Singaporean businessman arrested at Bangkok airport for alleged $200k tax evasion, Singapore News
A Singaporean businessman was arrested at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport on suspicion of tax evasion amounting to over 5 million baht (S$197,550), said Thai police in a Facebook post on Wednesday (June 4).
David Liu, 71, was arrested after a complaint by Thailand's Revenue Department against media analytics company Isentia Monitoring Services, where he had worked as a director from July 1 to Oct 30, 2015, reported The Straits Times.
According to the Facebook post by Thailand's Central Investigation Bureau, the company was found to have reported zero sales, purchase, and net tax obligations, despite generating business revenue — indicating incorrect tax filings.
Further investigation into the value-added tax filings of the company revealed that the total damages to the state were close to 5.24 million baht, the police added.
An investigation officer from the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) had issued a summons for the company's directors to acknowledge the charges, but they received no response, which led to suspicions of evasion.
An arrest warrant for Liu was subsequently issued by the Phra Khanong Criminal Court, reported The Thaiger.
According to the Bangkok Post, Liu was detained on June 3 at the immigration checkpoint of Suvarnabhumi Airport as he prepared to return to Singapore.
Liu denied the charges during questioning but admitted to previously holding an authorised director position at Isentia.
Liu faces a fine of up to 200,000 baht and a seven-year prison term if found guilty of charges relating to tax evasion.
[[nid:718606]]
jengjee.hoon@asiaone.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
AsiaOne
2 hours ago
- AsiaOne
The surprising reasons some Singaporean buyers are choosing smaller condo units (even when they can afford more), Money News
Whether it's an HDB flat or a condo, the Singaporean mentality is to grab the biggest possible unit in budgetary range. Chalk it up to the lingering paranoia that - if we don't seize every square foot we can get now - it will just cost us more tomorrow. So it's always a surprise when some homebuyers, despite being able to afford a larger unit, decide to keep it modest. In the following, we talk to some realtors about these rare cases, and why it could make sense for the buyer: 1. Sometimes it's about layout and location, over square footage One agent shared that in a recent transaction, the clients were torn between a three-bedder (around 1,200 sq ft) and a two-bedder (around 700 sq ft). It was clear, from the earlier budget, that the client had the means to purchase the three-bedder. Instead however, the client eventually opted for the smaller unit. According to the agent: "For the project they wanted, there was nothing bigger than 700 sq ft, so we looked at other projects within the same idea. We found another three-bedder that was around 1,000 sq ft, but after the viewing they rejected it. The three-bedder unit was further from the MRT station, and the layout was not as good: No enclosed kitchen, quite stuffy inside, and no proper-sized service yard. The other alternative was to expand the search radius, but they didn't want to go further beyond the neighbourhood. So in the end, they still bought the 700 sq ft, even though they could have bought a bigger one elsewhere." These cases are also becoming more common in 2025, due to tighter resale supply. Buyers sometimes find an ideally positioned resale project; but then they find there's no availability of three-bedders, four-bedders, or larger sizes. This can pressure them into buying a smaller two-bedder unit, while they pocket the savings and look for another upgrading opportunity later. 2. Preparing for changes to the family structure Another reason for picking a smaller unit is a step toward right-sizing. Some agents said that, among older homebuyers, there's a possibility the children will soon be moving out. One example of this was a couple who recently sold a terrace house, where they'd been living with two of their children. The sale of the landed property left them more than enough to purchase a three or four-bedder condo unit. Instead, they rejected the recommendations and sought out a two-bedder unit. The agent said that: "One child was getting married and moving out within a year or two, the other child already had his own place. And one of their reasons for moving from landed was that they were older, and it was harder to upkeep a bigger home. So instead they went for a smaller unit, within walking distance to one of their children." From the couple's financial planning, opting for a two-bedder also helped to build a bigger retirement account. This made them confident enough to buy a condo, instead of right-sizing to a flat. 3. Getting a new launch instead of a resale unit One agent shared a case of a couple who opted for a new launch two-bedder at ELTA, instead of a three-bedder at the resale Clement Canopy. In this instance, both projects were quite close in the Clementi area, so location was not a key differentiating factor. The key difference was that the two-bedder ELTA unit was around $1.94 million, whereas the three-bedder Clement Canopy unit was around $2.18 million; a difference of around $240,000. For paying $240,000 less however, they got: A more efficient layout, as ELTA is a post-harmonisation project Better potential appreciation, as ELTA is a newer project by about six years No need to worry about renovation costs, as the savings from the price gap more than covers that need There's also fewer issues involving valuation. For new launches, the developer's price is taken to be the fair valuation. For resale, there's a possibility that the valuation may fall below the asking price, thus prompting a cash top-up. Coupled with the lack of urgency (the couple had a place to stay until ELTA would be completed), the smaller but newer two-bedder was the better choice. 