ScandAsia February 2020

FEB 2020

Community:

TSCC Celebrated 30 Years

SSS 100 Years in Thailand

Business:

Preparing Nordic Expats-to-be

Inspirational personal interviews

Peter

Luxenburg

A Swedish Entrepreneur

in Hong Kong

Realise your

ambitions in Asia.

Being the leading Nordic bank in Singapore we understand the unique challenges

you face when living and investing in Asia. As your partner, we will use our decades

of experience in the region to help you achieve your goals.

Contact us at singapore@seb.sg

Care for ambition

February 2020

Preparing Nordic

Expats-to-be

20

ScandAsia

Stories

8 New rules for Schengen visa

8 Norwegian consulate in Sabah

9 100 Years Celebrations

14 TSCC 30 Years Gala Dinner

32 First deck complete

on Johan Sverdrup

35 New restaurant at Hotel

Mermaid Bangkok

Peter Luxenburg


in Hong Kong

8

Swedish hotelier

Bjorn Richardsson

24

8

9

42

The importance of creative

writing in the youth

14

28

Finnish smart building

provider takes on Asia

35

4 ScandAsia • February 2020

Editorial

Sponsor an exchange student

When I put the little piece

together in this issue of

ScandAsia about the 100

Year Anniversary of Scandinavian Society

Siam - which will be glamorously

celebrated on 5 March 2020 in

Bangkok - I had just placed the story

about the Swedish Alumni in Hanoi

and the combination made me think

back on the many times, I have proposed

that Scandinavian Society Siam

should invest in sponsoring exchange

students between Thailand and the

Nordic countries.

I have always been met with

resistance on this point from other

board members throughout the

many, many years I was on the board

- and particularly in the year, that I

was Chairman. But now, as the Editor,

I will enjoy my privilege of having the

word. If you disagree, please write

an opinion and I will be pleased to

publish that in the the ScandAsia. So

here we go:

Why don’t you set up a scholarship

program to match your historic

100 year of presence in Thailand -

longer than any other Nordic grouping

in Thailand. This scholarship will

be the greatest gift you can give. A

scholarship will have the longest living

effect on the relationship between

Thailand and the Nordic countries.

It is like giving a young person a vaccination

of the Nordic country, that

they get to stay in for just one year,

which will stay with them for the rest

of their lives.

Don’t believe me? Then why do

you think there are Thai navy officers,

who speak Swedish today? Why do

you think there are Thai dairy managers,

who speak Danish today. The list

is long. But they are all historical. We

don’t do it today.

Every year, around one hundred

Thai students go as exchange students

to one of our Nordic home

countries. They go there with one of

five or six companies specialized in

arranging these exchanges. Paid for by

themselves or more truthfully by their

parents. When they come back, they

continue their educational paths and

one day, they will sit in key positions

in the industry, service sector, the

government. Would it not be good, if

they thought back with gratefulness

on the sponsorship, that set them on

their path to this career?

The only thing that annoys me

more than the fact that Scandinavian

Society Siam has never embraced this

obvious idea to enhance our mutual

relationship is the lack of attention

almost all embassies pay to a systematic

follow-up on all these students.

There must be hundreds, more likely

thousands of Thai students who have

been living as exchange students in

one of our Nordic countries. And this

valuable human material is allowed to

be unregistered and unattended to

and wither away. Were they invited to

the 100 Year Anniversary?

If you agree with some of the

above, I suggest you don’t wait for

anybody to establish this scholarship,

but consider setting up your own. In

particular if you are a company, you

can set all the conditions that will

bring the right kind of student to

your selected learning institution in

your home country that would one

day potentially benefit you company.

If not as an employee than in terms

of gratitude for the opportunity, your

company gave them in life.

With a bit of PR you could increase

the appeal of your company

and products within the wider student

audience, and we all know that

this 18-24 age group is one of the

most difficult audiences for brands to

reach. It’s the perfect time to position

your company as one that cares

about education and developing the

next generation of employees and

executives, capable of leading the

company and the country to future

successes.

You can even do it two way!

Support one of your staff to take in

a student from your home country

while studying a year in Thailand.

Talk about it. Do something

about it. Thank you for letting me

speak out - again.

Gregers Moller

Editor in Chief

ScandAsia is a printed magazine and online media

covering the people and businesses of Denmark,

Sweden, Norway, Finland living and working in

China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore,

Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos

and Myanmar.

Who should subscribe:

ScandAsia subscribers are typically Nordic expats

and companies from the Nordic countries living

in and active in Asia. Another group of subscribers

are Nordic people living in the Nordic countries

who subscribe to ScandAsia for personal or

business reasons. We also have many Asian

subscribers, who for a wide range of reasons are

following the activities of the Nordic expats and

companies via a subscription to ScandAsia.

The ScandAsia magazine is produced

every month and distributed to all

print version subscribers via postal

services and to all eMagazine subscribers

via email. Subscribing to the

eMagazine is FREE - simply sign up on

the ScandAsia.com website.

Become a ScandAsia user/

get free digital ScandAsia magazine

or paid subscription via

www.scandasia.com!

Publisher :

Scandinavian Publishing Co., Ltd.

211 Soi Prasert Manukitch 29

Prasert Manukitch Road

Bangkok 10230, Thailand

Tel. +66 2 943 7166-8

Fax: +66 2 943 7169

E-mail: news@scandasia.com

Editor-in-Chief :

Gregers A.W. Møller

gregers@scandmedia.com

Advertising :

Finn Balslev

finn@scandmedia.com

MB: +66 81 866 2577

Graphic Designer :

Peerapol Meesuwan

Peerapol@scandmedia.com

Production Manager:

Sopida Yatprom

Printing :

Thanathorn Print and

Packaging Part., Ltd.


What skills

does your child

need for a

successful

future?

Our

students

know.

At CIS we understand it’s not just excellent academic results that will prepare your child for a

successful future. Instead, it’s a balanced, holistic education covering a broad range of subjects

including the arts, sport, leadership and community service. Our students leave school with the skills

to thrive, succeed and own the future no matter what it looks like.

Learn more about our teaching approach at

www.cis.edu.sg/inquire or speak with an Admissions Executive

at 6734 8088.

As an IB World School, CIS offers the PYP, MYP and IB DP. Canadian International School Pte. Ltd. CPE Registration No: 199002243H. Period of Registration: 8 June 2019 - 7 June 2023

News brief

New rules for Schengen Visa

from February 2020

New EU rules on short-stay

visas to the EU - Schengen

area came into effect the 2

February 2020. The intention is to

make it easier for legitimate travellers

to apply for a visa to come to

Europe, facilitating tourism, trade

and business. At the same time, it

will free up resources to be used in

countering irregular migration risks

and threats to internal security.

Citizens of the following

countries continue to be on the list

of citizens that can fly to Europe

without having to apply for a

Schengen visa: Brunei, Japan, South

Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong

Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Taiwan.

Some of the changes are, that

applications can be submitted six

months prior to the trip instead

of three under the old rules, but

not later than 15 days before the

trip. Travel patterns will be used

to increase validity of multi-entry

visas up to five years. Applicants

will be able to fill out an application

in electronic form. Other updates

include the Visa fee increased 33%

from €60 to €80.

The system will this month be

operational in London, Hong Kong,

Central Europe, Africa and the middle

East, Australia and Asia (except

China, India and the Philippines). In

March it will be extended to the rest

of Russia, China, India, Philippines.

More about the rules here:

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/

presscorner/detail/en/qanda_20_149

Norway opens Honorary Consulate

in Sabah

Norwegian Honorary Consul Anders

Moller (left), next to Datuk Christina

Liew, Minister of Tourism, Culture and

Innovation and Norwegian Ambassador

Gunn Jorid Roset (centre), Ambassador

of Denmark to Malaysia, Jesper Vahr,

and Foreign Affairs Ministry, Sabah

Regional Office Director, Anwar Udzir.

Photo: Borneotoday


Norway has officially opened

a Honorary Consulate in

Sabah to strengthen bilateral

relationship between Norwegians

and Sabahans on 20 January

2020.

Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd

Shafie Apdal welcomed Norway

Honorary Consul in Malaysia, Anders

Moller to the group of Honorary

Consuls in the State.

He hoped with the

establishment of the consulate

will offer a possibility for increased

contact between Norway and Sabah

and that even more Norwegians will

come and explore the State.

“I know Moller has lived in

Sabah for many years and will be

able to give good and accurate

assistance if needed by Norwegians

and Norwegian businesses in Sabah.

He will be an asset to the joint

efforts by the State and Norway to

increase our relations,” he said.

Finland says rail link to China

important to Nordic cooperation

News brief

The Finnish Minister for Development

Cooperation and

Foreign Trade, Ville Skinnari,

has stressed the importance for

Nordic cooperation of the rail link

between Finland and China.

The minister said according

to the Finnish national media, Yle.

that the Norwegian and Swedish

industries are interested in

cooperating in logistics with Finland.

“This cooperation has now

been prepared. They want to deliver

products by rail to China and Russia,

and now we have this channel for

fast delivery of products by train to

China.”

Noting that it is strategically

important that Nordic countries

“see the transportation alternatives

together,” said Skinnari, “when it

comes to speed when traveling east,

Finland is the solution.”

He said the trains are important,

especially for sophisticated products

that need to be transported quickly.

Amazing 100 Year Anniversary

of Scandinavian Society Siam

Scandinavian Society Siam invites

all Nordic people and

people related to the Nordic

countries to join the celebration of

the 100th anniversary of the Society

on Thursday 5th of March 2020 in

Bangkok.

The great party will take place

in the Glass House in Nai Lert Park

Heritage Home in the middle of

Bangkok, surrounded by the more

than 100 years old magnificent

garden with old-style Thai teak

houses.

Amazingly, this location was

available on exactly the same day

100 years ago in 1920 when the

Society was registered.

On 5th March 2020, the

registration starts as early as 17.30,

so the guests may use the daylight

for the amazing photo opportunities

in the garden.

As there is a sit-down dinner

the seating is limited to 200 seats.

The Norwegian opera singer

Adrian Angelico will perform at the

party with his impressive soprano

voice. And after dinner, the many

dancing queens and kings will be

able to fill the dance floor to the

tunes of the Swing King Band.

