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DIPLOMATS: His Excellency Andrii Beshta- Ambassador says, ‘We want peace, but we’re determined to defend all of Ukraine’

3/12/2019

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Words MAXMILIAN WECHSLER
His Excellency Mr Andrii Beshta began his term as Ukraine’s Ambassador to Thailand on February 4, 2016. Having served as Counsellor at the embassy from 2007-2011, he’d already made many friends here, as reflected by the large turnout for the 28th anniversary celebration of Ukrainian independence at the Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok on September 18. Mr Beshta gave The BigChilli this interview not long after the reception, and not surprisingly, his country’s struggle against Russian aggression was very much on his mind.
 
“In the coming weeks people around the world will joyfully celebrate the New Year and Christmas holidays, but this will not be a festive season for millions of Ukrainians,” said Mr Beshta. “Yesterday, and the day before, and the day before, more families were plunged into grief upon learning loved ones had perished in hostile attacks launched at the command of the Kremlin.”
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Making a contribution
 
“I was born in Volyn region in the western part of Ukraine in December 1976, when we were still a part of the Soviet Union. In my school years I witnessed the collapse of the old regime and the first steps of an independent Ukraine. I believed that diplomacy would be an extremely interesting profession and hoped to make a contribution towards developing Ukraine into a democratic and prosperous nation.”
 
Mr Beshta graduated from Lviv State University’s Faculty of International Relations in 1998, and the same year began his diplomatic career with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2001, just in his mid-twenties, he was assigned to the Permanent Mission of Ukraine at the United Nations headquarters in New York, where he served first as Second Secretary and then as First Secretary. He was appointed Ukraine’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Thailand in November 2015, and arrived in Bangkok in January 2016.
 
“The last four years in Thailand have been deeply emotional for me and my family. We grieved along with the Thai people after the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. People in Ukraine know that throughout his 70-year reign, His Majesty served the country with great dignity and dedication. We also took joy in the auspicious Royal Coronation Ceremony of His Majesty the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua.

“In the time we’ve been in Thailand, we have had abundant opportunities to travel around the Kingdom and to enjoy the warm Thai hospitality and tasty food. We’ve visited Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, travelled north to Chiang Mai and South to Krabi. Moreover, we have ‘discovered’ very beautiful corners of Thailand where foreigners are rarely seen, like a place in Petchabun province where at a certain time of year you may receive unforgettable memories of the ‘sea of mist’, and Umphang District of Tak Province, which features the Thi Lo Su Waterfall – the largest in Thailand at a height of about 200 meters.”
Bilateral relations
“Ukraine and Thailand established diplomatic relations 27 years ago. The President of Ukraine came to Thailand in 2004 and met with King Bhumibol. Ukraine is very much interested in further developing bilateral cooperation with Thailand and making our relations more dynamic in several spheres. A number of important developments have taken place since I took my post as ambassador.
 
“In June 2017, then Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin paid an official visit to Thailand. In negotiations between Minister Klimkin and Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, (photo) both sides stressed the importance of seeking mutual interests and discussed an agenda for medium term objectives in terms of political dialogue, trade and investment and people-to-people contacts. During that visit a bilateral trade agreement was signed which entered into force in October 2018.
 
“Last year the Royal Thai Government appointed the Thai Ambassador to Poland, H.E. Sansanee Sahussarungsi, to also represent Thailand in Ukraine. She remains at the Thai mission’s residence in Warsaw. She is the first ever Thai Ambassador to Ukraine not based in Moscow, and we of course warmly welcomed this decision.
 
“In July 2019, political consultations between our ministries of foreign affairs took place in Kyiv, allowing further discussions on a whole spectrum of issues relating to our bilateral agenda.
 
“This year has been quite momentous and challenging for both Ukraine and Thailand. I would like to convey again our congratulations on the Royal Coronation of His Majesty the King Rama X in early May. About the same time, Volodymyr Zelenskyy was elected President of Ukraine, bringing new hopes of peace and prosperity to our nation. This year both Ukraine and Thailand held parliamentary elections and new governments have been formed.
 
“I believe these developments have created favourable conditions for an invigorated cooperation. We are working closely with our Thai partners on a number of ideas, including convening in the near future a Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation and Joint Trade Committee.
 
