You need to be pretty confident of your plan to open a new Italian restaurant in Bangkok. But opportunity still knocks in the more cosmopolitan ‘hoods, such as Ruam Rudi, where Italics (sic) has carved such a deep niche since opening in April that it’s already entrenched.

Not surprising given that its masterminds are Michelin-starred James Noble, Mick Jagger’s erstwhile chef, and Anchalika Kijkanakorn, barefoot luxury Akaryn Hotel Group founder.

Noble’s idea was to combine Mediterranean cuisine and sustainable Thai ingredients but that, under current expat head chef, Kip Leting, has evolved into sourcing the best of what’s available locally while importing appellation products and proteins where optimum.

Set in a restaurant and cigar/whisky lounge enclave around Soi 3, Italics occupies a chic décor cabin — grey tiles over custard-colour plaster, black-tinted windows and a wooden deck with parasols.

Inside there’s a whiff of Venetian trattoria in the front area, where a delectable deli counter juxtaposes chalk boards (including one promising to swallow the bill if your order isn’t served inside 45 minutes), mirrors, buttonholed banquettes and monochrome panels of cows and glamour pusses. A larger rear dining room has a homier feel: pink and white cotton covered chairs with panel prints of favoured farms.

“Our focus is on fresh interpretations of classic Italian cuisine,” summarises Kip, adding: “we’re very particular about where our food comes from.”

As such, Akaryn Group’s own organic farm yields eggs, herbs and chilies. The burrata and ricotta are from Mille Stelle, mascarpone and mozzarella from Del Cassaro. Pork and sausages from Joe Sloane. Chicken for the roast is from Sirin Farm in Chiang Rai. Sweet-not-gamy, six-months, milk- and fruit-fed, baby lamb is raised by Company B in Khao Yai. Local duck is cured and smoked with oak, applewood and mesquite wood in-house. Arabica-based coffee is also Thai.

But Italics uses Saint Daniele Ham from Friuli, Parmigiano-Reggiano from Parma, Italian olive oil, Mortadella from Bologna, Coppa from Emilia Romagna, salami and nduja from Calabria, Some beef cuts from Australia imported by Foodiva, crabs from the Atlantic, and Kip prefers Mediterranean sea bream to sea bass — “the taste and texture are superior and you can cook it more interestingly.”

Antipasti leads to Primi (pizzas, pastas and salads), Secondi (mains), Dolci (desserts) and drinks on the “Italics’ Gourmet Menu”.

Milky, mushroom-soft Burrata Caprese with thick, oily, basil pesto and sweet/tart yellow and red cherry tomatoes is antipasti perfection.

Fresh truffle shavings add irresistible earthiness to several dishes. Juggling the antipodean seasons in Europe and Australia ensures permanency. Hokkaido scallop risotto with Kip’s “funky and salty but not overly cheesy” blend of 22-months Parmigiano-Reggiano and Pecorino Romano covered in black truffle is a ten.

Sea Crab Linguine blends brown crabs, Nduga salami and an insanely rich emulsion of  blue swimmer crab. The combination of spicy charcuterie and intense crabbiness over definitively al dente homemade pasta is addictive.

Thin and crispy crust Roman-style pizzas are baked in a eucalyptus-fired brick oven and the specialist chef is wont to theatrically spin dough before your very eyes. Among the toppings, pumpkin & ricotta with sundried tomatoes and red onion is rightly billed a “secret weapon”.

Conclude with Banana Ricotta Cheesecake, hazelnut sauce & chocolate (the secret’s in Kip’s 75:25 ricotta/cream cheese split) or signature Chocolate Fondant with spicy Tanzanian chocolate and hazelnut ice cream.

Wines are mostly Italian “sold at good value prices”.

A sister restaurant is upcoming at Akyra Manor Chiang Mai.

italicsrestaurant.com

Open daily: 7am-11pm.
Tel. 02-253-2410.
Headchef@italicsrestaurant.com

This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.

THE GERMANS are famous for making luxury vehicles and the French are proud of their haute cuisine, so “A Touch of the Mediterranean Sea” held recently at Le Cordon Bleu restaurant afforded the best of both, pairing cars and cooking.

Mercedes-Benz Leasing Thailand organised the event for its clients, some of whom rolled up in their posh cars, a treat for the eyes, while the restaurant’s cooking studio produced fine dishes for the tummy.

The mirthful crowd, wondering what driving and cooking had in common, surmised that distracted chefs and drivers alike can run into trouble.

The clients arrived at Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary School on Saturday morning, a good mix of people – married couples, mums with kids and a few folks you might not expect to own a Mercedes. A young pony-tailed woman, there with her mother, had her back tattoo elegantly covered by her sweater for the occasion.

Actress Piyathida “Pok” Mittiraroch, a Le Gordon Bleu brand ambassador, was there too to make sure the soup wasn’t too salty. But chef Christian Patrice Ham was on the ball.

“We’ll do Terrine of Red Mullet,” he announced. “The red fish is unique to the Mediterranean, especially in Provence in the South of France. Here we’ll prepare it in tomato jelly and spice it up with Provencal herbs – marjoram, rosemary, thyme and oregano.”

The jellied, layered fish dish also featured eggplant and zucchini and was served cold with tomato coulis sauce.

Ham finished the first one and then freed his students to struggle to remember everything he’d done, from dicing the tomatoes to filleting and frying the mullet. As in learning to get the most out of your car, the school offers a lot of tips and recommended techniques in preparing a tasty dish.

And, just like with cars, the journey ought to be as enjoyable as reaching the destination. Some of the students found that the most worthwhile experience came from making mistakes – maybe using more oil or less, or frying the fish skin-side down or up.

In kitchens, as in life, you learn as you go, and when the Terrine of Red Mullet banquet was assembled, everyone was feeling quite satisfied.

This source first appeared on The Nation Life.

A POWERFUL 12-inch business-class 2-in-1 tablet computer that morphs easily into a notebook complete with full-size backlit keyboard, the Dell Latitude 7275 boasts a durable magnesium-alloy chassis that has undergone extensive military-grade MIL-STD 810G testing to ensure that it can withstand just about any real-world condition.

The tablet is 17.1mm thick and weighs about 730 grammes, excluding the keyboard, which is designed to function as a stand and has a slot at the top on which to place the tablet. The tablet links easily to the keyboard through a magnetic connection.

The display has 360 nits of brightness and uses UltraSharp 4K UHD display technology optimised for Windows 10 touch interaction. Resolution is sharp at 3840×2160 pixels and the screen, which is anti-fingerprint coated, is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass.

The Latitude 7275 is powered by 6th generation Intel Core Core m7-6Y75 64-bit dual-core processor running at 1.2 GHz. It has 8 gigabytes of DDR3 SDRAM 1600MHz working memory and uses an SSD M.2 250GB drive for storage. Graphics performance is powered by the Intel HD Graphics 515 chipset and the tablet runs on Microsoft Windows 10 Pro 64-bit operating system.

I had no problem using the Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8260 802.11 AC Wi-FI adapter to connect to my Linksys WRT1200 AC router. The connection was fast and smooth.

Although the Latitude 7275 is designed for business-related tasks, it has good multimedia performance. Its 4K display is very good for watching HD videos and viewing high-resolution photos. I tried playing HD video clips and they played smoothly and without performance hiccups.

A MaxxAudio Pro sound system powers the two speakers and the sound is of excellent quality.

The Latitude 7275 has two Type-C (Thunderbolt) USB ports supporting USB3.1 connection profiles for connecting to fast external drives and devices. It also has a 3-in-1 microSD card that supports SD, SDHC, SDIO, SDXC with UHS cards plus a headphone/microphone combo jack. The tablet also has 8MP rear camera and 5MP front-facing camera.

During the test, I found that the Latitude 7275 handled business applications well and the provided keyboard was good for typing. Moreover, the tablet supported the use of an optional stylus pen.

Dell Latitude 7275 has a suggested retail price of Bt60,000. The package includes a keyboard but not the stylus.

>> Operating System: |Windows 10 Pro (64-bit)

>> Processor: Intel Core m7-6Y75 Processor (4M cache) 1.2 GHz

>> Memory: 8 GB LPDDR3 SDRAM 1600MHz

>> Graphics adapter: |Intel HD Graphics 515

>> Display: 12.5-inch UHD Touch with Corning Gorilla Glass (3840 x 2160), Anti-Fingerprint, (16:9), 360 nits

>> Storage: SSD M2 256 GB

>> Ports: 2 x USB 3.1 Type C (Thunderbolt), SD 4.0 Memory Card Reader, I2C for Keyboard Connection

>> Multimedia: Stereo Speaker with MaxxAudio Pro, Headphone/ Microphone combo jack, |Volume Up/Down Rocke

>> Cameras: 8-MP rear camera, -MP front-facing camera

>> Battery: 2-Cell (30WHr) battery ExpressCharge

>> Dimensions: Height: 17.1mm x Width: 291mm x Depth: 193mm

>> Weight: 0.73kg

This source first appeared on The Nation Life.

STORYTELLING HAS been around since time immemorial. Just think of the series of cave paintings in the French Pyrenees created between 15,000 and 13,000 BC, the epic of Gilgamesh that dates back to 700 BC, Aesop’s fables, penned around 200 BC, not to mention the Ramayana and local fairy tales from around the world. Stories are with us no matter where we are – they’re in newspapers, magazines, books, on TV and the Internet and on our mobile phones.

A day without a story would be unimaginable.