You can make reservation for

the 100th Anniversary by email to

treasurer@sss.or.th with your name

and number of guests.

Party Facts:

Time and date:

Thursday 5th of March 2020

The registration starts at 17.30 hrs.,

dinner at 19.00 hrs.

Outfit idea:

Theme: Gatsby 1920

Price:

4500 Baht Members (SSS, TSCC,

NTCC, TFCC, DTCC)

4900 Baht Non-Members

February 2020 • ScandAsia 9

News brief

Telenor Group

announces CEO

changes in Asian

subsidiaries

Telenor Group announced on

16 January 2020 new Chief

Executive Officers in three of

its Asian subsidiaries; Telenor Myanmar,

dtac in Thailand and Grameenphone

in Bangladesh.

Mr. Sharad Mehrotra, CEO

of Telenor Myanmar, has been

appointed the new CEO of dtac,

Telenor Group’s mobile operator

in Thailand. He replaces Ms.

Alexandra Reich, who resigned

from the company. Hans Martin

Hoegh Henrichsen, currently Chief

Corporate Affairs Officer in Telenor

Myanmar, will become acting CEO

after Mehrotra. Grameenphone’s

deputy CEO and CMO, Yasir Azman

has been appointed the new CEO

of the Bangladeshi operation,

with current CEO Michael Foley

relocating to Africa, where his family

is based.

Thai media Kaohoon quotes

an unnamed source for explaining

the resignation of dtac CEO Ms.

Alexandra Reich with disagreements

on dtac’s 5G bidding strategy.

In a press release about the

replacement of Alexandra Reich,

Sigve Brekke, President and CEO of

Telenor Group, says:

“After leading our Thai mobile

operator through a challenging

transition including new spectrum

and network rollout and a renewed

focus on customer satisfaction and

distribution excellence, Alexandra

Reich has delivered solid results

according to the back-to-growth

strategy outlined in dtac’s Capital

Markets Day in June 2019. We are

grateful to Reich for her willingness

to step in and support dtac in the

very important transformational

phase, and we wish her all the best

in her next leadership role.”

“With Reich seeking new

opportunities, we are pleased that

Sharad Mehrotra will join dtac and

bring valuable insights and knowledge

to Thailand from Myanmar and India,

where he has managed a strong

commercial turnaround,” says Sigve

Brekke, President and CEO of

Telenor Group.

“I am also pleased that Yasir

Azman has accepted the challenge

to lead our operations in Bangladesh.

While also serving as deputy

CEO, he has run one of our best

performing sales and distribution

organisations in Telenor Group.

Having risen through the ranks, it’s

extra special to welcome Azman

as the first home-grown CEO of

Grameenphone. I’d like to take this

opportunity to thank Michael Foley

for leading the company through an

impressive digital transformation as

well as his valuable contributions

also in Pakistan and Bulgaria,” adds

Brekke.

The changes took effect on 1st

February 2020.

Indonesia to buy Danish ships to

strengthen coastal guard patrol

Indonesian Goverment announced

on 17 January 2020 it’s

intention to buy more warships

built in Denmark, possible similar to

the Iver Huitfeldt size frigates, which

Indonesia bought from Denmark

last year. The warships will reportedly

be used to guard Indonesia’s

outermost waters, including around

the Natuna Islands.

The Natuna sea is currently

the focus of the ongoing Chinese

territorial expansion at sea. The area

has come under the government’s

attention due to reported

illegal fishing by foreign ships

at its 200-nautical mile exclusive

economic zone. Most recently, an

Indonesian warship was in a close

encounter with a Chinese coast

guard which accompanied several

Chinese fishing boats in the area.

Indonesia’s Maritime Security

Agency (Bakamla) is about to be

appointed Indonesia’s coast guard

and will need more ships.

“After the appointment of

Bakamla is completed, we want

similar vessels.” (Similar to the Danish

frigates, Ed.). “Probably not frigates,

but we want our coast guard to

be capable of sailing the Natuna

Sea as well,” Maritime Affairs and

Investment Coordinating Minister

Luhut said according to Jakarta

globe.


Norwegian biologist received

honorary award from China

China granted its 2019 International

Science and Technology

Cooperation Award

on 10th January 2020, Norway won

for the first time ever while Finland

got scientific honour for another

year.

This award recognizes the key

roles foreign scientists have played

in China’s scientific development,

as well as China’s growing effort

to diversify its scientific partners

in recent years, according to the

National Office for the Science and

Technology Awards.

Professor Nils Stenseth, a noted

Norwegian evolutionary biologist

and a professor at the University

of Oslo in Norway said, “I feel very

much honoured to be given the

award, which represents profound

recognition of the collaborative

work I’ve been involved in with

Chinese scientists over the last 25

years.”

“Last year, China and Norway

celebrated the 65th anniversary of

the establishment of diplomatic ties,

and this relationship has facilitated

recent government-level scientific

cooperation between the two

countries,” he said.

In 2015, the Research Council

of Norway launched a new funding

program to support its international

scientific projects and partnerships,

which involved Chinese partner

institutions, he said. Some notable

examples include the study of

ecology and the evolution of plague,

News brief

the social impact of climate change

and photovoltaics for sustainable

development, according to Xinhua.

“This partnership is of the

utmost importance for the higher

education and research sector

in Norway,” Prof. Stenseth said,

adding that China and Norway

are powerhouses in research and

education in fields such as marine

science and the environment.

“We thus have much to learn

from each other.”

Professor Nils Stenseth, second from the right in the center, received a medal of

honour from Chinese Academy of Science in 2018. Photo: @Unioslo_titan

Ramboll acquires Singaporean

consultant Web Structures

Danish consulting engineer

Ramboll has announced the

acquisition of Singaporean

consultant Web Structures, which

specialises in design and engineering

services for high-rise buildings, on 7

January 2020.

Ramboll’s previous project, Port of

San Diego climate change planning

services. Photo: Rambol

The deal will allow Ramboll

to expand to its 4,500 payroll

with 120 designers and engineers

based in offices in Singapore, Kuala

Lumpur, Shanghai and London. Web

Structures has undertaken more

than 650 projects in more than 28

countries since 1996.

Richard Beard, the managing

director of Ramboll Buildings,

said the deal was “integral to our

international growth strategy. With

more colleagues based in Singapore,

Ramboll can offer integrated

services.”

Hossein Rezai, founding

director of Web Structures, said his

firm had not agreed to the merger

for commercial reasons, but because

there was a “strategic fit” between

the two companies’ ambitions. He

added that Ramboll’s environmental

credentials “tilted the balance”.

“At these times of climate crisis

and serious threat to biodiversity,

Ramboll’s responsible attitude

towards the environment is

commendable. We are joining forces

to work harder together to achieve

these goals through design,” Rezai

said.


News brief

Photo exhibition for Sweden Alumni

Network Vietnam

The Sweden Alumni Network

Vietnam organized a photo

exhibition to share their

memorable moments in Sweden

“The Sweden Memory Photo Exhibition

– Vietnam” on 12th January

2020. The event was held at the

Ambassador of Sweden residence,

Ambassador Ann Mawe was one of

the honorary guests.

The main activities included

mini talkshow, trivia and giving gifts

to 10 participants for the most

impressive work voted by the

Advisor and the 5 most favorite

works voted by the audience.


The 10 most impressive works

voted by the Board of Advisor:

1. Hoang Bich Lien

2. Chau Tran

3. Nguyen Manh Duc

4. Martin Sigbjorn

5. Nguyen Mai Han

6. Nguyen Ngoc Son

7. Nguyen Phuong Anh

8. Doan Phuong Dung

9. Le Bich

10. Tran Viet Van

5 most favorite works voted by

audience

1. Mr. Serious

2. Tran Thi Normal

3. Tham Nguyen

4. Thuy Huong Nguyen

5. Ha Trang Van

The Sweden Students Alumni

expressed their appreciation to all

participants that sent the photo to

the program and congratulations

to all that have been selected the

winners by the Board of Advisor and

audience.

A WORLD OF

OPPORTUNITY

We inspire children to discover passions and interests

by exposing them to experiences in and beyond the

classroom. This combined with the rigour of a strong

academic programme gives them the foundations to

become global citizens who shape their world

through independence, empathy, creativity and

critical thinking.

admissions@patana.ac.th

Tel: +66 (0) 2785 2200

www.patana.ac.th

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


TSCC held Nobel-themed

Gala Dinner and 30 th

Anniversary Celebration

Photos and text: Joakim Persson

The Thai-Swedish Chamber of Commerce

marked 30 years as organisation in 2019,

culminating with its ‘TSCC Nobel Gala

Dinner’ grand celebration, held in Bangkok

on Saturday 23 November.

Members and friends from far and near had

also flown in for the auspicious occasion. Those from

abroad (Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia and Sweden) were

especially highlighted with thanks by the TSCC President,

Mr Anders Lundquist.

“We have all the reasons to be happy tonight as

we are here to celebrate the 30 years anniversary of

one of the most prestigious chambers of commerce

in the region. We are pleased to have here tonight not

only members and friends from Thailand but also a

number of members and friends from other countries,”

he began, as he named those international guests.

“30 years ago ten young businessmen took the

initiative to establish the Thai-Swedish Chamber of

Commerce and were very strongly supported by our

ambassador at the time, Olof Fernström, and as you

can see, some of the founding members are here now

as Governors, and, 30 years later, they look equally as

young as then,” he joked.

Anders Lundquist also shared an anecdote from

back when it had started: “We were immensely lucky

to have His Majesty the Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf,

accompanied by Queen Silvia, inaugurating our chamber.

That was held at the former Siam Intercontinental Hotel.

The King stood up and held a short speech, where he

looked across the hall of the big room and said that he

did not think our logo was sexy enough. A few years

later I had the honour to meet the King in the garden

of an old church here in Thailand and I reminded him

of this. The King then said with surprise: ‘Did I really say

that?’ Yes, the King said that.”

The President, who is holding this position for the

third time, was also himself highlighted by the evening’s

master of ceremony, Mr Lars Svensson, along with

some other individuals in the founding team, namely

Mr Göran Ehren, Mr Jan Eriksson, Mr Worachai

Bhicharnchitr and Dr Soon Kaewchansilp.


