“The Unusual Valentine’s Afternoon Tea”, a leisurely afternoon spent nibbling treats made for two and sipping Champagne, will be a daily affair at the St Regis Bangkok from February 1-29.
On the menu are raspberries and rose scones, prosciutto and parmesan pinched-heart palmier, lobster with cocktail sauce and marinated salmon with beetroot on blinis.
Dessert is rose lychee macarons, chilli chocolate bon bons and strawberry charlotte cake.
And for cocktails there are three Valentine specialities from Hendrick’s Gin – the Eros, Up in the Air, and the Unusual Affection.
On Valentine’s Day itself, a pianist and violinist will add to the sweet mood.
The cost is Bt1,600-plus, which includes one cocktail per person, or Bt3,000-plus per couple with an additional glass of Bollinger Champagne per person.
Hong Jung-seun poses for a photo on Jan. 16 in front of a Catholic church in southwestern Seoul while holding a book, titled “Coming Out Story,” which she co-authored with other parents of LGBT people. (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald)
By The Korea Herald/ANN
Mother helps other parents struggling to accept their LBGT children
When her son Jiho, 38, came out as gay 12 years ago, Hong Jung-seun felt as if her world had stopped.
The ardent Roman Catholic asked God many times why she and her family were facing this personal crisis and what she had done wrong in her life. She begged God to change her son’s sexuality so that he could lead a normal life.
In the end, it was she who changed.
“I had been so devoted to serving God, but why my son? I thought it was a punishment for something I did wrong. I hated God,” Hong said during an interview with The Korea Herald.
For a while, she could not eat. She spent many sleepless nights in shock, denial and guilt. Her mood changed every second.
Her thoughts were fixed on what her son’s sexuality would mean for his life — and for her life — in a society where sexual minorities are often denied, discriminated against and hated.
After spending much time alone praying, she came to the realization that God was teaching her the virtues of love and acceptance, not punishing her.
“My life goal was to send my son to a good university, get him to have a good job and form a good family. But I learned to see and accept him as he is, not as I want him to be,” she said. “God taught me I cannot change a living thing but I can embrace it as it is.
“Without him coming out, I would have lived and died without breaking my prejudices, unable to wholeheartedly sympathize with the socially marginalized,” she said. “My views have been broadened and my world has been enriched. I learned the meaning of gratitude.”
Now, Hong leads a group of parents of sexual minorities who meet for three hours once a month. It’s her way of supporting other parents going through the same agony.
In South Korea, homosexuality is not illegal, but discrimination against sexual minorities remains widespread. Many Korean sexual minorities keep their identities hidden for fear of judgment.
According to the latest Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development report published in 2019, Korea was fourth from the bottom in terms of LGBTQ inclusiveness among member countries surveyed. It scored 2.8 points out of 10, with the OECD average being 5.1.
Teenage sexual minorities appear to be more vulnerable.
A 2014 poll by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea found that 54 percent of LGBTQ teens experienced bullying and discrimination at school, and 19.4 percent had attempted suicide.
Most parents who attend Hong’s group meetings have teenage children who have just come out. Those children, Hong said, are walking on the fence between life and death — and asking for help.
“There was a time when my son was very sensitive and I thought it was just due to stress from studying ahead of the college entrance exam,” she said. “I am sorry that he had to put up with fear and loneliness on his own.”
For her son, Hong hopes for a world where sexual minorities can thrive and find happiness as they are.
“Most urgently, we need an anti-discrimination law. Parents of sexual minorities are worried about their children’s safety every day,” she said. “I just want my gay son to be able to live here safely just like others. I am not asking for any privileges.”
Religion should be a bridge, not a barrier, she added, referring to Protestant groups that have been outspoken in their opposition to gay rights and expression.
Yet, Hong sees signs of positive change, albeit slow.
The group Hong leads won the Lee Don-myung Award — established in memory of the pro-democracy human rights lawyer — from Korea’s Catholic Human Rights Committee earlier this month.