“The human brain is a natural storyteller,” says Will Storr, British photographer, novelist and award-winning journalist during the two-day workshop “Secrets of a Master Storyteller”.

The workshop was the first in a new masterclass series on Media and Communication, a collaborative programme between the British Council and Mahidol University International College.

“We came up with the idea of a workshop on storytelling because it’s one of the biggest problems in Thai media. Look at our soaps, documentaries, movies, music videos and even the news. Everything is picture perfect: there are beautiful scenes, nice photos and great productions but the stories have no depth. They are flat and hardly credible. Our aim is to tackle this problem and encourage media people to better their storytelling skills. We are really lucky to have Will Storr here for the workshop,” says Asst Prof Dr Wankwan Polachan, programme director of Media and Communication Studies at Mahidol University International College.

Patcharawee Tunprawat, head of Arts and Creative Industries at the British Council, adds that the programme is designed to build the capacity of young professionals and students in the local media and communication fields. There are plans to invite other British journalists, writers and directors to Thailand to share |their experience and knowledge.

Storr, whose interest in the science of storytelling was piqued while he was writing his first novel, says he began by reading books on storytelling and the way stories should be structured.

“Those books are written by story scholars not scientists. They study stories from around the world and see what works and what doesn’t work and tell you how to construct a story. But my experience as a journalist taught me that’s not the case at all.

When I interview people, they automatically tell their stories without knowing anything about how to construct a story. They tell a story in a certain way. They construct their stories in a certain way. That made me realise that the brain is the automatic storyteller, the natural storyteller,” he explains.

“Cause and effect is how

the brain works. It is so much like how we write a story. One cause and effect leads to another cause and effect. And those causes and effects should trigger emotions to keep the reader’s attention. The brain will find the cause and effect; it always tries to find a connection between things.

“Nerve cells respond vigorously to new stimuli so we need to engage the brain when we tell a story. Specificity is the shortcut to make the brain think and react.”

Storr elaborates on his points by quoting excerpts from John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath”, Ken Kesey’s “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” as well as the more contemporary novel by Gillian Flynn, “Gone Girl”.

“Crisis transforms the character. The sympathetic hero is struck by crisis, struggles to control the world and then transforms into a better person. Man has many different selves in different situations. You must show the different facets of the characters. When you are writing, it is very important to look into details. Look at your character and think about whether he or she is an extrovert or introvert, how he/she is trying to manipulate the world and so on.

“A good example of a character trying different ways to control the world is found in fairy tales. A fairy tale is the embryo of the story. It is basic. In the story of ‘The Three Little Pigs’, for example, the first pig builds a house with straw, the second pig builds a house with sticks and the third pig builds a house with bricks. The first two pigs fail but the third one is successful and they get rid of the wolf. The grown-up story would roll all three attempts into one person,” Storr explains.

“The details about the character might grow thicker as you write the story. The reaction of your character towards a crisis might very well change from the first draft as you get to know him or her better as you write. We are pulled around by the situation we are in. Always come back to ‘what’ your character would do in that situation. Let the behaviour of your character drive the story. It is going to be believable too.

“What we have here is like a cheesecake recipe. If you follow the recipe, you will make a delicious cheesecake but a good story is about character. It is about people – what he or she is going to do, what kind of person he/she is going to be.”

When asked for the secret of storytelling, the journalist smiles and says, “The ultimate secret of storytelling is that if you are in the possession of a human brain, you already are a natural storyteller. You already are a great storyteller. You know the good story and that’s how we live our lives. You have already known how to write a good story because you, as the person, are a great story.”

Beautifully said. Now all we have to do is to transfer that to paper.

This source first appeared on The Nation Life.

DYSON MIGHT not be a familiar name yet in Thailand, but the brand is well known across Europe and North America for its innovative designs and high-quality products.

The company’s Pure Cool Link air purifier fan is another example of its efforts to break from traditional designs and come up with a high-efficiency, hi-tech product.

It has a built in WiFi connection that uses a mobile app to monitor air quality in the room where the unit is placed, even when there is no one home.

You can use the app remotely to direct the fan to eliminate allergens and pollutants as small as one-tenth of a micron, or you can use the app to schedule the air purifier to clean the air at pre-determined times.

The double-duty unit does away with the need to buy a separate fan with conventional blades and grilles. The air is directed from its base through an oval-shaped frame to push ventilation in the required direction.

The company offers a tower version and desk model of its Pure Cool Link air purifier fan. The tower is designed to be positioned on the floor to project purified air across open spaces, while the desk version is suitable for desks and worktops to help clear the air in smaller rooms, with a tilt function to target purified air.

A test-run of the tower version proved that its airflow is strong and cool, the app was easy to use and installation was not difficult.

Dyson is set to become a more popular product in Thailand, not just as manufacturer of sleek, cord-free and bag-free vacuum cleaners that are known for their powerful cyclone suction technology. Its highlight technology also includes Dyson digital motors, tiny motors that use digital pulse technology, spinning at up to 104,000 times a minute.

James Dyson, the founder of the company, invented the world’s first bag-less vacuum cleaner in 1983, five years after he became frustrated with the diminishing performance of the well-known brand of vacuum cleaner he owned. He made more than 5,000 prototypes before he arrived at the right design for the bag-less vacuum cleaner.

Now his firm has more than 2,000 engineers worldwide who have taken their knowledge from the powerful cyclone vacuum cleaner development to make the purifier fans. In other words, Dyson engineers have combined their expertise in fluid dynamics and filtration systems with software to create the Dyson Pure Cool Link.

Air with allergens and pollutants is drawn into the base unit and are filtered with a high efficiency particulate arrest system that Dyson says removes 99.95 per cent of allergens and pollutants as small as 0.1 micron.

The purifier also uses a layer of activated carbon granules to capture odour and potentially harmful toxins such as paint fumes.

When it is set on automatic mode, the unit will automatically monitor the air quality in a room and clean the air of pollutants. It will then send a report to the Dyson app.

The unit is packed in two pieces – the tower and the base. The tower is simply inserted onto the base unit and the hardware set-up is complete. A remote control to set the strength level of airflow and mode selection is included.

To set up the purifier for WiFi connection to your home router, you need to download the Dyson Link app, which is available on iOS and Android. The app requires the user to register for an account with Dyson that uses cloud storage to link the app to the purifier. The app will prompt you to add the purifier and add the WiFi router’s password.

To connect to the unit for the first time, you need to use the SSID and password of the WiFi unit that is printed in the manual. After the set-up is complete, the unit will display the WiFi symbol in solid white.

The purifier also has an LED alert display system. If the “A” is solid white its mean the air quality needs to be cleaned and if it is solid green it means the clean air quality target has been met.

The app will record daily air quality as good, fair or poor. It also displays the total purifying time as well as temperature range and average humidity in the room.

The app also displays the number of hours left before you need to order and change the non-washable filter. Dyson says the filter needs to be replaced every 12 months based on 12-hour usage a day. The air-quality history of the app allows you to oversee peak pollution times, for example during pollen season or when cleaning or cooking.

The purifiers also come with a nighttime automatic mode that allows it to continue monitoring and respond to air quality overnight, only using the quietest settings.

The tower unit has a suggested retail price of Bt31,900 while the desktop version sells for Bt25,900. They are accredited with the “Quiet Mark” by the Noise Abatement Society and are certified asthma and allergy friendly by Allergy Standards Limited.

>> Total height: 1,018mm

>> Weight: 3.7kg

>> Cord length: 1.8m

>> Airflow at max setting: |41.4 L/S

>> Amp diameter: 190mm

>> Base diameter with plate: 196mm

This source first appeared on The Nation Life.

Photo: Central Department Store

Central Chidlom Department Store and Central Embassy, together with The Foundation of the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand (The Support Foundation) and Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, present the beauty of Thai garments and traditional art of embroidery. Starting from documenting the role of Her Majesty as the royal patron of Thai handwoven textiles and craftsmanship, the eight-part exhibition narrates the beauty of Thai fabrics, the ancient craft of embroidery, the royal khon costumes, hill tribe textiles, as well as a rare opportunity to witness seven well-preserved royal gowns, lent from Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles.

Part of commemoration show, Thai sartorialists Tirapan Wannarat of Tirapan, Pichitra Boonyarataphan of Pichita, Nagara Sambandaraksa of Nagara, Anchalee Vikasitnakakul of Anchavika, Polpat Asavaprapha of Asava, Apisada Nimitvanich of Calista, Karatphet Issara of Kemissara, Mollika Ruangkritya of Kloset, Patinya Kyokong of Patinya and Teerut Wongwatanasin of Vickteerut carefully created 18 dazzling dresses inspired by the royal grace for a tribute collection which will be available for purchase with proceeds going to The Support Foundation.

The Contemporary Thai Fabric Project, Honouring Her Majesty the Queen

Her Majesty Queen Sirikit has been admired as a style icon and for her patronage and dedication to preserve Thai silk. In honour of Her Majesty’s 84th birthday, The Contemporary Thai Fabric Project in collaboration with the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, Ministry of Culture, invite four new-wave Thai fashion designers — Chai Gold Label’s Chai Jiamkittikul, Realistic Situation’s Palath Palathi, Theatre’s Sirichai Taharanont and Wisharawish’s Wisharawish Akkarasantisuk — to reinterpret Thai silks in fashion-forward styles. The fabric-focused collection, collectively called “Contemporary Essence”, redefines handwoven garments of mudmee and pha khao ma from The Support Foundation with intricate embroidery, layering technique, cutting-edge silhouettes and explosion of colours to offer a completely new style of how to wear Thai fabrics as in-style daily wear.

