The Bulletin

Stephff's world

Feeding profit, failing children

Press briefing,
Monday, 8 September, 10am

*All information shared in this press briefing is strictly embargoed until 00:01 GMT / 07:01 Bangkok, 10 September 2025.

Aggressive junk food marketing is driving record levels of childhood obesity in East Asia and the Pacific.

Childhood obesity in East Asia and the Pacific is rising at alarming speed. A new UNICEF report, Turning the tide on childhood overweight in East Asia and the Pacific: Building better food environments for children, reveals the region is now home to 115 million children who are overweight or obese -- one in four. The number has nearly tripled since 2000.

The report highlights how junk food marketing and the flood of cheap, ultra-processed products are fueling this epidemic, putting millions of children at risk of lifelong health problems.

Join us at the FCCT for a press briefing on these urgent findings and the call for stronger policies to protect children’s right to healthy food.

Speakers:

Dr Roland Kupka, regional nutrition adviser, UNICEF East Asia and the Pacific.

Dr Saipin Chotivichian, director, bureau of nutrition, Department of Health, Thailand.

Myat Pan Khit (Florence), change maker, Myanmar.

Moderator: Sarah Newey, journalist.

Kindly RSVP by 5 September 2025 to Chiara Frisone cfrisone@unicef.org or call +66 626925897.

You can also join via Zoom at this link.
[https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83376040658?pwd=HMN8hR1goAaUeS9ipUNiRZDRb1O8VK.1]

This is not an FCCT-organized event.Free and open to all. Light refreshments provided.

Fragmented aid and resistance along the India–Myanmar border

Research report launch,
Monday, 8 September, 5pm

“Fragmented aid and resistance along the India–Myanmar border” is a new research report examining how refugees from Myanmar are navigating life in India’s northeast amid weak humanitarian responses and restrictive state policies. With international aid largely absent, local communities and grassroots networks have become the backbone of support.Since the 2021 coup, over 83,000 people have crossed into Mizoram and Manipur, yet there is no refugee protection framework and little international attention compared to the Thai–Myanmar border.The findings of this report show that while grassroots support networks have provided a critical lifeline, humanitarian assistance overall remains limited due to lack of funding and resources, poor coordination, political tensions, and the fact that access to support often is mediated by social and political affiliations. The recent suspension of $39 million in U.S. aid has further intensified the crisis, forcing many organisations to scale back or close operations.The event will include a presentation of key research findings, followed by a panel discussion featuring experts and frontline actors working at the intersection of humanitarian response, regional security, and political activism.To register for the event, please email kay@exilehub.org no later than 4th September 2025.‍Organised by Exile Hub, a feminist organisation supporting Myanmar human rights defenders.This is not an FCCT-organized event.Free and open to all.

New Zealand Society & New Zealand Thai Chamber of Commerce quiz night

Wednesday, 10 September, 6.30pm

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of trivia, laughter and networking as the New Zealand Society Thailand, proudly supported by The New Zealand - Thai Chamber of Commerce - NZTCC, brings back the ever-popular quiz night!Form your dream team of 6 (or join a group on the night!) and compete in a lively quiz filled with challenging questions, fun facts and the chance to take home fantastic prizes.Tickets:500 THB (Includes 6 months NZS membership + 1 free drink -- NZ wine)What’s in store:

• Exciting trivia rounds to challenge your knowledge
• Spot prizes and surprises throughout the evening
• Raffle prizes you won’t want to miss
• A fun-filled night with great drinks, good vibes, and the best company!

We are deeply grateful to our incredible sponsors for making this night even more special with their generous raffle prize contributions:

• The Baxter Brenton
• Kai New Zealand
• Chatrium Sathon Bangkok
• Chiefs Rugby Club
• dusitD2 Samyan Bangkok
• Vines to Vino Thailand

Your support ensures that our Quiz Night is not only fun but truly memorable -- thank you!RSVP now & secure your spot: https://forms.fillout.com/t/kf8iyYCpD1usSo gather your team, bring your best trivia game, and join us for an evening where knowledge meets fun -- let’s make it a night to remember!This is not an FCCT-organized event.500 baht per ticket.

The symposium: Fundraising and the art of getting an investor base that can get you to scale

Thursday, 11 September, 6.00pm

Join Alexander Avanth (founder, investor, general partner at MoreFutures SEA) and Jonathan Nohr (co-founder of Salary Hero, ex-Bain manager) for an unfiltered session on what it really takes to raise capital and build an investable startup.

​This sit-down discussion will unpack the highs, lows, tactics and strategies needed to transform an idea into an attractive investment opportunity.

Expect an honest look at the fundraising journey, supported by practical insights and live case breakdowns from both the speakers’ own experience and selected audience submissions.

​Special opportunity: Live itch reviews

Three founders will be selected to pitch on stage:​

Max 3 slides per deck​

3 minutes to pitch​

3 minutes of expert feedback

​Submit your deck to hello@bkkstartup.com for a chance to be selected.

​Don’t miss this chance to sharpen your pitch and get real-time insights: lu.ma/TheSymposium

This is not an FCCT-organized event.400 baht per ticket.