The country’s pride parade is also getting bigger every year, with the 2019 parade in central Seoul attracting a record 80,000 LGBTQ people and their supporters.
Her son is not a source of worry anymore, she said. He is a source of happiness and reason for gratitude, as well as a bridge to a world that is richer and more colorful. For that, she thanks him every day for having appeared in her life and being who he is.
“Thank you, my son, for opening up a bigger world for me,” she said.
Birthday girl Pornpawee ousts ex-champion from Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters
Jan 23. 2020
Pornpawee Chochuwong
By THE NATION
Pornpawee Chochuwong celebrated her birthday on Wednesday (January 22) by beating defending champion Fitriani Fitriani of Indonesia in the opening round of the Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters, which kicked off on Tuesday (January 21) at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium in Bangkok.
The world No 19, who turns 22 on Wednesday, had no problem picking off the diminutive Indonesian in straight sets, 21-9 21-16, in just 37 minutes in the BWF World Tour Super 250 event.
The 2018 finalist, who has yet to win a singles title on the tour, joined 2017 champion Busanan Ongbamrungphan who was put to the test before beating sixth-seeded Sung Ji Hyun of South Korea 26-24 22-24 21-18 in a long tussle lasting 88 minutes.
Also advancing into round two was teenager Phittayaporn Chaiwan. The 2019 World Junior Championships bronze medallist ousted Lianne Tan of Belgium 21-18 21-12.
On the men’s side, 2019 World Championships bronze medallist Kantaphon Wangcharoen went down to Suppanyu Avihingsanon 21-18 21-12 21-14 in an all Thai affair.
Also advancing were three-time world junior champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn after he vanquished Vladimir Malkov of Russia 21-14 21-13 and Khosit Phetpradab who beat Huang Yu Xiang of China 14-21 21-13 21-14.
Third-seeded Ng Ka Long Angus of Hong Kong stunned former Olympic champion Lin Dan of China 21-18 21-9.
Rina, winner of national qualifiers, set for Honda LPGA Thailand 2020
Jan 22. 2020
Rina Tatematsu
By THE NATION
Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co Ltd teamed up with the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) in organising The Honda LPGA Thailand National Qualifiers on January 21-22, in search of a Thai female golfer who would take part in the upcoming Honda LPGA Thailand 2020.
The winner of National Qualifiers is Rina Tatematsu, who won after a playoff with Chanette Wannasaen and is now set to participate at the Honda LPGA Thailand 2020, to be held from 20-23 February 20-23, at the Old Course of Siam Country Club Pattaya.
Pitak Pruittisarikorn, Chief Operating Officer of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co Ltd said: “After our successful event last year, held for the first time, we have once again organised the Honda LPGA Thailand National Qualifiers which provides aspiring local golfers a special opportunity to play in an elite tournament and compete with the best women players from around the world at the Honda LPGA Thailand 2020. Today, I would like to offer my warmest congratulation to Rina Tatematsu for winning the qualifiers.
“Honda is proud to be a part of a major initiative that aims to empower a new generation of Thai female golfers, and help give them the inspiration to improve their skills to play in professional tournaments in the future. We would like to support and encourage those who did not achieve their dream today, They must continue to focus on their goals, and make their dreams come true,” said Pitak.
“I’m very satisfied with my performance in the Honda LPGA Thailand National Qualifiers 2020. It will be a great and special opportunity for me to compete in the Honda LPGA Thailand 2020 with so many world-class professionals. I would like to thank Honda and the Sports Authority of Thailand for initiating this competition and providing opportunities for golfers to learn and develop the competitive skills required of world-class players. Lastly, I would like to invite all golf fans to give their support and cheer for us at the tournament.” said Rina after her win.
On the first day of the two-day qualifier, there were 58 participants in total and four joint winners: Benyapa Niphatsophon, last year’s winner, Rina Tatematsu, Kultida Pramphun and Sarunchana Rattanasin with three rounds of 69.
