ScandAsia December 2023

DEC 2023

BUSINESS:

Swedish eco-battery break through

COMMUNITY:

Khun Na and Bent Laasholdt

in Phitsanulok

INTERNATIONAL:

New Danish Embassy to

open in Malaysia

Ambassador debut

and Southeast Asia

return for Norway’s

Christian Lyster

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December 2023

Ambassador debut and

Southeast Asia return for

Norway’s Christian Lyster

16

Rediscovering

ancient times

26

ScandAsia

stories

8 New Danish Embassy

to open in Malaysia

9 Philippine Airlines now

fly to Copenhagen

10 Human trafificking case

involving Thais in Finland

15 Norway and Vietnam

strenghten cooperation

8

John Finn

in Pattaya prison

34

9

22

Reshaping Telenor in Asia

Tour de Gulf

of Thailand

38

10

New Danish Ambassador

in Jakarta

30

15

4 ScandAsia • December 2023

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Editorial

Are the Nordic nations as green as

they claim?

The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to

the United Nations Framework Convention on

Climate Change (UNFCCC) took place in Dubai,

United Arab Emirates, from 30 November until 12 December

The conference was set to be a fundamental

moment in the global fight against climate change.

The Nordic nations have long exerted influence on

sustainability and climate action, extending their impact

beyond their borders. Amidst the deliberations in Dubai,

the presence of the Scandinavian countries promised to

bring environmental experience and innovation to the

forefront of the green transition.

Scandinavian countries are renowned for their

ambitious environmental benchmarks within their own

borders, as well as for actively collaborating with nations

globally to share expertise and foster sustainable

practices. This collaborative spirit has found a receptive

audience in Southeast Asia, where among others Finland

has assisted Indonesia in making their future new capital

smart and sustainable. Additionally, prominent Thai politicians

have visited Denmark to learn about waste reduction

strategies and recycling programs etc.

One of the key areas where Scandinavian influence

is making a notable impact in Southeast Asia is in renewable

energy. The Nordic countries have excelled in harnessing

wind, solar, and hydropower to meet their energy

needs, and this expertise is increasingly being shared with

nations in Southeast Asia. However, questions are slowly

emerging about how green the Scandinavian countries

truly are?

For instance, Denmark, a global leader in wind energy,

has been tearing down more wind turbines in 2023

than they have installed. Despite wind turbines providing

a substantial portion of the country’s electricity. Denmark

has also had to admit (once again) that it won’t reach its

world-famous energy goals for 2025. Moreover, the Danish

government continues to postpone imposing CO2

taxation on the agricultural sector, one of the biggest

environmental contributors not only in Denmark but

worldwide. While installing such regulations would position

Denmark as a global green front figure, it remains an

unaccomplished goal.

To achieve the UN’s climate goals and keep the

temperature increase in check, the average global citizen

must emit a maximum of 3 tons of CO2 per year by 2050.

Currently, the average global citizen emits 6 tons of CO2,

while the average Danish citizen emits a substantial 13

tons per person.

As Scandinavian leaders engage with various Southeast

Asian counterparts during COP28, it raises the

question of whether the Nordic nations are genuinely

as green as they promote themselves to be. If not, a reconsideration

of their branding strategy may be in order.

Miabell

Mallikka Smedegaard

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Unveiling the Tape Measure with the

Third Generation in the Business with

Dev Mohnani at Amrapur Tailors

In the world of fast fashion, where mass-produced

garments often dominate our wardrobes, there is

something truly special about tailor-made clothing. The

artistry, precision, and attention to detail that goes into

tailoring make each piece a reflection of individuality. One

place that has perfected this craft throughout the years

is right here at Amrapur Tailors. Let’s take a glimpse into

the rich history and uncover why they are the perfect

destination for discerning customers seeking tailor-made

clothing.

A Tailor-Made Experience:

At Amrapur Tailors, the customer is at the heart of every

creation. They offer a personalized experience where

ideas, preferences, and measurements are carefully considered.

The dedicated team of experts ensures that each

garment is meticulously crafted to flatter the wearer’s

body shape, accentuate their style, and fulfill their unique

requirements.

Choosing Tailor-Made Clothing:

When it comes to investing in tailor-made clothing, there

are a few things customers should consider:

1. Fit: Tailor-made garments are crafted to fit the

wearer’s body perfectly. Keep in mind that accurate

measurements are crucial to achieve the desired fit and

ensure comfort.

2. Fabric Selection: Pay attention to the wide range

of fabric options available. Amrapur Tailor Shop is renowned

for sourcing high-quality materials that are not

only luxurious but durable as well.

3. Attention to Detail: From selecting the right buttons

and trims to customizing collars and cuffs, paying attention

to every detail ensures that the finished garment

is a true reflection of your personal style.

4. Communication: Effective communication with the

tailors is vital. Be open about your preferences, seek their

expert advice, and collaborate to bring your vision to life.

A Legacy of Craftsmanship:

Amrapur Tailors has a storied history that spans generations

from former presidents, statesmen, congressmen,

diplomats, business leaders and professionals. Established

seven decades ago, they have flourished, becoming an

epitome of excellence and craftsmanship. Their skilled artisans

blend traditional tailoring techniques with modern

sensibilities, resulting in garments that are not just made

to last but to truly impress. Adding on to the excellence,

Dev has strived to keep up the dream of his family to

provide the bespoke experience for his clients.

Amrapur Tailors continues to shine as a beacon of

excellence in the world of tailor-made clothing. Their

commitment to craftsmanship, attention to detail, and

personalized experience make them the perfect choice

for those seeking garments that are as unique as they are.

Amrapur Tailors

Located in JUSMAGTHAI, Bangkok

www.amrapurtailor.com

www.facebook.com/amrapurtailors

www.instagram.com/amrapurtailors

News brief

Delegation wishes to reopen

Norwegian office in Taiwan

Norwegian Liberal Party

Chairwoman, Guri Melby,

has expressed support for

reestablishment a Norwegian representative

office in Taipei. During

a meeting with President Tsai Ingwen,

Melby stated that reestablishing

a representative office in Taiwan

would help strengthen bilateral relations.

The former Taipei-based Norwegian

Trade Council closed in 2004

while Taiwan shuttered its representative

office in Oslo in 2017.

During the meeting, Melby emphasized

the shared values of democracy

and liberty between Taiwan and

Norway. President Tsai highlighted

Melby’s longstanding support for international

human rights and Taiwan.

She emphasized how she anticipate

that their collaboration will deepen

the Taiwan-Norway partnership.

‘New’ Danish Embassy to open

in Malaysia

The Danish government has

announced plans to reopen

its embassy in Malaysia in

2024. This is just two years after

closing it and relocating coverage

to Jakarta. The decision is part of a

broader strategy outlined by Foreign

Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, who

emphasized the need to establish

new alliances in an increasingly uncertain

and unpredictable world.

<The decision to reopen embassies

follows a trend seen a decade

ago in Manila and 13 years

ago in Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur by

Sweden. This diplomatic reshuffling

reflects the evolving global landscape

and the necessity for nations

to adapt to changing circumstances.

While Danish representations

worldwide have decreased since

2000, with 121 missions then and 94

in 2022, the recent embassy reopening’s

signal a strategic shift. The move

aligns with Denmark’s commitment

to actively engage in international

affairs and build partnerships amid

the dynamic challenges of the modern

world.


Philippine Airlines now flies

to Copenhagen

It will now be easier to catch

a flight from the Philippines to

the Danish capital, Copenhagen,

thanks to a new codeshare partnership

between Philippine Airlines

(PAL) and Singapore Airlines (SIA).

Under the agreement, the airlines

have mutually agreed to sell seats on

each other’s flights.

As a result of this collaboration,

passengers can now travel from

the Philippines to various European

destinations, including Copenhagen,

Milan, Frankfurt, Paris, Rome and

Zurich, through PAL. Notably, PAL’s

connections to both the Danish and

Italian capitals mark the first-ever by

a Philippine carrier.

The codeshare partnership

is set to commence in the fourth

quarter of 2023, providing travelers

with expanded options and convenience

for their journeys.

Visa exemption for Norwegians

in China

Norwegian travelers planning

to transit through China

will now benefit from visa

exemption in up to six days. The

initiative is initiated to cater both

tourism and business purposes.

The recent development allows

Norwegian citizens to enjoy

visa free transit, provided they can

furnish proof of an onward ticket.

This initiative expands the list of

eligible nationalities to 54 countries,

streamlining the transit process for

those passing through China.

December 2023 • ScandAsia 9

News brief

Large human trafficking case involving

Thai berry pickers in Finland

Finnish authorities have wrapped

up an investigation into a human

trafficking and bribery

scandal. The case involves Thai berry

pickers who worked in Finland from

2020 to 2022.

The National Bureau of Investigation

(NBI) suspects five individuals

linked to berry companies

for aggravated human trafficking.

The investigating officers say they

have spoken to about 170 Thai nationals

in Finland who they believe

to be victims of human trafficking.

The investigation is still ongoing in

Thailand.

