BTS dance to military beat as mandatory service deadline looms for Jin
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022
K-pop sensation BTS has shocked fans by saying the band will take time off for mandatory military service, swapping mics and dances for guns and marches.
However, the Korean boyband’s seven members will enlist one by one rather than all together at the same time, according to a statement released on Monday by their label BigHit Music.
First to don a South Korean military uniform will be 29-year-old Jin, the oldest member of the band. He will begin the 18-month mandatory service after releasing his solo album at the end of October, said the statement.
“Other members – RM, J-Hope, Suga, Jimin, V and Jungkook – plan to carry out their military service based on their own individual plans,” BigHit Music said.
It said fans would have to wait until around 2025 for the band to reunite after fulfilling their military duty.
All able-bodied South Korean men must serve in the armed forces for at least 18 months. The draft begins in the year they turn 18 but they can postpone it until they reach 28.
However, in 2020 South Korean lawmakers passed the so-called “BTS law” to allow K-pop entertainers to postpone military service until the age of 30.
For BTS, that deadline will arrive in December when Jin turns 30. In less of a hurry to join up is Jungkook, the youngest member of the band at 25.
adidas Honour Karim Benzema’s Ballon d’Or Win With Signature Boots
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022
THE NATION
As is customary for a Ballon d’Or win these days, adidas have honoured Karim Benzema’s award with his very own pair of signature boots, presenting the X Speedportal in a regal look worthy of the win.
Karim Benzema has been head and shoulders above the competition over this last year, firing an amazing 15 goals in 12 appearances in the Champions League, and 27 in 32 in La Liga as Real Madrid went on to scoop both.
As a result, the Frenchman has rightly been awarded the 2022 Ballon d’Or, and in reaction to that and to commemorate the occasion, adidas have provided the striker with his very own signature edition X Speedportal.
The boots come with a luxurious look, with a white base playing host to an overlaid gold graphic that plays out across the upper. The gold continues on the underside, with a chrome finish transitioning from heel to forefoot, where the studs carry the golden hues. The heel then features a final sign off in the form of a stylised version of the name “Benzema”, with a golden ball that denotes the Ballon d’Or, sitting above.
It’s a fitting tribute, but it doesn’t stop there; as well as the boots, adidas have also provided Benzema with a golden version of the signature bandage that he wears on his right hand, and a special version of this season’s Real Madrid home kit, complete with a golden font for his name on the back and a special number nine that features a montage of his face.
‘Everyone will be welcome’: Infantino on Qatar World Cup
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022
THE NATION
FIFA president Gianni Infantino re-iterated next month’s World Cup in Qatar will be for everyone, as some of the tournament’s top officials gathered in Doha on Monday (October 17).
Addressing a news conference in a recorded video, Infantino said the tournament can help “bring the world together” and that fans would be an important part of that process.
“Let me repeat it clearly, everyone will be welcomed to the tournament, regardless of their origin, background, religion, gender, sexual orientation or nationality,” he said.
“This FIFA World Cup, a tournament of peace and unity, will be the one that brings the world together after some difficult times. And, let me repeat it clearly, everyone will be welcomed to the tournament, regardless of their origin, background, religion, gender, sexual orientation or nationality.”
Rights groups have previously called out Qatar for its stance against homosexuality, while Nasser Al Khater, the chief executive of the 2022 World Cup, has said LGBTQ+ fans coming into the country would not have to worry about “persecution of any sort”, describing Qatar as a “tolerant country”.
Qatar, the smallest country to have hosted soccer’s global showpiece tournament, is preparing to receive an estimated 1.2 million visitors during the World Cup.
Thousands of fans are expected to stay in neighbouring countries like tourism hub the United Arab Emirates and fly in to Doha for matches due to limited accommodation in Qatar.
The director general of Qatar’s World Cup organising committee, Yasir Al Jamal, told the news conference that two million room nights have been sold and that Qatar has added an additional 30,000 rooms to accommodate last-minute ticket sales.
Many hotel rooms in Doha will be occupied by soccer teams, their support staff and World Cup officials.
