Panipak falls in semis, settles for bronze at World Taekwondo Championships
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022
Taekwondo Olympic champion Panipak “Tennis” Wongpattanakit had to be content with a bronze medal after losing her semi-final bout in the World Taekwondo Championships in in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Second seed Panipak went down to third-seeded Daniela Souza in the women’s 49kg class 1-2 (4-0, 1-5, 4-5). Saudi fighter Dunya Ali Abutaleb also got the bronze.
Souza went on to win the gold beating China’s Guo Qing in the final.
Meanwhile, another Thai athlete Chaichon Cho lost in the round of 64 of the men’s 68kg class against Javad Aghayev from Kazakhstan.
Four Thai fighters will be in action from Thursday to Sunday.
Lakchai Hauihongthong will compete in the men’s 74kg class on Thursday; Phannapa Harnsujin in the women’s 53kg class on Friday;
Ramnarong Sawekwiharee in the men’s 54kg class on Saturday and Julanan Khantikulanon in the women’s 46kg class on Sunday.
With “Above the Ocean” strategy, Siam Piwat is rising above all changes and moving forward with stability and sustainability
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022
Throughout over 63 years of business in Thailand, Siam Piwat has overcome all sorts of crises especially at Siam – the fiercest battlefield of commerce and much more.
Siam Piwat has been able to lead its partners and retailers out of each plight through the years. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which it was no less impacted than any other business, the Company parlayed the extensive experience it had amassed over the years into a toolset that enabled it to triumph over the crisis with grace.
While steering a business through hardships is already in a challenge for an executive in and of itself, changing the game to future-proof the business is an even bigger challenge. Yet, Siam Piwat Group’s chief Chadatip Chutrakul has proven herself as a leader time and again, having helped the business swiftly regain profitability when hit by a crisis, including the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms. Chadatip Chutrakul, Chief Executive Officer of Siam Piwat Group, a leading real estate and retail developer, the owner and operator of world-renowned properties, such as Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery, and a joint venture partner of ICONSIAM and Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok, said that the COVID crisis has been a great learning experience. Thanks to the experience it has gained from previous crises, coupled with a decisive move to quickly restructure the organization, Siam Piwat has been able not only to cope with the challenge but also generate more revenue in the first nine months of 2022 than in the same period of 2019, pre-COVID level despite the absence of foreign tourists.
Through the years, Siam Piwat’s mission is not to be the number one in terms of the number of shopping centers or the largest market share in terms of area. Rather, Siam Piwat adopts a four-pronged Top-of-Mind strategy to ensure its resilience. The strategy consists of the following:
1. Top-of-mind among people: Siam Piwat seeks to establish top-of-mind awareness not only among Thai people but across the world. This goal is well within reach as Siam Paragon is the sixth most checked-in place in the world on Facebook and the world’s most checked-in location on Instagram, not to mention that all Siam Piwat’s shopping centers have been voted by tourists in various countries as their favorite destinations.
2. Top-of-mind among retailers: Siam Piwat is committed to its duty of ensuring the continuous success of ten thousand retailers across its shopping centers. As a testament, Siam Piwat has successfully generated astounding foot traffic, bringing in over 100 million visitors per year, more than 25 million of whom are tourists. Thanks to this, many brands with branches in Siam Piwat’s properties have achieved the country’s top sales, while international brands have similarly been able to push their sales into the world’s top 10.
3. Top-of-mind among business partners: Siam Piwat’s shopping centers not only sell products but also serve as a branding platform. Through the years, Siam Piwat has fostered relationships with various partners and joined hand with both government agencies and private sector to develop new business models to co-create and deliver to customers experiences beyond expectations.
4. Top-of-mind in the world: As shopping centers serve as magnets that strengthen Thailand’s position as a shopping paradise and its ability to attract visitors from across the globe, Siam Piwat strives to build properties that can rival other major projects around the world in order to earn acceptance across the global shopping mall business and curate a positive reputation for Thailand. Siam Piwat’s shopping centers have won over 40 top awards across various categories from world-class organizations – a phenomenal achievement thus far unattained by any other shopping center in Thailand or Asia.
