ICONSIAM to stage vegetarian festival in grand style with extensive veggie offerings, activities, promotions

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29 September 2022, 16:09

ICONSIAM have teamed up with four leading food business concerns to organise a grand vegetarian festival from today to 4 October. This event is a collaboration among ICONSIAM, Bangkok’s world-class riverside shopping centre; Thai Agri Foods PCL, the maker of Real Thai products; KCG Corporation; Thai Thepros PCL, the producer of Golden Mountain Sauce; and MMP Corporation.

The ‘ICONSIAM Jae Sathaan Phop,’ literally translated as the vegetarian {festival} that shivers the Earth, will be held at SOOKSIAM, the traditional Thai-themed marketplace on the G floor of ICONSIAM on the Thon Buri side of the capital. It will be offering more than 1,000 veggie dishes at the SOOKSIAM featuring lively Chinese style atmosphere with yellow lanterns and the Jae flags.

Mr.Supoj Chaiwatsirikul, Managing Director of ICONSIAM Co., Ltd., said the event is all about carrying on the long tradition of vegetarianism upheld by Thai people of Chinese descent to promote good health and making merit. The event is held under the concept of ‘Im Boon, Im Jai, Sukapap Dee’ (full of merit, satisfied and good health) to involve praying for blessings, eating veggie food, creating great merit and extending opportunities to the poor. Mr Supoj said: “The Vegetarian Festival is a long-standing tradition of Chinese people that dates back more than 400 years ago, taking place on the first day of the ninth lunar month according to the Chinese calendar and lasts for nine days.

“The Vegetarianism is very popular in Thailand, especially among Thai nationals of Chinese descent, as well as working and younger generations, and those who are health conscious.” What makes this year’s vegetarian event at SOOKSIAM so extraordinary is the collaboration with famous restaurants and beverage outlets located in ICONSIAM and SOOKSIAM to bring out their delicious and healthy offerings prepared in the styles of four Thai regions, to the fair.

Indulge in diverse veggie fare

The journey to the ICONSIAM Jae Sathan Phop begins at The Veranda zone, G floor, with JUMBO Seafood proudly presenting the tofu clay pot and vegetarian fried rice, while Café Chilli offering E-sarn style spicy vegetarian mushroom soup, stir-fried vegetarian Kratok Mee and vegetarian Larb Khao Pun. At Ros’niyom, it comes up with a wide-ranging vegetarian menu including Kanom Jeen Salad, basil-based dishes and Som Tam Salad.

Moving up to ICONSIAM’s second floor, Greyhound Café recommends appetisers in the popular street style with a mixture of grains, sweet corn, red beans, that come with a tri-flavoured ground nut dipping sauce, such as fried tofu, Tur Ka Ko (vegetarian pork knuckle), thin crust gyoza dumplings stuffed with vegetarian prawns served with secret recipe dipping sauce and relished with sliced yam bean and carrot, fried rice cooked with jasmine rice, meat-free sauce, guinea-pepper and vegetarian salted beef made from seasoned fried mushroom legs served with miso soup.

On the fifth floor, Hongbao presents stir fried vermicelli rice noodle, fried broccoli with mixed mushrooms, Fun Guo Dumplings with mixed vegetables filling Laem Charoen Seafood is highlighting simmered mushrooms and stir-fried vermicelli rice noodles with soy sauce. The Mae Sri Ruen Restaurant on the sixth floor will be serving delicious vegetarian dishes such as Im Bun Noodles, Vegetarian fresh spring rolls and vegetarian Pad Thai. On the same floor, Japanese-style restaurants such as SUSHI DEN and YAYOI Chef Experience & Sushi Bar take pleasure to offer vegetarian fare to celebrate this vegetarian festival as well.

For snacks and drinks, there are many famous shops to choose from such as Susan Croissant, offering ‘Banana is nuts’ Cookies made from bananas, avocados, adding texture with nuts and dried bananas; Noir with vegetarian cookies stuffed with chocolate chips, Black Forest vegetarian cookies stuffed with berry jam topping decorated with berries; carrot cake with chocolate sauce, carrot cake mixed ,with apples and bananas, and nuts thrown in to add texture, topped with chocolate jelly sauce. There are also shops like Bang Bao, GAGA, INNARI, Karun Thai Tea, KOI The, FUKU Matcha, Dakasi and Ang Bao offering vegetarian snacks and beverages.

Vegetarian fare from four Thai regions

Regional offerings at SOOKSIAM’s vegetarian festival are quite mind-boggling.

The North: Kao Soi Roasted Duck, Kanom Jeen Nam Ngiao, Nam Prik Ong, Nam Prik Num with fresh vegetables, Yam Naem Khao Tod with five kinds of mushroom, vegetarian pork rind and Puk sesame rice.

The South: Luk Yon rice porridge, Kua Kling, Southern-style vegetarian curry, and Phatthalung Sago.