“There are potentially more

than 2,000 victims, most of whom

are in Thailand,” Detective Inspector

Teemu Mäntyniemi of the NBI said.

In addition to the two Finnish

berry companies, another suspect

in the case is Olli Sorainen, a Senior

Ministerial Adviser at the Ministry of

Economic Affairs and Employment.

“The preliminary investigation

has focused on what kind of benefits

the official has requested and

whether these benefits may have

had an impact on the authority’s

activities. Including the drafting of

legislation,” Detective Inspector Maria

Vuorivirta said about the case.

The case has been transferred

to the Office of the Prosecutor

General for charges.


Swedish eco-battery could break

China dependency

News brief

Swedish battery company

Northvolt has introduced a

revolutionary sodium-ion battery

poised to disrupt China’s dominance

in the global electric vehicle

(EV) battery market.

Unlike traditional EV batteries,

this breakthrough technology eliminates

dependence on critical materials

such as lithium, nickel, graphite,

and cobalt, presenting a more sustainable

and cost-effective solution.

Northvolt’s sodium-ion battery

boasts an energy density exceeding

160 watt-hours per kilogram.

Initially targeting applications

in electricity storage plants, the battery

shows promise for future use

in electric vehicles, including twowheeled

scooters.

“Utilizing sodium-ion technology

is not new, but we believe this

is the first product ever completely

free from critical raw materials. It is

a fundamental breakthrough,” said

Patrik Andreasson, Northvolt’s Vice

President of Strategy and Sustainability.

He added that this innovation

provides an alternative that is not

reliant on specific regions, including

China.

While mass production details

are yet to be confirmed, the prototype

battery is set to be showcased

to customers in 2024.

Maersk settles Ever Given dispute

AP Møller-Maersk has reached

a settlement in a lawsuit

against the companies involved

in the six-day blockage of the

Suez Canal. The incident was caused

by the Taiwanese-operated containership

Ever Given in early 2021.

The carrier confirmed the

withdrawal of the case in Denmark.

However, the details of the settlement

remain undisclosed.

The Ever Given, a massive

ship owned by Shoei Kisen Kaisha,

a Japanese company, operated by

Evergreen, a Taiwanese shipping

company, and managed by Bernhard

Schulte, a German-based maritime

services provider, was at the center

of the lawsuit filed by Danish shipping

mogul AP Møller-Maersk.

The incident led to a six-day

entanglement in the Suez Canal,

prompting vessels worldwide to

divert around the Cape of Good

Hope. The withdrawal of the lawsuit

suggests that the parties involved

have resolved their legal disputes,

although the specific terms of the

settlement are not publicly known.


News brief

Cambodia and Vietnam launch

cross-border QR code payments

Cambodia and Vietnam has

jointly launched a crossborder

QR code payment

system.

The new method will allow

people in Cambodia and Vietnam

to make payments using local currencies.

The initiative, overseen by

the National Bank of Cambodia and

the State Bank of Vietnam, aims to

boost digital payments. The goal is to

encourage the use of national currencies,

stimulate economic growth,

tourism, and cross-border trade.

Cambodian travelers can use

the VietQR code to make payments

in Vietnam in riel, while Vietnamese

customers can use the KHQR

code for transactions in Cambodia

in dong. Similar QR code payment

cooperation exists between Thailand

and Laos.

Volvo shares crashed to all-time

low due to Geely selling stocks

Volvo Cars experienced a significant

decline in its shares,

plummeting by approximately

13% to a historic low. The drop

followed the sale of a portion of its

stake by its major shareholder, Geely,


China’s largest privately-owned carmaker.

Geely opted to sell 100 million

Volvo Cars shares at a discounted

price, aiming to increase the free

float and enhance the overall value

of the Swedish company.

Jim Rowan, CEO of Volvo Cars,

emphasized that the move would

prove beneficial for both existing

and new investors. Geely, which acquired

Volvo Cars in 2010, revealed

that it generated around $350 million

from the sale, with the shares

being sold at approximately 37 SEK

each - a nearly 10% discount compared

to the previous day’s closing

price of 40.84.

Despite the intention to

strengthen the value of Volvo Cars’

stock, which had already seen a

nearly 23% decline year-to-date, the

move appeared to have an immediate

adverse impact, with Volvo

shares experiencing an 11% decline.

Geely’s stake in Volvo Cars was reduced

by 4% through this sale, leaving

them with an expected 78.7%

stake in the company.

H&M accused of unethical jacket

production in Vietnam

News brief

PETA Asia is claiming that

Swedish retailer H&M is implicated

in supporting the down

industry. The accusation is based on

a 13-month-long investigation. PETA

claims that H&M sources down jackets

from Vietnam, where birds allegedly

endure gruesome conditions,

such as having their feet cut off while

still alive, and being slaughtered with

axes for their feathers.

Despite H&M’s assurance that

their products do not harm animals,

PETA Asia’s investigation reportedly

uncovered distressing situations

in duck farms and slaughterhouses

throughout Vietnam. The findings

include ducks with severe wounds

in unsanitary sheds, stabbings in the

neck, and confinement in small areas

filled with feces. Even at a facility

certified by the Responsible Down

Standard (RDS), ducks were supposedly

subjected to having their feet

amputated while still conscious.

H&M later removed the ‘responsible’

down label from its US

online store, acknowledging the label’s

lack of credibility. Howerver,

the company continues to sell down

jackets.

PETA Asia has expressed their

intention to formally communicate

with H&M Group CEO, Helena

Helmersson, to address the company’s

alleged involvement in the

down industry.

The enclosed letter from PETA

serves as a reminder to the H&M

executive of documented instances

of cruelty and urges the company

to cut ties with the down industry,

advocating for the welfare of birds.

H&M collaborates

with Singapore-based DBS

to help suppliers decarbonize

H&M, the Swedish fast fashion

retailer, has joined forces

with Singapore’s DBS Bank

to introduce an innovative green

loan initiative. The program aims to

assist clothing manufacturers in cutting

down their CO2 emissions.

Unveiled ahead of the COP

28 climate summit in Dubai, the

initiative facilitates access to sustainable

funding. This financial support

is earmarked for enhancing factory

infrastructure, enabling suppliers to

boost energy efficiency and embark

on decarbonization efforts.

The strategic partnership underscores

a commitment to addressing

environmental concerns

within the fashion industry.


News brief

Maersk enters deal for green

methanol with Chinese Goldwind

Danish company Maersk has

successfully secured a deal

with China’s Goldwind for

the annual supply of half a million

tons of green methanol. The deal

marks a significant milestone in the

shipping industry’s commitment to

sustainability. As part of Maersk’s

goal to achieve net-zero emissions

by 2040, this agreement is seen

as evidence that large-scale commitments

to green methanol are

achievable.

“I think this deal shows that it

can be done,” said Morten Bo Christiansen,

Head of Energy Transition at

Maersk.

While the specific value of the

deal remains undisclosed, the substantial

annual production of half a

million tons is noteworthy. Maersk

plans to expand its green methanol

projects globally, with a particular

focus on China and other nations.

“We have much more in the

pipeline. If we could get one more

deal the size of this one, we would

be good for the ships we have on

order,” Christiansen added.

The delivery of Goldwind’s

green methanol is scheduled to

commence in 2026, fueling 12

ocean-going container ships. This

aligns with Maersk’s broader strategy

to develop a balanced and sustainable

fuel portfolio.


News brief

Vietnam and Norway strengthen

multifaceted cooperation

Vietnamese Vice President Vo

Thi Anh Xuan commended

the growth of Vietnam-Norway

relations during her meeting

with Crown Prince Haakon Magnus

in Oslo. The meeting occurred

as part of her visit to the Nordic

country.

President Xuan expressed her

hope that Norway would assist in

expediting negotiations for a free

trade agreement between Vietnam

and the European Free Trade Association

(EFTA). She also sought

support for Vietnam’s commitments

within the Just Energy Transition

Partnership (JETP).

Crown Prince Haakon Magnus

pledged ongoing support from the

Royal Family and the Government

of Norway for Vietnam’s efforts

in responding to climate change,

promoting green transition, and

developing renewable energy. He

emphasized Norway’s cooperation

in realizing commitments made at

international forums, particularly

the net-zero emission commitment

by 2050.

Øverst på formularen

Nederst på formularen



Ambassador debut

and Southeast Asia

return for Norway’s

Christian Lyster

After arriving to the Philippines for his first posting as

Ambassador, Christian Halaas Lyster could immediately

conclude that the ties between his host country and Norway

are very strong and expanding - most significantly on business

cooperation. In 2023, the two countries also celebrate 75 years

of formal bilateral diplomatic relations, constituting the perfect

opportunity to build on the past and strengthen the ties and

collaboration for the future. Get the essential details on all this

and get to know the new Ambassador in this

ScandAsia feature!

