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Seasonal flavors, luxury ingredients make kakigori shaved ice popular even in winter

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Seasonal flavors, luxury ingredients make kakigori shaved ice popular even in winter

Seasonal flavors, luxury ingredients make kakigori shaved ice popular even in winter

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2022

Winter may be coming, but the number of stores specializing in kakigori shaved ice has continued to increase.

Shaved ice evokes an image of summer, but more businesses are offering it throughout the year with distinctive toppings made of fruit, salted caramel and other ingredients. Some shops offer seasonal flavours for autumn and winter, bringing customers back again and again. The popularity of shaved ice has also grown among young people eager to capture photogenic images for social media.

Yuki Usagi, a shaved ice speciality shop in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, has remained open all year since opening its doors in 2014.

“It doesn’t give me a headache, and I can enjoy it like other sweets regardless of the season, not just summer,” said a 25-year-old stylist who lives in the ward.

“Pure ice” used at the shop is made after impurities such as chlorine have been removed from the water and frozen slowly at a factory for at least two days. Its ice crystals are firm and do not thaw easily, so it is easy to shave into thin slices. As thin slices of the ice melt quickly on the tongue, they are less likely to cause the so-called “ice cream headache,” which occurs when a cold sensation irritates the back of the throat.

During wintertime, the shop prepares warm tea, lap blankets and heat packs for customers.

“Our shop used to serve mainly local residents, but recently we’ve seen customers, especially young women, come from far away,” an employee of the shop said.

Power shortage triggers boom

When commercial shaved ice machines went on sale in Japan around 1950, cafes and sweet shops began adding shaved ice to their menus. At that time, the standard shaved ice was called “frappe” and had a rough texture created by shaving ice cubes made in-store. It was usually offered as a summer-only menu item.

According to the Tokyo-based Japan Kakigori Association, a power shortage in the summer of 2011 caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake in March of that year drew people’s attention to shaved ice as a way to feel cool while saving electricity. Furthermore, when Taiwan’s version of shaved ice topped with mango, tapioca and other ingredients was introduced to Japan, its distinctive appearance caused a boom among young people posting photos on social media.

In response to this wave of popularity, shops specializing in shaved ice opened one after another across the nation. More and more varieties of shaved ice appeared with the use of thick fruit sauces made from whole fruits and techniques such as espuma, in which ingredients are processed into a foamy consistency. As ingredients became more lavish, prices also rose, and it is not unusual now for some to cost nearly ¥2,000.

According to an estimate by the association, there were about 200 shaved ice speciality stores nationwide in 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic, but the figure has now doubled to about 400.

“The pace of new store openings in urban areas has slowed, but the trend has continued in rural areas,” said Ryusuke Koike, 50, the representative of the association’s board of members. “We expect the number to continue to rise for the time being.”

Seasonal features key

The boom has continued for years partly due to competition among shops to develop new varieties to keep attracting customers. Items used include a whole melon, Japanese-style shiratama mochi, and syrups flavoured by black tea and roasted green tea.

“There is a wide range of ingredients in both Japanese and Western-style flavours, and the flavours change greatly depending on spices and herbs used,” said Alice Saito, a 34-year-old fashion model who likes visiting shaved ice shops.

Sekka, another speciality shop in Toshima Ward, Tokyo, focuses on offering seasonal menu items using ingredients from each of the four seasons. In autumn, two types of syrup made from chestnut and its astringent peel are used, while in winter, shaved ice with rich flavours using cheese and zunda mashed green soybeans are offered.

“A sense of seasonality is becoming more important for shaved ice,” said Yuki Honda, the 39-year-old manager of the shop.

Tomoko Ogura, a food consultant, said: “Shaved ice has established its position as a slightly luxurious sweet. It has evolved into a year-round menu item that is not limited to summer.”

The Japan News

Asia News Network

‘The Art of Dreams’ exhibits larger-than-life childhood dreams

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‘The Art of Dreams’ exhibits larger-than-life childhood dreams

‘The Art of Dreams’ exhibits larger-than-life childhood dreams

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2022

With the immersive installation ‘Dream Big.’ by Scottish artist Chris Labrooy, Porsche is bringing its global initiative ‘The Art of Dreams’ to North America for the first time.