This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.

Two American things Thais really like come together this season. As one of the exclusive projects that celebrate American pop culture and to commemorate Coach’s 75th anniversary, the house of leather joins hands with the House of Mouse to create limited-edition bags that play canvas to the world’s most famous mouse. With sketches created by Disney’s animators, Mickey Mouse sits on the signature glove-tanned leather of totes, bag packs, wallets and messenger bags. Like the previous Peanuts collection, the embossed character at the bottom of the bag is a bit of a blink-and-you’ll-miss decoration, but this time, there are bold hang-tags in the shape of Mickey’s gloves and face also. If you’d rather proclaim your love more loudly, some bags have the actual Mickey Mouse ear sprouting out from body, which can be spotted a mile away, be it in black or the very red of Mickey’s two-buttoned pants. Find the Disney x Coach collection at Coach stores in CentralWorld, The EmQuartier and Siam Paragon.

For the little misses, Something Boudoir launches a dreamy collaboration with Playhouse (who holds the licensing rights to Disney) to design a pre-autumn collection inspired by The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland. Young and urban, the mad array of pieces are as frenzied and colourful as the Mad Hatter’s Party. Mix and match the soft-knitted sweaters, lace shirts, loose pants, cropped tees and printed skirts for your own look that could either turn out girly, sporty, cute, dainty or whatever you want. Even if you don’t want to wear cartoons on your sleeve, there are pieces with fun catch phrases inspired by the cartoon, such as “You’re all mad” or “I’m late”. That’s about the only dreamy things we can list, because the downer we hate to break is that Something Boudoir is closing. There will be something to fill that void of course, so keep your eyes peeled on what new brand their father company, A-List, will conjure up.

Play 25 Hours

Fashion and music crossover is not a new thing. But, in the local scene, it can fire music fans with excitement when uber cool street fashion institution Greyhound Original chooses artists to work with. In the debut of The Iconic Collection, where GMM Grammy x Greyhound Original, 25hours lends its street attitude and rock spirit to Bandit Rassameeroj, senior head designer of Greyhound Original, in designing the limited-edition Play 25 Hours.

Referencing the overall 90s trends and tour merch, the 20-piece collab takes influence from vintage band T-shirts, grunge-aesthetic typography and borrows playful doodles drawn by the band’s frontman Lham. Die-hard fans can hit the next gig with a total look featuring T-shirts, oversized sweatshirts and extras like bandanas, totes and soccer scarves. A surprise collectible doll of “Uncle Tom”, a fictional character from the band’s Gravity MV, are in store at the launch.

Play 25 Hours will arrive at Fuse Pop-Up Experience on the second floor of Siam Center and at www.fuseshops.com from Aug 11 when other acts to launch the next capsule collections are also to be revealed. — Pimchanok Phungbun Na Ayudhya

This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.

Fictionlog Fictionlog

1 It’s not easy making a living as a musician in Thailand, where the concept of paying for a piece of music barely exists. To show your sympathies for the plights of your favourite artists, come show your support at Cat Radio’s It’s Me Cat Foodival featuring a staggering host of artists, bands and musicians across all genres of Thai music coming together to cook and sell various dishes inspired by their band’s names or songs. Held at the Airport Link station today from 11am-11pm, the feast also features live gigs, as well as cooking classes with the likes of Lula and Greasy Cafe. Tickets cost 300 baht, and can be found at any 7-Eleven near you.

2 Thai bibliophiles owe it to themselves to check out online e-book publishing website Fictionlog.co. Recently launched by the same charming folks behind story-sharing site Storylog, authors can submit their novels or short stories to the site, where other users can read their works for a small amount of money (authors will receive 50% of all revenue generated by their books). Some books can be bought in their entirety, though many are being constantly updated, and can be read a chapter at a time. Each chapter costs about 500-900 “coins” (100 coins costs 1 baht). Register now and receive 5,000 free coins, which you can use to peruse the site’s many offerings for free.

3 To celebrate Thai Mother’s Day, The Museum of Floral Culture invites all to attend A Flower Garland for Mom exhibition, taking place at the museum campus in Samsen 28. Aside from the beautiful flowers, which will be displayed art-exhibition style, the event will also feature a garland-making workshop, as well as a breathtaking flower tunnel exhibition running until Aug 14.

4 Masaharu Morimoto, the renowned Iron Chef himself, has arrived in Bangkok with the opulent Morimoto Bangkok restaurant, on the fourth floor of the Mahanakhon CUBE near BTS Chong Nonsi. Established in collaboration with Big Bad Wolf Hospitality Group, Morimoto Bangkok offers an exciting blend of Japanese and Western flavours, with the Iron Chef’s world-renowned dishes like tuna pizza, hamachi tartare and rock shrimp tempura available for all interested foodies. Chef Morimoto has also promised new dishes based on ingredients common to Thailand, along with a Japanese cocktail bar led by renowned mixologist Shingo Gokan. For reservations, call 02-060-9099.

5 All through August, stay in either Escape hotels in Khao Yai or Hua Hin to get a taste of American-styled craft ice-cream from Guss Damn Good, offered free for all bookings. Pick from up to nine different flavours of meticulously made ice-cream (plus two exclusive flavours for each location), complete with special toppings like chocolate chips, cookie crumbs or sprinkles. Furthermore, Escape is offering a special 60% discount for their Deluxe Rooms, which also come with a free set of Guss Damn Good ice-cream. If you’re planning to take a little R&R this month, might as well get some free premium ice-cream to go with it.

This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.

To celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s 7th cycle birthday this month, the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles unveils two stunning exhibitions that are open to the public: “Fit For A Queen: Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s Creations by Balmain” and “Dressing Gods and Demons: Costume for Khon”. The anatomy, culture and history of the khon costumes are shimmery stunners displayed in a dark room in order to preserve gold in certain pieces, but the true stunner is the other exhibition, which features Her Majesty’s wardrobe from the six-month state visit across Europe, where Thailand’s royal couple were formally introduced the West. The legendary Parisian couturier Pierre Balmain was the chosen designer to create all of her clothes and different galleries within the exhibition displays their relationship, which would last until his death in 1982.

If fashion bugs can trek to The Met or Kensington Palace because they want to take in glorious gowns, what’s on show at the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles is every bit as well curated and spectacular. Besides the bounty of ballgowns and glitzy dresses only queens could pull off, there are also Balmain’s original sketchbooks, rare photographs, video footage and never-before-shown Louis Vuitton luggage bags (complete with the royal sigil), which were used to ship all these clothes around the world, on display.

Before the Balmain house has been pushed into an onslaught of flamboyance that it is recognised today by the dimpled and fierce creative director Olivier Rousteing, the maison’s roots of haute couture are best found in Queen Sirikit’s collection of stylish daytime, cocktail and evening dresses. Museum consultant Melissa Leventon explained, “No Thai designer knew the etiquette of dressing up for each of the Western countries. Her Majesty needed a Western dressmaker to help her be properly dressed for Western audiences and expectations because there are rules for royalty in the West. She needed expert advice on what colours, gloves, hats and what, when, where.”

According to Leventon, Balmain proved to be an excellent choice, despite it being the second largest couture house in France, after Christian Dior. The Thai government had actually suggested Her Majesty commission Dior to design her wardrobe, but she decided she’d rather use Balmain — and would remain steadfastly loyal to him throughout the decades so that no other European designers received as much patronage. “At that time, Dior had already passed away and the design director who had taken over was 21-year-old Yves Saint Laurent,” said Leventon. “He was into street style from the UK and US and that was not what the Queen of Thailand needed. She was also in her teens in Europe right around the time when Balmain first started and like most teenage girls interested in fashion, she knew about him. She was getting fashion magazines in the 50s as gifts and of course, he was in most of them, so I think she had already formed her own opinion about him at that point.”

All dresses are inside light and temperaturecontrolled glass cases to withstand two years of display.

One may wonder why other big names like Chanel never made it to her closet, and the consultant speculates it was Coco Chanel’s involvement with the Nazis that have made her hugely unpopular in Paris, as well as her unobliging requirement to only work with tweed suits and not silk as the Queen had preferred. A large number of dresses on display may be of Western silhouettes and shapes, but look closely and one would see that Thai silks were the fabrics used, epitomising Her Majesty’s long-standing promotion of Thai village silks since she was a young woman. Later on, Balmain and François Lesage, who provided the intricate embroidery for Her Majesty’s clothes, would also make her Thai national dress, as well — these elegant clothes a core reflection of how her impeccable style developed and how she still dresses today: a mix of both Thai and Western.

The daytime dresses and suits, such as the one she wore when meeting Elvis Presley, have a simple silhouette but were usually made in bold colours that could be seen from a distance. Her Majesty had used the same tactic Queen Elizabeth II had also favoured: bright, solid colours, which could make her stand out despite her small physique. The marvellous clothes are in great condition, almost as if merely worn once and dismissed, but that is hardly the case. “Many gowns actually had hems trimmed to become shorter, for continued usage and to resonate changing fashion trends,” said Leventon.

This exhibition took years to compile and researchers had to make two trips to Paris in order to comb through French archives at Maison Balmain and Maison Lesage, where information was pieced together from the archive of press clippings, scrapbooks, log books and old photographs. An interview with François Lesage, was one of the invaluable sources of information, before he died in 2011. But what you don’t see is one of the highlights that elevate “Fit For A Queen” towards world-class standards. Conservation consultant Julia M. Brennan laughed, “We work with our hands, if we do our job well then you cannot see what we do.”

