ScandAsia July-August 2019

JUL-AUG 2019 BUSINESS

Vietnam and Ericsson start strategic Industry 4.0 partnership

COMMUNITY

Nordic people moving out from Thailand

CULTURE

Swedish National Day and Midsummer celebrations

LIFESTYLE

Discover French Indochina – Saigon lifestyle update

Sigríður Ásdís Snævarr:

Iceland’s new ambassador to Singapore

A WORLD OF

OPPORTUNITY

By providing a range of rich experiences we strive to ensure that each individual student grows to fulfil their potential. Our Class of 2019 received over 450 offers from global universities. Among these were 105 offers from the top 50 world universities as listed by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, including multiple Oxbridge, Ivy League and Russell Group offers.

We are most proud to have students who follow their passions beyond Bangkok Patana. Congratulations to Conor Kelly for his Division 1 golf scholarship, to Nanan (Chopin) Indra-Payoong who will be going to Berklee College of Music and Andrea Gatchalian who will attend Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, to Jin Ju Lee for her offer from Yonsei University and to the rest of our Grad 19 students. We feel privileged that you are now part of our diversely talented, global alumni group.

admissions@patana.ac.th Tel: +66 (0) 2785 2200 www.patana.ac.th Bangkok Patana is a not for profit, IB World School accredited by CIS

July-August 2019

ScandAsia Stories 16 Nordic people moving out from Thailand

12 Sigríður Ásdís Snævarr: Iceland’s new ambassador to Singapore

8 First Singaporean received Hän Honours from Finland 10 Danish Ambassador, Chairman of Municipal People’s Committee Vietnam met 32 Swedish National Day and Midsummer celebrations across Southeast Asia 40 Brightly Burning at ‘Sankt Hans Party’

24

Discover French Indochina – Saigon lifestyle update

30

Finland’s circular economy initiative presented to ASEAN

8

10

32 20 Hotelier Eric Hallin in Ho Chi Minh City

4 ScandAsia • July-August 2019

42

Vietnam and Ericsson start strategic Industry 4.0 partnership

40

Editorial

Dear Reader: Read!

S

ummer is one long memory factory. Rewind back through your childhood and teenage highlights and chances are many if not most are tied to summer: last day of school, sleep-overs or camping trips, swimming with friends, the daily ice cream truck.

And reading a book!

I want to take this oppor tunity to encourage you to rediscover reading books. Summer is a great time to get away from the screen of your working computer and the screen of your mobile phone and your Netflix TV set and sit with a book and read.

Did you know, that children who do not read over the summer loose so much of their reading ability that they fall behind their friends, who do read? It is like an instrument. If the kids put it down over the summer, they have to learn to play it again when school starts.

3. Live on daylight, cut down on the use of artificial light since much of it these days are blue light LED lamps that are damaging to restoring your natural, daily life rhythm.

4. Try to spend as much time away from your mobile phone as possible. Try to make it a habit to put it down when talking to someone. No, not hold it down - put it away. let go of it, cut the physical connection to it. It is affectionately called to “Go on a digital diet”.

5. Think: “Memor y Factor y”. How can you today do something with the people that you are together with to manufacture great summer memories for when they are grown up.

6. And read. Read alone, Read together. Read aloud. Listen to someone reading for you. It works wonders..

Enjoy!

Why do you think you are different? If it is three months since you last read a book, it will take an extra effort to pick up one and start reading and you will read it at least 3o percent slower, than if you had remained a frequent reader.

So here is what you should do for yourself - and encourage your loved ones to do - over this summer:

Gregers Moller Editor in Chief

1. Read at least 15-30 minutes every day or a minimum of 3 books during this summer break.

2. Read books printed on paper.

ScandAsia is a printed magazine and online media covering the people and businesses of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland living and working in China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

Who should subscribe:

ScandAsia subscribers are typically Nordic expats and companies from the Nordic countries living in and active in Asia.

Another group of subscribers are Nordic people living in the Nordic countries who subscribe to ScandAsia for personal or business reasons. We also have many Asian subscribers, who for a wide range of rea-

6 ScandAsia • July-August 2019

sons are following the activities of the Nordic expats and companies via a subscription to ScandAsia.

The ScandAsia magazine is produced every month and distributed to all print version subscribers via postal services and to all eMagazine subscribers via email. Subscribing to the eMagazine is FREE - simply sign up on the ScandAsia.com website.

Become a ScandAsia user/ get free digital ScandAsia magazine or paid subscription via

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Publisher : ScandAsia Publishing Co., Ltd. 211 Soi Prasert Manukitch 29 Prasert Manukitch Road Bangkok 10230, Thailand Tel. +66 2 943 7166-8 Fax: +66 2 943 7169 E-mail: news@scandasia.com Editor-in-Chief : Gregers A.W. Møller gregers@scandmedia.com Managing Editor: Joakim Persson Joakim@scandmedia.com

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News brief

SP Telecom to use Nokia for Singapore’s First 5G fixed network

S

P Telecom, Singapore’s network and fibre infrastructure provider, announced in June that it is joining force with Finnish telecommunications c o m p a ny N o k i a t o e n a bl e t h e deployment of Singapore’s fir st 5G-ready software defined network.

SP Telecom stated that Nokia’s FP4based Service Router, optical transport and cloud software solutions, service automation and network orchestration application suite will be incorporated into SP Telecom’s high-performance infrastructure.

Expected to be ready in 2020,

the intelligent data fibre network will enable both Fixed and 5G carriers to deploy Cloud-based Virtual Private Networ k (VPN) and 5G offerings for their government and enterprise customers.

In addition, 5G carriers will be able to use SP Telecom’s per vasive hubs around the island as locations for their 5G base stations, enabling computing and analysis at the edge of the network and delivering improved latency and network performance for end users.

“We are well poised to facilitate the rollout of 5G in Singapore, working

closely with our technology partners to deliver a reliable, high-performance and seamless network for 5G players and their customers,” said Titus Yong, CEO of SP Telecom.

“Nokia is proud to be the technology partner with SP Telecom to embark on the digital journey to becoming a digital service provider. The Nokia solutions deliver a dynamic, highly scalable network for Cloud, Ultra-Broadband and IoT ser vices in our par tnership with SP Telecom,” said Stuart Hendry, Head of Transport, Energy and Public Sector for Asia Pacific and Japan, Nokia.

First Singaporean received Hän Honours from Finland

H

än is a Finnish pronoun standing for equal opportunity for people regardless of their background, gender or appearance which is the core value for Finland and its citizens.

In order to promote equalityrelated values in society, around the world, Finland has announced the list of the Hän Honours in which one of them is a Singaporean citizen.

Receiving the Hän recognition as the first recipient from Singapore, Thambyrajah T is currently working as Registrar since April 2012 at the N a nya n g Po ly t e c h n i c ( N Y P ) i n Singapore.

The receiving ceremony was held on July 4 where Ambassador of Finland to Singapore Antti Vänskä presented the Hän recognition to Thambyrajah.

Thambyrajah has been awarded

Ambassador of Finland to Singapore Antti Vänskä presented the Hän recognition to Thambyrajah T, the first recipient of the Hän Honour from Singapore (Photo: Embassy of Finland in Singapore) because his contribution presents a strong commitment to support equality in Singapore.

He has been suppor ting both UNIFEM (a part of UN Women) and the Soroptimist International Singapore (a worldwide organization for women) to promote gender equality. He also strongly assists in promoting STEM education for girls and equal employment opportunities for women.

Source text and photos : Embassy of Finland in Singapore

8 ScandAsia • July-August 2019

News brief

Norway and Philippines activated 1st floating solar project

Ricardo Visaya from National Irrigation Administration, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, SN Aboitiz Power CEO Joseph Yu, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, SN Power CEO Erik Knive, CEO of Aboitiz Power Corp Erramon Aboitiz and Norwegian Ambassador to Philippines Bjørn Jahnsen (Photo: SNAP)

S

N Aboitiz Power Group (SNAP), the joint venture between SN Power (Norwegian hydropower developer and investor) and Aboitiz Power Corp. (Filipino power investor) switched on its first 200-kilowatt (kw) floating solar project to provide power to SNAP-Magat’s facilities over Magat Dam, one of the largest dams in the Philippines.

At the switch-on ceremony taking place on June 28, 2019, there were Ricardo Visaya from National Irrigation Administration, Cabinet Secretar y Karlo Nograles, SN Aboitiz Power CEO Joseph Yu, Energy Secretar y Alfonso Cusi, SN Power CEO Erik Knive, CEO of Aboitiz Power Cor p Er r amon Aboitiz and Norwegian Ambassador to Philippines Bjørn Jahnsen who together pressed the button to activate the project.