The initiative illuminates the topic of dreams with temporary works of art in major cultural centres. Labrooy’s sculpture addresses the child in every one of us and challenges beholders to dream big. It forms a physical anchor point to a project by Porsche in the virtual world that will be presented in the near future. ‘Dream Big.’ can be viewed at the beach of the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM).

The installation is open daily from 11 am to 6 pm from 29th November to 3rd December.

Homage to childhood dreams 
The centrepiece of ‘Dream Big.’ is a white Porsche 911 Carrera. In the hand of a larger-than-life figure with a racing driver’s helmet, the Coupé looks like a toy car. The artwork is an homage to the dreams of childhood. With a playful tone, the instal-lation is intended to inspire the beholder to wonder where their dreams will take them next. 

Digital artist and Porsche fan Chris Labrooy first created ‘Dream Big.’ via CGL and then transferred it into reality. The artwork is also a reference to a Porsche project in the virtual world that will be unveiled in the near future.

“Porsche embodies the fulfilment of dreams. With our ‘The Art of Dreams’ initiative, we want to inspire people to do just that – to dream,” says Robert Ader, Chief Mar-keting Officer (CMO) at Porsche. “But we also want to support artists and make ex-traordinary works accessible to the public. In the US, the best way to reach the art and design community is during Miami Art Week, when the creative heart of the world is beating in Florida. We’re excited to be making our first appearance there.”

‘The Art of Dreams’ exhibits larger-than-life childhood dreams
‘The Art of Dreams’ exhibits larger-than-life childhood dreams
‘The Art of Dreams’ exhibits larger-than-life childhood dreams
‘The Art of Dreams’ exhibits larger-than-life childhood dreams

About ‘The Art of Dreams’
In October 2021, Porsche launched ‘The Art of Dreams’ – a series of interactive art installations in major cities. A work by the French artist Cyril Lancelin kicked things off in Paris. His installation ‘Remember your dreams’ with giant air-filled elements was later also exhibited in Singapore. This was followed in June 2022 by the installation ‘Everywhereness’ by Ruby Barber (Studio Mary Lennox, Berlin) at Milan Design Week. This botanical artwork with a labyrinth of wild roses and a 1972 Porsche 911 S 2.4 probed the relationship between nature, human-made spaces and technology. 

‘The Art of Dreams’ exhibits larger-than-life childhood dreams

About Chris Labrooy
Chris Labrooy studied product design at the renowned Royal College of Art in Lon-don. After completing his master’s, the Scotsman was drawn to the digital sphere. He combined his knowledge of real objects with an increasing fascination for the surreal. Many of his 3D works depict classic Porsche 911 models placed in dreamy desert landscapes or in the form of a flamingo at the home swimming pool. As part of the ‘20 Years of Porsche in China’ jubilee, Labrooy transferred one of his digital artworks into the real world for the first time in 2021. The result was the art car ‘996 Swan’. The artist is a long-time Porsche fan and owner.

From collaborations to creations

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From collaborations to creations

From collaborations to creations

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2022

Pawit Mahasarinand

Post-pandemic, B-Floor Theatre remains prolific in collaborations and creations—their members can deliver dialogues too

Before the pandemic, B-Floor Theatre had been known —both locally and internationally— as Thailand’s premier physical theatre company. Winners of IATC Thailand Dance and Theatre  awards, their movement-based productions have voiced, silently yet powerfully, social and political commentaries. The same can be said for their international collaborations like that with Japan’s Hanchu-Yuei in “Girl X” and South Korea’s Theatre Momggol in a trilogy of “Something Missing.”

From collaborations to creations

However, two recent international collaborations, developed during the pandemic and mainly supported by foreign funds, have proved that members of B-Floor are also deft in handling dialogues in both Thai and English—namely, “A Thai Mirror” and “I Don’t Care.”

From collaborations to creations

As part of Bangkok Theatre Festival 2022, “A Thai Mirror” (in Thai title, “Krachok Thai”) was B-Floor’s collaboration with France’s Compagnie franchement, tu, with support from Institut Francaise, Region Hauts-de-France and French Embassy in Thailand. Two performances, by-invitation-only, at Thammasat Playhouse on Rangsit campus were followed by three public performances at Alliance Francaise Bangkok auditorium last weekend. 