Besides the processes of preventing and reversing damage on the clothes, the very ballgowns themselves seem to be floating on air — a first in Thailand. “We’re pioneering and introducing a new style of mannequin, which is a technique used in the US and Europe. We want to push the boundaries and do that here. It’s a big contribution to the style and to understanding conservation and the mechanisms of displaying.”

It’s a sophisticated exhibition not to be missed — one that shows our country’s increasingly refined, museum display know-how and an even more fascinating subject who was the world’s best-dressed woman in the 60s.

“Fit For A Queen: Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s Creations By Balmain” on display until June 2018, and “Dressing Gods And Demons: Costume For Khon” on display until May 2017 at the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, Grand Palace. Open daily from 9am-4.30pm. Ticket prices for students and children 50 baht, seniors 80 baht and adults 150 baht. 

This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.

Abdelilah El Housni, Morocco’s ambassador to Thailand.

With Morocco recently joining Asean’s Treaty of Amity and Co-operation (TAC) in late July, it’s expected that the once-missing link between the African region and the Southeast Asian region will start to open up, drawing in more businesses, political relations and tourism from both sides.

Extremely optimistic about the new South-South co-operation is Abdelilah El Housni, ambassador of Morocco. The youthful and energetic diplomat speaks at his beautiful Moroccan decorated penthouse in Bangkok of the beauty and charm of his home country, with hopes that more Thais and Southeast Asians will visit the exotic North African nation to further strengthen their relations.

In terms of culture, Southeast Asia and Morocco seem so far apart. But are there more similarities between the two regions than we may believe?

There are many similarities between Morocco and Southeast Asian cultures in terms of moral values. The respect of elders and the love of the family are the strongest common points we share. Both in Morocco and Southeast Asian countries, the blessing of elders and having a strong, solid bond with members of your family is very important. I also find that both of our people are extremely generous, very kind and always have a beautiful smile on their faces. Morocco and Southeast Asian countries have a unique culinary heritage that is loved throughout the world. You know even in terms of religion, we are not that far away. Both Islam and Buddhism call for peace, non-violence and the respect of others.

Morocco has been attracting more and more Thai tourists lately; do you plan to actively promote the country as a destination for Thais?

Since I’ve been here, I’ve been promoting. In the past three years, there has been a 164% increase in Thais going to Morocco. Thai hotels like Anantara and the Banyan Tree have also opened there. So I think things are moving forward; we have to keep our fingers crossed.

We need to educate people — it’s our responsibility to let people know more about Morocco. But now I think people know more than before. Our architecture and design are well-known now, for example Villa Maroc in Pranburi.

How would you convince Thais to go to Morocco?

Sometimes people think the area is very far. It’s not. It takes an 11-hour direct flight to get there, and it’s three hours from the major European airports.

I would tell Thais that Morocco is an open museum, an exotic country with a rich history, culture, a tradition of generosity, openness, tolerance. Morocco is very mystic and exotic. You can experience everything there. You can ski, you can surf, you can mountain climb and trek, you can go sightseeing and get lost in small streets, you can go to the Sahara, and our Sahara is next to the Atlantic Ocean. Anything you want to do, Morocco has it. Besides, our food! Our cuisine is always ranked number two or three in the world and has been listed in the Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

What’s most important is that Morocco is a peaceful country. Look at what’s going on around the world and see Morocco now.

Casablanca, Fes, and Marrakesh — could you say a few things about these fabled cities and why would Thais should visit them?

Fes will give you a great idea about Morocco’s history, culture and spiritual heritage. It was the capital of Morocco before, and it’s home to the oldest university in the world … Fes still does everything the old way, and we have the best leather exported all over the world! Not far from Fes is a city called Ifran. You wouldn’t believe that you’re in Morocco. It’s the Switzerland of Morocco; there’s so much snow.

Marrakesh is the ‘red-city’. It’s like a city from the One Thousand And One Nights. It is very exotic, especially with the Jama El-fnaa, where you have storytellers, snake charmers, etc. When we talk about Marrakesh, we have to talk about the people, too. They love making jokes, they’re always smiling, they’re great cooks — and you have to try the street food.

Casablanca we know from the movie with Humphrey Bogart. It will show Thais the modernity and the glamour of Morocco, and it has the Hassan II Mosque, with the tallest minaret in the world, built in the ocean. But you have to see Dakhla too! It’s a city in the Western Sahara; a dessert, but the ocean is right next to it! Dakhla has the best lagoons.

What does the average Moroccan think about when Thailand is mentioned?

When a Moroccan thinks of Thailand, the first thing that comes to mind are the beautiful islands of Phuket or Koh Lanta. These exotic destinations are very popular among Moroccans. Also, they think of the culinary heritage of Thailand, as we have many excellent Thai restaurants in Rabat and Casablanca.

How does promoting tourism between both countries improve our relations?

Tourism is very important; tourism is not only to make money. Yes, we make money, but there’s another side: we fight against extremism, we fight against terrorism. Because when we visit another country, we’re trying to know each other, we’re trying to accept each other, trying to talk to each other, so you’ll understand that country.

Tourism is one of the most important things. If for example it’s 10% of the GDP, it’s 90% of the values to fight against elements like extremism and terrorism. We can make the world more prosperous, tolerant, and accepting. Despite our background, culture and religion, I think tourism is one of the best ways to fight against all the negativity.

The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco. Photo courtesy of Moroccan Embassy

Leather tannery in Fes, Morocco. Photos courtesy of Moroccan Embassy

This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.

Ten million baht was the sum that 81-year-old Waraporn Suravadi, the caretaker of the Bangkok Folk’s Museum, needed to buy the plot of land next to her museum, which was to become the site of an eight-storey building. That construction project could potentially spoil the view and atmosphere of the museum — a well-preserved war-era teak house that displays rare and valuable items dating back more than 100 years, to the reign of King Rama V.

Last Monday, after a period of just two weeks, Waraporn had managed to secure the sum through public fundraising and bought the land by contributing 30 million baht of her own.

It’s good news not just for cultural enthusiasts and activists but for Bangkokians in general, as this is one of the few places left where people of several generations can learn about and appreciate the life of Bangkokians in the old days.

Waraporn did appeal for help from City Hall, but to no avail, and this miraculous turn of events, the outpouring of donations from the public, is no less than a slap in the face to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

More importantly, the incident has also brought to mind a persistent issue that’s part of the bigger picture — the lack of a clear direction in art and culture, not just from the BMA, but on a national scale, from a government body like the Ministry of Culture.

That the project, like the Bangkok Folk’s Museum, failed to get attention from the state is surprising, considering Thai authorities’ usual soft spot for all things traditionally Thai. What this means for other cultural sectors, like contemporary and modern art, is that they’re facing an even bigger challenge when it comes to seeking support from the government.

Still prevalent is the notion that “good art” has to be something that’s traditionally Thai, and the way the state’s cultural policy, which has doggedly clung to that very idea, has too many times proved detrimental to the development of Thai contemporary arts.

In the past few years, we have had more than a few such examples. Take last year’s Photo Bangkok Festival, the country’s first photography festival, which took place across the city with Thai and international artists participating. There was no support from the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture. Bangkok’s first International Children’s Theatre Festival, held earlier this year, was ironically supported by the Japan Foundation Bangkok and foreign embassies. Although the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre was also one of the sponsors, proper support from the government could have undoubtedly aided the festival even further.

Contemporary visual art is one of the areas that has been hit hard by the lack of visionary initiative on the government’s part. We realised this a long time ago, but it’s the recent opening of two major art spaces that really put things into perspective.

Late last year, Singapore launched its magnificent National Gallery, and the point is not only for us to see how much their government is willing to implement good infrastructure for cultural development. The gallery has established itself as the hub of Southeast Asian art, and though it may be a joy for others, it’s sadness for Thais to see some of the works in their collection. A number of works by Thai masters in the modern era are displayed — from Montien Boonma’s famous installation work The Pleasure of Being, Crying, Dying And Eating up to Manit Sriwanichpoom’s “Pink Man” series — and it’s such an irony that we have to travel all the way to Singapore just to look at pieces that originated here.

Likewise with the recently opened Maiiam Contemporary Art Museum — where there’s a rich private collection of Thai modern artworks by Kamin Lertchaiprasert, Chatchai Puipia, Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook, Navin Rawanchaikul, Natee Utarit, Vasan Sitthiket, Pinaree Sanpitak to Rirkrit Tiravanija — we once again wonder why there’s never been a project initiated by our state’s cultural sector that aims at collecting these valuable works.

Collecting doesn’t just mean we will have artworks in our national collection; it also means establishing a system in which Thai artists, especially the young and emerging, can sustain themselves. The right direction for government funding is key, and this, of course, applies to all fields in culture and the arts, be it theatre, film, music, design or fashion.

Singapore spent S$532 million (13.8 billion baht) on the development of its National Gallery. It seems like a lot of money, until we realise what all that can turn into. Thailand is by no means poor, but while having money is one thing, having the vision to spend it right is what we are yet to attain.

This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.

Three years after breaking all box office records with his ghostly comedy “Pee Mak Phra Khanong”, director Banjong Pisunthanakun is back, this time with a heart-warming romantic drama.

“Fanday…Fan Kun Khae Wan Diaw” (“One Day”), as the film is called, tells the story of a technician who falls for a marketing colleague and claims to be her boyfriend after she suffers contemporary amnesia following an accident.

The phenomenal success of “Pee Mak Phra Khanong” has led to many offers but Banjong has remained down to earth and says there’s nothing he enjoys more than a challenge.