SNAP invested over $400,000 or nearly P24 million through SNAP-Magat Inc. for the facility with 2,500-square meter area over the Magat reservoir.

“The 200-kw plant supplies most of our internal household already, like the control room, all the air-conditioning, lights that Magat needs to run,” SNAP president and CEO Joseph Yu said.

NAP also joined hands with Ocean Sun, a Norwegian floating solar technology provider, to install solar panels for the pilot project on top of the water’s surface.

This installation will produce 200kW for 10 months, to test and ensure that the feasibility will survive Filipino climatic conditions like massive inflows and strong typhoons.

Once successful, SNAP plans to expand its 200-kilowatt pilot solarpower project to 20 megawatts or possibly 50 MW in the near future.

“There’s going to be more to come. Together with our partner, we’ll bring in innovative power solutions.

We are very committed to renewable energy. With the launch of this floating solar project…hopefully we will be able to scale this up a little bit more,”

AboitizPower president Er r amon Aboitiz said.

“The plan is, over the next six months, we will go through the wet season, the rains and the storms and we’ll see how it reacts to the waves and the rain. We’d like to see strong winds to see what it can withstand,” said Joseph Yu. The article wrote by Ambassador Bjørn Jahnsen on his linkedin highlighted the significant role of Norway in the renewable energy sector in the Philippines and that this project will mark “Norway’s biggest investment in the Philippines.”

July-August 2019 • ScandAsia 9

News brief

Danish Ambassador, Vietnam met with Chairman of Municipal People’s Committee

A

mbassador of Denmar k to Vietnam Kim Højlund Christensen paid a courtesy visit to Chairman of the Municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung on 11 June, to discuss ways to promote the bilateral cooperation upon the areas such as trade, investment, cultural exchange, urban planning and smar t city solutions.

Chairman Chung affirmed that Hanoi readied to facilitate Danish investors by creating beneficial conditions for those who aspired to expand their business in Hanoi.

”It was highlighted that Danish companies are able to offer stateof-the-ar t solutions and ser vices to make the development in Hanoi more

sustainable,” wrote the Embassy of Denmark.

Ambassador Christensen took this oppor tunity to express his wish and Denmar k’s intention on the establishment of diplomatic relations between Denmark and Vietnam that will mark its 50th anniversary in 2021.

He also suggested Vietnamese Chairman to organize activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary between two nations. In response to this, Chung confirmed to give suppor t for these events.

Source: Embassy of Denmark in Vietnam

Norway funded Cambodia’s project on biodiversity

N

orwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Nor ad) is funding a the project launched on 20 June by Cambodia’s National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD) with the technical assistance from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The Biodiversity Finance Initiative

Dr. Tin Ponlok, the Secretary General of NCSD (middle) and Dr. Jessica Alvsilver, Senior Technical Advisor of UNDP (right).

Photo: UNDP Cambodia 10 ScandAsia • July-August 2019

project is expected to be a solution for protecting and maintaining Cambodia’s forested ecosystems and natur al resources which are critical importance for Cambodia’s development.

Tin Ponlok, the Secretary General of NCSD addressed the significant efforts in protecting the environment that have been made by the government of Cambodia over the past decade.

“The Royal Government has made significant reforms in environmental and natural resource management, increasing 61 protected areas by the end of 2018, including five Ramsar sites and three biodiversity conser vation corridors covering the total area 7.5 million hectares, accounting for 41% of the country, said Ponlok.

“Recently, the Royal Government established the Sok An Phnom Kulen Orchid Research and Conser vation Center in Siem Reap, aiming to conserve research, educational publication, and other enter tainments that can be a source of income for the preservation

of natural resources and improve the livelihood of the local people.”

In response to the urgent global need in seeking and gathering additional funding from possible sources, BIOFIN was initiated to achieve global and national biodiversity objectives.

Being aware of challenges in biodiver sity conser vation, Jessica Alvsilver, Senior Technical Advisor of UNDP believed BIOFIN is a solution orientated programme to tackle the issue.

“The whole idea with BIOFIN is to find solutions using economics and finances to achieve Cambodia’s biodiversity and development objectives. Cambodia has already started this process, however, a lot more needs to be done,” she said.

“There is a need for all stakeholders and all actor s to contribute and par ticipate in conserving biodiveristy.

This is not for nature, this is for all humans, economic entities and governments. In other words, for the people of Cambodia,” Alvsilver added.

News brief

New Finnish Ambassador presented credentials to Singapore’s President

T

he new Ambassador of Finland to Singapore Antti Vänskä presented his Letter of Credence to the President of Singapore Halimah Yacob at the ceremony taking place on June 27, 2019 at the office of the President at Istana.

The ceremony began with an inspection of the Guard-of-Honour.

Next,AmbassadorVänskä and President Yacob had a conversation regarding Finland and Singapore’s relationship and important works of each country.

The President Yacob expressed her particular interest on Finland’s work for equality. Ambassador Vänskä likewise showed his enthusiasm about his tenure in Singapore and his intention to promote cooperation of Finland and Singapore to the best of his ability.

The new Ambassador star ted his work in Singapore since June 1, 2019.

Before taking his role in Singapore, Vänskä had been wor king in the Diplomatic Service for more than 10 years. He has previously worked in Berlin and St Petersburg. He joined the Ministry in 1996 before serving four years as Deputy Head of Mission at Embassy of Finland in Washington DC since 2015.

Ambassador Vänskä’s statement posted by Embassy’s website wrote, “The Finnish community in Singapore is sizeable and there are dozens of Finnish companies operating actively in Singapore. “Finland and Singapore have a lot of cooperation in multiple sectors and the relationship of the two countries is very good.”

Source: Embassy of Finland in Singapore Photos: MCI

July-August 2019 • ScandAsia 11

‘The Nordics’

immensely important Sigríður Ásdís Snævarr: Iceland’s new ambassador to Singapore

By Joakim Persson 12 ScandAsia • July-August 2019

Iceland’s Ambassador to Singapore, H.E. Sigríður Ásdís Snævarr

Iceland’s Ambassador to Singapore, H.E. Sigríður Ásdís Snævarr, President Halimah Yacob. Photo: Ministry of Communications and Information, Singapore

I

n May Iceland’s fourth ambassador to Singapore, H.E. Sigríður Ásdís Snævarr, handed over her credentials.

This was also the fourth trip ever to the Southeast Asian hub by this very experienced diplomat.

“We are now celebrating our twentieth anniversary of diplomatic relations,” the ambassador tells ScandAsia, while in Singapore.

Her return, versus the first visit back in 1995, joining a friend for a week’s tour, is testament to Singapore’s dramatic change: “I then visited the Norwegian Embassy, which is still in the same building. I could describe to you the difference in the view from the same window. It’s like a totally new world today!”

A

mbassador Snaevarr is a Non-Resident Ambassador, a model successfully used by Iceland, with its limited population and resources, which means that she resides back in Iceland.

“I have been leading a group of ambassadors who live in Iceland and between us serve 32 countries. And we divide our work in groups, according to what interests Iceland has with the country in question,” she says and explains this with an example where Slovenia asked Iceland for cooperation on the gender agenda – Iceland being a top-ranking country within that field.

Iceland’s new Office of the Permanent Secretary of State is the new division for home-based ambassadors and special envoys. “Representation vis-à-vis many countries has now been moved to Iceland and put in the hands of experienced ambassadors who will carry out these tasks from the MFA in Reykjavík. The practice of entrusting home-based ambassadors with certain specified themes has been reinstated and could therefore create stronger ties to Iceland’s business community and strengthen business relationships, innovation, and the country’s image,” explains Ambassador Snaevarr Seven home-based ambassadors are currently accredited to a large number of countries and focus areas, as well as on subjects such as disarmament, geothermal energy and equality.

At 38 she was the first woman to be appointed as an ambassador by Iceland and has served as ambassador Finland and Sweden among others.

“I became ambassador in Latvia and Estonia as well, then being among the very first two ambassadors ever to present credentials in those countries after the fall of the Soviet Union and their independence.”

July-August 2019 • ScandAsia 13

Iceland’s Ambassador to Singapore, H.E. Sigríður Ásdís Snævarr, President Halimah Yacob. Photo: Ministry of Communications and Information, Singapore

“M

y interests, theme and exper tise are: ‘Innovation, start-ups and new markets’. And Singapore of course falls absolutely within

that scope.”

She sees potential for oppor tunities and partnerships within many sectors. “I can see sustainability, fintech, deeptech, the creative industry - where we have enormous resources, and soft power – where Singapore is ver y strong; some say we are super powers in soft power.

And soft power is extremely impor tant for a country like Singapore.”

“And we are of course both islands, we are the blue economy, the marine, the urban mobility. And we are both very good in healthtech, biotech, foodtech and edutech.You almost must ask what areas are excluded from potential collaboration!”