From collaborations to creations

French playwright and director Nicolas Kerszenbaum’s compelling “political thriller” first tells how a French woman visits her brother and his Thai fiancée in Kanchanaburi and finds them missing and then flashes back one year prior to the Northeastern historic French town Besancon where the romantic and political relationships took shape.

The two French actors Marion Bottolier and Ulysse Bosshard and the two Thai ones Sarut Komalittipong and Wasu Wanrayangkoon worked well altogether as they spoke naturally in colloquial French, Thai and English. On an almost bare stage, they made it the scenes in France and Thailand credible and told the story clearly.

From collaborations to creations

The music and sound design collaboration of Sarah Metais-Chastanier and Warong Boonaree was another highlight as their work not only created the corresponding atmosphere and stirred the audience’s imagination but also told many stories. Watching them perform different instruments, both traditional and electronic, on stage right was a delight as both became another two actors in this work.

From collaborations to creations

A few slight letdowns are that disappearance of political activists is one of the most frequently used storylines by Thai theatre artists since the last coup d’etat. Some audiences might also feel, after watching this work, that this is yet another reaffirmation of the French government’s assistance for Thai political activists who fight for “democracy”.

From collaborations to creations

Two months earlier, B-Floor’s collaboration with Munich’s Residenztheater “I Don’t Care” (in Thai title, “Mai wa yang rai”), billed as a docufiction by writer and critic Jurgen Berger and funded by Goethe Institut Thailand, had its world premiere at Jim Thompson Art Center.

From collaborations to creations

Based on Berger’s interviews with transgender people in Thailand and Germany between 2017 and 2022, the work was filled with vast amount of information but never felt like an information overload thanks to the co-directors B-Floor’s co-artistic director Jarunun “Ja” Phantachat and Anna-Elisabeth Frick. As the German director’s works range from spoken drama to dance and music, it’s a good match with Ja to begin with.

Setting the performance area in traverse configuration with two sides of the audience facing each other, they asked us to look not only the performers and their stage actions but also how they’re related to other audience members or representatives of the society. The work then relied on presentational modes, frequently like that of a game show, to engage the audience effectively and then discuss issues about transgender people openly and directly.

From collaborations to creations

Interestingly, the tone was considerably light-hearted throughout the performance although the issues discussed were not, like the legal process involved in one’s change from one gender to another in Germany and the fact that Thailand is still far behind the rest of the world when it comes to inclusivity. Credit was due in part to a tightly knitted ensemble comprising German performer and member of Residenztheater ensemble Mareike Beykirch and her Thai counterparts Sarut and Pathavee Thepkraiwan who’s having a ball in this work. Shifting back and forth effortlessly among Thai, German and English languages as the audience occasionally read the translation surtitles, the trio was like storytellers, performers, entertainers, moderators and discussants all at once.

In October, “I Don’t Care” had a two-week run in the Bavarian capital and I’m sure it will continue elsewhere soon. In the program it’s noted that “both Bangkok and Munich are home to an unusually large number of specialists in sex reassignment surgery.” Lastly, theatregoers may recall that Berger was an initiator of the 2016 Thailand-Germany physical theatre collaboration on interracial relationship “Happy Hunting Ground” by Democrazy Theatre Studio and Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe. To put it differently, this cultural relationship has sustained and it’s important that Thailand’s cultural bodies start taking a look at it and lending support.

From collaborations to creations

This month, B-Floor is back at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre’s 4th floor Studio, with fewer dialogues and more physical movement, as they will close out BACC’s Performative Art Project (PAP) with “Cloud State” featuring two works.

From today (December 2) to Sunday, 7pm, and December 7 to 11, veteran actress and dance movement psychotherapist Dujdao “Dao” Vadhanapakorn’s “Paranoid – Schizoid”, an experiential performance in which she explores, as the title suggests, “a state of infants who cannot process the fact that a person can consist of both good and bad” and, as B-Floor always does, how this relates to the contemporary Thai society. Sharing the stage with Dao are two recipients of Silpathorn Award and B-Floor’s co-artistic directors themselves, “Ja” and Teerawat “Ka-ge” Mulvilai, in addition to another seasoned thespian Ornanong “Golf” Thaisriwong. Dao notes, “This performance aims to use the psychological state merely as an inspiration for her art; it’s not meant to be a scientific study to prove any clinical facts.”

