food buffet and free flow of champagne and wine.

Restaurant of the month

Rang Mahal, an authentic rooftop Indian Restaurant.

A

pioneering and award-winning, Indian restaurant and terrace bar on the 26th floor of the hotel. Offering varieties of Authentic North Indian foods and focus as much of a vegetarian as with non-vegetarian such as Tandoori Prawns, Raan-E-Khyber (the house specialty) Palak Aap Ki Pasand, Garlic Naan and etc, with traditional ser vice and atmosphere as well as a stunning view of the city skyline. This truly exceptional Indian restaurant offers exquisite cuisine in an elegant sophisticated setting. Live music, candle light reflecting the warm ambiance of the room, mixed with the luscious colors of India make this a unique experience of fine dining. Rang Mahal, the term epitomizes the grandeur and lavish lifestyle of the Indian Maharajas. Traditionally, Rang Mahal was the pleasure house and banqueting room specially decorated by Indian Kings with intricate mirror work and the choicest paintings. The general décor was also interspersed with intricate ‘Zharonkas or ‘or windows. Rang Mahal’s enchanting main dining room is festive and perfect for a large group and socializing. There are also quiet corners and a slightly separate room for soft conversation or a bit of romance.

One of the best rooftop dining experiences in Bangkok, Amazing Thailand outside Incredible India inside. Experience the best of both worlds on the 26th floor of Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok, Sukhumvit soi 18.

For advance reservations please dial 02 261 7100.

Facebook.com/rangmahal rangmahal@rembrandtbkk.com

July 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 15

Kids’ Corner

‘Bounce’

around and have fun

B

ounce is Asia’s largest trampoline park.

Bounce is packed with lots of things to do with kids and the family.

It doesn’t matter if you’re under 5 or an action sports junkie in training – both old and young will have an awesome time.

The only two limits are, that you must be over 3 years and your weight must be below 120 kg.

This can be a place where kids have the best birthday party of their life, or it can be a workout place for yourself which lets you burn energy without noticing you’re in the middle of a cardio workout.

If you’re not into all the jumping around, you can try and conquer their Clip ’n’ Climb wall which is perfect for thrill seekers! Or challenge yourself at X-Park zone.

The trampoline park is the core of Bounce.

This is where you and the whole family will have a fun time experiencing how the rules of gravity no longer apply.

SUMMER SCHOOL The British School of Bangkok Ltd.

From July 3rd to August

16 ScandAsia.Thailand • July 2017

11th

The rush of Bounce is infectious. Look around and everyone’s buzzing with the rush of getting airborne - trying everything from aerial manoeuvres to slam dunking, wall running and dodgeball warfare.

And the friendly staff is always there to offer safety tips and show you a few moves along the way. “ Who would have thought that jumping on a trampoline can burn more calories than jogging, and have more fun! If you’re not into all the jumping around, you can try and conquer their Clip ’n’ Climb area which is perfect for thrill seekers! “ Open Hours: Mon – Sun: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm Location: • The Street: 5th floor, The Street Ratchada Shopping Complex, 10400 • The EmQuartier: 4th Floor – 4B02 The Glass Quartier, Bangkok, Thailand 10110

July 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 17

มุมภาษาไทย l mum pha:să: thai l Thai Language Corner

Education First

T

By Klavs Johansen (thai@snakthai.dk)

he Thai education system should interest anyone doing business in Thailand, in particular those running companies and employing Thai personnel. Hence, we will in this month’s column cover vocabular y per taining to primary and secondary education as well as vocational training, while next month’s column will be dedicated to tertiary education.

Thai kids generally start in preschool at the age of 3. First เตรียมอนุบาล / triam ànúba:n / ~ kindergarten prep and then อนุบาล / ànúba:n / ~ (regular) kindergarten.

Compulsory education starts at the age of 6 with ประถมศึกษา / pràthŏm sùeksă: / ~ primary school.

Note the word ศึกษา / sùeksă: / which means to study and as such you will meet it again several times in what follows.

The years of primary school are numbered ชั้นประถมศึกษาปีที่ ๑ / chán pràthŏm sùeksă: pi: thî: nùeng / ~ primary school year 1 and until ชั้น ประถมศึกษาปีที่ ๖ / chán pràthŏm sùeksă: pi: thî: hòk / ~ primary school year 6, where ชั้น / chán / ~ class, level, and ปี / pi: / ~ year.

The classes are abbreviated ป.๑ / por: nùeng / ~ P1 until ป.๖ / por: hòk / ~ P6.

Look for the writing in Thai on the school 18 ScandAsia.Thailand • July 2017

uniform, ชุดนักเรียน / chút nák rian /, next time you see a kid in one. From the word you may recognize เรียน / rian / ~ to study, less formal than ศึกษา / sùeksă: /, and นักเรียน / nák rian / ~ student, pupil.