The Central Plain: rice wrapped in lotus leaves, pineapple fried rice, Pat Pad Sian, Pat Mai Thong Pad Sian, Pat Nuad Mongkorn, Bua Sawan cabbage and shiitake mushrooms, and chili paste sets including Nam Prik Tar Daeng, Nang Phaya bean paste, tamarind paste with fresh vegetables, Lod Chong Wat Chet and Tabtim Krob.

The Northeast: Mushroom Laab, Som Tam Thai, Pla Lar Som Tam, Som Tam Thai, Fruit Som Tam, boiled rice sets with Phad Nam Liab, Gana Chai, and shredded mushrooms, and appetisers such as fried tofu, fried taro, fried radish, fried banana, among others.

Participants can also enjoy a variety of vegetarian dishes from eateries situated in SOOKSIAM such as The Heritage which is presenting Prune Muffin, Chia Almond Milk Pudding and Chia Pistachio Milk Pudding; Eat Pot offering Yen Ta For noodles and fried tofu; Siam Naemnueng with Pak Mor, Vietnamese style Vegetarian rice noodles, among others. Adding to the charm of the festival are offerings from the Chinese community in Ratchaburi Province such as a traditional black tofu of Teochew Chinese style in Photharam district; hand-made Golden Dragon noodles from Ban Pong District. Meanwhile, Chef Book will show the cooking of his special creation of ‘10,000-year Fried Noodles’ which promises the benefits of longevity.

Every Saturday and Sunday throughout the festival, there will be classical Thai dance performances about Hong Linda, Chinese fan dance by the Arts for Youth Association, Ramayana Khon mask dance on the battle episode, cultural performances like Lam Tad (Mae Sri Song Krueng) by the Central Folk Song Association, to name just a few. During the festival, famous chefs will show their culinary talents with the creation of a variety of vegetarian dishes prepared with products from Golden Mountain Sauce, KCG Corporation and Real Thai coconut milk. On 23 September, M.L.Kwantip Devakula, aka Chef Pom, and Food Creator from Golden Mountain Sauce, will give a lesson on cooking noodles in gravy (Rad Na) with Truffle and ham in a vegetarian style. Meanwhile, Supamongkol Supapipat, KCG ambassador chef and Judge of TOP CHEF Thailand nicknamed Chef Art, will present Western-style vegetarian menu based on KCG’s Herbal gnocchi with pesto sauce.

The Stage will be show KCG ambassador chef, Chachaya Raktakanishta and Chief Judge of TOP Chef Thailand (Desserts) better known as Chef Bib, will stage a show on making Vegan Blueberry Cheesecake on October 2, 2022.

There will be demonstrations on preparing vegetarian dishes and desserts using Real Thai coconut milk, such as vegetarian Tom Kha Gai, Kanom Jeen Nam Ya, Bua Loi Nam Dokmai, Coconut Sago Smoothie and Khanom Piakpoon.

Another key highlight is the ‘Rong Jae Mor Yai’ activity that envisions all sponsors and parties involved in the festival cooking up tasty vegetarian dishes in big pots and pans for charity. A total of 2,600 boxes of those dishes will be distributed free of charge to medical personnel, staff and poor communities, throughout the festival’s period at 11 a.m. at 13 points such as Taksin Hospital, Suwan Temple, Suttharam Temple and Tha Din Daeng communities. Throughout the event, there are other interesting activities for everyone to take part including workshops, sale promotions with benefits for every 300-baht worth of purchase at ICONSIAM and SOOKSIAM, while ONESIAM SuperApp members are entitled to a choice of gift sets of Real Thai coconut milk, Golden Mountain sauce and KCG products when they complete a 200-baht purchase.

Furthermore, for purchase of 800-baht worth of goods at ICONSIAM and SOOKSIAM, and a 700-baht buy by ONESIAM SuperApp members, will get a free set of Real Thai coconut milk, Golden Mountain sauce and KCG products of their choice every day throughout the event. There are workshops lining up on 24, 25 and 30 September, and 1-2 October to learn about making Bua Hima and Krong Kraeng Aun-ya Maneee desserts from the Real Thai coconut milk.

At the same time, everyone is invited to pay their respects to the Bodhisattva Guan Yin. Three Guan Yin Bodhisattvas images in the Pang (gesture) of giving a blessing, Pang Pan Korn (with a thousand hands) and Pang sitting on a peacock will be present at SOOKSIAM for worship throughout the event.

CP Foods showcases sustainable Kitchen of the World vision at Sustainability Expo 2022

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Contributor

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29 September 2022, 15:55

Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods), leading food tech company, participated at the Sustainability Expo 2022 (SX2022), which was held during September 26 – October 2, 2022 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok. The company’s booth demonstrates “CPF SUSTAINABLE KITCHEN OF THE WORLD TOWARDS NET-ZERO” vision, highlighting eco-friendly innovations throughout its Feed -Farm -Food business. This recognizes the company’s commitment to ensuring to global food security.

