Bangkok’s New Spectrum Rooftop Bar Set to Open on March 20th

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27 March 2019, 00:10

Award-winning Japanese architecture firm Super Potato tops off Hyatt Regency Bangkok

BANGKOK – As sprawling and glamorous as a luxury home,
Bangkok’s newest rooftop bar opens its doors this week as a sparkling new gem in the
crown of Bangkok’s top-shelf night spots.

Designed by the Japanese design firm Super Potato, the Hyatt Regency Bangkok’s new
Spectrum Lounge & Bar is a multi-faceted venue that quickly parts company with
expectation. On three different levels, the expansive lounge features a collection of really
cool, intimate spaces.

“The inspiration behind the new venue is a jet-setting couple, who have created a soulful,
welcoming space to entertain guests,” explained Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit’s
GM, Sammy Carolus. “This story is told through the design pieces on display, ranging
from Thai art to musical instruments, and the variety of distinct areas within the venue,
like you’d find in a luxury penthouse.”

Spread over three levels the journey begins on the 29th floor. Handcrafted basket-weave
doors lead into a plush gathering space with marble floors and an open kitchen,
surrounded by earthy wooden walls. The Thai influence comes through with a scene of
the Chao Phraya River decorating one wall and backlit panels with local patterns
shedding light over the space. An intimate study room with a shared table features a flat
screen TV for presentations, and at night it metamorphoses into a private dining facility
with a floor-to-ceiling outlook on the city’s skyline.

The spacious living room entices guests to linger with deep, cushioned chairs and
wooden tables spread out over a velvety blue carpet. Above intricate Thai patterns
etched into gold panels are an ode to the iconic gold Thai Buddha’s hand. The nearby
indoor bar creates an edgier vibe with a sleek, black marble countertop.

Sliding doors allow each room to be separated from the others or all can stay open in
order to create a more flowing space. Like the hotel itself, the sum of all Spectrum’s parts
evokes a cozy, residential atmosphere.

A spacious alfresco terrace spans level 30 and 31, the eclectic area features a large open
deck with seats for two and alcoves framed by verdant trees with huge daybeds and
private tables. There are pops of lime green in the seats, as well as more nautical-themed
chairs and tables, and seating for more intimate conversations.

Given the venue’s name, Spectrum, refers to a range of colours, lighting plays a pivotal
role in setting the scene. The overall lighting is designed to create a warm and cozy
ambiance, a feeling of being at home, with the functionality to change to several scene
settings depending on the occasion. The study and meeting room also has its own
individual stage control and the lobby space plays with a changing projection – that can
be adapted to a particular event.

“Before Spectrum you could not get this type of ambiance in Bangkok,” said Super
Potato’s vice president, Norihiko Shinya. “It’s hard to compare this with any other rooftop
bars in the area as this is type of space is quite special to have in the middle of
downtown.”

A selection of premium tapas such as smoked Scottish salmon & Russian caviar atop
bagels, wagyu beef sliders, and crispy soft shell crab with tamarind sauce on a taro fritter,
are available at the lounge & bar. Craft cocktails, wine, and a comprehensive beer
selection make up the drink menu with concoctions such as Mad Mango, chili-infused
vodka, mango puree, spicy mango, elderflower, lime, chili and salt; and Giant Pandan, a
blend of vodka, Midori, grapefruit juice, pandan (a common plant in Southeast Asia), lime,
egg white & bitters.

With a total space of 280 square meters (over 3,000 square feet) Spectrum can host 80
guests for indoor gatherings and 295 people when utilizing the indoor and outdoor
spaces.

For more information please visit: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/thailand/hyatt-
regency-bangkok-sukhumvit/bkkhr/dining

About Hyatt Regency
The Hyatt Regency brand prides itself on connecting travelers to who and what matters
most to them. More than 190 conveniently located Hyatt Regency urban and resort
locations in over 30 countries around the world serve as the go-to gathering space for
every occasion – from efficient business meetings to memorable family vacations. The
brand offers a one-stop experience that puts everything guests need right at their
fingertips. Hyatt Regency hotels and resorts offer a full range of services and amenities,
including the space to work, engage or relax; notable culinary experiences; technology-
enabled ways to collaborate; and expert meeting and event planners who can take care
of every detail. For more information, please visit hyattregency.com. Follow
@HyattRegency on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and tag photos with
#AtHyattRegency.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality
company with a portfolio of 19 premier brands. As of December 31, 2018, the Company’s
portfolio included more than 850 properties in 60 countries across six continents. The
Company’s purpose to care for people so they can be their best informs its business
decisions and growth strategy and is intended to attract and retain top colleagues, build
relationships with guests and create value for shareholders. The Company’s subsidiaries
develop, own, operate, manage, franchise, license or provide services to hotels, resorts,
branded residences, vacation ownership properties, and fitness and spa locations,
including under the Park Hyatt®, Miraval®, Grand Hyatt®, Alila®, Andaz®, The
Unbound Collection by Hyatt®, Destination®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt®, Hyatt
Ziva™, Hyatt Zilara™, Thompson Hotels®, Hyatt Centric®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt
Place®, Joie de Vivre®, tommie™, Hyatt Residence Club® and Exhale® brand
names, and operates the World of Hyatt® loyalty program that provides distinct benefits
and exclusive experiences to its valued members. For more information, please
visit www.hyatt.com.