The fisheries sector has traditionally been strong for expor ts, but tourism has taken over as Iceland’s main export, while aluminium/silicon has also been important for Iceland’s economic growth.

“Now, we are seeing Icelandic companies in high-tech sectors (Marel, Össur, deCODE Genetics, etc.) becoming more and more impor tant for our economy. These companies all need access to markets abroad, since the Icelandic market is too small for companies to grow beyond a certain size.”

14 ScandAsia • July-August 2019

“One cannot forget that because we are small countries on both sides we really depend on the international ecosystem. As diplomats we co-operate – I have been a diplomat for forty-one years and I’ve been working in some shape or manner with some Singaporean diplomats everywhere in the world,” adds the ambassador.

“These two ecosystems need to be together. There are so many similarities and so many big differences and when you have that you can put your resources together – it’s as if made to be.”

Ambassador Snaevarr is convinced that Iceland´s involvement and collaboration with Singapore is surely going to deepen in the years to come.

“We are already seeing increased business activity between Singapore and Iceland; just recently the Icelandic fintech company Meniga established a par tnership with UOB, and have joined the Nordic Innovation House.

Temasek Holdings are investing in Icelandic companies as well, owning a stake in pharmaceutical company Alvogen.

They reasons are perhaps twofold; Icelandic companies are looking more towards Asia for their next markets and Singapore is the Asian gateway to these markets.”

Iceland has in its latest policy for the future of its Foreign Service articulated the necessity for fostering access for Icelandic companies in the growth markets of Asia. As a result, embassies in Asia were strengthened; with additional

One cannot forget that because we are small countries on both sides we really depend on the international ecosystem.

As diplomats we co-operate

a rather expensive country like Singapore would attract young Icelandic start-ups. It is a very far-away country for them, and we have no tradition in trading in this area. You put structures in place and very often things happen. We will see; I’m very positive.”

One such structure is the new Nordic Innovation House (NIH) Singapore, where the ambassador is a board member.

“I must say it was among the happiest phone calls I have received in my professional life when I was told that there was such a thing as a Nordic Innovation House to be started in Singapore, because it gave me of course – not having an embassy here or any staffing placed here – a location. I call it a Christmas Tree; a structure where I can put my start-ups almost as decoration. And imagine my joy when the very solid and popular Icelandic fintech company called Meniga, came on board the NIH as member! I do hope, by communicating back home, to get more Icelandic companies on board.”

“What this does is that you have a place, and a way.

You can say: ‘Go to the Nordic Innovation House!’ Then you are so much stronger and it is so much easier trough that to raise the awareness in Iceland about Singapore opportunities, and with Singapore also the rest of Southeast Asia,” she adds enthusiastically.

O staff in Tokyo and Beijing, and with ideas for opening a new ‘business/trade’ office in SA-Asia.

“Singapore plays an increasingly impor tant role as bilateral partner as well as a hub for access to markets in the region. A friend commented: ‘You go to China to talk to the Chinese, you go to Japan to talk to the Japanese, you go to Singapore to talk to the entire region!’,” says the ambassador.

O

ne of Sigríður’s skills is that she has been a management trainer for a long time, alongside her career. She describes it as her hobby. “I’m very interested in TEAMology: studying how people best work in teams. And to produce highly effective teams is a phenomenon which can be produced if you know how it works.”

This means that Sigríður can also assist Icelandic startups on this for them crucial point.

“And we know that the growth companies are the most impor tant ones. But it needs to be star t-ups that have grown to certain maturity to be called a growth company.

They need to be scalable; need to have a certain stature in their own country and to have a relevance to Singapore,” she analyses.

“There will be some start-ups attending the Singapore Fintech and SWITCH festivals in November. And that’s like a dream come true because you would not think that

verall, claims the ambassador, Iceland is very routed in the Nordic tradition and the collaboration.

Talking of which, Iceland is currently presiding in the Nordic Council of Ministers.

“I have been an ambassador in 19 different countries and could never have done it and any meaningful work had I not had the Nordic family in place. The first thing I do when coming to a new place is to go and visit every single Nordic ambassador.”

Apar t from Iceland and Singapore sharing impor tant values and characteristics (small countries with need for open and rules-based order), they are also finding common ground regarding some concrete issues as well, one being the issue about the Arctic - mainly through the Arctic Council - which Iceland is chairing for the next two years.

“Singapore told us that the arctic is not a local phenomenon, what happens in the arctic does not stay in the arctic – it has very big impact on the world’s oceans including of course in the equator. So the arctic marine environment, the climate and green energy, people and communities, and to strengthen the arctic council – that’s what we want to do in our two years of leading the arctic council.”

“The last instance of diplomatic cooperation between Singapore and Iceland is at the UN where our two nations have been chosen to take care and organise the 75 Years Anniversary of the UN in 2020 And that is incredible that they among all the countries in the world select us two to take care of organising the event!”

So just watch out for news and more activities in the Iceland-Singapore context. Iceland and Sigríður Ásdís Snævarr are going to make sure there will be progress!

July-August 2019 • ScandAsia 15

Nordic people moving out from Thailand

T

By Gregers Moller he number of Nordic business people in Thailand and the number of Nordic people on retirement visa or visa linked to their Thai family have been declining during the first five months of this year. This is the first decline in 12 years. If the trend continues, there will only be 861 Nordic people on a business visa left in Thailand by the end of the year.

In 2018, 435 Nordic business people renewed their business visa during the first five month of that year. This year, only 395 business people renewed their visa. While some new business people may have moved in, more must have decided to move out, leaving a net decline in Nordic business people in Thailand of 40 people or 10 percent.

The downward trend is stronger than the total for all foreign nationalities in Thailand, where the decline in business visa renewals went down 2 percent during this period to a total of 5536 renewals.

Nordic people on retirement visa or visa related to their Thai family also declined. Last year, 3837 Nordic people renewed their O-visa during these first five months 16 ScandAsia • July-August 2019

of the year. This year during the same five months, only 3788 people renewed their O-visa. The net decline was 49 people.

The category “others”, which includes students on E-visa declined 89 people from 1174 last year to 1085 this year. A decline of 7.5 percent.

Even applications for extension of tourist visas went down with 65 renewals to 11,752 renewals.

Danes had the largest decline

In the business communities, not all Nordic nationalities declined in equal proportions.

• The number of Norwegian male business visa renewals went down from 40 to 39 men, while the businesswomen renewals went up from 5 in 2018 to 12 in 2019, giving a net increase of 7 business people renewing their visas.

• The number of Finnish businessmen and business woment remained unchanged with 47 men and 13 women renewing their visas.

The number of Norwegian male business visa renewals went down from 40 to 39 men, while the businesswomen renewals went up from 5 in 2018 to 12 in 2019, giving a net increase of 7 business people renewing their visas.

• The number of Swedish male business visa renewals went down with 10 from 176 to 166 while the businesswomen renewals went down equally with 10 from 47 to 37, giving a total decline of 20 or 9 percent.

• The largest decline was in the Danish nationality.

The number of Danish male business visa renewals went down from 70 to 66, while Danish business women declined from 18 to 11. The net decline of 11 business visa renewals equals 12.5 percent.

• The number of Icelandic business people went up with 3 males and down with 1 female renewal to a total of 4 Icelandic people - doubling the 2 Icelandic people who renewed their visa during the first five months of last year.

Making the same comparison regarding people on O-visa also shows also an unequal pattern.

• The Norwegians went down 21 O-visa renewals.

• The Finns went down 11 O-visa renewals.

• The Swedes went up with 37 O-visa renewals.

• The Danes went down with 92 O-visa renewals the largest drop of 14.5 percent in these categories.

• The Icelandic people went up 3 renewals.

Prognosis for 2019

If the trend during the first five months continues the rest of the year, there will by year end of 2019 be 128 Norwegians on business visa, 133 Finns on business visa, 426 Swedes on business visa, 164 Danes on business visa and 10 Icelandic people on business visa.

July-August 2019 • ScandAsia 17

The total of 861 Nordic people on business visa will be a decline of 44 persons from the total number of 905 business visa renewals in 2018, equal to a decline of 4.9 percent.

As for retirement and family visas, there will by year end of 2019 be: • 2846 Norwegians, • 533 Finns, • 3096 Swedes, • 1096 Danes and • 62 Icelandic nationals.

Reversal of growths since 2007

The Nordic business community used to grow steadily with 10 percent annually. In 2007, there were 423 persons renewing their business visa. In 2013 the community had grown to 774 people. The last couple of years, the annual growth has slowed down to 1.1 percent. From 885 persons in 2016 to 905 persons in 2018.

This year, 2019, is the first year where the growth in the business community can be expected to be a negative of 4.9 percent.