“We do not have shopping centers in different provinces or nationwide; we have only four shopping malls and one luxury outlet mall, but all of them have been named winners at a global level by various world-class organizations and associations for, among others, innovation and design, revolutionizing the retail industry, marketing and generating world-class experiences, best support for SMEs, green leadership, sustainable development, and developing the world’s most desired destinations. All of these awards underline Thai people’s capacity, and today, many shopping center developers from different countries are seeking to come and learn from us.”
“Our business goal is not just profit. We seek to build relationships with retailers and partners that transcend time. A life reward for our employees is getting to create a second home for our customers and fulfilling their wishes and experiences to the best of our ability in every situation as well as creating a platform that fosters success for our retailers and partners. Thanks to these strategies and missions, we have been able to grow our sales by five times over the past seven years and increased the number of our subsidiaries from 32 to 48. Even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to launch Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok, Thailand’s first-ever luxury outlet mall, in mid-2021 and successfully developed a new digital platform ONESIAM SuperApp in only 13 months,” said Ms. Chadatip Chutrakul.
While many organizations are still grappling with post-covid challenges, Siam Piwat has already drawn up new strategies.
Siam Piwat’s CEO added that 10 years ago, the company foresaw a possible disruption from digital evolution and thus began to shift its strategies for every shopping center towards creating value, developing fresh experiences that would speak to people, and fostering emotional engagement through emotional marketing. Siam Piwat also initiated a digital transformation internally as well as completed its data bank development in early 2022. Thanks to these efforts, the company was well-equipped to handle the COVID-19 pandemic and able to quickly develop a digital platform to serve its customers. Moving forward, Siam Piwat is looking to change the game with the concept Rise Above and Beyond, where it creates new strategies that will enable it to rise beyond all of its previous achievements, rise above all changes in the world, positive or otherwise, and ultimately rise above all challenges.
Siam Piwat’s next step is to shift from the Blue Ocean Strategy to the Above the Ocean Strategy, where it rises above all changes, takes a step back and views the business in a new context, tears down all old limitations, and innovates new things from its existing value without any limitations. Under this new strategy, Siam Piwat will operate without competitors and work hand in hand with partners to build an ecosystem to amplify its success and sustainability and create a world without frontiers filled with opportunities in every dimension.
Siam Piwat’s next move under the Above the Ocean Strategy is to expand its value creation initiatives into a universe of value by:
1. Creating a sharing economy through ONESIAM SuperApp and VIZ COINS
2. Co-creating experiences beyond expectations both through physical and digital platforms to expand the offerings and cater to global citizens
3. Collaborating to win by creating an ecosystem of success in collaboration with existing 50 partners across 13 industries
4. Fostering sustainable value in every process to create mutual growth for all involved, as well as the public, the environment, and economy; redefining and pioneering new businesses whether in the form of products, services, or platforms to create access to a better quality of life without leaving anyone behind; as well as contributing to restoring the environment and passing on a better world to posterity.
“Siam Piwat’s Above the Ocean Strategy will enable us to foster mutual growth sustainable with every sector, create a positive net impact for the public and the environment, and play a part in helping Thailand achieve greatness on the global stage,” concluded Chadatip.
Blinken praises Thailand’s BCG economy model as world leaders arrive for Apec
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2022
Stephanie Adair
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised Thailand’s efforts for sustainability under its BCG (Bio-Circular-Green) economic model as world leaders arrived for the Apec Summit this weekend.
“The United States has been a strong supporter of Thailand. We welcome Thailand’s increased focus on sustainability and inclusion, as well as support for the WTO [World Trade Organisation] and advancing implementation of MC12 outcomes. These topics are more important than ever, as we continue to face a world full of challenges and uncertainty,” Blinken said on Thursday.
