Editorial | Kitti Singhapat: Not Just a News Anchor, But a True Humanitarian

There have been changes in the air. The extreme heat is now bringing the monsoon rains. A new government has been formed. The bombing in the Middle East has quieted, and there is renewed hope for a peace settlement. Meanwhile, this issue of Elite+ marks the beginning of a new 12-year cycle with changes on the horizon.

To start, we had the chance to sit down with award-winning Channel 3 news anchor Kitti Singhapat, who was recently presented with the very prestigious Sriburapha Award for his lifetime achievements as a journalist and humanitarian. You will also meet Italy's forward-thinking ambassador, HE Paolo Dionisi, to discuss La Cucina Italiana, Italian Cuisine, and its official inscription on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity; the importance of his country’s soft power and Italian-Thai bilateral relations. Later, in our Lifestyle column, we learn about the nomadic diplomatic life of Madame Mariko Poimboeuf, the spouse of the French ambassador to Thailand.

We also share with you why the Bangkok Rights Fair, held in conjunction with the Bangkok International Book Fair, was such a success before we introduce one of the Chommanard International Women’s Literary Award shortlisted best-selling authors, Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai of Vietnam and her novel, The Mountains Sing. Later, in our Travel column, Lau Yee Wa, the Chommanard Award’s grand prize winner shares her impressions and insights from a visit to Ayutthaya organised for the Chommanard Award shortlisted and country winners. Continuing with our literary theme, we share a discussion on the writing of National Artist Seksan Prasertkul and how translations of his work are helping to bridge Southeast Asian literatures.

In this issue, we also report on Bangkok Bank’s second “Great Green Transition Forum” that had as its theme, “Sustainable Growth in Action”, to help businesses transition to a green economy. Later, Pongpol Adireksarn takes you on an adventure to Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary to find the rare Big Seven endangered species. This is followed by the endearing short story “Mai Li” by Seksan Prasertkul, and then a visit to the Grecian isle, Aegina, in the heart of the Saronic Gulf.

With all these articles and still more about good living, I do hope you enjoy this issue as much as we have putting it all together.

Arthorn Techatada
Executive Editor