All figures are based on statistics provided by the Immigration Bureau of the Royal Thai Police.

That will be a total of 7633 Nordic persons by year end, down 165 persons from 7798 Nordic persons on retirement visa or family visa by the end of last year, 2018.

Documentation Applications for visa extensions, excl. tourist visa extension, all year 2018 Nationality

Gender Business Government

Lives with Thai family

Lives with Thai family with land

Retirement

Special laws BOI

Oil&Gas

Other

Total

Sweden

Male

367

19

403

81

2,206

161

0

683

3,920

Sweden

Female

101

8

29

118

179

68

0

370

873

Total

4,793

Norway

Male

89

16

159

17

2,201

31

3

289

2,805

Norway

Female

22

4

27

23

459

13

2

169

719

Total

3,524

Denmark

Male

160

15

232

7

964

87

2

455

1,922

Denmark

Female

28

9

10

34

37

29

0

127

274

Total

2,196

Finland

Male

96

18

97

10

393

210

0

265

1,089

Finland

Female

37

21

13

26

18

36

0

96

247

Total

1,336

Iceland

Male

3

2

6

1

48

1

0

25

86

Iceland

Female

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

6

8

Source: Immigration Bureau, Royal Thai Police

18 ScandAsia • July-August 2019

Fewer Danes apply for multiple entry tourist visas

News brief

by Gregers Møller

T

he Royal Thai Embassy in Denmark issued 31 Multiple Entry Tourist Visas from January to June this year. Last year the embassy issued 59 Multiple Entry Tourist Visas during the same period.

The Multiple-Entr y Tourist Visa is valid for 6 months from the date of application and gives the holder 60 days stay on each entry during those six months. If the holder enters the Kingdom close to the expiration day of the visa, it can be possible to stay close to 8 months in Thailand on a METV. The decline of almost 50 percent goes against the general belief, that on the contrary more retired Danes would opt for the METV visa this year.

It was speculated, that since the Danish Embassy in Bangkok is no longer issueing an income statement for use when applying for a retirement visa,

then some people would rather apply for the METV instead of requesting the Danish pension disbursing office to issue the income letter – since this would likely draw attention to the fact, that they actually spend the majority of the year in Thailand.

That would have explained the current decline in Danes renewing their retirement visa this year, as previously reported by ScandAsia.

The Multiple Entr y Tourist Visa (METV) was introduced in November 2015. It was hoped, that it would boost Thailand’s tourism industry, bring increased revenue into the country and help prepare Thailand for the ASEAN community. The fee is 1,250 DKK in Denmark – equivalent to 5.000 THB. When applying for an METV, the applicant must (apart from the usual documentation) also submit at copy of a

bank statement with minimum balance of DKK 37,000. It is the equivalent of a minimum 200.000 THB that must continuously have been in your bank account for the past 6 months from the date you submit the application.

It is also a requirement that – in case of residing with a family in Thailand – that the host family must submit an invitation along with a copy of their undersigned Thai ID or house registration.

Danes have always had the option not to apply for the METV at the Thai Embassy in Copenhagen, but apply at another Thai Embassy or Thai Consulate – just like about 5 percent of the METV visas issued by the Royal Danish Embassy in Copenhagen are not issued to Danish citizens but for instance Icelandic and other nationalities.

Swedish Embassy Jakarta hosted Smart Mobility Workshop

O

n July 7, Embassy of Sweden in Jakar ta organized Smar t Mobility Workshop at the Swedish Residence in Jakarta, arranged to highlight the traffic congestion and transportation issues.

The guests attending included Ambassador of Sweden to Indonesia Mar ina Ber g and Ambassador of Indonesia to Sweden Bagas Hapsoro.

There were presentations and discussions addressing Indonesia’s next five- year master plan of urban transpor tation and smar t mobility development.

Swedish companies working on Smart Mobility globally also took this opportunity to share their experience and knowledge with the attendants.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador

Bagas Hapsoro gave an example of the public transpor t facility in Stockholm that helps society to improve public transportation in order to encourage people to stop being dependency on using private transport.

“As a biker, I am of the view that Stockholm works with both supply and demand of mobility to mitigate congestion”, said Ambassador Hapsoro.

Ambassador Marina Berg referred about the impor tance of triple helix model, a set of interactions between academia, industry and governments.

She mentioned that Swedish gover nment has already put the process of fostering sustainable growth, an academia and industry into action and to make improvements happen to the society people need to prepare for

Ambassador of Indonesia to Sweden Bagas Hapsoro and Ambassador of Sweden to Indonesia Marina Berg (Photo: Embassy of Indonesia in Stockholm) the change and adaptation.

“Are Indonesia’s Fast-Growing Cities Ready to Take on the Challenge?” asked Ambassador Berg.

Source: Embassy of Indonesia in Stockholm July-August 2019 • ScandAsia 19

Eric Hallin

in Ho Chi Minh City Eric Hallin has taken on a new challenge in Ho Chi Min City, after more than 10 years as GM for hotel Rembrandt on Sukhumvit soi 18, Bangkok 20 ScandAsia • July-August 2019

W

By Agneta Bekassy

hen I recently passed by Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok, I star ted to wonder what Eric Hallin, its former, general manager, might be doing these days.

Eric was with Rembrandt for more than 10 years and a well-known face in the capital.

Eric is the man with passion for life - and now I mean the “good life”! I don’t know anyone who can open a bottle of Champagne in such an elegant and easy-looking way with a sable, as Eric manage to do!

Eric, the man who knows everything wor th knowing about exquisite wines and digestives, and who is most happy to share his knowledge with hotel guests and friends.

I got to know Eric when I moved here in 2007 and during the years we have shared many joyful moments.

After a long time at Rembrandt he retired. I believe and trust, that we were many thinking how will this end? Eric and retiring? Not to believe, and right we were!

Today, after a relatively short period having a break, Eric has become the GM for the Norfolk Hotel and the Norfolk Mansion, both located in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam.

The Norfolk Mansion has 136 suites and the Norfolk Hotel 104 rooms. Both hotels are very well located in a walking distance to the Opera, Little Tokyo etc. Eric mentions that the Norfolk Mansion has probably the best Chinese restaurant named Shanghai Palace and the restaurant Terrazzo. Norfolk hotel has the Corso Steakhouse & Bar; also fine dining.

Eric mentions that he is assisting the sister proper ty Six Senses in Con Dao also. He sounds very happy talking about the hotels and their staff. The owner of those hotels is focused and centered on staff development with scholarships and trips abroad. This grows a culture of guestcentric individuals.

Do you see any big differences in the Vietnamese staff compared to the Thai staff I wanted to know? “Vietnamese and Thais are different and so are their cultures; they have a different approach, but both are great in service and attitude.”

Are you planning to add something really unique to these hotels? “Yes, the team and I have many ideas of rejuvenation, but it’s all in a planning phase.”

I know that Eric was very popular among his former staff at Rembrandt and it was seldom anyone left voluntary.

I many times wondered what made Eric such a beloved manager and I asked him. “We cannot rule by fear and too strict rules, but have to inspire our team to work not only hard, but with their hearts. Our salaries are generated not by the owners, but by our guests. Some of our staff left us for better paying jobs at even finer and more exclusive hotels, but several returned to rejoin Rembrandt; we were family. It’s very important that you have a passion for what you do; it reflects on the guests.”

July-August 2019 • ScandAsia 21

If we keep on running our business like we did 10 or even 5 years ago, we would probably be out of business today.

22 ScandAsia • July-August 2019

During my GM years at Rembrandt, I got friends for life and we had one long-staying guest who volunteered to become Rembrandt’s own Santa Claus many times.

Eric adds that many of the guests, during the years, returned several times and some stayed for ver y long periods, up to a couple of hundred days.

I was curious to know if also Eric’s family has made HCMC their new home, but this is not the case. “Bangkok will always be my home and I will return once or twice a month” he says.

I asked what the family thinks about your new post in the neighbouring country? They are all excited was Eric’s answer.

How do you look upon the hotel business today compared with some years ago? “Well, hotel business has changed with the times. If we keep on running our business like we did 10 or even 5 years ago, we would probably be out of business today. The trick we use is to go hybrid. The guest is still focus, but how they do their bookings and how we manage distribution is now more online than before.

At Rembrandt we kept mainly European wholesalers and their clients and would run 65 % European business, but of course, we welcomed Asians and other nationalities. In HCMC we have a very mixed clientele with a few Japanese at both properties, but also the UK, France, China, Australia etc. are frequently represented among guests.

As I’m interested in crypto currency, I had to ask if the Norfolk properties accept any crypto currency as payment.

“Only a very few hotels around the world have started to take Crypto Currency, Vietnam is no different. I think Crypto Currency shows great promise, but has not yet stabilized.”