“Apec is uniquely positioned to explore how we can build a more durable and resilient global economy. The Biden-Harris administration believes that trade can be a force for good to address these issues, to create a race to the top that delivers inclusive prosperity for all of our citizens.”
Blinken added that the US is fully committed to working with Apec economies to realise this vision and to strengthen ties across this region.
He highlighted the need to promote trade and environmental protections but said Apec must also address shared challenges like supply chain disruptions and economic inequality.
“The right trade policies can help facilitate access to lower emission goods and services, promote investment in climate-friendly technologies, and help incentivize environmental protection.”
Blinken also praised Thailand’s leadership of Apec cooperation around the Bio-Circular Green economy model as a great contribution to sustainability.
The Sultanate of Oman marks today the 52nd National Day of the Renaissance, the 18th of November Anniversary.
Omani people will mark the Renewed Renaissance and its glorious reign under the leadership of HM Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, who affirmed his constant quest to advance Oman’s modern cultural and economic status and his keenness to make Omani citizens as true partners in their country’s comprehensive development.
Oman Vision 2040
In 2021, the Sultanate of Oman began implementing its first steps to Oman Vision 2040, a grand strategy which aims to achieve advanced social goals and further economic development, moving the economy from its status of dependence on oil to one more diversified and knowledge based.
HM Sultan Haitham has taken a direct interest in the rollout of Oman Vision 2040, which will consume four five-year development plans on the path to its full fruition. The Sultanate of Oman, as it proceeds with rejuvenated energy towards the vision of Oman 2040 can be reassured of a future that resonates with abundance.
Economy
Oman presses ahead with the approach charted by HM the Sultan to implement economic measures and streamline procedures. This was achieved despite the economic impacts brought about worldwide.
During this year and until the end of August 2022, the Sultanate of Oman was able to pay off loans and replace some high-cost bonds with low-cost ones valued at more than RO 4 billion. It also cut down the size of the public debt by about RO 2.4 billion as at the end of August 2022, to stand at RO 18.4 billion (46.5% to the GDP).
Investment
The Omani government created an appropriate environment to attract investments through the improving the stimulating economic infrastructure, creation of attractive incentives and enactment of laws and legislations that regulate this important economical source.
The Sultanate of Oman has promising investment opportunities in diverse economic sectors such as manufacturing, renewable energy, mining, tourism, agriculture and fisheries, logistics and education.
• Strategic location at the centre of the east-west nexus joining markets in Europe, Asia and North America in addition to proximity to Africa. • Legal transparency, economic stability, and political tranquility. • State-of-the-art roads, airports, ports, free zones, and industrial estates. • 100% foreign ownership now available nationwide. • Corporate tax is low at just 15%. • Custom exemptions on the import of plant machinery and raw materials for five years from commencement of production. • Trade Agreements: Signatory to WTO, GCC common market, GAFTA, FTAs with USA, Singapore, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Lichtenstein.
Green Hydrogen
Hydrom was launched in 2022 following HM Haitham’s directive to structure and accelerate the development of the green hydrogen sector in Oman, with a vision to position Oman as a leading global green hydrogen hub. Fully owned by Energy Development Oman (EDO) and regulated by Ministry of Energy and Minerals (MEM), Hydrom is a central and independent entity orchestrating the national interest in green hydrogen.
Its main mandate is to master plan the sector, delineating government owned land areas, structuring associated large-scale green hydrogen projects, managing the process for their allocation to developers and overseeing their execution as well as facilitating the development of common infrastructure, connected ecosystem industries and hubs.
Heritage, Culture and Arts
The history of the Sultanate of Oman is a fascinating, uplifting chronicle of an outward-looking, enterprising people with strong cultural instincts. These embedded features of the Omani national identity are much evident in the cultural climate of Oman today. They value curiosity, respect for difference, tolerance of other ways of being.
