Name:  Joseph Henry
Nickname: Joe
Born: May 3, 1967, in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
Education: Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver.
Family: All my family lives in Vancouver, Canada. I was in a long-term relationship with a Thai lady, however we did not have children, so  I’ve no family here in Bangkok.
Where do you live?   I live in the Thonglor area of Bangkok.
Profession: I am a Corporate and Marketing Communications expert with 25 years of experience in Asia.
What is your present position? (Work, and name of company):  CEO and Co-Founder of Vivaldi Public Relations
What does your company do?:  Vivaldi is primarily in the business of  consulting on reputation management strategies for companies organizations and major events through public communications channels like the media, online and social channels too.
​Any other business interests?: Right now, Vivaldi is developing new business services that will meet market demands requiring creativity, digital content, and influence in Thailand and internationally in the coming years.  In this time of crisis we are seeing opportunities!
First job – and why?: Through some friends, I had the splendidly good fortune to meet Khun Suddhitham Chirathivat, who at that time was the CEO of Central Pattana on my first visit to Thailand.  It was not long after that he offered me a Marketing Manager position at Central Pattana.   Without hesitation, I jumped at the opportunity to move over to Bangkok.

Cosmopolitan Ladies of Bangkok held their monthly gathering at Ms.Jigger lounge, Kimtpon Maa-Lai Hotel. Pictured here are Shakuntla Gurbani, Jindarat Jumsai Na Ayudhya, Hope Espenca Pilunthanakul, Tetsuko Wilberg, Sara Guzman, Arlene Rafiq, Winda Braun, Annabelle S Daokeaw, Agneta Bekassy De Bekas, Radha Rathke, Mukda Sorensen, and Ronelle Stoessel.

These three quotes are ascribed to the ultimate showman P.T. Barnum, but they could just as easily have been uttered by Jon Nutt, Thailand’s very own incarnation of a quirky, yet savvy impresario.
After a quick search on Google I discovered that in the 1600s John Nutt was a notorious English pirate, who had raided the west of England and Canada. Now his (maybe) descendant is taking no prisoners, as he raids the previously unassailable dominance of the established rulers of MMA, such as the UFC, and others.
Jon Nutt is an imposing six-foot plus, and this frame is perfect for him as the ringmaster of his chosen profession of fight promoter. He is the founder and owner of Full Metal Dojo in Thailand and has gained an enthusiastic following in the Kingdom, while his fame is spreading further afield at an exponential rate, mostly due to Jon and his team’s expert use of social media … and the ever-important word of mouth from important ‘influencers’ whom Jon calls friends. Plus of course  unbridled self-promotion, from which I expect nothing less from this larger-than-life character.
It was Jon’s mother who first encouraged his interest in martial arts at the age of eight, so by the time he had left college he had participated in Greco-Roman wrestling, and trained in Brazilian ju-jitsu, Tae Kwon Do, and Shotokan karate, as well as regular boxing.
After a relatively short career in contact sports, Jon became aware that he would probably never be a world champion fighter, and it was when he was handed a microphone for the first time, to comment on a boxing bout, that he realised almost immediately that this was what he was born to do.
The Jon Nutt we know in Thailand, the showman, whose energy seems to know no bounds, was born that day.
At my interview with Jon, I greeted him. “Hi Jon, How are you?”
“I’m amazing, every day,” was his reply. This was not bragging, it’s just Jon’s natural way, I soon realised. Jon is a force of nature who seems powered by a nuclear reactor, I knew I was going to enjoy my time spent with him.
Hi enthusiasm is infectious and I soon learnt that Jon – who has lived full-time in Thailand since 2007 with his Thai partner and family – believes that Thai fighters are the future of MMA in the lower weight divisions. He says, “The best striking martial art is Muay Thai, hands down. Karate and Tae Kwon Do don’t compare. Give me three to five years and I can guarantee that you will see fighters from Thailand on the world stage, and some of them will be UFC champions.”
Full Metal Dojo (FMD), Jon’s own company, promoting MMA action in Thailand is not one of the heavyweights (yet), and Jon knows this. But he says that pound for pound FMD is one of the best live-action shows around.
​He is not focusing on the fat cats who only hang around to be seen. His market is for the real lovers of boxing and MMA, and if you go to one of his shows you will not forget it in a hurry.

