The Wonderboom from US firm Ultimate Ears is a highly portable Bluetooth speaker with a big sound that allows you to party on the go – even in the rain if you like.

Orb-shaped and flat at the top and bottom, it has a little carrying hook to hoist this petite 10293.5mm, 425-gram dream gadget around.

Despite the diminutive size, the speaker is a loudmouth. Its two 40mm active drivers and two 46.1×65.2mm passive radiators produce amazingly deep bass and overall sound quality at a sensitivity of 86dB and frequency response of 80Hz to 20kHz.

But the Wonderboom can be lonely at times, so consider adding a second one for a full stereo (and even louder) sonic experience.

The little beast is waterproof and dustproof. It can be immersed in water a metre deep for 30 minutes, meaning there’s no worry about it getting soaked on a rainy day.

The built-in battery will last up to 10 hours and is rechargeable via a micro-USB port, for which a cable is provided. (The port has a cover to prevent water from getting in.)

There are only five buttons running the speaker–oversized volume buttons, power, Bluetooth button and multi-purpose UE button.

Press and hold the Bluetooth button until your hear a tone and the speaker is ready to connect to your phone or tablet computer. It can pair with up to eight Bluetooth-enabled source devices, two sources at the same time. You can take turns streaming music from each device without having to disconnect and reconnect.

To pair two Wonderbooms, just press the UE button on both speakers at the same time.

This button is also used to control the music without having to pick up your phone. Press to pause and press again to resume. Double press to skip to the next track.

In my test I found the tiny speaker sounded very loud with clarity and impressively deep bass.

Ultimate Ears is a Californian manufacturer of custom inear monitor (IEM) speakers and earphone, founded in 1995. It was taken over by Logitech in 2008.

The Wonderboom comes in Stone (grey), Phantom (black), Fireball (red), Sub-Zero (blue), Cashmere (pink) and Lilac for Bt3,490. Grab one (or two) at any branch of IT City.

KEY SPECS

– Sensitivity: 86dB

– Frequency response: 80Hz20kHz

– Driver: Two 40mm active

– Waterproof: IP67

– Bluetooth profile: A2DP

– Wireless range: 33 metres

– Power: 10 hours battery life, 2.8 hours charge time

– Dimensions: 102×93.5mm

– Weight: 425 grams

The buffet, which features both Thai and international favourites along with live cooking stations, will be accompanied by music from the resident band, lucky draws and games and wrap with a firework display on the beach. It’s priced at Bt4,000 net. Kids aged six to 12 pay Bt2,000 net.

Book a table at (02) 641 4777 or visit http://www.SovereignResortAndSpa.com.

Big bites at the temple fair

Golden Tulip Sovereign Hotel Bangkok is also celebrating the arrival of the Year of the Dog with a gala dinner on a “Temple Fair” theme. The buffet includes a seafood station featuring Alaska crab, fresh oyster, New Zealand mussel and red snapper plus tenderloin and more. There’s also assorted dim sum, roasted duck, BBQ pork and crispy pork from Fook Yuan, sushi, sashimi and beef from Nishiki plus such popular Thai dishes including roasted duck red curry, beef sauteed in red curry paste and vegetable fried with scallop. Free flow soft drinks, beer and juice will be served from 7-9pm. The dinner costs Bt5,000 net. Book your seat at (02) 641 4777.

A night to remember

Join the extravagant New Year’s celebration hosted by Asiatique the Riverfront on December 31 from 4pm onwards. The “Chang Music Connection Thailand Countdown 2018” will feature such top artists from the 1990s as Nui Ampol, Mos Patipan, Pang Nakharin, The Parkinson, Mr Team, Non The Voice, Instinct, and DJ Rita, as well as Electronic Live Band Naf, who will be offering non-stop entertainment on a spectacular vertical stage the height of a nine-storey building. Party-goers can also witness the fireworks from Sydney, Hong Kong and elsewhere around the world on enormous screens. Find out more at Facebook.com/Asiatique.Thailand.

