Richie Koh gets fluent in Hokkien for new dialect drama Whatever Will Be, Will Be
Koh, who is Teochew, told CNA Lifestyle in a previous interview that his Hokkien isn’t particularly strong, so he’s had to work hard to make sure he nails all his lines.
We imagine it’s challenging to act in a language that’s not your first, but we’re also sure he gets lots of help from his fellow cast members, especially Hokkien veterans like Richard “Limpeh” Low.
Will Koh’s Hokkien pass muster? Well, whatever will be, will be, so we’ll have to watch to find out.
Catch Whatever Will Be, Will Be starting Jul 21, Fridays at 11.30am on Channel 8.
Suchatvee asked to vie for top Dems’ job
Suchatvee Suwansawat, the Democrat Party’s Bangkok governor candidate, has been asked to stand in the party leadership contest, although he has not decided whether to put his name in the hat, according to a source in the Democrats.
He was wooed to enter the leadership race set for Sunday by members affiliated to Chalermchai Sri-on, former party secretary-general. Mr Suchatvee was approached for the role despite having earlier declined to vie for the top party seat.
Other potential candidates include Watanya Bunnag, who heads the party’s working group on political innovations, Det-it Khaothong, the Democrats’ acting secretary-general, and former Democrat MP Issara Seriwatthanawut.
On his Facebook account, Mr Issara said he had no desire to compete for the leadership role or any party executive post.
So far, Alongkorn Ponlaboot, the acting Democrat deputy leader, is the only member who has stepped forward to announce his bid to run.
There are also steadfast supporters in the Democrats’ northeastern chapters pushing for former party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva to return.
All 48 branches and representatives of the Democrats in the Northeast have issued a statement supporting Mr Abhisit for a second term as party leader.
Mr Abhisit, also a former prime minister, led the Democrats from March 2005 to March 2019.
Shortly after the 2019 general election, he relinquished the party leadership to face responsibility for the Democrats’ crushing defeat in the polls.
The statement supporting Mr Abhisit’s party leadership was released at a gathering of the Democrats’ northeastern members in Khon Kaen on Tuesday.
The members made known their stance ahead of the party’s assembly on Sunday to elect a new executive board and a new party leader to replace Jurin Laksanawisit.
The executive board was terminated when Mr Jurin resigned as party leader after he was unable to fulfill his promise to land at least 25 MPs in the May 14 election.
Unofficial poll results indicated the Democrats would capture fewer than 25 MP seats. The Election Commission (EC) eventually confirmed the party won 25 — although that came after Mr Jurin resigned.
NACC asks Pita to show estate papers
ITV shares still loom over his PM bid
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has asked Move Forward Party (MFP) leader and prime ministerial candidate Pita Limja-roenrat to file documents relating to his role as his father’s executor, and Mr Pita has until July 23 to supply the papers.
The issue of media share ownership has become a potential sticking point in his bid to lead the country as head of the coalition government.
NACC assistant secretary-general Watanachai Sommee said Mr Pita had only submitted a record of his shares in iTV to the agency after he became an MP following the 2019 general election.
Mr Watanachai said the MFP leader also attached a copy of a court order appointing him as executor of his late father’s inheritance, but the NACC could not verify the document.
However, the NACC has asked Mr Pita to file documents relating to his role as his father’s executor and he has until July 23, Mr Watanachai said.
The MFP leader informed the NACC he held 42,000 shares worth 44,100 baht in iTV Plc on behalf of other relatives because he was executor of his late father’s estate.
The Bangkok South Civil Court ordered him to hold the shares in his capacity as executor, and he has already transferred them, he told the anti-corruption commission.
The iTV shareholding led to complaints questioning his eligibility to hold a political position because the constitution prohibits a shareholder in a media company from running in a general election.
Mr Watanachai said the NACC would also check on Mr Pita’s sale of a block of land in Pran Buri district of Prachuap Khiri Khan, as the sale price was not reported.
Mr Watanachai made the remarks yesterday as the NACC published the declared assets and liabilities of 40 of the MPs whose terms ended on March 20. They included Mr Pita.
Mr Pita’s net worth has fallen 41 million baht since he entered parliament four years ago, according to his declared assets.
The MFP leader declared he was single and had 85 million baht in assets, including 1.8 million baht in cash, 15 million baht in loans to his brother, 14 rai of land in Prachuap Khiri Khan worth 18 million, a condo worth 15 million baht and 19 million baht in insurance-related assets and relevant privileges.