Still here: Myanmar in photographs

Friday, 12 September, 6.30pm

More than four years after Myanmar’s 2021 coup, the country remains mired in conflict and uncertainty. The military regime faces serious battlefield losses yet is moving ahead with elections that lack credibility and risk further violence. At the same time, shifting geopolitical dynamics are prompting renewed engagement with Naypyitaw, even as humanitarian needs grow.

“Still Here” shifts the lens towards those affected by the post-coup crisis, focusing on daily life and routine moments that have endured or changed under the weight of the upheaval.

Developed by the International Crisis Group and FCCT in collaboration with independent Myanmar media outlets and journalists, the exhibit reflects the ongoing work of Myanmar’s independent press, who despite having been systematically targeted by the military junta since the coup, continue to grow and develop in exile, working tirelessly to document life inside Myanmar.

Each photograph is available for sale, with all proceeds going to the contributing Myanmar journalist or media outlet.

Please note: although we will enjoy the benefits of their curation efforts, this is not an International Crisis Group event.

Free but registration required

REGISTERThis is not an FCCT-organized event.Free and open to all.

Co-working at the FCCT

Tuesday, 9 September, 10am

Need a change of scenery from your home office? Join us for a coworking day at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT) -- a perfect space for working professionals, digital nomads and anyone looking to break free from the home-office routine.

Enjoy a spacious, comfortable workspace with dedicated tables, a full restaurant, café and bar and exclusive lunch specials just for this event.

Whether you're tackling deadlines or networking with like-minded professionals, this is an opportunity to be productive in a collaborative, social environment. Come work, connect, and enjoy great food because working remotely doesn’t have to mean working alone.

Hosted by Nick Bernhardt, FCCT board member and managing director of Khayan Consultants and Tommy Walker, FCCT board member and digital nomad.

Free and open to all.

Board games night

Tuesday, 9 September, 7pm

Join us for a chilled night of board games with The Boring Club. Try your luck with classics like chess and backgammon or modern games including Catan and Pandemic.The bar and restaurant will be open. Try our pizzas from the new pizza oven. The Boring Club meets at the FCCT clubhouse for games every Tuesday at 7pm.

Free and open to all.Bar and restaurant open.

FCCT’s new podcast: Dateline Bangkok

For part one of this weeks episode of the Dateline Bangkok podcast, Tommy Walker speaks with Tony Cheng.Tony is a foreign correspondent who works for Al Jazeera. He has worked within the Southeast Asia region for two decades and for BBC News and CGTN covering news and conflicts in Asia and the Middle East. Tony is a former board member of the FCCT.Tony recently spent a week covering the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict from the Thai side including in red zone hotspots such as Surin and Sisaket.In this episode he speaks with Tommy about covering the conflict, who also reported from the border, with both sharing their experiences on the ground.Watch the full episode on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Ho undercover -- Ho Chi Minh’s covert journey to independence

An evening with author Teddy Spha Palasthira
Wednesday, 24 September, 7pm

Fascinated by the life of Ho Chi Minh, unquestionably one of the most influential figures in Southeast Asian history, Teddy Spha Palasthira has significantly expanded his earlier book ‘The Siamese Trail of Ho Chi Minh’, based on the true story of the Vietnamese leader’s adventurous journey across the jungles and mountains of northeast Siam in 1928 and 1929. It also includes the fictional story of Wong, a young Thai-Vietnamese idealist who falls under the magnetic spell of Uncle Ho.Teddy has crowned his colourful careers in advertising, diplomacy and academia with a fourth as an author. A noted raconteur, he ranks among the most productive Thai writers in English today with his stylishly written and beautifully presented books.Teddy’s earlier works include ‘Siamese Anglophile’, an autobiographical work about a Siamese born in London and nicknamed ‘Teddy’ by his English nanny. ‘The Last Siamese’ relates the heroic tales of 12 exceptional characters who lived in Siam/Thailand between the 1900s and 1960s. ‘Addresses’ is the story of a Siamese boy growing up in wartime England and post-war Europe and Thailand.  

Teddy was called to the bar at London's Middle Temple in 1969, but did not pursue a career in law. After a short stint at the Thai foreign ministry, he switched to advertising, ran Ogilvy & Mather and Dentsu Young & Rubicam in Bangkok, won a Clio creative award from New York City, was a visiting professor at Missouri School of Journalism in the mid-nineties, and was appointed media adviser to Thailand’s minister of foreign affairs in 2007.A former president of the Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce and the Dante Alighieri Cultural Association, Teddy has served on the boards of the Siam Society and the Franco-Thai Chamber of Commerce. He is a grand officer (first class) of the Italian Republic (2004).Join us for an evening of historical insight.Discussant: Dominic Faulder, FCCT board member and Nikkei Asia associate editor.Books will be available for signing.Members who wish to book in advance should email info@fccthai.com or call the FCCT office on 02-652-0580.Non-members can use this link.Members free, non-members 300 baht; students with ID, 150 baht.Bar and restaurant open.