The President also explained the chosen theme

for the gala by saying: “Tonight’s table arrangement

follows the formula of a Nobel Gala Dinner, and the

dinner tonight is inspired by the menu of the Nobel

banquet in 1989. And this is a time of the year when

the Nobel prices have been awarded in Sweden, widely

regarded as the most prestigious price for intelligence

achievements in the world. The ceremonial presentations

of the awards will take place in a couple of week’s

time in Stockholm and of course for the peace prize

in Oslo. This is a noble way to honour Alfred Nobel,

arguably one the most famous Swedes of all times, and

whose generous will was the origin of the prizes.”

The President continued to reflect on the 30 years

gone past: “Having turned thirty and looking back at

our efforts to promote Sweden, to promote Swedish

companies, products and values, I feel that there is a

lot we can be proud of. In some instances we have

been forerunners; we were the first foreign chamber of

commerce of any nationality to visit Vietnam after the

war, foreseeing the economic prospects of the country.”

The President also mentioned some of many

memorable functions and Annual General Meeting

speakers and ended his speech by thanking the

organising team of the chamber office, led by Executive

Director Pojanath Bhatanacharoen, who had performed,

he said, with “incredible spirit and feeling”.

A movie was then shown, featuring historic Thai-

Swedish connections and milestones from the past thirty

years with the chamber, sharing information that would

later in the night be part of a smart phone-driven quiz

that engaged all the guests with vibrancy.

Lars Svensson also thanked TSCC’s scholarship

sponsor Mr Ingvar Krook for supporting young students

to have scholarships at the Chamber - donated by this

Swede from his own pockets.

Ingvar, in his speech, explained the background,

how he used to be the Executive Director (ED) for

the Swedish Foreign Trade Association, followed by the

Swedish Youth Abroad foundation, also as ED, where he

was involved in giving scholarships for Swedish youngsters

living abroad and expanded that also to trainees at

Swedish chambers of commerce organisations abroad.

“It’s great to be here and it feels almost as if

time has been standing still, because I had some very

early contacts with the Chamber, which was via Anders

running things, and now I come back 30 years later and

Anders is still here as Chairman!” said Ingvar Krook in his

address.“

“I have seen the importance of the chambers

during the years and also the cooperation of possibilities

that we have, and – as was said – the chambers are

part of Team Sweden, which is the government-created

thing out on the local arenas in the world. And I think it’s

a very important work that you do out here.”

I liked it so much to see young people having

the possibility to come out to get the context and

experience and maybe to go on work for some nice

company afterwards. And I had such good experience

from TSCC so I thought I’d make a scholarship on my

own and I also started one in Burma,” he continued as

he announced the scholarship for 2020 as anniversary

gift to TSCC.

The Nobel Gala Dinner consisted in ‘Two Ways

of Salmon’ as starter with Beet Root Cured Salmon

& Smoked Salmon Tartare, Baby Herbs, Charcoal

Tuile, Parsley Oil and Truffle Sauce, followed by mains;

Australian Beef Sirlion or Butter Fish, both alternatives

serviced with Green Pea Puree, Potato Fondant, Tomato

Confit and Truffle Mushroom Sauce. For dessert the chef

had made a modern interpretation of Mango Sticky Rice

– ‘Filo Parcel’, with Vanilla Ice Cream, Coconut Crème

Anglaise and Thai Basil with Berries Salsa.

Post-dinner a lucky draw followed with many and

very impressive prizes. What made both the gift

sponsor and the winner astonished was when Mr

Anders Frummerin for the third time won a prize from

Husqvarna, handed over by Mr Jan Eriksson. It was third

in a row for Anders, as TSCC celebrated thirty in style.


Peter Luxenburg:


in Hong Kong


Although just 43 years old, Peter Luxenburg has already

had a wealth of international experience having lived and

worked in Sweden, Germany, China and now Hong Kong.

By Colin Rampton

There are parts of Kowloon that rate among

the most densely populated areas in the

world. There is, however, an oasis in this

area just across the harbour from Hong

Kong island, where it is possible to escape

the crowds, albeit temporarily. It is always a pleasure to

experience the tranquillity of Kowloon Park and on one

sunny morning recently I happily wandered along its quiet

paths and listened to the urban birdsong. I even admired

the somewhat pale flamingos who stand serenely on

single legs in their shallow pond and languorously survey

the locals at their morning tai-chi. It was a good start

to my day. A pleasant day, which was consolidated by

spending two hours or so in the lobby of the nearby

Langham Hotel in the company of the personable and

very interesting Swedish entrepreneur Peter Luxenburg.

Peter is the founder and owner of Frost Limited, a

rapidly expanding consultancy company which specializes

in helping clients to create and optimize sales, particularly

on Amazon. The company has sourcing partners

throughout China and advises with product research,

creation, monitoring and shipping to any Amazon

warehouse worldwide.

An International Citizen

Although just 43 years old, Peter has already had a wealth

of international experience having lived and worked in

Sweden, Germany, China and now Hong Kong. Peter

also embarked upon innumerable business trips to many

parts of Asia, South America and Africa during his time

as the Far East Executive for Markslöjd the Swedish

Decorative Lighting Company.

Peter arrived in the southern Chinese city of

Dongguan, close to the Hong Kong border in 2007. He

had been seconded by the company from its Stockholm

office, initially for one year. Thirteen years, a wife and

three small children later he is happily settled in the

region and currently lives at Yuen Long, in Hong Kong’s

New Territories. He maintains an office on Canton Road

in Kowloon and the Langham Hotel is close by.

Freedom to Develop

Peter had a lot of freedom during his time at Markslöjd.

He was tasked with exploring the markets for decorative

lighting and would arrange and embark upon trips at his

own instigation. He would often be away from home

for three or four weeks at a time and take in as many

countries. He reeled off a list – India, Thailand, Vietnam,

Dubai, Qatar, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Chile, Brazil,

Russia. Often these visits followed up initial enquiries

from trade exhibitions in Hong Kong and China which

led to overseas contacts being created. Peter has a

natural charm and ease with people and was successful

in using these skills with customers from many cultures

and backgrounds. He explained that his methods of doing

business were unrushed and non-pushy.

“I always took the time to learn the local culture. I

would eat the local foods and follow the local customs.”

A Reflective Incident

During this period of Peter’s life, one memorable, if

undesirable experience remains vivid in his mind. This

happened early in 2011 during a visit to the Egyptian

capital, Cairo. Despite indications of unrest, he was

reassured by an Egyptian friend of the country’s safety.

But on the day after he arrived, the Egyptian Uprising, a

part of the “Arab Spring” occurred and the city was soon

in a state of emergency. He could not travel to meet the

local agent; the internet and telecom networks were shut

down and a curfew imposed at 2pm every day.

“Prisoners escaped from jail, there were gunmen and

tanks on the street. For 5 days I was stuck in the hotel. The

city was in chaos.”

By paying inflated prices, Peter was eventually able

hire a driver to take him across the city, secure a room at

the airport hotel and after many hours of waiting, finally

get a seat on a flight to Dubai. The whole experience was

dramatic, exciting and very scary.

“I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Having heard about Peter’s worst experience, I

asked in which country he felt most at home. The

unexpected answer was Lebanon. He found Beirut to be

a fascinating mix between the Arab and European worlds

and despite the city’s troubles, the people there were

very friendly and hospitable.


A Multi-Linguist

Peter’s linguistic skills have been hugely advantageous

in his business career. He can converse in Swedish,

English, Polish, German, French and Mandarin Chinese

and wherever he goes he can usually find someone with

whom he can talk. It was clear from our time together

that Peter is a natural communicator.

“I used to deal with a lot of Russian clients. They often

preferred not to speak in English but would happily chat to

me in Polish.”

Despite the kudos of numerous contracts and

accomplishments while working for Markslöjd, the

company began to run down its overseas operations

and Peter was asked to return to Europe. With a wife and

small children happily settled in Hong Kong, this did not

appeal, and Peter decided to go it alone. This was in 2013.

A Lone Venture

As a side-line Peter had already established a successful

Amazon online business ‘Trendy Bartender’. This was a

company which sourced and sold bar products such as

shot glasses, jiggers, cocktail shakers, openers and other

items. He was now inspired to put all his efforts into

building up the company and for the next 3 years, worked

long hours to build, develop and publicise the company

with the result that it became extremely profitable. Ever

willing to adapt however, Peter could not refuse a good

offer from a buyer.

Frost Limited

After realizing that people were forever asking his advice

as to how to source and sell their products on Amazon

and other online forums, Peter decided to use his hardgained

knowledge to become a full-time consultant.

Frost Limited came into being in 2015. The name reflects

Peter’s Swedish roots.

Peter’s current role at his company involves giving

advice to start-ups and existing companies about ways

to create and develop their product ranges and sales

capacities using Amazon and other on-line forums. Many

customers have come to him through word of mouth

and include companies from the UK, France, Germany,

Israel, Australia, USA, Hong Kong and China. His work

involves frequent visits to factories in China, and while he

has no direct employees, he works closely with a list of

virtual assistants, contractors and local agents.

Peter regularly gives presentations to gatherings of

up to 100 business people and he showed me a very

professional and detailed power point. He finds these

occasions very stimulating, and contacts made in such

gatherings can often lead to mutually beneficial business

cooperation. As he succinctly puts it:

“Trade brings people together.”

Swedish Roots

Peter is from a large family and he has two brothers

and two sisters in Sweden. Although he grew up in

Stockholm, he did a foundation degree at the University

of Trollhӓttan. Initially he wanted to be sailor, but after

a short spell aboard an oil tanker in the icy Baltic, he

changed his mind and studied for a further degree in

mechanical engineering at the University of Ӧrebro. The

last year of his course was spent in Augsburg in Bavaria,

where he was taught and studied in German.

After working as a mechanical engineer for a German

company in Sweden, Peter’s ability to connect with people

as well as his language skills were spotted. Soon he was

travelling extensively throughout his home country selling

German products. Later came the position at Markslöjd

and the opportunity to spread his wings overseas from

the burgeoning markets of China.

I asked if he was homesick arriving in a strange

country alone and aged just 30. But Peter, being friendly

and outgoing, was not fazed.

“There was nothing not to like. It was a totally different

country, people were friendly – I was accepted and even

made to feel special.”

At 6 feet 2 inches, Peter’s height also helped him to

stand out from the crowd.