Cabinet defers BMA’s Green Line debt issue
The cabinet decided on Wednesday that it will let its successor deal with the debt incurred by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) in hiring Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC) to operate the Green Line extension, according to a Government House source.
Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda told the cabinet of the debt which the BMA is supposed to pay BTS Group Holdings for operating the Green Line extension, worth around 78 billion baht.
The cabinet acknowledged the outstanding debt and will hand it to the next government to deal with as it is beyond the power of the caretaker government to resolve.
The BMA is waiting for the government to take action on the debt problem, after the BMA submitted a letter to the Interior Ministry seeking the government’s help in sorting out the issues associated with the Green Line extension, Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt said.
Mr Chadchart said the BMA has urged the government to help absorb the costs of building the Green Line’s infrastructure and the electrical and mechanical (E&M) installation work, worth around 20 billion baht, adding that the BMA was unable to take care of the costs.
Mr Chadchart said the BMA was prepared to pay for the E&M installation debt. However, this must be approved by the BMA council first.
At present, the BMA and its business arm Krungthep Thanakhom (KT) owe about 30 billion baht to the BTSC for operating and maintaining the Green Line’s first extension on the On Nut-Bearing and Saphan Taksin-Bang Wa sections, as well as the second extension on the Bearing-Samut Prakan and Mo Chit-Saphan Mai-Khu Khot sections.
Sunil Chhetri: Indian footballer in the same league as Messi and Ronaldo
Getty ImagesOn Tuesday, the Indian football team won its ninth South Asian Football Federation Championship (SAFF) title after beating Kuwait on penalties. At the centre of the triumph was one man – Indian captain Sunil Chhetri. He has served Indian football for close to two decades, inspiring a generation of players. Sports writer Gautam Bhattacharyya traces the player’s glorious journey.
A question that the motley team of football writers from India, who travel to cover the Fifa World Cup, often face is: does their country really play football?
The element of surprise is not unexpected. Despite its reputation as a huge market for football tourism, India has not been able to shed its tag of being a cricket-crazy nation.
But this is where Sunil Chhetri, the long serving Indian captain, stands out.
The 38-year-old goal machine, who led his country to a modest Inter-continental Cup and SAFF Championship over last three weeks, is currently the third highest scorer of international goals among active footballers.
He has 93 strikes from 142 matches – the top two positions belonging to Cristiano Ronaldo (123 goals from 200 caps) and Lionel Messi (103 from 175).
Take the all-time list and Chhetri is ranked fourth with Iranian legend Ali Daei ahead of him with 109 goals from 148 matches.
What makes his story all the more exceptional is that the list of all-time best 10 footballers is populated by stars from countries with an impeccable football lineage – where Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas holds the sixth position (84 goals) and Robert Lewandowski of Poland is ranked eighth (79 goals).
Compare that to the footballing credentials of the country Chhetri comes from. The last time India had a podium finish in a major championship was a bronze more than 50 years back in the 1970 Asian Games, while their Fifa ranking has hovered around the 100-mark for as long as one can remember.
The Blue Tigers – as the national team is called – acquitted well for themselves by qualifying for two Asian Cup finals on the trot now, though a qualifying berth in the World Cup from Asia has remained a pipe dream.
It’s in this ecosystem that Chhetri thrives, and does so with a tremendous sense of pride for his jersey.
His achievements have not gone entirely unrecognised – Fifa produced a documentary on him called Captain Fantastic last year, which is available on the Fifa+ channel.
Every conversation with Chhetri inevitably boils down to him being in the goal-getters’ race with the two superheroes of the game: Ronaldo and Messi.
Chhetri borrows the words of Bob Houghton – a respected British coach under whom he began his journey in Indian colours – to put things in perspective: “You cannot have the skills of Ronaldo or score goals like him, but nobody can stop you from working hard as him.”
Nice words those, but how does he maintain an impressive goal-scoring ratio for a country whose staple participation comes mainly from smaller tournaments, such as the SAFF Championship, Intercontinental Cup, Asian Cup qualifiers or Asian Cup finals and friendlies?
The Asian Games have remained out of bounds since Chhetri’s arrival on the scene, while the Nehru Cup – an invitational meet where he has nine goals – has also been discontinued.
The SAFF Championship, which India won after a shootout in the final against Kuwait in Bengaluru on Tuesday, has accounted for nearly 25% of his goals so far (24).