By Joakim Persson

Remarkably, arriving to the Philippines is a sort

of homecoming, not only for Ambassador

Christian Lyster himself, but also for his wife

Cathrine, whose father in fact was Norway’s

previous Ambassador in the country from

1994 to 1997! The debuting ambassador was also previously

posted in Southeast Asia, at the Norwegian Embassy

in Kuala Lumpur.

“We had previous experience from the region; my

wife studied overseas during those years, but spent her

vacations with her family in the Philippines,” shares the

ambassador as he explains their previous connections

to the region. “So, for her it was almost like coming back

home.”

“She encouraged me to apply for the posting here

in Manila. Based on her knowledge about the country and

the people, she thought the Philippines would be a good

place for us as a family.”

“Everywhere I go, I am warmly greeted as the Norwegian

Ambassador. This is a really nice place with nice

people. To sum it up, ‘it’s been great so far!”


Ambassador debut

Ambassador Lyster has a legal degree and started off as

a prosecutor and then as a deputy judge in Norway. “I

enjoyed my work immensely, it was interesting, but then I

realised that I wanted to do something more; something

on behalf of my country, and that is when I decided to

apply for the Foreign Service Trainee Program and was

lucky to be accepted.”

“The opportunities within foreign service were

something that appealed to me.”

Debuting as an ambassador, he says: “It’s always

something you really look forward to; representing your

country supported by the hardworking staff of the embassy.”

“It’s an honour. While it feels both exciting and fulfilling,

it is also a bit scary when you start off for the first

time. You are on your toes; you really want to deliver, help

and assist on behalf of your country.”

Ambassador Lyster brings his previous experience

as head of diplomatic security and emergency preparedness

for the entire Norwegian foreign service, which

might be relevant given the fact that the Philippines is one

of the most climate vulnerable countries in the world.

“Norway supports this advocacy through our allocations

to different UN mechanisms. At the same time,

there is a potential for even more collaboration between

our two countries because of our expertise on emergency

preparedness planning,” said the Ambassador.

The Philippines has a good policy environment for

disaster preparedness and Norway has complementary

capabilities in areas related to emergency preparedness

and planning, for example, on oil spills.

“Health and safety are core competencies within

the energy business sector such as: oil and gas, offshore

wind, and renewables. Norway has competence towards

safety standards where there is a lot of potential for

closer collaboration especially relating to offshore wind,”

he added.

“On development and humanitarian assistance,

Norway is a major contributor to multilateralism and

supports the Philippines through the many UN agencies

and their core programme funds. On the bilateral aspect,

there is greater potential for collaboration and partnerships

under our free trade agreement with the Philippines

under European Free Trade Association (EFTA) FTA.”

Back to Southeast Asia

Ambassador Lyster handed over his letters of credence

to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on 13 October 2022,

and he is also accredited to the Pacific island state Palau.

He arrived in Manila at the end of August with his family,

including their eight-year-old daughter.

“Luckily, most of the Covid-19 measures were reduced

by then. The Philippines was one of the countries

where the schools had been closed for the longest time,

and I was happy to send my daughter physically to school

upon arriving.”

The ambassador and his wife immediately noticed

that Manila has changed and grown. The embassy is now

standing on what used to be an empty grassy hill, back

in the 90s.

Lyster was also previously posted in Kuala Lumpur

as Deputy Head of Mission, where his main areas were

political reporting and business promotion.


“I have this memory of arriving at the airport outside

KL, and the car ride into the city centre, where the

first big poster I saw was a big ad for Jotun paints!”

Now, when back in the region, he says his family will

get to know the region and the country as much as possible.

“As a family we enjoy travelling, and the Philippines

is so much more than Metro Manila, and as ambassador

I need to get to know the whole country, not only the

capital region.”

Other than travelling, the ambassador says he likes

to keep in shape, doing a lot of training, including playing

tennis, and golf.

“I also found places where I can go running outside,

so that’s one important thing.”

Solid maritime ties developing

further

One of the cornerstones of the strong relations between

Norway and the Philippines is of course the maritime

sector. The ambassador confirms that Norway is wellknown

among Filipinos for shipping.

“It’s probably one of the main foundations for the

thriving relationship between the two countries and it’s

an important element for this year’s 75th anniversary of

bilateral relations.”

“At any given time, there are up to 25 000 Filipinos

working on Norwegian-controlled and Norwegianowned

ships,” he added.

Moreover, there are over fifty companies with Norwegian

maritime interests established in the Philippines.

“Coming to a country where the maritime traditions

are strong also means something for me personally,

since my grandfather was a seafarer! He sailed for Wilhelmsen

as a chief engineer for several decades and was

also one of the many Norwegian war sailors”.

His grandfather, in fact, kept a memorabilia from his

visits to Manila!

“Many Filipino seafarers working on Norwegian

ships are graduates from the Norwegian Shipowners

Association’s (NSA) cadet programme, managed by the

Norwegian Training Centre established in Manila back in

1990s.“

His late father-in-law, a previous ambassador, laid the

foundation for the old training facility back then!

Renewable energy potential

Beyond maritime, Norway also has interests in other sectors

that strengthen the ties - especially within business

and trade. Therefore, the inaugural ‘Creating Currents in

the Energy and Maritime Industry’ conference was arranged

in 2022.

Being one of the world’s leading players in renewable

energy, Norway aims to assist the Philippines in increasing

the share of renewable energy in the energy mix

by 30% in 2030. It is also looking forward to introducing

new renewable energy technologies, where the Philippines

has a competitive edge.

A recent World Bank report has shown that the

country could develop up to 178 GW of offshore wind. It

is also an area where Norway and Norwegian companies

have a lot of competence.



“There’s big potential to increase business presence

and build capacity on the renewable energy sector

here, specifically through technical experts. There are

Norwegian companies currently involved in the renewable

energy sector: on hydro, floating solar and hopefully

offshore wind.”

“The conference showed that there is a lot of potential

for investments here in the Philippines, however,

regulations have to come into place. This is an area where

you can match Norwegian competence and know-how

with the potential here in the Philippines.”

“There’s a very strong link between the Norwegian

maritime sector and the energy sector – especially

offshore – and a lot of the capacity and competence we

have built up over years especially relating to oil and gas

is now being reused within the renewable fields,” comments

the ambassador.

He focuses on areas with clear interest among the

Filipinos: “We try to engage with the government in areas

where we have common interests.”

So far, the engagement with the host country has

been positive: “The Philippine government is all open

doors for opportunities, and the government and the

Filipinos are very open-minded to influences and experiences

from abroad. One reason might be the fact that at

any given time a lot of Filipinos are working somewhere

else in the world.”

“It’s also important to mention the close cooperation

within the Philippines-Norway Business Council

- representing and promoting business interests here and

finding areas of competencies that can be beneficial for

the Philippines as such.”

“More Norwegian companies are seeing investment

potential here, going forward. This is an important

part of the embassy’s work: to support Norwegian companies

and businesses,” says the Ambassador.

“We are also seeing more liberalisation of certain

sectors. More industries are allowed to take part in

foreign ownership, which makes the country a more interesting

market for not only Norwegian companies and

investors but also from the whole of the Nordic region!”

he adds.

“Making sure that the regulatory framework for

business and trade is predictable over time is also very

important. And right now, within various sectors, a lot of

very good work is going on,” he adds.

The Norwegian Embassy in Manila also works

on joint projects with other Nordic embassies here in

Manila, such as The Nordic-Philippine Climate Executive

Dialogue together with the Embassies of Finland, Sweden

and Denmark in Manila.

“We had the first joint project, and my two key takeaways

are: 1) Nordic countries have a similar approach

on the areas of climate and sustainable development, it’s

very good that we can join forces together to promote

this agenda. 2) It is not possible for a government to do

everything alone and vice versa for the private sector

to do it all. The Nordic countries are very used to this

approach of cooperation between the public and the

private sector.”

“The sustainability agenda was something all Nordic

countries have in common. Another key takeaway is

the strong interest in how we do things in the Nordics.

Some of it can hopefully inspire the Philippines and local

companies in their sustainability goals,” the ambassador

comments on the latest forum.

75 years celebrations throughout

2023

The celebration of 75 years of diplomatic bilateral relations

will continue throughout 2023. “Sustainability is

high on our agenda this year, and we engage Norwegian

companies on offshore wind and circular economy to

take presence here in the Philippines.”

“Norwegian seafood export is another area with

lots of potential, and we hope to expand seafood exports

to the country.”

“The celebration of 75 years of Norway and the

Philippines ties also extends on areas such as development,

peace and reconciliation, and human rights. Over

time, we have worked and cooperated within a broad

spectrum of different sectors creating very strong bilateral

ties between our two countries.”

“It’s not the embassy as such that created these

ties over those years – it’s the Norwegian and Filipino

companies, Norwegians that live here and Filipinos living

in Norway, the Filipino seafarers, government agencies,

and civil society organizations - it kind of encompasses

everything. It’s a celebration of ties on many levels, within

different sectors and of course my predecessors have

helped to create these ties too!”