In a world that is shifting gradually towards a more sustainable way of life, the balanced Omani approach favours the open- minded transfer of knowledge and skills, meanings, and values from one generation, one people, to another.
Tourism
The Sultanate of Oman is richly endowed with stunning vistas and a rich cultural heritage. As a peaceful and unique destination, regional and global interest in Oman as a tourist destination continues to gain momentum.
There are different types of tourist trips in the Sultanate of Oman due to its natural and environmental diversity, including natural reserves, caves, beaches, islands, falaj, wadis, and dams. There are also thousands of castles, forts, and old traditional markets. Oman is rich in many archaeological discoveries that date back to the fifth millennium BC.
Covid-19
Oman, like any other country in the world, has been affected by Covid-19, but the Omani government has alerted from an early time to prepare and deal with this pandemic, and has taken various measures necessary to contain the virus. In turn, the citizens and residents also followed the preventive measures taken by the authorities. Through this strong national cohesion, the Sultanate of Oman was able to control the epidemic, and it was decided to lift all travel restrictions related to Covid-19 since May 2022.
Foreign Policy
At the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, Oman reiterated that its solid political approach is based on a deep and stable vision and a vast experience derived from its heritage and human history.
Oman also affirmed that the pillars of its foreign policy are standing on solid grounds of truth and justice, boosted by positive cooperation and ties of friendship with all, with the prime aim of contributing to the consolidation of international peace and security.
The foundations upon which Omani foreign policy is based – notably good neighbourliness, respect for the sovereignty of states, non-interference in internal affairs, positive cooperation, mutual interests, justice, dialogue, humanity, and support for international peace and security – have made the Sultanate of Oman a reliable international partner at the local and global levels.
Friends and couples in kimonos take pictures on streets lit by colourful paper lanterns under the eaves of Japanese-style houses and shops.
Food stalls’ yakitori, takoyaki and platters of beautifully arranged sashimi tempt the appetites of passersby.
At a shinto shrine, people write prayers or wishes on paper strips and bamboo plaques and hang them on wooden hooks.
This corner of Dongducheon, just north of Seoul, maybe a picture-perfect slice of Japan, but if you came to the same spot years back, you would find a US military base.
The 40,000-square-meter plot, which was part of Camp Casey until 2012, is now home to the Nijimori Studio theme park.
The exotic village is one of several Japanese-themed tourist attractions that popped up in South Korea amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
While Japan was closed to tourists, they offered travel-hungry Koreans a chance to immerse themselves in the culture of the neighbouring country. Now with the border open, a big surge in interest in Japan travel here is fueling the business boom.
Song Ji-eun, an office worker in her 20s, who used to enjoy spa trips to Sapporo before the Covid-19 pandemic occurred, recently stayed at a ryokan-style guesthouse at the Nijimori Studio. She described the experience as “vicarious satisfaction.”
“Japanese vibes here seem quite authentic to some extent,” Song said.
With the room featuring tatami flooring, a bathtub made of Japanese Hinoki wood and a private open-air bath, the one-night stay felt like you’re transported to Kyoto in an instant.
An alley in Nijimori Studio lined with Japanese-style restaurants. (Courtesy of Nijimori Studio)
“Japan was where I visited the most (for holiday) next to Jeju Island. After traveling abroad has become difficult (due to pandemic restrictions,) I started to look for unique spots in Korea,” she said.
Nijimori Studio draws Korean fans of Japanese comics or movies as well.
A search with the hashtag Nijimori Studio in Korean on Instagram returns a host of pictures and short videos shared by cosplayers dressed up as fictional Japanese characters, from Kaonashi, a character in Studio Ghibli film “Spirited Away,” to the schoolgirl from the television series “Sailor Moon.”
Ryokan-style hotels are an emerging trend in the Korean hospitality industry. A number of luxury hotels with traditional Japanese aesthetics have recently opened here.