The following weekend (December 15 to 18) at the same venue, the newly graduated Thammasat University theatre class of 2022, who have studied with B-Floor members, will restage their senior project work “It’s Just a Fiction (Not Mentioning Anything)”, described as “a story of a society oppressing its people with a so-called ‘education’.” Rumor is that Thailand’s most prolific complainer Srisuwan Janya may book a ticket.

Tickets for the former are Bt750 and the latter Bt600, available now at https://www.facebook.com/Bfloor.theatre.group/.

Pawit Mahasarinand

Electic vehicle sales provide a jolt for online lending, Krungsri Auto says

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Electic vehicle sales provide a jolt for online lending, Krungsri Auto says

Electic vehicle sales provide a jolt for online lending, Krungsri Auto says

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2022

Nongluck Ajanapanya

Surging sales of electric vehicles (EVs) are boosting digital auto lending, according to Krungsri Auto, the automotive finance unit of Bank of Ayudhya.

Rising EV sales in Thailand, particularly in the third quarter, contributed to rising demand for auto loans, and this led to significant growth of the digital lending service on the app “GO by Krungsri Auto”.

Congsin Congcar, head of Krungsri Auto Group, told a press conference on Friday that new digital loans for the first 10 months of this year rose 83% over the same period last year to 9.9 billion baht.

Congsin said that EV loans accounted for 34% of the total.


“With this growth rate, we can expect to see lending growing beyond our targets,” he added.

Krungsri Auto’s digital lending target for this year is 10.6 billion baht, a year-on-year increase of 53%. The amount is equivalent to 6% of its target for total new lending for the full year, which is 173 billion baht.

According to a recent report from the Department of Land Transportation, sales of EVs surged 289% in October from the same month last year.

The expansion of digital auto lending also coincides with a shift in Thai consumer behaviour. According to Krungsri Auto research, 68% of Thai internet users now buy products and services online every week.

Congsin said this was one reason Krungsri is adding more services to its app.

“We want to be more than just a digital loan application,” he said.

“With more complete services, we will continue to strengthen our ecosystem through the expansion of strategic partnerships with manufacturer brands, dealers, providers of EV infrastructures, and technology providers to create new solutions that meet the everyday needs of automobile users across all groups,” Congsin added.

Electic vehicle sales provide a jolt for online lending, Krungsri Auto says

Congsin said lending targets were either on track or exceeding targets. Full-year figures will be released at the end of this month, he said.

Consumers can apply for vehicle loans through GO by Krungsri Auto with just their identification cards and NDID verification.

After receiving notification of approved credit, they can sign a contract and purchase a vehicle without the need to submit additional documents, Congsin said.

He said the process can be completed in 30 minutes on the app.

Krungsri Auto was Thailand’s first auto-loan provider to offer service for all products through an app. Currently, 96% of the GO by Krungsri Auto app users live in Bangkok and other metropolitan areas, with the majority of them working full-time.

Nongluck Ajanapanya

Kanvela Craft Chocolate: Slowing down time to produce unique flavours

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Kanvela Craft Chocolate: Slowing down time to produce unique flavours

Kanvela Craft Chocolate: Slowing down time to produce unique flavours

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2022

Opal Varunsuda

Kanvela in Thai means “a period of time” and this phrase describes the time it takes to produce world-class, award-winning chocolate.

The owner Thana Kunaraksvong, CEO of Kanvela Craft Chocolate,  explains how locally grown cocoa beans are carefully chosen and dried in the blazing Thai sun to produce distinctively flavoured and beautifully crafted chocolate.

Thana Kunaraksvong, The owner of Kanvela Craft ChocolateThana Kunaraksvong, The owner of Kanvela Craft Chocolate

“We developed this unique approach based on our experience, which we have also communicated to farmers. This defines our ‘flavour’,” he said.

