ScandAsia Thailand - October 2017

OCT 2017

Theme: How to pick a kindergarten, preschool or pre-prep school

BUSINESS Bangkok Bank’s accelerator with Swedish start-up

COMMUNITY Henrik Enevoldsen’s elephant sanctuary

LIFESTYLE

PEOPLE

Hotelier Krister Svensson

Jari Hietala new TFCC President

October 2017

ScandAsia Stories

4

Mr Jari Hietala

4 Mareeya Poonlertlarp Ehren crowned Miss Thailand Universe 6 House of Fritz Hansen Bangkok opening 7 Nicolas Weeks New Swe embassy deputy

New President for Thai-Finnish Chamber of Commerce

10 Kindergarten, Preschool, Pre-prep School Theme

4

ScandAsia Business 8

10

BioGaia Thailand launched

Probiotics company opened in Thailand

Mr Henrik Enevoldsen

Setting up elephant sanctuary in Krabiiiii

38 Swedish Fintech start-up Covr Security

Selected by Bangkok Bank InnoHub

6

40 Hotelier Krister Svensson

Staying ahead of the curve in the hotel industry

36

Mr. Rasmus Wiinstedt Tschering

7

CEO of Denmark’s Creative Business Cup

17 OCT 20

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: Theme ick p How to rgarten, e d a kin ool or presch p school pre-pre

ESS BUSIN ’s

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UNITY COMM oldsen’s Enev Henrik sanctuar y elephant

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Community

Swedish Mareeya Poonlertlarp Ehren crowned Miss Thailand Universe

T

hai-Swedish model Mareeya Poonlertlarp Ehren (25 years old) was crowned Miss Thailand Universe 2017 at the Siam Paragon Hall on Saturday, July 30.

As the reigning queen, she also won Bt 1 million in cash and a brand new car. She will be representing Thailand in the Miss Universe 2017 pageant on November to be held in Las Vegas, US. The multi-lingual beauty queen (yep, she fluently speaks Thai, Swedish, English and Mandarin, according to a report by The Nation)

is currently getting her PhD in marketing from the Stockholm Business School. She’s also been modeling for 10 years.

“I want to do good for the society at large and the status of Miss Thailand Universe allows me to follow my passion efficiently. This beauty stage is powerful to speak and to do something for the society. The rights of women in Thailand, their education and premature pregnancy of teenagers are three key issues I want to draw people’s attention to,” Mareeya told The Nation.

Jari Hietala is TFCC’s new leader

By Joakim Persson Photos: TFCC

A

t the annual general meeting of the ThaiFinnish Chamber of Commerce on 28 September Mr Jari Hietala was elected as the President, with Jouni Heinonen and Pornpracha Wattanakijsiri as Vice Presidents.

H.E. Ambassador of Finland Satu SuikkariKleven also attended and held a speech.

“I am obviously excited and honoured about this opportunity to represent the Finnish business in Thailand. I am also very pleased about the composition of the rest of the board of TFCC. It is a good combination of different industries with a wealth of combined experience of doing business in Thailand and the rest of Asia,” Jari Hietala tells ScandAsia.

He has not held the position previously. “I used to be the Trade Commissioner of Finland to Thailand in the past and also Vice President and the Head of Asia for Finland’s export promotion agency Finpro based here in Bangkok and later on in Hong Kong.”

“My main occupation at the moment is with my own management consulting firm Asia Sales Channels Ltd.With my partners I cover the whole Asia having only my residence here in Bangkok. As the name of my company indicates, I specialize in helping my clients to develop and manage their sales channels in various Asian markets.

Like many of us know by experience, it is not a particularly difficult challenge to find distributors, agents, system integrators and other types of third party channel partners in Asia. The real challenge is to get sales and new business with them! For this challenge I bring tested methods, tools and processes. In addition I work on part time basis for three Finnish companies.”

Commenting on the TFCC work ahead Jari says: “As in any business, a successful strategy should be simple and clear. The main objective of TFCC is to support its partners and members with all the tools and resources we have. In my view this will be the number one cornerstone in our strategy. We need to be innovative and proactive in developing new ser vices and concepts in this regard, in addition to activities 4 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2017

we have traditionally carried out.”

“I trust and rely heavily on the motivation and competence of my fellow board members in sharing this work. I have also noticed that there has been very positive development in enhancing Nordic co-operation. I very much support these activities and look forward to close co-operation with other Nordic Chambers in Thailand.”

The event to commemorate the 25 years of the Thai-Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Thailand takes place on 10 October. The biggest anniversar y event ever for TFCC it includes Special Awards to be given to those companies in different categories, which have contributed to the success of TFCC and to the business community in general.

October 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 5

News Brief

Arne Jacobsen’s Egg chair with Thai buffalo leather

D

enmark and Thailand came together in Bangkok at the opening of the House of Fritz Hansen, Bangkok. At the event in early August a craftsman of Fritz Hansen handstitched the iconic piece of Danish furniture – Arne Jacobsen’s Egg – which received an Asian touch by being upholstered by leather from a water buffalo.

Source: Embassy of Denmark, Bangkok

New Nordic film festival in Bangkok Text: Joakim Persson Photos: Embassy of Sweden, Bangkok

T

he inaugural Nordic Film Festival 2017 took place in Bangkok from 28 September to 1 October 2017, held at Quar tier CineArt, EmQuartier, organised jointly by the four Nordic embassies in Bangkok. The festival was opened with a V.I.P reception held at St Regis Bangkok hotel.

Sweden, that traditionally has arranged an annual Swedish Film Festival in Thailand, replied that this own festival is cancelled this year. “We want to try out with this cooperation and see if it works first and if it does well we will talk about maybe having it annually, together with the other Nordics.”

“We would like to highlight what we believe is a success of Nordic films and Nordic cultures.

We would also like to raise awareness around some of our common priorities and values such as sustainability and gender equality,” said Danish Ambassador H.E. Uffe Wolffhechel at the media launch.

“And of course also this festival aims at strengthening the bonds between the Nordic countries in Bangkok and finally to increase visibility of the work done by the Nordic countries present Thailand.”

“This Nordic Film festival presents eight movies to represent the quality of films from the Nordic countries for Thai people to enjoy.

There are a variety of genres that show the arts of culture and way of life in the Nordic part of Northern Europe.”

“Being a countr y of movie lovers, Thais consume a heavy dose of films per capita. A unified film festival is therefore an excellent way of promoting the Nordic countries and their associated movie production efforts,” said the Danish ambassador.

Finnish Ambassador H.E. Satu Suikkari-Kleven said that with the two Finnish films selected for screening Finland wants to take the movie audience on a journey to the Finnish nature.

“Therefore we present two fantastic films about Finnish nature, Finnish forest. The films will make you feel as if you are there yourself. It’s a 6 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2017

truly relaxing movie experience; much more than a normal nature movie,” emphasised the Finnish Ambassador. These are a both award-winning films and ‘Tale of the Lake’, a breath-taking plunge into the life of Finland’s almost 200,000 lakes, is also nominated for the Oscars for the nature Film, Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival.”

“We are also very excited about this festival and believe it will be a hug step forward for the Nordic cinema here in Thailand. And we are confident that the festival will increase the interest in Nordic films. We have other festivals but in this festival you have a selection of wonderful films to present from all our countries.”

Norwegian Ambassador H.E Mr Kjetil Paulsen continued on the nature topic: “We have selected eight films from the Nordics to show the diversity of our communities in terms of culture, nature and societies – in strong characters and storylines.

Many genres will be represented trough this festival.”

“The content on each film will focus on love, nature, gender issues and dramatic elements that represent each country. For Norway we have selected films that are related to nature, and the love of nature – very important parts of the Norwegian identity. It is easy to get lost both in nature and in love. The two films are about precisely that; how to find your way out of

loneliness and despair in the setting of a variety of majestic natural environments.”

For one of the films Norways ambassador also highlighted strong connection to Thailand: “Operation Arctic is recorded on the island of Spitsbergen, a Norwegian island close to the North Pole. RH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has visited several times. She is very impressed and has initiated a cooperation programme between Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok and Spitsbergen University in Norway. I trust guests seeing this film festival will enjoy Operation Arctic as much as Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has enjoyed the island of Spitsbergen!”

Swedish Ambassador H.E Staffan Herrström was equally enthusiastic: ”I share the same excitement that have been expressed by my Nordic ambassador colleagues about this great idea – we have so much in common! It is excellent that we do this together! The Nordic film industry has a prominent role on the world market and is also a promising area of future export growth, as well as being successful in promoting tourism to Nordic destinations.”

He closed the presentation by thanking all the sponsors of the film festival: “Without you this wouldn’t have been possible, and we want to thank for the big booth that your sponsorship now is giving to the future of Nordic cinema.”

Norwegian Ambassador attended completion ceremony

News Brief

H

.E. Ambassador Mr. Kjetil Paulsen, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Bangkok, attended on Thursday 27th of July 2017 the completion ceremony for the Main Suppor t Frame (MSF) module of the Johan Sverdrup drilling platform, in Laem Chabang.The ceremony marked the end of a two-year long project between Aibel Thailand and Statoil, which ended with the successful, on-time delivery of the MSF module.