“It would have been easy to do another comedy like ‘Pee Mak’ but I like doing something different,” he says.

“I loved the romantic films made in the 1990s. My favourites are ‘Untamed Heart’ and ‘Sleepless in Seattle”. ‘Fanday’ follows that same kind of storyline but with an Asian touch.

“I haven’t seen mellow romances for years and never in Thai movies,” he says

Banjong, who has seen success after success since co-directing the horror film “Shutter” with Parkpoom Wongphoom 12 years ago, made his solo directorial debut with the 2010 romantic comedy “Kuan Muen Ho”(“Hello Stranger”). His CV reads like a roll call for cinematic hits with “Faed” (“Twins”), horror anthologies “See Phraeng”(“4Bia”) and “Ha Phraeng” (“Phobia 2”) to his credit.

“Fanday” is his first original story though and thanks to a strong story is likely to be another blockbuster.

The film stars Banjong’s long-time collaborator Chantawit Dhanasevi as Denchai, a man who works in the IT department of a large company. A nerdy kind of guy with unruly hair and glasses, he is all but invisible to his colleagues and only recognised by the rest of the staff when they have IT problems and need help. Only Nui (Nittha Jirayungyurn), the beautiful woman in marketing remembers his name and it isn’t long before Denchai is totally smitten. During the company trip to a ski resort in Hokkaido, Nui is involved in an accident and wakes up with no memory of what happened.

Amnesia has been used to death in the movies over the past decades so Banjong decided to make the condition more interesting by having Nui diagnosed with transient global amnesia, during which a patient suffers loss of memory for recent events and an impaired ability to retain new information. Symptoms typically last less than 24 hours. As the syndrome resolves, the amnesia improves, but the patient may be left with a distinct lapse of recollection for events during the attack.

Denchai picks the moment to tell her he’s her boyfriend.

While that part of the plot brings to mind the 2004 Adam Sandler amd Drew Barrymore comedy “50 First Dates”, Banjong is quick to insist that it’s different.

“A person with TGA still remembers the past but has problems with recent memories. It’s far more complex that than other kinds of amnesia and that’s what makes it interesting. Also in the film, there’s a certain ambiguity about Nui having TGA or not,” he explains.

In “50 First Dates,” Banjong points out, Lucy resets her memory everyday. TGA is infinitely more complicated, not least since 80 per cent of the action occurs in Hokkaido in a single day.

“For me, the most difficult part of the project was the development of the story. I’m used to doing comedy and while ‘Fanday’ has its humorous moments, we’ve all worked hard to make sure they are incidental to the story.

“It’s not heavy romantic drama and not that kind of feel-good romantic stuff for which GTH was known. Making comedies like that no longer interests me. It’s a case of ‘been there, done that’. I want to have something new in my work,” he says.

Scepticism has always surrounded Banjong’s initial ideas. For example, in “Hello Stranger,” fans were surprised when he cast actress Nuengtida Sophon in the lead role and wondered on the social networks if she was right for the character. Banjong responded by insisting he wanted to take the risk. The same questions were raised in the early days of “Pee Mak” after he cast thoroughly modern Mario Maurer in the lead.

The scepticism was erased the moment the films were released with Banjong proving he was right in sticking to his guns.

And “Fanday” hasn’t escaped the sceptics. The trailers clearly reflect the mellow drama and filmgoers are questioning the story’s idea.

“I always go all out on every project and I don’t hesitate in my decision. I believe in taking risks and don’t see why I should have to play by the rules,” he says.

“If my decision is right, then the movie will prove the sceptics wrong. Obviously I can’t guarantee that every time. I’ve been lucky in that it has worked for every project, but luck doesn’t hold forever. I’m just hoping that it won’t desert me in this project,” he says with a smile.

“Fanday” is also a gamble for GDH as it is the studio’s first project following the dismantling of GTH at the end of last year.

After the romance, Banjong wants to try a thriller. One of his dreams is to make a movie for gigantic IMAX theatre and he’d also love to earn some international acclaim.

That may have to wait for a bit as one of his projects, the short story “Khong Kong” from “Phobia 2”, was snapped up by Hong Kong director Stephen Chow for a remake only for the censorship board of China reject the script because of its ghostly content.

The project is however going ahead and will be made as a co-production between Thailand and the Chinese company.

“I’ll be directing it,” Banjong says.

This source first appeared on The Nation Life.

One recent survey revealed that people over the age of 75 are 85-per-cent more likely to develop osteoarthritis than the elderly in general, and among women, the rate of osteoarthritis is two times higher than among men.

Yet, despite the pain, most elderly people who develop osteoarthritis think they can cope with it or resist it. In reality, this is rarely the case.

Our bones start to weaken when we reach the age of 40. In women, however, the bones and articular cartilage will begin to weaken earlier than in men, due to differences in anatomy and hormones. Men tend to have thicker and stronger bones and cartilage than women, and for this reason, the muscles around a man’s knees will usually be naturally stronger. Another factor that plays a significant part is body weight. Women gain weight more easily than men and are, therefore, more susceptible to developing joint problems.

The following are symptoms of osteoarthritis of which everyone should be aware:

l Feeling pain in the knees

l Starting to feel fatigue, tight calves or foldable knee joints

l The skin around your knee joints feels warmer or hotter than usual

l Symptoms of abrasion and friction around the knees

l Inability to stretch or bend your knees fully

l Swollen knees, legs bowed inwards or legs bowed outwards

l Bones that seem to grow outwards along the edges of the knees

All of these symptoms are signs that you may have osteoarthritis. If you experience these symptoms, it is recommended that you see a doctor immediately so that an x-ray can be taken and the symptoms treated. If osteoarthritis is allowed to develop, the condition will become chronic, and will significantly impact the quality of your daily life. Surgery is not always necessary for treatment: treatment will depend on the severity of the symptoms and on the doctor’s diagnosis. If your symptoms are not as severe, then the doctor may recommend that you change certain behaviours and pay more attention to your diet in order to control your body weight and help ease the stress on your knees. Another lifestyle recommendation might be to exercise regularly in order to build muscle around the legs and knees, which in turn will strengthen and reduce the shock on the knees.

Additionally, the doctor may also recommend that you avoid sitting with folded legs or bent knees for long periods of time. Lastly, if you are experiencing severe symptoms, the doctor may prescribe a course of medication to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation, as well as another course of medication to maintain joint cartilage. Changes in patient behaviour and routines may be necessary.

Thereafter, if your symptoms are still severe, the doctor may recommend a surgical treatment called Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery, which can be a partial replacement or the entire knee. The type of surgery required will be at the discretion of the attending physician.

In cases in which knee replacement surgery is required, many patients worry about the pain associated with the operation, including the recovery period. However, medical technology has come a long way, and this type of surgery is now simple, convenient, relatively pain free, and also very safe.

These days many hospitals use a method known as Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) with Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA), which is a type of knee replacement surgery that uses only small incisions that cut through as little muscle tissue as possible. Afterwards, the doctor will introduce a High Flexion TKA as the replacement knee. Patients will lose very little blood and feel very little pain during the operation. They also spend less time in recovery, and need just a short stay in the hospital to physically rejuvenate and return to normal life.

Previously, knee replacement surgery was a heavy burden, but with recent advances in medical technology, it has become much simpler.

That said, if we look after our health earlier on in life, and also watch our diet, eat food that nourish our bodies, and avoid overeating, we will naturally nourish and extend the lifespan of our bones and joints so that we can use them well into our older years. Exercise and being physically proactive, as well as maintaining good posture, are some of the ways in which we can prevent our bones from weakening. We cannot simply wait for further advances in medical technology.

DR WERAYUT CHAYAPINUN is an orthopaedic surgeon attached to the Sports and Orthopaedic Centre of Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital.|Call (02) 222 2494-6.

This source first appeared on The Nation Life.

The reason for the delayed reaction is that iron the body doesn’t need immediately is prudently kept in reserve, points out Antje Gahl of the German Nutrition Society.

A vital mineral that the body can’t produce itself, iron must be taken in with food. Only small amounts are required.

“Iron, found in the blood pigment protein haemoglobin, enables the smooth transport of oxygen in the body,” explains Wolfgang Wesiack, a German internist.

“Women need more iron than men do,” because of blood loss during menstruation, Gahl notes

Their daily requirement of iron is 15 milligrams, compared with 12 milligrams for men. Pregnant women need 30 milligrams a day.

Left untreated, an iron deficiency can lead to what is known as iron deficiency anaemia, a condition in which blood lacks adequate healthy red blood cells. Without enough iron, the body can’t produce sufficient haemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues.

If you suspect that you have an iron deficit, you should by no means “go to the supermarket and buy an iron supplement to take,” warns Lutz Engelen, a pharmacist. This carries the risk of consuming too much iron, which can also be harmful, he adds.

Instead, you should consult your family doctor, who can detect an iron deficiency with a blood test. The method of treatment depends on the cause.

“An iron deficiency can be caused, for instance, by gum bleeding, blood loss during surgery or unnoticed gastrointestinal bleeding,” Wesiak says. Other possible causes are frequent blood donations or impaired iron absorption by the body.

“An unbalanced or meatless diet can also lead to an iron deficiency,” Gahl adds.

Treatment may involve stopping internal bleeding. Sometimes a doctor will prescribe tablets to replenish depleted iron stores in the body. Iron supplements should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach with plenty liquid since they often have a high fat content, Engelen advises.

They can cause black stools for a while, “but that’s completely normal,” Wesiak says

The best way to prevent an iron deficiency is to eat balanced meals.