Family Life

Peter met his Chinese wife Zoe in Dongguan and they

married in 2011. They obviously helped each other

linguistically, and their three small children (Nathalie 5,

Olivia 3 and Alexander 1) are growing up in a multi-lingual

environment. As well as their parents’ native languages,

they also understand the English of the family’s domestic

helper and the Cantonese taught at kindergarten.


Despite the recent political turmoil of Hong Kong,

Peter has no plans to leave. He is appreciative of the

health care and educational opportunities to be found in

the SAR. His home is conveniently close to the border

with Mainland China.

To relax Peter plays tennis, and he and Zoe take

occasional weekend trips together. Apart from family and

friends, the only tangible thing he really misses about his

homeland is the food. He wants the children to be aware

of their Swedish heritage and he ensures they have an

annual trip back to Stockholm.

Peter is truly an International citizen who has not

let cultural or language barriers stand in his way. It was a

pleasure to listen to him and to learn from this bright and

articulate young entrepreneur whose business is clearly

flourishing.

On my way to the MTR station, I paid a quick call

into the park to check on the flamingos. They were

dabbling contentedly so I left them to it and braved the

crowds of Downtown Kowloon.

For information about Peter Luxenburg and his

company please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/

peterluxenburg/ https://www.frostlimited.com/


Preparing new Nordic

expats-to-be

Being properly prepared can help ensure a smooth transition

into a new lifestyle and foreign culture. This is a process so

crucial that it can make or break the opportunity.

By Anniken Celina Grinvoll

Most Nordic employers prepare their

staff well for their posting in Asia to

achieve a successful foreign assignment.

Learning the cultural do’s and the don’ts

may be critical to prevent and handle

the challenges that may arise while working and living

in Asia. Being properly prepared can help ensure a

smooth transition into a new lifestyle and foreign culture.

This is a process so crucial that it can make or break

the opportunity. The corporate global trend of sending

employees abroad for work offers many opportunities

and benefits for both the employee and the employer,

but also comes with potential risks.

The preparations

Wanting to know how Scandinavian expats come

prepared for a posting in the region, ScandAsia talked

with two leading Nordic companies present in Asia who

let us in on their preparation process.

Starting with Scania, the 128 year old Swedish

transport solutions provider with worldwide presence

in about 100 countries, has in recent years set ambitious

growth targets for Asia with 57 Scandinavian expats

currently posted in their Asian markets. Like other large

business organizations, a foreign assignment is a key

element in a career development at Scania.

“The preparation phase for each assignee starts 4-6

months prior to the estimated start of the assignment

with practical information distribution in regards to

the assignment and policies, before meeting the global

relocation management company, that we use for

handling all aspects related to the relocation process -

from shipping of household goods to immigration,” says

Maria Baqeri, acting Head of global assignments at Scania.

Maria Baqeri, acting Head of global assignments at

Scania:


“The preparation phase for each assignee starts 4-6

months prior to the estimated start of the assignment

with practical information distribution in regards to the

assignment and policies”

A chance to get an understanding and feel of

how life in the host country may look like is part of the

preparations.

“There will be a pre-assignment trip for the employee

and their family, where they will be accompanied by our

provider on a location tour, school search and home

search,” adds Maria.

Partner support

Scania focuses on support for the accompanying partner

in order to achieve a successful stay abroad and Maria

explains:

“There will be partner support, for those with an

accompanying partner, where the partner will receive a

coaching program in the host country. The mapping of

needs and wishes and tailoring of a coaching program

with options such as job search, self-employment, career

continuation and integration will be done prior to arrival,

in accordance with what the partner wants to do during

the time abroad. A web based social network 100%

dedicated to relocating partners from around the world

will also be available with online assessment, a job search

engine and relevant information material.”

“Next are briefings about insurance, taxes in both

home and host country before a medical examination for

the assignee and their partner as well as vaccinations for

the entire family. And there will be security training for

the assignee in the host country in accordance with local

procedures and country specific necessities.”

Preparations to get culturally integrated are also

encouraged.

“Language training is offered to the whole family

before assignment start for a smoother integration, which

can be continued when they arrive to the host country.

And at the start of the assignment there will be a cultural

training for the employee and accompanying partner

held in the host country by a local consultant, focused on

the culture of the host country and the possible cultural

shocks,” concludes Maria Baqeri, acting Head of global

assignments at Scania, about how their employees are

being prepared to undertake a posting in Asia.

Regarding experience with early repatriations,

Baqeri had the following to say:

“We have had a few early repatriations in the Asia

region and most of them were due to that the person

received a job offer in the home country. The end date

were, in those cases, not that long before the original

end date.”

Assessment test

Next we talked with KONE, the 109 year old Finnish

company in the elevator and escalator industry with a

worldwide presence in 60 countries including eleven

Asian markets.

Hanna Rutanen, Communications director at Kone,

let us in on their process for a successful expatriate

posting:

“When we consider a new assignment and have

identified a potential candidate, the first step is to

evaluate an employee’s readiness and competencies

seen as critical for a successful international assignment,”

Hanna Rutanen explains.

Hanna Rutanen, Communications director at Kone:

“Before final commitment to the assignment,

the employee and partner have a possibility to visit

the destination country to see potential living areas,

housing and school options as well as visit the local

Kone office.”

Maria Baqeri, SCANA’s Acting Head of Golbal Assignments.

Hanna Rutanen, KONE’s Communications Director


Lisa Johnson, Global practice leader of the consulting

services of Crown World Mobility.

“Working in a foreign environment requires cultural

understanding, adaptability and interactive skills. And as

the family plays a key role in successful expatriation, also

accompanying partners are included in the assessment

process.”

“Next, every international assignee at Kone is

provided with the same support and information at

the start of the assignment process. They are guided

with different information sources depending on the

destination country, together with global and host country

specific policies of Kone. Briefing on policies, assignment

terms and conditions, and life opportunities in the new

country is provided - including housing, living conditions

and other relevant information in accordance with the

assignee’s family status.”

“Before final commitment to the assignment, the

employee and partner have a possibility to visit the

destination country to see potential living areas, housing

and school options as well as visit the local Kone office,”

Hanna explains further.

Kone supports working towards breaking cultural

and language barriers before moving to Asia.

“To support settling into the new culture, working

and living environment, Kone emphasizes the need for

cross-cultural training, which is arranged for the employee

and partner before relocation to the new country. And

they may also receive language training.”

“To ensure a smooth transfer process, Kone

offers relocation services related to immigration,

accommodation, health care, children’s schooling and

household goods move,” adds the Communications

director in her explanation how Kone prepares their

employees for a fruitful time in their Asian markets.

When things go wrong

Things do not always go as planned and early termination

Joanne Danehl, intercultural and language training expert

at Crown World Mobility.

of the expatriate assignment sometimes happens.

“Early repatriation tends to be a small minority for

most companies, however when they do occur, they are

significant due to the financial cost to the company and

the emotional and professional cost to the employee,

their family and for the employee’s host team,” says Lisa

Johnson, Global practice leader of the consulting services

of World Crown Mobility, a leading global mobility

services company assisting many Nordic clients with

relocation to countries in Asia.

“Early repatriation tends to be a small minority for

most companies, however when they do occur, they are

significant due to the financial cost to the company and

the emotional and professional cost to the employee,

their family and for the employee’s host team,” says Lisa

Johnson, Global practice leader of the consulting services

of World Crown Mobility.

There can be many reasons why some expatriates

do not find a new home in their new host country.

According to Crown World Mobility, inability to adapt

to the new location is a primary reason. Other reasons

are that the job responsibilities or the location is not

what was expected - based on what was presented

beforehand. Or an unexpected change in the employee’s

personal life or in the quality of life of the host country

such as political upheaval.

Family and partner related issues, and the assignee

getting a new job are also common reasons for early

repatriation, research shows.

“Best practices for setting up employees and their

families for success is to ensure that expectations are

met. Setting realistic expectations up front is a priority,”

advises Lisa.

Joanne Danehl, the intercultural and language

training expert at Crown World Mobility, uses an analogy

we can all understand:


“International assignments are like sandwiches.

Everyone is worried about the filling – the actual

assignment – but people forget you need solid bread to

hold that filling together.”

Premature termination of an assignment is only one

risk. On the other hand you have those expatriates who

decides to stay on in the country or region after the

completion of their work assignment. They often fall in

love with the place and want to stay and look for other

work opportunities.

In many cases, this workforce can be more flexible

since they are already based in Asia. They are obviously

well integrated and they come without the requirements

of the additional costs that comes with posting a new

expat. Hiring localized expats on a localized package,

on local terms with local conditions, has become an

increasingly popular option for employers in Asia.

Quitting after returning

Back in the home country, a high proportion of returning

expatriates leave their jobs within the first year or two of

coming home, according to industry research.

There are several reasons for this, according

to research findings by Benjamin Bader, professor at

Newcastle University who has done extensive research

on global mobility issues over the years. According to

Benjamin Bader, here are the main reasons:

Not knowing which position they will work in when

they get home - which is common for expatriates

- Dissatisfaction with the new position not meeting

expectations

- Not utilizing knowledge gained abroad

- The feeling of being less important or less

appreciated by the employer compared to when

they were on assignment

- Failed reintegration and reverse culture shock

Many corporations underestimate or do not see the

repatriation time as an important period of the cycle of

the international assignment, and do not have a sufficient

repatriation process in place to prepare for the return of

expatriates.

Danehl at Crown World Mobility advises

corporations to plan employee’s repatriation before the

assignment even starts.

“This way you can also manage their expectations

and make them responsible for learning the skills they will

need for their future role,” she says.

Expatriates are typically considered highly valued

employees by their employers with knowledge gained

in their foreign markets, suggesting the key importance

of their retention. Sending employees abroad is an

employer’s risky investment that may become costly if

they end up losing valuable employees.


Swedish hotelier in Bangkok’s

latest luxury wave:

Björn Richardsson


137 Pillars Residences & Suites in Bangkok, is the opulent, specific

hotel that has once again re-united two really good Swedish

friends as well as hoteliers. Hotel manager Björn Richardson tells

the story how and shares insights about his latest very luxurious

hotel environment and the local luxury scene.

Photos and text: Joakim Persson

Going back nearly twenty years destiny

saw that two Swedes met for the time in

Hua Hin, Thailand, both being hoteliers.