At the event, Dr. Sumet Tantivejkul, Secretary-General of Chaipattana Foundation, presided over the opening ceremony and visited CP Foods’ booth which presenting sustainable innovations. The company shares its best practices in term of sustainable food supply chain, innovative foods, and sustainable products.

The booth highlights the company’s innovative plant-based products “Meat Zero”, Thailand’s best-selling plant-based meat. Meat Zero products have received multiple recognitions from Thailand and international institutions, including the THAIFEX-ANUGA Taste Innovation Show 2022 from its invented PLANT-TEC technique to create meat-like taste and texture. The Meat Zero also bagged Superior Taste Award 2022 from International Taste Institute, The Export Initiative of the Year – Food from Manufacturing Asia and BEST PLANT-BASED BRANDING from Root The Future Plant-Based Food Awards 2021.

In addition to Meat Zero, CP Foods promotes its dedication to packaging development that in line with Design for Recycling concept and the circular economy. The company has advocated for the use of mono material packaging in which all layers are made of the same type of plastic, making it easier to recycle. Furthermore, CP Foods applies recycled materials in a variety kind of packaging such as fresh eggs tray that have 80% recycled plastic content. The company continues to promote the use of alternative materials like biodegradable packaging.

CP Foods shares its experiences with sustainable production and consumption and its commitment to SDGs 12 (responsible consumption and production), with an emphasis on low-carbon products and responsible sourcing according to the circular economy.

CP Foods also exhibits its Innovative Process so-called, Smart Feed -Farm -Food. Green Factory, a prototype factory of the future, which is designed as energy-saving buildings and production processes. There are presentations on the variety of eco-friendly technologies and practices used in the company’s operations such as the use of clean energy, waste to energy generation, water recycling system, environmental conservation projects, carbon footprint evaluation, etc. Meanwhile, it plans to phase out coal usage in all Thailand’s operation (Coal Free 2022) by this year. This work has significantly contributed to achieve the company’s net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 target, which is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Negotiations for an ASEAN Framework Agreement on Competition Launched

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Contributor

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29 September 2022, 14:35

At the 54th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Meeting, the Economic Ministers

Launched the Negotiations for the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Competition (AFAC),

which is to serve as a formal cooperation agreement that would facilitate cross-border

cooperation and coordination on CPL matters amongst the ASEAN Member States (AMS).

The Launch has been identified as one of Cambodia’s Priority Economic Deliverables (PED)

for this year. It is also consistent with strategic measures of the ASEAN Economic Community

Blueprint and the ASEAN Competition Action Plan (ACAP) 2025 which calls for a regional

cooperation arrangement on competition policy and law by establishing competition

enforcement cooperation agreements, to effectively deal with cross-border commercial

transactions.

The AFAC aims to provide a fair and competitive business environment in ASEAN

through cross-border cooperation between competition agencies, promote the

internalisation of competition policy into regional and domestic economic policies, and

provide effective measures to deal with competition issues of mutual interest.

As markets becomes more integrated in the region, cooperation between

competition agencies become more vital as it will help save resources and avoid duplication

of efforts, provide experience-sharing, and assist to provide consistency of decisions in

resolving anti-competitive disputes or at least non-conflicting outcomes.

To kick start the development of the Framework, the Guiding Principles for

negotiating the AFAC has been developed by the ASEAN Heads of Competition Agencies'

with the support from the ASEAN Experts Group on Competition, and subsequently

endorsed by the AEM.

Moscow Tries to Draft Fleeing Russian Men at the Borders

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Associated Press

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29 September 2022, 13:30

People walk toward the border crossing at Verkhny Lars between Georgia, bottom, and Russia leaving Chmi, North Ossetia–Alania Republic, Russia, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. Photo: AP

LARSI, Georgia (AP) — Long lines of Russians trying to escape being called up to fight in Ukraine continued to clog highways out of the country on Wednesday, and Moscow reportedly set up draft offices at borders to intercept some of them.

North Ossetia, a Russian region that borders Georgia, declared a state of “high alert” and said that food, water, warming stations and other aid should be brought in for those who have spent days in queues. Volunteers on the Georgian side of the border also have brought water, blankets and other assistance.

North Ossetia restricted many passenger cars from entering its territory, and set up a draft office at the Verkhy Lars border crossing, Russian news agencies said. Some media outlets released photos at the crossing showing a black van with “military enlistment office” written on it.

Another such draft checkpoint was set up in Russia along the Finnish border, according to the independent Russian news outlet Meduza.

Tens of thousands of Russian men have fled in the week since President Vladimir Putin announced a mobilization to bolster struggling Russian forces in Ukraine. Although Putin said the callup was “partial,” aimed at calling up about 300,000 men with past military service, many Russians fear it will be much broader and more arbitrary than that. There are numerous reports of men with no military training and of all ages receiving draft notices.

Alexander Kamisentsev, who left his home in Saratov for Georgia, described the scene on the Russian side of the border.