4. For landlords, a smaller unit improves yields and lowers capital commitment An agent told us about a "sell one, buy two" scenario, where a couple were deciding on the second property. The sale proceeds, coupled with their savings, were enough to let them purchase a three-bedder (approx. 1,050+ sq ft) at DUO Residences. Upon further viewings nearby however, they changed their minds and opted for a smaller two-bedder (approx. 678+ sq ft) at The M. The reasoning was that the DUO Residences three-bedder cost about $2.1 million; and with projected rental income of $6,000 to $6,500 a month, it was a gross rental yield of 3.4 to 3.7 per cent. Conversely, the two-bedder at The M would only have come up to about $1.4 million. With projected rental rates of $5,200 to $5,800 per month, this is a higher yield of 4.4 to 4.9 per cent. Furthermore, the loss of living space was not a real issue to these buyers. They had already decided that the second unit was to be rented out for income; so it made no difference to their personal comfort. On top of the higher yields, the lower capital commitment also meant lower risk. This was a significant benefit, as the couple were nervous about each party taking on a separate mortgage. In these cases, foresight and clear intent - rather than an impulsive grab at the biggest unit - served the buyers' benefits. This is why it's important to talk through your intentions for the property. If the goal is long-term rental income, flexibility, or simply a lower-risk entry point, a smaller unit may serve you better even if it means giving up some space. Rather than just ask "What can I afford?" We suggest you ask: "What am I trying to achieve by buying this property?" Don't maximise square footage over maximising comfort or returns. [[nid:718516]] This article was first published in Stackedhomes .
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Oversharing, AI posts and other faux pas: Why you're using LinkedIn wrong
Be mindful of the pitfalls of posting on LinkedIn, or it could lead to cringeworthy content. PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO Oversharing, AI posts and other faux pas: Why you're using LinkedIn wrong SINGAPORE – A widely circulated meme mocking LinkedIn entries goes like this: 'When I was a little girl, I always dreamed of growing up to satisfy user needs in a way that meets business goals for transformative outcomes.' While the post is satirical, its virality hints at how it captures the unique – and often cringeworthy – way that people write on LinkedIn. The professional networking platform, which launched in 2003, is where humble-bragging routinely meets oversharing . U sers find ways to draw leadership life lesson s from the most mundane of daily activities, such as conversations with a taxi driver or doing a presentation. Such oversharing is not without consequences. In May, Singaporean LinkedIn user Janney Hujic, who runs tour agency Elysian Expeditions, posted about a life lesson learnt from meeting former DBS Group chief executive Piyush Gupta – only for Mr Gupta to later comment: 'Sorry to disillusion you. That isn't me!' I f not for the mistaken identity, Ms Hujic's post would probably have gone unnoticed on the platform. LinkedIn has over one billion users worldwide – more than four million of whom are based in Singapore – all plugging their own professional and personal pursuits. Many of the initial comments lauded her for writing about this fortuitous 'chance encounter'. Even after Mr Gupta weighed in to dispute the account , some commenters suggested that the post , left up for a week, could draw attention to Ms Hujic's tour company. But at the end of May, her LinkedIn account was gone. What is the line between authenticity and misreading the room? Between clout-chasing and networking? Being vulnerable and oversharing? The Straits Times spoke to recruiters, public relations experts and LinkedIn's 'top voices' to find out why you are likely using LinkedIn wrong. Here are five questions to ask before you post. 1. Is it cringe or 'context collapse'? When you post on LinkedIn, for whom should you be writing ? Y our future boss? A potential recruiter or hiring manager? Your current colleagues? Perhaps your old schoolmates or industry acquaintances? While you might imagine a particular audience, the answer is really: 'All of the above.' Internet researchers have coined the term 'context collapse' to refer to how social media creates a form of communication that collapses many distinct social contexts into one. Offline, it is an easy feat to change your tone and language when schmoozing with your boss, sharing workplace gossip with a confidant or impressing a recruiter. Online, these contexts are flattened into a single feed that all of these potential audiences – and your mum and mother-in-law – can access. This partly explains why many LinkedIn posts feel 'cringe'. Users often post to impress future hiring managers or build a specific follower base, which is perhaps an expectation that current colleagues or general audiences might not share. It also explains why certain posts land their creators in hot water. Posts on LinkedIn are visible not only to one's target audience, but also to the public. PHOTO: LINKEDINLUNATICS Ms Bethany Bloch, managing editor at public relations firm Mutant Communications, says leaders need to be mindful of the opinions they share, as well as prevailing public sentiment. 