Surface Pro is not only a powerhouse laptop, but also a mobile creative studio with a vibrant 12.3-inch PixelSense touch display that supports the new Surface Pen, and Surface Dial both on- and off-screen.

Twice as accurate as the previous version and enhanced by PixelSense Accelerator custom silicon, the new Surface Pen and new Surface Pro together set the standard for faster, more fluid writing and drawing, and now Surface Pen supports tilt for more natural shading too. Inking in applications across Windows 10 and Microsoft Office 365, including the new Microsoft Whiteboard app, will unlock ways for people to use digital ink to be more creative and productive.

A full-size glass trackpad with five-finger multi-touch capabilities allows for ultimate precision, and the entire keyboard is wrapped in soft yet durable Alcantara material, creating a comfortable palm rest and aesthetic.

Starting at US$799 (Bt27,200), the new Surface Pro allows people to customise their experiences with an array of colourful options for the new Surface Pro Signature Type Cover, the new Surface Pen and the Microsoft Surface Arc Mouse. Each comes in rich tone-on-tone Platinum, Burgundy and Cobalt Blue.

The new Surface Pro will launch on June 15 in 25 markets including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Thailand launch is expected to be announced soon.

They are also keen to learn about the latest innovations and technologies in renewable energy and how they can utilise energy with the best efficiency. With this in mind, they will no doubt be turning out en masse for the “ASEAN Sustainable Energy Week 2017”, which brings together technologies and equipment in the fields of renewable energy, the environment, and energy efficiency under one roof.

The event, which is being organised UBM Asia (Thailand) in collaboration with the public and private sectors, runs from June 7 to 10 at BITEC, Bangna and will showcase the latest and most comprehensive technologies and equipment in the renewable energy, environment and energy efficiency areas. Related showcases including Renewable Energy Asia, Energy Efficiency Expo, and Entech Pollutec Asia will run in parallel.

This year’s event includes international seminars on four key topics: “Renewable Energy Asia 2017: Moving Towards ASEAN’s Smart Cities”, “EPPO ASEAN Energy Forum”, “Electric Vehicle Technology Conference: Innovation for Sustainable Mobility” and an academic seminar on “Environment, Safety, Move Forward to Industry 4.0”. More than 100 international conferences, seminars and presentations from leading companies, world-class speakers, scholars and researchers from various countries around the world, especially from Asean, will also be part of the event, which will feature 12 international pavilions from the USA, Germany, the Netherlands, China, Taiwan, Korea, and Malaysia.

Find out more at http://www.asew-expo.com.

Paul Dano wore a Gucci Pre-Fall 2017 navy and green plaid two-button notch lapel Monaco suit with a white dress shirt and brown leather lace-ups to the “Okja” photocall and while Naomie Harris looked cool in a Gucci multicolour silk chiffon plisse gown featuring a fitted bodice and full skirt to the “Ismael’s Ghosts” screening and Opening Gala.

Charlotte Casiraghi dressed up in a black-and-nude silk Gucci tulle gown with multi-coloured floral embroidery and matched it with black leather high heel shoes and a black leather clutch with brass cat closure. Chris Lee donned a Prefall 2017-2018 dark blue-green madras wool single breasted peak lapel jacket with a pearl embroidered tiger head and sequin ribbon patches on the back, a light blue and lilac printed blouse, black velvet skirt with embroidered jewelled bows and floral patches and green boots with dragoon embroidery and crystal bows.

Alessandro Borghi dressed in a midnight blue evening wool mohair signoria tuxedo, evening white shirt, blue silk bow tie and black patent leather lace ups on the “Fortunata” red carpet.

Juliette Binoche wore Gucci Pre Fall 2017-18 a rose-and-white silk, crepe and wool long-sleeved gown with a black belt and a crystal-embroidered UFO patch on the front and sequin geometric embroideries on the cuffs to the Kering Dinner.

Salma Hayek Pinault wore a Gucci Fall/Winter 2018 black silk jersey dress with plisse skirt with an almond flower white collar bow and cuffs with pearl and crystal details to the Kering Talks Women in Motion event and Monica Bellucci was attired in a black short-sleeved tulle dress with moths, butterflies and insects embroideries, rainbow sequin stripes details on the sleeves and on the underskirt with black velvet matelasse broadway clutch for the 70th Anniversary Dinner.

“We are delighted that FamilyMart has joined us in this new venture, which we believe will bring a new level of convenience to the residents of Bangkok”, says Lian Wah Seng, GoBike’s chef executive.