The MSF module is the largest of four modules that together will comprise the Johan Sverdrup Drilling Platform. Weighing approximately 10.500 tons with a perimeter equivalent to a spacious football pitch, it is the largest platform module ever built on Thai soil.

Finnish attendance at Asia Power Week Bangkok

F

inland’s Ambassador, H.E. Satu SuikkariKleven on 19 Sepember visited the Asia Power Week Conference & Exhibition 2017 and met with executives from Wärtsilä.

Wär tsilä, a Finnish corporation which manufactures and services power sources and other equipment in the marine and energy

markets is providing presentations and seminars throughout the 3-day event.

On 20 September the embassy hosted a ‘Happy Hour’ to celebrate 100 of Finland’s Independence.

Source: Embassy of Finland, Bangkok

Finnish speakers at Thai forum for Regional Trade

F

inland had the privilege of having two speakers at the Regional Trade and Development Forum of Thailand’s International Institute for Trade and Development on 20 July.

Chargé d’Affaires Katarina Tapio from the Embassy presented how Finland sees education as the key to future jobs and prosperity. She shared the secrets behind Finland’s educational excellence , which include equal learning oppor tunities for all and excellent teacher education.

Currently Finland is focusing on fur ther increasing the interest towards science, technology and maths education (STEM) as well as vocational education.

Finnish Innovation Fund’s (SITRA) Ernesto Har tikainen explained how Finland considers

circular economy to present huge economic opportunities both to Finland and globally. Finland will host the World Circular Economy Forum also in 2019.

New Deputy Head at Swedish Embassy Bangkok: Nicolas Weeks

T

he Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok has announced its new Deputy Head of Mission, replacing Charlotta Schlyter who was recently appointed Sweden’s Ambassador to Bangladesh: Mr Nicolas Weeks.

He arrives from Sweden where he worked at the Personnel department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Nicolas has broad experience in both trade and political affairs as he has been posted at The Permanent Mission of Sweden to the UN in New York and the Swedish Embassy to Beijing. Nicolas also has several years’ experience working for the European Commission in Brussels as well as the Permanent Representation of Sweden to the EU in Brussels.

“We welcome Nicolas to the Embassy and are looking forward working together,” writes the embassy.

Source: Embassy of Sweden, Bangkok October 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 7

News Brief

AstraZeneca’s new office in Bangkok inaugurated

L

ast week, AstraZeneca’s new office in Bangkok was inaugurated by a traditional ribbon cutting ceremony. The company has links to both Sweden and the UK, following a merger between the two companies Swedish Astra and British Zeneca in 1999. AstraZeneca is one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies and has been present in Thailand since 1983.

As a true collaboration, the ribbon was cut by both Ms Charlotta Schlyter, Swedish Deputy Head of Mission and Mr Richard Porter, Director of Trade & Investment, British Embassy. Ms Vivianne Gillman, Trade Commissioner/Country manager, Business Sweden in Thailand also attended the inauguration and delivered a statement.

Photo credit: Astra Zeneca and Charlotta Schlyter

Swedish Embassy at BioGaia probiotics launch in Thailand

C

harlotta Schlyter, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Sweden, Bangkok, participated on the 24th of July 2017 in the launch of the company BioGaia probiotics in Thailand.

Ms Schlyter made a statement on the importance of innovation for Sweden’s economic success, societal development and strong public healthcare system. Additionally, she talked about promoting of good health for children and adults, the benefits of a strong gastrointestinal system, and the role of probiotics.

She also mentioned that both Thailand and Sweden are member s of the WHObased network ‘Alliance of Champions against Antimicrobial Resistance’.

BioGaia is a Swedish innovative healthcare company and a world leader in probiotics. It was founded in 1990 and has more than 25 years of experience in the field of probiotics. BioGaia’s products are available in more than 90 markets.

Photo credit: BioGaia

Southeast Asia target for Finnish digital building permitting solutions

E

volta Oy from Finland, an innovative leader regarding digital building permitting solutions is currently touring Southeast Asia, reported the Embassy of Finland in Bangkok.

In early September, Sales Director Southeast Asia, Mr. Jari Hietala, met with an Executive Vice President, Mr. Meetham Na Ranong, at the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), Thailand.

Evolta’s ser vices include eTransaction, eArchiving and other solutions that support the electronic permit application process for built environment.

Evolta’s goal when starting was to create a new web service that would make constructionrelated permit processes faster and easier.Together with The Finnish Ministry of the Environment, they created a service to meet the diverse needs of citizens, municipal authorities, architects and other construction business experts.

“As a result, the processing times are significantly shorter and applicant satisfaction has increased.”

The Finnish Ministr y of the Environment is responsible for several massive projects that digitize services relating to the built environment.

Together with the ministry Evolta star ted to create a new electronic service, Lupapiste, which gathers all parties working with constructionrelated permits at one web address.

DEPA gathers city development firms to drive Smar t City via public-private power for sustainable integration.

DEPA was established to promote and support the development of digital industry and innovation and the digital technology adoption in order to achieve the economic, social, cultural and security benefits in the national level in accordance with the Digital Development for Economy and Society Act promulgated on 23 January 2017.

The agency shall propose the strategy in line with the national policy and plan regarding the digital development for economy and society.

Source: Embassy of Finland in Bangkok

8 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2017

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07/09/2017 13.179 October 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand

Community

Henrik wants to create safe

By Nadja Dam Jensen

In Thailand, elephants suffer from the tourism industry more than any place else in the world. Henrik Enevoldsen from Denmark is trying to create a safe haven for Thailand’s mistreated elephants, and hopes to get support from fellow Scandinavians to rescue the burdened creatures.

10 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2017

H

enrik Enevoldsen was only around three or fours years old when he first encountered the large animal that would one day become a significant part of his life. Cirkus Benneweis, one of Denmark’s premier circuses, camped right across from Henrik’s parents’ house in Esbjerg, southern Denmark, and that is when Henrik for the first time saw a real elephant.

“I became ver y fascinated by this large elephant that looked very different from the other animals we would usually see in Denmark. I would walk back and forth between my parents’ house and the circus to see the elephants by the circus,” said Henrik.

The fascination has followed the now 50-yearold Henrik Enevoldsen ever since that very first encounter, and he is now planning to open up a sanctuary for elephants, abused by the logging and tourism industries, in Krabi, southern Thailand.

Supporting these projects, Henrik met Lek Chailert. Lek has several elephant sanctuaries in Thailand, and in Cambodia and Myanmar. She has rescued over 200 elephants from abuse by loggers and the tourism industry. One day, she told Henrik that she wanted him to open up an elephant sanctuary in Krabi.

“She is my mentor, and I have a deep respect for her, she is like an elephant god to me. It shocked me a little bit, and I told her that I could not just open an elephant home, but she kept insisting.”

The two talked about the idea for some years, but nothing really happened, until Henrik was visiting Lek and the elephants on his birthday last year, and she gave him two elephants and asked him what he was going to do about it. And that is when Henrik’s journey to starting Krabi Elephant Sanctuary really started.

Supported elephants right from the start

In April 2017, Henrik and Café Europa announced that they would be closing. It was time for Henrik to put all of his focus into his elephant project and really make a difference for the large creatures.

He has since then been working full time on collecting money for starting the sanctuary.

To open the sanctuar y, Henrik needs 35 million Thai Baht. He hopes to have the first 20 million before November so he can buy the piece of land he has had put on hold, and will hopefully become the foundation for a safe haven for abused elephants.

The next 15 million will go to building facilities for the elephants, which he hopes to start building around February 2018.

Henrik came to Thailand the for the first time in 1988 while travelling around Asia. Two years later, in 1990, he decided upon settling down in Krabi where he started Café Europa, a place that have brought many people together over Scandinavian food.

While running Café Europa, Henrik has supported many elephant projects in Thailand, which buys elephants out of mistreatment in the logging and tourism industry and places them in sanctuaries where the elephants are given a better life, away from the abuse which they have often suffered under for many years.

Full time focus

Mahouts Living Area

Elephant Night Shelter (10 Elephants)

Viewing Platform

Viewing Platform Elephant Kitchen

Volunteer Area (12 Rooms)

Classroom

Peoples Kitchen Garage/Mechanic

Bungalow Village

Solar Station

ENTRANCE

haven for elephants in Krabi “Elephants that have been rescued from the tourism and logging industr y can rarely simply just be let back out into the forest,” explained Henrik. “Many of them come with physical handicaps such as blindness from being shot with a slangshot, they have infected wounds after being hit repeatedly with metal hooks, many are suffering mentally after the abuse.They need help for navigating around, medicine and many other things.”

Dreams of raising the Scandinavian flags

Henrik hopes to be able to raise the money from a number of personal donations, but also from business. He is currently trying to contact Scandinavian business that have an interest in Thailand to sponsor the project.

“We see that many of the other elephant homes are sponsored by Britons, Australians and Americans, and I would love to see Scandinavian coming together to open a sanctuary as well. I have a dream of being able to raise the Scandinavian flags when we open,” said Henrik.

National animal living in cruel conditions

Although Elephants is Thailand’s national animal, Thailand is also the country which has the most mistreated and abused elephants in the world.