Stay at Carlton Hotel for one baht!
To celebrate its first anniversary in Thailand, Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit is offering guests a special deal – book and pay for one night stay - and get a second night for only one baht. From now until 19 March 2021.
The package includes:
· Breakfast add-on, only THB 1 per person on your 2nd night
· With the purchase of any food item, enjoy a selection of THB 1 offers at each outlet
Tel +66 2 090 7888 or Email: reservations@carltonhotel.co.th
​
Move your office to Centara Grand Hua Hin
Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin has introduced its latest long-stay offer ‘Work From Hotel’, inviting guests to transform a SHA-certified hotel room into an office away from home with the best longer-stay offer starting from only THB 1,335 per night.
Throughout the minimum 14-day stay, guests enjoy a choice of accommodation, including colonial-inspired rooms and a private pool villa amongst lush garden surroundings with every luxury and comfort the iconic resort has to offer.
‘Work From Home’ available until June 30, 2021. Room rates start from only THB 23,000 per 14 days.
For more information or reservations, please call +66 (0) 3251 2021.

Photography by Tadamasa Nagayama
​
■ The 2021 portion of the Siam Hockey League (SHL) 2020-21campaign was delayed a month due to the second spike of the COVID-19 pandemic but once action started in early February a similar pattern emerged. 
Defending champion Novotel Spitfires won the first three games of the New Year. Novotel is led by Captain Mike Freeson, Swiss star Tomas Stastny, Thai national team captain Ken Kindborn, and Thai-American goalie Ben Kleineschay - they just seem to find a way to win and the team is the favourite to take the championship this season. 
A mid-season transfer saw Patrick Forstner move from Siam Mandalay to replace the injured Jari Eerikainen on KCG. And it is these two teams that are fighting it out to take on Novotel for the title.   
Siam Mandalay’s charismatic Crash Line (Turner Johnson, Darius Konotopetz, & Mitch Morrison) is making life rough on their opponents because of their scoring prowess and tough physical play. 
The matches between KCG and Siam Mandalay have been dramatic cliffhangers all year as evidenced in their February 21st match. Down 4-1 to Siam Mandalay with less than six minutes to go, KCG, led by Jan Isaksson, roared back scoring four unanswered goals to win 5-4.  
At the other end of the standings, Justin St. Denis’ Aware squad is winless early in the New Year despite the acquisition of Thai nation al team star Kim Aarola. 
After eleven weeks of action, the Novotel Spitfires sit atop the SHL standings with a 10-1-0 record for 20 points. KCG sits in second spot with a 6-3-2 record for 14 points. Siam Mandalay, the only team to beat Novotel, is in third position with a 5-5-1 record for 11 points and Aware is in the cellar with a 1-10 record.
The Novotel Spitfires still dominate the SHL race as Mike Freeson is in first spot with 20 points, Ken Kindborn is in second spot with 17 points and Tomas Stastny is in third place with 15 points. KCG teammates Jan Isaksson and Patrick Forstner are in fourth and fifth place with 12 and 11 points, respectively. 
SHL games take place at the arena on the fifth floor of Imperial Samrong every Sunday night at 9 and 10pm. 
Check out Dom Dumais’ weekly SHL podcasts sponsored by the BiGChilli magazine at www.siamhockeyleague.com. The games are also carried live at www.facebook.com/thailandtv.tv, thanks to producer Keith Mueller.