“We are gearing up to jump on the online shopping bandwagon as we believe it will be the lifestyle of the future.

According to eMarketer’s recent report, in Thailand alone, e-commerce sales are forecasted by KPMG International to reach US$2.9 billion (Bt103 billion) this year, reflecting the third fastest growing e-commerce country in Southeast Asia following Indonesia and Singapore.

Initially, the “Go Mart” offering will cover the Sathorn, Silom and Surawong areas, and eventually expand across the city by the end of 2017.

“This partnership further underlines our parent company, Central Group’s commitment in combining innovation and technology to offer our customers easier access, prompt delivery and overall greater convenience with unique products and services to meet and exceed expectation of customers in all neighbourhoods

“Our customers will be able to purchase groceries, beverages and food items from FamilyMart stores in the Silom, Surawong and Sathorn areas so busy consumers can have ready-to-eat meals, fresh fruits, snacks or the ingredients they need to cook a meal delivered to their doorstep, whether at the offices or at homes between 10am and 6pm daily,” says Chiranun Poopat, president of Central FamilyMart

During the launch period until July 31, GoBike is offering a Bt50 fare discount per trip, while FamilyMart will give a Bt10 discount on a total sales slip of Bt100 and over. A maximum of Bt500 sales slip can be made per purchase/delivery, excluding alcoholic beverages and cigarettes.

GoBike Company is a technology company that provides transportation solutions through the patented GoBike App, which is freely available in Google play and App Store. Its partnership with the Motorcycle Taxi Association allows GoBike access to the largest pool of legalised motorcycle taxi bikers. Besides ride-hailing services, GoBike also offer parcel delivery and shopping services.

It comes with six Make-up functions to brighten and smooth your face in selfie shots. It uses a fixed lens of 21mm equivalent in 35mm photography with f/2.8 aperture. It captures selfies at 11.1 megapixel resolution and it comes with 3.5inch LCD display. It has built-in Wi-Fi function. It retails for Bt32,990.

Snap a gorgeous portrait

The nubia M2 is a stylish smartphone that features dual 13 MP cameras for taking beautiful portraits with professionally blurred background or a bokeh effect. One of the cameras records monochrome and the other RGB for composing beautiful shots. It is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8953 octa-core processor running at 2.0 GHz. It has 4GB RAM and 64 GB storage and comes with 5.5-inch 1920×1080 pixel AMOLED display. It retails for Bt12,990.

Go ahead and label it

Brother P-Touch Cube is a portable Bluetooth label printer that can print labels from an iOS or Android smartphone on the go, using Brother P-Touch Design & Print app. It weighs just 380 grams and can print at 20 mm per second at a resolution of 180 dpi. It can print labels for attaching to tools, tree pots, kitchen utensils and others. It retails for Bt1,990.

A gift for your smartphone

Sony XAV-AX100 is an AV centre that connects with your Apple or Android smartphone or tablet for effortless voice control while you are driving. It has built-in 4×55 watts amplification to deliver clear sound and powerful bass music. It comes with a large 6.4-inch touch display for easy operation. It has several functions to boost sound quality, including Dynamic Reality Amp and Extra BASS. It has a starting price of Bt9,990.

That classic look

Canon EOS M6 is a vintage-style interchangeable lens mirrorless camera with 24.2 -megapixel APS-C Dual Pixel CMOS sensor. It is capable of shooting Full HD 50p/60p video. It supports high sensitivity of ISO 25600 and it has 3-inch LCD monitor. It has both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections. With a 18-150mm lens, EOS M6 retails for Bt43,990.

While the country has moved on from the overwhelming grief following the death last October of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the late monarch and the benefits he provided to all his subjects are still being remembered and honoured nationwide.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is among the organisations constantly paying tribute and is now inviting tourists, both local and foreign, to remember the monarch’s illustrious life with a trip to Prachuap Khiri Khan dubbed “Follow the Royal Path at the City of Three Bays, the Gateway to the South”.

We start our visit to the three bays at the Sirinart Rajini Ecosystem Learning Centre. Some 30 kilometres south of Hua Hin where the Pranburi River flows into the Gulf of Thailand, it is the largest mangrove forest in Thailand. An ongoing flood prevention and sewage treatment project makes it easy for us to walk along a footbridge through the heart of a beautifully preserved natural mangrove forest that’s home to various species of crabs. We also climb the 97 steps up to the three-storey Chakhram Lookout Tower from where we gaze out over the panorama of the reforested area.