Central goes wild for New Year

Among the many celebrations ringing in the New Year is the “AIS Bangkok & Thailand Countdown 2018”, which is being held at Central shopping malls across the country, with the marquee event taking place at CentralWorld in Bangkok. Designed around the theme “Super Sonic Space”, the event will feature 140 popular Thai artists and singers and spectacular light and sound techniques. The celebration at CentralWorld can be witnessed via live broadcasts on Thailand’s 3SD channel from 10.30pm and 3HD from 11.30pm to 12.30am or through ‘Multi View’ on the AIS Play app.

Tranced out for the countdown

Bangkok’s first ever EDM countdown music festival, the Bangkok Countdown takes place tomorrow and Sunday Live Park Rama 9 and is headlined by local and international DJs including Afrojack, Chris Lake, Lookas, Knife Party, Rotten and Mark Sixma.

Tickets are Bt1,800 at http://www.EventPop.me.

FOLLOWING continuous expert research into trends, insights and consumer behaviours, paint manufacturer AkzoNobel has named heartwood as the colour of 2018.

A subtle and warm tone of grown-up pink, it draws from the tactile qualities of natural wood and leather, conveying comfort and ease in response to consumers wanting to nestle down more and create a “welcome home”.

The research was conducted by the colour team at AkzoNobel’s Global Aesthetic Centre, together with a group of 11 international experts. It revealed a strong overarching trend of consumers wanting to transform their homes into spaces of retreat from the outside world.

“As life gets faster, now is the time to press pause,” said Heleen Van Gent, creative director at the company’s Global Aesthetic Centre. “Our home needs to be a place where we can turn down the noise, where we can nurture our values and recharge. Colour can play a significant role in addressing the balance between outside clamour and inner calm.

“Heartwood and its four complementary colours will help consumers achieve a home that is truly and uniquely theirs, bringing a feeling of safety and reassurance, creating a welcome home for all.”

Insights from extensive research reveal that we live in a world of unpredictability, with access to more information and choices than ever. Now is the time to retreat into the comfort of our homes, where we can turn down the noise and pamper ourselves.

The “Welcome Home” is the heartwood home. It combines gentle shades of grey-pink, blues and soft cocoa flowing into bolder shades of ink blue and purple. It takes inspiration from the tactile qualities of natural wood and the comfort of leather, materials that customers are known to turn to during times of unpredictability. Calming and restorative, Heart Wood gives a sense of connection between the inside and outside world. The Heartwood Home palette blends harmoniously with the materials from which the hero colour takes its inspiration.

The “Comforting Home” creates an environment in which to truly recharge and reset the mind. Warm earth tones permeate this home, bringing together clay and blush pink tones to calm the mind, soothe the senses and shut out the noise. Rich, welcoming textures such as silk and velvet create a highly tactile space.

This home is perfect for the warm-hearted persona seeking to reconnect with themselves. Using minimal technology, this person brings nature into their home in a controlled way and beautifully balances aesthetics with function in their interior design choices. Comforting hardwoods and tactile textures are staples for them.

The “Inviting Home” brings comfort and convenience to life for those seeking to strengthen bonds and bring family and friends together. Cool shades of blue encourage a clear-headed approach to life, while neutrals and fresh green support the need for connection with the outside world. Softer pastel shades are enhanced by coal and ink blue.

Typically a space for shared quality time, this is perfect for the open-hearted persona. Inclusive, optimistic and collaborative, it’s a space where they can gather with friends and family, bringing comfort through community. Technology is used sparingly and to bring people together in their homes, while the line between the outside and inside is fluid. Open-plan living is at the heart of this home, preferring gentle, hard-wearing natural fabrics that feel safe.

The “Playful Home” creates a space to be inspired and invigorate the senses. Yellow-toned green and gold help spark the synapses and encourage a creative approach to life. Pops of colour add a sense of fun and energy, while clever use of colour can help create different zones within smaller spaces.

This home is for the light-hearted persona, curious, adventurous and adaptable. During times of unpredictability, this person looks outwards rather than shutting off and faces the outside world head-on. Early adopters of technology that is seamlessly integrated into their homes, they seek energy, experience and creativity, supplemented by the wealth of time they spend outdoors. Multi-functional, smaller spaces work with natural textures and fun patterns.