“The standards were very high and it was a tough competition with so many good players. I think there are some great up-and-coming golfers in the qualifiers and I look forward to playing in the Honda LPGA Thailand 2020,” added Rina, 18, who finished the day on -4 tied for first place with Chanette Wannasaen after rounds of 69 and 71.
Chanette, who had two rounds of 70, also finished on -4 and the tournament went to a playoff to decide the winner. After the scores were level on the first playoff hole, Rina proved too good and went on to win the tournament with 58 participants this year. Rina was also invited by Ariya Jutanugarn to be part of Team Jutanugarn at the 2019 Major Champions Invitational at Orlando, Florida, USA.
The Honda LPGA Thailand 2020 will be held from February 20-23 at Siam Country Club Pattaya, Old Course, featuring 70 female golfers, including 56 professionals from the 2020 LPGA Priority List, the winner of 2020 Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, the winner of 2020 Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio, the winner of 2020 ISPS Handa Vic Open, the winner of 2020 ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, eight invited players as well as the winner from the Honda LPGA Thailand National Qualifiers and the winner from the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific Championship 2020, which will be held before the Honda LPGA Thailand.
Tickets including VIP tickets and Premium Grandstand tickets are available on the website www.hondalpgathailand.com. VIP tickets offer access to the Clubhouse at The Siam Country Club Pattaya, Old Course. Spectators can look forward to more activities on-site across the four-day tournament. This year, 9 MCOT HD Channel 30, the official broadcaster, will air the competition live on all four days of the tournamet as well as through their online channel www.mcot.net
The tennis courts where top talents from around the world will be competing in next month’s GSB Thailand Open will be pink, the tournament organiser has decided.
The vivid colour is intended to highlight planned charity activities and show support for women with end-stage breast cancer, said Thai tennis hero Paradorn “Superball” Srichaphan, the event’s director.
A major Women’s Tennis Association meet, the “GSB Thailand Open 2020 presented by EA” will be at True Arena Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan from February 10-16, with total prize money of US$275,000 (Bt8.8 million).
Paradorn, who reached world No 9 in the men’s game, said the organisers and WTA are collaborating on charity and “corporate social responsibility” events and all revenues from ticket sales will be donated in full to Pink Park Village operated by the Breast Cancer Foundation of Queen Sirikit Centre.
Pink is a colour that “reflects the strength of womanhood”, he said, as as such encourages people with end-stage cancer.
It also happens to be the design colour used by Government Savings Bank, the tournament’s main sponsor.
“All the equipment has arrived and the detailed installation work is underway,” Paradorn said of tournament preparations. “We expect everything to be completed by January 25. Parts of the GSB Centre Court – the main court for the tournament – will be pink as well.”
Hotels, shuttle-bus services and Thai cultural activities for the players have been arranged, he said. The foreign competitors will be invited to offer food to monks and learn how to cook Thai dishes, make a floral garland, weave Khomapastr cloth and hand-paint fabric.
The Cabinet on Tuesday (January 21) allocated Bt240 million to help broadcasters acquire the rights to upcoming Olympics and the 2022 Asian Games, but the government expects the full amount to be paid back from their earnings.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports had sought financial support for this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, this year’s Winter Youth Olympics in Lausanne and the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Summer Youth Olympics in Dakar and Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Plan B Media Plc will oversee the purchasing of broadcast licences and public promotion, with a total outlay of Bt480 million less broadcasting technical fees.
The Sport Fund announced last August that the government would earmark Bt240 million for the licences on the condition sponsors would be secured with financial support beyond that amount.
Hyundai Motor sales surpass W100tr ($90 bn)for first time in 2019
Jan 22. 2020
Hyundai Motor Group
By The Korea Herald/ANN
Automaker sees boost from higher-end models; firm to maintain year-end dividend at the 3,000 won level.