We stop off at Tha Tabun Pavilion, which marks the spot where the late King and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn planted mangrove trees at a reforestation ceremony held on November 16, 2002. The late monarch returned to the centre two years before his death to see the development of the forest project and a new exhibition zone displaying native fishing tools and information about shrimp farms developed on deteriorated forest land. The learning centre has been successful in promoting public awareness of natural conservation for the community’s common interest.

Our next stop is Phra Mahathat Chedi Phakdi Prakat on top of Khao Thong Chai at the northern end of Ban Krut beach. A stunning nine-peak pagoda built for King Rama IX in celebration of his golden jubilee, the chedi boasts colourful stained glass windows. We climb to the top and admire the magnificent view over Ban Krut beach before turning back to pay our respects to the large golden Buddha statue called Phra Phut Kitti Sirichai, which measures an impressive 12 metres in width and rises 10 metres into the air.

The remarkable architecture of Wat Ao Noi also comes as a surprise. Built in 2003 entirely of golden teakwood, it is decorated with paintings and intricate carvings. Facing Ao Noi bay is Tham Phra Non Cave, home to two grand reclining Buddha images.

We end our first day at this gateway to the south by taking in the coastline and seascape from the top of Khao Chong Krachok, a tiring climb up 395 steps that’s enlivened by several stump-tailed macaques playing along the pathway. The King came here June 12, 1958 to attend the containing ceremony of the relics of the Buddha and the Buddha’s footprint and oversaw the planting of a Bodhi tree.

Climbing is back on the following day’s agenda and there are more than a few winces as we make our way up 496 steps to the top of Khao Lom Muak inside the Airforce base of Prachuap Khiri Khan, better known as Wing 5. The agony doesn’t end there though, and soon we are scrambling up rocks to reach the summit.

“Khao Lom Muak first opened to the public two years ago but was closed following a series of accidents involving visitors falling, slipping and tripping, especially at night. It is now open on holidays and members of the public are invited to conquer the summit. More than 14,000 have tried their luck and this Labour Day holiday we welcomed 1,532 adventurers,” an officer from Wing 5 explains.

“For safety, we issue queue cards that allow 50 visitors to go up every 20 minutes. We have personnel stationed at the summit to take care of the visitors and a small staff of military doctors. A replica of the Buddha’s footprint was built on the summit in 1989 at the order of the then commander. The original plan was to install a Buddha image to mark the late Monarch’s birthday but when the five stones making up the foundation were connected, it looked like a Buddha footprint. In fact, the Fine Arts Department is of the opinion that the foundation was laid in the reign of King Rama IV.”

While the climb is challenging, the view of the three bays of Ao Noi, Ao Prachuap and Ao Manao that awaits at the summit more than compensates for our tired legs.

A popular tourist destination today, Ao Manao was once a theatre of war.

“During World War II, Japanese warships came into the bay and landed some 3,000 to 4,000 Japanese troops at Ao Manao at 4am on December 8, 1941. We had only 120 airmen on site and the Japanese troops quickly occupied City Hall and the post office at Ao Prachuap. Pilot Officer Srisak Sujarittham, together with other airmen, had gone fishing in order to prepare food for a farewell party for our soldiers, and saw the warships off Ao Manao. He contacted Wing Commander ML Prawat Chumsai of Wing 5 who immediately gave orders to resist. In the battle that ensued, we lost 38 airmen, two families, one policeman and a 13-year-old boy who was studying at Prachuap Wittayalai School. More than 400 Japanese troops were found dead on the beach. The site is today marked by three museums,” the officer explains.

Later that day, we pay our respects to the fallen at the museums. The first museum offers an eight-minute light and sound show that takes us back to the past. The second is a former 10-room military home that’s been converted into a museum featuring five rooms. They include one dedicated to the “Incidents of War” and another named “The Dignity of the Brave”. The third museum reveals a conversation between an old man and a young boy about the events of that time.

A sandstone memorial depicts Thai soldiers fighting against the Japanese amphibious landing and, at the back, the signing of an armistice.

The Nano shiso revitalising face mask (Bt1,090) is made from grapefruit extract to enhance skin luminosity naturally, mulberry root extracts to fade dark spots, ougon extract to moisturise., trehalose extract to maintain moisture, and nano shiso extract to moisturise the skin and reduce inflammation and irritation.