If the tree doesn’t fit inside your photo composition, it’s also surrounded by wild and colourful sculptures and a train of circus carriages.

There’s purple-skinned Nong Mangkud holding her weird little ball., another little girl called Minky in control of randomly shaped animals, Mhok – a little dog with a flower face – Chluay, an elephant with a banana body. Makrub and Maja are waiting with their fancy neck decorations.

Welcome to “The Amazing Carnival”, says     Siratha Suksawang of MBK marketing.

“For this year’s festival of joy, we’ve spent our marketing budget on both interior and exterior decoration in the form of a fantasy circus that perfectly infuses both Thai and foreign elements.

“We hope the carnival will bring excitement, joy and smiles to all visitors. We aim to create a new landmark for Bangkok to celebrate the end of this year and welcome the new one.”

Having only a Christmas tree wouldn’t have been amazing enough, Siratha says.

“I visualised MBK being the place for a rendezvous of visitors from space,” said Mamablues, one of artists involved. “Makrub is the ambassador inviting visitors to come from different planets and co-habitat with earthlings. It’s like our customers coming from all over the world to meet and shop at MBK.

“Nong Mangkud is the leader of the carnival parade and she also represents people of all ages. You can also see Jamue the nose with arms, Jow the kangaroo with a tail on his face, and the apple army with three arms who represent tender friendship.

“MBK Centre has always been very successful in incorporating art into the decoration,” Siratha says. “Both our street art and the Makrub and Maja sculptures by Lolay Taweesak Srithongdee have become landmarks where visitors take photos. This is the mall adjusting to reach the younger generations and keeping its appearance fresh and up to date.”

On sale are souvenir tote bags, animal-print scarves and coffee mugs with clown designs and a coaster shaped like a clown collar.

Learn more on the “mbkcenterth” page on Facebook.

Visitors can enjoy a variety of joyous activities including traditional Peranakan cultural shows and parades, a carnival, concerts and retro market fairs. A cleanup activity will be held on the morning of January 1.

Book and save

TMB credit card holders receive 10 per cent cash back when booking accommodation with leading online travel agencies like Agoda.com, Booking.com and Traveloka.com from now until March 31.

Part of the Travel Anywhere and Get 10 per cent Back promotion, guests spending over Bt5,000 per time will get Bt500 cash back, maximum of up to Bt2,000. But remember it’s one card, one privilege per month for a maximum of four privileges per card through March 31.

Find out more at TMB Contact Center 1558 or visit http://www.TMBBank.com/promotion.

Downtown deluxe

Mandarin Oriental Bangkok is offering Getaway rates from Bt19,605 per night. The benefits include a complimentary airport transfer in private limousine, daily buffet breakfast at the Verandah Terrace for two persons and a Thai buffet lunch at Sala Rim Naam for two persons.

Check out the best rates at http://www.MandarinOriental.com.

A package for U

Make U Zenmaya Phuket your winter escape with the “Discover U Package” valid through March 31.

Room rates start at Bt9,883 per person for double occupancy and guests can enjoy a twonight stay in a wellequipped room, daily breakfast, a 30minute head and neck massage, welcome cocktail, roundtrip transfer from Phuket Airport, Phuket town or Rassada Pier, 20percent discount on food and beverages and free shuttle bus to Jungceylon Shopping Centre.

Make a reservation at (076) 336 888 or visit www. UZenmayaPhuket.com.

Disney waves a wand

Hong Kong Disneyland is transforming itself into the groundbreaking winter wonderland for all ages, offering a special range of spectacular festive shows and fun activities until Monday.

Visitors will enjoy Yuletide carols, magical lights, shimmering snowflakes and more. Teenagers can enjoy taking selfies with their favourite Disney friends dressed in their holiday finery and experience a White Christmas with festive Disney magic from day to night.

Find out more at http://www.HongKongDisneyland.com.

Like our brothers and sisters all over the world, we Thais are great at making New Year resolutions and promptly breaking them just a few days later.

