Editorial | Dr Kobsak Pootrakool, a crystal-ball glimpse into Thailand's future economy

First and foremost, I would like to thank our sponsors, supporters, friends and distinguished guests for attending our fifth anniversary gala at the Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok earlier in September. As a publisher and a businessman, nothing makes me happier and prouder than seeing such heart-warming support and good wishes from familiar faces and new friends that are as passionate as we are about things that matter. Your support will drive us to do better – and to be stronger. Thanks go out to all of you as we enter our sixth year. The years onward will be even more rewarding.

Guests at the gala were treated to an insightful and inspiring speech by Dr Kobsak Pootrakul, one of Thailand’s most visionary economists, about future challenges facing the Thai economy over the next decade and how to handle them. I personally found it to be eye-opening, and I am happy to be able to share it again in Elite+ for those who were unable to attend the gala. Dr Kobsak provided fascinating food for thought and made everyone present consider that Thailand’s future challenges need to be thought of in terms of more than available resources. We need to think about our readiness, adaptability and awareness of what looms on the horizon. I am confident that you will find Dr Kobsak’s speech to be very helpful in giving you a broader perspective on how to prepare for our challenging future.

In this issue, we also had the honour of interviewing the Philippines ambassador to Thailand and permanent representative to UN-ESCAP, Mary Jo A Bernardo-Aragon, who shed light on relations between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Thailand, dating all the way back to early maritime trade. This issue also features media mogul and visionary JS Uberoi in our People and Leadership column, in which he shares the inspiring story of how he almost singlehandedly kickstarted Thailand’s first – and so far only – international festival for the performing arts.

Flip through the pages, as we take you to Laos in an encounter with women’s rugby, to Hong Kong, where bold meat-free, culinary solutions are making a contribution to saving the planet and also explore other worldwide alluring destinations and take inspiration from them. Our team had so much fun putting together this issue’s content. I sincerely hope you enjoy reading the fruits of the team’s endeavours.

Read on – and until next time!

Warm Regards,
Arthorn Techatada
Executive Editor