Nano shiso age inversion face cream (Bt1,500) reduce wrinkles caused by ageing and moisturises thanks to a light cream texture that can be rapidly absorbed and leaves no excess oil. It’s also rich in nutrients from natural extracts including nano shiso, hydrolysed rice protein, soy protein, and black tea extract, which activate collagen production and restore the skin’s flexibility.

Celebrities Praedao Panichsamai, Matunart Sosothikul and Karatphet Issara turned out for the launch, which also brought in yoga instructor Navasu “Kru Heart” Buakant to demonstrate yoga positions that boost blood circulation and promote detoxification.

Navasu talked about the benefits of yoga for beautiful skin. “The deep breaths yoga practitioners use allows oxygen to flow to the body better. Each pose promotes body’s flexibility and allows blood and oxygen circulation throughout the body, ensuring better health condition and radiant skin. Easy poses that can be done at home include the chair pose and the “cat and cow” pose. But I would recommend that you learn yoga from a professional and find out which poses are best for you.”

Silpakorn University International College is the latest to do so and from the 2017 academic year will offer six new programmes including a BBA Luxury Brand Manager course, which is being organised in collaboration with the Paris School of Business in France.

“We are collaborating with universities in England and France on six new programmes that will help the Thai business sector and are in line with the Thai 4.0 policy. At the core of Silpakorn University International College’s curriculum are double degree programmes, meaning that students will graduate with one degree from Silpakorn and another from the stakeholder university. Our partners include Vatel France, the Paris School of Business France, and Birmingham City University in England,” says Asst Prof Sompit Kattiyapikul, the international college’s director.

This BBA Luxury Brand Manager programme covers all management aspects thus qualifying graduates to work for the luxury product industry in any country.

Silpakorn is the only university offering a degree programme in this subject though some other institutes are providing short courses in this and related topics.

All six programmes are available from the first semester of 2017. Applications can be submitted by mail until July 12 or in person before July 14. The international college is at the Taling Chan.

For more information, visit http://www.Suic.org/

The event, which will take place at YogaSutra Studio next Friday (June 2) from 10am to 8pm, will be led by a varied ensemble of 20 of Thailand’s leading yoga teachers including Satit Kingwongsa, Aom Moobantalay, and Sorawit “Eak” Chotsiripongsakorn from “Thailand’s Got Talent”.

The highlight of the day will be 108 rounds of the original version of Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations) with live Mantra chanting by Kru Pond, a famous yoga teacher, who will also lead the Japayatri Kirtan band.

Established in 2003, YogaSutra is one of the pioneering Yoga studios in Thailand and boasts a spacious open-air practice room on the 32nd floor with breathtaking city views. It offers yoga classes suitable for and beneficial to all ages and fitness levels, for first timers as well as yogis who have already made yoga a part of their lives and would like to further their journey. On a clear day, you can even see the Cardamom mountains of Chanthaburi 200km away!

The all-day charity event will entirely benefit two School Development Projects for disadvantaged hilltribes: The Baan Sapun School in Nan and the Baan MaeLer Learning Centre in Mae Hong Son. Every single baht donated will go to these projects without any deduction for expenses.

The event is free. To register or to find out more, call (098) 670 6758. Join the conversation at Facebook.com/YogaSutraStudio.

IN ITS 19th year, Bangkok’s International Festival of Dance and Music again brings an eclectic collection of performances, from classical ballet to Broadway musicals, spread over five and a half weeks in September and October and with more than a thousand artists taking part.

Ballet – to be presented at the Thailand Cultural Centre – this year comes in for a great deal of attention. Giving audiences their fix of this art form will be the Ekaterinburg Ballet & Opera Theatre and Bashkir State Opera and Ballet Theatre from Russia, the Malandain Ballet Biarritz from France and the Stuttgart Ballet from Germany.

The Ekaterinburg Opera and Ballet Theatre is one of the oldest opera and ballet theatres in Russia. In April it won the Golden Mask in Moscow, recognising it as its home country’s best ballet company.

The company is presenting two classical works – the two-act “Katya & the Prince of Siam” on September 11 and a three-act “Cinderella” on September 13.

The new production of the romantic “Katya & the Prince of Siam” will see its world premiere in Bangkok. With a libretto by Yana Temiz and music by Pavel Ovsyannikov, this is the tale of Prince Chakrabongse and his romance with a beautiful Russian girl, Katya.

The young prince has been sent by his father the King of Siam, to the elite Page Corps in Russia, a move meant to cement diplomatic ties between the countries. Once there, the handsome prince is invited to social balls, and at one he meets Katya. They fall in love and the rest is history.