'We saw what happened with the now former vice-president of the Law Society of Singapore , which is a classic example of oversharing that led to a PR crisis for them and a personal crisis for him ,' she says, referring to Mr Chia Boon Teck, who resigned from his position after he penned a LinkedIn post in March which was seen as casting blame on a rape survivor. Mr Chia likely expected his post to stay within a small circle of friends in the legal fraternity. However, context collapse meant that strangers – including those on Facebook and Instagram – who held divergent viewpoints became his audience, judge and jury. Recruitment experts speaking to ST affirm the importance of being wary about one's LinkedIn activity, noting that it is now common practice for recruiters to look through a candidate's posts to assess his or her personality and values , and identify potential red flags . 2. Are you authentic enough? Nearly all experts speaking to ST identified 'authenticity' as an important trait to project on LinkedIn , but it is an amorphous concept that defies definition. 'Beyond qualifications, cultural and personality fit are critical factors in the hiring process,' says Ms Jaya Dass, Asia-Pacific managing director at human resources firm Randstad Enterprise, who notes that she sees inappropriate jokes and personal rants as red flags. On the other hand, insightful content about personal takeaways – instead of merely posting often – and posts showing appreciation for colleagues are her green flags. Content that drives the most engagement on LinkedIn includes business news – earnings, mergers and organisational changes – as well as career advice and industry trend perspectives, says Ms Serla Rusli, a LinkedIn career expert and senior editor at LinkedIn News. Who is posting matters. She notes that more business leaders are using LinkedIn to explain the how and why behind major professional decisions, citing a 52 per cent increase in posts from chief executives over the past two years. These average eight times more impressions and four times more engagement than posts from others. There has been a 52 per cent increase in posts from chief executives in recent years, though engagement may not always be positive. PHOTO: LINKEDINLUNATICS Sharing videos is another approach to consider. Ms Rusli notes that video is a fast-growing format on LinkedIn, with time spent watching videos up by 36 per cent as at April. Ms Christel Goh, chief executive of local public relations agency Grow Public Relations, warns against overusing personal stories , a common trope on LinkedIn. 'There's a fine line between meaningful sharing and oversharing. When every moment becomes a 'teachable lesson', it can feel forced, cringey or overly dramatic,' she adds. An overemphasis on achievements, using the platform to shame and blame others, and an excessive dependence on artificial intelligence (AI) to generate content are other common mistakes on the platform . LinkedIn users' frequent overemphasis on achievements and 'teachable' moments is often satirised. PHOTO: LINKEDINLUNATICS 'LinkedIn is a professional networking space, and because of its nature, many users feel compelled to present a highly polished, positive image of themselves,' Ms Goh says. 'While this might seem appropriate for a professional platform, the overly curated and idealised tone can come across as unrealistic. People don't typically communicate in such a polished manner in everyday life. ' The key is setting editorial guidelines for yourself, says Dr Juliana Chan, a LinkedIn Top Voice with more than 100,000 followers, and former Massachusetts Institute of Technology scientist-turned-branding-coach who prides herself on speaking 'fluent LinkedInese' . ''Does this story serve my professional audience? Does it add value or context to my expertise and job as a branding coach?' If yes, I'll share it authentically. If it's just unnecessary personal drama or random life updates, it stays private,' she says. She points to a post she made in November about her father's death in 2024 because she had written about him on LinkedIn in the past. She sees this as professionally relevant context because it 'helped people see that I am only human and not some digital avatar'. The challenge lies in where to draw these lines. What constitutes oversharing versus insight? Bluntness versus offence? The inherent risk of using LinkedIn as a platform is that not everyone agrees on boundaries. Unfortunately, any misjudgments are linked to your employer and a detailed resume. For another LinkedIn Top Voice and founder of career development organisation The Mindgem, Ms Ratna Juita, the answer lies in understanding that you cannot please everyone. 'In today's attention economy, appealing to everybody means appealing to nobody,' she says. ' Embrace strategic polarisation. Take clear stands on industry issues, share your unique perspectives and don't be afraid to repel the wrong audience while attracting the right one.' 3. How are you using your connections? One of LinkedIn's most important functions is the ability to connect with others. But this, too, can be a potential source of networking faux pas. Ms Yeo Sha-En, a professional speaker and LinkedIn Top Voice, considers immediately asking for something upon reaching out to be a networking red flag. 'In the case of networking or mentorship, this is equivalent to meeting someone for the first time and expecting him or her to give you something,' she says. 'People need time to get to know you before they can mentor you.' Similarly, Dr Chan thinks it is a common networking mistake to send connection requests without adding a custom note. 'If I receive 100 connection requests, often only two to three of them have a thoughtfully written custom note attached to it,' she says. ' Every single time, I consider these requests first.' Ms Juita says: 'Strategic networking isn't about collecting contacts. It's about building a community of mutual support and shared professional growth.' She highlights the importance of finding ways to turn online connections into offline ones and setting healthy boundaries on what you should share . Being retrenched in 2018, she adds, taught her a hard lesson on the importance of establishing a personal brand that extends beyond a single company or employer . 