“It’s all very scary — tears, screams, a huge number of people. There is a feeling that the government does not know how to organize it. It seems that they want to close the border, but at the same time they are afraid that protests may follow, and they let people leave,” he told the AP.

He said he decided at the last moment to leave “because I am not going to kill my Ukrainian brothers or go to prison.”

Protesters carrying Georgian and Ukrainian flags and signs like “Russia Kills” greeted Russians at the border Wednesday. Giga Lemonjava of the political party Droa, which organized the protest, said the evacuees threaten Georgia’s security and economy.

One protester, Helen Khoshtaria, tweeted: “We organized a protest at the border today so that the incoming Russians know how we feel about their `Russian world.’”

Russians have been crossing by car, bicycle, scooter and foot. According to Yandex Maps, the traffic jam leading to Verkhny Lars, a town near the border between Georgia and North Ossetia, stretched for about 15 kilometers (over 9 miles) on Tuesday.

Georgia’s Interior Ministry said over 53,000 Russians had entered the country since last week.

There also are long lines at the border with Kazakhstan, which has taken in more than 98,000 Russians in the past week.

Russia has land borders with 14 countries.

Model Fearing Myanmar Military Heads to Asylum in Canada

By

Associated Press

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29 September 2022, 13:00

FILE - Thaw Nandar Aung, a model from Myanmar speaks to a reporter in Bangkok, Thailand on March 31, 2021. Photo: Napaxalun Sattayatam / AP File

BANGKOK (AP) — A fashion model from Myanmar who feared being arrested by the country’s military government if she was forced back home from exile has arrived in Canada, which she says has granted her asylum.

Thaw Nandar Aung, also known as Han Lay, left on a flight from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport early Wednesday morning, according to Archayon Kraithong, a deputy commissioner of Thailand’s Immigration Bureau.

Thaw Nandar Aung wrote on Facebook she had arrived in Canada and thanked her fans for their support.

“I will do my best to help my beloved Myanmar and the people of Myanmar as much as I can,” she wrote in the post seen Thursday.

Thaw Nandar Aung had told Radio Free Asia, a U.S.-government funded broadcaster, on Tuesday that she was headed to Canada, after having been been granted political asylum there with the assistance of the U.N. refugee agency and the Canadian Embassy in Thailand.

“Everything happened so fast, and I only have a few pieces of clothing. So I will have to go along with what they have planned for me,” she said.

“I have spoken out for Myanmar wherever I go. I have talked to the media about my country while I was staying in Thailand. Since Canada is a safe place for me, I will have more opportunities to speak out on the issue. And as you know, there is a large Myanmar community in Canada, so I’m sure I’ll be able to carry on the struggle for Myanmar with their help.”

A phone call to the Canadian Embassy seeking comment was not immediately returned.

Thaw Nandar Aung had been stuck at Bangkok’s airport after Thai authorities denied her entry when she arrived Sept. 21 from a short trip to Vietnam. She has been living in Thailand but needed to leave and enter again in order to extend her stay.

While at the airport she met U.N. refugee agency representatives in an effort to avoid being sent back to Myanmar. People denied entry to Thailand are usually deported to their last point of departure, but the U.N. agency advised her she would be arrested in Vietnam and then repatriated to Myanmar. A Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson said she had been denied entry into Thailand “due to an issue with her travel document.”

Thaw Nandar Aung denounced her country’s military rulers last year from the stage of Miss Grand International beauty pageant held in Bangkok. She accused them of selfishness and abusing their power for using lethal force to crush peaceful protests, and appealed for international help for her country.

Myanmar’s military seized power in February 2021 from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and has cracked down heavily on widespread opposition to its rule. Critics, including actors and other celebrities, have been arrested on charges that carry penalties ranging from three years’ imprisonment to death.

In July, authorities executed four activists who were accused of involvement with terrorist activities, and U.N. experts have described the country’s violence as a civil war.

Thaw Nandar Aung said she was charged in absentia in September last year with sedition for speaking out against the military takeover at the pageant and online. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

New York-based Human Rights Watch accused Myanmar’s military government of revoking or otherwise interfering with Thaw Nandar Aung’s passport, making her “the victim of a deliberate political act by the junta to make her stateless when she flew back from Vietnam to Thailand.” It said the tactic was used against other critics as well.

“There is no doubt that what transpired was a trap to try to force Han Lay to return to Myanmar, where she would have faced immediate arrest, likely abuse in detention, and imprisonment,” Phil Robertson, the group’s deputy Asia director said in an emailed statement. “Fortunately, she got good advice to stay put at the airport, and wait for the kind of protection she needed. This was a victory for rights, and refugee protection.”

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Story: Tassanee Vejpongsa.