Japan will be the first team to arrive for the tournament on Nov. 7, Smith said.
National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) planned to use the ‘Ratchaburi Model’ as a sandbox for sports development in Thailand.
NSDF’s manager Supranee Guptasa and the staff recently visited the Sports Association of Ratchaburi to study obstacles in the provincial sports association to solve and develop the potential of sports in Thailand.
Supranee said that NSDF has 40 staff to organise a budget of 5 billion baht for sports associations in 77 provinces and 89 sports.
She said that NSDF aimed to bring the Muay Thai competition to be held in Ratchaburi in December as the budget has already been approved and is waiting for the provincial administration to provide the venue.
Supranee added that NSDF is ready to support the “Ratchaburi Model” to develop sports in 77 provinces to reach the international level.
Mason Greenwood: Manchester United forward denied bail
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022
THE NATION
Greenwood confirmed his name, date of birth and address at Monday’s hearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court; Greenwood remanded in custody until November 21
Sky Sports Report : Mason Greenwood has been remanded in custody after appearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault.
The 21-year-old looked at his family from the dock before he was taken down the steps at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
All three charges relate to the same woman.
The player was first held in January over allegations relating to a young woman after images and videos were posted online.
He had been on bail since but was arrested in the Trafford area on Saturday for an alleged breach of conditions.
Members of Greenwood’s family sat in a full public gallery in the small courtroom, along with members of the press.
Wearing a grey hooded Nike jumper and grey jogging bottoms and flanked by two dock officers, the footballer, of Bowdon, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.
The attempted rape is alleged to have taken place in October 2021.
The controlling and coercive behaviour relates to a period between November 2018 and October this year, where he is alleged to have made threatening and derogatory comments towards the complainant, as well as accessing and monitoring her social media accounts.
The charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm is dated December 2021.
Within hours of the allegations surfacing online at the beginning of the year, the forward – who has made one appearance for England – was suspended from playing or training with the Old Trafford club.
Nike suspended and later terminated its sponsorship deal with Greenwood, while Electronic Arts confirmed his removal from active squads on its FIFA 22 game.
Greenwood will appear before Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on November 21.
The defendant’s legal team told reporters they would be submitting a further bail application.
Benzema, Putellas win Ballon d’Or awards for best players in the world
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022
Reuters
Real Madrid’s France forward Karim Benzema won the 2022 Ballon d’Or award for the best men’s player in the world on Monday (October 17), while Barcelona’s Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas won the women’s award for a second time.
Benzema, who played a pivotal role in Real’s run to the Champions League title last season, is the first French player to win the trophy since Zinedine Zidane in 1998 and the fifth after Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini and Jean-Pierre Papin.
“This prize in front of me makes me really proud. When I was small, it was a childhood dream, I never gave up… Anything is possible,” Benzema said on stage at the ceremony.
Benzema beat Poland’s Robert Lewandowski, Sadio Mane of Senegal and Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne after Argentina’s Lionel Messi won the award for a record seventh time last year.
Benzema had a stellar season with Real, scoring 44 goals in 46 games in all competitions as he helped guide them to a LaLiga and Champions League double. His 15 goals in the Champions League powered Real to a record-extending 14th title.
Real made remarkable comebacks from losing positions in the last-16, quarter-finals and semi-finals against Paris St Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City respectively, with Benzema scoring in each of the second legs.
The highlight of their European campaign was the 3-1 win in the second leg against PSG when the Spanish club were 2-0 down on aggregate, with Benzema grabbing a 17-minute hat-trick in the second half to stun the Ligue 1 side.
Spanish international Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or for a second straight year, beating England’s European Championship winner Beth Mead and Australia’s Sam Kerr.
Putellas, who was also named FIFA Best Women’s Player earlier this year, was top scorer in the Champions League last season with 11 goals and scored 18 in the Primera Division.
The 28-year-old missed the Euros for Spain, however, after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury on the eve of the tournament in England.