'The traditional employment contract where loyalty guaranteed job security no longer exists,' she says. 'Companies restructure, industries evolve and even the most dedicated employees can find themselves unexpectedly looking for new opportunities. 'When that happens, your LinkedIn network isn't just helpful, but it can also be your lifeline.' 4. Is sharing your layoff a good idea? Posting about being #opentowork or a recent layoff has become a common LinkedIn trope, but is sharing such news online a good idea? Nearly all recruitment experts who spoke to ST say being open about a layoff is a useful way to put yourself on the radar of recruiters – and get some much-needed support from others . 'From a recruiter's perspective, layoffs are rarely seen as a negative mark, especially given today's economic climate,' says Ms Kris Tan, an associate partner at recruitment firm Page Executive. 'Authenticity is a valued quality in candidates, and many employers appreciate when individuals are transparent about their job search efforts.' Recruiters say it often comes down to discoverability. 'Recruiters monitor these posts, and such announcements can increase visibility and encourage referrals,' says Ms Ilse Clement, senior consultant for human resources and business support at recruitment agency Robert Walters Singapore. ' Be tactful and forward-looking. Frame it as a transition rather than a setback,' she adds. Ms Clement also notes that active LinkedIn users who post regularly and engage with others are more likely to appear in search results due to the platform's algorithm. As recruiters use keywords to find candidates, it is important that your profile includes relevant industry terms, skills and certifications. Candidates can also use LinkedIn's built-in 'Open to Work' feature to discreetly signal to recruiters that they are open to opportunities. Not everyone agrees with this approach. Dr Leon Qiu, a PhD graduate from the Singapore Management University and prolific LinkedIn poster , believes that signalling you are #opentowork – using the platform's built-in profile frame – can be 'self-sabotage '. 'It hurts your chances and negotiating power. It signals to the job market you are of poorer labour quality,' he says. ' Conversely, if you are open to hire, you have greater power and are perceived to be more capable. But it's just my hypothesis.' 5. Falling for the 'thought leadership' trap? Considering the effort required and the many reputational risks, why post on LinkedIn at all? The answer usually revolves around 'thought leadership', one of LinkedIn's most persistent buzzwords. The term refers to establishing oneself as an authority in a field. Advocates see it as genuine expertise that influences industries and drives change. Sceptics argue it is little more than dressed-up self-promotion, recycled ideas and meaningless business jargon. The desire for 'thought leadership' has created a lucrative industry around it , where it has become common practice for public relations agencies to sell thought leadership as a service – meaning the creation of op-eds and, at times, LinkedIn posts for a tidy sum . Ms Charu Srivastava, co-founder of communications consultancy firm TriOn & Co, says her firm works with clients on LinkedIn strategy and thought leadership content development. 'The main reason they come to us is to ensure quality, authenticity and a consistency of LinkedIn engagement,' she says. 'The clients have full oversight of the content, and we incorporate their personal voice and nuances in the content development process. This provides our clients with the balance of strategy and guidance with full ownership of their profiles.' But AI also adds a new dimension to this , with many users turning to generative AI tools like ChatGPT to create posts and insights. Nearly all experts ST spoke to highlighted mindlessly using AI without supervision to create a flood of generic content as a flaming red flag. 'One of the biggest mistakes is posting content just for the sake of it,' says Ms Srivastava. 'There is more of this happening on LinkedIn these days, due to the increasing use of GenAI to create content.' 'There is a running joke about how people post about the most mundane professional developments with a 'LinkedIn flair',' she adds, noting that many users inflate achievements, and conflate their personal and professional lives. Recognising the reality that many posts are not written by users themselves – the platform has even introduced a feature to use AI-generated responses as comments – is key to understanding that not all engagement on the platform is meaningful. As such, the quest for engagement on the platform can sometimes be a performative trap, reinforcing that virality is far from the equivalent of becoming a thought leader. This is especially true for those who create generic listicles and inspirational quotes without a clear point of view, say experts. Dr Chan says 'not everyone needs to build an audience on LinkedIn'. For entrepreneurs, consultants and executive coaches – as well as those seeking speaking opportunities or board positions, or being headhunted – active engagement makes sense. For others, it may not. Her advice: Focus on 'signature content' that stems from your unique experience and cannot be replicated by others . 'Likes on LinkedIn don't pay the bills,' she says. 'It is more financially productive to attract people who want to collaborate with you. Every post should increase your 'surface area of luck' if done correctly.' Check out the Headstart chatbot for answers to your questions on careers and work trends.
