The Bulletin

Stephff's world

Bird Flu and the future of disease monitoring in Southeast Asia

Panel discussion,
Thursday, 18 September, 7pm

Photo by Jittrapon Kaicome

Over the past two years Cambodia has experienced a sudden and deadly spike in bird flu cases that has alarmed virologists.

So far this year at least 15 people have contracted the disease, and six died. Seven cases were detected in June alone. Neighbouring Thailand has raised its alert level in response.

There are currently no signs that the H5N1 virus circulating in birds has evolved to spread between people, but every case is a concern as it provides new opportunities for the virus to evolve. Southeast Asia is a hotspot for emerging infectious diseases, including those with pandemic potential.

Virologists are now racing to understand what has caused the current spike in bird flu cases in Cambodia, and developing new technologies that could revolutionise disease surveillance.

But why is this happening now? Is it linked to deforestation, urbanisation or changes in farming patterns? Is the strain itself adjusting? Or is Cambodia simply getting better at surveillance – the virus is present in birds across the region, but Vietnam is the only other country to detect human cases.

Join some of the region’s leading experts in disease control to understand the threat posed by H5N1, and how scientists are tackling it.

Speakers:

Dr Ly Sovann, director of Cambodia’s Communicable Disease Control, Department at the Ministry of Health.

Dr Filip Claes, regional manager, the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases at the Food and Agriculture Organisation.

Dr Bolortuya Purevsuren, animal health officer at in the Southeast Asia office of the World Organisation for Animal Health.

Dr Erik Karlsson, head of the virology unit at Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Moderator: Sarah Newey, global health security correspondent, Telegraph.

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 450 baht; students with ID, 150 baht.Bar and restaurant open.

Cambodia’s swinging sixties – architecture, the arts and a lost society

Book launch with author Stephen Simmons,
Monday, 22 September, 7pm

Before the darkness of the Khmer Rouge’s Democratic Kampuchea descended in 1975, there was light. Cambodia burst into colour in a single, electrifying decade — its cities humming with new ideas, bold designs and irresistible rhythms. There was no slow evolution but a sudden, stylish and unforgettable cultural eruption.In the shadow of ancient temples, sleek new skylines emerged. On the coast, once quiet shores pulsed with creativity. Musicians, architects, filmmakers and dreamers pushed boundaries and redefined identity. At its heart was a new kind of confidence —modern, magnetic and unapologetically cosmopolitan.Cambodia danced to a new beat that borrowed from the West but remained rooted in the Khmer soul. The world was watching. And then, as quickly as the new Cambodia had arrived, it was swept away by forces far larger and darker than the era’s brightest hopes could withstand.This book invites you to rediscover what was nearly lost: not just the style, sound or spectacle but the audacity of a people who imagined something greater. Through rare images, first-hand accounts and cultural treasures long hidden from view, it offers an unforgettable glimpse of a time when Cambodia didn’t just look forward — it lit the way.

Author Stephen Simmon

A British soldier and later, stockbroker, Stephen Simmons has worked in Europe, Central America, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Now living in East Sussex and Bangkok for a third of the year, he researched Cambodia’s Swinging Sixties whilst in Thailand and Cambodia. His earlier books include ‘Maymyo Days: Forgotten Lives of a Burma Hill Station.’ He is a member of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, the Siam Society, the Army and Navy Club in London and a Fellow of The Royal Asiatic Society.Copies of Cambodia’s Swinging Sixties will be available on the night.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.

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.  

Author Teddy Spha Palasthira

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 450 baht; students with ID, 150 baht.Bar and restaurant open.

GoFundMe link to help Myanmar photojournalist Mar Naw

Award-winning photojournalist Mar Naw, a prominent member of Myanmar journalist community living in Thailand got into an accident in Chiang Mai several weeks ago.  His bike was struck from behind by a drunk driver on the early morning of Aug 29, leaving him with a severe head injury.  He was initially put in ICU and on a ventilator.  He has gradually recovered since.Mar Naw and his partner, Reuters correspondent Naw Betty Han, are well known to many club's members and the FCCT want to share his family's GoFundMe page for those interested in contributing to his medical bill, the cost of which are rising everyday: https://www.gofundme.com/f/bring-mar-naw-back-to-keep-telling-myanmars-storyMar Naw's friends and family would be grateful for any contributions. Every little bit helps.

Co-working at the FCCT

Tuesday, 16 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, 16 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.

Thabyay: Creative resistance in Myanmar

Premiere, 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.Saw Nimrod, Karen National Union, foreign affairs department.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.

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