“Iron-rich foods include liver, beef and pork as well as eggs, poultry and fish,” Gahl said, but cautioned against putting too much emphasis on animal products, which are often high in fat.

Vegetarians can meet their iron requirement by eating whole grain products, legumes, beetroot and green vegetables such as kale and spinach.

You should also avoid drinking coffee or black tea with your meals because they contain tannins that could inhibit the body’s absorption of iron. The calcium in dairy products is also considered to be an iron blocker, so you should avoid high-calcium foods for a half-hour before or after eating iron-rich foods.

Being overweight during |pregnancy has negative effects

DEUTSCHE PRESSE-AGENTUR

Women’s eating habits during pregnancy and while breastfeeding can significantly affect their children’s health, even beyond their growth stage.

Negative after-effects can stretch into late adulthood, says Jan Daebritz, a nutrition specialist.

“Pregnant women have obligations: studies have established that there is definitely something in the view that overweight mothers also have overweight children,” the expert says.

The consequences later on, in adulthood, can include vascular diseases like high blood pressure or cardiac infarction, as well as diabetes.

The reason for this lies in what is known as metabolic programming. According to this, the ingredients in foodstuffs can lead to genetic changes. These are not actually passed on, but they can affect the way in which genetic information is interpreted, which impacts the production of protein and enzymes.

No single foodstuff can be described as “bad” in this respect, Daebritz notes. The issue has a lot more to do with overall unhealthy eating habits and with the far-too-high supply of energy that comes with an excessive food intake.

This is the view of the German Nutrition Society (DGE). Being severely overweight during pregnancy also increases the risk of complications for both the mother and the baby during childbirth.

Pregnant women should not eat for two. They do not need that much extra energy during pregnancy.

Obesity prevention begins as early as the womb, Gahl stresses.

According to Daebritz, who is deputy head of the university clinic for children and adolescents in Rostock, Germany, gynaecologists have a duty to inform pregnant women about the importance of their diet.

Expectant mothers should for example eat fish, which is high in important fatty acids, in order to boost brain development in the unborn child.

This source first appeared on The Nation Life.

After having an unwanted pregnancy years ago, Supecha Boatip could think of no better solution than having an abortion after seeing an advertisement for an illegal clinic posted in a random minibus. More than 20 years have passed and she has since turned the bad experience into something positive and beneficial to society.

Now Supecha works as an activist supporting safe abortion and giving women accurate information about the procedure.

“My goal back then was to finish my master’s degree, so I wasn’t ready to have kids,” recalled Supecha, 49. She said she became pregnant partly because of her own misunderstanding of contraceptive pills. “I was a 25-year-old woman with an education, but still I didn’t know how to take those pills. When I look back, it makes me wonder about how little sex and birth control education are being taught in Thai schools.”

Thailand has the second-highest number of premature pregnancies in Southeast Asia, with approximately 300,000 women having illegal abortions per year. Apart from the lack of proper education, Supecha — who was one of the speakers at the “Fixing Tomboy And Repairing Dee Is Violence. Stop It” forum held recently at Thammasat University — suggested that negative attitudes toward sexual behaviour and the perception of gender stereotypes in society should be taken into consideration and needs to be changed.

Many Thais still cling to the attitude that they degrade themselves by having premarital sex. If a woman becomes pregnant unexpectedly and seeks an abortion, regardless of reasons or necessities, they’re the first to be blamed.

Following the incident in 2010 in which more than 2,000 foetuses were found at Wat Phai Ngern in Bangkok, and in which mothers of these dead babies were branded evil, Supecha complained that there is no place for these women to speak up for their right to an abortion.

“We have the freedom to choose our own path, because we know what is good for us,” she said.

Therefore, in 2011, she started her own website, tamtang.wordpress.com, initially to speak openly about her own abortion. Being a judgement-free zone, the website encouraged more women with this experience to anonymously post their stories.

Later on, the website offered information about abortion clinics authorised by the Department of Health, where to get safe abortion pills, and other advice for women with undesired pregnancies.

Most women who have come for advice are between the ages of 20 and 25. Some of them have had children but decided to terminate their pregnancy as they consider it a family-planning protocol.

“These women well realise that it takes a lot to raise a child properly and that it is too much for them to do so at that moment. They are well aware that it won’t be good for the child to live with an unprepared mother.”

Supecha is adamant that an abortion should be carried out under the care of medical specialists; otherwise, it can result in death. By giving accurate information, more women’s lives will be saved and unsafe services from illegal clinics will likely disappear.

In a nutshell, Supecha does not support illegal or unsafe abortion. She only intends to provide accurate information about the procedure. Despite her good intentions, she and other activists for abortion rights in Thailand are often attacked by anti-abortion opponents, who believe abortion is a terrible sin and is against Buddhist principles.

“If we took abortion as a sin, then it would be the sin that everyone in the society commits together,” she said. “Schools are wrong, as they don’t provide proper sex education. Friends are wrong, for not being there when help is needed. Society is wrong, for producing biased gender ideology and attitudes on sex.”

Above all, Supecha insisted that the decision to get rid of an unwanted pregnancy or continue it is up to women to decide, and no one else should ever judge their reasons.

“Because abortion is not fun at all,” she said, recalling her own experience at an illegal clinic. “No one knew that I was there, so nobody would know if I died. Before I passed out, I realised that I was responsible for the decision I’ve made for myself. This has been the most precious lesson of my whole life.”

This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.

TAT’s latest campaign film to promote tourism among Thai people. photos courtesy of Tourism Authority of Thailand

The latest short film of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has received more than 2.6 million hits online within the first three days after it was launched on Aug 1.

TAT’s latest campaign film to promote tourism among Thai people. photos courtesy of Tourism Authority of Thailand

The film is posted on TAT’s “Amazing Thailand” Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AmazingThailand). It is the work of director Komkrit Triwimol, who made his debut at the box office with Fan Chan (My Girl) in 2003, which was directed by six new faces. He has also directed other movies and soap operas such as Puean Sanit or Dear Dakanda (2005) and Noo-Hin: The Movie (2006).

TAT’s short film is shot under the theme “Once upon a time when spirit runs wild”. It tells the story of a typical office worker name Bozo (played by Jinnapat, a first year student of the Communication Arts Faculty of Chulalongkorn University).

Bozo has a routine like other white collar workers with her day starting by being stuck in the morning traffic so she eats and puts on make-up behind the wheel. She works hard and does overtime until getting sick.

The friendly narrated voice tells her to take a break. The voice belongs to Nirun Boonyarataphan, better known as Na Toi Sembei who has been a voiceover artist for Japanese cartoons on Channel 9 since the 1980s.

Bozo starts travelling to many places throughout the country. Along the way she tries many activities including squid fishing, traditional Thai massage, planting rice seedlings, carving clay pottery and joining local festivals like Phi Ta Khon or a ghost mask festival in Loei and a traditional dance in the North.

While travelling, she gets a crush on a Japanese traveller. They travel and share good times together, but later he says goodbye to her with the shocking reason that his wife will give birth to their baby earlier than expected. She cries hard and to heal her broken heart continues her journey to the South where she meets more women whose hearts have been broken. The movie ends when she goes to the North and by chance meets a good looking guy. Sadly, he happens to come with his male partner.

At the end she shouts: “Got my heart broken again.” Then the ending message shows up and states: “Do travel when you feel miserable and when the hard time is gone, start a new journey.”

About 60,000 people shared the film on their Facebook accounts last week while the number of views is increasing. Many like the film thanks to the cute and pudgy Bozo. Others also state that the movie is a creative marketing tool for TAT. They say it is funny and makes them want to travel.

Those who don’t like the movie said it makes Thai women look bad because she travels to find a partner. They also criticise Bozo for lacking responsibility by quitting her job to travel more.

There was also constructive feedback suggesting TAT have English subtitles or give the names of places Bozo visited so the audience could follow it.

Whether people like it or not, the short film is regarded as a success. Perhaps, they may feel Bozo’s dream is like theirs.

This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.

The Olympics opened last Friday with fanfare and lots of fireworks in Rio de Janeiro. The opening ceremony featured a vague environmental message, a nod to Brazil’s biodiversity, lots of dancing and a rendition of perhaps the most famous Brazilian popular song of all time, The Girl From Ipanema, performed by the grandson of its composer, Antonio Carlos Jobim.

The various sports that make up a modern Olympics, now over 40, mean that the event will be with us for the next few weeks. So, with the spotlight on Brazil, it’s time to consider the diversity of Brazilian music and maybe one or two highlights that you can listen to while you watch Usain Bolt and his fellow athletes burn up the track.

There are very few countries that can match Brazil for the sheer volume and diversity of music it produces, from tribal music to turbocharged funk, from choral music to electronica and much more; those are just some broad trends, consider, for instance the varied kinds of carnival music, from the old samba de roda in Bahia to the sophisticated floats and dancing of the Sambadrome in Rio. This is the country that gave the world the samba, bossa nova, tropicalia/MPB, carioca funk, samba-reggae, Afro-bloco, trio eletrico, forro, axe, choro, frevo, lambada (remember that?), brega and all kinds of versions of Western music, such as Brazilian rock, jazz, rap, hip hop, choral and classical. Just put some of these names into your video search engine and you’ll be immediately immersed into 500 years of musical development.