This year, like other years, many of us will head into 2018 determined to eat healthier food, exercise more and generally take better care of ourselves. Perhaps we will stick to these worthy resolutions, though more likely we will quickly slide into old habits before January is more than just a few days old. Yet we would all do well to stop for a minute and reflect on the number of people we have lost this year to heart attacks. Yes, they happened to other people, but an unhealthy lifestyle means one could happen to us too.

Among the people in the news who collapsed and died from cardiac arrest were Thanat “Jo Boyscout” Chimtuam, a pop idol from the 1990s whose heart gave out while he was performing on stage, and veteran politician and statesman Dr Surin Pitsuwan, who suffered chest pain at home but died despite being rushed to hospital. And then there were the not-so-famous people who collapsed while working out in the gym or running a marathon.

None had apparently suffered any warning signs of symptoms. Or were the signs there and a lack of knowledge meant they went unrecognised?

Current statistics show that two people die in Thailand of a heart attack every hour. They are by no means always elderly or in obvious bad health though almost all will be suffering from what is known as coronary artery disease.

Cardiac arrest occurs when blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is reduced or cut off. This oxygen-rich blood is provided by the arteries. But those arteries become narrow and blood cannot flow as well as it should. Fatty matter, calcium, proteins and inflammatory cells build up within the arteries to form plaques of different sizes and when a plaque breaks, a blood clot forms around it. This clot can block the blood flow through the heart muscle, and the muscle cannot get oxygen, so the damage or death of part of the heart muscle occurs. This is called a heart attack or myocardial infarction (MI).

While some heart attacks are what the experts call “silent”, that is without symptoms, there are usually warning signs even if those all too often these go ignored.

Dr Apichai Pongpatananurak, a cardiologist from Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital, stresses that sudden and fatal heart attacks don’t happen for no reason. Most sufferers will have had some problems with their health prior to the attack and will have brushed them off as being inconsequential.

They probably had chest pain, were short of breath, or felt dizzy or light-headed. They also likely had high cholesterol (Jo Boyscout’s cholesterol was measured at 300 mg/dL: less than 200mg/dL is considered desirable for adults), diabetes, hypertension and a history of smoking, alcohol or obesity.

In broad terms, causes of heart attack can be divided by age: below and higher than 35 years. Heart disease and heart attack commonly discovered in the below-35s is generally the result of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an inherited condition in which the heart muscle cells enlarge and cause the walls of the ventricles to thicken, blocking the blood flow, The vast majority of the 35 years and over cases are due to coronary artery disease.

But it’s not all gloom and doom. As Dr Apichai points out, we can all take charge of our own health and be aware of the risk factors. For example, if you are planning to start a course of heavy exercise – and this is particularly important for diabetics – have a check up first. That check-up will include running on a treadmill while you’re hooked up to an EKG.

We all need to clean up our dietary habits. That means cutting back on fast foods and fried foods and adding plenty more vegetables and fruit to our daily intake. And while it is tempting to down alcohol over the festive season, show consideration to your heart and down a glass of water in between those glasses of beer.

Perhaps even more importantly, we should also all learn how to give cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and ideally this should be taught at school, as it is in many European countries. Sadly, the majority of people have no idea how to come to the aid of someone having a heart attack. What happened to Jo Boyscout is a case in point. His band members did not provide immediate help after he collapsed but kept joking as they thought Thanat was only acting out. It was only several minutes later when they realised his condition was serious that they called for an ambulance from a rescue foundation, which took about half an hour to reach the scene. During this time, no first aid or CPR was given to the singer and he died.

When a person has suffered a heart attack, CPR or chest compression given with both hands must be started within four minutes and 1669 called to dispatch an emergency team to help. The CPR-giver should first use his/her fingers to locate the end of the person’s breastbone, where the ribs come together, place two fingers at the tip of the breastbone and the heel of the other hand right above the fingers (on the side closest to the person’s face). Both hands should be used to give chest compressions, with the other being put on top of the first and the fingers laced together. The chest should be pressed 5 to 6cms down 100 to 120 times per minute until the emergency medical team arrives or until the patient is revived. If the venue has an automated external defibrilliator (AED), it should be used on the patient.

A member of Boyscout’s back-up band, singer Chanit “Ta Boyscout” Yaisamer, later told interviewers that he was afraid to give CPR after a previous experience with a friend who died.