Are Sexy Pretties Returning to Motor Shows?

By

Asaree Thaitrakulpanich, Staff Reporter

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26 March 2019, 18:30

BANGKOK — Sick of seeing motor show models wear traditional Thai costumes? Then 2019 may be your year.

Flesh-hungry photographers and motorheads were rejoicing Tuesday at the Bangkok International Motor Show 2019 to see the return of leather crop tops and hot pants after almost two years of promotional models, or pretties, wearing relatively conservative attire.

The Ministry of Culture have always kept their eye on the overtly sexual outfits and displays of sexuality at motor shows, encouraging them to display “Thainess” instead. Then with King Rama IX’s death in 2016, that year’s December motor show had models dressing in Thai traditional costumes, or mourning black.

Since then, model attire has been mostly demure, featuring sci-fi cocktail dresses and biker attire – until now. Has the pendulum of cultural conservatism swung back the other way?

The motor show opens to the public tomorrow through April 7 at Impact Muang Thong Thani.

Models Cover Up to Unveil New Models at Motor Show (Photos)

Here’s What a Motor Show Looks Like Without Sexy Pretties (Photos)

Adult Star Fined for ‘Inappropriate’ Motor Show Dance

Govt Wants Less Sex, More ‘Thainess’ for Motor Show Pretties

Prayuth Tells Media to Respect People’s Voices

By

Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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26 March 2019, 17:56

Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha hands back list of questions to a reporter March 26, 2019, at Government House.

BANGKOK — Junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha on Tuesday urged everyone to respect what people voted for, in a response from media inquiries about whether his party should form the next government.

Gen. Prayuth also called for peace and order in the days leading up to King Vajiralongkorn’s coronation in early May, and said he would continue to rule as the prime minister until a new government is in place.

“I respect every vote from every person who came out to vote on that day. I sincerely thank them with my heart. I’d like to thank the media, too. I’d like to tell everyone today that I feel more comfortable,” Prayuth said. “This is not about holding on to power or perpetuating my power. If I wanted that, I wouldn’t have allowed an election to take place.”

“What the people voices say, let it be that way. Learn to respect people’s voices,” he added.

Prayuth was speaking at Government House after his weekly cabinet meeting. He was handed a list of questions from reporters at the beginner of the news conference, including his take on the ongoing attempts to form a government, whether the 250 unelected Senators will vote for him as the new prime minister and a fiery op-ed written by ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

However, the junta leader handed the paper back to reporters and said he is not involved in political affairs.

“All the questions submitted by the reporters, I’d like to return them all. I’m not answering any of these questions,” Prayuth said. “I’d like to also clarify to the media that I am not involved in the formation of the government. Those matters are entirely the business of political factions.”

Instead, he said people should focus on maintaining an orderly society for the coronation of His Majesty the King.

“I want to use this opportunity to lead Thailand toward sustainable peace under the principles of King Rama IX, Queen Sirikit, and King Rama X,” Prayuth said.

His party, Phalang Pracharath, is currently seeking allies to form a coalition government, despite placing second at Sunday’s election in numbers of MP seats.

When reporters asked whether he’s in a better mood today because he will get to serve another term as prime minister, Prayuth said the question “makes me uncomfortable.”

General Elections Were Peaceful But Not Fair: Intl Observer

By

Associated Press

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26 March 2019, 17:45

Prayuth Chan-ocha votes Sunday in Bangkok.

BANGKOK — The only accredited international observers present at the general election said Tuesday that the polls had been peaceful but not fair, because the incumbent prime minister – who is also a candidate – will handpick all senate members.

The Asian Network for Free Elections, or Anfrel, said the management of ballots at Sunday’s poll was “deeply flawed,” leading to the announcement of preliminary results that were “wildly inaccurate” and damaged the “perceived integrity of the general election.” Under the constitution, the junta headed by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha will appoint all senators – who will also get to vote for the next premier.