Mr. Jørgen C. Arentz Rostrup,

Head of Telenor Asia, has

been seeing through the two

major changes in Telenor’s

presence in Asia, the creation

of CelcomDigi in Malaysia

and the merger of DTAC with

True in Thailand. He talked

to ScandAsia, just prior to

his return to the Nordics

to become Head of the

operations there this fall.

By Joakim Persson

Telenor in Asia

reshaping the business

The year 2022 marked an organisational

change for Telenor, as Telenor Asia was established

as a more autonomous regional

entity, headquartered in Singapore and with

oversight and responsibility for the company’s

operations in the region.

Head of Telenor Asia, Jorgen C Arents Rostrup talked

to ScandAsia about the background and the reason

for the restructuring of the business.

“Singapore is an ideal headquarters location for

many companies and also for Telenor Asia, since it is well

placed within our footprint and a regional home to some

of the world’s largest digital giants and technology innovators,”

he explains.

“Asian customer needs and digital behaviours are

rapidly changing. By uniting the markets in Asia under a

regional set-up in Singapore we can be closer to our customers

and actively shape our operations for the future,”

Jørgen C. Arentz Rostrup explains.

Telenor embarked on its Asian journey in 1997

and bought its first stake in Digi (Malaysia) in 1999. The

Norwegians have been telco change-makers in the region

ever since.

Celebrating its 25th year anniversary in Asia in 2022

Telenor, has now resolutely moved on; entering into a

new chapter by reinventing who they are and reshaping

how ‘telcos’, are structured and run.

Eyeing the industrial internet as the next growth

opportunity, Telenor realised that the first step on this

journey was to build partnerships for scale. This has led

to its largest changes and development in Asia to date.

The Norwegian provider has delivered two of the largest

telecom mergers in Southeast Asia within a span of three

months, creating CelcomDigi CelcomDigi in Malaysia and

True Corp. in Thailand.

Jørgen recalls how he had been asked by Telenor

Group’s CEO, Sigve Brekke to move to Singapore. The

mission: to modernise their operations and capture op-


portunities in the region.

“As I arrived in Singapore in August 2020, I was excited

to be living here again. For two years in the 1990s

I worked in the city state in business development for

Norsk Hydro. Since then, I have been following the fascinating

growth story of this region. I was also familiar with

Telenor’s operations and agenda in Asia. Before taking on

the role to head the Asia operations, I was the CFO of

Telenor Group since autumn 2016. As Asia contributed

more than half of Telenor’s global service revenues, a

big part of my responsibility then was to review performance

and drive modernization initiatives.”

Time to move on

“Telenor had entered Asia with a belief that mobile connectivity

would benefit everyone and should be accessible

to all. That belief has stood the test of time.”

Their local telco brands have provided mass-market

mobile connectivity, innovative digital services, and a

strong commitment to responsible business conduct.

Proud of what they had achieved in the last 25 years it

was however time to move on and provide connectivity

not just between people, but also for billions of devices

going forward. New technologies such as 5G, IoT (Internet

of Things), cloud and AI have immense potential to

unlock new benefits for consumers and businesses alike,

according to Telenor.

“That’s why we’re reinventing who we are and reshaping

our business model. We have been very good at

serving the end user, but now our companies are stepping

up and working with businesses and governments

to take new technologies into more advanced products

and services. We are entering into the industrial internet,

and we believe this is the next growth opportunity for

the telecom sector,” elaborated Jørgen.

And these companies, within Southeast Asia, are

now the largest players on their respective markets as a

result of large mergers with what were previously Telenor’s

local competitors.

“The first step on this journey was to build partnerships

to get scale, improve financial capabilities and access

new competencies. This is what we achieved with the recent

mergers in Malaysia and Thailand, where CelcomDigi

and True Corporation are now leaders.”

Commencing operations on 1 December 2022 in

Malaysia, CelcomDigi is a merger of Axiata subsidiary

CelcomDigi and Telenor subsidiary Digi of which Telenor

and Axiata are equal owners having equal operational

influence through Board representation. The parties’

purpose is to form a world-class Malaysian digital telco

that will contribute significantly towards the growth of

the country’s digital ecosystem and economy.

In 2023 the merger of operators True Corporation

and Total Access Communication (dtac) followed, to form

Thailand’s biggest mobile operator, as a telecom tech

frontrunner with business operations in mobile, broadband,

television and digital. The existing True Move and

Dtac brands will remain in place for the next three years.

“The mergers are all about developing our business.

Asia is digitalising fast, and in this rapid-paced environment

smaller players will find it challenging to invest in the

technologies and infrastructure that will be the backbone

of digital economies and societies. To realise the full potential

of digital advancements scale is key and to achieve

this, consolidation is needed in several telecom markets,”

the departing Head of Telenor Asia commented.

“Mergers are hard work to begin with and mergers

of this size, even harder. But I strongly believe that they

are needed. Merger processes allow us to evaluate everything

we have done in the past and make conscious

choices on what identity, culture, and way of work we

want for the future. Telenor is moving from being a traditional

telco to owning future-fit, telco-tech companies,

so the way we operate needs to change as well. Through

these mergers we can challenge everything we have

done in the past and find optimal solutions for how we


work to drive efficiency, attract talents and deliver more

value to our customers.

New exciting chapter

The mergers are the start of a new exciting chapter for

Telenor in Asia, and the Telenor of the future, which is

smarter and more flexible. It will continue to explore

new ways for achieving its goals and are making the

necessary moves to remain in the forefront of industry

development.

“We have built a good business the last 25 years on

what we call the integrated telco model. This means that

we owned and operated almost every part of the value

chain from towers to IT systems, services, and customer

interface. In the new digital landscape, it is becoming

harder to create value through the integrated model, as

each part of the value chain is being challenged by both

telco and non-telco players. The good news is that our

digital assets and capabilities are needed more than ever,

but we need to make some changes and rethink the value

creation formula.”

At Telenor they will strive to be not just ahead of the

curve but reinvent the way telcos are structured and run.

Jørgen takes Malaysia as example of how Telenor is adapting

to the future; where CelcomDigi historically has been

strong in the public sector while Digi has good traction

with SMEs. The new CelcomDigi is positioned as a strong

local player with a deep focus on technology.

“With the merger, the enterprise customer base

has broadened and now the combined teams bring their

expertise together to serve all CelcomDigi’s customers

better. They are talking about how to move up in the

value chain, creating enterprise solution suites for industries

such as health, oil & gas, ports etc.”

“Instead of being a telco with just connectivity services,

they are building new solutions based on 5G, AI,

IoT, as a technology company. It is still early days, but we

are excited by the possibilities the company can achieve,”

he added.

With CelcomDigi, the ambition is to leverage the

strengths of both companies to broaden product offerings

and serve a wider base of customers.

“I’m encouraged by the progress we have witnessed

so far. It will take time and require lots of engagement

from all parties involved to become a fully digital company.”

In Thailand, meanwhile, the merger gives Telenor access

to new business segments on the market: broadband

and TV distribution, where True Corporation becomes a

telecom tech frontrunner.

“The combined company has more than 56 million

customers and is positioned to be a real challenger.

And with True Digital we are securing a leading role in

Thailand’s digital ecosystem. Again, immense potential for

the company to have huge positive impact but this will

require patience, guidance and engagement from us in

Telenor and our partners,” stated Jørgen.

One consequence of the mergers is that there are

overlaps, so a big focus of the integration process is to

combine the networks. As of August, CelcomDigi had

completed 60% of its network integration and modernisation

plans for 2023. It has also started modernising the

existing 4G network with the latest LTE and 5G-ready

technologies.

“These efforts have uplifted the overall network

experience for its customers and post-consolidation,

they now enjoy wider coverage, increased download and

upload speeds.”

Telenor is focused on the synergy effects from the

mergers where it has estimated its share of the combined

synergies from Malaysia and Thailand at around NOK

20-25 billion.

“The largest part of synergies comes from better

run network and IT infrastructure. Simply put, by combining

networks, we can invest in one network instead of

two, while maintaining wide coverage and strong quality.

With scale, we can also reap synergies from more efficient

marketing, coordination of sales and distribution

and procurement processes.”

Enabler for the industrial internet:

5G

As for 5G, Malaysia has made the bold move of commissioning

a nation-wide 5G network. This is making the

country a leader and test-bed for 5G services.

“For consumers, 5G will provide ultra-fast speeds


and low latency to enjoy high quality video streaming and

mobile gaming. However, 5G is not just for you and me

to watch more Netflix. The full power of 5G is unleashed

when it is used by businesses and governments and for

connecting devices and machines to other devices. A

2022 report from Telenor IoT estimates that there will

be close to 40 billion IoT connected devices in APAC

within 2030, most of these devices will need low latency

provided by 5G to be effective,” commented Jørgen.

5G’s true potential is as an enabler for the industrial

internet, where traffic management, automation of industries

and digital advancements in education, payments,

and health are some of the examples.

“Telenor is working together with partners on

several pilot projects using new technology across Asia.

In Malaysia we have supported offshore digital transformation,

port operations monitoring, and fleet tracking.

In Thailand we have pilot projects within the agriculture

industry, energy sector and automotive manufacturing.”