Björn Richardson was then briefly the

caretaker for a hotel in between one

General Manager leaving and the next one to be

appointed – turning out to be Mr Christopher Stafford.

Björn could not have guessed from his name that he

was in fact Swedish too.

That hotel became the first ever Anantara hotel,

which is today an international brand from Thailand.

Christopher and Björn became good friends through

work and gradually also best friends privately. It takes

two to tango; they developed and ran the wellknown

Anantara up in the Golden Triangle, including

its renowned elephant camp –which also led to the

two of them being heavily involved in introducing the

sport elephant polo in Thailand, which also became an

internationally known charity event by Anantara.

Later Björn ended up working for Oakwood City

Residences in Bangkok, back then the world’s largest

serviced apartment property. He continued within

Oakwood group for eleven years. Until the phone rang

from Christopher: ‘Now the time has come, will you join

me?’ Whatever it was Björn did not hesitate to say yes.

So two decades later hospitality has re-united

them again, with both involved in the 137 Pillars brand.

Actually, Christopher had consulted him some

years back for some advice for a hotel developer

considering building serviced apartments in

Bangkok. The result is 137 Pillars Suites & Residences

Bangkok, down Sukhumvit 39, as the group’s second

property, following the 30-suite 137 Pillars House Chiang

Mai. As Björn’s latest challenge he has now been its

General Manager for two years, while Christopher works

as COO.

“One did not know it would become as superb

as this is!” exclaims Björn. “This is a fantastic product

– without any doubt the best serviced residences in

Bangkok. I’d say; we have some special things here that

you perhaps do not have in all other serviced apartments,

with very good architecture in space planning, balcony on

every room etc.”

Adding to that this high-rise property (open since

February 2017) featues 34 exquisitely appointed suites.

“The positioning for the suites is in the boutique

luxury segment, where our level of quality compares

with Mandarin Oriental, St. Regis, The Okura and The

Siam, plus other luxury newcomers to the Bangkok’s

luxury scene. Then as for the residences, are on par with

suites in ordinary five-star hotels as ours are one or two

bedroom.”


To this end 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok

offers all suite guests with butler service, personalised art

tours and at the entrance the two Jack and Lewie London

Cabs (equipped with Champagne bar) tha chauffeur the

guests to and from the upmarket Emquartier/Emporium

shopping district – to mention a few features. The hotel

has also profiled itself with Confrérie du Sabre d’Or

gala dinners and rotating art exhibitions that celebrate

Thailand’s top talent.

The serviced apartments and suites hotel stems

from the 137 Pillars boutique property in Chiang Mai

and its centrepiece teak house from 1870, which used to

be former northern head quarters for the East Borneo

Trading Company – from which the brand has also

formulated the restaurant/deli concept Bangkok Trading

Post.

“Old Chiang Mai is reflected in the entire building

actually, with elements like wood and also beautiful

marble and with our Baan Borneo club, to connect them

together as 137 Pillars properties. We have succeed well;

one cannot emulate a pre-20th century house from

Chiang Mai in Bangkok but I think this building reflects

Bangkok in a good way; it’s modern and also with certain

aesthetic elements falling back on 137 pillars Chiang Mai

and Baan Borneo,” comments the GM.

A

big part in providing exquisite hospitality to

guests and residents at all times is also the team

members.

“We are putting most of our resources on the guest

services. A fantastic product is in itself not enough; it must

be complemented with service on par with it to make

a perfect match. Then the experience becomes much

grander.”

It is then favourable to work with Thais, who has

this as a natural talent, thinks Björn. “Thais cannot speak

English fluently. That’s fine, we happen to be in Thailand.

If you go to say Moscow you will come across the same

issue. The service-minded skills of Thais are outstanding.

Both Christopher and I have the philosophy that we

want to come back to traditional hospitality, where each

guest is a person and not a number, and where you are

considerate to personal preferences and offer curated

stays. Some guests want to look at art, and others want to

dine gourmet food, or want to come and explore historic

monuments and temples. One has to adapt to that a

guest is a guest. That works very well together with Thai

hospitality as they are very perceptive when it comes

to taking care of guests. Our standards must be flexible

enough so that all guests can feel good and comfortable,”

he elaborates.

Further testament to this property’s quality is the

membership as part the Small Luxury Hotels collection.

“They have very high level of standards, and quality

of service etc. that one has to match and it’s a very

good group to belong to, a bit special to be part of it,”

comments Björn.

The launch of 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts’ Bangkok

property actually began a new wave of luxury hotels that

are raising the bar for this particular hotel market, where

upscale hotel rooms now exceed 17,000 in the Thai

capital. And, with a few exceptions, hotels have struggled

to be able to increase their room rates.

“Hotels are unable to charge the prices they are

worthy of. If you take an ordinary price for a five-star or

a luxury hotel in Bangkok you get less for your money in

just about any major city in Southeast Asia” comments

the GM.

With more luxury hotels Bangkok is finally able to

charge higher rates and raise its status. “Every segment

needs to go up in price. Looking around the world

things are not getting cheaper. But if you look at Bangkok

specifically during the last 5-6 years restaurants have

gone up in pricing significantly – and also improved. That

in itself entices people not least from the region to visit.

So there is really no reason why accommodation should

not follow suit. People were saying: ‘We’re going to

Bangkok because it is so affordable’ O.K it still is but the

prices will continue going up, not drastically but steadily

so that we end up at a level that is fair.”

Meanwhile, with no let-up in the world of luxury

living, the fine-tuning, fine dining offers and rooftop pool

guest instagram photographing at 137 Pillars Residences

& Suites in Bangkok continues.


Book about the life of

Carsten Dencker Nielsen

By Gregers Møller

News brief

Carsten Dencker Nielsen was

the last managing director

of East Asiatic Company, the

Danish trading company that up

into the 1980’s was the largest Danish

corporation. Before he died in

February 2019, he had managed

to complete a book about his adventurous

life written with the assistance

of two authors, Martin Jes

Iversen and Camilla Sløk.

The book “Kompagniets mand”

(Man of the Corporation) was

released by the publishing house

Gyldendal shortly before Christmas

2019.

Reading the book is like

listening to Carsten Dencker

Nielsen himself, telling about how

he climbed the stairs of the EAC

as a young man in the 1950’s and

how fate would eventually make

him the last man to close down

the giant Danish company. After

his graduation from the in-house

business school of EAC, Carsten

Dencker Nielsen was at first posted

to Kenya, then onwards to Nigeria

and Indonesia until he became the

manager of EAC Japan from where

he eventually assumed the position

as the Managing Director of the

EAC in Thailand, where it all began.

Forty years after joining the

corporation, he was promoted as

Managing Director of the whole

company and tasked with winding it

down by selling off the many branches

of the company – eventually even

the profitable business activities that

could have meant a new rise of the

company.

Through Carsten Dencker

Nielsen’s recollection of his life in

the EAC in the old days, we get

a interesting insight into how the

culture of the corporation was an

important factor behind its growth.

The strict rules could be seen as

harsh but no other company

offered young ambitious Danes an

opportunity like EAC to rise from

a middle class teenager to a world

class business leader.

For many Danes, “Kompagniets

mand” – which is published in

Danish language – will be read with

an interest in Carsten Dencker

Nielsen as the man they met and

interacted with at various stages in

his career. Some will be interested

in the behind-the-scene story of the

deliberate closure over two decades

of the largest Danish company

ever, which has been the subject

of other Danish books. Some will

be interested in the revelations of

the private man behind his many

assignments and official functions.

Even for people who did

not know the charismatic Carsten

Dencker Nielsen, the book will

be enjoyed as a well-written and

captivating story about the twist and

turns of a life lived richer and more

adventurous than most.

The book may be purchased

here: http://gyldendalbusiness.dk/

products/9788702245875.aspx

H&M News: Monki brand to open

stores in Manila

This summer, Swedish fashion

brand Monki will enter the

Philippine fashion scene with

its creative collections, strong brand

values and inspiring store concept

described as “Scandi-cool-meets-

Asian-street-style.”

”Monki’s mission is to empower

young women everywhere and help

them feel good about themselves.

We can’t wait to get to know a

new market and welcome new

customers to our global family,”

says Jennie Dahlin Hansson, Monki

Managing Director

The new stores will be located

in Manila, at two of the largest

shopping centres in the Philippines.

The brand will premier in the SM

Megamall, followed closely by the

opening in SM Mall of Asia.


Finnish smart building

provider takes on Asia

Tridify’s solution combines any

Building Information Model into one

3D web presentation

By Joakim Persson

Currently at the forefront of digitalization

Singapore spells tremendous opportunities

for business and partnerships for Nordic

solutions. Helsinki Business Hub (HBH),

the trade and investment promotion

agency for the Finnish capital region, has identified

Singapore’s ’Smart Nation’ initiative for growth through

innovation and technology as a strong case to expand the

collaborations between the two countries.

Therefore, during the 2019 Singapore Week of

Innovation & Technology (SWITCH), some of Finland’s

most innovative and enterprising companies participated.

The latest smart solutions for construction and the

development, design, FM and life cycle management of

buildings were showcased by some of these.

Among them was Helsinki-headquartered Tridify -

offering a fabulous Finnish innovation, based on Virtual

Reality development that automates the delivery of


3D architectural models to XR-ready (umbrella term

encompassing augmented, virtual, and mixed reality

technologies) 3D files in the cloud.

This is made possible by using BIM, or Building

Information Model (a promising construction information

management tool), widely used in modern construction

projects and already mandatory in Singapore, and so far

10 per cent of the markets in Malaysia and Thailand for

instance.

Tridify’s service delivers ‘3D BIMs’ to the web in a

fully automated process, where the user only needs to

click on a web link to access it, with no need for an app.

Furthermore, its differentiation is that all models from any

BIM modelling software can be combined in Tridify.

A big benefit included is that collaborators and

customers do not need to download applications or

register to an account to view the published BIM model;

they simply click on a link.

Juha Alanen, Executive Vice President, Sales, explains:

“We are unique in that we can have several types of

software multiplying together and have the viewer within

one. You have different kind of software and user cases in

termsof the workflow; one model is architectural while

plumbing is another example. Tridify is the first of its

kind for professional use but also for maintenance and

throughout the whole lifecycle of a building.”