“In terms of trade volume, Thailand has always been among the largest trade partners of Ukraine in Southeast Asia, but there is real potential to substantially increase both trade and investment. Due to unprecedented comprehensive reforms in Ukraine, we have quickly become an exciting new investment opportunity right at Europe’s doorstep, especially in the areas of agriculture, energy, information technology, infrastructure and manufacturing.
 
“When combined with our highly skilled workforce, favorable cost-efficiency ratio, strategic geographic location, free trade pact with the EU and a rapidly improving business climate, Ukraine has much to offer for Thai business and investors.
 
“Last but not least, in order to facilitate people-to-people contacts we have achieved considerable progress in the liberalization of our respective visa regimes. In 2018 we began allowing Thai citizens who wish to travel to Ukraine for any reason to apply and obtain visas online, without the need to visit our embassy. On the other side, we highly appreciate the decision of the Thai government that entered into force in April 2019 to abolish visa requirements for Ukrainian tourists.
 
“I am confident that these steps are win-win for both countries and will help increase the number of tourists both ways. To sum up, I am quite optimistic that we are on a path to further develop and strengthen bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.”

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Rama 4 Model: Utilizing Big Data AnalyticsTo Solve Traffic Congestion in Bangkok

3/12/2019

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It is no secret that traffic congestion has been a long-time affliction for Bangkokians. Long-standing issues that have yet to find the right solutions continue to plague the city.
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Existing infrastructure continued to struggle to cope with increasing urbanisation, coupled with increasing private vehicle ownership. It remained a massive challenge for current public transportation networks to meet the ever-changing commuting needs of all travellers in the city.
 
While the emergence of on-demand ride-hailing has played a part in getting people from point-to-point more seamlessly and conveniently, people, particularly those living in underserved areas, still prefer to rely on private vehicle ownership to travel to their urban destinations. As a result, Bangkok is now the most congested city in Asia ranked by INRIX Global Traffic Scoreboard.1
 
Traffic congestion impacts Bangkok’s economic performance significantly. At the same time, it also adds undue stress to the environment, health and well-being of people in the city. Kasikorn Research Center2 studies show that people in Bangkok take an extra 35 minutes travelling on the road, spending time in traffic jams when they could be using their time more productively. Calculating time wasted on roads as an opportunity cost, it would cost around 11 billion baht per year or 60 million baht per day. Additionally, it increases the cost of fuel consumption by up to 6 billion baht per year. 
 
With a lofty ambition to find effective solutions to relieve traffic woes in Bangkok, the “Rama 4 Model” project is born from a collaboration between the public, private and academic sectors, including the Ministry of Transport, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Metropolitan Police Bureau, Grab Thailand, Toyota Mobility Foundation and Chulalongkorn University. The project aims to use advanced data-driven solutions sourced from all parties involved to better analyze and predict traffic patterns along Rama 4 road, understand the root causes of the traffic congestion problem, and ultimately propose recommendations that could ease the existing traffic congestion issue.
 
Assoc. Prof. Sorawit Narupiti, Department of Civil Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, and “Rama 4 Model” project manager, commented “This project is part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by key parties in October 2018 with the aim of solving traffic issues in Bangkok and its surrounding precincts. Under this project, we will combine expertise and knowledge from the government, private and academic sectors to find a workable solution to traffic and public transportation challenges along Rama 4 road. This will include studying and utilising big data contributed by all parties, and applying innovative technology and knowledge to get to the root of the problem.  The first phase of cooperation will start on Rama 4 road and we plan to extend to Sukhumvit Road, Charoenkrung Road, and the areas around Victory Monument, eventually.”    

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Huge automobile counterfeit ring exposed

28/11/2019

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Fake Mercedes-Benz logos.
The robust and growing automotive industry of Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard has caused it to be referred to in recent years as the ‘Detroit of Asia.’

Thailand is currently the world’s second largest pick-up truck market after the United States, as well as being Asean’s largest automotive market and assembler.
 
The automotive and auto parts industry is worth a staggering 700 billion baht. The Thai-based automotive industry produced 928,081 vehicles last year, an increase of 24% from 2003. Between January and August of this year, 710,889 units were made – representing a 22% year-on-year growth – and it is expected that the total number of units will exceed one million for the whole year.
 
In fact, the auto industry is the number one manufacturing industry in Thailand in terms of value, with automobiles, motorcycles and spare parts manufactured in numerous factories throughout the country.
 