More than three quarters of the more than 2000 elephants in Thailand are suffering from abuse. They are tied to poles day and night, whenever they are not performing in shows or carrying around toursits on their back. They are malnourished. They are tortured.

The growing tourism in Thailand has caused a 30 percent increase of elephants held in captivity for tourism between 2010 and 2016, writes World Animal Protection in a recent report from July 2017.

World Animal Protection says there is an urgent need to educate tourists about animal cruelty. Many of the elephants are taken from their mothers as babies, forced to endure harsh training and suffer poor living conditions throughout their life.

“Before they can perform in shows or be ridden by tourist the elephants go through intense torture in order to break the elephants,” said Henrik.

Although elephants seem like big and strong creatures that can hardly be harmed by someone riding on their backs, riding is actually very harmful to elephants.

Watching happy, playful elephants

More and more tourists are for tunately also starting to support the elephant sanctuaries that are opening across Thailand, where the elephants can live a better life, away from abuse.

When Krabi Elephant Santuar y opens up, Henrik hopes to give visitors a look into how elephants are in their natural habitat. The elephants will roam freely in a forest area with a lake for them to swim and play in.

Although many elephant sanctuaries allow visitors to bathe and pet the large creatures, Henrik wants to keep the human interaction on a minimal.

“Elephants are very playful animals, and I believe it can be an amazing experience for

visitors to observe them from a distance to see what they are naturally like.”

Henrik explains that even though many of the elephants are ver y damaged after being bought out of the logging and tourism industry and arriving at a sanctuary, they quickly go back to being the happy and playful creatures that elephants naturally are.

“It is impressive how forgiving the elephants are. They never forget, but even after so many years of abuse, they can still forgive humans.”

Preventing abuse

With the new project, Henrik hopes to be part of a movement that will stop elephant abuse altogether. In collaboration with the mayor of Krabi, Henrik plans to bring young thai students to the sanctuary and educate them on animal welfare.

He also hopes that opening a sanctuary can inspire the local elephant shows and people who offer elephant riding to choose another path.

“By seeing that the sanctuary can be a great success, and create a good profit, hopefully they will realize that there is another way, and that the animals does not have to suffer,” says Henrik.

There is still a lot of work ahead for Henrik and Krabi Elephant Sanctuary, which he hopes will open up for visitors in November 2018.

Henrik still needs to raise a lot of money to be able to help the mistreated elephants of Thailand, but he is willing to give his all to make it happen.

“When I get this up and running, and shows the tourism industry that this can be a success, then that is all I need from this life.”

October 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 11

select the best kindergarten, preschool or pre-prep school?

They may be young, but for the “below 5’s” there’s still a great deal of educational considerations to do.

F

inding a good kindergarten, preschool or pre-prep school begins with knowing what you would like your child to gain from this experience. No two institutions will offer the exact same things, so it is important to check out 2-3 places before deciding on one. This gives you the chance to see many different settings, curriculums, and classrooms.

If you have moved to Asia recently, it’s a good idea in the first instance to contact your local embassy and ask if they can help you contact you local national association or similar social institution. They should be able to provide you with lists of all the services in your area, that other expats of your nationality is using.

12 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2017

We all know, that children will benefit greatly from a good pre-school education.

Through creative and physical play, they’ll gradually learn new skills and experience, plus learn how to interact socially with their peers.

Do basic research

When you’re assessing your options, you’re likely to have a lot of questions and queries about how each nursery, kindergarten or preschool or preprep school operates and how children learn. That’s good and it’s certainly a positive thing to have questions. Gaining answers to your queries should help you reach a decision about where it is best for your child, or what place you would prefer to avoid.

Before you call and request a tour of the kindergarten or preschool or pre-prep school, you should do some basic research based on what is important and what would work for your family.

• Where is the school located? Close to work or close home?

• Is it part-time or full-time program?

• Are they licensed or in other ways meet safety requirements and provides adequate staffing?

• What are the fees? Is there a registration fee?

Some of the questions you might like to ask include: • What time do sessions start and finish?

• Do the children have a scheduled rest during the day?

• How many children do they have attending?

• What sort of activities do the children do?

• How long have they been operating?

• Do they have outdoor and indoor areas for children to play and learn?

• What resources and equipment do they have to support children’s learning?

• Do they provide any additional help and support to under 5s with special education needs?

You may not find answers to all these questions from your internet research so keep them for your personal visit. A good early learning centre will be happy for you to visit them. You should be able to have a good look around the premises, so you can see how clean they are and what the learning environment is like, and you should be able to gain insight into how the teachers or staff interact with the children. It’s also useful to see how safe and happy the children seem and whether they’re playing happily together, or all off doing their own thing.

October 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 13

Visit the Boss

Now, it is time to meet the director. Here’s a quick checklist of things you’ll want to talk to the director about when you visit.

• What’s the school’s discipline policy? How do they punish bad behavior?

• What are the safety procedures for dropping off and picking up children?

• What are the payment options and procedures?

• How will the kindergarten or preschool communicate with you? (Newsletters, emails, apps, conferences?)

Remember, choosing a preschool does not have to be an overwhelming or stressful task. Finding the perfect fit is easier when you go into the process prepared and ready to ask questions.

What the preschool may want to ask you

During the visit, things to look for

You have by now narrowed down the possible kindergarten, preschool or pre-prep school and now you are ready to tour the places! You go to the school, but what do you look for? Here are some ideas.

Is the facility safe and clean? Where is the first-aid kit and do they know how to use it?

• Are there age-appropriate books and toys?

• Is there a safe outdoor play area with adequate shade?

• Does the classroom provide a variety of activities or “centers”?

• Is the atmosphere fun and inviting?

• Is student art work displayed?

• Do the children seem happy?

• Am I comfortable here? Trust your gut!

Meeting the teacher is one of the most important aspects of choosing a preschool. If he or she answers your questions warmly and attentively, and you are happy with the feeling the teacher gives you, then it’s safe to say you found a good fit.

Teachers love knowing that you are ready to partner with them in your child’s education, so ask as many questions as you can. Most importantly, make sure the school and teacher make you and your child feel warm and welcome. When you find the right preschool, get ready to embrace your child’s greatest adventure!

14 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2017

What most parents forget is, that the preschool may also have questions to you.

One of the usual requirements by all types of pre-schools, is that children should be successfully toilet trained by the time they attend pre-school, so this is one area which you may need to work on to get your child ready. All children grow and develop at different rates, so whilst some children may fly through toilet training with ease, others may take a while longer.

If your child is still having toilet training problems when the time for preschool is getting nearer, then have a chat to the teachers who’ll be running the pre-school. It may be nothing to worry about and some children take to it soon after going to pre-school, especially when they see the example set by other children.

Can your child be left with others without their parents staying?

Separation anxiety is normal, but the preschool may want to know this in advance. You can work on this in advance and make sure your child is relatively comfortable about this. It is a big challenge for some children.

How well does your child communicate verbally? This is especially important if they’re not feeling well or are having any problems, so they can communicate the issue to the responsible teacher. If the child is able to communicate well with the other children it can also help them develop friendships.

Although some reading and writing will be worked on at pre-school, it certainly helps if your child has a basic understanding of reading and writing.

Again, this is a skill that you can work on at home with your child and help them be prepared and ready to face life at pre-school.

Finally, discipline is an important issue. Children do need to have a degree of discipline to be able to respond well to instructions from a pre-school teacher. Is your child prone to throwing tantrums about the smallest of issues?

How do you at home scold your child if he or she behaves badly? The school may want to discuss this with you, too.

Handling Separation Anxiety Separation anxiety is a natural part of a child’s development and shows that they are advancing normally. It should not be treated as a behavioral problem.

S

eparation Anxiety is when children star t crying when Mom or Dad are about to leave. It often starts when the child is as young as a year old, but it can become more apparent when a child first starts preschool or nursery.

The child is trying to understand the situation, when they are being separated from their parent or carer, and when they cannot, their feelings turn to fear.

The fear is that the adult is not going to return and that the child is being abandoned.

Of course, it can be extremely distressing, not just for the child, but for the adult too, when the separation anxiety shows itself, particularly as tears and clinging behaviour.

It may seem little consolation to know that the child will naturally grow out of this fear, but you can help to lessen its severity until the child learns to understand the reality of the

situation, and know that the separation is only temporary and will be over at the end of the school day.

Symptoms of Separation Anxiety

Strangely enough, children show separation anxiety in a number of ways, and not necessarily by crying at the moment of separation. Many children, of course, will be tearful and distressed when they are being left by their parent or guardian at the star t of the school day. This is a situation that teachers are extremely experienced in dealing with, and often encourage parents to make the separation as quickly as possible, and not delay their leaving in the hope that their child will calm down.

Children’s tears often last for a very short time once they are inside the class, being cared for by the teacher s. Unlike the parent, they are probably tear-free within a few minutes of your leaving!

Other children appear to show no signs of separation anxiety at the moment of separation, but are extremely distressed when they are reunited with you. This is more a sense of relief that you have come back for them at the end of the day, but is still related to their fear of separation.

Reassure Your Child

However the separation anxiety manifests itself, it is important to reassure your child that the separation is only temporary. You will see your child at the end of the school day, and are not going to leave them for good. That may sound a little drastic, but it is often the main fear that a child has. If possible, you should have trial periods of separation from your child before they actually start school or nursery.These needn’t be long, but allow your child to start to get used to the idea that you need not always be around, but still love them and will be there later.

