Dusit Thani Extends Lease on Prime Bangkok City-Centre Plot

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Dusit Thani Public Company Limited, one of Thailand’s foremost hotel and property development companies, today announced it has signed an agreement with the Crown Property Bureau to continue leasing the plot of land at the intersection of Silom Road and Rama 4, and on which the Dusit Thani Bangkok is built.

The lease will be extended by 30 years with the right to extend for another 30 years. Dusit Thani Public Company Limited, together with its partner, Central Pattana Public Company Limited (CPN), will further elevate Dusit Thani Bangkok’s standing as one of the world’s renowned hotels, as well as build a landmark mixed-use real estate development that features a hotel, residences, retail areas and office spaces, with a large green space.

Mr Chanin Donavanik, Vice Chairman & Chairman of the Executive Committee, Dusit Public Company Limited, said, “Built in 1970, Dusit Thani Bangkok was the very first iconic landmark of modern Bangkok. It has been a prominent feature of Bangkok’s skyline for almost half a century and symbolised the beginning of the city’s transformation into one of the world’s greatest metropolises in the era of globalization. As a leading hotel in Thailand for almost 48 years, today Dusit Thani dedicates itself to bringing to life a world-class development which will strengthen its image as a renowned Thai brand that has been internationally recognised for more than 65 years.”

Mrs. Suphajee Suthumpun, Group Chief Executive Officer, Dusit Thani Public Company Limited, said “Dusit Thani has been granted the rights to extend the lease agreement with an additional plot of almost 24 rai. We plan to elevate the Dusit Thani Bangkok and, in partnership with Central Pattana PCL, create a mixed-use real estate development of international standard with an estimated project value of around Bht 36,700 million (approximately USD1.05 billion).

“This project will build on our unique Thai heritage, which has long been synonymous with Dusit Thani, combined with international standards, while utilising space in the area to its full potential. It will be a new icon of Bangkok’s new era the same way the iconic Dusit Thani Bangkok made history 47 years ago.

“Our goal is to develop a project that benefits both tourists and the general public. This land lies right at the epicentre of the metropolis in the heart of the business and retail district, as well as at the intersection of multiple mass transit systems such as the BTS and the MRT. The area also houses a number of high-end residences. It is also adjacent to Lumpini Park, one of Bangkok’s most significant and popular public parks.

“This is a rare opportunity. Thanks to combined reputations and capabilities of our partnership with Central Pattana, we are determined to create an icon that embodies gracious Thai heritage with international standards at the epicentre of Bangkok. We hope that this project will exemplify the talents of Thai people and the strength of Thailand’s hospitality business, as well as real estate development and retail industries, and ultimately make Bangkok a hub of high-end tourism and shopping, therefore enhancing Thailand’s reputation to the world,” she said.

Planning for the project is currently being undertaken and details of the development will be announced as soon as they are finalised before the middle of the year.

DOE Sees LPG Price Rollback, Shares Safety Tips

Wazzup PIlipinas!
With the downtrend in the international contract price for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), the Department of Energy-Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOE-OIMB) has announced a possible rollback in the price of an 11-kilogram LPG cylinder by about P4.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said that based on the DOE-OIMB's international price monitoring, the contract price for March amounts to $564 per metric ton (MT) which is $9 lower than the contract price in February of $573/MT.

He added that the rollback of $9/MT could translate to a P0.36/kg; hence a possible P4 reduction per 11kg LPG cylinder.

Cusi urged the buying public to always check every LPG cylinder to ensure that it is of the right quantity and quality.

“Aside from determining the right price, I encourage the public to also look closely at the quantity of the LPG cylinder by assuring that it is the correct and accurate weight. The quality of the tank should also be taken into consideration especially if it poses certain safety risks,” Cusi recommended.

To know if your LPG-filled cylinder is of the right quality and safe to use, the DOE has issued the following guidelines:


1. Buy LPG cylinders with proper markings (brand name, tare weight, etc.) from authorized outlets only;
2. Check the LPG cylinder for excessive rustiness and dents;
3. Ensure that the collar and footring are smooth and properly-welded and
4. Ensure that the LPG seal is intact and firmly affixed to the valve.

Cusi also asked the public to take extra precautions especially since March is Fire Prevention Month.

“Paalala po sa ating mga Nanay at mga kusinero para sa maingat na paggamit ng LPG. Sa pagpasok ng summer season, tumataas ang insidente ng sunog. Kaya po, we encourage the public to regularly check if there is a leak in their LPG cylinders, to store it in areas with sufficient ventilation, to keep it away from electrical switches and outlets and to ensure that it is always in an upright position,” Cusi advised.