Real’s Thibaut Courtois won the Lev Yashin award for the best goalkeeper last season, with the towering shot stopper making nine saves in the final to keep a clean sheet against Liverpool in a 1-0 victory in Paris.
However, the teams in the Champions League final lost out on the Best Club award, which went to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City who won a fourth Premier League title in five years.
Barca’s 18-year-old midfielder Gavi picked up the Kopa Trophy for the best under-21 player, while Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane won the inaugural Socrates award, with the Senegal international recognised for his humanitarian efforts.
Lewandowski did not go home empty handed either as he picked up the Gerd Muller Trophy for the best striker after scoring 50 goals in all competitions for Bayern last season.
Pep Guardiola said coins were thrown at him during Manchester City’s 1-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday (October 16), a heated encounter in which home coach Juergen Klopp was sent to the stands.
The City bench celebrated vigorously as, after a poor first half, Phil Foden thought he had fired the champions into the lead in the 53rd minute, only for his strike to be ruled out after a VAR review.
Guardiola was furious with the decision, even before referee Anthony Taylor had finished viewing the pitch-side monitor, turning around to remonstrate with Liverpool fans in the stands.
In the aftermath, the City boss said the Liverpool supporters retaliated.
“Next time they will do it better, they didn’t get me,” Guardiola said. “They tried but didn’t get me. They got them (coins) on the coach years ago but not this time.”
Erling Haaland was penalised for a foul on Fabinho in the build-up to Foden’s finish from a tight angle, a decision Guardiola was still not happy with after the match.
“This is Anfield,” Guardiola added. “The referee spoke with my assistant and Juergen before the game and said ‘Today I won’t make fouls’ and all the game was play on, play on, play on, except the goal we scored.
“The crowd and everything, many years we come here. We lost because we made a mistake and play one of the best teams in the world. It is so tight and the margins are so fine.”
Klopp was sent to the stands after he was unhappy with the officials later in the second half, feeling match-winner Mohamed Salah was fouled by Bernardo Silva right in front of him.
He was nonetheless delighted to get a result that can kick-start his side’s stuttering season, having ended City’s unbeaten run.
“The red card is my fault, I went over the top in that moment,” Klopp said. “That’s not okay, but as little excuse I would like to mention how can you not whistle that as a foul?
“That (the result) felt good, very good. On a normal day you should not even try against City, you have to play to your limits. That’s what we did. It was a top performance from the boys.”
Liverpool later released a statement condemning some chants from City supporters during the match.
“We are deeply disappointed to hear vile chants relating to football stadium tragedies from the away section during today’s game at Anfield. The concourse in the away section was also vandalised with graffiti of a similar nature,” they said.
“We know the impact such behaviour has on the families, survivors and all those associated with such disasters.
“We are working with the relevant authorities and we will also work with Manchester City in order to do our utmost to ensure these chants are eradicated from football altogether.”
Dine for a good cause: “The Rare & Share Fine Dining Experience”
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022
The Foundation to Eradicate Neuromuscular Disease (FEND), the Embassy of Switzerland, Roche Thailand, and The St. Regis Bangkok had the distinguished honor to welcome Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana to the launch of “The Rare & Share Charity Fine Dining Experience” on the 3rd of September 2022.
This unique global launch of a “RARE & SHARE™” fine dining experience to increase awareness amongst society for the cause of rare diseases, can also be experienced by other members of the public during three follow-up events available to book at The St. Regis Bangkok on the following dates:
Friday 28th October 2022 Saturday 12th November 2022 Saturday 17th December 2022
Time: 6:00 pm at Astor 1, Level 14, The St. Regis Bangkok
We invite you to join this dining for a good cause experience where you can learn about the Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD).
The meal will be prepared and presented to enhance awareness of SMA and NMOSD patients including caregivers. The five-course meal features 1. Fried Chicken Taco and Red Beet Injection 2. Starter: Lettuce; Green Apple and Red Cabbage Hamachi 3. Egg Sturgeon smoked 4. Wagyu Striploin, and 5. Dessert
Diners will be treated to exclusive meals Chef David Hartwig, Head Chef of IGNIV Bangkok, which was awarded one star in the Michelin Guide Thailand 2022. Part of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to The Foundation to Eradicate Neuromuscular Disease (FEND).
