Bangkok residents bundle up as cold spell hits
Originally aired on Channel NewsAsia on December 21, 2018
Bangkok is currently experiencing a cold spell and people in the Thai capital are enjoying mild temperatures in the mid-20s during the day and as low as 15°C in the mornings.
Thai PM considering to lift ban on political activity
Originally aired on Channel NewsAsia on December 20, 2017
Thai Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha is considering to lift the ban on political activity before eventual democratic elections announced for November 2018. However, there's a catch or two, one of them the proposed usage of Article 44. Here's my explainer.
European Union to re-engage with Thai military government
Originally aired on Channel NewsAsia on December 12, 2017
The European Union's Foreign Affair's Council has decided to re-engage with the Thai military government "on all levels" for the first time since the military coup of 2014. Here's my quick take and analysis by Dr. Titipol Phakdeewanich from Ubon Ratchathani University.
TRANSCRIPT
The EU’s Foreign Affairs Council, consisting of the foreign ministers from all its member states, have decided to re-engage "on all levels" with the Thailand, marking a pivotal change. The EU has suspended high-ranking contacts with the Thai military government since they launched the coup of 2014.
The Council has noted a number of recent steps taken by the Thai military, including the announcement to hold democratic elections in November 2018, despite the fact that the military government has repeatedly postponed and delayed it in the past.
Other countries have gradually relaxed their stance towards Thailand in the past, most recently the United States when President Trump welcomed Thai Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha to the White House in Washington DC last October. And there’s one reason that many countries are trying to re-engage with Thailand.
DR. TITIPOL PHAKDEEWANICH; Dean Faculty of Political Science, Ubon Ratchathani University:
"But I think that is not only one reason. But it is also about the balance of power between Thailand and China as well and how the European Union want to be part of the region in Southeast Asia. If you can see after the coup, the military government have been trying to open more space for China to move in. This also raised concern for the US and the European Union and - it has been three years."
The move does signal that the EU has realized that the military is staying in power much longer than they have anticipated and will remain an influence in Thai politics even after the elections and thus the complete diplomatic downgrade has proven to be ineffective.
That’s why the EU now wants directly engage with them in order to keep the military government honest on issues such as human rights, personal freedom and the eventual return to democracy.
The Council has also signaled that it is possible to resume talks about a Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and Thailand. It is said that the negotiations were already at an advanced state, but then suspended in the aftermath of the military coup.
The European Union is one of the largest trading partners to Thailand, with bilateral trading worth almost 34 million Euros or 40 million US Dollars.
Saksith Saiyasombut, Channel NewsAsia, Bangkok
First Michelin Guide for Bangkok Revealed
Originally aired on Channel NewsAsia on December 6, 2017
It is probably the worst kept secret in the world that Thailand and its capital Bangkok are renowned by millions and millions for the local cuisine and for the local restaurant scene.
And now they are finally getting honored with their own Michelin Guide. in the first edition for 2018, 98 restaurant and eateries are listed among them: 14 with a one-star Michelin rating, and just three restaurants with a two star rating.
But also among them - it wouldn’t be Bangkok without its street food scene - 28 vendors are mentioned in that and even one of them got one Michelin star: a restaurant that is served by a 72 year old lady that is preparing stir fry dishes and seafood dishes that is well-known amongst locals and tourists alike.
SUPINYA CHANSUTA, Owner & Chef "Jay Fai":
"When it comers to cooking, you have to be serious, and be in control of everything at all times, you can’t trust others, I’m in control of everything - even if it’s difficult for the staff sometimes. THAT’S cooking."
There is no restaurant with a 3 star rating, but that might be for the next year for the Michelin Guide of 2019.
Saksith Saiyasombut, Channel NewsAsia, Bangkok
Michelin Launches First Edition of Famed Restaurant Guide in Bangkok
Originally aired on Channel NewsAsia on December 6, 2018
Millions of tourists travel to Thailand and many of them solely for its famed cuisine. From street food to high-end restaurants, Bangkok has something offer for every palette. Now the Michelin Guide is about to reveal its list of the top spots for the city and Channel NewsAsia’s Thailand Correspondent Saksith Saiyasombut has sampled the appetite for the upcoming reviews.
TRANSCRIPT
It’s no secret that good food can be found in Bangkok almost anywhere, at almost any time, and for any budget.
Whether it's from a street vendor or from a fine dining restaurant.
But that hasn’t always been the case: Chef Norbert Kostner came to the city 50 years ago, when the restaurant scene was just beginning...
NOBERT KOSTNER; Former Executive Chef Mandarin Oriental Hotel Bangkok:
"They got nothing imported, it was already difficult to find a potato. It’s already difficult to find some cream for cooking. And nothing, there was…I think a Wiener Schnitzel was a specialty these times, because it was really the beginning. When I came here, it was the beginning of the tourism coming."
But now the city, known for its culinary diversity, has caught the attention of the inspectors of the Michelin Guide.
SAKSITH SAIYASOMBUT; Bangkok, Thailand:
“The Michelin Guide didn’t actually start out as a guide to fine dining. At the beginning of the 20th century, two French brothers, Édouard and André Michelin published a guide for car owners in France, giving useful information about petrol stations, mechanics, hotels and restaurants. The idea was simple - they owned a tyre company and they wanted car owners to leave home and drive more around France. Today, the Michelin Guide has become a yardstick for high-quality cuisine, and chefs in the foodie metropolis of Bangkok are eagerly waiting to see which restaurants have made it into the prestigious list.”
Accompanied by a large marketing campaign with Thai tourism authorities, the French tyre company hopes to put its mark on the city’s restaurant scene with its famed star ratings and a spot on its Bib Gourmand list.
But not every chef believes a Michelin star - or two or three - will make a big impact on established eateries.
DANIEL BUCHER; Senior Executive Sous Chef, Marriott Marquis Hotel Bangkok:
"Bangkok is already a city with lots of food travelers, Bangkok is already a city with heavy food traffic. But at the same time, I do think the trend effect and the fast pace of Bangkok will kind of wear off the effect of a Michelin star pretty quickly. And if the places that everyone regards as the top places in town have a star or not - I don’t think that makes a huge difference!"
Not everyone will agree. Some say the guide will motivate chefs and restaurants to aim higher... but Michelin stars or not, Bangkok will no doubt continue to draw in foodies to the table.
Saksith Saiyasombut, Channel NewsAsia, Bangkok