Editorial | Sutin Klungsang: From a Teacher of the Northeast to Minister of Defence

Thailand has a new government after much behind the scenes negotiations. Elite+ was quite fortunate to be afforded the opportunity to interview the new Minister of Defence, HE Sutin Klungsang, who shares with Elite+ his vision for a more modernised military. In our Diplomatic Affairs column, Kathleen Pokrud sits down with Vietnam’s ambassador to Thailand, HE Phan Chi Thanh, to talk about what he has been doing to strengthen Vietnamese-Thai bilateral relations as he comes to the end of his posting here. We also tell you about the gala reception the ambassador hosted to celebrate the 78th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day.

Later in this issue, we introduce you to Melati Suryodarmo, an Indonesian performance artist and her ground-breaking work. We also describe the four events organized by the Indonesian embassy in Bangkok and their “Trade, Tourism, Investment and Culture Forum” (TTICF) to celebrate the 78th anniversary of the Republic’s independence.

As sustainability remains a major concern, particularly as we face torrential storms and flooding, we introduce the Sustainable Expo, SX 2023, organized by Thai Beverage and their partners, as well as tell you about Teeranard Chokwatana, a lifelong advocate of food security and sustainability, as she promotes soy-based meat substitutes and vegan diets.

In this issue, we take you to places that are now in trend as well as off the beaten track. Our Dining column tells you about a Michelin-star restaurant in Seoul, Korea, while for Travel, we visit Malaysia’s Eagle Island, Langkawi. Then, Khun Pongpol Adireksarn takes us to explore the High Arctic, Greenland and Canada while Ezra Kyrill Erker shares his photographs of Iceland, the Land of Fire and Ice.

To help keep us on the go as we age, in our Health column, Dr Pisuth Lertvilai talks about how to extend quality years to our lives while Anchalee Viva, in her short story, “The Tree Reincarnate”, tells about the different incarnations of a woman over a number of lifetimes.

So, while this might seem like a somewhat eclectic collection of articles, I think that together, they provide insight into current issues as well as entertainment, activities and ideas for you to contemplate. Please enjoy...

Punrit Taechatada
Executive Editor