Anfrel, said there was no reason to believe reporting problems affected the overall results, but that the pre-election context needs to be taken into consideration.

“You know. All of you know. It’s the legal framework. We can’t change that,” Rohana Hettiarachchie, Anfrel’s head of mission, replied when asked if the election had been rigged. “[Pre-election] is not met with the standard, but again … it’s a journey … not a democratic platform … I think it takes time.”

Thailand’s Election Commission has already defended the counting of votes in Sunday’s election, blaming the media’s failure to keep up with the raw data, and said full preliminary results would be released Friday.

A military-backed party and the party whose government was ousted in a 2014 coup both claim they should form the next government. The preliminary results show the anti-junta Pheu Thai Party won the most seats, while the military-backed Phalang Pracharath Party appeared to have gotten the most votes.

The confusing release of results was the main problem Anfrel noted on Election Day itself, becoming a concern after the count had been recorded at local polling stations and was then sent along to the Election Commission.

“Our understanding is it was technical difficulties or they overestimated the difficulty of the task,” said Amaël Vier, Anfrel’s program officer for capacity building and international elections. “We’d just like to know more, what was the procedure, what was the data? We have no reason to believe it affects the overall outcome, we just, we need more at this time.”

Anfrel’s 12-page report was sharply critical of the Election Commission’s performance, especially for its lack of transparency over the counting process but also for its alleged failure to provide sufficient and accurate information about the election to voters.

If voters trusted the system,” there may not be a question about the delay of the counting event,” said Anfrel Secretary-General Rohana Nishanta Hettiarachchie.

Anfrel’s report made no specific mention of serious allegations that had started circulating on social media about the number of ballots exceeding voters in some areas, and turnouts said to be twice the number of registered voters.

“Polling stations were found to be peaceful, orderly, and generally well-managed,” it said.
Thailand’s main poll-watching organizations have not yet publicly addressed most of the allegations.

Anfrel’s most serious criticism concerned the legal framework under which the election took place.

Many human rights and pro-democracy groups said before the election that Thailand’s constitution and election rules were unfairly set up to limit the power of elected politicians and ensure the continued dominance of the military and other traditionalist institutions.

Anfrel said the rules meant Thailand would have “a form of guided democracy rather than a fully-fledged democracy,” though it acknowledged the election was a step toward “genuine popular representation in governmental affairs.”

Story: Kaweewit Kaewjinda

Additional reporting: Pravit Rojanaphruk

Prayuth’s Weekly Monologue to End Friday After 5 Years

By

Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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26 March 2019, 16:25

BANGKOK — He made us laugh, cry and inspired all sorts of emotions. But it will all end this week.

Junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha said Tuesday his weekly monologue on national television will air for the last time Friday, ending a series that has run almost five years.

Gen. Prayuth said the show would continue to broadcast after Friday as an educational program about King Vajiralongkorn’s upcoming coronation, set for early May.

Shortly after seizing power in May 2014, Prayuth launched a weekly television intervention in which he spent about 30 minutes to 60 minutes speaking about the latest government’s achievements. The episode was first titled “Returning Happiness to the People,” but was later renamed “From King’s Teachings Toward Sustainable Development.”

Government officials have struggled to find more audience for the program, which generally draws low ratings. Efforts to widen its appeal by changing the format several times produced mixed reactions.

It is it’s unclear whether the general will continue his interventions following the coronation ritual. The new government is expected to take charge toward that time.

Mix-up: Bound for Germany, British Airways plane lands in Scotland

By

Associated Press

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26 March 2019, 16:24

A British Airways A319 taxis in 2018 in Duesseldorf airport. Photo: Marvin Mutz / Flickr

LONDON — The flight on Monday seemed to go perfectly well, until passengers realized that their plane had landed in both the wrong city and the wrong country.

The British Airways flight from London City Airport was supposed to head to Duesseldorf, Germany, but ended up in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland.

The airline said Monday the problem started when an incorrect flight plan was filed by WDL Aviation, which operated the flight on behalf of British Airways. Officials say the pilot followed the flight plan for Edinburgh, and that air traffic control officials also were following the same flight plan and saw nothing amiss.

WDL aviation said it was trying to determine the cause of the “obviously unfortunate mix-up.”

The flight was refueled and set off again, this time directly to Duesseldorf.

Prosecutors Postpone Future Forward’s Cybercrime Case

By

JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI

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26 March 2019, 16:02

Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit speaks in a March 26, 2019, press briefing at the party’s headquarters.

BANGKOK — Prosecutors on Tuesday postponed the decision on whether to indict Future Forward Party leaders involved in a cybercrime case.