Friends and family can help by looking after your child while you, for example, go shopping or attend appointments. Talk to your child about what is going to happen, in a matter of fact way, and then go through with what you have told them. Saying quick ‘goodbye’s’ is often hard to begin with, particularly if the child is visibly upset, but is often the best course of action.

Of course, when you return to pick your child up, you can then be excited to see them and keen to talk about what you have both done while you have been apart.

This period in your child’s development will pass, and it won’t be long before they can’t wait for you to drop them off and leave them with their friends!

October 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 15

16 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2017

October 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 17

Kindergarten, Preschool, Pre-prep School Theme

A careful balance between academic,

creative and physical activities

S

t. Andrews Inter national School Dusit is a small community school set just outside the grounds of the Chitralada Palace. It is ideally situated for commuters coming from across the river, with fast, easy access to the Sirat Expressway. Dusit prides itself on providing an exciting, engaging and challenging curriculum which enables each individual student to make excellent progress and achieve their full potential.

Students are recognised as individuals at St. Andrews and are encouraged to challenge themselves in all areas of school life. We cater for students from the age of two through to eleven, at which stage the students are offered places at our secondary campus at St Andrews 107.

Community

We are very fortunate to have close ties with our parent community. We actively encourage parents to suppor t and become involved in school in a variety of different ways. We have an outstanding team of teaching staff, with tremendous experience. Our teachers know all the children in school which leads to a closeknit community, providing a safe and secure environment in which children can learn and develop. At St. Andrews International School, Dusit, we want each child to be confident, happy and develop a real love of learning which they will carry with them through

18 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2017

life. We believe that everyone in our school community is involved in developing our students.

Facilities

Our Early Years area is a par ticular feature of the school. The newly refurbished Nursery includes its own soft play area and has four large, flow through rooms that can be connected and used simultaneously. The Reception and Kindergar ten has its own play area, with large sand pit and outside shaded play equipment including a track for bikes and scooters. The students benefit from having access to a dedicated swimming pool and specialist teachers for our early swimmers. The school boasts two swimming pools; a 25-meter competition pool and a smaller practice pool, as well as two indoor spor ts halls; one used for basketball, tennis and badminton, and the second for dance and gymnastics. In the centre of school is a brand new 3G sports pitch which is used for football and other activities. Students also have access to specialist teaching rooms for Thai, Mandarin, French, Music and ICT. There is a newly renovated cooking room, library and dedicated S.T.E.M room to reinforce the excellent Science and Mathematics learning that takes place within the classroom. Each classroom is well-resourced to ensure students of all ages take an active par t in their learning using the latest technology.

The outstanding quality of teaching and the provision of a rich, exciting and engaging curriculum make lessons enjoyable, interesting and effective.

Curriculum

At St. Andrews International School Dusit, our focus is on the whole child and this begins as soon as children join the Nursery at age 2. We follow the English Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS) and believe that all children are individual and so our teaching and learning reflects this. We follow the interests of each individual child, providing a variety of engaging and stimulating activities for them to enjoy. Our experienced Early Years teachers are continually assessing the children’s progress through observation and conversation. Dialogue with parents is an essential part of this assessment process.Teachers build up a portfolio of children’s progress through photographs and recorded observations.These form the basis for discussions with parents, who are also invited to contribute to these portfolios on a regular basis.

In Primary, we follow the English national curriculum adapted for the international environment and our location in Thailand. We pride ourselves on offering a broad, balanced and academically challenging curriculum which develops the whole child. There is a careful balance between academic, creative and physical activities, both in and out of the classroom.

If you are interested in visiting our community, please contact our admissions team (dusitcampus@ standrews-schools.com) for a tour of our campus and facilities

St. Andrews International School, Dusit

Early Childhood Excellence Students at St. Andrews Dusit excel under the English National Curriculum, which is holistic, challenging, and outlines age-specific objectives for children to reach their milestones in the prime areas of Literacy, Mathematics, and the Arts.

International Community

Inspiring and Dedicated Teachers

The diversity every day with international community of

Experienced, passionate and highly qualified teachers

students representing over 20 nationalities, and committed

recognise and nurture individual talents and passions,

to supporting students whose first language is not English.

inspiring all our students to achieve their full potential.

St. Andrews International School Dusit

Book your personal tour www.standrewsdusit.com T: +66 (0) 2668 6231 admissions@standrews-schools.com

Kindergarten, Preschool, Pre-prep School Theme

Kids’ Academy Imagination

‘Building the foundations for the leaders of tomorrow’

W

ith 14 years of experience and track record, Kids’ Academy Inter national School has flourished in both size and reputation to become a leading international school in Bangkok, offering a range of preschool to primary school programmes in 3 flagship campuses in Ekamai and Srinanakarn areas. Our core curriculum is based on the British Curriculum taught by highly qualified British-educated teachers with Internatonal, Japanese and Mandarin-bilingual programmes.

Our new “Kids’ Academy Imagination” campus opens this October with exciting futuristic, state-of-the-art facilities supporting children from preschool to primary school education.

Our key aim is to ignite children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning in early stages through child-initiated play-based activities in enriching, stimulating and safe environments, to develop emotionally, socially, mentally and physically. We fur ther encourage children to stretch their imagination and creativity to enhance confidence in their thinking and beliefs through learning, sharing and performances to prepare for the challenges of growing up and higher education. The key is to foster a lifelong love of learning, thirst for knowledge, suppor ting children’s full potential, and choose the best in life for themselves.

20 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2017

Since 2003 Kids’ Academy grew from its humble beginnings at Kids’ Academy ‘Discovery’ campus in a house and garden ‘home from home’ setting shaded by a canopy of fruit trees giving children encouragement to take their first steps into education through countless activities such as swimming, sand play, arts and crafts, outdoor learning, and role play. Focus has always been on paying close attention to each unique child and make sure they reach their individual full potential.

Graduating children are readily accepted at major international schools in Bangkok.

With strong demand, Kids’ Academy ‘Sensory’ campus was fur ther commissioned with an extensive 1,600sqm nature-thematic “Sensory Playground” offering a miniature world for kids to experience the outdoors in the heart of Ekamai/Sukhumvit area. The fun playground features mountains/rock climbing, large treehouse, desert sand play, fountain play, vegetable garden, ampitheatre for student performances, with full sports facilities including swimming pool, soccer field, basketball court, and biking track. Facilities are ample to support childhood needs – running, jumping, climbing, racing, rolling and making a big mess – it’s what childhood is all about!

Our latest Kids’ Academy ‘Imagination’ campus is a state of the art education facility that takes children into the world of the future, with facilities and learning tools to support children’s

imagination and creative thinking beyond limits.

The campus features a science center, arts center, circular library, performance auditorium, 25 meter swimming pool, bike track, football field and basketball cour t. The campus program star ts from pre-school/playgroup until primary school (year 6). This campus in conveniently located at the heart of Srinakarin area behind the popular Paradise Park shopping complex and close to the Bangna trad highway.

We hope that parents will take some time to come and explore the wonderful opportunities we can offer their children at our three distinctive campuses.

October 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 21

22 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2017

October 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 23

Kindergarten, Preschool, Pre-prep School Theme

Come And Play With US!

Y

oung children learn best through playing, and at KIS they have plenty of opportunities to do so. The Early Years Centre at KIS, with both indoor and outdoor play areas, provides a spacious, safe and fun environment for children to play and learn. During the school day there are times for free play and for set activities which together help children develop their knowledge and skills.

The playgrounds and fields at KIS give children space to run around, climb, swing, ride tricycles and play games with their friends. Staying active is an important part of a healthy and balanced lifestyle, something we hope children will learn from a young age.

But in addition to providing physical benefits, children also learn knowledge and skills through play. By playing with different materials (water, stones) for example, children will learn to understand the differences between solids and liquids. Sorting different shapes or making patterns provide early logic and math understanding.

Children love to dress up or imagine scenarios, and nur turing their imagination suppor ts creativity, not just in the arts, but also in problem solving. Playing also helps develop skills, such as communication skills, social skills, investigation skills and motor skills, all of which are important foundations for learning and for life!

KIS is a full IB World School and children in our Early Years learn through the IB Primary Years Programme. The approach to teaching and learning is play based and hands on. Playing is a wonderful and powerful way of learning that allows children to explore, discover, hypothesise, predict, problem solve, construct and document their deepening understandings of the world in which they live. Most of all though, your child will have fun learning at KIS! For more infor mation contact us at admissions@kis.ac.th or visit www.kis.ac.th Linda Belonje KIS International School

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October 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 25

Kindergarten, Preschool, Pre-prep School Theme

Exciting Changes for Young Learners Julie Kelly, Senior Teacher, Bangkok Patana School

M

uch time and consideration has gone into the planning of our new Foundation Stage, which includes a separate building for our Tiny Tigers and Nurser y students plus a complete overhaul of the current Foundation Stage building. At Bangkok Patana, we are continually seeking to improve the quality of learning for the youngest students, and this has been at the heart of our development plans.

