Bangkok "Starbung" coffee retailer defies multinational

Bangkok - Thai coffee retailer refused Wednesday to drop its "Starbung Coffee" logo, defying legal threats U.S. multinational Starbucks.
Last week, Thai law firm filed a complaint on behalf of Starbucks Coffee Company against Damrong Maslau, 44, for failure to comply with this prohibition in 2012 to remove the "Starbung Coffee" logo from his sidewalk stall in the Thai capital.
International coffee giant has applied for of300, 000 baht ($ 9,700), plus 30,000 baht ($ 970) and monthin legal fees. The first hearing was set for 4th November.
"I will fight the case," said DPA Damrong. "I may be lost, becauseStarbucks is a big company with a lot of money, but I alreadywon my case in the eyes of society," he said.
"My customers, both Thais and foreigners, ofmoral gave me a lot of support," he said. "One client gave me 1,000 baht (33 dollars) to help fight my case and yesterday another paid 500 baht for cupof coffee and told me to change."
Damrong, a Muslim from the province of Krabi in southern Thailand, insisted that his green-and-white logo that depicts a Muslim man atits center crescent months on the side, was inspired by Islam, not Starbucks.

ASEAN Battle pressure foreign trade summit

Before world leaders converged in Bandar Begawan series later this week for series of summit with ASEAN counterparts , they all have a long wish - list for short stopover . Officials of ASEAN and East Asia Summit member of always working day and night to ascertain the leaders get what they want . U.S., China , Japan and India are breathing down hard on the course ASEAN meetings ensure success for leaders.For the first ASEAN -US Summit - previously they were just meeting leaders ' - U.S. wants a new agreement on ASEAN -US Expanded Economic Engagement initiative ( E3 ) . Washington pushed hard this new framework to expand trade and investment relations with ASEAN at the same time it tries to move forward with the Trans -Pacific Partnership ( TPP ) . Without the presence of U.S. President Obama barrack , TPP will not get the pump rights.
Quite a few ASEAN countries are not happy with the attitude of the U.S. as it is pressure grouping for a common position on the E3 initiative , a framework to upgrade the trade and Investment Framework Agreement ( TIFA ) . American trade negotiators in ensuring ASEAN E3 will not mandatory . But ASEAN not buy it know full well it would change in future years . Moreover Game of Thrones , Laos - only ASEAN members - not yet signed up on TIFA albeit U.S. desire to conclude the E3 . Since 2006 , Washington has made ​​his priorities for ASEAN area opening up services and investment .
Both sides are also working on language -related safety issues with respect to the crisis in Syria and prohibiting them from chemical weapons . ASEAN countries gave statements supporting the US- Russia agreement to ban the use of chemical weapons in Syria . From Thailand and the views most convicted records of Syria on chemical weapons . Other regional issues including nuclear non- proliferation , the Korean Peninsula and the progress of the process of negotiating the code in the South China Sea will be on the agenda of the ASEAN -US summit .
For China , the expansion of ASEAN - China free trade agreement song ice fire would be the key issue . China currently has the enthusiasm which caused concern in ASEAN as they negotiate Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership ( RCEP ) . ASEAN RCEP want to be better than the current ASEAN a more FTAs . If China increased current FTAs , it will affect future negotiations RCEP incentives and other non- ASEAN members . It is unclear if China is willing to give them the same privileges Japan , Korea , India, Australia and New Zealand under the RCEP .
China and ASEAN are also finalizing planned joint statement on the 10th anniversary of their strategic relationship . As partner of the first strategic dialogue in ASEAN , China has put the interests of the grouping as its priority foreign policy . Both President CSI Jingping and Premier reiterated China's new development and people - oriented approach towards ASEAN and a twist on strengthening defense and security cooperation .
China is also very keen to maintain a defense and security dialogue with ASEAN ministerial level every year - the idea first botched and Indonesia last year. But there is no consensus on this issue among ASEAN members . Currently, ASEAN and China has more than 40 mechanisms to engage with each other on all sectors at all levels . However , no exclusive ASEAN - China defense ministerial meetings.
For Japan , ASEAN remain key players in economic and strategic plan for future development . All ASEAN leaders agreed to a commemorative summit to celebrate the 40th anniversary of ASEAN - Japan in mid -December link . Both sides want to apply ASEAN Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership was signed in 2008 . Five years have passed, some hiccups persist on services and investment areas .
Apart from strengthening economic cooperation , Japan and ASEAN are contemplating ways to strengthen political and security cooperation . Recently , Japan has intensified its efforts for peace - building in Myanmar , the Philippines and Indonesia . In March , Tokyo named Yohei Sasakawa , chairman nipon Foundation , as a special envoy to help with ethnic reconciliation in Myanmar. Japan also establish cooperation Nearest maritime safety and the Philippines and Vietnam .
Although India and ASEAN just celebrated its 20th anniversary last December , their relationship remains sluggish - they still require constant reminding . Progress has been slow to implement a comprehensive free trade agreement signed in 201q . Sign the agreement on trade in services and investment , since late last December , will be in Bali during World 9 Trade Ministerial Conference in December , by the Bandar Begawan series earlier this week as scheduled .