Editorial | ASEAN Sec-Gen Dr Kao Kim Hourn : An Inspiration to All He Meets

The rains have arrived, cooling what was one of the hottest summers here in Thailand. The air pollution from burning fields and wild fires has also abated. Meanwhile, the US and Europe have been suffering from similar smog as well as extreme weather conditions, high, high temperatures and rain storms that have led to flooding. I don’t believe anyone can now argue that the world is not suffering from climate change.

And this is why in this issue we continue to focus on sustainable development with interviews with Sanan Angubolkul, who as chairman of the TCC and BOT, is at the forefront in its adoption and promotion as is Vibeke Lyssand Leirvag, first JFCCT chairwoman. We also learn from Manfred Ilg, the general manager of Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok what he and his hotel are doing to to enhance Bangkok hospitality.

Our cover story introduces you to the new ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn, an extraordinary individual, who, after migrating to the US and earning his undergraduate, master’s and PhD, returned to Cambodia to help rebuild the country and has now been selected to lead ASEAN in this post Covid pandemic era. We also meet HE Ambassador Millicent Cruz Paredes of the Philippines and learn how she is adjusting since the removal of all Covid-19 restrictions. In our Country Portrait column, we report on Bangkok Bank’s first Executive Round Table of the year that featured two keynote speakers from the bank discussing current and future economic and digital trends before industry leaders provided their assessments.

In this issue, we also introduce the Art and Archive of Angkarn Kallayanapong, whose daughters are working to make the art and writings as well as beloved possessions of this national artist available to the public. Oliver Hargreave then takes us to Clonakilty, Country Cork, Ireland, while Pongpol Adireksarn takes us spelunking in Petchabun and Ezra Kyrill Erker brings us to some of the world’s most picturesque gardens in the world.

Before this, you will meet Madame Yan Donko, spouse of the Austrian ambassador to Thailand and learn what it may mean to be Thai through the short story, ‘To Be or Not to Be’, by Anchalee Viva.

I do hope you enjoy this issue of Elite+ and find the articles both insightful and entertaining.

Punrit Taechatada
Executive Editor