Paper strips or bamboo plaques on which guests wrote their wishes and prayers hang on wooden hooks of one of shinto shrines at Nijimori Studio. (Courtesy of Nijimori Studio)
A private room for one-day tea classes. (Courtesy of Nijimori Studio)
At one newly-built Japanese-style accommodation located in Namhae, South Gyeongsang Province, guests can experience Japanese outdoor spa in their room which has a tub on a balcony overlooking the ocean. Its dining room is decorated with wooden dining tables and tatami-mat flooring.
Meanwhile, Japanese vibes have also entered Korea’s dessert cafe scene.
In mid-October, local fans of Studio Ghibli, Japan’s most renowned animation company, opened a coffee shop inspired by a bakery shop featured in the hit film “Kiki’s Delivery Service.”
Stationery items featuring characters from Studio Ghibli’s “Kiki’s Delivery Service” are displayed at “Koriko Cafe.”(Choi Jae-hee / The Korea Herald)
The coffee house was buzzing Monday with visitors armed with selfie sticks looking for the perfect Instagram shot. Some stood in lines to take a photo at a certain spot in the shop’s garden.
Named after the town where the young witch Kiki lives in the movie, the two-story coffee shop dubbed “Koriko Cafe,” situated in Seoul’s hip Yeonnam-dong, is furnished with an array of accessories, goods and desserts like cakes and muffins featuring Ghibli’s most lovable characters.
With soundtracks from animated films playing, character seat cushions and cute ornaments radiate a cosy and vintage Japanese aesthetic, while vivid colours of the building’s walls and roofs conjure up images of the scenes from Studio Ghibli movies.
“The dessert shop is more than just a lovely cafe. It is a playground for ‘kidults’ like me and a fan platform for anime lovers,” said Yoon Na-rae, a female customer in her 30s, who bought a coin purse with an image of Totoro on it.
Pent-up travel demand amid Covid-19-related border restrictions appears to have driven the popularity of Japanese-style entertainment facilities here.
Japan had halted visa-free entry for Korean nationals starting March 2020 to control the entry of foreign coronavirus patients, while shutting down its borders completely to foreign nationals in November last year. Last month, the neighbouring country resumed its visa waiver programs for 68 countries and regions after nearly two years and seven months.
Demand for Japan tourism has been soaring in line with the eased travel restrictions. According to data from online ticketing site Interpark, the number of flight bookings to Japan between Oct. 1-22 jumped 589 % from a month ago. Of the total international flight reservations, the Japan route accounted for 48 %, the highest share followed by the Southeast Asia region (36 %).
Temasek to write down $275 million in FTX, admits to ‘misplaced’ belief in its ex-CEO
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022
Singapore’s state investor Temasek will write off its US$275 million (9.8 billion baht) investment in cryptocurrency firm FTX, “irrespective of the outcome of FTX’s bankruptcy protection filing”.
In a statement issued early on Thursday, Temasek said the total cost of its investment in FTX was 0.09 per cent of its net portfolio value of S$403 billion as of end-March this year.
It invested $210 million for a minority stake of about 1 per cent in FTX International and pumped in another $65 million for a minority stake of about 1.5 per cent in FTX US, which is the American subsidiary.
These investments were carried out across two funding rounds from October 2021 to January 2022.
The shocking collapse of Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX empire due to liquidity woes has shaken the crypto world and triggered a contagion that has spread to Genesis and Gemini. FTX has filed for protection from bankruptcy and Bankman-Fried has stepped down as its chief executive.
“It is apparent from this investment that perhaps our belief in the actions, judgement and leadership of Sam Bankman-Fried, formed from our interactions with him and views expressed in our discussions with others, would appear to have been misplaced,” said Temasek.
It added that there have been misperceptions that the investment in FTX is an investment into crypto. “To clarify, we currently have no direct exposure to cryptocurrencies.”