Of these, 18 came in friendlies, 13 in the Intercontinental Cup, nine in Fifa World Cup qualifiers and the Nehru Cup apiece, while the remaining were scored in AFC events and the King’s Cup.
He has had four hat-tricks so far, including one against Pakistan at SAFF. Yes, there could be the odd snigger at the quality of some of the opposition, but then there are no freebies in international football.
It’s much to Chhetri’s credit that after all these years, he still remains the go-to man for the Blue Tigers for scoring goals – and he has retained the hunger for it. The recently concluded SAFF Championship bears testimony to that.
He started off with the hat-trick against Pakistan in their opening game and had six goals in all – a strike rate which speaks of phenomenal consistency and focus. But it also raises a question: “After Chhetri, who?”
There are no prizes for guessing that his longevity in international football, along with his work ethic, are the key factors behind Chhetri’s success.
Sample this: the 2022-23 season was his 18th year at international level and 21st at the club circuit. It was in June 2005 that Chhetri earned his first international cap – the same year as Messi, and two years after the mighty Ronaldo.
In a freewheeling chat with me last year during India’s Asian Cup qualifiers in Kolkata, Chhetri explained what has kept him going: ”It’s all about making the small sacrifices in the end.”
“It’s all about what I eat and how much I sleep. For the kind of good life that I have got by God’s grace, it’s not a big deal to go for the broccolis rather than the biryani – as I know there will be enough time for such indulgence once I am done with the game. There had been several players who started off around my time and were at my level or even better. But they could not sustain the physical demands [of the game],” he said.
However, his years of experience at international and club level has helped him to understand his body better and make subtle tactical changes to prolong his career.
In the last edition of Indian Super League (ISL), the talismanic Chhetri was no longer an automatic choice in the starting XI for his club team Bengaluru FC, coming on more often as a super sub.
This is something which kept him fresh for the rigours of national duty. He did not function in the same pace as before – choosing to lurk by and then breaking into critical, short bursts of speed to reach the ball, when it mattered the most.
Speaking about their chances in the Asian Cup in Doha in January (where India has been grouped with World Cup regulars Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria), Chhetri said: “It’s evidence of the progress we have made and a big step forward. At the same time, it is a small step in the context of where we want to be. If you take top Asian teams – Japan, Iran, Saudi Arabia – you will see they always want to play with better and higher ranked teams. That’s how you improve. At the Asian Cup we will play higher ranked teams. That’s when you can judge your progress, how much you have improved as a team.”
The qualifiers for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, which will have a bigger field of 48 teams, will begin in September.
Chhetri, who has just received a one-year contract extension with his club and plans to carry on as long as he is enjoying the game, will surely be a part of this campaign too – though the time to walk into the golden sunset is certainly not far off.
But for now, no-one, including the team’s Croatian coach Igor Stimac, has the answer to that “who-after-Chhetri” question.
Neither do the fans.
Upgrades for city’s pavements
Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt has promised to improve at least 100 kilometres of pavements in each of Bangkok’s 50 districts within a year.
He made the pledge in response to a query by Move Forward Party (MFP) councillor for Phaya Thai district Peeraphon Kanokwalai at a Bangkok council meeting on Wednesday, in which he asked when the governor will start working on the city’s pavements — many of which are in a state of disrepair.
At the meeting, Mr Peeraphon reminded Mr Chadchart that improving the city’s pavements is one of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) key policies.
In response, Mr Chadchart said the BMA’s Public Works Department is planning to start improving the pavements along 17 main roads across Bangkok.
The department, he said, is in the process of preparing a budget to fund the plan, and the project will be completed within a year.
The governor said at least 100km of pavements in every district will be upgraded this year.
The project will be carried out in phases, as there are over 3,000km of roads in the capital alone where pavements need to be improved.
At the meeting, Mr Peeraphon also asked about the standard used in designing and building pavements in Bangkok, saying many pavements have been damaged after brief floods.
“I have never seen a pavement [in Bangkok] that’s up to standard,” he said, adding the BMA should explain why it has approved so many different materials for pavement construction.
Deputy Bangkok governor Wisanu Subsompon told the council meeting the BMA has approved three materials for pavement construction, namely stamped concrete, floor cement tiles and stamped asphalt.
Mr Peeraphon also urged the BMA to build more disabled-friendly pavements to accommodate those who are wheelchair-bound.