The prosecutor’s office said it would decide next month if it would move forward with the case against party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and two senior party members for criticizing the ruling junta online. It originally scheduled the decision for today, but said it needed additional evidence from investigators.

Attorney Kritsadang Nootjarat, who met prosecutors today on behalf of Thanathorn and the others, insisted the three did not “instigate public disorder” as accused, as their criticism was based on widely reported facts.

They were charged with “spreading false information online” on two cases in June via a livestream on the party’s Facebook page and a post written on Thanathorn’s profile.

Thanathorn once served on the board of Matichon Group, which owns Khaosod English.

The party, popular among young voters, has been hit with several legal cases that could lead to its disbandment. Its deputy party leader has been charged with sharing a fake news article targeting the junta, and the Election Commission said it would investigate if the party violated election regulations after a candidate from the dissolved Thai Raksa Chart asked her supporters to vote for Future Forward instead.

Dissolution of the party could hugely impact the post-election landscape, as the young party came third in Sunday’s general election behind political giants Pheu Thai and junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha’s Phalang Pracharath party. The unofficial voting results showed Future Forward edged the pro-junta party among Bangkok voters, who are habitually pro-establishment.

Thanathorn yesterday supported Pheu Thai to form a coalition and endorsed Sudarat Keyuraphan as the next prime minister. If dissolved, a by-election would be needed in which Pheu Thai would lose its strongest ally to form a government.

Sudarat Slams Phalang Pracharath’s Claim of Victory

By

Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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26 March 2019, 14:30

Sudarat Keyuraphan speaks at a news conference on March 25, 2019.

BANGKOK — Pheu Thai leader Sudarat Keyuraphan on Tuesday lashed out at her rival for claiming a right to form the government despite coming in second place at the polls.

Writing in a Facebook post, Sudarat maintained her party and allies should be the one governing because they have sufficient MPs to hold a majority in the lower house – 251 seats. Sudarat’s rival, the Phalang Phracharath Party, said it deserves the chance to rule, citing its lead in the popular votes.

“Parliamentary majority means one having more MPs to vote than the other side,” Sudarat wrote. “It isn’t based on number of votes won by the MPs.”

She added, “Even though we compete in the same field under rules that they designed to give themselves a huge advantage, from the starting to the finishing lines, even their MPs are still fewer than ours. They came in the second place, yet they want a gold medal in the first. #IsThatHowItWorks?”

Where Parties Stand
Infogram

Pheu Thai faction’s majority appears to be secure after Prachachart Party on Tuesday became the latest group to announce its support for Sudarat as the next prime minister. The pan-Muslim party is estimated to have won six MP seats.

But Phalang Pracharath, which nominates junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha to serve another term in office, insisted it should be the one forming the government based on its higher number of votes.

Speaking to reporters today, party co-founder Sontirat Sontijirawong said he’s confident Phalang Pracharath’s bid will be successful.

A handful of smaller parties remain uncommitted, including Anuthin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party, which placed fourth in the election.

Analysts believe Gen. Prayuth will also enjoy support from 250 Senators handpicked by the junta when it comes to voting on the next prime minister. Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangrungruangkit said yesterday the upper house should refrain from casting their votes, lest they may cause “conflict” in the society.

Paperwork Stalled NZ Ballot Pick Up: Foreign Ministry

Commissioners Confirm Voiding of All NZ Ballots

By

JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI

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26 March 2019, 13:27

A voter cast a ballot March 24 in Bangkok's Sai Mai district.

BANGKOK — The Election Commission confirmed Tuesday that all ballots from New Zealand would be voided because they were delivered too late.

As several related agencies took turn dodging responsibility over the late delivery that triggered public outrage, the commission ruled unanimously that the 1,542 overseas ballots had been invalidated because it received them after vote counting for the Sunday’s election had already been concluded.

It added that it has set up a special committee to investigate the delay.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry – accused of not picking up the ballots when they arrived – apologized earlier today but blamed a communication failure and repeated transfer delays for the mishap, adding that it couldn’t pick them up due to bureaucratic reasons.

“The Foreign Affairs Ministry would like to offer the sincerest apologies for what happened,” the statement reads. “All related officials … had worked hard to sort and deliver ballots to polling stations nationwide, which are considered to be very successful. The late delivery only happened with the ballots from New Zealand.”

The Thai Airways president said the airline had informed related authorities beforehand that the ballots would arrive Saturday night in Thailand, but no one went to pick them up. They were eventually retrieved Sunday night after polling stations had closed.

According to the ministry, the ballots were flown on March 18 from Wellington to Auckland by Air New Zealand and their transfer was scheduled via a Thai Airways flight leaving for Bangkok the following day.