SX Marketplace truly satisfies all shoppers with sustainable and environmentally friendly products

By

Unix Dev

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28 September 2022, 18:14

The SX Marketplace zone has a wide variety of booths. The company is set to bring the best self-sufficient, sustainable and eco-friendly products from more than 300 stores to sell at the event. Sufficient Living Zone offers top local products from the community development projects across the country such as OTOP projects, Pracharath Rak Samakkee Project, and “A Good Community with Smile” Project to create careers and incomes for the community.

Sustainable Living Zone is here to please the craft and design lovers with a wide range of products designed for sustainable living. The Green Living Market sells innovative products for a better environment, including Smart Farm tools, clean energy products, and vehicles of the future. In addition, there is a Sustainable Book Garden is the home and garden décor center, with a tree market workshop that invites everyone to plant trees. No matter how small space you have, you can add green space to make our planet fresh and sustainable.

Let’s start with finding inspiration about design and sustainability at “room Betterism Design Exhibition 2022”, in which the magazine room has collected Architecture and sustainability designs on display. The belief that creating a good design is not only beneficial for users, but also good for the society around it and is the starting point for creating a sustainable world. The exhibits also address the needs of function, aesthetics, sustainability, and positive impact on society. At the same time, it caters to the daily life, and most importantly, every piece is made for sale and practical use because sustainability that truly benefits shouldn’t just be an outline on paper.

PRODUCTS FROM RED LINGZHI
BOOTH: KHAO HIN SORN ROYAL DEVELOPMENT STUDY CENTER
Red lingzhi is packed with anti-oxidant properties. It can nourish the body. Boil red lingzhi in drinking water like making tea. It also comes in the capsule form. This educational center is also the first organization in Thailand to provide knowledge on vegetable growing, maintaining soil quality and economic animal for farmers. It is also a living nature museum.

COMMUNITY GOODS FROM PRACHUAB KHIRI KHAN PROVINCE
BOOTH: PRACHARATH RAK SAMAKKEE SOCIAL ENTERPRISE (THAILAND) CO., LTD, PRACHUAB KHIRI KHAN PROVINCE
Red lingzhi is packed with anti-oxidant properties. It can nourish the body. Boil red lingzhi in drinking water like making tea. It also comes in the capsule form. This educational center is also the first organization in Thailand to provide knowledge on vegetable growing, maintaining soil quality and economic animal for farmers. It is also a living nature museum.

CHA CHUEN CHAI RAI KHAM POR
BOOTH: THAI SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ASSOCIATION
Tea is the world’s most popular drink, but the caffeine content from tea leaves can interfere with sleep. Therefore, Cha Chuen Chai Rai Kham Por used caffeine-free Jequirity leaves that are grown and taken care of by natural methods and have received the SDGsPGS, the organic farming certificate to guarantee its quality. It is produced by kneading and drying in the sun at about 30 degrees for a total of 5 times, resulting in abluezosize that is 30-100 times sweeter than sugar but without calories. Therefore, it is suitable for people with diabetes and high blood sugar levels. It helps to sleep deeply, reduce coughing, expel phlegm, diuretic and cure hepatitis.

“BENJAPAKEE NECKLACE” AND STYLISH PRODUCTS FROM HIPSTER ARTISTS
BOOTH: SARAPHAD SABPHASILP
Facebook page ” Saraphad Sabphasilp” has worked with the arts community across the country. It collects unique products from the community to be presented to a wide range of design products in one store. It causes escalation, add interest and inspire other community stores. For this event, the proud-to-present products is “Benjapakee necklace” made by four communities divided into designs, embroidery, silverware and distribution. This piece of art has out together artisans, who once lost their hope in life, to create such a lively art. Art is truly healing. It’s a truly personal and inspiring product of all kinds of art.

GREEN DOG TREATS
BOOTH: LAIKA
This is a dog snack brand that aims to make healthy treats for their beloved pets and good for the world by opting for insect protein alternatives, cultured from the brand’s own insect farm. The remaining vegetables and fruits or residue from making juice, which is clean and free of substances, are used to feed the insects. This reduces the problem of food waste and obtains quality protein products that are one of the staples of dog treats. You can choose from 2 recipes: Happy Vitamins that boost immunity, rich in vitamins needed for the body, and Cotton Touch that nourishes the skin, coat and nails, Omega 3 and 6. At the event, they offer special promotions, discount and souvenirs from the store. You can simply get all these by adding LINE friends to the shop.

HAND BAGS FROM KAREN TRIBE (PAKANYOR)
BOOTH: LAMPHUN CITY LAB SHOP
Lamphun City Lab is a social enterprise agency that works as a network. It gathers locals, producers of agricultural goods and crafts, designers who are ready to add new ideas and designs to local products, and young entrepreneurs who want to promote Lamphun’s products on a large scale. At the boot, there are many products ranging from sculpted, and hand-painted ceramic, Longan rice crackers with dried longan meat, rose syrup, cocoa products. The products that Lamphun City Lab proudly presents is a bag by a Pakanyor people who have the will and ability to craft but have no opportunity to distribute it outside their community. Lamphum City Lab therefore connects hill tribes with designers, using local materials and sewing techniques to design a bag with a beautiful design, easy to use and suitable for urban lifestyle.