Mr Wisanu said the BMA has adopted pavement models which are easily accessible to those who are physically handicapped, as well as people with other mobility issues.
The deputy governor said the BMA is also looking at the positioning of large trees along the city’s pavements, admitting some trees are obstructing pedestrians.
PM vote picks size the field
Pheu Thai, PPRP plans still a mystery
Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat’s bid for prime minister hangs in the balance as a joint sitting of parliament will convene on July 13 for the crucial vote for a new PM.
House speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha said on Wednesday that if a PM candidate fails to win in a first round of voting, further rounds will be held until a candidate secures the required support in the joint sitting.
Meanwhile, it is not clear whether the Pheu Thai Party, which won the second largest number of House seats in the May 14 election, will nominate a candidate and who it will be if Mr Pita fails to win the post.
Key Pheu Thai figures had previously said the party would support Mr Pita’s bid but if he failed, Pheu Thai would then consider nominating its own candidate.
It is also not known yet whether the outgoing coalition parties, particularly the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) and the United Thai Nation Party (UTN), would also nominate any candidates.
However, speculation has been rife that PPRP leader Prawit Wongsuwon and UTN leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga may also be nominated if Mr Pita fails to secure the support of senators.
By that time, the PPRP and the UTN would have been expected to lobby hard for support for their respective candidates, sources said.
Mr Wan, also parliament president, said he has scheduled voting for July 13 in consultation with Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai.
The 250 appointed senators are allowed by the constitution to participate in the vote, along with the 500 elected members of the House of Representatives.
Mr Wan said a PM candidate may win the post in the first round of voting on July 13.
If the vote is not in the candidate’s favour, another vote will be called.
Under the constitution, a PM candidate would need the support of at least half of the 750 members of both the lower and upper chambers of parliament, or 376 in total.
“Parliament must convene until a prime minister is elected. Mr Pita may not be the only candidate,” Mr Wan said.
“Mr Pita could win the post. Otherwise, a new prime minister must be chosen anyway.
“Under the constitution, parliament is duty-bound to elect a prime minister to run the country. The country cannot go without a prime minister.”
Move Forward won the most seats in the general election and has the right to attempt to form a government first.
Mr Wan said the eight coalition parties have 312 votes supporting Mr Pita for prime minister next week.
They need 64 more votes from senators or other MPs to reach the required minimum support of 376.
If Mr Pita is not elected in the first round, the constitution does not stipulate if a previously nominated person or a new candidate should be nominated at the joint sitting.
However, candidates must be from the lists submitted by parties to the Election Commission (EC) and their qualifications must be verified by the poll agency.
If they fail to win endorsement from the House and the Senate, an outsider can be nominated as allowed by Section 272 of the constitution, but the process is rather complicated, Mr Wan said.
Under the constitution, if a joint sitting of parliament fails to select a new premier from party candidate lists, Section 272 would trigger an alternative route.
In such a situation, half of the 750 MPs and senators can initiate a motion to suspend the rule requiring that PM candidates come from party lists, paving the way for an outsider to be selected.
Such a motion requires the support of two-thirds of all the lawmakers, or 500, to suspend the rule.
A nominated outsider would also need at least 376 votes to become prime minister.
Mr Pita faces complaints questioning his eligibility over a shareholding in iTV Plc.
The constitution bars individuals with media shareholdings from running for office.
Commentary: Whether Taylor Swift or Coldplay, buying concert tickets doesnât have to be a nightmare
By regulating resales and investing in anti-bot technology, ticketing companies can protect the integrity of ticket sales, prevent scalping, and ensure a fair and transparent ticketing process.
WHAT ABOUT ANTI-SCALPING LAWS?
Real-name registration has also been mooted to discourage ticket scalping by linking tickets to specific individuals. Pop band Mirror implemented this for their 2022 Hong Kong shows, though this reportedly contributed to longer waiting times to access the website.
Online scalping also persisted, as some tickets were obtained through channels like a lottery that did not require real-name registration.
Still, why not a similar system in Singapore or one using Singpass for verification? It could, in theory, help verify ticket purchases and prevent scalping bots from running amok. But making it difficult for non-residents and visitors to get tickets could backfire if it makes Singapore less attractive as a regional concert hub, drawing fewer acts or having fewer shows.
The crucial role of enforcement has also been thrown into the spotlight, with calls for national anti-scalping laws in Australia and Brazil (where a Bill nicknamed the Taylor Swift law was introduced in June). But there are downsides to legislation against scalping, which we need to consider.