Tridify’s easy-to-view 3D environments can thus

function as a collaboration tool inside a company and

help throughout the design stage of the BIM workflow,

for example to share design with others stakeholder, to

get design approval, or for technical collaboration.

“It can be used for re-sale as well, to investigate the

status of any particular BIM property, having the floor

plan view or the building- and model information view, in

addition to sharing the content.”

“Our targets are architect companies, construction

developer companies and anyone having access to the

BIM,” continues Juha, who spearheads their Asia-Pacific

expansion. “We undertook our investigation with regards

to the maturity of the BIM digitalisation and the AEC

industry [architecture, engineering and construction]

and Singapore is definitely the most advance country

throughout the whole Asia-Pacific in digital architectural

environment, with BIM already being mandatory. Therefore

we chose it to be the location for our regional branch.”

Tridify arrived in Asia in early 2018, where Juha

expects a tremendous growth market for their solution.

“Malaysia is about to mandate the BIM in 2020 so their

market will be also be booming in the coming years

within this. Currently 10 per cent of the market there is

using BIM, and the same goes for Thailand.”

“Due to the recent exposure of BIM and utilisation

starting to happen here as we speak, we expect that the

demand for this kind of service is going to be tremendous.

So, starting with Singapore, I expect a big increase for our

market and once the users get to experiment and have

this as a process, the demand will be increasing multifold.”

Tridify attended five trade shows together in the

region focused on the AEC, which Juha says gave them

huge exposure.

Juha explains that Tridify, (with more than 30 years

of VR experience within the team), initially started out

as a VR application company. But creating the application

required a lot of manpower, with a lot of modifying

handwork and based on customer feedback, the Finnish

start-up decided develop an automated Cloud based

system in order to be able to scale.

“Right now, our focus is on helping customers share

IFC combination models easily without the need for

training, downloading apps etc. Our client WSP, one of the

world’s largest professional services firms with around

50,000 employees, provides engineering, architect and

design services to clients in various industries, including

Transportation, Infrastructure, Buildings, Environment and

Energy explains the benefits of Tridify.”

“As soon as we saw the Tridify service we knew

it was what we’d been waiting for,” commented Roope

Syvälahti, construction consultant and project manager.

“Being able to rapidly publish BIM models to the web

opens up new ways of working. This ease of use is

impressive, with no barriers to adoption. Clients or

colleagues can easily view models when they want, on

any device and it also solves the problem of involving

stakeholders who are not accustomed to specialist design

software. Clicking on a URL or QR code allows them to

interact with 3D models and intuitively wander round.

Another bonus is the very low cost of the Tridify service

so there’s no risk of investing heavily in an expensive new

solution. It only costs us $90 per month which provides

enough capacity for several projects.”

We are really looking forward to expand our market

in Asia, looking forward to taking all the connections and

contacts.”


First deck complete

on Johan Sverdrup P2

in Thailand

It has been a hectic autumn for Aibel Thailand which is building

the Main Support Frame (MSF) module for Johan Sverdrup’s P2

process platform. Throughout the autumn, some 2,100 workers

have been busy at the company’s yard in Laem Chabang.

Aibel Thailand, which is building the Main

Support Frame (MSF) module for the

Norwegian Johan Sverdrup’s P2 process

platform, said it has completed the first deck

at the company’s yard in Laem Chabang,

Thailand.

In November, the project reached a major milestone

when the first section of the module was lifted into place

on the grillage, safely and on schedule. Weighing 987.5

tonnes, this is the heaviest lift ever performed by Aibel

Thailand, and also the heaviest onshore lift of a section

in Aibel’s history.

The deck covers an area the size of a football pitch,

and is the first of four similar deliverables in the P2

project. The deck itself weighs a total of 2,000 metric tons,

while the total weight of the entire MSF module when it

is ready to depart will be 14,100 metric tons.

In November, the project reached a major milestone

when the first section of the module was lifted into place

on the grillage, safely and on schedule. Weighing 987.5

tonnes, this is the heaviest lift ever performed by Aibel

Thailand, and also the heaviest onshore lift of a section

in Aibel’s history.

First deck complete

The company is now reaching another milestone in the

project, with the completion of the first deck. The deck

covers an area the size of a football pitch, and is the first

of four similar deliverables in the P2 project. The deck

itself weighs a total of 2,000 tonnes, while the total weight


of the entire MSF module when it is ready to depart will

be 14,100 tonnes.

“The team here in Thailand has put in an incredible

effort,” says Harald Revheim, the construction manager

for Johan Sverdrup P2 in Thailand. “The work has been

performed without any serious injuries, and its quality is

very good. We have been especially impressed by the

critical work carried out for the metallisation of deck 1.

This is a solid beginning for the delivery of the complete

MSF module in February 2021, and a good example

of what we are able to achieve here at Aibel Thailand,

in close partnership with our customer Equinor,” says

Revheim.

Suriya Phojit is the construction manager for the

MSF module and does not deny that it can be challenging

to manage a team consisting of hundreds of employees

from different backgrounds and cultures.

“Right from the start of the project, we were aware

of the need for open dialogue, and we encouraged the

employees to share their experiences. The more we talk

to each other, the better we understand each other, so

we put a lot of effort into encouraging and motivating

everyone to work as part of a team,” says Phojit. “I am

immensely proud of the effort the employees have put

into the project so far and I’m convinced that the MSF

module for JSP2 will reach the highest standard we have

ever achieved. It is important we now maintain this

excellent trend, and keep the focus on team work, safety,

quality and good planning, because there will be many

challenging tasks to face in the next 12 months before

the structure sails to Norway,” says Phojit.

55,000 drawings

At Aibel’s office in Asker, the project is forging ahead, with

staff committed to completing the major design work.

“The team has now produced about 40,000 drawings

from an estimated 55,000, so the bulk of the work is in

the bag and the focus is on maintaining our tempo and

quality until the final IFC drawing in late March,” says Berit

Gjellan, Engineering Manager for Johan Sverdrup Phase 2.

“We have enjoyed really excellent cooperation

with engineering in Thailand and Singapore and with

manufacturing and procurement, where we have jointly

managed to prioritise and adapt the deliverables. The

downsizing of the supplier market since Sverdrup phase

1 has led to long lead times, especially in pipes and valves.

Despite this, the delivery situation has been handled

without notable delays thanks to clear prioritisation from

the team in Thailand,” says Gjellan.

Performing 2gether

“Equinor is very pleased with what is starting to take shape

during construction in Thailand,” says André Henning

Aspevik, Equinor Site Manager for the P2 project. “Aibel

has established a good safety standard on their yards. This

is, and will always be, our number one priority: Always

home safely! In addition, we see that the quality of what

is being delivered is very good. It is especially gratifying to

Suriya Phojit and Harald Revheim are proud of the

achievement of their team in Thailand.Photo: Aibel Thailand

see how the teams from Aibel and Equinor are working

together under the slogan “P2 – Performing 2gether”.

Between the disciplines, there is a keen focus on learning

and capturing experiences from previous projects, and

we see a willingness to always look for improvements and

opportunities,” Aspevik continues.

Multidisciplinary coordination

The installation of equipment on the deck is also well

under way. The HVAC facility has been fitted on the first

deck and the installation of pipe spools is also on track.

Nick Routledge, general manager of Aibel Thailand,

is happy to tick off another important milestone. “The

exciting thing now is that we are entering a phase

of multidisciplinary coordination, with a number of

trades working in parallel. Consequently, we are heavily

focused on planning, and the project organisation and

basic organisation from Aibel and Equinor respectively

are working closely together in our “One Team”

implementation model. We think as one team and

leverage our strengths. Our task now is to continue

this good work in order to deliver the MSF flare stack

and bridge safely, to the right quality and on time,” says

Routledge.

Facts about the P2 process platform

The project has a value of NOK 10 billion and will, at its

peak, engage around 3,500 employees. P2 includes the

construction of a total of three platform modules - the

MSF (main structure frame), the UPM (utility process

module) and the HVDC (converter module), which

will all be connected to each other upon completion.

The MSF module will be transported by sea from

Thailand to Norway in February 2021. The two other

modules will be built and completed at the yard

in Haugesund and Spain, and are scheduled to be

transported to the Johan Sverdrup field in January

2022.


Thai prison offers

food and massage

By Sigrid Friis Neergaard

From the street, it looks like any cute, little

restaurant in the Instagram-friendly city Chiang

Mai. A wooden arch marks the entrance to a

garden with outdoor seating among trees and

flowers. The waitresses are dressed in pink

uniforms, and lovers can pose for a picture on a bench

entailed in a heart.

However, there is a sign above the heart, that

reminds visitors, that the romantic settings aren’t just any

regular, picturesque location in Chiang Mai. ‘Welcome to

prison’, it reads.

There are three traditional reasons why society

punishes criminals: retribution, deterrence, and reform –

to punish, to prevent and to rehabilitate. Every country

grants each aspect a different value. This is reflected

in factors such as the length of sentences, whether

there is death penalty or not, physical punishment and

possibilities for parole.

At the Vocational Training Center of Chiang Mai

Woman Correctional Institution, reform or rehabilitation

is in focus.

The centre serves as a restaurant and traditional

Thai massage parlour. What makes it special is, that all

your food is cooked and served by inmates. Likewise, do

the hands that sternly massage people’s feet and crack

their backs belong to prisoners.

Since 2002, the inmates of the Chiang Mai prison

have been able to develop their skills and get a break

from life behind bars. Through a mandatory rehabilitation

programme, those who choose massage and cooking

are eligible for a job at the Vocational Training Center. It’s

supposed to prepare the women for a return to real life.

“There are no walls here. It’s an open prison,”

Archaree Srisunakhua, director of the Chiang Mai Woman

Correctional Institution, says.

As for local support for the programme, the response

has been very positive, according to Acharee, who adds

that people appreciate the effort to rehabilitate convicts.


Makeup and massages

It’s mandatory for the inmates to choose a career path

while in prison. It’s part of an extensive rehabilitation

programme, which entails about 20 of Thailand’s 143

prisons, director Archaree informs me.

“On average, they start when they have two years

left of their sentence. We can allow that they have up to

five years left.”

This means that people with lifelong sentences

aren’t eligible for the programme, which offers training in

more than 20 different skill-sets.