RECYCLED CEMENT BAG “KID JAK TUNG”
BOOTH: SCG
SCG selects products that stand out for sustainability to present and sell at many events. One of the products that many people pay a lot of attention is to the Recycled Cement Bags. The bags that do not meet the standard quality and are waiting to be destroyed are turned into design products to add value and increase the service life of the product. This is sparked by the circular economy concept , which guides SCG’s operations to make the most of its resources. Anyone who is interested can shop for cement bags in a variety of sizes, vary from cute handbags to pencil bags.

MORE THAN 300 GREEN BRANDS
BOOT: ECOTOPIA
ECOTOPIA has collected products from over 300 brands of non-chemical and recycled products that please the world’ lovers. The featured item to introduce at the event is a household food waste digester from the HASS brand. That can turn food waste into fertilizer within just 24 hours. In addition, we offer sunscreens from the passun brand, which is free of harmful chemicals to corals, suitable for applying to the skin before diving. Another bestseller is the beautifully designed coasters from KING COASTER, made from a special, porous ground texture, which helps to absorbs water well, so that it does not cause waterlogging or mold. The price is only 100 baht. Let’s go shopping here at the boot or at ECOTIPIA, 3rd floor, Siam Discovery.

ORGANIC TREES CULTIVATED WITH LOVE
BOOTH: KALAVELA ORGANIC FARM
Kalavela Organic Farm is an organic plantation in Kanchanaburi province that cultivates with love and grows with determination”. In the area of 12 Rai by River Kwai, 9 types of salad vegetables, common herbs both in Thailand and abroad, are grown. The event aims to bring a variety of trees and vegetables for residents to choose to grow in order to increase the green space in their homes. Come shop here or at the Kalavela Organic Farm Zone at Tops Market.

Before going home, don’t forgot to stop by to pick up a tree home. We provide 10,000 free trees throughout the event. You can simply scan the QR Code or click https://rebrand.ly/SX2022 and tell us the reason you want a tree to grow at home.

G-FAIR KOREA IN BANGKOK to Promote Korea-Thailand Economic Cooperation

By

Contributor

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28 September 2022, 17:43

Korea’s Biggest Sourcing Comes for the First Time to Thailand, 28-29 September 2022 at Centara Grand CentralWorld.

G-FAIR KOREA IN BANGKOK connects Thailand businesspeople and consumers interested in the latest Korean technologies at Korea’s largest exhibition for Korean small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The event is taking place from 10am to 6pm on 28-29 September 2022 at Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Center at CentralWorld, on the 22nd floor.

Free registration can be done at http://gfairbkk.com

The launch of the first ever G-FAIR KOREA IN BANGKOK, on the 28th of September 2022, was led by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Signing Ceremony between the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce, Royal Thai Government and the Gyeonggi Business and Science Accelerator (GBSA), Gyeonggi Provincial Government, Republic of Korea. The signing was preceded by an opening ceremony with several esteemed guests.

This year’s theme for the event, held for the first time in Bangkok, is Smart Life, Smart Business, Smart Future. Attendees were able to explore how state-of-the art products from Korea are making our “Smart Future” possible—without having to travel. G-FAIR KOREA IN BANGKOK exhibitors are organized in 4 zones: Consumer Products; Beauty, Health, & Medical goods; Industrial Products; and Smart City Solutions. Attendees can connect with more than one hundred suppliers from Korea and can take advantage of exclusive offers for retail and wholesale products.

Since its inception in 1999, G-FAIR KOREA has drawn thousands of exhibitors across diverse industries and topics; connecting buyers and marketers to facilitate the sale of new products and creation of new trading partnerships.

The Republic of Korea’s key “New Southern Policy” is structured to develop relations with ASEAN members at the same level as the four major powers around the Korean Peninsula. Exchanges are being expanded in the areas of technology, culture, arts, and personnel—moving beyond economic-focused relations.

Gyeonggi Province, the most populous autonomy and economic heart of the Republic of Korea, is leading the New Southern Policy as a global economic hub—pursuing various exchange and cooperation projects through friendly ties with five other regions in four ASEAN countries.

Thailand is considered a good potential partner as well as a traditional ally and strategic partner. Gyeonggi Province plans to open its GBC (Gyeonggi Business Center Bangkok) to strengthen economic ties and cooperation with Thailand, establishing a bridgehead for Korea-ASEAN economic and trade exchange.

Unilever Thailand wins HR’s Asia Best Companies to Work For with the best HR practices which demonstrate high levels of employee engagement and excellent workplace cultures

By

Contributor

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28 September 2022, 16:30

On Thursday 22 September 2022 – Unilever Thailand being recognized as the HR Asia’s Best Companies to Work for in Asia Awards 2022 which is an awards recognition program for organizations that have been identified by their employees as one of Asia’s employers of choice and ascertains the best employers to work for. The award is targeted at companies across Asia and recognizes companies with the best HR practices and which demonstrate high levels of employee engagement and excellent workplace cultures.