AsiaOne
3 hours ago
- AsiaOne
A taste of home: Burmese friends open cafe in Bras Basah selling authentic Myanmar cuisine, Lifestyle News
PUBLISHED ON June 07, 2025 2:00 AM By Melissa Teo If you've recently walked past the lane of F&B options at the School of the Arts (SOTA), you may have noticed a new eatery called Avenue'J Cafe. The cafe opened in January this year and specialises in authentic Burmese fare. Owner Andrew Aung, a 33-year-old Burmese-Singaporean, co-founded the business with his family friend Kaung Minn Khant, 25, who too hails from Myanmar and moved to Singapore in 2024. While the restaurant is new to Singapore's food scene, it isn't to Myanmar's. From Myanmar to Singapore Andrew, who became a Singapore citizen in 2013, flew back to Myanmar in 2018 to open Avenue'J's first outlet in Yangon with his family. He explained that when he was living here, he'd spent plenty of time studying in cafes, something that was not as common back in his home country. "I realised the Burmese don't have a cafe culture and I wanted to share that with them," he told us. He added that during that period, Myanmar had liberalised its economy further and the influx of overseas coffee franchise further spurred him to start something of his own. The first outlet opened in 2020 and despite being hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, the business survived and flourished. "We hit the market pretty well and helped change trends in Myanmar," said Andrew. After its success, Andrew decided to launch a second outlet in 2022 specialising in entremets, which are layered desserts, and pastries. For a long time, he dreamt of opening a branch in Singapore but hesitated as he would have to do so alone. Till he met Kaung. Andrew's aunt and Kaung's mother were high school best friends and would often meet up. It was during one of these get-togethers a year ago that Andrew and Kaung met. As they got to know each other, they realised that they both shared a passion for F&B and decided to become business partners in Singapore as Kaung is pursuing his undergraduate studies here. After four months of hunting for a place to set up shop —which included locations like Duxton, City Hall and Clake Quay — the duo found their current space at the School Of The Arts. Apart from its high footfall and proximity to Dhoby Ghaut and Bencoolen MRT stations, it was also convenient for Kaung, who is a part-time student at the nearby Singapore Management University. He attends a full day of classes on Saturdays and during the rest of the week, he juggles his time with Avenue'J Cafe as well as his family's rice export business, which has an office in Singapore. Nostalgic flavours from home If you visit both Avenue'J's outlets in Myanmar and Singapore, you'd notice that there is a stark difference in their menus. The Myanmar branches sell European-style dishes catered to the locals' interest in foreign cuisine. On the other hand, the Singapore outlet sells Burmese food so that Singaporeans can experience authentic Myanmar fare. The establishment is a cosy one and upon stepping in, you'll be welcomed by the warm lighting, rattan furniture, and walls lined with paintings of landmarks in Myanmar. "Burmese people love rattan," Andrew told AsiaOne with a smile when we visited the cafe on a weekday afternoon. While Myanmar is home to a plethora of dishes, there are some overlaps with other cultures such as Thai, Indian and Chinese cuisines. So when curating the menu for Avenue'J's Singapore branch, Andrew and Kaung wanted to focus on dishes that were more unique to their home country. "We tried to replicate the signature dishes of the country's different regions," said Kaung. "In northern Myanmar, the scenery is beautiful with many mountains, and the weather is cold. In the middle of the country, the weather is hotter with a desert-like climate. The south has more rivers as well as the sea, so there are plenty of beaches, similar to Thailand's climate." There is Shan Kout Swal ($12) which comes from the Shan state of Myanmar in the north where the weather is colder. The dish features soft rice noodles tossed in a savoury sauce that is topped with chicken. A vegetarian option is also available. Mohinga ($15), an aromatic fish noodle soup that's Myanmar's national dish, is found mostly in the southern part of the country thanks to the area's proximity to rivers and the sea. A popular dish in the middle region of Myanmar is Nan Gyi Thoke ($12), a thick rice noodle salad that's paired with chicken curry, boiled egg and fresh herbs. Kaung shared that one of the more important components of