Have you ever experienced any big obstacles during your years as an hotelier? “No, no real big problems. We had a challenge with the airport closure in Bangkok year 2008, some strong flooding during 2011 which affected all hotels.

We also had political problems during 2009, 2010 and 2014.

Hotels have mushroomed during those years with more than 10.000 rooms within 500 meters of the Rembrandt and many more all over Bangkok.”

It’s really true; Bangkok seems to get one new hotel after the other.

During the last 3 years, Eric has been the President for the Swedish/Thai Chamber of Commerce, well assisted by his team and especially his three Vice Presidents and Anders Lundqvist.

On Saturday June the 7th, Eric handled over his presidency to MR Lundqvist, who also is a very familiar and well-known Swede.

“It will not be possible for me to stay an efficient and active president any more, as I don’t live daily in Bangkok”.

It has been a fun experience and the board is absolutely fantastic Eric says with a kind of “sad smile”.

Any other goals? “Of course, but one thing after the other, just wait and see...”

For sure that we will see Eric around quite often in Bangkok even in the future - as his heart belongs to Thailand.

And, surely, Eric will be as beloved among his staff in the Norfolk, as he was at Rembrandt.

Good luck with your new position!

July-August 2019 • ScandAsia 23

Discover French Indochina – Saigon lifestyle update Text and photos (except where indicated): Joakim Persson

Where better to relieve the French Indochina era than with some nostalgia at a few of Saigon’s (Ho Chi Minh City) most prominent hotels – one of them being a living legend now celebrating 60!

24 ScandAsia • July-August 2019

Photo: Caravelle Hotel Saigon

T

Photo: Caravelle Hotel Saigon

he most striking first impressions for newcomers to Saigon are probably the somewhat frightening hundreds of thousands of motorbikes crowding the streets, as well as its many European-French buildings and boulevards downtown. Other than that Saigon is evidently a city under transformation and expansion, with a lot of new high-rise buildings mushrooming. Lifestyle-wise its hotels, F&B scene and architectural heritage are certainly of interest, where also modernity and history collide.

Caravelle Saigon

While Saigon awaits the arrival of a Mandarin Oriental hotel, Caravelle Saigon across the street is a must pit stop, at the very least for its Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar – a legendary waterhole that played such centre stage during the Vietnam War. This rooftop bar, which has been there since pre-‘sky bar’ era – the very first day the hotel opened back in 1959 – offers a throwback to yesteryear. Its timeless layout will remain relatively intact also after undergoing some refurbishment during 2019.

July-August 2019 • ScandAsia 25

Photo: Caravelle Hotel Saigon For those not in the know, the Caravelle (created by two French monsieurs) and its rooftop terrace was an anchoring presence in the heart of a city, and this was a hotel very important to war correspondents (the e-publication ‘Caravelle Saigon - A History’ is a fascinating account about the city and its legendary hotel). Saigon Saigon’s menu, ‘Caravelle Manifesto’ also shares some of its history in brief.

Relive Caravelle’s past and all the thirsty politicians, journalists and soldiers who took the risk even at the peak of the war to enjoy happy hour beer on the patio and balconies, back then with unobstructed panorama views overlooking the city. Imagine them on the roof of the Caravelle Hotel having drinks and watching the air strikes across the river - as you yourself enjoy any of the draft beers or signature cocktails, paired with the food on offer: an introductory menu to Vietnamese cuisine, while also including classic bar food with a twist.

The Manifesto offers for instance Green lip mussels with a parmesan cheese and bacon crust, Moroccan spiced sea bass goujons with cumin yogurt dip, and Panko herb crumbed mozzarella sticks with tomato relish.

Try the House Specials; for instance Passion Fruit Sour (Grey Goose with passion fruit and lychee puree) or the Saigon Sunshine (Grand Marnier, Bisquit Cognac, orange and lime juice, homemade syrup etc.) For craft beer the Caravelle Terrace Draft bottle links to the hotel’s roots – an own tailored draft similar to what the journalists drank in the 60’s.

26 ScandAsia • July-August 2019

Le Méridien Saigon

A much younger hotel (2015) is French-born brand Le Méridien’s Saigon property. Located right by the river and boasting an impressive atrium inside its 22-storey tower this Le Méridien is tailored towards creative guests, with its focus on modernity and art in the design.

Its high-rise lobby boasts design pieces, including a huge, modern chandelier and furniture in various shapes that are scattered throughout, making it resemble a showroom for design. The same goes for very much the rest of the hotel, dominated by chic furniture and intriguing interiors. The rooms are modern with their designer furniture and art, including mixed media paintings decorating the bed panels.

The ground floor also hosts Latitude 10, a cosy coffeehouse by day and cocktail lounge by night, offering Craft Cocktail Series.

The Latest Recipe restaurant ser ves a sumptuous weekday four-hour dinner buffet, with option for free flow alcohol, or Sunday Discovery Brunch with Free Flow Taittinger Champagne. Stations with an abundance of imported cheese, cold meats and cold cuts, seafood on ice, sushi and sashimi, a carving station, Asian and Western dishes, and not to mention desserts, are spread out on the counters of the open showcase kitchen.

Start with a cheese platter paired with Italian sparkling: Riondo Spumanti! Sumptuous dishes like marinated squid, salmon steak, seabass, and seafood skewer can be paired with a selection of cold whites including Le Petit, Chardonnay (Fr); Osadia, Ch, Chile; or Chateau Verdus Magnum, (Fr).

Reds, Saigon Special beer and cocktails are also available in the package and Latest Recipe also serves Vietnamese favourites as a la car te (and so does the Bamboo Chic restaurant).

The hotel also features a well-sized Le Meridien Club Lounge with panorama views of surrounding Saigon.

July-August 2019 • ScandAsia 27

Hôtel des Arts Saigon

The French Indochina theme and celebrations of art, dining and drinking in style continues at the MGallery selection’s award-winning Hôtel des Ar ts Saigon (also from 2015), where the bygone ‘Indochine’ era is paired with timeless chic.

This distinctive five-star boutique hotel is an art museum in its own right, with the owner’s personal collection of paintings and antiques throughout, including the Victorian vintage oak wood bar that must weigh tons, and that was brought to Saigon all the way from England!

A fashionable crowd of in-houses guests and other visitors can peruse this collection within some really topnotch F&B attractions that makes also makes Hôtel des Arts Saigon a social, classy and happening place.

In Café des Beaux Arts one can relax in comfort and read books from its library, while enjoying gentle grand piano music, sipping on tea or cocktails, and having light lunches and gourmet delights.

Don’t miss the hotel’s Paris - Saigon Afternoon Tea, which is a journey back to 1930’s Indochina, with vintage music and Vietnamese flavours of emblematic French delicacies.

28 ScandAsia • July-August 2019

Then there is the street market-inspired and amazingly designed Saigon Kitchen restaurant, which offers authentic, street food inspired from Indochina and European cuisine.

The vibe increases the higher up you go. Upon floor 23 Social Club Restaurant, and its Rooftop Bar one level above, are undoubtedly venues of choice in Saigon. Social Club offers Sunday Brunch with free flow and live jazz music every Wednesday to Saturday, while DJs entertain on the rooftop, which also hosts the highest rooftop infinity pool in the city. Happy Hour lasts from 5 pm all the way until 8 pm.

Upon the visit Social Club Saigon presented a curious new cocktail collection inspired by the perfume notes of YSL Beauté fragrance. Crafted with a blend of vintage and French chic modernity 8 French Classic fragrances have been reproduced with their tasting notes to seduce ‘Her & Him” - each cocktail with its own character that will suit each guest’s personal choice.

Now, you have three choices with nods to the past in Saigon that surely will offers something to everyone’s discerning taste.

It’s never too late…

By Agneta de Bekassy

P

är Kågeby, Vice Consul at the Swedish embassy in Bangkok, and Attaphon Kabkhamba, more known as Sun, his partner since 33 years, got married in Sweden on July 1st, 2019.

On a beautiful, sunny day, their marriage ceremony took place at a dear friend’s house, Ann Fredriksson, close to the “metropol” Mjölby. The former Bangkok priest Lars Rydestad was asked to give the couple the blessing and he had chosen some very suitable words and it was an emotional couple who said “Yes” in front of many friends from far and near.

Thailand was well represented by many Thais who nowadays live in Sweden and some having travelled from Thailand. Several Thai women were wearing traditional Thai dresses and also Pär and Sun wore the classic Thai jackets and had Jasmine garlands around their necks.

It was a warm-hearted ceremony with about 60 friends participating. The terrace, where the ceremony was taking place, was decorated with flowers in the Thai colours and the Swedish flag was blowing in the wind. It was magic.