However, according to law enforcement sources and some car makers, there’s a dark side to this success which tarnishes the reputation of the country, the industry and the brand names of auto manufacturers operating here. Thailand has also become a major producer and exporter – ahead of its nearest rival China – of fake car accessories and decorations sporting prestigious logos.
 
The October 5, 2005 seizure of a huge number of such fakes from a factory in Ban Pong district of Ratchaburi province clearly illustrates the seriousness of the problem. The factory operator, as of last week was offering Mercedes-Benz and BMW products on its website.
The raid followed an investigation by the Department of Special Investigations (DSI). Dubbed ‘the Thai FBI’ after the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, the DSI is a civilian law enforcement agency established in 2002 under the Ministry of Justice.
 
“Since its formation, the DSI has investigated and taken action in many important cases throughout Thailand,” explained Yongyoot Srisattayachon, a former public prosecutor who joined the agency a year ago as director of its Bureau of Intellectual Property Crime.
“My principal responsibility is to suppress the violations on trademarks, intellectual property, patents and integrated circuits. We are only going after the ‘big guys’, and have already arrested quite a few of them involved with fake leather goods, clothes, shoes and mobile phones,” said Yongyoot.
 
His section is supported by 122 officers out of the more than 1,000 selected from various police units who are now attached to the DSI headquarters.
 
“As for the raid in Ban Pong,” Yongyoot explained, “we received a complaint from a Southeast Asia representative of DaimlerChrysler company that this particular factory was producing counterfeit accessories for various leading automobiles such Mercedes-Benz, BMW and General Motors.”
 
Before the raid, the DSI placed all four large buildings inside the factory compound under surveillance for almost two weeks.
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It was no easy task because the facilities were constructed on flat land, making it extremely difficult for DSI officers to keep their watch without being spotted. They had to park their vehicles at a distance and walk in, using surveillance equipment and other methods to monitor all activities outside and inside the buildings. 

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Meet Michelle Reedy, Ayutthaya’s Elephant Lady

28/11/2019

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By Ruth Gerson
 
It is not every day that one meets an expat woman who has decided to settle in Thailand and dedicate herself to this country’s most revered creature – the elephant! But that’s exactly what Michelle Reedy has chosen as her mission in life.
 
Born in Melbourne, Australia, Michelle spent her early years working in retail. But her real passion was animals, so in order to find suitable work she returned to the classroom to acquire a degree in zoo keeping. She spent the next ten years at Melbourne zoo looking after various animals, though her dream was to care for elephants, but no such position was available for her at that time. Michelle first learned about the elephants of Ayutthaya in 2001 when the Melbourne zoo was trying to acquire some of these amazing animals. This immediately spurred her interest and she wasted no time coming to Thailand on an exploration trip to study the opportunities of working with elephants.
 
She continued to visit annually and in 2006 Michelle eventually found employment in Ayutthaya’s Royal Elephant Kraal village (established in 1996) to work with Khun Laithongrian Meepan whose family was planning to set up a program for retired elephants, which meant creating a system suitable for these aging pachyderms.
 
“Wondering how an Ayutthaya family became interested in caring for elephants, I was told that they bought a young elephant for their daughter’s fifth birthday 25 years ago, and soon realized that elephants need space, an area of their own,” explains Michelle.
 
“Ayutthaya is historically and culturally connected to elephant rearing and training, evidenced by the old kraal structure – kraal is a Dutch word for corral – that still stands at the northern edge of the city. Caring for elephants was in a way continuing the old tradition of this city-kingdom.” 

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Beautiful Restaurants

28/11/2019

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In this monthly column, The BigChilli celebrates restaurants in Thailand that excel in their design as well as their cuisine.

Dining in beautiful surroundings is regarded by many as a key element in their choice of restaurant for lunch or dinner. It sets and maintains the mood for a memorable dining experience — and is often the main reason for a return visit. The purpose of this photo feature is therefore to pay homage to those owners who have invested in creating a Beautiful Restaurant for the pleasure of Bangkok’s diners.
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Eat Me
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Eat Me is an established name in Bangkok. Offering many secluded corners for that perfect date, the food here is refined and the interior, sublime and varied.

Towering bamboo trees, palms and greens evoke the feels of an oasis and sanctuary.