Natural Environment

Although Foundation Stage learners are often attracted to bright, warm colours, they are not the favourable approach to creating enabling learning environments. Just like sound, we respond to colour with our whole body and the overuse of vibrant colours is often the cause of overstimulation. Consequently, we have aimed to create a sense of peace and calm in our new buildings through the careful use of mild and soothing colour and lines that reflect nature.

We operate a ‘less is more’ approach to the environment by creating a sense of space, flow and minimal clutter, enabling children to 28 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2017

independently access the environment and see the links between the learning.

Outdoor Learning

In this busy, rapidly reforming, hot city, everyday life often takes place indoors with the air-conditioning.

However, we very much value the importance of ‘learning without walls’ as a means for developing healthy, active lifestyles and promoting a sense of well-being. Through taking the learning outside, children reconnect with the wonders of nature in a safe environment. Our new outdoor play spaces have mud kitchens, bike tracks, stages, sandpits, water play and climbing frames as well as calm and quiet spaces including natural and shaded areas and zones to plant and grow.

Physical play also provides endless opportunities to build friendships, learn to manage conflict and collaborate.

Role-Play and Expressive Arts

Imagination is a powerful tool for future life and learning and it is vital that we provide students with opportunities to develop their imaginations and learn with others. For children, role-play

is essentially learning through play as it allows students to reflect on their understanding of the world and supports the development of early communication and language skills. Through our new role-play spaces, the youngest students learn to express their ideas and feelings in a relaxed environment; developing an awareness of themselves and others.

Quite Reflection Spaces

Just like adults, students need quiet, calm times during the day to stop, think and to be mindful.

Our new buildings have quiet spaces – both inside and out – so children can read, share a book with an adult or simply sit and wonder. Typically, young children are on the go throughout the day, physically challenging themselves, their young, inquisitive minds racing, therefore ‘balance’ is essential for developing a positive sense of wellbeing and happiness.

These are just some of the new additions to the Foundation Stage buildings. However, the most exciting part is observing the children as they have enthusiastically engaged with their new learning environments.

Our Guiding Statements and values lead us to continuously improve our students’ learning experience at all stages of development.

Our new Early Years learning spaces further enhance the experience of our youngest students through: Even more time to inquire

Even more opportunities for

Even more early years

through play-based,

outdoor learning, creative role

experts inspiring each

experiential learning

play and physical development

child’s learning

with an extended

in our inspiring new facilities

school day

Book a tour to come and see our impressive new learning environments, email admissions@patana.ac.th

Celebrating 60 Years of British International Education

www.patana.ac.th admissions@patana.ac.th Tel: +66 (0) 2785 2200

Bangkok Patana is a not-for-profit, IB World School, accredited by CIS and NEASC

Kindergarten, Preschool, Pre-prep School Theme

The Regent’s International School, Bangkok Day and Boarding, 8 months – 18 years old

B

aby & Toddler (8 months – 3 years)

Regent’s International School, Bangkok Baby and Toddler programme is designed for children from 8 months to 3 years old. We adopt a learning through play approach in a respectful, fun and relaxed environment. All of our teachers are native English speakers from the UK. Our qualified, experienced staff have hands-on experiences in taking care of young children in developing their learning skills. We focus on the development of creativity, cooperation and self-expression through free play, craft activity, swimming, outside play, song and rhyme. Parents are also invited to attend the class with their babies.

Early Years (3 years – 6 years)

The Early Years programme focuses on the healthy development and growth of every child.

We offer a premium academic education and ensure all children make personal and academic development by the end of the Early Years Stage from pre-nursery toYear 1.We create very positive relationships between staff, children and parents so that the learning environment is as effective, safe and comfor table as possible. We believe that creative learning is key to a child’s healthy development and therefore place emphasis on teaching through active play. All teachers in Early Years are British native English speakers and every class has an additional Teaching Assistant.

We follow the English Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. Our learning community provides a strong star t in education for the children. By working closely with the Primary School through whole school activities and contributing to community events the transition from Early Years to Primary is one that is made easily.

We observe each child’s progress and work hard to ensure that all children will have made language, literacy and personal development by 30 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2017

the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

We encourage parents to be involved in many of the Early Years activities and our approachable staff welcome parental visits to the school.

Background about the school

By any measure Regent’s International School, Bangkok is one of the best schools in Thailand.

We aim to bring out the best in everyone and our graduates are well-rounded, informed, principled and confident global citizens. Results are excellent and we send students to some of the finest universities in the world.

We provide a secure and caring coeducational day and boarding environment in which students develop the self-discipline, skills and values necessary to realize their potential and make a positive contribution to society. We foster academic excellence, democratic governance,

environmental stewardship, adventure, selfdiscovery and courage, leadership, compassion and service to others.

Curriculum

Students follow an enhanced English National Cur r iculum and are entered for IGCSE examinations at the end of Year 11 and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Year 13. Teaching staff are first class; results are excellent as are facilities and pastoral support.

35 nationalities study together at the school and there are many scholarship programmes.

These include Education Ministries abroad, Global Connect, Diplomatic and Ministerial Connect and Regent’s own awards for academic excellence and for music.

Promotion 50% discount for Baby & Toddler Playgroup from now until 31 December 2017.

Toddler programme & Early Years

Well-rounded leaders for the future

Our school provides a dynamic, high quality learning environment where talented staff bring out the best in every child.

2

Baby and Toddler (8 months-3 years) Regent’s toddler programme is based upon a learning-through-play approach in a respectful, fun and relaxed environment. Babies and toddlers can develop in our purpose-built play area and we ensure a positive, caring atmosphere.

We focus on the development of creativity, cooperation and self-expression through free play, craft activity, swimming, outside play, song and rhyme.

Early Years (3 years-6 years) The Early Years programme focuses on the healthy development and growth of every child. We offer a premium academic education and ensure all children make personal and academic development by the end of the Early Years Stage.

Our British curriculum provides the strong foundation to nurture capable children with active minds and happy hearts.

School Characteristics • Native English speakers • Intercultural, international and national understanding • Small class sizes

The Regent’s International School Bangkok Tel. +66 (0) 2 957 5777 ext. 202, 222, Mobile: +66 (0) 92 362 8888 | admissions-bkk@regents.ac.th | www.regents.ac.th October 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 31

Kindergarten, Preschool, Pre-prep School Theme

Healthy Mind, Healthy Body, Successful Learner

C

By: Dr. Collins, Elementary School Vice Principal at ISB urrent brain research is beginning to show us what we have always known, our experiences in early childhood drastically influence our development. At International School Bangkok (ISB) our teachers understand the urgency in creating engaging, interactive experiences to suppor t students in achieving developmental milestones. These ear ly experiences support the neurological framework necessary to develop self-regulation, executive functioning, social skills, and ultimately a solid foundation in which academic learning can take place. Our Healthy Mind, Healthy Body units in Pre-Kindergarten is one example of this type of instruction.

In this unit, learners char t their activities throughout the day. One side of the chart is labeled “active” and the other side is labeled “calm”. Teachers help students understand the difference between active and calm activities.

Throughout the day students participate in active activities in the outdoor learning environment, 32 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2017

par ticipate in physical education classes, experience unstructured play, and participate in structured activities within the early years areas.

Of course the students also have opportunities to participate in calming activities throughout the day such as reading, playing games, choice time, and participate in imaginative play with playdough, blocks, and other manipulatives.

Within this dichotomy of active and calm activities lies one of the main teaching points--the importance of finding balance in our lives. With explicit and intentional instruction the children learn to reflect upon the activities they choose throughout the day and give themselves points in each category. They see a clear list of their calm and active activities and see whether they are balanced. This important life skill can then be transferred into many other areas of their lives. Planning and charting the activities help students develop executive functioning skills and following multistep directions. Learning how to find a balance helps the learner understand how to be aware of their body and its needs,

which allows students to begin to self-regulate and perform daily tasks with ease. With practice, children begin to apply and transfer these skills in a flexible way, which begins to inform their own habits and how they structure their world. By internalizing self-management skills at this early age, these life–long learners will have gained the ability to use a skill that impacts on all subsequent learning spanning Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Of course this is only one unit within a comprehensive curriculum; however, it showcases the thought and intentionality necessary and appropriate when working with young learners.

When gener ating lear ning activities for students, early years practitioners must have a solid understanding around brain research, developmental milestones, and age appropriate activities. When selecting a preschool, or early childhood center, parents should search for one that understands the importance of their child’s developmental years in order to find an effective program that develops their child socially, emotionally, and academically.

instilling a life-long love of learning

ISB Early Childhood Program Our Early Childhood learning environment at ISB: exposes children to a rich, meaningful curriculum of skills, understanding and attitudes encourages children to be explorers, investigators and problem solvers Focuses on Language and Literacy, Mathematics, Inquiry and Cognitive Development, Social-Emotional Development, and Health and Wellbeing In Pre-K, the curriculum is based on the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy, which: believes that children are endowed with “a hundred languages” through which they can express their ideas is based on exploration and discovery in a supportive and enriching self-guided curriculum

Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten Learning Space Cultivating curiosity and exploration in a safe and collaborative learning space, which includes: large, open-door classrooms around a central Piazza learning area a fully-equipped child-size ktichen creative art displays engaging outdoor learning environments a large outdoor playground an agri-garden

admissions@isb.ac.th

www.isb.ac.th October 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 33

Garden International School Sathorn, Bangkok

Your Choice.