Cacao BeanCacao Bean“With factories licensed by the Thai Food and Drug Administration, every chocolate that is produced undergoes stringent inspection. The equipment we use was imported from Italy, and we have always placed a premium on the quality of our products and the safety of our customers.”

Kanvela Craft Chocolate: Slowing down time to produce unique flavoursKanvela has won many accolades globally including the Rising Star Award from the Academy of Chocolate, as well as two bronze medals at the 2020 International Chocolate Awards and two silvers and two bronzes at the 2021 contest.

The Chiang Mai-based company has expanded its reach by opening several outlets in the North and is also featured in the Thai Airways menu for First Class and Business Class passengers flying to Europe, Australia, South Korea and Japan.

Follow the full interview vdo in Business Story on December 3, 2022

Opal Varunsuda

Thai Vietjet unveils Performance of the first three Quarters 2022

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Thai Vietjet unveils Performance of the first three Quarters 2022

Thai Vietjet unveils Performance of the first three Quarters 2022

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2022

None of the past years has witnessed such rapid international expansion to different regional countries for Thai Vietjet. From only international cargo flights to China and Vietnam during the pandemic to almost 1st half of 2022, Thai Vietjet has been aggressively expanding its international flight network to various top destinations across the Asia-pacific region.

Currently, the airline operates direct flights from Bangkok to Singapore, Fukuoka, Taipei, Phnom Penh, and many destinations in Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc. Total passengers and cargo carried reached over 5 million and almost 9,000 tons, respectively.

Planning ahead to 2023, the airline is focusing on improving domestic flight services and international network expansion to offer further convenience to passengers and uplift its competitive advantage. 

“2022 has been a remarkable business year for Thai Vietjet,” said, Woranate Laprabang, Chief Executive Officer of Thai Vietjet, “We started the new year with the launch of the direct service between Bangkok and Phnom Penh, as soon as the borders between the two countries started to open, and since then have continuously and proactively expanded our wings to many destinations through the Asia-pacific region, including Singapore, Fukuoka, Taipei, as well as relaunching many destinations between Thailand and Vietnam, where we are the leader in the market.” 

Woranate Laprabang, Chief Executive Officer of Thai VietjetWoranate Laprabang, Chief Executive Officer of Thai Vietjet

In particular, Thai Vietjet, together with Vietjet Group, is the largest carrier operating between Thailand and Vietnam in terms of capacity. Since January 2022, Thai Vietjet and Vietjet operated over 2,500 flights between Thailand and Vietnam and transported over 350 thousand passengers on its extensive flight network between both countries, including the direct flight from Bangkok to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc, and the direct route from Phuket and Chiang Mai to Ho Chi Minh City. The airline will also resume direct service between Bangkok and Da Lat on December 2, 2022. 

Not only having various new international services in place in such a short time but the additional frequency for each of the routes was also added quickly, with 2 or even 3 daily flights, to support the increase of travel demand after travel restrictions in many countries have been relaxed. Lately, Thai Vietjet further announced the increase of its international services Bangkok – Fukuoka daily flight in November, Bangkok – Taipei of up to 10 flights per week in early December this year, with a solid plan to further increase the flight frequency to double daily right in January 2023.

To support its expanding fleet and flight network, in July 2022, Thai Vietjet hosted its annual “Sky Career Festival 2022”, recruiting new talents to be part of its fun and friendly yet professional team, with over 10 thousand participants attending to explore the airline’s career opportunities, joining cabin crew, pilot, engineering, ground service, commercial, back office and other jobs recruitment, learning insights from airline professionals. The Sky Career Festival is Thai Vietjet’s annual event since 2018, and it continues to provide participants with more opportunities to develop their career paths in a multinational working environment not only in Thailand but also in the overall region, but also in Asia region, especially in Vietnam.

In addition, to further leverage passengers’ in-flight experience, the airline introduced ‘Sky Café’, presenting a wide range of Thai and international cuisine to domestic and international passengers. Sky Café was officially launched after the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) gave airlines permission to serve food and drinks again on domestic flights in Thailand in July 2022, after a long hiatus of suspension due to Covid-19 outbreak. 