However, the ballots were delivered to the kingdom’s airline March 21, according to Air New Zealand. The ministry said the ballots were flown March 23 out of Auckland, and that it did not know why Thai Airways held them for two days.

The ministry acknowledged the airline informed it in advance of the delivery time, but said it could not pick them up that day because they arrived after other advanced ballots – domestic and overseas – had already been delivered to their designated polling stations. It said extra paperwork was needed for the pickup and delivery due to the delay.

The Thai Embassy in Wellington has said it was “very disappointed and sorry” that the ballots could be invalidated. It said elections in New Zealand were held within the voting period set by the commission and that all ballots were sorted and delivered on time.

Update: This article has been updated with the Election Commission’s additional statement about its ruling decision.

Swedes Keep Room Ready for US Diplomats in Pyongyang

By

Associated Press

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26 March 2019, 13:21

President Donald Trump listens as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un answers a question from reporters Thursday during a meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam. Photo: Evan Vucci / Associated Press

PYONGYANG, North Korea — Swedish diplomats are keeping a room ready for the U.S. to use if it ever decides to have an official presence in the North Korean capital.

The unmarked, slightly musty room next to the Swedish ambassador’s office in Pyongyang’s diplomatic quarter has been kept in an odd state of limbo for years.

On one shelf sits an issue of the Pyongyang Times from the days of detente between the late leader Kim Jong Il and President Bill Clinton. The top shelf is taken up by a newer edition – with a photo of the North’s current leader, Kim Jong Un, and President Donald Trump on its front page.

The room has more or less remained in this condition since a 1995 agreement that provided for the Swedes to serve as Washington’s “protective power” in North Korea. There were a lot of talks going on between the U.S. and North Korea at the time and it seemed like a good idea to prepare some sort of a foothold since the U.S. had no diplomatic relations with the North and thus no embassy of its own.

With the U.S. and North Korea engaged in the most serious talks since those years, the possibility of actually giving the little room an American tenant has returned to the negotiating table.

A proposal to establish a liaison office in Pyongyang was floated ahead of the first summit between Trump and Kim in Singapore last June. Trump seemed to support it again as he sat down for talks with Kim at the second summit, in Vietnam last month, though the meeting ended without any significant agreements.

“It’s actually not a bad idea,” Trump said as the two faced each other across the negotiating table.

“I think that is something that could be welcomed,” Kim replied through an interpreter.

The room at the embassy, which The Associated Press was allowed to see but for security reasons not photograph, would be used as an “interest section” for the United States.

In diplomat speak, that would make it one step below a liaison office, which is one step below an actual embassy.

They are generally set up between countries that don’t formally recognize each other and have tense relations but require some form of working contact.

Like the one described in the agreement with Sweden, interest sections are normally established in the embassy of a third country that has diplomatic relations with both sides. The U.S. has maintained interest sections in places like Cuba during the Cold War and Iran.

South Korea is already moving ahead with the idea – it opened a liaison office of its own last September in the North Korean city of Kaesong. But even for Seoul, it hasn’t been a smooth process. The North announced last week that it was withdrawing its staff from the office, but didn’t say whether the withdrawal would be temporary or permanent. The Koreas previously used telephone and fax-like communication channels that were often shut down in particularly tense times.

Washington and Pyongyang have agreed to open liaison offices before.

Lynn Turk, a U.S. official involved in talks to exchange offices in 1994, wrote in a recent article for the 38 North website that the plan was for each to have up to seven people. The physical space was to increase as the relationship expanded, with the goal being an exchange of embassies and ambassadors.

North Korean officials, he wrote, toured office space in Washington and housing alternatives in Washington and northern Virginia. The North Koreans were concerned about the cost of renting and were “pleased by the lower costs and larger housing in the D.C. area,” though they indicated they would probably opt for housing in northern Virginia.

The talks were put on indefinite hold in 1995.

One of the big hurdles to talks is the fact that North Korea and the United States are technically at war – the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.

The previous discussions ran into problems over how the American or Americans would be allowed to get in and out of the country. A suggestion that they should be allowed to come across the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone that divides North and South was rejected by the North Koreans.

There are other, smaller problems as well.

Pyongyang doesn’t have a big foreign diplomatic presence.

The Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang – along with the British Embassy – is located on the premises of the German Embassy. Setting up an interest section wouldn’t necessarily require major changes in that arrangement, but under the current agreement Sweden would no longer be responsible for U.S. interests once a liaison office is established.

So, with no Trump properties in North Korea yet, the U.S. might need to find a new landlord.

Story: Eric Talmadge

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