Samba and its later descendant pagoda, originated in West Africa, and is associated with carnival in Rio where it is known as carioca samba. It has one of the most complex rhythms of any popular dance (always tricky to play a fast samba as a DJ here in Bangkok — the rhythms seem to flummox many folks). But once you start dancing to it, you can’t stop. Listen to one of the great sambistas, the late Clara Nunes, and you’ll understand why it is such a potent and popular music.

Of all the different states, one of the oldest, Bahia, whose state capital Salvador was once the capital of Brazil, is the one with some of the funkiest Brazilian sounds. Many of Brazil’s musical stars hail from Bahia, people like the Dorival Caymmi and the Jobims, as well as big stars from the 60s and 70s like Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethania and Gilberto Gil — all worth checking out on YouTube and the like. Veloso and Gil were part of the tropicalia trend in the 60s, and Gil later went on to become minister of culture.

Carnival in Bahia is a little different to Rio’s more well-known and glitzier affair. A unique musical creation in Bahia is the trio eletrico, often a trio of musicians (bass, cavaquinho and guitar) but also with a singer that travels around on a flatbed trucked and is powered by huge speakers. Dodo and Osmar are the most famous for this genre but also worth checking out is Moraes Moreira. The genre was made famous in a song by Caetano Veloso, which includes the immortal line: “Only the dead do not go after the trio eletrico.”

Bahia is the place where reggae took off first in Brazil. Bob Marley was a potent icon for many young people during the 70s and 80s. Gilberto Gil started his experiments with blending reggae with local sounds at this time — his Portuguese-language cover of Marley’s No Woman No Cry is a beautiful version. The end result was that Bahian musicians created samba-reggae, a popular genre to this day.

One of the sounds from Bahia I like to play is a drum-based genre called Afro bloco, which can often feature as many as 100 drummers performing together. Some of the rhythms are drawn from percussion used in Umbanda ceremonies (Umbanda is a syncretic religion similar to Santeria in Cuba and voodoo in Haiti and New Orleans) and they create a wall of sound on top of which call and response vocals soar — often with lyrics of protest. Olodum is the band to check out for Afro bloco and also the work of Carlinhos Brown, a virtuoso percussionist, and his band Timbalada.

And while you’re in the northeast, another popular genre worth considering is the music known as “music for maids and taxi drivers”. It’s based around wild accordion, metal triangle and a drum called the zabumba. There are some similarities with Columbian vallenato (a kind of “cowboy” music played on accordion) and other kinds of accordion-driven music like Balkan and polka. Great music for parties.

And I never got the chance to write about Brazilian bands like my favourite Os Paralamos do Successo (The Mudguards of Success), who I think started the ska craze in South America and are a precursor of funky political bands like Mexico’s Los de Abajo.

No time, too, in this brief survey to consider some of the greats of Brazilian music like Milton Nascimento and Gal Costa but they are also worth checking out. In the meantime, there are lots of great compilations around such as the Luaka Bop compilations by David Byrne of Talking Heads fame, and the globe style compilation on Forro. When it comes to music, Brazil offers so much more than just bossa nova.

Along with other tropical music, I’ll be spinning some Brazilian tunes with a distinct Bahian twist at my next DJ night at Studio Lam on Aug 27. World Beat starts at 9pm until late. (www.facebook.com/groups/1893339064225936/)

This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously presided over the recent Bangkok Chefs Charity Gala Dinner & Auction, organised by Nuntiya and Patcharin Hame-ung-gull of Gourmet One, in cooperation with the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok and 21 executive chefs from five-star hotels and Thai Airways International. Photos courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

In a high-spirited evening on July 18, the 2016 Bangkok Chefs Charity Gala Dinner and Auction, one of Thailand’s most illustrious dining affairs, prosperously wrapped up with an impressive 23 million baht raised for charity.

It’s the highest amount the benevolent event has ever raised in a night since its inception seven years ago.

The fundraising project was initiated in 2009 by Gourmet One, Thailand’s leading fine food supplier, in collaboration with the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, together with a number of executive chefs from five-star hotels and Thai Airways International.

The eighth edition of the gala feast, graciously presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, took place in the Royal Ballroom of the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok.

The event was attended by 350 discerning epicures and altruistic guests, who came to support the good cause via a 10-course, wine-pairing dinner.

This year, the culinary creations conceptualised and prepared by 21 cooking masters highlighted the flavours of top-notch ingredients from the world’s best sources as it glorified local culinary finesse, including prime-quality products from the royal-initiated agricultural development projects under the Chaipattana Foundation.

Accompanying the gourmet menu were fine wines, supported by Central Wine Cellar, Thailand’s leading importer and distributor of wines from around the world. It chose some of the best regions and winemakers in the world to match the food creations. All the selected wines boasted a 90-point or higher rating by international wine experts.

The prestigious affair started off at 5pm with a Champagne cocktail reception at the corridor of the Royal Ballroom.

Gathered by glamorously looking philanthropists, the welcoming session starred mouth-watering canapés by Roland Kaiser of the Banyan Tree Bangkok and James Norman, Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok.

The distinctive array of bite-sized treats included Indian-inspired fresh rice paper rolls with salmon, fragrant herbs and spices; butter-poached langoustine on buckwheat crackers, white miso aioli and sesame nori; and carrot, kohlrabi and fresh herb wantons with salsa verde.

At 5.30pm, the dinner officially began with a lovely appetiser, Canadian lobster, white asparagus bisque, lemon crème and pistachio cranberry brioche, a great work by Mark Hagenbach of Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok and Jose Martin Ruiz Borja of Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel.

The chilled seafood was paired with Luis Felipe Edwards Marea Valle de Leyda Sauvignon Blanc 2013, Leyda Valley, Chile.

Following was slightly-smoked Hokkaido scallop, citrus sea vegetables sphere, butterfly pea flowers, dashi consommé and crispy wakame by Thitisorn Amatasin of the Sukhothai Bangkok and Gael Lardiere of Plaza Athenee Bangkok, A Royal Meridien Hotel. The dish was paired Dog Point Chardonnay 2013, Marlborough, New Zealand.

Blue crab, santol salad, pineapple, coconut and candied cashew nut by Andrew Brown of Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok and Koenraad Inghelram of InterContinental Bangkok was chosen to represent the third course. It was complemented by Luis Felipe Edwards Marea Valle de Leyda Sauvignon Blanc 2013, Leyda Valley, Chile.

The next course was green tea and fermented garlic pasta, crustacean infused tea oil emulsion and red amaranth leaves by Somchai Deeying of Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld and Pierre Andre Hauss, Thai Airways International.

The innovative pasta was matched with Les Vins de Vienne Viognier 2013, Rhone Valley, France.

The dinner splendidly moved on to the fifth course with pan-fried foie gras, blueberry macaroon, rhubarb purée and hibiscus sauce by Antony Scholtmeyer of the Okura Prestige Bangkok and Michael Hogan of Marriott Queen’s Park. Complementing the duck liver was Amiral de Beychevelle AOC Saint-Julien 2010, Bordeaux, France.

Representing the sixth course was bread-crusted Scottish salmon, vegetables fantasy and lettuce coulis by Aurelien Poirot of the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok and Kevin B. Thomson of JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok. The flawless dish was paired with Les Vins de Vienne Viognier 2013, Rhone Valley, France.

Cured duck breast, tamarind liquid croquette, fruit powder and herb salad, a creation by Nathan Chilcott of Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit and Philippe Keller of Dusit Thani Bangkok, was presented next. Matching the dish was Vincent Girardin Domaine de la Tour Du Bief AOC Moulin a Vent Clos de la Tour 2010, Burgundy, France.

Preparing the guests’ palate for the meat course that was to come was beetroot and kaffir lime sorbet, passion fruits sphere and sponge, Chaipatana camellia oil snow and candied beetroot by Pisit Jinopong, The Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai. The night’s main course, deboned Australian lamb loin in golden puff pastry, palette of seasonal vegetables and thyme-scented Madeira sauce was a glorious creation by Norbert Kostner, the Bangkok Chefs Charity founding chef, and Philippe Gaudal of the Landmark Bangkok. It was paired with Majella Shiraz 2012, Coonawarra, Australia.

Dessert has never been regarded as a second-class treat at the event. For the sweet finale to be paired with Petit Guiraud AOC Sauternes 2013, Bordeaux, France, the Valrhona manjari chocolate dome with iced lemongrass praline, mango passion fruit salsa by Gunter Angermann of the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Tower and Marc Erwin Cibrowius of Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok provided a perfect finish the dinner.

The haute cuisine was paired with some of the finest wines supported by leading wine importer and distributor, Central Wine Cellar. At the height of the evening, after a captivating performance by the participating chefs on a We Are The World sing-a-long with the junior chefs on stage, Her Royal Highness graciously demonstrated to all dining guests the preparation of som tam and pan-fried salmon with tea seed oil. The delightful royal culinary delicacies were presented to the event’s top 12 bidders.

The highest pledge was by billionaire tycoon Charoen and his wife Khunying Wanna Sirivadhanabhakdi, who topped the list with a generous donation of 15 million baht.

As the winner for the grand auction, the couple was granted an opportunity to enjoy the 21 chefs cooking a gourmet meal at their venue of choice. Equally heroic were big-hearted benefactors Vichai and Jutamas Bencharongkul, who donated 3 million baht, Johnny Kang with 2 million baht and Botan Hame-ung-gull with a 1 million baht donation.

Other generous donors included Capt Dr Vichai Tavornwattanayong at 500,000 baht, Proudpudh Liptapanlop 300,000 baht, Kanittin Puripipat 200,000 baht, Chidchanok Poomkacha 200,000 baht, Yuwarat Kamolvej 200,000 baht, Wisarut–Araya Rangsrisingpipat 200,000 baht, Apichart and ML Ploynapat Leenutapong 200,000 baht and L’Officiel Thailand 200,000 baht.