For bookings and further information, please contact: 02-207-7777 or Events.Bangkok1@stregis.com
SRT and Aiwei’s restage of “The LKY Musical” was another success
Because of the seemingly neverending pandemic, I could not remember the last time I was in a large-scale proscenium theatre with 2,500 audiences enjoying a grand musical. Thanks to the combined efforts of Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT)–whose “Forbidden City: Portrait of an Empress” from two decades ago has been a fond memory–and Aiwei, the critically acclaimed and highly popular 2015 production of “The LKY Musical” was recently restaged at the Sands Theatre in Singapore. This much-awaited “first large-scale musical in Singapore in over two years” was another success and many performances in the three-week limited run were completely sold out.
Retelling the life and works of the late founding father Lee Kuan Yew from his Raffles College student time in 1941 when Singapore was a British colony on the brink of Japanese occupation to the Proclamation of Singapore in 1965 when Singapore and Malaysia were officially separated in the stage time of only about two and a half hours, late American playwright Tony Petito’s book for this musical was based on Meira Chand’s story and captured only the essence of key moments. Thanks in part to director Steven Dexter, the show never felt too rushed, nor sounded like an information overload.
My theatregoing partner, a Singaporean, commented at the intermission that it reminded her of what she studied in school; for me, who didn’t go to the same school, it indirectly explained many facts about one of the world’s fastest developing economies, most densely populated countries and least natural resources and a uniquely peaceful multi-cultural society although it ranks very low in the happiness index. I finally clearly understood, after a few trips to Singapore every year, for example, why Singapore has four official languages with English being the lingua franca despite the fact that the majority of population is of Chinese descent and why LKY’s People’s Action Party (PAP) has been, and will probably be, enjoying landslide victories in all general elections there–there’s neither term limit for premiership nor constitutional court too.
The dream team of lyricist Stephen Clark and composer Dick Lee’s work here might not be as enchanting as their “Forbidden City”; it still served its purpose of moving the story forward and elaborating certain key moments. In this male-dominated story, and society, I was especially touched by Kwa Geok Choo’s, LKY’s wife and secret behind his success, solo number “I’ll be Here”, part of which is, “I know that it’s my place to walk behind him. But in my heart we’re walking side by side. The faith that we shared; We dreamed and we dared. I know that I tried.”
In fact, the credit here was also due to Kit Chan’s immaculate portrayal of the former first lady and even though her stage time was much less than that of the title character, the audience could always feel her presence. As LKY, Adrian Pang was effortlessly immersed into the character and, as a result, the audience got to see different sides of the hard-working and strong-willed politician. In a supporting role of union leader and politician Lim Chin Siong, LKY’s foil character who eventually took a different political path, Benjamin Chow’s arresting performance could match Pang’s at every beat and the same could be said for the ensemble who performed other minor roles.
The highly practical and neutral set design by London-based artist takis nicely fit both the horizontal and vertical massive space of the stage as scenes were continuously presented at different sections and levels which were deftly illuminated by Singaporean lighting designer Gabriel Chan. In short, “The LKY Musical” was an international production of a local story.
Interestingly and of course fittingly, the last number was Singapore’s national anthem “Majulah Singapura” during which the audience was invited to stand up, and many of them did although I would assume not as many as the initial run in 2015 when Singapore celebrated the 50th anniversary of independence. That said and given the show’s tagline “History; His Story; Our Story”, I would never call “LKY” an ultra-nationalistic work. There’s plenty non-Singaporeans can learn from LKY’s life and works relatable to anyone.
A rumour is that a theatre company in another Southeast Asian country, with more exciting politics, was planning “The PC Musical: He Just Never Quits” for APEC Meeting next month but a recent controversy around a stand-up comedian’s jokes on him has now put this project on hold. This is notwithstanding the fact that he himself wrote a few hit songs that can be easily put into the musical and many performances are expected to be sold-out thanks to thousands of military personnel who’d be bused in. Back in Singapore, judging from the audience reactions that Sunday evening, I’m sure the show will, and by all means should, be restaged soon. Check out www.facebook.com/theLKYmusical for more information.