Their Future.

Our Family.

I

ndependence, understanding, respect - the school is committed to providing a safe, positive and enjoyable learning environment using a British educational framework; encouraging all students to develop to their full potential; responding to the differing needs of individuals; promoting qualities of independence, responsibility, critical thinking, international mindedness and respect; providing an environment that aims for the highest educational standards in lifelong learners.

Education system: British Age range of students: 2 – 18 years Primary language: English Other languages offered: Thai; Mandarin; French Transportation offered: Yes Lunch/snack offered: Yes Foreign students: 58% Average class size: 20 Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 and up depending on age School hours: 7:50 – 15:30 After school activities: Sports; creative; academic; enrichment School facilities: Playground; swimming pool; library; cafeteria; art facilities; computer rooms; science laboratories

Bangkok Campus 34/3-4 Yen Akart Road, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120 Thailand Tel : +66(0)2 249-1880 Fax : +66(0)2 249-1943 Email : info@gardenbangkok.com www.gardenbangkok.com

34 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2017

a creative, fun-filled educational programme for toddlers* and parents. (*age 12 to 30 months) Call +66 (0) 38 417 777

National Jet Ski Champion

at Regents

A

t Regents International School Pattaya, we are focused on helping our students attain the greatest academic results but we also encourage them to be ambitious, believing there is no limit to what our students can achieve. One of our Year 13 students is a fantastic example of this philosophy having just become a Jet Ski Champion this summer at the age of 17. She is an amazing competitor and has been a rising star in the Jet Ski world since her first competition at just 9 years old.

Jet (her nickname of course!) is aThai born student and has been a part of our Regents international community since Early Primary. Her talent for the water sport was first put into practice when she was only 6 years old, when her father started to show her how to jet ski. Three years later, when she was only 9 years old, she took part in her first Jet Ski competition, although she didn’t realise it was a competition at the time. She put in an impressive performance and walked away as the Junior Champion.

This summer she competed in the Jet Ski Pro Tour 2017 Thailand Championships and turned in an exciting performance to walk away as the youngest Champion in this competition. Now Jet has her sights firmly set on becoming Champion in the next league, Pro Am. But her ambitions go even further – her ultimate goal is to become a World Jet Ski Champion, just like her father.

October 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 35

Business

Creative Business Cup (Denmark) CEO Rasmus Wiinstedt Tschering speaking at Startup Thailand 2017

Assigned to re-write Denmark’s identity: Create Business Cup

T

Text and photos: Joakim Persson he Creative Business Cup (CBC), a global ecosystem, network and star t-up competition for creative, each year gather s the national winners to compete in its global finals in Copenhagen, including participants from Malaysia and Thailand.

CBC has also developed a global network for stakeholder s related to creative and innovative entrepreneurs, as well as for investors.

And, significantly, CBC is on its home turf also appointed by the Danish government to support the country’s star t-ups abroad but also raise the Denmark’s innovative profile. “CBC has to contribute to a new story about Denmark, that’s not about ‘hygge’ and candle lights,” states CBC’s CEO Rasmus Wiinstedt Tschering, What CBC precisely does is to suppor t creative and innovative entrepreneur s, connecting them with investors and global markets and strengthening their contribution to innovation in business and society. Start-ups are hosted and supported from fields such as craft 36 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2017

& artisan, fashion, gastronomy, health & wellness, music, and toys & games – also diverting from the usual tech approach.

When the Startup Thailand start-up show 2017 took place in Bangkok CBC’s Danish CEO was there, partly to attend the national finals (that sometimes take place within an event) and also as a speaker. There, Rasmus got to introduce the CBC movement and showcased how corporations and star t-ups can fruitfully collaborate.

He explains to ScandAsia that CBC was originally for the artists and the creatives; for those who went to study design for five years but never had a single class in marketing or how to budget for a business and yet survive.

“Even before it got the CBC name it was thought out as a way for creatives to think more like a business person without losing their creative feel and competence but being able to live of their creative competences.”

A former policymaker working with EU issues in Brussels, Rasmus got involved in coming

up with a new policy agenda to maximise the innovative contributions of Europe’s creative industries.

“I ended up in 2012 – 2014 appointed by the European Commission as Chairman of the Creative Industries Alliance where we had 30 experts coming up with ten recommendations on what can nations do to improve the conditions - how can we create more fashion companies, gaming start-ups, movies etc.”

“For me CBC is taking policy and making it concrete; something real. These are real people with real ideas and businesses that connect with real investors and they go out to global markets, have challenges and oppor tunities etc. They lose they gain… What comes out of the star t-up world for me is change, and empowerment that we don’t have to believe in the established. We challenge the established corporations with star t-ups that find smar ter ways and more innovative ways of doing stuff.

That’s really exciting.”

“CBC is focusing on a certain kind of start-

I ended up in 2012 – 2014 appointed by the European Commission as Chairman of the Creative Industries Alliance where we had 30 experts coming up with ten recommendations on what can nations do to improve the conditions - how can we create more fashion companies, gaming startups, movies etc.

up. We believe in CBC that tech is understood, something that all companies work with, so calling it medtech, edtech, clean tech etc. doesn’t make sense; these are start-ups in education, in medical or in clean environment. So we look for star t-ups that are not necessarily run by engineers or ICT people with MBAs. Actually studies show that a start-up has higher likelihood of succeeding if they don’t have too many MBAs on their team.”

With this focus the usually tech-driven startup industry often frowns at CBC.“The start-up world does not necessarily like us. When we in 2014 had porridge as a winner many of the tech companies went like: ‘What’s this all about? If porridge can win – then it’s not serious.’ But that Danish winner today has many more employees than many of these tech star t-ups that were around then. We are seen a bit difficult because we are called ‘Creative Business cup’. But aren’t all businesses creative if they are successful? Yes, they are! And it’s also difficult for the jury every year to define what constitutes creativity.”

“The Dane who innovated porridge makes me think: Imagine if we could get the Chinese to eat potatoes instead of rice! The positive environmental impact from that would be enormous. These kinds of changes are not necessarily tech-based, I think tech suppor ts great business ideas and makes it possible for these to be more efficient, but tech is not originally what makes it possible,” continues Rasmus.

At Star tup Thailand he also gave several examples of what creative start-ups can do to ignite innovation in corporations; such as the

nightclub Vega in Copenhagen helping with the enter tainment on the ferry line between Denmark and Norway.

A Pernord Ricard Vice President showed up at the CBC finals a few years ago, telling Ramus: ‘I go to these start-up events because I might find good ideas for marketing, logistics, all kinds of good ideas from start-ups’.

“That made me think: If corporations do that, then that’s a service we can sell. Also Lego showed up that year and handed out business cards to star t-ups. So my CBC star t-ups are actually also not only my customers but also my product. I can sell them, so to speak. And maybe it’s better to have a corporate partner than to have an investor that wants equity. Maybe it’s better to have Lego or Ikea as a partner than it is to have a bank!”

“There are lots of ways for them to work together. Many start-ups think: ‘We need to find a business angel’. Yes, business angels are great, but they’re also demanding – which is also good.

But they have their own agenda, and their own vision for the company. I’ve been working with such investors myself and that is difficult!”

So CBS also offers creative solutions to companies who ask: ‘Could you help us, we have problems understanding where we are going?’

CBC matches the particular company with the start-ups who can help disrupt its thinking and develop creative pioneering solutions.

“How we go about it depends on the client.

Arla came to us, and we suggested: ‘Let’s do it in this way’ The paid us to define the problem, find the start-ups, have the start-ups relate to the problems that Arla was facing, screen them

and invite the best to come and to pitch for Arla and then find a winner, while at the same time a lot of action.”

Then there was the not so small assignment concerning Denmark’s attractiveness for both national and international star t-ups. Rasmus star ted CBC as a semi-government agency, suppor ted by the Ministr y of Culture and Ministry of Enterprise in Denmark. While CBC became fully independent in 2016 Denmark, the Danish government currently supports CBC with a four-year grant (12 million DKK annually).

“What Denmark suppor ts CBC with is to send Danish star t-ups to Bangkok, Beijing etc. but also to convince foreign star t-ups – Chinese, Singaporean etc. star t-ups: Come to Copenhagen and create your company here!!”

“CBC is goodwill ambassador for Denmark wanting to attract start-ups from the world and create jobs. We want clever people to come and stay. We want to change this story-telling about Denmark from Hygge and H.C. Andersen to: ‘Denmark is a creative place’. If you’re a creative person follow in the footsteps of Anne Jacobsen, Lego etc. and come here where you can develop your creative ideas and actually find investors.

Use your brain and you’ll succeed. So now we’re promoting: ’Drop Silicon Valley, and come to Copenhagen’! But I know Austria, Finland, Norway, Sweden and all the other countries are also saying: ‘Hey, come to us!’ So we have to compete.”

The global finals ceremony for CBC 2017 takes place on 16 November in Copenhagen, with the entire event covering five whole days.