In one of its Asian markets reports, Telenor’s APAC

IoT report not only points to how IoT solutions are

revamping traditional ways of getting things done in the

automotive, logistics and energy sectors, but it specifically

highlights energy efficiency and waste management are

two major reasons why companies in Asia are adopting

IoT.

Jørgen exemplified: “Waste management is probably

not the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of

IoT. However, from collection to processing and disposal,

waste management is one of the most important services

for any local council or authority and remains a major

challenge affecting many cities in Asia.IoT interestingly can

play a key role with smart waste solutions and sensorequipped

waste stations that communicate real-time

status using IoT connectivity provided by Telenor IoT. As

a result, trash collection can be prioritized by monitoring

the level of waste in connected trashcans rather than

relying exclusively on a rigid schedule.”

Looking back

“The recent years have been the most hectic period ever

in my career. We delivered two of the largest telecom

mergers in Southeast Asia within a span of three months.

It was a mammoth task, involving many, but I truly believe

that it was a great opportunity to be part of something

big enough to make positive change happen – for employees,

customers, businesses and society,” Jørgen reflected

on his tenure as Head of Telenor Asia.

“Completing these historic mergers were just the

first step. As I pass the baton to my good colleague

Petter-Børre Furberg, he and the Telenor Asia team will

ensure the successful implementation of the two mergers

as well as continue to develop Telenor’s business in

the region.”

One market that did not go according to plan for

Telenor is however Myanmar (Burma).

“Telenor’s exit from Myanmar remains one of the

hardest challenges I, along with those working on the

project, have ever faced – professionally and personally.

From the very beginning we put the safety of our people

first, in every decision, and that ultimately made it impossible

for Telenor to continue operating in the country. As

things stand for now, we have no plans to return to the

market.”



Rediscovering

Ancient Times

Khun Na and Bent Laasholdt share their journey from owners

of The Admiral’s Pub and Restaurant in Bangkok to rejuvenated

managers of an amazing property: The Shinnabhura Historic

Boutique Hotel in Phitsanulok.

By Gregers Moller

Khun Na and Bent Laasholdt are clearly thriving

in their new roles as resident managers

of the Shinnabhura Historic Boutique Hotel

in Phitsanulok. Their change from being the

owners of The Admirals Pub and Restaurant

in Sukhumvit Soi 24 to now managers of this fascinating

property in the heart of Thailand seems to have happened

exactly at the right time in their interesting lives.

Phitsanulok is very much a historical town. King Naresuan

was born in Phitsanulok and he is celebrated not

just in this town but all over Thailand as a national hero

by the Thai people for liberating the country from the

Burmese during his only 15 year reign from 1590 to 1605.

Being an old tour guide, Bent enjoys showing visitors

around town and tell stories about every detail we

see. During our visit there recently, we went to see the

ruins from that time and there we met a group of young

people practicing the Thai sword fight. Bent shared contact

details with them and now these young warriors are

going to demonstrate their skills at the New Year Party

at Shinnabhura Historic Boutique Hotel.

Although Bent and Khun Na feel ownership of this

unique hotel, Bent admits that one of the reasons for

them to enjoy their new job so much is that they don’t

own it in any legal sense.

“It is a very nice feeling to be employees. It is like half

the responsibility has been taken off your shoulders,” says

Bent Laasholdt who looks ten years younger than when

we last met at the Admiral’s in Bangkok.

“I am still trying to remember that I should report

everything to the owners and ask for permission instead

of just making my own decision like I used to, but it feels

nice,” he adds.

Khun Na also confirms her happiness with the new

job. Also she looks younger than in Bangkok. Is there

something in the air in Phitsanulok?

Actually not old at all!

The weirdest information that needs to be shared with

the readers of ScandAsia is, that in reality, this hotel was

opened only six years ago! How is that possible? How is

it possible to build something that looks and feels so authentic

like it was built around the time of King Naresuan?

I opened a maintenance shaft and looked inside and

there was the proof: Modern building material, pvc pipes,

modern cabling. Then I closed it and the wall looked again

like this castle had been built in the 18th century.

“”The owners wanted to replicate this old style and

found the only architect in Thailand who dared to do it,”

Bent explains.

Bent loves to tell stories and shared with us how it

was the owner of the restaurant at the front of the property

by the road who initially got the idea and persuaded

one of the current owners to go along with it. They spent

a lot of money on it.


Bent and Na got involved because Na’s sister’s

husband today owns the majority of the shares of the

whole property and the rest of the shares are held by a

friend from his school years. Both of them were frequent

customers at Admiral’s and they admitted that they did

not have the time to run the property - while at the same

time they liked the way Bent and Na managed Admiral’s

Pub and Restaurant.

“Actually, our retirement plan was to move to Koh

Chang and set up a little restaurant there - but once we

saw this location we didn’t hesitate to drop our original

idea and take this opportunity,” he says.

Another strange thing is that although it was built

only six years ago maintenance is a big headache - because

everything is made to look so close to the original style.

“I’ll give you an example: The wall around the property

is built using original size bricks with original mortar.

When one wall partially collapsed, I at first tried to find

the same material but it was way too expensive,” he

explains.

So Bent instead rebuilt the wall in concrete but recreated

the feel of the surface so you actually cannot see

where the old wall ends and the rebuilt wall begins. Well,

you can if you go really close, but that was not worth the

exorbitant cost.

Phitsanulok is not far away

Going to Phitsanulok is just a few hours by car, but most

Bangkokians have this idea, that it is far north. We drove

there, left Bangkok at noon and arrived for dinner at 7

pm. Bent came out to greet us and we quickly put our luggage

in the room on the 4th floor and then went down

for dinner with him and Khun Na.


Another charming way to go to Phitsanulok would

have been to take the train and arrive at the central train

station where you still see the old bell used by the station

master and staff everytime a train arrives and leaves.

Technically, you can also go there by air. The airport

is actually quite near the hotel.

Charming city

The city is located on the banks of the Nan river and the

following morning, Bent took us on a bicycle ride from

Shinnaburra to the Nan River and along the river for a

total of 20 kilometers. Halfway, it started raining, so we

waited it out in what looked like a bus stop - then continued

when it was almost over - which lasted for quite

some time.

Eventually, we were soaked, but then the sun came

out and we dried up again on the way back navigating

some of the old streets in downtown Phitsanulok. This is

also where you find many of the historical monuments

and beautiful temples of Phitsanulok. This route is highly

recommendable. If you go on your own, ask for help with

plotting the end point into your GPS/ Google maps - it

is not hard at all.

If you should ever get tired of history, you can also

go golfing or visit the beautiful waterfalls in the vicinity.

Or just stay in your room.

Yes, let me tell you about the rooms. Wow! This is

how the rich people live, I suppose! We were accommodated

in the most luxurious suite of them all, so don’t

get disappointed if you book one of the standard rooms,

but in our suite, there were two bathrooms, plus a jacuzzi

tub by the foot of the enormous bed.

All water tabs and handles are of brass and the

whole atmosphere is like two hundred years ago. Including

the cabinet for hanging your clothes. This is where

I found the shaft for maintenance hidden away that

brought me back to the present day when I opened it -

then I quickly closed it again. Living in this amazing time

capsule is much more fun!

The Shinnabhura collection

The Heritage Arts gallery within Shinnabhura is an impressive

collection of historical artifacts.

To visit the museum, you walk up the wide ancient

staircase from the lobby. There you find soldier costumes,

weaponry, and detailed metal embossing. Each piece is a

result of dedicated research.

The weapons are not original museum artifacts -

they are created in an effort to preserve the traditional

Lanna sword-making techniques. Each sword, a unique

masterpiece, stands as a testament to the dedication of

these craftsmen, ensuring the legacy endures.

Metal embossing, wood carving, and painting continue

this narrative. Your fingers are itching to touch and feel

the intricate details, connecting with the cultural identities

of the two periods of Ayudhaya and Lanna.

Particularly the Buddha statue tells the story of the

25-year war in a special way: The gesture of the Lord Buddha

is the so-called Pang Ham Samut pose, which symbolizes

a plea to both warring sides to halt the fighting.

Our stay at Shinnabhura was like visiting a living

history book, offering us an opportunity to dive into the

rich cultural diversity of Thailand. Imagine if this place was

your home!

No wonder Bent and Khun Na are thriving here!


Sten Frimodt Nielsen:

From EU Judge to new

Danish Ambassador

in Jakarta

By Miabell Mallikka Smedegaard


When I expressed my

wish to rejoin the ranks

of foreign service,

I explicitly applied

to go to Jakarta.

Steen Fromodt Nielsen

embarks on the role as

new Danish Ambassador to

Indonesia with enthusiasm.

Expressing a profound

connection to Southeast Asia,

Mr. Frimodt Nielsen sees the

assignment as an opportunity

to engage with one of the

most dynamic and significant

regions globally.