Sun was very emotional and said his yes loud, even before he was asked and a few tears were seen in his eyes.

Pär seemed very calm and convinced.

After the ceremony, a Thai and Swedish buffet waited for the guests. Delicious, decorative “Smörgåstårtor” had been made by Mia Palmqvist, who has moved back to Sweden from Bangkok. Later on, coffee and Mia’s Princess cakes, were served.

Some of the guests took the oppor tunity to say a few words to the newly wed and five people sang a song for them, with Bangkok’s current priest Erik Stenberg accompanying on his guitar.

Not to forget, we all wished Pär a Happy Birthday, as it was his 60s birthday the same day.

Among the guests were seen; Mrs.Karin Herrström, spouse of Ambassador Staffan Herrström (who still was in Bangkok working), Anders and Cecilia Hivander, Louise Roxlin from Pattaya with one of her sons, Anders Högberg (who also has moved back to Sweden from Bangkok), Marianne and Christer Jansson from Phuket, and Anette and Jan Olof Alenius (also former Bangkok citizens) just to mention a few among many, many more friends.

What a memorable day! All the best for the next 33 years Pär and Sun! July-August 2019 • ScandAsia 29

Business

Finland’s circular economy initiative presented to ASEAN

By Joakim Persson Photos: Waste To Energy Trade Association, Embassy of Finland in Bangkok

W

hile the World Circular Economy For um (WCEF) was taking place in Helsinki the Embassy of Finland Bangkok co-organised ‘Finland towards the circular economy’ seminar, held at the Asean Sustainable Energy Week 2019 in Bangkok.

This gave Finland a perfect opportunity to showcase Finnish solutions and present the country’s ambition and roadmap towards being a global leader in Circular Economy (CE). Thailand representatives also outlined its status in the country and various efforts within waste management and waste to energy.

HE Satu Suikkari-Kleven, Finland’s ambassador, gave a brief account of the key messages from the WCEF, one being that the scientists are screaming about the world’s growth pattern as being unsustainable.

“When you look at the figures that raw materials use will more than double by 2060 it kind of paints a quite alarming picture but at the same time the atmosphere at the seminar was extremely positive.”

30 ScandAsia • July-August 2019

WCEF is living proof that circular economy is not just a vision for the future, it’s very much reality today. More than 2000 people from all over the world gathered there together, presenting their different solutions, be they the strategies adopted by governments or new technologies developed by private companies,” continued the ambassador.

The CE, with its solutions and hopeful spirit, is really they key to solve so many of our global problems, she stated.

“For Finland CE is a tool for achieving sustainable development, battling climate change, saving natural resources and improving the state of the environment, all the while generating growth and jobs.”

The potential effect on Finland’s economy also speaks volumes: according to estimates the CE can contribute an annual added value of at least 3 billion Euros to the Finnish economy by 2030. Additionally CE offers lower income entrepreneurs improved business opportunities, as waste and left-over materials can be used to establish new construction sector business operations.

“CE also has great potential of promoting equality and

fairness by making many services and commodities available to those who previously could not afford them. When there is no need to purchase goods for yourself there is no need for initial investment and various commodities can be enjoyed, because circular economy is a new economic model in which consumption is based on using services, sharing, renting, recycling etc.,” said Satu and continued: “The re-distribution of global wealth is an extremely important global goal requires a circular economy.”

Summarising the good reasons for transformation into circular economy the ambassador emphasized that environmental sustainability, e.g. sustainable use of resources, is an “extremely important thing”.

The first EC roadmap in the world was created under the Finnish innovation fund SITRA in 2016.

The measures that then followed started to define the steps and that steering the national economy towards CE would require a systemic change, Satu explained.

“Our target is to be global leader in the CE and we want to be the global leader by promoting the interests of three fields: economy, society and the environment.”

The roadmap takes a multi-stakeholder approach to find complete solutions and has four priorities at this point: 1) Sustainable food systems 2) Transpor ts and logistics 3) Technical loops 4) Forest-based loops, and actions intersecting the whole of society.

“And it has more than 60 concrete projects or administrative measures to be taken, so it’s more than a policy declaration – it provides very concrete proposals to follow.“ Taking a closer look at one of the focus areas, the forestbased loops and bio-economy, Ambassador Satu highlighted that Finland is the most forested country in the EU and that its forest industry is one of the economic backbones.

“Finland has world class exper tise, vast renewable natural resources and the industrial infrastructure needed to develop a sustainable bio-economy. An entire wood-based eco-system has emerged with totally new or re-invented products. These include: advanced bio fuels, biodegradable packaging materials, construction materials, cosmetics,

fashion fabrics, and healthcare instruments. Ever ything that is made out of oil today can be made out of wood tomorrow. And we in Finland are already doing it!”

The ambassador also mentioned some concrete examples of excellent innovations from Finland, while some Finnish companies also presented their solutions during the seminar, among them BMH Techonlogy Oy, represented by Ms. Minna Vilkuna.

She spoke about Refuse-derived fuel (RDF), a fuel produced from various types of waste such as municipal solid waste (MSW), industrial waste or commercial waste.

Minna spoke about how technology helps in the work towards CE, and how to find solutions, especially energy solutions, that are sustainable (being profitable and environmentally friendly at the same time).

“When there is for example food-based industr y, mechanical wood industry such as sawmill, or if there is a chemical forestry industry, like paper and pulp mills - all that waste from that forestry industry our BMH has technology for.”

Another well-established player in Southeast Asia is RE Power Group, from which MD Gustaf Godenhielm spoke about ‘Biogas as the cornerstone of a circular economy’.

And from Ductor Mr Gavin Shen presented his ‘The Revolutionar y Value Creation Model through Organic Circularity’.

Gavin highlighted the challenge with wasted waste. Out of all the waste the world is producing world are generating a large portion originates from animals.

By adding a pre-treatment process to a normal biogas production Ductor breaks the waste down into components and reorganise those components into useful forms that can optimise the energy from the waste as well as producing additional fertilizer to boost food production, Gavin explained.

July-August 2019 • ScandAsia 31

Swedish National Day and Midsummer celebrations across Southeast Asia

Sweden National Day in Hong Kong. Photo: PMQ.

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By Nilobon Bantoey une 6 every year is always a great day for all Swedes to wave their blue and yellow flags as a way of celebrating their ‘Nationaldagen’, or Swedish National Day. Swedes annually celebrate their National Day in commemoration of two historical events: King Gustav Vasa’s coronation taking place on June 6, 1523 and the end of the Kalmar Union wherein Denmark, Norway and Sweden were united together under a common monarch marking the beginning of Swedish independence. On the same day in 1809 was likewise the day Sweden got their Instrument of Government. On this day, there are also special ceremonies welcoming new Swedish citizens around the country.

The activities Swedes do during the celebration commonly include flag parades, plenty of music, food, drinks, readings of poems about Sweden and speeches from politicians. Swedish National Day festivities have not taken place only in Sweden but also happened around the globe including Southeast Asia in which the event organisers hosted the celebration as pleasant as back in Sweden.

32 ScandAsia • July-August 2019

Apar t from National Day, Midsummer is also one of the most significant holidays in the Swedish calendar and some Swedes celebrate Midsummer Day on the same day with National Day. During the Midsummer period, Swedes usually celebrate Midsummer Eve between June 20th-25th in the countryside ahead of the Midsummer Day that will be held on the 22nd of June.The successful midsummer always involved flowers, Swedish Maypole dance while singing songs, eating potatoes and drinking unsweetened, flavoured schnapps–key pillars of the celebrations.

Thailand

Midsummer Lunch and Swedish National Day Celebration was organized by Thai-Swedish Chamber of Commerce (TSCC) taking place on Saturday the 8th of June, 2019 at Garden Lounge, Marriott Executive Apartments Sukhumvit Park, Bangkok.

50 guests coming with their floral dresses for women and casual outfits for men to greet the high-point of the summer participated.

TSCC had prepared a menu featuring different kinds of Scandinavian style dishes and dessert to welcome their guests.The Midsummer menu came in five sections.The first was a cold section serving marinated herrings and homesmoked cold salmon. This is typically followed by salad station, bread and hot dishes such as Swedish meatballs, stir-fried “Pyttipanna” and Swedish mustard. For desser t, there were Swedish pancakes, ice cream and a variety of summer fruits and pies.

The ceremony was inaugurated with the speech from TSCC President Eric Hallin. He welcomed the guests and acknowledged all the support contributed in helping to run such a successful event.

“Thanks all of you for your fantastic suppor t,” said President Hallin who also mentioned about TSCC’s previous event “Plogging Event” which was held on May 25, 2019 at Bangsaen Beach as a part of TSCC’s 30th anniversary celebration.