Thabyay: Creative resistance in Myanmar

Film screening,
Thursday, 25 September, 7pm

Some take up arms while struggling to stay true to their commitment to non-violence, while others engage in “artivism,” using music, poetry and art to bring about a peaceful, free, democratic and truly inclusive future for all people in Myanmar.What happens when non-violent leaders are pushed to support armed struggle against a brutal regime in a forgotten war?The screening will explore this question through four leaders of the people-power revolution currently underway in Myanmar/Burma. The film illustrates the challenges faced by these individuals and their compatriots, and how art and music remain potent tools in their country's revolution.The panelists will include:Susanna Hla Hla Soe, NUG Minister of Women, youth and children ffairs by Zoom.Thet Swe Win, Synergy NGO in person.Phoe San, violinist and composer in person.Members who wish to book in advance should email info@fccthai.com or call the FCCT office on 02-652-0580.Non-members can use this link.Members free, non-members 300 baht.Bar and restaurant open.

FCCT pub trivia

Friday, 26 September, 7pm

Gather your friends and colleagues for a night of pub trivia at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand.Come for a bite and a beverage and test your knowledge. 1,000 baht bar tab up for grabs for the winning team, to be redeemed on the night.Advanced table bookings encouraged here.Free and open to all.Bar and restaurant open.

Is Thailand still amazing? Thai tourism weathers challenging times

Exclusive discussion,
Thursday, 2 October, 7pm

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the governor of the tourism authority of Thailand, joins the FCCT for an exciting and exclusive discussion about the state of tourism in Thailand today and what lies ahead for Thailand in the coming months.Volatile regional and global situations, economic headwinds, and competition from other destinations are just some of the factors that have made 2025 a challenging year for Thai tourism, which accounts for about 12% of GDP in Thailand, and indirectly impacts an even greater share of the economy.Thailand is constantly looking for ways to boost tourism, from offering domestic subsidies and free plane tickets for visitors, to leveraging soft power initiatives that promote everything from food to film locations.Traditionally TAT served as the marketing arm to promote Amazing Thailand, but it increasingly finds itself in a proactive role, advising local authorities in Thailand and contributing to the discussion about the nation’s tourism policies. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and its governor Thapanee Kiaphaibool play a key role in elaborating and implementing many of these initiatives.How are source markets like China and India changing the tourism landscape? What is the role of domestic tourism? Have current events, ranging from safety concerns to natural disasters and border conflicts, impacted travel decisions? What should TAT do to temper these perceptions?Sustainability and over-tourism concern the entire industry, but are these issues compatible with the economic growth forecast by TAT? What can TAT do to promote greener practices and promote secondary destinations while respecting local communities and the environment?Visa waivers, arrival levies; MICE (meetings incentives, conventions, events); high-value, high-spending tourists; LGBT+ travel in the wake of the legalization of same-sex marriages: these are just some of the questions that Khun Thapanee will address. She will also take questions from journalists, industry leaders and the public. Please join us for this lively one-on-one discussion on this timely topic.Special guest: Thapanee Kiatphaibool joined the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in 1999 and has spent her entire career supporting the tourism industry in Thailand holding the positions of deputy governor for tourism products and business and deputy governor for domestic marketing before becoming governor in 2023Discussant: Vincent Vichit-Vadakan is a writer who covers travel, food and the tourism and hospitality industries for a number of international publications. He is a member of the FCCT program committee.Members who wish to book in advance should email info@fccthai.com or call the FCCT office on 02-652-0580.Non-members can use this link.Members free, non-members 300 baht.Bar and restaurant open.

The FCCT is grateful for the support of corporate sponsor Bitkub. For more information about the club's corporate sponsorship program contact: info@fccthai.com.

The FCCT expresses appreciation for the support provided by corporate sponsor Bumrungrad International Hospital. For more information about the club's corporate sponsorship program contact: info@fccthai.com.

Heart valve disease: A possible hidden danger!

The heart consists of 4 chambers with the valves opening and closing to let blood pass through between the upper and the lower chambers in one direction, and not backward.

Heart valve disease occurs when one or more of the heart valves do not open or close properly. This causes the heart muscles to work harder to pump blood for the body’s requirements. This can result in heart failure and death.

What are the symptoms of heart valve diseases?

• Fatigue, tired when doing daily activities.
• Difficulty breathing while doing activities or lying down.
• Rapid weight gain.
• Swelling in various organs such as the abdomen, legs, ankles and feet.
• Cardiac arrhythmia such as fast or irregular heartbeat.
• Fever and body aches, if due to infection.
• In severe cases, too much fluid in the lungs, difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness.

What is the treatment for heart valve disease?

There are many ways to treat heart valve disease. Currently, Bumrungrad Hospital has the technology for heart valve replacement without surgery, offering good results and highly safe.

Learn more about heart valve disease and treatment option here.

Send us an enquiry today by clicking here.

Advertise in the FCCT's Bulletin at special discount rates

Individuals and organisations are welcome to take out advertising in the weekly FCCT Bulletin which reaches nearly 4,000 people in the club’s network. Guidelines

• Write a catchy headline, followed by a maximum of three sentences + contact email/phone number/ link to a website for further details if applicable.

To book an ad please email: info@fccthai.com