“We do not want to see our people suffer from fire caused by the misguided use of LPG,” Cusi concluded.

Church Pop: Making Ash Wednesday Fun and Colorful for Millennials

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Kailan ba Ash Wednesday? Sa Friday ba?"

It's that time of the year again to be dirty. Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of the Lenten season, a period of fasting, alms giving, and prayer as many prepare their hearts to receive the Risen Lord at Easter. Going to Mass to receive ashes is a beautiful penitential way to begin this spiritual season.

This is when priests put ashes resembling an image of the cross on our foreheads. From ash, and back to ash, that's how our lives start and end, if we are religious enough to believe what the Catholic church has taught us through our ancestors, and how the tradition has been practiced throughout generations.

While there is certainly an element of humility in receiving ashes in church, it consists of the public acknowledgment that we are sinners, and have begun the process of conversion by fasting, prayer, and works of charity.

So by this time you've probably seen lots of selfies or photo ops of individuals with ashes on their forehead. It has always been a viral sight on social media for everyone would want to be "in" with the fad.

Sadly, many are still unaware of the real meaning of Ash Wednesday. Some people believe that the Catholic Church actually has no place for righteousness, because it's inheritance is befuddled with Pagan practices and beliefs that were considered evil if seen during our time. They say people just do not research well enough about the historical background of their faith that is as blind as a bat. Just like if you ask them if they've heard of Mardi Gras. They will say they do know what it is, but they only know about the partying, and not the reason behind it or what follows!

But of course, there's always the theory of reincarnation when our soul comes back from to inhabit another newborn and grow up not remembering our past life. The use of ashes to symbolize our mortality has been also used to strike fear among Christians to self-reflect. Ashes are in-your-face statement that death and suffering are real.

But this theory should be the same for animals and other living things as well, especially after watching "A Dog's Purpose" movie just a day ago. But in that movie, the dog remembers his past lives very clearly.

Though there is definitely a need to self-reflect on how awesome we are, for it might just help turn the tides towards a better world! But with so much politics put in religion, I am still surprised not all has made the decision to leave Christianity. It has now become a mockery thanks to such whinny actions.

But, there's no support or mention in the Bible for an Ash Wednesday. It's something the Roman Catholic Church made up. Still, the tradition continues with so many lining up to have their foreheads ashed.

I've read somewhere that somebody even made up humorous names for ashes that seem to be of different shapes and sizes, depending on how elegantly or carelessly the priests put it. Every priest could have a different way of applying the ashes, and every person could also wear them differently.

The rubrics for Ash Wednesday say that after the blessing of ashes the priest "places the ashes on the head of all those present who come to him" First, it does not say "forehead" but "head", so the need of "drawing something" in the forehead (even a cross) is hard for me to understand.

However, many have always considered Ash Wednesday with its solemn reminder of "Remember, Man, you are dust, and unto dust you shall return" a very serious day. As we begin our Lenten observance, could we find anything edifying or helpful about this almost juvenile attempt to be jocular, even for something called "Church Pop."

I'm sure some will respond, "Lighten up, it's just meant to be funny." However, some would surely say "It's not funny. We should not make fun of Catholic sacraments."

Now, some religious leaders also want to make sure the Christian message is one of love and inclusivity, of empowering people to be who they are. So here comes glittered ashes for taking in consideration the LGBTQ community.

Wow, so we would soon have rainbow-colored ashes at our churches?

Glitter Ash Wednesday was created by Parity, a faith-based organization that works to empower LGBTQ and allied people in their spiritual life.

There are posts on Facebook calling for "all Queer-Positive Christians" to "Come Out of your Christian Closet! This Ash Wednesday, and get glittered!" They offered ashes mixed with some professional, make-up grade purple glitter so people can demonstrate that they are both Christian and supportive of all people – irrespective of sexuality or gender identity.

The concept was created to allow people to promote the fact that they are Christians that are also supportive of LGBT rights. The ashes are supposed to represent self reflection. The glitter is a very reflective substance, hence the glittering. so take note of the metaphor and literal reflection.

But others think Ash Wednesday should remain glitter-free to preserve the somber and traditional religious ritual. The ashes are a visible symbol of penance - not something to be glamoured. Using the cross in that way may be blasphemous and being Christians we should know that. There are other ways as a Christian to support the gay community. Just because one person does it it doesn't mean that it is right thing to do and then follow like sheep to the slaughter.

So who's in favor of innovating how we receive our ashes? Do we need to evolve it to make it more interesting for the liberal Millennials where many from LGBTQ community have come out in the open? Do we need to make it at least fashionable and with "identity" to match the person wearing it?

I would appreciate all your thoughts on this topic.