Aside from President Hallin, Ambassador of Sweden to Thailand Staffan Herrström also attended the event as a distinguished guest, who gave a speech on the historical background of Swedish National Day and why it was so essential for Swedes to celebrate this day.

The ambassador also highlighted a remarkable peopleto-people relation which was the core of Sweden and Thailand’s bond.

He also took this oppor tunity to raise awareness of environmental issues to mark the World Oceans Day taking place at the same day of the event (June 8).

“Every second breath we take comes from the ocean which plays a major role for our health and existence and it is terrible to know that nowadays we have more plastics than fishes in the ocean,” the ambassador shared.

“Therefore, it is our responsibility to collaborate together to beat unhealthy environments in order to build a sustainable future.”

After the speeches, a raffle game was started in which all winners walked away with prizes worth in a total 100,000 THB - sponsored by leading Swedish brands operating in Thailand.

Photo: Consulate General of Sweden in Hong Kong

Singapore

Prior to the National Day, Embassy of Sweden in Singapore hosted the reception to celebrate the Swedish National Day on June 4 at the residence of Ambassador of Sweden to Singapore Niclas Kvarnström.

Sponsored by Astra Zeneca, Atlas Copco, SAAB, Ericsson, Handelsbanken, Nöjdhs and SEB, the reception was attended by more than 200 guests enjoying the music from Swedish musicians Kristina Ebbersten and Christina Wirdegren Alin.

Among notable guests were Senior Minister of State and Ministry of Transport & Ministry of Communications and Information Dr Janil Puthucheary accompanied by two members of parliament, Mr Yee Chia Sing, MP for Chua Chu Kang Group Representation Constituency (GRC), and Mr Ang Wei Neng, MP for Jurong GRC.

Hong Kong

Earlier than others Asia countries, Consulate General of Sweden in Hong Kong teamed up with Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong in organizing Swedish National Day and Midsummer on May 31 at PMQ in Central, Hong Kong.

Festivity greeted all participants who came in with their families, children and friends with a series of traditional activities enabling them to experience a traditional Swedish midsummer celebration.

Activities during the celebration included Swedish Maypole dance, traditional Swedish food and drinks area, flower crown making, Kubb game, exhibition on Absolut Creative Competition, Volvo Safety City for kids and tote bag workshop, fun stations by HK Recycles, Oatly, Reuteri, SAS, Scania, Sverige Shoppen, Business Sweden and SWEA.

Ambassador of Sweden to Singapore Niclas Kvarnström.

Photo: Embassy of Sweden in Singapore.

July-August 2019 • ScandAsia 33

Photo: Embassy of Sweden in Singapore At the event, Dr. Puthucheary gave a speech underlining the excellent collaboration between Singapore and Sweden, the two nations that have been working together more than 50 years in several fields such as innovation, research and social policy matters.

Two days later on June 6, the embassy joined with SWEA, Svenska Skolan and SwedCham in hosting the actual National Day Celebration for the Swedish Community in Singapore.

The celebration was held at W Hotel where about 220 guests were welcomed with a traditional Swedish buffet, Swedish summer songs from the choir and Swedish musicians Kristina Ebbersten and Christina Wirdegren Alin.

The children also took part and enjoyed themselves with several enjoyable activities.

Cambodia

In Phnom Penh, the National Day of Sweden was different from last year because this year the Embassy of Sweden hosted the event under the main theme named ‘Effective social dialogue for decent work and sustainable inclusive economic growth’ to support the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 on ‘Decent Work and Economic Growth’.

“In support of the celebration, six development partners of Sweden in Cambodia displayed their activities and achievements in Cambodia that have contributed to the implementation of SDG goal 8 as well as to the Global Deal, a global partnership of governments, unions and business, with the objective of jointly addressing the challenges in 34 ScandAsia • July-August 2019

Ambassador of Sweden to Cambodia Maria Sargren. Photo: Embassy of Sweden in Phnom Penh

the global labour market and enabling all people to benefit from globalization,” wrote the Embassy of Sweden in Phnom Penh.

Taking place on June 6 at Raffles Hotel Le Royal, the celebration was attended by around 400 guests who joined the event as representatives from the Nordic community, universities, alumni and government organization such as the Royal Government of Cambodia, Embassies, UN agencies, national and international organizations, civil society and Swedish citizens.

The guest of honour at the ceremony was the Ambassador of Sweden to Cambodia Maria Sargren who presided over the event together with Minister of Women’s Affairs Ing Kantha Phavi.

Swedish National Day in Yangon (Photo: Embassy of Sweden Section Office in Yangon)

Photo: Embassy of Sweden in Phnom Penh

Myanmar Photo: Ambassador of Sweden to Thailand, Lao PDR and Myanmar Photo by: Staffan Herrström

Laos

Swedish expats in Laos celebrated their National Day this year in Vientiane on June 3. The ceremony was presided over by the Ambassador of Sweden to Thailand, Lao PDR and Myanmar Staffan Herrström attending the event with his spouse Karin Herrström. The Guest of Honour also included the Minister of Public Works and Transport Bounchanh Sinthavong “Great to see so many participants from the Swedish community in Laos. We will be back next year!” the Ambassador Herrström expressed his joy.

Swedish National Day Celebration was held on June 6 at Park Royal in Nay Pyi Taw. Guests of Honor included Union Minister Myint Htwe, Ministry of Health and Sports and Swedish Ambassador Staffan Herrström who also gave a speech to open the ceremony.

During the celebration, a short video of Greta Thunberg, aged 16, a Swedish climate activist, was presented to highlight her activism about global warming.There were also the art exhibition of ‘25 years of plastic’ and the showroom of dresses in different recycled materials organized by Thant Myanmar to provide the guests with the knowledge on the way people can help the world through recycling.

“The evening was outstanding thanks to all the guests, speeches and great food. Until next time, we wish you a year with lots of environmental thoughts,” wrote Embassy of Sweden Section Office in Yangon.

July-August 2019 • ScandAsia 35

Agneta’s World Photos: 123rf.com and Daniel Herron

Kid

and smart phones 36 ScandAsia • July-August 2019

We all love our smart phones. They are wonderful for taking selfies and the world is at our fingertips! But they are also disturbing because we are no longer communicating face-to-face with each other. Sometimes they endanger our own and others’ safety. And they enable the government to track and control our lives. At what age should you give your kids their own?

I

often notice that the Ipads have taken the role as babysitter nowadays. In the weirdest situations, you will also see pets, cats and dogs managing the IPad with their paws. From a very young age, you see little ones sitting on the floor occupying them selves with the IPad. You can ask yourself, is this good or bad?

On trains, busses, in cars and on the back of motorbikes, there is seldom a person who is not face down into their device. You go to a restaurant and see whole families having dinner barely saying a word to each other. Maybe they communicate with each other through, the mobiles.

“Darling, how is the food, can you order me another glass of wine please?” The answer comes quickly, “hold on darling, I just have to post this photo on my Facebook first.”

You have to ask yourself, is this good or bad in the long run? I believe that most of us, spontaneously would answer “of course, it’s not good but everybody does it.”

Yes, that might be the point, just everybody does.

I also react when people stand in front of you on an escalator or just going to pass through the sky train gates, suddenly they just stop to check the mobile they carry in front of them and you run straight into them. There are many accidents due to this behavior.

What about you are taking a taxi and your driver constantly, the whole trip, talks on the mobile, some even holding it in the hand and only driving with one hand? Do you feel safe? I think you shake your head and say “no, no, dangerous”.

How do you look upon kids using the mobiles in school, during the lessons? In my opinion, this is unacceptable and it is almost impossible for teachers to convince them it’s better to listen and take notes. “Why teacher, we can write much faster on the phone?” This is a very common answer.

Devices should be collected before class begins in my opinion!

It’s also terrifying to see how such few young people are able to write a note or letter by hand today.

I use to ask my students, “If you later in life have to sign a contract, how will you manage that if you can’t write your name in cursive?”

Often their answer is: “No worries mam, when I will be in that age, there will be no more contracts to sign by hand, it will all be digital”. What do you comment on such an answer?

The smart phone has changed our lives.

Is it good or is it bad?

We don’t know, yet.

I like to believe that most people like to receive a handwritten postcard or letter, likewise an invitation or thank you note. To see this capacity drop away makes me a bit sad. I have to admit that I’m the least technical person, which of course also contributes to my hesitation to do everything on a mobile, computer or IPad. I’m still so old-fashioned that I write by hand and like it.

I took a few hours and went on the street with photographer Daniel Herron, to ask people about their mobile habits.

Here follows a couple of testimonials. Have fun by reading and see if you recognize yourself!

July-August 2019 • ScandAsia 37

Matteus Sehlström 3rd grade 9 years old ELC, has no mobile but and IPad, and is allowed to use it after school.