The diplomatic journey of the newly appointed

Danish ambassador to Indonesia was delayed

due to a process involving two key stages: the

sender state, Denmark, notifying the receiving

state, Indonesia, of the intention to dispatch

the former judge as an ambassador, and the approval of

the appointed ambassador by the receiver state, Indonesia.

“We’ve been waiting for the Indonesians to give

the green light. And it’s not just me. We were around

20 newly appointed ambassadors waiting for Indonesia’s

approval,” Frimodt explains about the process that

delayed him from reaching his new office in Jakarta. The

procedural process underlines the diplomatic protocol in

Indonesia, where parliamentary involvement sets it apart

from most other countries.

“The delay was thereby procedural rather than a

reflection of my personal shortcomings,” the ambassador

shares with a smile.

ScandAsia met with him at the Danish embassy in

Jakarta, only a week after the newly appointed ambassador

took office. A position the former EU judge has

always dreamt of.

The strategic choice of Jakarta

The former judge embarks on the ambassadorial role in

Jakarta with candid enthusiasm. Expressing a profound

connection to Southeast Asia, Mr. Frimodt Nielsen sees

the assignment as an opportunity to engage with one of

the most dynamic and significant regions globally. Not

only is he the Danish ambassador to Indonesia, the role

is also encompassing Malaysia, East Timor and Papua New

Guinea – at least until Denmark reopens its embassy in

Kuala Lumpur in the second half of 2024. It is thereby the

biggest area in Southeast Asia partaken by one embassy

and one ambassador. A challenge that the former judge

is only excited about.

“When I expressed my wish to rejoin the ranks of

foreign service, I explicitly applied to go to Jakarta. While

I also had other preferences, Jakarta was at the top of my

list. I am extremely happy to be here. It has been a very

positive outcome for me,” Frimodt shares, while tea is

served in china by Royal Copenhagen.

“We have to show the flag,” he says with a subtle

smile.

Mr. Frimodt’s career spans from roles in the Ministry

of Foreign Affairs to negotiations of EU treaties in Brussels

and serving as a judge at the EU Court of Justice.

Even though the Danish News Media Politiken called it

a “surprise comeback” when it was first announced, that

the experienced judge would take on the new role as

ambassador to Indonesia, the decision to return to the


For me, this is the

dream. This is what

I’ve always wanted.

Foreign Ministry and embark on a diplomatic mission in

Jakarta was according to the man himself, a very conscious

and eagerly sought-after choice.

Always the goal

Sten Frimodt Nielsen is the son of a teacher and a school

secretary. He completed his high school education at

Frederiksborg State School and graduated as a lawyer in

1988 from the University of Copenhagen. Subsequently,

he spent several years at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

where he was deployed twice. First to the United Nations

in New York and afterwards to the European Union

in Brussels. He then went to work in the Danish Prime

Minister’s office, serving as a trusted advisor for two different

governments, before he ended up in Luxembourg.

Here, he spent 16 years working as an EU Judge from

September 2007 until he resigned to rejoin the foreign

ministry in his new diplomatic role in September 2023.

“For me, this is the dream. This is what I’ve always

wanted. Since I was very, very young, I knew that what

I wanted was to get into the Foreign Ministry. My old

schoolmates would say, ‘Well, that’s what Sten always

wanted. He wanted to go out and experience the world.’”

Challenges and joys of the transition

Transitioning from the judiciary to diplomacy, Frimodt expresses

delight in returning to a lifelong dream of getting

to work abroad, in the region he aspired to work with,

within the Foreign Ministry. Despite geographic distance

and challenges, the strategic importance of the region

makes the assignment particularly rewarding, but not

without challenges.

“No one can deny the interest and fascination of being

a judge at the European Court of Justice. It’s a fantastic

position and, for many, a dream job. I wouldn’t have stayed

for 16 years if it weren’t remarkable, but it wasn’t what I

envisioned for my entire career,” Frimodt shares.

“As time passed, I realized I needed to actively seek

a change. While resigning as an EU judge was emotional

due to strong connections with colleagues and staff, it

helped knowing I was moving on to something equally

promising,” the diplomat diplomatically adds about the

transition.

Acknowledging the challenges of the distance between

Indonesia and Denmark, Frimodt emphasizes the

family’s supportive stance. With two grown children from

a previous marriage, the new ambassador has recently

welcomed a grandchild, which has added an extra layer

of significance to the family’s excitement about exploring

the vibrant culture of Southeast Asia.

“Of course, my children recognize the distance is a

challenge, but they’re positive, acknowledging it’s something

I’ve always wanted. They’re excited to visit despite

the logistical complexity of flying with a newborn. But

overall, they’re very supportive.”

First impressions of Jakarta

“When it became clear we were coming here, me and

my wife conducted a fact-finding mission in May and

June. We canceled a planned vacation and visited Jakarta


instead. We wanted to experience and understand the

surroundings, so when we came here last week, it wasn’t

our first time. Prior to that, we hadn’t been here,” Frimodt

explains.

“We were supposed to be here for a week, but

for some strange reason, our return flight got canceled.

We ended up staying for 10 days. It turned out to be

beneficial, since we got to meet all the embassy staff,” he

then adds.

Having only spent that brief fact-finding period in

Jakarta earlier in the year, his first impressions include the

cultural richness, thriving art scene, and overall energy in

the region. While acknowledging challenges such as traffic

and pollution, the ambassador remains optimistic about

the prospects of his stay.

by humility and a keen awareness of the expertise within

the embassy. Rather than dictating directives, the ambassador’s

focus is on familiarizing himself with various

sectors and to identify where he can make a meaningful

contribution.

“My main task is to familiarize myself with the diverse

areas the embassy covers and identify where I can

contribute effectively. I won’t dictate how skilled employees

do their jobs. Instead, I’ll aim to complement their

efforts,” the ambassador says with a genuine modesty.

As he steps into this dynamic role, the ambassador’s

task seems clear. It involves a steep learning curve along

with cultural sensitivity in the Southeast Asian context,

and a collaborative leadership style that emphasizes collective

strength.

Only an added contribution to an

already strong work force

Frimodt’s approach to the work ahead is characterized


Behind Bars in Thailand:

Exclusive Interview

with Danish John Finn

in Pattaya Prison

By Miabell Mallikka

hended in Pattaya for attempting to distribute “Ice,” as

John Finn calls it. A substance more commonly known

as Methamphetamine or Crystal Meth. What remains

untold, however, is the story of how an undercover agent,

a foreign man named Philip, approached him during his

routine grocery shopping in a Foodland in Pattaya.

“Philip approached me in Foodland and persistently

pestered me to sell him Ice. Initially, I declined, but after

relentless requests, I mentioned I might have some friends

who could assist. So, I exchanged ‘Line’ details with him

and promised to get back. Three days later, I did just that,”

John continues.

As I step into the visiting room, I find myself

lost among the sea of faces, trying to locate

him. Even amidst the limited number of

white men, or ‘farangs’ as they are referred

to in Thailand, it is difficult to spot him

through the thick glass separating visitors from those

serving time. After a swift scan, we lock eyes, and with a

warm and inviting smile, he eagerly signals me over.

John Finn Ørsted Meyer Jensen doesn’t attempt to

portray himself as a saint. He honestly and openly admits

his mistakes, although he believes that they may not be

as grave as they have been portrayed.

Fell into a trap

“I fell into a trap. No doubt about it. I was incredibly naive,

but back in Denmark, something like this would never

have happened. There, you’d actively have to approach

potential customers for a sale. What transpired here was

far from that scenario,” he states. His voice resonated

over the old, stationary phone. His recognizable bald

head faintly shines behind the smudged glass, with the

light gray-painted steel bars in the middle.

The story has circulated across numerous media

outlets: the narrative of the 51-year-old Dane appre-

Sealing his fate at Starbucks

This led to the infamous Starbucks meeting, where the

Dane’s fate was sealed after being arrested for drug possession

with intent to sell. A fateful moment that has John

sitting in Pattaya Remand Prison today, serving his third

year, with a total sentence of 14 years and four months.

“At first, I was sentenced to 28 years and 8 months.

If I accepted the verdict, the sentence would be halved.

I was then down to 14 years and 4 months, which the

police appealed, hoping I would get a harder punishment.

Instead, I ended up with 5 years and 7 months after the

appeal,” he shares.

“The first three days I spent in the Safehouse. That’s

where you get interrogated,” John reveals, unable to delve

into the specifics due to legal constraints.

“But the rules governing interrogations in Thailand

are vastly different from those in Denmark,” he adds.

“The police can do almost whatever they want here,”

John adds.


“With the sentence reduction due to amnesty regulations

and the possibility of being transferred to one’s

home country, I had anticipated returning to Denmark

back in March. Yet, I’m still here. The process is supposedly

ongoing, but it’s hard to say how long it will take. So, I’ve

stopped hoping. Hope doesn’t do you any good in here.”

Alone among hundreds of men

John, however, envisions the conclusion of his time in

Pattaya prison. With the reduction in his sentence and

another one on the horizon in the summer of 2024, he

anticipates having 10-11 months left to serve.