The fundraising session, conducted by celebrity emcees Surivipa Kultangwatana and Suthipong Tadpitakkul, raised a grand total of 23 million baht, resulting from the generosity of Bangkok’s prominent philanthropists.

To date, the magnanimous annual event has generated more than 100 million baht for the improvement of education and well-being of underprivileged children in remote areas across the country.

The majority of the fund has been donated to the Sai Jai Thai Foundation and the Border Patrol Police Schools under the patronage of Her Royal Highness.

The rest has been used to improve buildings and facilities at needy schools in the North and the Northeast, as well as to provide school supplies, scholarships and food for the young students.

The Princess demonstrates the deep-frying technique with tea seed oil from the royal-initiated agricultural development project under the Chaipattana Foundation.

The Princess is welcomed at the event by ‘junior chefs’.

The royal dish is awarded to top benefactors, Charoen and Khunying Wanna Sirivadhanabhakdi.

The Princess demonstrates the deep-frying technique with tea seed oil from the royal-initiated agricultural development project under the Chaipattana Foundation.

The evening celebrates generosity, refined cuisine and one-of-a-kind conviviality.

This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.

A nurse helps a new mother breastfeed.

It is uncommon to see children above the age of two being breastfed. But two-and-half year-old Thanapat Piemnoree enjoys being breastfed.

“I will breastfeed him until he wants to stop,” said Wijitar Meesawad, his 33-year-old mother. Wijitar works at a hospital and usually pumps and stores her breast milk for the boy to drink during the day. When she returns home in the late afternoon, she breastfeeds him again.

“What I like the most about breastfeeding is the feeling of bonding. He loves to be around me.”

Every Mother’s Day, which is on Friday this year, the subject of breastfeeding and its benefits return. How one feeds one’s child is a matter of choice, though statistics show that only 12.3% of mothers in Thailand breastfeed their infants in the first six months — that figure accounts is among the lowest in the world and is the lowest in Southeast Asia.

Statistics also show that mothers who give birth in public hospitals tend to have a higher rate of breastfeeding than those giving birth in private hospitals. Mothers in Bangkok have the lowest percentage of breastfeeding in the country.

The importance of breastfeeding

“Breast milk is not only for feeding a child, but it also builds the baby’s immune system too,” said Dr Tanakorn Saranyapinyo, director of Wihan Daeng Hospital. He also adds that the oxytosin hormone released by the infant’s suckling is important to the process of mother-child bonding.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and Unicef recommend that mothers should start breastfeeding within the first hour of their babies’ lives and keep doing it exclusively for the first six months. They also recommend women breastfeed their children for at least two years and supplement breast milk with other nutritious foods starting in the sixth month.

Napat Phisanbut, Unicef Thailand’s communication development officer, added that breastfeeding is a key to sustainable development.

Earlier this year, the Lancet Medical Journal published an article stating that continuous breastfeeding increases a child’s IQ threefold or fourfold. Another long-term study, conducted in Brazil with 2,000 test subjects, has also shown that those raised with breast milk have a much higher IQ than those who are not breastfed.

Dr Sutheera Uerpairojkit, a paediatrician and infant expert at BNH Hospital, added that breast milk contains DHA, which supports brain development and protects neurological function so it’s good for children until the age of seven, as by then the brain is fully developed.

Dr Tanakorn added that breast milk also benefits the mother as it prevents postpartum haemorrhaging and reduces breast and ovarian cancer.

Breastfeeding also has an economic advantage, since it there is no cost involved compared to powdered milk, which can cost a few 1,000 baht a month.

Breastfeeding in Thailand

Despite the low percentage of breastfeeding in Thailand, there is an attempt to encourage mothers to adopt the practice. Wihan Daeng district in Saraburi is one of the areas that actively promotes this issue.

Wijitar Meesawad with her son, Thanapat Piemnoree, who enjoys being breastfed. Photos courtesy of UNICEF

At the district hospital run by Dr Tanakorn, the process of encouraging mothers to breastfeed starts from when expectant mothers enter antenatal care. The mother’s breasts are inspected and if they show any problematic signs in secreting milk, the hospital can attend to it in time. Throughout the pregnancy, a mother is required to join the parental school twice. On delivery day, nurses are in charge of advising mothers to start breastfeeding almost immediately.

The hospital sets aside a room for mothers to breastfeed or those who need power-pumping. “Miss Breastfeed” is a lactation consultant who is on standby to offer mothers advice through the hospital’s hotline.

At Wihan Daeng, attempts to promote breastfeeding aren’t only confined to the hospital but directed at the entire community. Volunteer staff are deployed to survey pregnant women and urge expectant mothers to join antenatal care. Once they have given birth, volunteers revisit them to ensure that they have no problem with breastfeeding.

This year, 49% of new mothers in Wihan Daeng breastfed their infants, a significant rise from 33% in 2015.

“The surge in breastfeeding is because mothers are now better informed of the importance of breastfeeding and any doubts on it have been clarified,” said Nucharin Jareonpol, a nurse at Wihan Daeng Hospital.

There are several negative beliefs about breastfeeding, such as a perception that some mothers don’t produce enough breast milk due to the size of their breasts. But clinically if they have been correctly stimulated, 95% can lactate regardless of breast size. On the other hand, if the breasts haven’t been stimulated, they can dry out quickly.

The marketing of breast milk substitutes

Last month, Instagram posts with the #glainommae (“similar to breast milk”) caused a buzz. It was an advertising campaign that implied the benefits of milk substitutes were similar to mother’s milk. On television, milk products are known for putting out advertisements depicting smart kids to convince parents in picking a premium powdered milk brand.

“The nutrients in other substitutes cannot be compared with what there is in breast milk,” said Dr Sutheera of BNH Hospital. “There are more than 200 nutrients in breast milk, which is best for an infant’s needs. The synthetic ones are not the same as in nature. Kids will also be at risk from diarrhoea if the water mixed with the powder is not clean enough.”

Even the Ministry of Public Health has issued an announcement on the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes following the code of the World Health Assembly, but it has never really brought it into practise. However, Thailand is now in the process of enacting a law to curb inappropriate marketing of breast milk substitutes.

“In the beginning, breastfeeding was not as convenient as compared to powdered milk, but I believe that if hospital staff can explain the benefits of breast milk and the drawbacks of not having breast milk, chances are they will find the best solution,” said Dr Sutheera.

Another reason why powdered milk is successfully sold in the country is because of the support of some hospital staff, continued Dr Sutheera.

Sairoong Noi-In, 36, who gave birth at a private hospital said a sample of powdered milk was given to her at the hospital. Sairoong’s daughter did not take to the powdered milk, so she ended up breastfeeding her for the first six months. To this day, Yanakorn Sichin, her two-year-old youngest daughter, is still being breastfed in addition to being fed other food.

“I found that my daughter hardly got sick compared to her older siblings, who weren’t breastfed as long as she was. She also has good development. I can also save a lot of money. If I raised her with powdered milk I would have to spend thousands on it. But with my youngest one, I can save this money for her education in the future.”

This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.

August is also a special month for Thailand’s tourism sector as it celebrates HM the Queen’s birthday as well as National Mother’s Day which falls this Friday. There are various offers, especially for lady travellers, so if you are planning a trip together with your mum, this can be a good deal.

photo: Peerawat Jariyasombat

These are among the Mother’s Day offers:

 Thai Airways International has special airfares on three routes for passengers travelling with their mothers until Aug 31. A round-trip ticket between Bangkok and Chiang Mai is 2,600 baht, Bangkok-Phuket 3,200 baht and Bangkok-Krabi 2,750 baht. Prices are inclusive of airport tax. Visit www.thaiairways.com or call 02-356-1111.

   Bangkok Airways gives double points in its Frequent Flyer Programme for female passengers travelling this month. The double points are available on all routes. Moreover, the airline gives special airfares on routes from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Sukhothai, Phuket and Krabi. The airfares are priced from 1,200 baht. Bookings should be made by Aug 15 through the airline’s call centre at 1771 or travel agencies.

   Throughout August, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)’s Tak Office offers gifts, a “Suk Jai Doll” and a scarf, for any tourist over 55-years-old when showing an ID card and receipts from tourism-related spending over 1,000 baht in the province. The receipts can be from airline, accommodation, restaurants, spa or souvenir shops. Gifts redemptions can be made until Sept 10.

   Hotels in Sing Buri Province give special rates for weekdays. Golden Dragon Resort offers their Superior Room at 650 baht per night. Visit www.goldendragonresort.com or call 063-521-8915, 089-801-9719. Chaisaeng Palace Hotel gives 10% discount during weekdays. Visit www.chaisaengpalace.com or call 036-520904 to 5.

 Amari Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province offers free one-hour spa treatment per stay for female guests when booking through www.amari.com/huahin by applying the promotion code LADYM16. The offer lasts until the end of August. Visit www.amari.com/huahin/ or call 032-616-600.

   Villa Maroc, in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, offers the third night for free when staying two consecutive nights. The offer is available when reserving the room through the hotel website www.villamarocresort.com and you can get 25% discount of spa service, food and drinks in August.

   Abhaibhubejhr Day Spa, Prachin Buri, offers 40-50% discount when taking your parents to enjoy spa treatments. The first 100 people who take their mother to Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Building will get Herb age miracle cream for free. Visit www.abhaiherb.com.

This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.