More school related words are: โรงเรียน / ro:ng rian / ~ school, obviously, ครู / khru: / ~ teacher, สอน / sŏr:n / ~ to teach, and to help us remember we can construct the sentence ครูสอนนักเรียนที่โรงเรียน / khru: sŏr:n nák rian thî: ro:ng rian / ~ the teacher teaches the pupils at school.

From primar y school, the Thai youngster continues to another 3 years of compulsory education at the age of 12.This takes place during มัธยมศึกษาตอนต้น / máttháyom sùeksă: tor:n tôn / ~ lower secondary education, where ตอน / tor:n / ~ section, period, ต้น / tôn / ~ beginning.

As we saw for primary school, the years are numbered ชัน้ มัธยมศึกษาปีท่ี ๑ / chán máttháyom sùeksă: pi: thî: nùeng / ~ secondary school year 1, and until ชั้นมัธยมศึกษาปีที่ ๓ / chán máttháyom sùeksă: pi: thî: să:m / ~secondary school year 3.

Similarly, the classes are abbreviated ม.๑ / mor: nùeng / ~ M1 until ม.๓ / mor: să:m / ~ M3.

Having completed a total of 9 years of compulsory education at the age of 15, the young

Thai may choose to leave school or, as is often the case nowadays, continue to vocational training or aim for higher education.

Aiming for higher education the hopeful will choose an additional 3 years of secondary schooling going through มัธยมศึกษาตอนปลาย / máttháyom sùeksă: tor:n pla:i / ~ higher secondary education from the age of 15 to 18. We have

ปลาย / pla:i / ~ end, and the numeration continues ชั้นมัธยมศึกษาปีที่ ๔ / chán máttháyom sùeksă: pi: thî: sì: / ~ secondary school year 4, or ม.๔ / mor: sì: / ~ M4, until ชั้นมัธยมศึกษาปีที่ ๖ / chán máttháyom sùeksă: pi: thî: hòk / ~ secondary school year 6, or ม.๖ / mor: hòk / ~ M6.

Vocational training is offered on two levels.

First ประกาศนี ย บั ต รวิ ช าชี พ / pràkà:tsàni:yábàt wícha:chîp / ~ vocational cer tificate, better known by the abbreviation ปวช. / por: wor: chor: /, which lasts for 3 years and may include practice on real workplaces in addition to the theory at school.

Having completed that, it is possible to enter the work force or to fur ther your vocational training by obtaining ประกาศนียบัตรวิชาชีพชั้นสูง / pràkà:tsàni:yábàt wícha:chîp chán sŭ:ng / ~ higher vocational cer tificate, or simply ปวส. / por: wor: sŏr: / .

Breaking down the long words a little, we have ประกาศนี ย บั ต ร / pràkà:tsàni:yábàt / ~ certificate, diploma, วิชาชีพ / wícha: chî:p / ~ vocational training, ชั้นสูง / chán sŭ:ng / ~ high level.

The word วิชา / wi:cha: / means knowledge or field of study, i.e. subject. Some of the main subjects to specialize in are: วิ ช าเครื่ อ งกล / wícha: khrûeang kon / ~ mechanics, วิชาโลหะการ / wícha: lo:hàka:n / ~ steel works, วิชาไฟฟ้า / wícha: fai fá: / ~ electricity, วิชาอิเล็กทรอนิกส์ / wícha: ìlék thror: ník / ~ electronics, วิชาการก่อสร้าง / wícha: ka:n kòr: sâ:ng / ~ construction, and วิ ช าเกษตรกรรม / wícha: kàsè:ttràkam / ~ agriculture.

To these can be added: วิชาพณิชยการ / wícha: phánítcháyáka:n / ~ commerce, วิชาธุรกิจบริการ / wícha: thúrákìt bor:ríhă:n / ~ business administration, วิ ช าการบั ญ ชี / wícha: ka:n banchi: / ~ accounting, and วิ ช าการออกแบบ / wícha: òr:k bàe:p / ~ design.

Finally, we will mention here: คหกรรม / kháhàkam / ~ housekeeping, which, among other subjects, includes specialization in อาหาร / a:hă:n / ~ food, preparing for work in kitchens and restaurants, and เสริมสวย / sŏe:m sŭai / ~ beautification, preparing for work in a beauty parlor.

Let’s stop right there! Enough long words for this month. At the Thai Language Corner on Facebook, we offer a further breakdown of some of them, which should help digestion. See you there and see you here in the next issue for an overview of tertiary education and associated vocabulary!

July 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 19