A sensational new dining venue that changes from a cosy European-style café and deli by day into a chic wine bar at night serving exquisite French cuisine prepared by highly acclaimed Master Chef Herve Frerard has been unveiled at the Montien Hotel Bangkok Surawong.
Called Phar Ram IV Bistro by Chef Herve, this exciting newcomer to Bangkok’s vibrant restaurant scene presents a unique dual dining concept that is destined to become a must go-to wine, dine and get together venue in the increasingly popular Surawong area of Bangkok.
     Brilliantly conceptualized by leading designers P49, The Bistro by Chef Herve exudes a relaxed ambiance that’s ideal for all occasions, from breakfast and quick or long lunches to afternoon teas, happy hour drinks and fun-filled evenings.
     Accessible from both Rama 4 and Surawong roads, this elegant restaurant is just one of the many highlights in the new-look Montien Hotel Surawong, a legendary property now undergoing a spectacular multi-million baht renovation program known as ‘Revival of the Original.’

■ We mostly see our heroes as great athletes, billionaire entrepreneurs or international celebs. But sometimes you come across ordinary people who are amazing role models, doing heroic deeds - without reward or fanfare.
During a recent mountain Trail run, I met a father whose unconditional love for his two young daughters is truly inspirational, allowing them to dream big, and to never let a serious challenge stop them from achieving their goals.
He's Manfred Waibl, 45, a single father from Innsbruck, Austria, who is passing on his passion for sport, especially Trail running, to help his children overcome enormous odds.
“I've lived in Thailand for 15 years. Before coming here, I was on a 10-year work assignment in Hong Kong. My passion other than sport is artisan bakery and retail management. Currently I am heading the Central Food Retail Bakeries at Central Food Hall and the Training Department in our Retail Academy. Making bread is truly rewarding, from its creation to receiving customer appreciation.

From hiking mountains to Trail running 

I started Trail running very young, about ten years old. About that time, I played in the national badminton squad, and we used to train in the forests behind the sports center for cross training. I remember signing up for a local Trail race and came first in my age group. I was awarded a giant trophy and was immediately hooked.
All my family is into mountain sports, and we hiked over the mountains as far back as I can remember. My younger brother is still my Trail running buddy when at home. He knows the best routes.
I started real competitive Trail running during my time in Hong Kong to help balance a hectic work life schedule.  Hong Kong is the ultimate Trail running destination in Asia. Within 20 minutes of the city you can find lots of trailheads, from easy rolling paths to very technical rocky mountain trails.
I moved to Thailand in 2006. There were very few Trail races back then, even so they attracted 60-100 runners. Adventure dashes were very popular at that time, where you would trail run first, then mountain bike and usually finish off with a swim through a lake – great fun!
A few years later, that same organizer decided to hold a Trail Race. It was the starting bell for an unstoppable movement in Thailand. Now you have races every weekend with events that you need to sign up many months in advance to secure a place. Races even have been recognized by world class athletes, and Thailand, with its beautiful mountains, has now the opportunity to become Asia's hotspot for this booming sport!
But what is most important is the community of runners here in Thailand. Many friendships have been made, and every runner has improved through the years through encouragement from fellow runners. A great example is the Bangkok Runners Group. Everyone is very welcoming and supportive on and off the trail. When my life took a difficult turn six years ago, the camaraderie from that very group helped me stay afloat, which I am very grateful for today.

Superhero father?

A superhero is an overstatement. I have two daughters, Vanessa, 11 years old, and Valentina, eight, who I raise as a single father with a live-in nanny for additional support.
It's a challenging role to be a father and busy executive, but also very rewarding with lots of love.
Vanessa, my oldest, is the same as her dad, fully into sports. She is a striker on Lions FC Girls Football Club, did a few years of gymnastics, and plays badminton.  Vanessa recently became a Trail runner after hiking for a couple of years on weekends in the hills surrounding Bangkok, mostly in Chonburi. She recently came first in a 10km Trail Race in the 12-15  age group, when she was just 11. She is an outstanding skier and might aim for Thailand's very first Olympic Winter medal in the future. 
When Valentina was born, doctors immediately told us that something was not okay with her. After a lot of tests and hospital visits in the first month, we got the news that she has cerebral palsy and might never be able to walk or speak. She was also fighting epileptic seizures. When she was two years old, her mother decided to leave our family and start a new life. That was a big blow!