Dr Apichai says this reaction is understandable, but adds, “The fact is if you won’t help, they will die.”

Many organisations are now running CPR workshops and AEDs are slowly but surely being installed at many places including BTS Skytrain stations, condominiums and housing estates.

So even if you don’t want to commit to New Year resolutions in 2018, do try and make one – and keep it.

Learn about sudden heart attacks and how to give CPR.

You could save a life.

 It is available now and will play a major role in transporting athletes and spectators at the 45th University Sports of Thailand, the RMUTT Games 2018, to be held from January 22 to 31.

The bike-sharing service has been launched at both Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi Khlong 6 with an area of more than 284 acres and Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi Mueang Ek with an area of over 39 acres, which have a total student population of more than 21,500.

The university has also helped in turning both campuses into a bicycle society by founding the campus’ bicycle club aiming to increase the use of bicycles instead of motorcycles and also support eco-friendly transportation.

“After just a few days, the results were even better than expected with thousands of transactions per day, which is very high for the beginning. This extended service to Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, apart from encouraging more riding with Ofo bikes, is also a trial of the bike-sharing service for the 45th University Sports of Thailand, RMUTT Games 2018.

“Thousands of students from all over the country will be participating and we believe that the availability of Ofo bikes will provide more convenient transportation in the university. Moreover, with Ofo’s outstanding application, the bikes can be tracked and unlocked easily, just by scanning QR code. The service is free of charge until the end of year,” said Noppol Toochinda, ofo Thailand’s general manager.

The event included a silent auction of artworks created by sought-after photographer Vachira Thomas, as well as pieces by award-winning artisans Hongsara Janput and Angkan Uppanun, founders of the acclaimed filigree jewellery brand, Angsa. Additional work by wellknown local and national artists, as well as talented students from Chiang Mai University’s Fine Arts department also featured in the auction with an impressive amount raised during the event and all profits to be donated through Pure Blue Foundation to support Baan Panghai School in rural Mae Rim.

“We were delighted to receive strong support for this event from our guests and members of the Chiang Mai community,” said Christophe Gestin, general manager, Akyra Manor Chiang Mai.

“Raising funds for Pure Blue Foundation is an important part of our ongoing CSR programme. The hotel team is very hands-on so we always make sure the money that we generate is spent where it is the most needed locally.”

Recently awarded by Small Luxury Hotels of The World (SLH) for its “give back’ policy”, Akyra Manor Chiang Mai carries out many charity activities, such as providing kitchen and classroom supplies to local schools and sourcing fresh ingredients from local suppliers to support the local community. The hotel also encourages guests to interact with local causes through activities such as the special Elephant Day Care Package, a unique opportunity to involve guests with elephant conservation as they visit a hospital for elephants and the creative home of the worldfamous Elephant Parade Sculptures.

“Akaryn Hotel Group is committed to supporting the causes we believe in, and that includes raising funds for environmental initiatives, providing opportunities for local people in the areas we operate, and lending physical support to important community projects,” says Akaryn Hotel Group’s founder and managing director, Anchalika Kijkanakorn.

Photographic artworks by Vachira Thomas and jewellery pieces by Angsa are on display at the hotel through April.

Find out more at http://www.AkarynGroup.com or follow the group on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

This spa package incorporates three distinct treatments, beginning with a 60-minute aromatic oil massage that creates a sense of relaxation and provides relief from stress. The 30-minute body scrub then cleanses and revives the skin, exfoliating the top layer whilst removing dry and dead cells, bringing fresh new skin to the surface to create a more youthful appearance.

The treatment ends with a mini 30-minute facial massage using a 24-karat gold sheet mask and Damask Rose water. The gold sheet reduces wrinkles, fine lines and acne and the treatment aids the process of hydration, maintaining the skin’s moisture level to give a healthy and radiant-looking skin with a rich glow.

The use of a gold mask can also reduce the dryness of skin, helping to increase the metabolic rate and preventing the skin from premature ageing. Even though collagen is naturally produced in your body, gold can slow down the lessening of collagen level in your skin cells.