Hyundai Motor Group said Wednesday that its sales last year hit a record high of 105 trillion won ($90 billion), surpassing the 100 trillion won mark for the first time, and its operating profit grew more than 52 percent.
The conglomerate is the third to join the so-called “100 trillion won club,” after Samsung Electronics in 2008 and SK in 2018.
Hyundai Motor’s sales exceeded 90 trillion won in 2015.
According to Hyundai Motor’s 2019 financial statements, its annual sales rose by 9.3 percent on-year to 105.79 trillion won.
The company said its operating profit was 3.68 trillion won in 2019, up 52.2 percent from the previous year, with its operating profit rate reaching 3.5 percent, up 1 percentage point from the previous year. Its net profit recorded 3.26 trillion won, an increase of 98.5 percent over the same period.
The automaker attributed last year’s performance to increased sales of its Genesis luxury brand and profitable sport utility vehicles such as the Palisade.
The weakened Korean won also played a role in the company’s increased profitability, industry sources said.
“We will continue the sales momentum with the latest launch of GV80 as well as other main models including Avante and Tucson that are soon to be launched,” said a Hyundai Motor official.
“Although business uncertainties lie ahead of us, we will do our best to achieve an operating profit rate of 5 percent this year through an optimized strategy for profitability, improved cost effectiveness and the expansion of new models and sales of SUVs,” an official added.
The company also vowed to enhance the profitability of eco-friendly cars this year, accelerate its push to become a smart mobility solution provider and actively expand investment in setting up a new mobility ecosystem based on automotive driving and mobility service.
A total of 4.42 million vehicles were delivered last year. The number had inched down by 3.6 percent, mainly due to the global trends toward reduced automotive demand and increased use of car-sharing services.
According to Hyundai Motor, its goal is to sell 4.57 million cars globally this year, including around 732,000 in Korea and about 3.84 million abroad.
Meanwhile, the company said it had decided to maintain the same 3,000 won level for its 2019 year-end dividend.
Total dividends amounted to 790.4 billion won, in line with a 2.4 percent market price dividend rate for common stock and 3.7 percent for preferred stock.
People are seen wearing masks at Beijing Railway Station on Jan 21, 2020. As of 6 pm on Tuesday, there have been five cases of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection in Beijing. [Photo by Zou Hong/chinadaily.com.cn]
By China Daily/ANN
The new coronavirus in the ongoing outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei province, is likely to have originated from bats, and is genetically more identical to severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, than the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS, according to a study published online on Tuesday.
However, the new virus is neither SARS nor MERS, but a relative that belongs to a different class called the betacoronavirus, a single-strand RNA virus that can infect wild animals, livestock and humans. The new virus may have originated from bats like SARS, but there might be more intermediate hosts between bats and humans, according to the study.
The paper was published by the journal of Science China Life Sciences by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Guangzhou Medical University.
The researchers also found that the new virus may share a similar transmission mechanism with that of SARS, which is infecting cells of the respiratory tract. However, the paper suggests the infectiousness of the new virus might be lower than SARS and its structure is easier to break apart due to some of its genetic features.
A Beijing expert in the sector who requested anonymity said the paper’s model was based on test examples from the early period of the outbreak, and mutations can occur that may lead to different results.
“The purpose of the paper is not to give a definitive answer on what the new virus is, but rather to offer a direction and basic groundwork for the international scientific community to look deeper into the pathogen,” he said.
“It is still too early to say how deadly or contagious the new virus is, and we should not let fear and speculations get in the way of our understanding of the situation.”
A train on Gyeongui Line crosses the border and heads toward the North Korean territory in 2007 on a trial-run. But the service was suspended since 2008. Yonhap
By The Korea Herald/ANN
Seoul appears to be looking to resume a joint railway project with Pyongyang as it seeks a breakthrough in inter-Korean relations, amid halted nuclear negotiations between the US and North Korea.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in last week called for a renewed drive on various inter-Korean projects, such as cooperation on the border area, a joint bid to co-host the 2032 Summer Olympics, an inter-Korean railway and road project and individual tourism.