Legislation may not only be seen as interfering with the free market, but it can also be resource intensive as it requires close cooperation between authorities, ticketing platforms, and event organisers. Worse still, it may drive the market underground or push scalpers to adopt more sophisticated methods, making it harder to detect.
Commentary: Cut plastic packaging? Not so straightforward in modern Singapore
This meant wrapping bunches of herbs in dampened kitchen towels and stowing them in airtight storage containers, for example. Good storage habits such as these are just as relevant in the space of a home, keeping produce fresh for longer while simultaneously reducing our reliance on plastic packaging.
PLASTIC-FREE ALTERNATIVES AROUND THE WORLD
As supermarkets worldwide grapple with their culpability in climate change, a variety of solutions have emerged. Thai, Vietnamese and Filipino supermarkets have begun using banana leaves to wrap vegetables, a practice that is not uncommon at traditional markets in these countries.
While creative, the banana leaves only serve to bundle up produce – they do not provide the same airtight protection for meat, seafood, vegetables, and fruit as plastic does. Also, banana leaves as packaging might pose problems for those suffering from latex allergies.
Zero waste stores are abundant in the Netherlands, where I live. Large dispensers house everything from nuts to rice, and consumers are encouraged to bring their own bags, jars, or containers. While bulk has a buy-only-what-you-need appeal, it requires a whole overhauling of the grab-and-go supermarket experience.
Cross-contamination also poses another challenge. UnPackt, the first zero waste store to open in Singapore, has reported customers not respecting the hygiene required to keep the packaging-free foods fresh. Because of this, to supermarkets, bulk remains a liability that outstrips its environmental virtues.
NO STRAIGHTFORWARD SOLUTIONS
It is clear that there isn’t a magic bullet that eradicates plastic in supermarkets. A carrot-and-stick approach, where Singaporeans are rewarded for positive climate action or given disincentives as negative reinforcement, however, does not truly reach the heart of the matter.
‘I’m paying for the time saved’: Parents on why they still want a car despite record COE prices
A NEED OR A LUXURY?
Father-of-two Michael Teo decided to upgrade from a sedan to a small MPV – a Chevrolet Orlando – after his second child was born. He paid S$110,000 for the car in 2017, including S$65,000 for the COE.
The car model has been discontinued, but a comparable car like the Honda Freed would cost him about S$169,000 now.
Mr Teo spends between S$1,000 and S$2,000 a month on his car, including expenses like insurance, road tax and petrol.
“The car is definitely a lot more useful for families with young kids,” the 39-year-old public servant said. “When it was just me and my wife, you could say it’s a luxury … But when we had kids, it became more of a need.”
Mr Teo, who considers himself middle-income, said he tries to find “ways and means” not to spend too much on his car.
“The car is a need for me for now, but if I can help it, I will try not to drive so much.”
Mr Teo works near Dhoby Ghaut and takes the train to work three times a week, as he works from home on the other days. He leaves the car at home with his wife, which she uses to send the kids – aged seven and 10 – to school every morning.
They did not sign up for the school bus service because it means one hour less of sleep every morning for their children, he added.
The couple also drive their children to enrichment classes once or twice a week, and they use their car when visiting elderly relatives.
“The car adds options to places that we can bring the kids to over the weekend, especially when you want to go to the zoo or a nature park … the car really helps to save a lot of time,” said Mr Teo.
For example, it takes one to two hours to get from his home to Sungei Buloh Nature Park by public transport, but just 30 minutes by car, he added.
“Singapore’s weather is quite unpredictable, so suddenly if we need to change plans because of the weather or the kids get tired, the car just gets us home quickly.”
Now that his children are older, the family sometimes makes it a point to leave the car at home, he said, adding that his children enjoy the journey on a bus or train.
His car’s COE is due to expire in three years. When the time comes for him to replace his car and COE prices are still high, Mr Teo said he would rethink whether he really needs a car.
His children will also be entering secondary school then, and the car will be less important. If he decides to buy a car, he may buy a secondhand one instead, he told CNA.
Mr Teo stopped short of agreeing that every family with children needs a car. “I imagine you can do it without a car as well, it’s just that you need to shape your lifestyle a bit differently.
“I’m paying for the time saved for a certain lifestyle, to do certain things. It’s not so easy to weigh those two things – time versus cost.”