October 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 37

Business

Covr Co-founder Patrik Malmberg; Bangkok Bank President Chartsiri Sophonpanich; Covr founder/CEO Peter Alexanderson

Covr’s banking security interest for the Swedish

W

Text and photos: Joakim Persson

h e n B a n g ko k B a n k i n connection to the ‘Startup T h a i l a n d 2 0 1 7 ’ e ve n t announced Thailand’s first ever, international fintech accelerator programme one of the selected eight start-ups was Swedish. Covr Security, or Covr in short, had been selected to join the newly launched Bangkok Bank InnoHub, where the Thai bank had partnered up with Nest, an experienced third party that has successfully created FinTech programs for several international corporations.

Nest’s CEO, Mr. Lawrence Morgan, said that by accepting applications from around the world, Bangkok Bank InnoHub is different from other Thai start-up programs that are open only to local entrepreneurs. “InnoHub’s comprehensive design draws on world-class innovation and exper tise, including dedicated mentors from among Thai and international financial experts, to help shape the start-ups’ strategies and guide emerging entrepreneurs towards their business goals.”

The hear t of Bangkok Bank InnoHub lies in providing opportunities for the start-ups to continue innovating and achieve sustainable growth, helping them meet and overcome their business challenges,” said Dr. Panukorn 38 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2017

Chantaraprapab, Vice President of Business Investment at Bangkok Bank, stating that they had succeeded in identifying eight start-ups with enormous potential for fast growth. InnoHub were out to “discover the super-fish that are courageous, persistent and agile”.

In presenting the programme’s purpose, the bank’s President Chartsiri Sophonpanich said it “affirms the bank’s commitment to pursuing a digital business strategy that uses technology to create and develop products and services that address customer needs.The bank has also built a FinTech team of technology experts to meet the challenges of the new technologies and reinforce its position as an innovation leader.”

Starting in late June Covr and the seven other fortunate start-ups would, for 3 months, work with senior executives of Bangkok Bank and its dynamic and experienced business par tners.

The start-ups would also benefit from Nest’s experience in successfully organizing similar programs for multinational organizations.

Covr itself may not be a known name, not even in Sweden. But ‘BankID’ certainly is - the national standard for digital authentication in the Swedish banking system. Covr founder Peter Alexanderson, who developed this, soon realized that it was time to develop the system further so

that the rest of the world could benefit from the same security.

“It star ted already back in 2001, where I wanted to eliminate the passwords, increase the security, and make aware for the end users what happens with any transaction,” Peter later explained during the on-going programme in Bangkok. He wanted a second channel, a device that one brings along, which controls the first unsafe channel.

Around this time mobile phone usage had become widespread in Sweden. So in Covr’s solution the mobile phone is used to control the first channel (the computer). “You want to trigger something, a login or transaction on the insecure channel. The mobile phone was the only thing I could think of to solve this.”

Yet, still today, in 2017, banks in Thailand use an SMS solution for payment confirmation, such as when transferring money – where a four-digit code is received to one’s phone.

“And those codes can be hacked, they are not safe. We go one step further - which also happens automatically and you only need to press on ‘yes’ to confirm and it’s done. You don’t need to get a code that you have to read and type,” stated Peter.

“This is the next-generation of the BankID,

Covr founder/CEO Peter Alexanderson; Chairwoman & Chief Communication OfficerAnette Nordvall

draws Bangkok Bank’s start-up an own solution based on 17 years’ experience, richer in content, safer than mobile banking and built to be released in the rest of the world. It fits everything that you want to protect – where it hurts to lose something. It can be documents, business secrets, and money.”

To make it even more bulletproof, Peter added an extra factor to his original solution, and designed an app that can be adapted to any web configuration. So Covr is not restricted to bank use. Gaming sites, cloud storage, e-commerce and other sectors can use Covr. The applications are endless.

“And it’s in fact not only a yes-or-no solution, but that you can send material to the actual application. For example sending a journal or something to the bank manager, to exactly that user, you can us the secure channel.”

“It fits anything IP based.” So even the Internet of Things can use Covr to ensure 100% protection from ID theft, phishing, skimming and credit card hijacking.

“Security-wise it is unique in the world. While we are not alone on having two-channel solutions with several factors we are the only one having an app that you must log in on to see what is about to happen before it has happened. And how we handle the technology between the security

server and the telephone is unique,” states the Covr CEO. A functionality Covr has been asked to do together with Bangkok Bank is a fast checkout for the many hundreds of e-commerce sites connected to the bank.

“InnoHub has been very good for us. We’re sitting so close to Bangkok Bank that they have adopted our entire solution. In principal we have tried to pinpoint where we can fit in and we have found five – which they asked for right away, to be installed in the bank for doing proof of concept.”

“And those are five out of one hundred things we could do in practice.This is just the beginning,” added Chairman and Chief Communication Officer Anette Nordvall who had also come to Bangkok for the programme.

Anette said that she was mighty impressed by Bangkok Bank’s focus on this fintech accelerator, having tailor-made and designed a whole department. “They made sure we are in such an environment with many champions within the bank helping us, not only with the technique to have computer access but also daily issues, meetings etc. And they arrange introductions, inviting us to pitch for VCs.” As well, the top management and executives within Bangkok involve themselves in the

accelerator: “They come down to us for coffee breaks all the time, backslapping us, which one is not used to at all in this culture, where managers are usually very authoritative all of them. I think that’s fascinating!”

How they actually met with this bank was on a research trip to Southeast Asia where Nest introduced them to each other.The bank thought Covr might fit to apply for InnoHub as they were looking for everything within fintech and security.

“And they understood what we could do and since we have provided the solution and adoption for BankID in Sweden.”

While Covr wants its Thai client and its customers to say goodbye to passwords they hope that the end of the accelerator programme will just be the beginning of their presence in Thailand and having Bangkok as client, partner and possibly investor.

“We must see that the products fits as step one, and then aim for partnership. And they are very interested to run this so that it gets realized.

So it’s both about participation in events and education for the bank in order for everybody to understand that this is the future. And that is probably the most unique thing: the presence they have when we are here and that this should actually come to fruition,” ends Peter.

October 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 39

Business

Staying ahead of the curve with hotelier

Krister Svensson Text and photos: Joakim Persson 40 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2017

W

hen Krister Svensson was appointed General Manager for the prestigious hotel St. Regis Bangkok he was already a seasoned hotelier, having then arrived from W Hotel Hong Kong where he had turned a struggling hotel into a success. Since his arrival to this Bangkok luxury hotel (also the return to the city where he spent his childhood days between 1971-1982) he and the hotel have also had their doses of challenges, though seeing strong improvement in 2016 and into this year 2017 that might just end up being the record year so far.

Five and a half years later, on the day of this interview with Krister, a movie legend has just passed away whose persona signifies impeccable class and gentleman style. He is no other than Roger Moore, and the connection to St. Regis could not be more evident.

The original St. Regis in New York (opened in 1904) is perhaps the ultimate example in hotel heritage, where Roger Moore was a guest several times and where he, perhaps last time, stayed in the fall of 2008. And the connection started much earlier.

In the Ian Fleming novel Live and Let Die, James Bond stays at the St. Regis and has a drink with Felix Leiter in the King Cole Bar. In the movie, the first to star Roger Moore as the fictional MI6, James Bond spends his New York nights at the St Regis.

The inventors of yesteryear

Fast forward to 2017 – when even robots are being tested in hotels for room ser vice deliveries – the challenge lies in taking this classic hotel brand and adapting it for today’s ultradigitized society and lifestyles. A mix of the brand heritage and the latest mod cons is very much the blueprint for St. Regis - with a strong nod to the brand’s history.

“Going back to 1904 John Jacob Astor who built St. Regis in New York, was the first person to introduce lifts in hotels. And midnight supper.

Or extravagant parties! That was his thing, and he had the entourage around him who were highend, self-motivated inventors of xyz, the persons always in forefront of technology and new things.”

“We want to put that proposition forward: We are St. Regis, and that should continue but in the modern era. So we still want to be ahead of the business game when it comes to services or what we put forward as new things; check in with the mobile – all those things.”

This also steers the brand towards its main target customer in modern times: the Nouveau rich (newly rich). “This is the St. Regis client we have identified as the people we want to target; the entrepreneurs. That is not to say we do not accept other types of clients also, but it is how we present ourselves.”

Quoting the branding text it describes St. Regis in “today’s new Golden Age of luxur y travel” as “bridging generations by providing a luxur y experience that combines modern conveniences and technology with timeless design and personalized service to appeal to a new generation of high-powered, multinational luxury travellers.”

“If we take the example of Roger Moore,

We are St. Regis, and that should continue but in the modern era. So we still want to be ahead of the business game when it comes to services or what we put forward as new things; check in with the mobile – all those things

we do get quite a lot of stars from within entertainment, royalty etc. from various parts of the world and who have stayed here numerous times. So in that we definitely have that Roger Moore scenario, the persona we want,” says Krister.

Comparing with other prominent luxur y hotels some of those brands offer a more oldfashioned, classic style of service and presentation, says the Swedish GM. “Within Marriot you have The Ritz-Carlton and us, and it’s a bit elderly people who love to stay at The Ritz Carlton and get the Martini presented in an old-fashioned Martini glass; a bit more old-time style.”