Ever since he floated plans for Seoul to assume an active role — and be less of a bystander — in dealing with Pyongyang, key officials have been calling for more engagement with North Korea, with plans to allow South Korean tourists to the North receiving the most spotlight so far.
“I believe the project we should push for most urgently, and is doable, is connecting the railway network between South Korea and the North because it will take the longest (time) to complete,” Lee Soo-hyuck, South Korean Ambassador to the US, told reporters in Washington.
“The overarching principle of the projects the government is pushing is that we should do the most we can within the framework of international sanctions.”
His comments come amid a rare display of a rift between Seoul and Washington on Moon’s renewed engagement policies with Pyongyang. The US has called on the South to discuss its plans, including on allowing individual tourism to the North, first through its working-level group to avoid weakening the allies’ united front on North Korea.
“As far as I know, the US has never rejected any (of our proposals at the working group),” he said, adding the US’ stance is that inter-Korean cooperation could help in denuclearizing North Korea.
The highly publicized project to modernize North Korean railways and roads and connect them with the South ceremonially broke ground in December 2018, following an agreement reached during the inter-Korean summit in April that year. The two Koreas carried out a joint inspection of the North’s railway and roads, but the project has been stalled due to UN-led sanctions against the North.
The government has started updating a list of equipment and supplies for the railway project, as it will need to request an exemption from the UN Security Council’s North Korea sanctions committee, to go ahead and take the materials to the North.
It plans to talk with the US, possibly through the joint working group on North Korea, for exemption on US-led sanctions if needed. During the joint inspection in 2018, the UNSC had granted an exemption for some materials that the South needs to send to the North for the project.
When asked on the process of inter-railway project, the Unification Ministry said “additional inspection is required at the moment.”
“On areas that need to be prepared internally and independently, we are continuing to prepare at working levels,” the ministry’s spokesman Lee Sang-min said in a regular briefing Wednesday.
But the main question remains as to whether North Korea will respond to Seoul’s ambitious plans.
Pyongyang has kept mum on Seoul’s latest proposals, including the resumption on individual tourism — which the government reiterated it does not violate US-led sanctions, nor require a nod from Washington.
Following Moon’s call, the Unification Ministry has drawn up possible scenarios on individual tourism to North Korea, with allowing Koreans to use a travel agency in the third country to visit North Korea as the most realistic option.
Workers disinfect a market in Wuhan, Hubei province, on Sunday. MIAO JIAN/CHANGJIANG DAILY
By China Daily/ANN
Reducing travel in and out of city may curb disease spread, he says The mayor of Wuhan, Hubei province, called on people not travel to and from the city in order to combat the ongoing pneumonia outbreak.
Mayor Zhou Xianwang said during an interview with CCTV on Tuesday that reducing the flow of people will also decrease the possibility of the virus spreading and lighten the pressure on disease prevention and control efforts.
Wuhan set up a prevention and control center to combat the outbreak on Monday, the city’s health authorities said.
Led by Zhou, the center heads eight task forces made up of authorities involved in emergency management, publicity, transport, market regulation, medical treatment and epidemic control and prevention, according to the Health Commission of Wuhan.
The city will strengthen measures to scan passengers for higher body temperatures at airports, train and bus stations and ports, and reduce or cancel all unnecessary large gatherings.
Patients with serious symptoms should be treated by a team of medical workers with a specific plan, and hospitals should strengthen the protection of their staff to prevent infection within hospitals.
The city will promptly and objectively release information about disease prevention and control.
Traffic management authorities in Wuhan are searching vehicles entering or leaving the city for live poultry or wild animals. Health experts say animals are the likely source of the new coronavirus responsible for the disease.
All exit ports in the city have installed temperature monitoring devices, and all passengers traveling abroad will be required to undergo body temperature checks. Passengers with higher temperatures will be placed under observation or persuaded not to travel, the city’s tourism authorities said on Tuesday.