Cooking, massage, beauty, weaving cotton or silk are

just a few of the careers the inmates can pursue.

Apart from learning a profession, the inmates also

learn English and Chinese. The illiterate are taught to read

and write.

For those who haven’t chosen cooking or massage

through the rehabilitation programme, director Archaree

is hoping that the inmates will have more opportunities

to get a break from prison in the future.

So far, the plan is to open a place outside the prison,

where those who have specialised in beauty can practice

their skills and sell their services.

The women who are learning to weave have the

chance to work with the Danish clothing brand Carcel.

The brand has all their collections sewn by inmates

who in return get a salary, similar to how the Vocational

Training Center works. The major difference is, that the

job is carried out within the four walls of the prison.

No walk-ins

I am handed a four-sizes-too-big, hot pink shirt and a

matching pair of equally large, baggy pants that keep

falling down as the string to tie them is broken.

In a large room inside the Vocational Training Center,

I lie down on a massage bed, only about a meter from

my neighbour for the next while. She’s already being

stretched and bent in unimaginable ways.

There are fifteen beds, a couple of which are only

for foot massages. All of them are occupied by other

trustworthy visitors.

As it’s a popular tourist attraction, massages need to

be booked and paid for in advance. So, if you want your

foot or Thai massage done by an inmate, I suggest you

show up early to secure yourself a spot.

Proud prisoners

The aim of the Vocational Training Center is to give the

women a smooth transition from prison to freedom

while connecting with the local society.

“We promote correction and self-esteem,” prison

director Archaree tells me and adds that the opportunity

is only offered to first time offenders who behave well.

“They are very proud to work here.”

The programme also gives the women an

opportunity to send money back home or save for when

they are released.

Director of the Chiang Mai Woman Correctional Institution,

Acharee Srisunakhua (middle), and two prison guards.

There are three

traditional reasons

why society punishes

criminals: retribution,

deterrence, and reform

– to punish, to prevent

and to rehabilitate.

Every country grants

each aspect a different

value. This is reflected

in factors such as the

length of sentences,

whether there is death

penalty or not, physical

punishment and

possibilities for parole.


The inmates at the Chiang Mai Woman Correctional

Institution can choose from more than 20 training

programmes. Handicrafts by prisoners are sold at the

Vocational Training Center.

There are always five guards on duty at the Vocational

Training Center.

The inmates at the Chiang Mai Woman Correctional

Institution can choose from more than 20 training

programmes. Handicrafts by prisoners are sold at the

Vocational Training Center.

With a mandatory one day off per week, the

inmates work full time and earn 50 percent of the profit

from the restaurant and massage.

“They usually make between 10,000 and 20,000

Baht (approximately 300 to 600 Euros),” according to

the prison director.

The remaining 50 percent are used for maintenance.

All this taken into consideration, Archaree isn’t

afraid that they will run away.

First of all, of the 130 guards working for the prison,

there are always five on duty at the centre. Second of

all, “they (the inmates) are in the process of returning to

society”.

Though Archaree has only been director for

the Chiang Mai Woman Correctional Institution since

October 2019, with more than 30 years in the prison

business of which the past 12 have been as director, she

seems to know what she’s talking about.

All food at the Vocational Training Center is cooked and

served by inmates. A traditional Northern Thai dish as this

Khao Soi Gai will cost you 80 Baht.

The real key is trust

In the massage room, it seems that the masseuses have a

fixed massage programme. So, those who have arrived at

the same time, are massaged synchronously.

Like a choir, hands are chopping away on people’s

backs and cracking toes and fingers at the same time.

Traditional Thai music somewhat blocks out the

background noise from cars and scooters in the street. A

few of the Thai inmates giggle as a large middle-aged man

moans in agony following his back being cracked by one

of the petite masseuses.

My masseuse asks me in English, if I’m doing fine. She

must have noticed me cringe in pain as she dug her elbow

into my tigerbalm-covered neck.

It’s easy to forget that these chatty women are

convicted of some crime which they are currently serving

a sentence for.

Though there are lockers for your belongings, it’s

hard to keep an eye on the key while keeping yourself on

a massage bed. However, no one seems to be bothered

by the fact, that their well-being for the next hour or two

is in the hands of a convicted criminal.

Forever an ex-inmate

Some of the employees at the centre are on probation,

but the majority are still inmates.

Once they leave prison, they also leave the centre.

However, in Chiang Mai alone, there are 12 massage

parlours dedicated to ex-inmates. Combined, they employ

200 former prisoners.

“Massages are popular in Chiang Mai, so it makes

sense,” Archaree tells me.

These are private places, and so are not run or

funded by the prison or state, but the prison has a deal

with them. They recommend masseuses once they have

served their sentence.

So, if you don’t want to wait in line for an inmate

massage, opt for an ex-inmate massage. To my knowledge,

their hands are just as firm once they’ve left prison.


News brief

New steak restaurant and pizzeria

at Hotel Mermaid Bangkok

Jair da Rosa, the Brazilian owner,

being welcomed by Jorgen Lundbaek

and Khun Thip of Hotel Mermaid

Bangkok.

Jair da Rosa and staff at the Grand Opening.

Hotel Mermaid Bangkok

celebrated on Saturday

18 January the Grand

Opening of a new restaurant at

the hotel, FOGO Asia Steak House.

At the same time, the BELLA

NONNA Pizzeria opened.on the

front terrace of the hotel.

FOGO Asia will offer Brazilian

Churrascaria BBQ when it is best

and in a way this is a return to the

original cuisine previously offered

by the hotel.

Many guests joined the

celebrations to get a pre-taste of

the delicacies that are now available

at Hotel Mermaid Bangkok.


Wedding chef in Phuket

paradise: Daniel Isberg

By Joakim Persson


When a private chef is required by

flown in wedding couples and their

entourages, as well as famous figures

frequenting Phuket, chances are high

that their preferred choice falls on

island resident as well as Swedish chef Daniel Isberg. If

they can get him, that is.

It takes time to become part of the fabric but things

have come a long way since this celebrity chef opened

his first gourmet restaurant in Phuket back in 2010, and

started building up his wedding and events catering firm.

Some 700+ weddings later, and with a very jam-packed

and long wedding season in Phuket/Phang-Nga for

2019/2020, it is clear that the Swede is enjoying great

success.

His achievement is also a telling example of what

it takes in terms of hard work, top-notch performance,

quality, persistence, management, talent, and for an events

chef also great charisma in order to be able to put on a

show.

First, it becomes apparent that he has been at the

right place at the right time. “When I started there were

only a few wedding planners. But it has flourished and

grown very big – you probably have around 50 of them

now and I work mainly with the large ones,” explains

Daniel.

“Some events I have done myself and for most

events there is a planner, arranging flowers, the wedding

dress, invitation cards, etc.”

He collaborates with 19 wedding and event planners

spread out over the region: Koh Samui, Krabi, Bangkok

– and in Phuket where 90 per cent of the weddings

Daniel and his Phuket Gourmet Catering is hired for are

organised (including Phang Nga).

Half of the weddings are arranged on the main

land versus Phuket, for example at Natai beach, where,

contrary to Phuket proper, the wedding ceremony can

take place on the beach. Then the actual dinner party

takes places in a villa by the private beach. If in Phuket, in

for example Kamala beach, weddings often take place in

an ocean-view villa up on the hill.

Very few weddings are locals; typically they are

wedding couples and all their guests flying in from abroad.

“My best clients are highly educated Hong Kong

and Singaporean Chinese, who are nice and friendly, have

good budgets and like good food and appreciate what

one does for them,” tells the Swede.

“Typically, the wedding couple comes here between

six months up to a year in advance and book the villa,

have a food tasting with me and decide what menu they

would like to have, gets a cost idea and pay a deposit in

order reserve the date. Then discussions on details can

continue.”

“The event company works excellent. I am pretty

slammed, so I must be very satisfied with what I have

accomplished,” reflects Daniel. “It was four years ago I


decided to go full throttle with catering and events. So I

started promoting myself on the Internet, collaborating

with all the event planners, being creative with packages

for clients etc. So these days I am usually booked well in

advance, and the collaborations work fine. Everyone is

happy with my service, so that’s a joy,” smiles Daniel as we

meet at his Cherng Talay-based restaurant The Mexican

Boat Avenue.

Running restaurants is a side business these days,

with focus on fast food. “I love Mexican food, but I

stake mainly on catering and events. I think it’s fantastic;

new places, new people each time, new menus, new

challenges... I get a bit bored to be at the same restaurant

all the time. I want some action and new things happening,

so catering fits me perfectly, I love what I’m doing. So I

will not start any new fine dining restaurant in my name,

because it would mean that I would have to be there all

the time.”

During weddings he takes care of bar service,

serving and all cooking, as a one-stop-shop for food and

beverage. A typical scenario looks like this: “Many guests

coming have never been to Thailand before and then they

want to have a touch of Thai. When they arrive around

4 pm and the sun is still strong we serve non-alcoholic

refreshments, for instance a lemongrass ice tea, signalling:

‘Welcome to Thailand’. The drink is wrapped in banana

leaves with an orchid in a lemongrass stick. Then, usually

the ceremony takes place, often with a celebrant, or

priest. After that canapés are served, usually Thai starters,

again to give guests a bit of Thai flavours. Then one serves

the bride and groom’s cocktails, chosen by the wedding

couple. A four-course sit-down dinner then usually

follows, and sometimes it can be a buffet. But I usually

recommend that it should be a presented menu so that

one can have beautiful presentations served on plates.”

“Then we do late night snacks and all kinds of things;

it may be a dessert spread, candy table, ice cream station,

and entertainment such as live band, fire show on the

beach, various kinds of DJs, fireworks... so there’s a lot of

action.”

Sounds easy? This operation entails plenty of

preparation, such as ensuring that the supplier delivers

directly to the site’s mobile kitchen the catch-of-the-day

seafood.

“I want it to be super fresh, especially seafood and

fish. And we have a vacuuming machine to pre-prepare

things and vacuum pack and put in ice etc. It’s very

important with the transportation that the food stays

really cold.”

Normally all staff meet early in the morning in

the catering kitchen, that may for a wedding with 100

guests include 12 servants, 4 dishwashers, 4 bartenders,

6 chefs, and handymen. Everyone gets the rundown for

the day and a brief about the wedding and its guests.