An Instagramm perfect restaurant, that’s for sure!
Daily from 3pm to 1am.
Just off Convent Road (in Soi Pipat 2),
Silom, Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: 02 238 0931

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Mia
Mia transforms a stand-alone house on Sukhumvit Soi 26 and celebrates modern European cuisine.

The picturesque bar and Mia Dessert Counter set the tone for dinner. The three dining rooms are elegantly decorated.

Colour Room, Floral Room and Dark Room each elicit a different dining experience.
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Seek your best dining room yet at Mia. Tuesday to Sunday
6pm to 12am.
30 Attha Kawi 1 (Sukhumvit Soi 26).
Tel: 098 862 9659
Email: reservation@miarestaurantbkk.com
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Meet the Chef:  Mr Narupon Wongthitivong Executive Sous Chef

26/11/2019

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Chef in focus
Mr Narupon Wongthitivong (Pek)
Excecutive Sous Chef of Escape Bangkok, Roof top bar & Restaurant.
Graduated in Communications Arts, Advertising Bangkok University. Continued studying in London and also worked part time in the kitchen of Thai Rice Restaurant. Graduated with a cuisine diploma at Le Cordon Bleu, London.

​ESCAPE BANGKOK: EMQUARTIER, BUILDING B, 5TH FLOOR.
OPENING HOUR: EVERYDAY 5pm – midnight. Email: Reservations@escape-bangkok.com
Tel: 02 003 6000 Facebook: @EscapeBangkok Instagram: @escapebangkok
Website: http://www.escape-bangkok.com

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The inside story of the FCCT Bangkok’s historic media hub – making and breaking the news for more than 60 years

20/11/2019

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One of the great institutions of this country, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT) has a long and fascinating history filled with the exploits of legendary journalists and photographers who risked and even gave their lives to keep the world informed of events in Southeast Asia. 

Now in its seventh decade, the club is a magnet for a much wider audience with members from all walks of life enjoying some of the hottest debates in town, presentations, book launches and congenial gatherings. It also continues to play an important role in the quest for freedom of speech and other media issues.
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By Dominic Faulder 
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The informal origins of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT) date from the mid-1950s, when a group of correspondents and media types gathered at Mizu’s Kitchen on Patpong Road.
 
Back then, airlines, trading companies, restaurants and other businesses dominated the area - a far cry from today’s garish and moth-eaten nightlife haunts. Mizu’s survived until very recently with its tablecloths stiffened by the sizzling juices of countless Sarika steaks, and is currently undergoing refurbishment.
 
The history of the FCCT is the sum of its members – a long list of characters who have played fascinating parts, large and small, in the reporting of Southeast Asia. The FCCT’s principal founder, Jorges Orgibet, rolled up in Thailand with the US Office of War Information at the end of World War II and set up the US Information Service (USIS) office. A journeyman journalist and public relations man who in 1953 served as the first bureau chief for the Associated Press (AP), Orgibet never left. He passed away in 1986 at the Bangkok Nursing Home.
 
Alex Wu, a Chinese-language editor with USIS, and Prasong Wittaya of United Press, who served several terms as the club’s president, also played key roles.
 
Alexander MacDonald, the station chief after the war of the US Office of Strategic Services, the forerunner of the Central Intelligence Agency, founded the Bangkok Post in 1946. However, he was chased out of Thailand by 1955 before the FCCT really got going.


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The Foreign CORRESPONDENTS CLUB that’s not just for reporters

20/11/2019

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Who can join the FCCT and what are the fees?
Anyone can join. About a fifth of the membership are correspondents and journalists. The remainder range from diplomats to NGO workers, retirees to students. The fees vary according to category but the highest rate – for associate members – is still only baht 6,500 per annum.

How many members?
The FCCT has over 800 members.

What are the approximate membership demographics?
Ages range from 16 to 96 originating from most corners of Earth.

What are the main benefits of FCCT membership?
Free entrance to almost all events; 25% discount on F&B of good quality and reasonably priced; welcoming staff; great networking; informative and interesting events; outdoor terrace; access to books written by members; excellent working space on the fly.

What events does the FCCT host?
The FCCT usually hosts three events a week including Monday night documentaries, Wednesday night panel discussions, as well as various report and book launches. Topics range from politics (local, regional and international), to business, human and animal rights, and environmental issues.There are also more cultural evenings, sometimes built around a particular author or noteworthy individual. The FCCT also hosts lighter events: sake and craft beer tasting, plays, and tango nights, and has a children’s hour on Friday afternoons.