“I check YouTube, play games, bat games and mom and dad do too... no, I’m just kidding you.”

Are you allowed to take it to school? “No, I’m not.”

Do you think this is good or bad that you can’t take it with you?

“I think it’s good.”

Do you mostly play in Swedish or English? Matteus: “Only in English.”

What age do you think is suitable to become an owner of a mobile? “I think at 22.”

Wilma Kiszakiewcz Nilsson, grade 5th at Patana School, owner of a mobile phone “I look up things and send sms. I don’t use it that much.”

Which age do you think is a suitable age for getting your own mobile? “Well, maybe around 10 years.”

Do you think mobiles or IPads should be allowed during lessons in school? “No, absolutely not.”

Are many of your friends having their own mobiles? “Yes, I would say so.”

Mia Munro Hallström grade 3 at NIST 9 years old, owner of an Ipad (since 1 years old) and a mobile phone (since 6) “I play games and I send my friend Zack sms and we talk a lot also. YouTube has many good games that we both like to play.””

“In school I can only use it in case of an emergency, not during class.”

Do you think it would be good to let students use their mobiles or Ipads during lessons? “No, I don’t think so at all. If you play with your mobile you can’t concentrate and listen to the teacher.”

Do you also use your mobile to take photos? “Not really.”

38 ScandAsia • July-August 2019

What the experts say

Before we go and let you back to your mobile devices here are a few observations by professionals on the subject. First from the a medical doctor - and the other from the former President of Facebook.

Dr. Nassir Ghaemi, MD, psychiatrist and author of “The Concepts of Psychiatry”: “Twice as many teenagers now have depression as a generation ago. This high rate of depression has no biological explanation. Instead, it appears to be caused by engagement with social media on smartphones. It’s now clear that there’s a strong association between use of social media and depression in adolescents. The more depressed adolescents are, the more they use social media; the more they use social media, the more depressed they are. Which causes which is unclear, but whatever the cause, it’s a vicious cycle.”

Facebook’s first president, Sean Parker, on social media: “We need to sort of give you a little dopamine hit every once in a while, because someone liked or commented on a photo or a post or whatever. And that’s going to get you to contribute more content, and that’s going to get you… more likes and comments. It’s a social-validation feedback loop… exactly the kind of thing that a hacker like myself would come up with, because you’re exploiting a vulnerability in human psychology.”

Am I addicted?

I have asked myself how I would feel today being without my mobile Well, I would say, as probably most people, it would be very difficult. It’s for sure, easy to become addicted. I’m not so keen on calling people, I love to send a message or an email instead. Am I addicted to Facebook or not?

To be honest, I enjoy Facebook and I do look at it every day. Through Facebook I have found friends I thought I had lost and I can keep track of their birthdays, very convenient.

Important is, that you are aware of what you are posting and what you are liking. You must be able to stand up for your comments.

I have done a few mistakes, making comments on political issues, that was not very smart and today I don’t do it, even if I’d like to. Without a computer or mobile today, I would feel like something is missing and the Samsung mobile has a very good camera.

Using mobile, iPad and computer belong to the daily routine today and in the future, there will most probably be something more advanced to use.

We should not forget having a conversation with people is still the most important!

July-August 2019 • ScandAsia 39

Brightly Burning at ‘Sankt Hans Party’

A

Text and photos: Nilobon Bantoey s everyone knows the sun does not always shine in Scandinavian countries, where in the winter the days start to get shorter and the nights in some areas last for twenty hours per day. So, when the summer officially arrives, it gives Scandinavians a good reason to celebrate the longest days of sunshine during the midsummer period.

Typically taking place between the 20th to the 25th of June, the celebration of Midsummer is very popular among Scandinavias and each Scandinavian country has got its ways and customs to cherish this traditional celebration of the Summer solstice.

In Denmark, Midsummer celebration is called ‘Sankt Hans’ or known in another word as St. John’s Eve which is the day the Danes will gather together, set the bonfire and sing their traditional song ‘Vi elsker vort land’ which directly translates to ‘We love our country’.

The Danish community in Thailand recently celebrated their ablaze ‘Sankt Hans’ on Sunday, 9th June at the Royal Danish Embassy in Bangkok. Hosted by Danes Worldwide and Danish Women Network, the feast provided the guests 40 ScandAsia • July-August 2019

Christa Lund Herum, Danish priest in Bangkok

with the lovely evening where Danish expat community in Bangkok had a chance to meet with friends and enjoy authentic Danish hot dogs prepared by Conrads deli, drinks and organic ice-cream before the bonfire was lit. The event was not only for the adults to catch up with their latest news but also for the children who had an amusing time, running around and playing football in the Residence Garden amidst the cosy and warm atmosphere, where the sun was about to set giving the sign the witch was about to get burned.

The welcoming speech was delivered by Deputy Head of Mission at Danish Embassy Anders Lønstrup Graugaard who welcomed all the guests and expressed gratitude to everyone who took part in organizing the celebration.

This was followed by a speech by Christa Lund Herum, the Danish priest in Bangkok. She gave a brief background of ‘Sankt Hans’ and the important reason why Danish people celebrate this festival.

“What the Danes are celebrating today is a Christian Celebration which is specifically connected with Saint John’s Eve Celebration established in honor of the birth of the Saint John the Baptist,” she said.

Priest Herum also mentioned about why the bonfire is topped with a witch figure, “The Danes is the only nation who actually has the witch that we took it as a symbol of warding off the evil spirits,” she explained.

Midsummer Night Party-Sankt Hans at Royal Danish Embassy in Bangkok on Sunday, 9th June 2019 (Photo: Nilobon Bantoey) According to old folklore, Sankt Hans night is the night the witches fly away to Mount Brocken in Harz, Germany and in order to brush away those witches, Danes light a bonfire to keep the devil and darkness away.

Here came the outstanding par t ever yone awaited, the bonfire was lit at about 6 pm where the guests circled around, sang their traditional songs while watching the witch doll getting burned.

July-August 2019 • ScandAsia 41

News brief

Government of Vietnam and Ericsson start strategic Industry 4.0 partnership

V

ietnam’s manufacturing sector is experiencing an industrial revolution of its own but to capture the next wave of growth,enabled by 5G and IoT, Ericsson is supporting the Government of Vietnam to help accelerate the adoption of Industr y 4.0, digitally transforming industries including manufacturing, agriculture,

transport and energy. The agreement also supports the government’s vision of leveraging science, technology and innovation to drive the next wave of socioeconomic development in the country.

The ‘Industry 4.0 & IoT Innovation Cooperation Agreement’ between Er icsson and the state- owned,

At a ceremony held at Ericsson’s headquarters on May 28, 2019, Vietnam’s Prime Minister, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and a delegation of Vietnam Government dignitaries met with Ericsson President and CEO, Börje Ekholm and Denis Brunetti

VNPT Group – Vietnam’s leading communications ser vice provider – will expand IoT capabilities across the operator’s mobile network by leveraging Ericsson’s IoT cellular capability and VNPT’s IoT ecosystem.

“VNPT Group and Ericsson are seeking to build an innovation platform and foundation for Industry 4.0 through this partnership. By providing our 4G NB-IoT capabilities as well as leveraging our recently launched ‘IoT Innovation Hub’ in Vietnam, we are looking to fuel and drive the IoT ecosystem in Vietnam and create momentum towards 5G,” says Denis Brunetti, Head of Ericsson Vietnam and Myanmar.

In April 2019, Ericsson and Vietnam’s Ministr y of Science & Technology, launched the countr y’s fir st IoT innovation hub that suppor ts star tups and promotes entrepreneurship. It also serves as a learning and education platform as well as a research and development platform focusing on accelerating Vietnam’s advancement in IoT.

Green light for EU-Vietnam trade and investment agreements

O

n 25 June, the Council of Ministers authorized the EUVietnam trade and investment agreements. The agreements with Vietnam, the EU’s second largest trading partner in the ASEAN region under Singapore, tagged along behind those signed recently with Singapore.

The agreements are expected to bring benefits for European and Vietnamese companies, consumers and workers, while pave the way for a future region-to-region agreement with the entire Association of Southeast Asian 42 ScandAsia • July-August 2019

Nations (ASEAN). The agreements are also set to promote respect for labour rights, environmental protection and the fight against climate change under the Paris Agreement.

Both sides are required to implement the principles of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) concerning fundamental workers’ rights in Vietnam where the ILO Convention on collective bargaining was recently ratified.

“I am ver y pleased to see that Member States have given a green light to our trade and investment

agreements with Vietnam, a vibrant and promising market of more than 95 million consumers. Both sides have much to gain from stronger trade relations. Beyond the clear economic benefits, this deal also aims to strengthen respect for human rights as well as protecting the environment and workers’ rights,” said Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström.

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