The ballet incorporates elements of Thai classical dance and is choreographed by Vasily Medvedev of the Bolshoi Theatre, an Honoured Artist of Estonia. Conducting the orchestra will be Mikhail Granovski, also of the Bolshoi.

Sergei Prokofiev’s “Cinderella” is one of his most popular compositions. Created between 1940 and 1944, it has inspired choreographers from the very first performance.

The full-scale production coming to Bangkok is choreographed by Vladimir Vasiliev, former principal dancer of the Bolshoi Theatre Ballet. It is the most magical and impressive staging of the ballet ever, with dazzling costumes, spectacular sets and a stage designed by award-winning Vyacheslav Okunev from St Petersburg, an honoured People’s Artist of Russia.

Also from Russia comes the Bashkir State Opera and Ballet Theatre, the original home company of the great Rudolf Nureyev. The theatre’s creative principles and traditions found reflection in Nureyev’s art – and the same principles and traditions guide the theatre even today, finding reflection in all their productions.

In Bangkok, the troupe will present the three-act “Spartacus” on September 15 and a three-act “Le Corsaire” on September 17. Both are choreographed and staged by the esteemed Yuri Grigorovich, who’s been the |recipient of numerous awards and titles.

Designed by award-winning Simon Virsaladze, a People’s Artist of the USSR and laureate of the Lenin Prize and the State Awards of the USSR, the ballet is based on the novel “Spartacus” by Raffaello Giovagnoli. The dramatic and volatile score by Aram Khachaturian is one of the best-known works of the Russian ballet tradition.

The story follows the exploits of the leader of Thracian king, Spartacus, enslaved by the Roman consul Crassus. Spartacus leads a slave uprising against the Romans to rescue his wife Phrygia and other Thracian women.

“Le Corsaire” is based on the poem by Lord Byron. With music by Adolphe Adam, it was first performed at the Paris Grand Opera in 1856. The Bangkok production is choreographed and staged by Grigorovich.

The story follows Conrad, chief of the pirates, and Medora, the young Greek woman he loves. The action moves from the town of Andrianople, where he buys her, to the pirates’ lair and a pasha’s palace on the island of Cos. Medora is sold on to the pasha by Conrad’s right-hand-man. Conrad rescues her but is captured and sentenced to death.

These four Russian productions also mark the 120th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Russia.

The next ballet offering comes from France – “Beauty and the Beast” by Malandain Ballet Biarritz, set for October 2.

One of the most important companies on the French choreographic landscape, Malandain Ballet Biarritz, under the direction of Thierry Malandain, is recognised for its take on contemporary ballet.

Malandain looks at “Beauty and the Beast” not as the stereotypical fairytale romance but as dark coming-of-age story, an allegorical tale focusing on the portrayal of the artist’s inner demons through the Beast’s duality.

“Belle embodies the human soul and the Beast is its life force and instincts,” Malandain explains. Portraying the “lost” unity of human nature, accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s symphonic works, this version of the Beast, freed from his inner demons, marries Belle under a blazing sun.

The sets by Jorge Gallardo are inventive and the Louis XIV-era costumes with bell-skirted dresses and frock coats in muted gold are truly fantastic.

“Taming of the Shrew” by the Stuttgart Ballet on October 18 and 19, one of its hallmark productions, rounds off the ballet offerings this year.

John Cranko’s ballet, in two acts, is based on the classic William Shakespeare tale. Set to the music of Kurt-Heinz Stolze (after Domenico Scarlatti), this is one of the greatest ballet comedies of the 20th century. George Balanchine declared it “just as amusing to see in dance form as it is in the spoken theatre”.

A determined Petruchio is out to subdue the quick-tempered Katherine and make her an obedient wife. The comedy unfolds as Katherine lets her defences down and realises that Petruchio loves her for herself.

The cheerful music by Domenico Scarlatti, orchestrated by Kurt-Heinz Stolze, and the colourful costumes and sets by Elisabeth Dalton, evoke the sunlit streets of Padua, Italy, making it a delightful ballet perfect for the entire family.

The programme is not easy to pull off but for the support and sponsorship of the Crown Property Bureau, Bangkok Bank, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, BMW Thailand, B Grimm Group, Dusit Thani Bangkok, Indorama Ventures, Ministry of Culture, Nation Group, PTT, Singha Corp, Thai Airways International and Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Classics on Top

– Seats are on sale at http://www.ThaiTicketMajor.com |and (02) 262 3191.

– Find out more at http://www.BangkokFestivals.com.