This comes after other FTX investors, such as Sequoia Capital, had said that it would write down the total value of its $214 million bet on the exchange. SoftBank was later said to also anticipate a loss of around $100 million on its investment.
Similar to all investments, Temasek said it “conducted an extensive due diligence process on FTX”, which took about eight months from February to October 2021.
During this period, it reviewed the firm’s audited financial statement, showing it was profitable.
Due diligence efforts were focused on regulatory risks, particularly licensing and compliance, Temasek said, adding that “advice from external legal and cybersecurity specialists in key jurisdictions was sought, with a legal and regulatory review done for the investments”.
Interviews with people familiar with FTX such as staff, industry players and other investors were also conducted.
If allegations, now under investigation, that customer assets were mishandled and misused are true, then it would amount to serious misconduct or fraud at FTX, Temasek said.
It added: “As we only had about one per cent stake in FTX, we did not have a board seat. However, we take corporate governance seriously, engage the boards and management of our investee companies regularly and hold them accountable for the activities of their companies.”
Temasek said that it continues to recognise the potential of blockchain applications and decentralised technologies.
“While this write-down of our investment in FTX will not have a significant impact on our overall performance, we treat any investment losses seriously and there will be learnings for us from this,” it added.
Macron says Australia submarine deal was not about confronting China
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that an agreement to build submarines for Australia, which has since been scrapped, was not about confrontation with China.
“it is not confrontational to China because they are not nuclear-powered submarines. But the choice made by (former Australian) Prime Minister Morrison was the opposite, re-entering into nuclear confrontation,” said Macron after visiting a museum in Bangkok, where he is attending the Asia Pacific Economic Coordination ( Apec) forum.
Australia in 2021, under former leader Scott Morrison’s government, cancelled a multi-billion-dollar order for submarines with French military shipyard Naval Group and opted instead for an alternative deal with the United States and Britain.
New Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese‘s government has since reached a 555 million euro ($583.58 million) settlement over the controversial decision, a move Canberra hopes will help repair the rift between the two countries.
TAT adds fireworks shows at two locations to welcome Apec leaders, delegates, tourists
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022
The Tourism Authority of Thailand on Thursday posted an updated schedule of its super attractive “Vijit Chao Phraya” free light shows at six locations along the river in Bangkok to welcome Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders, delegates and tourists.
The updated schedule adds firework shows at two of the six locations from November 19 to 20 and 24 to 27:
Rama VIII Bridge: A light and laser show will welcome Apec leaders and celebrate the country’s reopening. Six shows will be held per day – at 7pm, 7.30pm, 8pm, 8.30pm, 9pm and 9.30pm.
Wichai Prasit Fort: Projection mapping depicts scenes of maritime trade, diplomatic contacts and the country’s defence to tell the story of riverside life from a bygone era to present times. There will be six shows per day – at 7pm, 7.20pm, 8pm, 8.20pm, 9.10pm and 9.30pm. The shows will also feature special effects.
Wat Kalayanamit Worahamawiharn: A cultural show combined with special effects unveils Thailand’s rich culture and wisdom. There are three shows per day – at 7.30pm, 8.30pm and 9.30pm. The shows here will include firework displays.
Phra Phuttha Yodfa Bridge: A light show illuminates the river’s role in the everyday life and one of the main modes of travel for Thais. There will be six shows per day – at 7.10pm, 7.45pm, 8.10pm, 8.45pm, 9.20pm and 9.45pm. At 8.45pm the show will include a fireworks display.
River City Bangkok: Projectors map the global reach of Thai culture through food, film, fashion and festivals. There will be six shows per day – at 7pm, 7.30pm, 8pm, 8.30pm, 9pm and 9.30pm.
IconSiam: Solar-powered lights illuminate the longest multimedia water show in Southeast Asia. There will be four shows per day – at 6.15pm, 7.15pm, 8.15pm and 9.15pm. The shows here will be cut to twice a day on November 26 and 27 – at 6.15pm and 7.15pm.