Then we pack the trucks and go through check-lists – it

is incredibly important that you do not forget anything

because then you’re screwed.”

Daniel checks it all himself but of course it still does

occasionally happen that something important, like the

griddle, is missing – 1.5 hours’ drive away.

“Then one must send a messenger at full speed to

bring it – which takes, if we are in Phang Nga, 3 hours

to go and back. But we have built up great routines so it

normally these things run like clockwork.”


Photo by Joakim Persson

On site, a mobile kitchen is set up outdoors, with

generators, ovens etc.

“We can serve 500 people in the jungle if so would

be required! We have a lot of equipment and trucks to

transport all this. So there is a lot with catering, many

details – much more than one would think!”

Then, multiply this by four! Yes, four weddings in one

day! But that is the extreme occasion. Daniel will now

stick to no more than two.

Functioning as Sous-Chef and General Manager he,

on such days, moves between the events to ensure that

everything runs smoothly. “I pick one where I serve the

starter, main course and dessert, and then continue to

the next wedding.”

“We have great experience and routines on

everything and I am supervising and checking everything

all the time – nothing can go wrong. It has gone incredibly

well in the last few years, so very few mistakes have

occurred.”

What can go wrong is however the weather... “If rain

sets it can become chaotic. Often weddings are outdoors,

and then the wedding can chose to rent a marquise or

not; it costs quite a lot for 100 guests for example. So it

has occurred quite often that we have had to change into

presenting a buffet, while we had planned for a 4-course

dinner. But I have become an expert on finding quick

solutions; there can be no panic. Everything can be solved

as long as one stays calm and thinks fast.”

Part of the well-drilled entourage Daniel’s core team

has worked for him for up to seven years already. “That

means a lot because without my skilled team I would

obviously not be able to manage this large operation.”

On achieving sustained success he says that it was

what he expected from the very beginning. “I’m a doer, I

don’t postpone until tomorrow, do not give up and work

really hard for my product myself. I want to be best.”

Occasionally Daniel’s phone rings and on the other

side of the line is the agent, or manager, of a superstar.

“And we’re talking real superstars,” Daniel points out.

“Then it’s usually with short notice, requesting private

chef services. Then mobile phones are confiscated and

one has to sign non-disclosure agreements about who

one is cooking for and what happens. This happens now

and then.”

Daniel has a background from working with

Californian cuisine, in the glamorous world of Hollywood,

and on superyachts. “I have a good reputation as private

chef, so many know me.”

And these stars are now coming to where he resides

on the famous Asian lifestyle island. Daniel explains that

this is because Thailand is a country many love, with Thai

style, the food, the climate etc. “And Phuket is very ‘chill’

and relaxing; they can be quite anonymous here. They

wear sunglasses and a cap. I’ve been at the beach clubs

with the largest actors in the world and they are left

alone. Also, many own a house, staying here for a few

months now and then.”

“It’s quite incredible actually; I meet many more

interesting people in Phuket than in Bangkok and New

York for instance. Should I meet these superstars in N.Y.C

or in Bangkok they are usually stressed and have no time

to spare, while when in Phuket everyone is more relaxed,

chats and is happy – it’s an entirely different ballgame. I

think it is fantastic to work and live here, in paradise.”


Taking a break from the

Singaporean concrete

jungle … in the jungle

By Sigrid Friis Neergaard

‘‘It seemed a bit too sterile and boring.” Heavily

polluted, overcrowded, bland, and “basically a

complete waste of time.”

These are just some of the brutal words I

found on the merciless internet about Singapore.

The small island, city and country just south of

Malaysia has a population of about 5.6 million people. This

makes it slightly more populated than Denmark, Norway

and Finland. Yet, it’s 65, 490 and 512 times smaller than

the named Nordic countries respectively.

So yes, it is quite crowded. However, I believe

Singapore has an unjust reputation for being a “large

supermarket” or “uncharismatic”, as I have heard people

calling it.

Because once your shopping bags are full, your

credit card is catching fire and your head is aching from

the music blasting out in the malls, you may realise, that

the jungle is not only made of concrete. Singapore has

quite a few natural reserves to visit.

I spent a few hours at MacRitchie Nature Reserve

by Upper Thomson Road. Mainly because I read there is

a tree top walk.

Where to go

Starting the hike from the car park, I was definitely missing

signs leading to the trail.

I did also run into a couple of desperate girls later

on the trek.

“Do you know how we get out of here?” they

pleaded.

Going there without much knowledge about the

park – like me – is possibly not the best idea. As a bare

minimum, I recommend having a plan in mind before

commencing the hike.

After about one and a half kilometers from the car

park, I finally found a map, that showed me I was on the

right track.

It provided me with two options: the jungle trail or

the boardwalk.

Though the boardwalk is a bit longer, this is the trail

I opted for, as I had just started the hike and was feeling

fit. For Singapore it wasn’t a very hot day as it was cloudy

and looked like it was about to rain.

Despite being less shady than the jungle, I was very

pleased with my choice of route along the lake, where


birds and calm water made for a peaceful walk.

For a heavily populated city, there were long

moments between meeting people.

The walk was dead quiet apart from the occasional

airplane flying over the area. And a strange noise in the

background. Like a monotone, high-pitched sound. I

assumed it was an animal, but I learned later, that it was

an artificial tone to keep dangerous animals such as wild

boars away from the human tracks.

Beware of golf

Trail signs were scarce. Yet, even in this idyllic setting other

signs constantly reminded me of where I was. In the

country that loves signs telling people what to do – and

most importantly what not to do. No fishing, no littering,

no swimming, no fishing, no feeding the monkeys, no

feeding the fish, no dogs. And did I mention, no fishing?

If the innumerable signs leave you wondering

whether you are allowed to fish, it definitely isn’t because

you weren’t notified.

Upon leaving the boardwalk, the signs changed.

Fishing wasn’t possible any longer, so instead I was warned

not to enter the golf course every few steps I walked.

I wasn’t about to, but to be fair I did meet an older

couple who had found themselves getting lost on the

golf course. I’m not sure how those crime riders missed

all the signs.

When I finally escaped the danger of getting struck

by a golf ball, I found myself back in the jungle.

The first thing I reached was a viewing tower which

brought me 114 steps up above the tree tops for a

wonderful view of the dense jungle. Only far away in the

distance could I catch a glimpse of skyscrapers. Apart

from that, it was easy to forget that I was at a small,

densely populated island.

Reaching the goal

Another couple of kilometres on, I finally made it to the

Tree Top Walk.

It is a one way deal, so if you don’t wanna end up

walking an extra kilometre like me, make sure to enter

from the correct side.

At 250 metres, it only took me a short time to

traverse the bridge between the trees. Nevertheless, it

was quite the experience walking 25 metres above leafs

and branches.

Monkeys followed closely in case some food would

fall out of someone’s pocket. Most likely used to humans,

one of them carelessly grabbed me, so beware if your

heart also skips a few beats, when you are near one of

the sharp-teethed creatures.

Exciting the tree walk, I carried on the opposite

direction of where I came, to complete the loop I had

walked around the lake.

About 10 kilometres since I started walking, I made

it back to Upper Thomson Road.

It was a beautiful day which, despite Singapore’s year

round high temperatures, was somewhat cool as most of

the walk is in the shade.

However, if you do plan on exploring the MacRitchie

Nature Reserve, I recommend bringing lots of water and

snacks as there isn’t anywhere to shop once you leave

the car park. You should also wear a good pair of shoes

for the hike.

So, for the person writing “it can be very boring if

you stay more than 3 days on a tiny concrete island”, I

wonder if they left Orchard Road and Chinatown and

entered the nature.


The Importance

of Creative Writing

in the Youth

By Thomas Andersson

https://www.storywarskids.com/

Every day kids experience events that are new

to them. They learn new words, which helps

build their vocabulary. In doing so, these new

experiences help them to develop a creative

and curious mind. These new experiences

could be the beginning of ideas which the child could

develop into stories or creative writing. By encouraging

them to write from a young age, numerous benefits can

be seen.

Creative writing can also develop emotional skills. By

creating a story, a child can channel their emotions and

develop how to manage in a situation. For example, they

may be able to show empathy with a character, express

different emotions experienced by characters or manage

a difficult situation that a character is feeling. This may

help a child to express how they feel and understand

how others feel. Self- discovery and self-expressions

can be demonstrated throughout the childs words and

storytelling abilities.

Creative writing will also help to improve intellectual

skills. Their sentence structure, vocabulary and use of

punctuation will be notably more advanced than others

of the same age who do not practice creative writing. In

a world where text speak and emojis are so common,

creative writing helps to develop writing skills that are

being forgotten about. If a child can not communicate

effectively as a child, the problem may become worse

as they grow older. Sharing ideas with others allows the

child to develop their storyline and collaborate with

others. Encouraging creative writing can help a child to

communicate effectively in the technology world.

When a child begins to write their ideas down,

completing the story develops a range of important

life long skills. Using writing as a way for your child to

demonstrate their creative side helps their ability to

focus, improves their dedication and commitment. These

are all skills which employers look for in a candidate.

Creative writing also develops creative thoughts, using

their imaginations, suggest alternatives, broaden their

though process and problem-solving abilities. It also

allows the child to show their opinions and develop their

voice. It also improves their logical skills. These skills, once

developed, can help the child in other subjects, such

as Maths, Science and Languages. By developing these

fundamental skills, the child can apply these in other areas

of learning and succeed, helping to strengthen their selfconfidence.

Writing also helps to improve organization from a

young age. By plotting out a story line, a child can help

to develop organization and create drama or surprises

in their story. This can then be applied to everyday tasks,

helping them to improve their own organization and be

prepared for the day ahead.

Inspiring your child to be creative develops a wide

range of skills while building confidence. This helps

them to develop into powerful adults, who can

communicate their points of view, thoughts and feelings

very clearly. Creative writing has the opportunity to

create an incredible positive impact on our children,

and while the occasion is becoming more limited in the

classroom, taking steps to encourage our children to

write can help develop a range of benefits. By finding their

way of writing, the children can turn it into a superpower,

allowing the child to be creative while having fun and

doing something they enjoy.



ScandAsia February 2020

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

Delete template?

Save as template ?