Upon release, he faces deportation back to Denmark,

as he will be banned from Thailand for the next

99 years.

“I have two children here, aged 11 and 4. I can apply

to have the ban reduced because of them,” he shares.

However, he has no contact with either the children

or their mothers today. Neither has his children back in

Denmark or their mothers reached out to him. In the

slightly over three years he has spent in prison, no one

except his sister has been in contact with him.

“We don’t talk anymore, though,” he says.

“I had hoped she would help me raise money for

bail, but it didn’t work out. She just kept complaining

about losing the apartment I had provided for her here in

Thailand. She kept demanding that I’d get her a new one.

But what am I supposed to do from here? I have nothing.

I’ve lost everything. And all she could do is pity herself

and complain. In the end, I had to cut ties. It brought me

nothing but increased stress and sadness.”

Despite the tough exterior he has developed, the

absence of contact from family and friends is evident as

he gazes down at the table in front of him and takes a

deep breath.

When loyalty is a core value

When John was initially arrested, he was asked to name

his friends who, according to his own account, had supplied

him with the drugs he was apprehended with. He

has steadfastly denied giving up names from the very

beginning. Even though not a single person has visited

him during the three years he has spent in prison – nor

has there been any inquiry.

“Back home in Denmark, I also have friends who

owe me money. Friends I’ve done a lot for. But now that I

need help, I am completely alone. And it’s incredibly challenging

to be alone in a place like this,” he shares.

Apart from the three daily meals served in prison,

one of the trials of being alone has been that provisions

still cost money to acquire in prison. Money that John

Finn doesn’t have when there’s no one to support him.

“Presently, the Danish Church in Thailand assists

me. The church provides me with 500 baht a month for

necessities. Prior to that, the prison provided me with a

tube of toothpaste and a bar of soap annually, which was

quite extraordinary. Nevertheless, it’s not hard to imagine

how challenging it is to make a tube of toothpaste last an

entire year,” he remarks, with a small smile.

John then emphasizes his gratitude towards Christa,

the Danish vicar in Thailand, for her support.

“She is my lifeline. My connection to the outside

world. I cannot thank her enough for what she has done

for me,” he shares, with a genuine gratitude, and the hint

of tears in his eyes.

The place where dreams must die

What gets him through this challenging time is his routine

and keeping himself from dreaming.

“The first year was the hardest. Now, I’ve adapted

to the rhythm. I’ve established a routine, and I know how

to navigate it. I always keep my head down,” he shares,

with a shadow of concealed sadness flickering in his eyes.

His day starts at 5:55 AM when his Norwegian

friend wakes him up. After that, he packs up his “bed” –

a bed consisting of a mat with a blanket on a concrete

floor among 40 other men. An upgrade from his first cell,

where they were 200 men.

“Having a mat and blanket to sleep on is also an

upgrade. The first year and a half, I didn’t have a blanket

to sleep on, so I would just lay down on the cement

floor,” he says.

Every man has three blankets that make up his

“bed”. One to lie on, one to cover themselves with, and

one to fold and use as a pillow.

Despite the minor upgrade, the layout of the cells is

the same. All the men lie side by side on their respective

blankets, with the open toilets situated in the middle of

the room. Privacy does not exist here.


“It’s challenging to use the restroom facilities in front

of everyone else. Even out in the yard, the toilets are

open. People will walk by and cast unwarranted stares,”

he says.

When every day is the same

At 6:30 AM, they are let out of the cell and allowed a

shower. In the communal shower area, hundred men

stand in rows. Each person has a mere two minutes to

rinse off, followed by three minutes to soap up, and then

another two minutes to rinse off once more. After this

brief window, the water supply is cut, and the next group

enters for their turn.

Breakfast starts at 6:45 AM and is divided into four

rounds. John belongs to the second round, which means

he has his breakfast from 7:00 AM until his round concludes

at 7:15 AM.

By 8:00 AM, there’s a morning assembly featuring

the Thai national anthem and the king’s song, followed

by a prayer to Buddha. The rest of his morning and early

afternoon take place in the covered courtyard, since foreign

prisoners are not allowed to work.

“As a foreigner you are not allowed to work as the

rest of the prisoners, which means, that there is really not

much for us to do all day” he explains.

In-between inmates

In the courtyard, there are 600 prisoners and only four

guards. To make it work, the guards have delegated some

of the responsibility to the inmates.

“When it’s time for medication, it’s not a guard who

hands it to you; it’s another prisoner. Here, most interactions

are between inmates,” he explains, his words leaving

much unsaid. However, his eyes convey the unspoken

truth. Even through the distorted lens of the thick glass,

the bars, and his scratched glasses.

Lunch rounds begin at 11:30 AM. Meanwhile, the

prisoners are counted every day at 12 PM. Dinner follows

swiftly, starting as early as 1:45 PM, followed by another

brief period in the yard before they pack up their

“houses” at 3 PM. The rest of the day is spent in the open

cell with the noise of Thai soap operas blasting from the

television.

“I don’t speak Thai, so there’s not much entertainment

for me. Generally, there isn’t much entertainment

around here when you don’t understand Thai,” he says

with a sad expression. His gaze dropped to the table In

front of him.

some Thai ‘houses’ consisting of up to 30 men. In my case,

we are only three people in my house: me, a Pakistani

who speaks English, and my Norwegian friend. We can

speak Danish and Norwegian together, but most of the

time, we converse in English. That’s just the cultural norm

here,” he states, unable to disclose more on the topic.

However, he does reveal how he often spends his

days lying on his blanket, with his warn out grey beanie,

that he clutches between his hands as he talks, covering

his face. This way, he appears as if he’s sleeping, ensuring

that no one disturbs him – a situation he prefers.

“It’s important to understand that many Thai people

have a more stable life inside prison than they do outside.

There isn’t the same fear of consequences that you might

encounter, for example, in Denmark,” he adds, shedding

light on the complex dynamics of life behind bars in

Thailand.

How it all started

John’s life took a turn when he moved to Thailand approximately

14 years ago, following a drug-related sentence

in Denmark. A sentence he still deems unjustifiable.

“I was convicted for selling hard drugs, even though

it was Weed, which isn’t considered a hard drug. Consequently,

my sentence was much harsher than it should

have been. I was handed 4.5 years and ended up serving

2.5 years, being released in the summer of 2007,” he

recounts.

In 1994, at the age of 25, John had invested in his first

gym while pursuing his engineering studies. The venture

flourished, expanding to include two fitness centers, two

nightclubs and a trucking company before his arrest in

2005.

“As a bouncer, you get to know a lot of people. So

I ended up selling for some friends, but as I mentioned,

it was Weed and not hard drugs. After that I felt unfairly

treated by the system and wanted a change.”

Upon his initial release, he found employment as an

engineer through the organization High Five. However, he

was laid off during the 2008 financial crisis. By that time,

he had already invested in his first apartment in Thailand

in 2005.

To pack up your “house”?

“Packing up house” signifies clearing one’s designated

area in the courtyard. This involves folding one’s blanket

and organizing the meager possessions one has managed

to acquire. Additionally, one’s “house” refers to a

prisoner’s social circle or “gang” in prison – the group of

people they associate with.

“Foreigners and Thais don’t really mingle. There are


Consequently, after about a year of freedom in

Denmark, he made the life-altering decision to move to

Pattaya.

Here, John established a construction company

called Meyer Constructions. He emphasizes that this business

venture contributed to his investments in multiple

apartments – properties that have been the subject of

controversy in the media.

Back in 2021

When John Finn was arrested in January 2021, reports

claimed he owned eight apartments in Pattaya. Allegedly,

these apartments were purchased with drug money.

John himself confirms that he owned eight apartments in

Pattaya prior to his arrest, but he firmly denies that they

were purchased with drug money.

“The apartments were investments made in connection

with my construction company. Before Covid,

I rented them out, but during the pandemic, the rental

conditions changed. So, I leased them to groups of men

who used the apartments for private parties. I had no

involvement in what they brought into the apartments

– whether it was alcohol, women, or drugs,” he clarifies.

Following his arrest, the apartments were searched,

leading to the discovery of more drugs. However, John

denies any association with these substances.

“I couldn’t tell them about the parties, cause if the

authorities asked for the names of everyone involved, I

wouldn’t be able to provide them, for obvious reasons,”

he elaborates.

Subsequently, his apartments and all his possessions

were confiscated. According to the media, assets worth

over 10,690,000 baht were seized from the Dane.

“I’ve lost everything,” John exclaims with a remarkable

calmness.

15 Minutes Later

During my first visit with John, a young guard approaches

us and signals toward me, holding a book in his hands. I

realize he’s requesting to borrow the phone I’m using

to communicate with John. I hand him the phone, and I

observe as he explains to John that the book he received

from the Danish priest in Thailand has been approved

and will be delivered to him. The guard kindly returns

the phone, flashing a smile that reveals the braces on his

teeth, appreciative of my cooperation.

As the 15-minute visitation time concludes, we are

asked to wrap up our conversation. John gets up from his

seat, tightly clutching his old beanie between his hands.