Those who want to witness the newly added firework shows should head only to these two locations: Wat Kalayanamit at 7.30pm, 8.30pm and 9.30pm and Phra Phuttha Yodfa Bridge at 8.45pm.
Blue, Purple Line operator organises free tour of temples, palace in Thonburi
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022
The operator of MRT’s Blue and Purple Line trains will next month run a free tour of historical places around a station on the Thonburi side.
Bangkok Expressway and Metro (BEM) will organise its fifth “Happy Journey with BEM” on December 9.
The trip will take registered MRT users on a tour of temples and King Taksin’s palace in remembrance of King Taksin’s major achievements.
The BEM said the trip would be led by special guest Pramin Kruethong, a historical academic who wrote a book on the ancient Thonburi capital.
Pramin will play the role of special tour guide in helping travellers observe the beauty of the palace, which was built with a mix of Thai and Chinese architecture. The trip would then move on to the Temple of Dawn, which is regarded as the temple of the Thonburi capital. The tour would continue to Wat Hong Rattanaram, with Pramin explaining to the visitors how and why the temple was important during the Thonburi era of King Taksin.
The BEM said the tour would conclude with a special dinner of popular local dishes.
Those who are interested in participating in the free trip can register via the MRT Facebook page or MRT Bangkok Metro from now to the end of the month.
You can also call 02-624-5200 or visit the www.bemplc.co.th website for more information.
Protesters rally during Apec week, demand Prayut dissolve Parliament
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022
Protesters have made three demands to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the government at a demonstration aimed at drawing international attention during the Apec Summit this week.
The Rassadorn Yoot Apec2022 (People stop Apec2022) group gathered at Lan Kon Muang square outside City Hall on Wednesday in a bid to publicise the main problems in each region and the government’s “unrighteous” attitude.
Leader Patsaravalee Tanakitvibulpon said the protest aimed to criticise the government under Prayut and the Bio-Circular Green (BCG) economy model policy as this is being pushed through without getting any opinions from the public.
She mentioned three demands to Prayut:
1. Cancel the BCG policy and related regulations as the “public’s opinion wasn’t taken into account and the policy affects the country’s resources”;
2. Suspend his role as host of the Apec Summit as he lacks any “righteous right to sign agreements with Apec leaders”;
3. Dissolve Parliament, while the Constitutional Court must pass organic bills on the election and the Office of the Election Commission must be clear on the calculation process for MPs and electoral districts. A new election must also pave the way for the drafting of a new constitution to respond to people’s demands.
The group’s three-day protest will be different each day to publicise and communicate their demands during the Apec summit.
Patsaravalee also mentioned that protesters might move from the current venue, as she wants the group to voice its demands as close to the summit venue as possible.
She also said the group would like foreigners to know that it is strong in its fight against the government and a variety of problems.
Patsaravalee however admitted that she was concerned about moving the protest, but it would finally depend on the situation and summit security.
She said people have a right to demonstrate anywhere and the government must listen to them.
If there is any violence, she added, it would be because of government officials, so they should think carefully before stopping the protest as it was in line with democracy and it would form a basis on how the globe views the country and the situation.
As for the protesters camping out overnight, she said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration did not allow them to do so, so she tried to negotiate with officials as “some protesters came from other provinces and their numbers were increasing”.
An alley in Nijimori Studio lined with Japanese-style restaurants. (Courtesy of Nijimori Studio)
Paper strips or bamboo plaques on which guests wrote their wishes and prayers hang on wooden hooks of one of shinto shrines at Nijimori Studio. (Courtesy of Nijimori Studio)
A private room for one-day tea classes. (Courtesy of Nijimori Studio)
Stationery items featuring characters from Studio Ghibli’s “Kiki’s Delivery Service” are displayed at “Koriko Cafe.”(Choi Jae-hee / The Korea Herald)
The BEM said the tour would conclude with a special dinner of popular local dishes.
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