Next month, SRT will stage Kendall Feaver’s multi-award-winning family drama “The Almighty Sometimes” at their home stage KC Arts Centre in Robertson Quay. After pandemic hiatus, their annual outdoors production will return to Fort Canning Park with “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” next May. Visit srt.com.sg for more details.
Pawit Mahasarinand
The writer’s trip was supported by SRT. Special thanks to Charlotte Nors for all kind assistance.
Gold maintains its glitter for Thai retail investors as safe-haven asset
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2022
Nongluck Ajanapanya
Thai investors still prefer to invest in gold as a safe-haven asset, but most first-time buyers are not able to find an affordable way to purchase gold, the World Gold Council said.
Andrew Naylor, regional CEO Asia Pacific (ex-China) and Public Policy at the council, told media in Bangkok that Thailand has a sizeable and active gold market. Gold is the second most popular investment in Thailand and is owned by more than half of retail investors.
“Our ‘Retail Gold Insights: Thailand’ report provides information on Thai investors’ levels of investor maturity, investment appetite, and purchasing habits. Our analysis explains why gold is popular with a variety of investors in Thailand, with one major factor being gold’s function as a hedge against political or economic risk,” said Naylor.
According to the report, the majority of respondents, or 57 per cent, stated that the desire to reduce risk is what drives people to invest in gold.
This demonstrates an apparent understanding of gold’s significance as a safe haven among retail investors in Thailand, which is related to its principal function in a portfolio as a measure of wealth protection, Naylor said.
More than 80 per cent of each retail investor segment agrees that gold is a good safeguard against periods of political or economic uncertainty.
The report also discovered that more than 40 per cent of investors had purchased gold investment products in the year before to the poll.
More than 30 per cent of investors own gold in this fashion, making gold bars the most common form of gold investment. Gold coins came in second at 12 per cent, followed by ETFs [exchange traded funds] at 10 per cent, vaulted gold at 9 per cent, and exquisite gold jewellery at 9 per cent.
Naylor noted that Thailand’s strong recovery from the global pandemic and longer-term economic fundamentals have fuelled a desire for gold that has enormous investment potential.
“Our data clearly shows investors’ appetite to hold gold as a safe-haven investment, but there are opportunities to grow awareness on specific areas through education,” Naylor added.
A World Gold Council analysis found that there are various obstacles for prospective gold investors who are interested in making their first investment.
Nearly 80 per cent of these potential investors said they lack the knowledge necessary to buy gold, including an understanding of inexpensive possibilities, with the perception that gold is “not affordable” being the biggest obstacle.
Meanwhile, nearly half of the respondents have doubts about the integrity of gold goods.
More than 30 per cent of respondents claim that their hesitation to purchase gold is a result of their concern about doing so. More than 10 per cent of people claim that uncertainty about the purity of the gold deters them from purchasing it.
Besides, more than one-third of investors who are considering investing in gold for the first time don’t think they can keep it secure. These potential investors might simply not be aware of the options and services for gold storage.
In addition, the study reveals that 73 per cent of gold products were bought offline. Yet, when asked which product options would be most important, the ability to sell or liquidate gold easily, the ability to buy anytime and the ability to earn interest on gold, ranked on top.
Whether provided by banks or other providers, digital gold products would enable a more integrated and smooth marketing and purchasing decision process.
Naylor said that Thai investors are knowledgeable and active, investing an average of 35 per cent of their income across 3.5 different investment products.
They see themselves as experienced investors eager to investigate alternative investment vehicles for rapid growth.
Eighty-seven percent of Thai investors concurred that it was crucial to have a diversified portfolio that safeguards wealth, he continued. Thai investors have concerns about the potential effects of financial market collapses, and invest with a long-term perspective in addition to the requirement to comprehend the items in which they invest, he said.