Ming Choo LING, Home Care SEA HR Lead & TH MYSG MCL Head of HR, said this award is a huge validation of our ongoing efforts in people, and this is our mantra. When you look after your people, they will look after your business. When you care for your people, put their health, their safety, their well-being, and their growth in the center of everything you do. Believe me, you will watch them make your business better every day.

Unilever reinforced the importance of being a safe, inclusive and supportive place to work for our 148,000 employees. Around 90,000 people took part in our UniVoice employee survey in 2021. We sustained very high engagement levels – 82% in offices and 83% in factories – which places us in the top quartile for employee engagement compared to industry benchmarks.

We believe that our people are the heartbeat of Unilever. When they thrive, our business thrives. We look at the future of work through three different lenses including the work, the workplace, and the workforce. Unilever global ambition is shaping the future of work through three big commitments:

Reskill or upskill our employees with future-fit skills by 2025.
Pioneer new models to provide our employees with flexible employment options by 2030.
Help equip 10 million young people with essential skills by 2030.

Helping our people become future-fit

Technology such as robots and artificial intelligence will continue to change the nature of many jobs, particularly in manufacturing. Some will disappear, and others will need new skills and ways of working. That’s why we’ve committed to reskill or upskill our employees by 2025 so they have future-fit skills for roles inside Unilever or beyond. Focus Friday which is meeting-free afternoon for employee to concentrate on their assignments, learning and wellbeing. And it means giving people time off to study or retrain. Our ultimate aim is to be a workplace that embraces openness and adaptability so that our people can do their best work wherever and however it suits them.

Providing our people with flexible employment

The Covid-19 pandemic has proved that people don’t have to be sitting together to work together. Fixed ways of working – roles, places, hours, skills – no longer reflect the way the world works. We believe in the power of flexibility and choice, so we’re thinking differently about our future workplaces and pioneering new models of employment. This means offering more flexible project-based roles that still have the benefits of permanent contracts. It means giving our people more options for managing the balance between work and home life, such as letting them choose where they work and when, personalizing the benefits plan based on employee life cycle stages.

Developing young people’s skills

We’re developing apprenticeship schemes and working with Thai universities, our suppliers and distributors to build vocational skills and share job opportunities to help young people to get into work. And our business and brands are working with many other partners to build programmes to help young people become ‘work ready. That’s why we’ve committed to help equip 10 million young people with essential skills by 2030.

Young voices have always been a powerful catalyst for change. At Unilever, youth can make things happen with their positive energy, enthusiasm, and original ideas. Bring purpose to life in the work they do – and together, we can lead the way to a sustainable future.

Unilever Future Leaders Program (UFLP) is one of the great development programs we offer to young generation. It is a 2-year program which UFL will be assigned a dedicated career sponsor who will guide and mentor them throughout the programme. They will work with career sponsor and leaders to craft goals for their career and map out the experiences required to achieve them. These experiences will include functional critical experiences in specialisation function, international experiences working in multi-national teams, empowerment to build leadership skills and agile thinking.

With 89 years in Thailand, we believe that looking at the bigger picture is crucial, because for business to thrive, society has to be thriving too: from our employees and consumers to suppliers, shareholders and other stakeholders. Unilever Thailand was ranked No. 1 employer of choice for four consecutive years and younger generation are inspired to work here, making the company more purposeful. Surrounded by inspiring leaders and peers, employees are encouraged to bring fresh ideas to the table. They will be nurtured and supported as they developed to be their best self-possible. It’s a great honour as Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2022. Thanks HR Asia again for recognizing us here, Ming Choo added.

In addition to Unilever Thailand has been awarded HR’s Asia Best Companies to Work For for four consecutive years. With outstanding human resource management excellence in global level. Unilever in Cambodia, Philippines and Vietnam also received this award.

Caroline Link honoured ‘outstanding female leader’ for doing business with social responsibility and environmental friendliness

By

Contributor

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28 September 2022, 16:05

BANGKOK, September 2022: Caroline Link, the fourth-generation heir to B.Grimm, Thailand’s oldest business institutions founded in 1878, was named “Outstanding Women Leaders for Green Growth Awards 2022” by the Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Associations of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of H.M. the Queen. The 2022 award recognises Caroline for conducting business with social responsibility and environmental friendliness. The award presentation ceremony was held at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok recently.

Caroline carried her family’s 144-year tradition of “doing business with compassion in harmony with nature.” She has long been known for her commitment to sustainable business practices in all dimensions, and her philanthropy both with B.Grimm and other organisations.

Caroline is President of B.Grimm Joint Venture Holding Ltd and Director of B.Grimm Power Public Co Ltd. She plays a crucial role in driving B.Grimm’s businesses, especially in energy, industrial systems and healthcare, by adhering to good corporate governance and sustainable business practices. High on B.Grimm’s agenda is becoming a net-zero carbon emissions organisation by 2050.