By Stephen Marsh

■ Hosted by the Royal Varuna Yacht Club and sponsored by Thailand-based Element 6 Evolution (E6), a newly appointed manufacturer of the one-design class boats, the event featured light to medium winds alongside a strong tide, wind shifts and gusts.
Competing for titles were sailors ranging in age from 10 to 80 years, hailing from four Thai sailing clubs and ten countries.
The real thrill was in watching the next generation of top Thai sailors jockey for position on the podium, with Thailand’s Olympic sailors sidelined - two-time male Olympian and decade-long national champion Keerati Bualong now coaching the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand’s ILCA 4.7 fleet, and female Olympian Kamolwan Chanyim off the water due to temporary injury training for Tokyo 2020.
In the ILCA Standard, serious contenders for future Olympic qualification Chusitt Punjamala and Arthit Romanyk did battle in each race, but Chusitt was able to finish in the lead in all but two races. The two have been training partners and respectful competitors on and off the water for most of the past year and both have their hopes on being able to do Thailand proud in a final Asian qualifying event for Tokyo 2020 later this spring, pending re-scheduling by World Sailing as Abu Dhabi was unable to proceed with its postponed championship due to Covid-19 restrictions. Pom Green, director of E6, sailed to an impressive third place.

Asked three years ago to describe his life in Thailand, Londoner Derek L would probably have said “happy and secure.” After all, he had a Thai wife he adored, a nice house, a group of great friends and an active social life, plus regular income from apparently safe investments to fuel his enviable lifestyle. Then it all started to wrong.
Today, this 60-year-old Brit rarely socializes and relies on a small but generous income from his wife, who works in an IT company, to pay for his extremely modest daily needs.
Derek’s story began a decade or so ago when, like so many foreigners before him, visited Thailand for the first time on a business trip to SE Asia, was taken by the country’s many charms and returned on multiple visits. Back in London, meanwhile, he was going through a divorce.  
Along the way, he met someone special and decided to up sticks in the UK and settle down in Thailand with the lady he eventually married.
After selling his house in London and sharing the proceeds with his ex-wife, Derek was left with a substantial amount of money, buoyed by savings and investments. It was certainly enough to fund an agreeable existence in Thailand.
Slowly he built a circle of friends, mostly other expats with Thai wives, joined a few clubs and relished the year-round opportunities that this country’s tropical climate offered, including weekends at the beach and sports like veterans’ tennis and golf.

By Little Wandering Wren

T​he email was the most exciting of the year: ‘The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to invite you on a trip to Lampang and Chiang Mai to learn about the current situation on elephant care in Thailand, as well as how we are moving forward towards more sustainable solutions for elephant-based tourism in Thailand’.
My response was immediate and positive. I was to join a diverse group of influencers and journalists for an incredible three days’ learning from vets, elephant welfare specialists and those working in elephant tourism and rehabilitation fields.
Let me introduce you to vlogger Christopher, photographer James and Insta Kate. Each has a passion for storytelling and sharing their experiences in Thailand on their social media channels in their creative and unique ways.
‘Overall this trip was a mix of incredible moments, differing views, eye-opening learning experiences and life long memories.  I was very happy to learn how Thailand’s plans to change and better the lives of domestic elephants.’ – Kate
You couldn’t miss Instagram’s Go Where Kate Goes. Amongst a sea of dark-haired women, Kate’s bright blond hair and curly whirly eyelashes greet you across a crowded room, along with her genuine Canadian girl-next-door smile. As we gather at Lampang Airport ready for a day of tourism, temples and elephants, Kate is the only one in a floaty skirt, and with a split in the side at that.
This is the first time I’ve been on a TAT trip with an InstaQueen and I’m fascinated to see her at work.
During the week Kate works for an on-line English language school for children. Her emerging Insta stardom has materialised with part-time effort and eye-catching photos, encouraging others to go where Kate goes.
Kate is fun, and although I’m old enough to be her mother, we bond amongst the spirit-trees when I offer to take her photo. Kate has all the moves.  A quick flick of the hair, a back turn with an over the shoulder glance, and with every click of the camera, a spontaneous and cute pose. The camera loves Kate.