Celebrities
Over the course of over 60 years, the FCCT has welcomed countless famous speakers including world leaders, politicians, pundits, adventurers, writers, actors, directors, activists, sports people, and more – and many of their pictures can be viewed in the entrance area.

Reciprocity
The FCCT has reciprocal arrangements with 29 clubs around the world including the FCC Hong Kong, FCC Tokyo, the National Press Club in Washington, and the Frontline Club in London.

Who’s in charge?
Good question. The FCCT is managed by an executive board elected each year with no member allowed to hold the same position for more than two consecutive years. The main board forms committees to manage various aspects of the club including programmes, publicity, finance, membership, and professional matters. Daily operations are managed by the general manager and his friendly staff.

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New on the scene- november 2019

18/11/2019

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Classic Modern Charm

​The distinctive hospitality heritage of Dusit International’s flagship Dusit Thani Bangkok hotel lives on at Baan Dusit Thani, a lovingly restored and historic stately home on Sala Daeng Road with signature restaurants and unique event spaces set around a beautiful lush garden. Benjarong Thai Restaurant, Thien Duong Vietnamese Restaurant, and Dusit Gourmet & Garden Bar will set the scene for many happy memories. Baan Dusit Thani is located at 116 Sala Daeng Road, only 5 mins walk from Silom BTS and MRT stations, with on-site parking available.

Classic Cantonese with Modern Flair 

The Silk Road at The Athenee Hotel Bangkok serves classic Cantonese cuisine inspired by modern interpretations, extracting the authentic natural flavours. The restaurant design draws upon the Art Deco style popular in 1920s Shanghai, while the menu’s “Modern Authenticity” respects the heritage and traditions of the cuisine using seasonal ingredients. The à la carte contains approximately 40 dishes, with set menus and a special business set lunch menu available also. Open daily 12pm – 2.30pm and 6pm – 10.30pm.
tel: 02 650 8800
website: https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bkkla-the-athenee-hotel-a-luxury-collection-hotel-bangkok/ 
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Authentic Thai Royal Cuisine 

The House of Smooth Curry at The Athenee Hotel Bangkok serves authentic Thai cuisine from the four regions of Thailand, focusing on recipes from royal palaces and residences, and the diversity of curries originating throughout the country. The décor evokes a room in Kandhavas Palace, the kitchen uses sustainable ingredients, the menu is 80% organic, while most organic produce is from local farmers with rare and possibly unknown ingredients. Open daily 12pm – 2.30pm  and 6pm – 10.30pm.

tel: 02 650 8800
website: https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bkkla-the-athenee-hotel-a-luxury-collection-hotel-bangkok/
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Reporter’s notebook: Revisiting great stories of the past – Part 6 Khao San churns out fake diplomas from world famous universities

18/11/2019

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A fake certificate vendor with his advertisement on Khao San Road.
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Sign at unmanned stall offering fake documents. When a foreigner stops to read the sign, the seller will quickly approach.
Veteran correspondent Maxmilian Wechsler recalls some of his most interesting and exclusive assignments from the past two decades.

FROM THE YEAR 2005

​A Bangkok street known for its backpackers is becoming a popular destination for obtaining a variety of counterfeit documents to help foreigners find employment as English teachers. In addition to fake degrees and diplomas from world famous universities, teachers’ certificates and many other types of identification documents, it’s also possible to buy driving licences and student and press cards here.
 
The matter came to my attention after an East European tourist named Ivan was offered a job as an English language teacher in Thailand, even though he had no teaching qualifications. Ivan later met a fellow “teacher”– an Irish steel worker – who told him that it was possible to obtain college degrees at nearby Khao San Road, and that this had been suggested by a job agency to fulfill its “requirements”.
 
A subsequent enquiry conducted by myself confirmed that fake documents are indeed openly advertised and sold in no fewer than three locations along Khao San Road. The first attempt to take photographs of the sellers and the handwritten advertisements failed because as soon as they spotted a person with a camera, they quickly packed and walked away. They did not return until the photographer had left. A second attempt using a more clandestine method was successful, however, and photos of the signs were taken. 

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