A NEW REALITY
It’s hard to believe that by the time you read this it will be over two months since we first started selfisolation, and curfews and lockdown became part of our everyday life. Being temperature checked at the grocery store, hand sanitizing every 15 minutes, and not leaving home without our face masks and gloves arsenal is also part of this new normal. Even our everyday conversations with our loved ones have changed, with words like ‘quarantine’, ‘social distancing’ and facts and figures related to Covid-19 becoming part of the vocabulary.
While we’re all going through these deeply challenging times together with trepidation and uncertainty for our future, we cannot ignore the fact that when all of this is (eventually) over our lives will never be the same. A new reality will have dawned and we will have to embrace it. As we wait in anticipation for the new normal, I hope we are taking this time to reflect, re-examine and re-assess some things; be it work, our health, our relationships, or even our contribution to society.
Early last year, I was introduced to Sarunnaphat ‘Gus Gus’ Wattanasiritham, a vivacious 31-yearold who has made it her personal mission to raise awareness about the rights of persons with disabilities in Thailand. After a life-changing accident that bound her to a wheelchair for five years, this entrepreneur emerged determined to make a difference. Instead of fixating on her limitations, Gus Gus has dedicated herself to moving forward by lobbying the government and the private sector to implement basic facilities for the handicapped, such as elevators, designated parking spaces, and wheelchair-friendly pathways in all urban areas. It’s encouraging to see how this young woman overcame her own personal challenges and now uses her time and efforts to raise public consciousness regarding these issues. It was a great honour to work with Gus Gus on this month’s cover and to share her inspiring story with you.
Another inspiring individual at the forefront of change in Thailand is Kotchakorn “Kotch” Voraakhom. Through smart sustainable engineering solutions, this visionary landscape architect is eager to rebuild the infrastructure of this city, to benefit its residents (see page 78).
These are just two of the many inspiring individuals in Thai society who are using their time well, and for the public good, and I think there is definitely a lesson to be learned here. What part are each of us playing in this bigger picture?
While I leave you with these thoughts, I would like to turn your attention to the rest of our May issue. Once again, our teams from all across Asia bring you the very best in luxury; be it new product releases, lifestyle trends, or once-in-a-lifetime experiences. This month is no different, with our local and regional teams checking in from all over the globe. We invite you to explore these pages from front to back to find out what’s making our world still turn.
Enjoy!