The Damask Rose water revitalises and detoxifies the skin whilst removing dry and dead cells. The rose water is ideal for toning and hydrating all skin types. It also helps to balance the skin’s production of natural oils. The rose water encourages circulation with a clear and bright complexion.

For women, rose water may work as an anti-ageing remedy as it encourages the regeneration of skin. It may also help to counter the development of wrinkles. It is a good remedy for acne and pimple breakouts and acts as a moisturizer.

The treatment is priced at Bt7,390 per person and is available from February 1 to 28, as part of the Valentine’s celebrations for the month of love. For more information, call (02) 162 9000 or email tospa.siambangkok@kempinski.com.

THE THREE seven-storey buildings alongside the River Spreefeld in Mitte, a district in the centre of Berlin, stand separately. But their residents share ownership, communal facilities and all the decision-making about how they will live together.

The Spreefeld Buildings are an example of self-organised housing and a re-emerging “culture of collectivism” in Germany’s capital.

Berlin’s Spreefeld Building has a rooftop terrace, once of many amenities the residents share.

Initiated by Spreefeld Cooperative, the co-housing project covers 6,000 square metres and is home to about 120 adults and 40 children and young people. There are enough working spaces for around 100 people.

The three concrete buildings have the same structure, but the layouts differ from floor to floor.

Besides 64 apartments and various offices, the residents share a kitchen, laundry and fitness facilities, guestrooms, rooftop terraces and areas dedicated to music and youth activities.

The ground floor and broad outdoor area bordering the river offer diverse places and services for the public, but they collectively belong to the residents. These include communal gardens and cultural spaces, a daycare centre, a woodwork shop and a separate co-working space.

The ground floor features a communal kitchen.

Spreefeld also affords access to the river for the general public, as well as places anyone can gather along the riverbank.

Jorg Finkbeiner, the contractor who built the project and became a resident, says it began amid efforts by several investors to buy the property from the city more than a decade ago. Instead of competing over the price, though, they decided to jointly buy it.

The purchasers formed a housing co-op and bid for the land in 2004, when property prices were still relatively low. Successful, they started planning what life would be like there.

Initially, the only goal was to keep the construction cost low, says Finkbeiner, who’s also an architect.

Work began in 2012 and was completed in two years, all areas of the project meeting “Passive House” standards, by which energy consumption has to be a fraction of that found in typical Central European buildings – as little as 10 per cent. Energy savings of up to 90 per cent mean the owners have little to worry about when utility costs rise, Finkbeiner explains.

A key decision in the planning was that the residents wouldn’t simply dwell on their own in private flats and never meet their neighbours. “They want to live together, have connections with other residents and be organised as a community,” he says.

Jorg Finkbeiner built the place and now lives there.

Most importantly, it was decided that the co-op members/residents would manage the buildings collectively.

“Every member here can express an opinion about anything the community wants. We’re proud that we can live by our own decisions.”

Everything is discussed, from whether a swimming pool should be installed to whether more greenery is needed and where it should go. “People here have a common relationship in their way of thinking,” Finkbeiner says. “This is more like a culture of collectivism.”

It’s not always easy reaching consensus, he acknowledges. “We need only 50 per cent of the people to say, ‘Let’s do it,’ but sometimes even that’s hard enough.” But the sense of community is strong.

The project’s kindergarten accepts pupils from outside. 

Like most European cities, Berlin is facing housing challenges, such as rising rents, changes in climate and demographics, privatisation and individualisation.

In recent decades, co-housing has become popular, but high land prices pose an obstacle, Finkbeiner says. Nevertheless, the city has seen more than 1,000 co-housing projects started.

Even though he built the place, Finkbeiner had to undergo an interview to gain residency there. He says he was lucky, because lots of other people wanted in.

“I love it here. For me, it’s like living in a village. People enjoy the quality of life,” says the architect, who was born in the Black Forest in southwest Germany.

The project was set up so that people on low incomes could be involved. The rental fee depends on the size of the flat, but it starts on a par with that of government-subsidised housing.

Rent revenues have paid off the land-purchase loans, so the co-op members are considering whether to rent to outsiders or sell the units to existing residents, Finkbeiner says.

“And certainly, the decision will be made by all of the residents together.”