“For us it’s about being a bit different within the luxury segment, having gone away from the traditional to being ahead of the game. But we still want to keep our traditions, such as champagne sabering each evening, and our Bloody Mary, which was founded in the Nat King Cole Bar in St. Regis New York in 1926.”

“We have established one for every St. Regis,

so we have 32 different Bloody Marys. And we also have the butler service, which we want to keep as it is quite unique to our brand. But again, we must be with the time, callin it e-butler, and communicating on What’s Up. It is not the traditional service anticipation of knocking on the door to ask if the guest wants the tea served now.”

In tune with the times

“And that’s how the world works today. And therefore we want to be in tune with the times, even though we are luxury and with the heritage that goes back in time all the way to 1904. But back then John Jacob Astor IV was ahead of his time, and that legacy remains as we bring forward it with a modern style instead.”

Here and now 60 per cent of the world’s population today consists of Millennials (Generation Y). “That is the future so we have put in a whole lot of thought into how to get them to work with us, as they have a completely different view on how working life should be compared October 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 41

Business that comment can feel very unfair at occasions, is practically impossible.

“We have a study today saying that 70 per cent of travellers look at TripAdvisor today before they pick a hotel. So it’s super important for us.”

Often, the General Manager personally replies to the guest’s comments. “We adapt every time depending on what the guest has written. So we have a well-defined reply but with personalised parts to what you have said.”

Bangkok’s fierce competition

We have a study today saying that 70 per cent of travellers look at TripAdvisor today before they pick a hotel. So it’s super important for us.

to what we 50-year-olds and the elderly think.

And that has not been easy, it has been very difficult, partly to employ but also concerning those coming as guests.”

“We have definitely aimed incredibly at that target, for the brand to attract that kind of person and style, also non-Millennials. And all of us in the team today must continue to be part of this.

Otherwise it won’t work; you’ll be way behind if you don’t have a smart phone or an iPad and knows how to handle these gadgets to do certain things.”

Those in the hotel’s signature St. Regis Butler Service undergo a rigorous training programme to work as butlers and many cannot cope with it because you need to be the master of all trades.

“They have to be digital savvy, and are the only ones running around with their own phone here. They are in high demand here at the hotel,” says its GM. “The butler service in every room is something incredibly appreciated.”

“At St. Regis we are incredibly focused on that. We try to find out as much as possible about you as a guest; what you like and do not like and what other hotels you have stayed in before etc.

And based on those insights we should deliver 42 ScandAsia.Thailand • October 2017

when you stay with us.”

An incredible communication system is needed to keep this apparatus going where a whole team is involved. Unsurprisingly, the expectation for fast Internet is also high. St. Regis Bangkok has therefore installed Wi-Fi that goes way above the norm, currently with a download of 120 mbps and capacity for up to ten devices in each guest room.

And a lot more, says the GM, is still coming when it comes to digital.

Guest satisfaction

TripAdvisor, the travel portal with user-generated reviews, is another key element for any hotel of significance these days. St. Regis Bangkok is ranked 13 in the Thai capital as we speak.

“We have a KPI to me, where I must manage to be top ten for example, and we do that only towards TripAdvisor so that is the number one communication tool for guest satisfaction. So we have established ourselves completely with them and have had conferences about it and what on can do – which is not really a lot because they have an enormous network.”

Getting a user comment removed, even if

The other two challenges is the price war on rooms that persists in Bangkok, along with fierce competition with food and beverage, where the hotels relies a lot on drawing in outside guests to the bars and restaurants.

“The average rate war in Bangkok is the most difficult thing we have. We try to increase every year.”

Bangkok still has the lowest rooms rates in the whole region and priced between 7,000 and 8,500 bath St. Regis is 2,000 baht higher than most five-star hotels, explains Krister.

“Staying in a hotel like this should however cost between 300 – 400 USD per night, but it’s impossible to charge that unless the hotel owner is O.K to have 50 per cent occupancy and with a rate of 10 000 baht.”

“You’d rather have more people in the hotel that might then also use the bars and restaurants and other services.”

“And here in Bangkok with the trends within F&B, it’s not easy! You have really good restaurants in many districts and a crazy amount of them these days!”

“So I have started again with buffets. Thais want to see a lot food to say: ‘I’m paying this amount and I’m getting this spread!’ All restaurants outside do not serve buffets so I have initiated theme nights Mon – Sat. Eat as much as you can.

And that’s the only way to bring in the people actually, though I have tried so many different things here. 95 per cent of the F&B revenue here comes from outside guests.”

“Then we have of course special nights: Oysters & Bubbles, Seafood Plateaus and Wine, and Wine & Cheese - priced just under or 1000 baht. Eat and drink as much as you want for two hours. Those nights are popular and that is how we must draw in the people.”

New hotel every fourteenth hour

The St. Regis has opened more luxury hotels in the region, most recently in Kuala Lumpur and on Langkawi, which also benefits drawing in brand followers who can go stay in several of the properties within only a few hours of travel.

With the brand now belonging to the Marriott family, the expansion of hotels within the group is at the same time enormous. “We will open new hotels, every fourteenth hour in the next three years worldwide!”

While Krister, being married to an Australian and having also worked there for many years, is aiming at ending his career there – going back to the brand he left for St. Regis is what comes next. W hotels. And he will remain in Southeast Asia. So it is time to turn a chapter in the book of Krister Svensson’s career – and the story will soon continue…

มุมภาษาไทย l mum pha:să: thai l Thai Language Corner

Numbers

By Klavs Johansen (thai@snakthai.dk)

T

his month you have to work a bit, so please prepare a sharp pencil. Did you know that the Thais have their own set of numeral symbols? Perhaps not, Arabic numerals, 1,2,3,4..., as used in the West, are more common in Thailand today and it is perfectly possible to get by without knowing the Thai numerals. However, you see them, for instance on bank notes and as pagination in Thai books. In the case of bank notes, the Thai numerals are politely accompanied by Arabic numerals so spending the notes is not a problem to foreigners.

Even if you haven’t had the time, or grown the ambition, to read and write Thai, you really should learn the Thai numerals as it is good fun and takes limited effort, so let’s do it now.

We will learn the numerals in a roundabout way by solving equations. One should never underestimate the method of lear ning something by doing something else. Keep in mind that the Thai numerals are used just as the Arabic numerals, both sets being base 10, so only the symbols differ. As much else, both sets hail from India anyway, if we go back far enough.

You are now ready to complete the following by using deduction (just write the corresponding Arabic numbers on the empty lines):

๐+๐=๐ ๐ = ____

๕ = ๑๐ – ๕ ๕ = ____ ๑ = ____ ๕–๓=๒ ๑+๒=๓ ๒ = ____ ๓ = ____

๑๔ ÷ ๒ = ๓ + ๔ = ๗ ๔ = ____ ๗ = ____ ๙ x ๖ = ๖ x ๖ + ๑๘ ๙ = ____ ๖ = ____ ๘ = ____

That’s it! You’ve “solved” the Thai numerals! And now for a little practice to make them stick, this time trying to get the sounds in place too. Let’s first recollect the numbers:

/ sŭ:n / ~ 0, / nùeng / ~ 1, / sŏr:ng / ~ 2, / să:m / ~ 3, / sì: / ~ 4, / hâ: / ~ 5, / hòk / ~ 6, / jèt / ~ 7, / pàe:t / ~ 8, / kâ:o / ~ 9, / sìp / ~ 10, / sìp èt / ~ 11, and / sìp sŏr:ng / ~ 12. Moreover, we need to know: บวก / bùak / ~ plus (+), ลบ / lóp / ~ minus (-), คูณ / khu:n / ~ multiply (x), หาร / hă:n / ~ divide (÷), and เท่ากับ / thâo kàp / ~ equal to (=).

Then we are ready to calculate the following and, perhaps, read it out loud (again just write the answers with Arabic numbers on the empty lines):

๒ + ๒ = ____ ๑๓ – ๔ = ____ ๘ + ____ = ๑๐ ๙ ÷ ๓ = ____ ๖ x ๒ = ____ ๗ = ____ + ๕

Of course knowing – i.e. reading – the Thai numerals is one thing, another is writing them.To do that, all you need is practice. Get a children’s

workbook at any bookstore, or just try it out on the napkin or on plain paper. The numeral symbols are all made in one stroke star ting from inside the small loop, which they all feature, except the symbol for zero.

Speaking of zero, here are a few more hints which may help you remember and distinguish the Thai numeral symbols – or help you, if you got stuck doing the math above: Zero is easy, it is just a circle as 0. Three looks like 3 tumbled over to the left. Five looks like four, only with one more loop. Using a little imagination, six looks like at mirrored 6. Nine looks like an elephant sitting with raised trunk. Furthermore, the symbol for nine is seen everywhere these days in remembrance of the late King Bhumipol, Rama IX, alone, or in the combination ร.๙, the ninth reign.

Finally, some readers may consider it an added benefit that the Thai numeral symbols are similar to the Khmer numerals of Cambodia and quite close to the Lao numerals of Laos. So you can go to some of Thailand’s neighbors with what you have learned here. Good work!

October 2017 • ScandAsia.Thailand 43

I N T E R N AT I O N A L S C H O O L

BANGKOK