this dish is bean powder. "Most of the beans and pulses are grown in the middle region of Myanmar due to the hotter weather," he explained. Kaung added that this also happens to be his favourite dish because while he was born in Yangon which is located in the south, many of his relatives are from the middle region of the country and he grew up eating plenty of Nan Gyi Thoke. While curating the menu, the duo also considered the diverse taste preferences of both their Singaporean and Burmese customers. Prior to opening the cafe, they hosted tasting sessions for friends and family from various cultural backgrounds to gather feedback. With that, they tweaked the flavours of their dishes. "Burmese people love strong spicy flavours but not all Singaporeans can take such spicy food," said Kaung. So, they created spicy and non-spicy options to suit their customers' varying taste palates. If you're new to Burmese food, the pair recommend that you try Mohinga, which also happens to be Andrew's favourite dish. We got to have a taste of it and loved how the soft noodles, crispy fritters and chewy fishcake provided varying textures to the light but aromatic dish. Another dish we sampled is called Lahpet Thoke ($10), a tea leaf salad that can be found throughout Myanmar. The dish consists of a medley of ingredients such as fermented tea leaves, crispy garlic, roasted peanuts, sesame seeds, dried shrimp, shredded cabbage, cherry tomatoes and a dash of lime juice. It was unlike anything we'd ever tasted before — a unique blend of crunch, zest, and heat. The duo explained that the traditional salad is often served to guests at home. As a side nibble, we had Burmese Stuffed Fish Cake ($8) — little handmade balls stuffed with cabbage, crispy garlic and shallots. We washed everything down with a cup of fragrant Ceylon tea and were intrigued to find shreds of milk skin inside the drink, which provided an interesting texture. Avenue'J Cafe will soon be introducing a weekly menu as well as some new dishes. We were invited to sample a plate which featured dried lamb meat paired with rice, egg and crackers. The savoury, chewy strips of lamb were extremely addictive, and we couldn't stop reaching for more. The ups and down of F&B While business was slow at the start, it has picked up in recent months, said the owners, and Avenue'J Cafe see a good mix of Singaporean and Burmese customers every day. Despite this, Andrew and Kaung admit that running a business not just in Singapore, but also Myanmar, comes with its own set of challenges. In Singapore, cost is one key factor, especially when it comes to rental, operational expenses and product imports. As their aim is to serve authentic Burmese fare in Singapore, the duo had to meticulously source for fresh, authentic ingredients that would do justice to their food and drinks. "It's been hard for us to find the right suppliers for some ingredients, for instance, the noodles," Andrew explained. Importing Burmese coffee beans for their in-house brews is also expensive, added Kaung. As hiring employees in Singapore is costly, they have fewer staff here than they do at Avenue'J Cafe's Myanmar branches. With a lean team, Kaung shared that the cafe struggles with the workload during busier times of the day. However, Andrew revealed that back in Myanmar, they too face challenges when it comes to manpower and sourcing for ingredients. As the menu there is European-themed, they have to import various ingredients that are not readily found in Myanmar, such as cheese and syrups. However, "supply chain issues" make this difficult and at times, expensive. There are different kinds of manpower problems there too. "After training our staff in Myanmar, a lot of them resign shortly after because they move overseas or have to serve in the army," Andrew explained. This leaves the team scrambling to find a replacement. Something else that's also hard to do in Myanmar is increase menu prices, which affects profits when imports get expensive. "The imported products increase in prices due to the exchange rate but within the country, we cannot increase the prices in the menu too much because it'll be too costly for our customers," Kaung elaborated. Despite the challenges, Andrew and Kaung feel that the past few months of being new cafe owners here have been mostly plain sailing. "When opening an F&B establishment in Singapore, there is a set of criteria you have to follow. Just do that and things will be smooth," Andrew said. [[nid:699477]] melissateo@ F&BFood and Drinksnew openingsMYANMAR This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.