Looking forward to the year 2023, international expansion remains Thai Vietjet’s main and most important focus. The airline plans 

SCB 10X launches Web3 collaboration hub in Bangkok to nurture startups

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SCB 10X launches Web3 collaboration hub in Bangkok to nurture startups

SCB 10X launches Web3 collaboration hub in Bangkok to nurture startups

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2022

SCB 10X has opened a new physical space in Bangkok to serve as a hub for ideation, collaboration, and building in Web3 and assist in international community-building, the company said.

DistrictX will be a Web3 collaboration hub for SCB 10X, the venture investment arm of SCBX group, which will help build and incubate startups in the Web3 and blockchain industry.

Located in the heart of Bangkok, DistrictX will allow for both community building and business co-working. The 10,000 square foot spot is equipped with meeting rooms, a town hall, operational war room, podcast room and dining space offering free refreshments.

With two main areas, the first area will be the Hacker House, an open-seating space where global innovators in blockchain and Web3 can engage with one another and collaborate with the SCB 10X team, partners and ecosystem.

The second area is the Exponential Hub, a co-working space for SCB 10X’s global partnership, including leading global blockchain and Web3 companies: Axelar, Fireblocks, Nansen, The Sandbox, Nebula, Token Unlocks and RakkaR Digital.

“DistrictX is a physical space where we see the potential for great collaboration, networking, and entrepreneurship to bloom,” said Mukaya (Tai) Panich, CEO of SCB 10X. 
”Collaboration is key during this bear market, and we are excited to bring high potential startups, passionate entrepreneurs, prospective partners, and enthusiastic developers to Bangkok in order to strengthen the global communities of blockchain and Web3.”

Mukaya (Tai) Panich, CEO of SCB 10XMukaya (Tai) Panich, CEO of SCB 10X

“At Fireblocks, we believe that impactful partnership and collaboration is invaluable to the healthy growth of the industry,” said Stephen Richardson, head of Asia Pacific and senior vice president of financial markets at Fireblocks. “With Thailand having one of the highest rates of digital asset adoption, DistrictX will serve as an important hub for us to advance blockchain innovations and bring more financial institutions and businesses to these technologies.”

Stephen Richardson, Head of APAC and SVP of Financial Markets, Fireblocks.JPGStephen Richardson, Head of APAC and SVP of Financial Markets, Fireblocks.JPG

Through the DistrictX sixth-month Hacker House Incubation Program, SCB 10X said it would recruit talented developers and highly-driven entrepreneurs to build startups at the forefront of disruptive technology. The program will offer end-to-end support from SCB 10X’s building team, product and design testing, mentoring from the brightest minds in the ecosystems, and external fundraising and scaling.

Apart from its role in investing and building, SCB 10X will educate and create awareness among the general public about the world of blockchain and Web3.

DistrictX will host “Moonshot Meetup”, a bi-monthly workshop to engage partners, developers, and community by sharing knowledge and building projects. DistrictX will be the home to a line-up of future events such as the DistrictX Hacker House Program, Hackathons, and many more.

SCB 10X launches Web3 collaboration hub in Bangkok to nurture startups

“We’re proud to be a part of SCB 10X’s ecosystem and hope to contribute to the digital asset scene in Thailand,” said Alex Svanevik, CEO of Nansen. “We’re looking forward to more breakthrough collaborations in the DistrictX space.”

The launch of DistrictX is another step for SCB 10X towards achieving its “Moonshot Mission”, the company said, focused on investing globally in disruptive blockchain, Web3, and fintech technologies and incubating startups to become the next unicorns in the area of blockchain and Web3.

ANN news highlights: Fri, Dec 2, 2022

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Friday, December 2, 2022

Friday, December 2, 2022

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2022

Check out what’s hot in the region as The Nation puts together headlines from members of Asia News Network (ANN). Click to read more:

ANN news highlights: Fri, Dec 2, 2022
Bringing Asia Closer

Myanmar Crisis
Myanmar democracy leader says 2,000 dead fighting junta, urges military aid – Reuters for The Star

At least 2,000 pro-democracy fighters have been killed in Myanmar battling a military junta that seized power last year, the head of a parallel civilian government said in an interview aired on Thursday (Dec 10), urging allies to provide military aid.