“With global warming and climate change issues becoming more critical, B.Grimm has dedicated efforts to find ways to reduce greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emissions as much as possible,” said Caroline.

“We started by presenting information on global warming issues to educate and increase awareness among our employees. We also promote clean energy at our facilities such as installing solar panels on roof-tops of various buildings at B.Grimm’s headquarters as well as setting up EV charging stations for use by employees.”

In terms of innovation, Caroline prioritises adopting digital and IoT technologies for developing renewable or clean energy and for securing new solutions to help save B.Grimm’s energy usage.

After closely surveying across B.Grimm’s joint ventures, Caroline identified and pulled together various best practices in energy efficiency innovations and launched a new comprehensive industrial energy efficiency enterprise. The new business aimed to provide a one-stop solution for industries and companies looking to increase energy savings in power and air quality management.

Caroline attached great importance to the conservation of nature and the environment. She plays a pivotal role in driving B.Grimm’s comprehensive forest conservation, by initiating a continuous reforestation project to restore forests and the environment in Chon Buri province together with the Thai Polo and Equestrian Club. This included planting of economic trees over 250 rai of land in 2020.

B.Grimm has worked with the WWF-Thailand and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to restore the forest ecosystem through “Save the Tiger” project to conserve and rehabilitating the tiger population — a mission which has continued unabated for more than eight years.

Like her father, Dr Harald Link, Caroline also believes that, with compassion, a business can exist in harmony with nature and community. Tigers are one of the top predators that maintain the balance of the ecosystem. When the top species are endangered, the ecosystem in which they live is endangered as well. There are only approximately 150 tigers remaining in the wild in Thailand, so strong actions are needed to increase the population.

The cooperation calls for the provisions of equipment and welfare for rangers who help protecting resources and the land as well as campaigning and educating about tiger conservation among students and communities living in areas near the forest reserves.

The Outstanding Women Leaders for Green Growth Awards 2022 event is a collaboration of the Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Associations of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of HM the Queen, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.

They seek to honour exemplary female executives who conceptually developed businesses to grow with an environmentally friendly approach along with improving the quality of life and well-being for employees, customers, communities and society in a sustainable way.

Four other awardees for this year are Supatra Chirathivat, Lalana Srikram, Tippaporn Ariyawararom and Peerada Patitat.

China’s Xi Reappears on State TV Amid Rumors Over Absence

By

Associated Press

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28 September 2022, 11:30

In this image taken from video footage run by China's CCTV, Chinese President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders visit an exhibit with the theme of "Forging Ahead into the New Era" at the Beijing Exhibition Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022. Photo: CCTV via AP

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping reappeared on state television Tuesday after a several-day absence from public view that sparked rumors about the 69-year-old leader’s political fortunes.

Xi was shown visiting a display at the Beijing Exhibition Hall on the theme of “Forging Ahead into the New Era.”

Accompanied by Premier Li Keqiang and other top leaders, Xi, who is also head of the ruling Communist Party and the People’s Liberation Army, viewed some of the displays and commented on China’s economic progress over the past decade.

The visit was Xi’s first appearance on television since he returned from a regional summit in Uzbekistan last weekend.

Under Chinese pandemic regulations, he would need to stay in quarantine for a week after returning.

China’s opaque system frequently gives rise to rumors of political infighting or attempted coups, despite the stable nature of the authoritarian surveillance state that cracks down relentlessly on any sign of dissent. Xi is widely considered China’s most powerful leader in decades, has no known active challengers, and has removed constitutional term limits, allowing him to rule for life should he wish.

It is not unusual for Chinese leaders to drop out of sight for days or even weeks, for example to attend informal political meetings held at the beachside resort of Beidaihe each summer.

However, the timing of Xi’s absence just weeks before the convening of a key party congress held once every five years provided grist to the rumor mill. Xi is expected to receive a third five-year term as party leader at the congress beginning Oct. 16, in a break with recent tradition that limited leaders to two terms.

China politics expert Kerry Brown said he was highly skeptical that there was anything more to be read into Xi’s brief absence.

“I guess if there was deep dissatisfaction with Xi’s leadership in the elite … we would have seen at least a bit of evidence,” said Brown, professor of Chinese Studies and director of the Lau China Institute at King’s College London. “And I don’t think we’ve seen much evidence of that.”

The party is inherently risk averse, and any person or group seeking to pull off such a radical action would have a very tough time attacking an edifice that has been built almost entirely around Xi, Brown said.

Rumors of coups and infighting are not unusual ahead of sensitive political dates, but the People’s Liberation Army — the party’s military wing — has been disciplined by a sweeping anti-corruption campaign.

“I think it’s wishful thinking maybe in Hong Kong and elsewhere,” he said. “I wouldn’t think it very credible.”

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