The city has installed 35 infrared thermometers and more than 300 portable infrared thermometers in the city’s airports, railway and bus stations since Jan 14, the commission said.
All passengers with higher than normal temperatures will be registered and transferred to nearby medical facilities. They will get a full refund of their tickets and rescheduling charges, it said.
All modes of public transportation in the city have been subject to daily sterilization and ventilation since Sunday, the health commission added.
He Houpeng, deputy director of the commission, said that the government will pay for the remaining medical bills of all confirmed pneumonia patients not covered by medical insurance.
Three hospitals in Wuhan have allocated 800 beds to receive pneumonia patients, and other medical facilities have allocated 1,200 beds, he said.
The city will delay its annual festival at the city’s major tourism attractions for the upcoming Spring Festival amid the ongoing outbreak, the city’s tourism authorities said on Tuesday. The bureau did not specify how long the event will be delayed.
Jin Ding/China Daily
Q&A with experts
A high-level expert team organized by the National Health Commission on Monday answered some of the most concerning questions about the new coronavirus that has caused the pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei province, which has spread to multiple provincial regions across China and some overseas locations.
Origin of the virus
Zhong Nanshan, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a prominent expert in respiratory diseases, said the virus very likely originated from wild animals.
Gao Fu, head of the Chinese Center for Disease and Control and Prevention: We have collected evidence that the virus is linked with wild animals in a seafood market in Wuhan, which was closed following the report of the outbreak. We have identified the new coronavirus in the market. We are not certain of the source of infection, as we have not found out which particular animal is responsible. All six coronaviruses known to humans, including the one that caused severe acute respiratory disease, originated from wild mammals.
Yuan Guoyong, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering: We should not eat wild animals. We must respect the life of wild animals and their habitats, because we share the same Earth.
Comparison with SARS
Yuan Guoyong: The new coronavirus is different from SARS, and the two viruses result in different clinical conditions and infectiousness. At present, it is not clear how the new virus will develop and how it affects humans, and a lot of work needs to be done.
Li Lanjuan, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering: Since the SARS outbreak, China has built a very good disease prevention and control system, and our capacity to prevent and control diseases has greatly increased. This is why we successfully developed testing methods for the new virus soon after the start of the outbreak.
Zhong Nanshan: I am very confident the SARS outbreaks 17 years ago will not repeat. We successfully identified the new coronavirus within two weeks of the outbreak, and we have very good disease monitoring and quarantine systems. So I do not think the new virus will result in damage to society and the economy as SARS did.
Means of disease control and prevention
Zhong Nanshan: The best way to prevent and control the disease is to identify and diagnose cases as early as possible, and put them under quarantine for treatment. Various authorities, including those in health authorities, should take responsibility. For Wuhan, it is important to minimize the exportation of the virus. The city will take strict measures to identify cases at its airport and railway stations. Temperature measuring should be applied, and we suggest residents in the city with abnormal temperatures not leave, which is very important.
Zeng Guang, chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention: For Wuhan, all the public should act, and all government departments should join efforts for disease control.
Availability of effective drugs for the disease
Zhong Nanshan: Similar to SARS, there is no effective drug for the disease at present, but we are doing animal research and trying some traditional Chinese medicines.
Impact on the peak traffic season around the Spring Festival holiday
Zhong Nanshan: Now it is a critical state. We estimate the number of cases will continue rising during the 40-day travel season, which started on Jan 10.
Zeng Guang: We hope we can take measures so the number of cases will not rise too much and can decrease rapidly after the peak traffic season.
![People are seen wearing masks at Beijing Railway Station on Jan 21, 2020. As of 6 pm on Tuesday, there have been five cases of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection in Beijing. [Photo by Zou Hong/chinadaily.com.cn]](https://media.nationthailand.com/images/news/2020/01/22/30380930/800_d6c694cbba75198.jpg?v=1579692276)
SootinClaimon.Com 