Covid-19 China I
Experts call for attention on COVID anxiety, treatment – China Daily

Putting down the mobile phone, talking about negative feelings with friends or seeking professional counseling are some of the methods helpful in tackling depression and anxiety during a COVID-19 outbreak, experts said.

Covid-19 China II
Many services resume in Guangzhou as restrictions ease – China Daily

Dine-in services at restaurants in low-risk areas in the Haizhu, Liwan and Tianhe districts in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, were allowed to resume on Thursday.

Crime Malaysia
‘Golf resort’ syndicate busted – The Star

An international syndicate duping victims with fake investment and job opportunities abroad is believed to have rented a golf resort in a remote area, hoping its “call centre” in the middle of an oil palm plantation will go unnoticed.


City Singapore
Singapore, New York top ‘world’s costliest city’ survey – AFP for Straits Times

Singapore and New York are jointly the world’s most expensive cities after inflation soared in 2022, an annual survey showed on Thursday.

Politics Malaysia I
Cabinet may be named today | The Star

The guessing game about who will be in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Cabinet in the unity government is expected to be answered today, a week after he took office.


Diplomacy China-EU
Xi: China and EU should support each other | China Daily

Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with visiting President of the European Council Charles Michel in Beijing on Thursday.

Military Japan
Development of 10 long-range missiles being mulled – The Japan News

The development of at least 10 types of long-range missiles is being mulled under a Defense Ministry plan, as the nation moves toward the possession of counterattack capabilities, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.

N Korea
Kim Jong-un’s daughter, 10, leads fashion wave in North Korea – Korea Herald

Since weeks ago when Kim Jong-un revealed his 10-year-old daughter Kim Ju-ae to the world openly for the first time, her fashion style has proven to be an instant hit in North Korea, and her styling seems to be sending young North Koreans abuzz.

Economy China
Editorial: Awaiting China’s full recovery – Jakarta Post

Southeast Asian countries have high expectations that China will soon win its fight against COVID-19. A fully recovered China matters to nations in the region, if not the whole world because it is the main driver of global economic growth.
 

Pakistan
Opinion: Free or dependent? – Pakistan’s establishment needs to do some serious soul-searching about the country’s place in the world – Dawn

Pakistan does have an independent foreign policy. It is not a protectorate or a colony much less a slave; it is a sovereign country free to have its own foreign policy. Pakistan did have a choice, and exercised it freely, sometimes well, sometimes badly.

War in Ukraine
Editorial: Putin’s plight – The Statesman

When Oleksiy Arestovich, an adviser to the Ukrainian President, said earlier this week that “Vladimir Putin is living in fear for his life as his army retreats… there is no forgiveness for tsars who lose wars”, he could well have been playing mind games. But there is no denying the fact that the pressure is mounting on the Russian President after weeks of gruelling military setbacks and domestic demands to end mobilisation.

Port Timor
Timor Leste opens new port in largest ever foreign investment – AFP for Jakarta Post

Timor Leste inaugurated a new deepwater port Wednesday operated by a French conglomerate, in the largest ever single foreign investment on an infrastructure project in Southeast Asia’s youngest country.

EV Malaysia
China’s EVE Energy to build US$422.3mil cylindrical battery plant in Malaysia – The Star

China-based EVE Energy Co Ltd, via its subsidiary EVE Energy Malaysia Sdn Bhd, will be investing US$422.3mil (RM1.86bil) to set up a cylindrical battery production base in Malaysia.

Remittances Philippines
New Fil-Am fintech firm offering easier US-PH money transactions – Inquirer

A Filipino American fintech company is now offering “easy, convenient, and low-cost cross-border financial services from the United States to the Philippines” including no-fee remittances.

Food Cambodia
Rice export boom seen following EU court victory | Phnom Penh Post

A marked uptick in Indica rice exports to European markets is expected after Cambodia won a challenge against the European Commission’s (EC) 2019 decision to remove tariff preferences on imports of the rice from the Kingdom for three years, on grounds that the shipments were causing perceived economic damage to EU producers.

Trafficking Philippines
Aside from Myanmar, Philippines’ DMW also looks into human trafficking in Cambodia, Laos | Inquirer

Besides Myanmar, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is also looking into human trafficking in Cambodia and Laos.