He moves slowly toward the exit, his head bowed. The

beanie remains pressed between his palms, while the

taped glasses, essential for his vision today though absent

in all pictures from his arrest three years ago, slide slightly

down his nose. In that moment, it’s difficult to believe

that John is only 54 years old, walking toward the prison

yard, and not a much older man heading toward the end

of his life.


Tour de Gulf of Thailand

Chumpon - Pattaya

with the Norwegian Church

The Tour de Gulf of Thailand is

not a race but a unique way to

experience Thailand, designed

to be flexible and enjoyable.

The 2023 trip once again

provided the participants with

a memorable and fulfilling

cycling experience.

By Sofie Roennelund


This year was special because we had a rest

day in the middle of the trip for the first time.

Previously, we would just bike for 7 days

in a row, but this time we had a day to relax,

and it had a very positive impact.

The Tour de Gulf of Thailand 2023, organized

by Hans Konrad Nyvoll of the Norwegian

Seamen’s Church in Pattaya, kicked off on

November 14, 2023 with zeal and determination,

marking the commencement of a

nine-day cycling adventure covering 700 kilometers from

Chumpon to Pattaya.

Clad in vibrant neon green suits, 34 cyclists from

the Norwegian Seamen’s Church in Pattaya embarked

on this annual event, with the departure taking place at

8 am from the Chumpon Seamen’s Church amidst an

overcast sky.

Despite the cloudy weather, spirits were high as the

cyclists embraced the challenges that lay ahead. The tour,

initiated in 2011, has been a recurring event, overcoming

hurdles such as the pandemic. This year, there were no

hindrances like a state of emergency, and even the looming

rain couldn’t dampen their enthusiasm.

As the cyclists geared up for the adventure, concerns

about potential rain were met with a simple response

from Hans, the organizer: “We just bike.” Rain

ponchos were mentioned, but the cyclists embraced the

inevitability of getting wet during the upcoming sweaty

days.

The journey kicked off towards Bangsaphan, 82 km

away, encountering challenges such as roads full of holes,

bridge construction, and minor re-directions. Despite the

obstacles, the cyclists pressed on, enjoying the trip with

smiles on their faces.

The non-competitive nature of the tour allowed

participants to choose their pace, adapting to the road

and weather conditions. Kjell Jvar Aase surprised everyone

by being the first cyclist to check in at Bangsaphan

around 11.30 am, just 3.5 hours after the start. His journey

included stops for food and drink and a brief deviation

from the ‘no cycling alone’ rule due to a mishap with

his phone. The cyclists, off to a good start, ended their first

day at a hotel by the coastline, with views of the ocean

to soothe their adrenaline.

The route, starting in Chumpon, southwest of Bangkok,

spanned eight stages with an average length of 86 km

per day. The initial days led the cyclists along the coast and

beautiful beaches, with a rest day in Cha Am after stage 4.

The journey continued around Samut Prakan, near Bangkok,

concluding with a celebratory dinner before the final

stretch to Pattaya, crossing a bridge outside Chonburi and

reaching the ultimate goal.

After overcoming bumpy roads, rain, and unexpected

challenges, the participants eagerly anticipated the

remaining stages of their cycling adventure through the

picturesque landscapes of the Gulf of Thailand.


Because of this trip,

we’ve just seen parts of

Thailand we perhaps

never would have

otherwise.

Arriving in Pattaya

The culmination of the Tour de Gulf of Thailand 2023

was the completion of the remarkable cycling journey.

On November 22, 2023, cyclists began arriving at the

Norwegian Seamen’s Church in Pattaya, concluding the

10-day adventure that started on November 14.

Despite the last leg from Chonburi to Pattaya spanning

93 km, the first cyclists triumphantly reached the

finish line at 11.27 am, a mere three and a half hours

after the 8 am departure. As they gathered at the church,

one cyclist humorously remarked, “Now we wait for next

year,” capturing the sentiment of both accomplishment

and anticipation for future cycling endeavors.

ScandAsia interviewed Gro Jørgensen, a participant

who arrived early, to gain insights into the unique experience.

She expressed how the journey provided a distinctive

perspective of Thailand, allowing them to explore

parts of the country they might not have encountered

otherwise.

When questioned about the physical challenges,

Gro responded, “Nah… Even though I haven’t biked a

lot prior to this, it’s definitely do-able. But of course, it’s

not short distances.” Other cyclists echoed similar sentiments,

arriving sweaty but not necessarily out of breath,

with smiles and camaraderie prevailing.

To commemorate their achievement, cyclists were

treated to pancakes, coffee, and soda at the church. However,

the main collective celebration occurred the night

before at the Chonburi hotel, where participants shared

a final dinner and raised toasts, relishing the memories

forged during the trip.

Hans Konrad Nyvoll, the organizer, shared his positive

sentiments about the journey upon checking in at

the church. He highlighted the pleasure of the trip, the

camaraderie among participants, and the scenic routes.

Despite a few accidents, he assured that everything was

alright. Nyvoll revealed that this year was special due to

the inclusion of a rest day, a first in the tour’s history. The

impact of the rest day was so positive that plans were

in place to incorporate even more rest days in the next

edition.

The essence of the Tour de Gulf of Thailand was emphasized

– it is not a race but a unique way to experience

Thailand, designed to be flexible and enjoyable. The 2023

trip embodied this ethos, providing participants with a

memorable and fulfilling cycling experience.


Thailand ‘Best Affordable

Long-haul Destination’

News brief

Thailand has secured the title

of ‘Best Affordable Long-haul

Destination’ in the Travel

Great RES Prize Destination 2024

awards. The award is organized by

RES and Travel News, a leading travel

industry magazine in Sweden.

The tribute is based on a survey

conducted by the research company

Nordic Bench and Travel News.

It reflects the choice of Swedish

travelers seeking a dream destination

that combines the best value

and quality.

This marks the third consecutive

year that Thailand has received

this recognition, formerly known as

the ‘Best Value for Money’ award.

“It is truly an honor to receive

this award once again. It’s an amazing

feeling to know that Thailand

remains the preferred destination

for Swedes over the years. We are

committed to sustaining our efforts

to ensure Thailand’s position as the

preferred long-haul destination for

many more years to come,” said

Krittika Rojanasap, Deputy Director

of the Tourism Authority of Thailand

(TAT) Stockholm Office.


News brief

Danish furniture BoConcept making

its way in Vietnam

BoConcept, the renowned

Danish furniture and design

company, has solidified its

presence in Vietnam by establishing

six stores in major cities such as Hanoi

and Ho Chi Minh City. The brand

offers a diverse range of home and

office furniture, along with accessories

and outdoor pieces. Additionally,

BoConcept provides personalized

customization and interior design

services to assist customers in creating

spaces that suit their preferences.

Nguy Linh Giang, a Vietnamese

English teacher in Hanoi, used Bo-

Concept’s products to furnish her

apartment for foreigners. She cited

the brand’s appeal in its “simple,

modern Scandinavian style” that

combines functionality with minimalistic

yet smart and elegant design,

as shared on her social media

account.

BoConcept recently unveiled its

“New Kollektion” featuring categories

for the Living room, Dining room,

Home Office, and Accessories.

Established in 1952 in Denmark

by Jens Ærthøj and Tage Mølholm,

BoConcept has become a

premium retail lifestyle brand. The

company operates under the guiding

principles of the “BoConcept

Way,” emphasizing culture, growth,

customer satisfaction, performance,

and, notably, the well-being of its

people. BoConcept has expanded

its reach to more than 300 stores

across sixty-plus countries, showcasing

its enduring commitment to delivering

quality and stylish furniture

worldwide.

Flying Tiger Copenhagen ready

to serve Filipino customers

Flying Tiger Copenhagen is

ready to greet shoppers in the

Philippines who are looking for

items for their home, friends, and

family. The Danish variety store chain

announced its plans to open the

first branch in the Philippines earlier

this year.

The store recently updated its

Christmas Collection featuring several

knick-knack items such as “Santa

Pens”, “Slippers”, “Gingerbread

Cups,” and Christmas ornaments.

“We bring Scandinavian elements,

affordability, and create a

joyful experience for customers in


our stores. Seeing people smile and

share their finds captures the essence

of what we aim to bring to

our customers,” said Martin Jermiin,

CEO of Flying Tiger Copenhagen, in

a press release.

Available from Nov. 25. - Dec. 24.

Stable Lodge’s CHRISTMAS LUNCH

Scandinavian buffet w/warm & cold cots BHT. 795.-Net

Private Christmas buffet Smørrebrød, as you request.

Any day from Nov. 25

(10 or more people can set 795.- B. net per person)

Traditional X-mas dinner from 7pm.

Pickled Salmon, Roasted Duck /Pork and Rice Pudding

THB. 1295.- Net. Children 695.- Net

Ticket Available for sale at the reception.

Stable Lodge’s Famous

CHRISTMAS LUNCH Buffet BHT. 895.-Net.

Please book your table, limited space.

ScandAsia December 2023

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