Fans in Japan celebrate reaching last 16

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2022

Fans in Japan celebrate reaching last 16

Japanese soccer fans cheered and chanted at Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya crossing after Japan beat Spain 2-1 to surge into the last 16 at dawn Friday (December 2) Japan local time.

As Hong Kong welcomes first tour group from Thailand, officials hope arrivals will rise following the relaxation Covid-19 restrictions

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As Hong Kong welcomes first tour group from Thailand, officials hope arrivals will rise following the relaxation Covid-19 restrictions

As Hong Kong welcomes first tour group from Thailand, officials hope arrivals will rise following the relaxation Covid-19 restrictions

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2022

Hong Kong Tourism Board chairman Pang Yiu-kai said the board welcomed the government’s decision last month to allow inbound tour groups to dine in designated areas of restaurants and cut the time they spent waiting for the results of Covid-19 tests.

Pang said, “Hong Kong is one of Asia’s most festive destinations in winter. Becoming effective before the travel peak season of Christmas and Chinese New Year, the new arrangements will help bring back short-haul visitors to experience Hong Kong’s seasonal festivity, especially those from Southeast Asia. The Hong Kong Tourism Board will continue to work closely with trade partners in promoting the diverse and exciting activities and experiences in town to attract inbound visitors to the city.”

“We are glad that the announcement of the new travel guidelines has been well received by our Southeast Asian partners and consumers “, says Raymond Chan, Regional Director, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong Tourism Board. “We will be rolling out more trade and marketing activities in the upcoming months to welcome Southeast Asian group tours to Hong Kong.”

As Hong Kong welcomes first tour group from Thailand, officials hope arrivals will rise following the relaxation Covid-19 restrictions

Welcoming the First Thailand Incentive Group

Hong Kong welcomed an incentive group of Thailand’s top beauty brand IB Skincare from 25 to 28 November. It is the first of a steady stream of overseas incentive groups that the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) anticipates to return to the city following further relaxation of social measures for inbound travel since mid-November.

The group was treated to unique experiences with a “wow” factor, including a specially arranged tour of the brand-new Hong Kong Palace Museum, temple-hopping and an exclusive Christmas tree light-up moment at Hong Kong WinterFest, creating unforgettable memories in Hong Kong for the incentive group members.

As Hong Kong welcomes first tour group from Thailand, officials hope arrivals will rise following the relaxation Covid-19 restrictions

Kenneth Wong, General Manager, MICE & Cruise of HKTB, said: “We’re delighted to welcome our friends from Thailand to Hong Kong again. This group marked the very first of our line-up of incentive groups from short-haul markets, with even more coming in the future. It indicates encouraging overseas demand for motivational incentive programmes in Hong Kong, especially after the recent implementation of favourable arrangements for inbound tour groups,” which refer to the special arrangements for inbound tour group travellers received by licensed travel agents with pre-registered itineraries to enter tourist attractions and dine in designated catering premises that came into effect on 18 November.

He added: “We are very pleased that they enjoyed Hong Kong’s very best East-meets-West cultural celebrations, tradition immersion and brand-new attractions.”

“We missed Hong Kong a lot! Hong Kong is full of new excitement, even in the traditional temples across the city. I am impressed with the gold foil pasting on the Holy Deer at Man Mo Temple and thankful for all the warm hospitality and authentic experiences at various temples. ​Everyone is very welcoming too! There’s not just cultural immersion, but also new elements that enhance the overall experience,” said Pamika Laohirun, Manager, Garey Asset.

The HKTB arranged for the group an exclusive Christmas tree light-up moment at the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD), the city’s new flagship art and cultural quarter, as Hong Kong prepares to celebrate the year-end festive season.

“It was incredibly amazing to personally light up the giant Christmas tree against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s skyline!” said Chanyapuk Laohirun, Owner and Director, Garey Asset.”I would like to thank the HKTB for their dedicated support. We had a memorable evening at WKCD soaking up the joyous festive atmosphere and visiting the new Hong Kong Palace Museum. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience immersing in some of the best-ever East-meets-West cultural celebrations in a single trip!”