MORE THAN affordable at just Bt6,000, the Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1 (ZB602KL) smartphone comes with a surprisingly fast eight-core processor for its price and a large 5.9-inch display with good resolution of 2160×1080 pixels. It also boasts a large battery and a quality camera.

There are three versions of Zenfone Max Pro M1 each different memory and storage size. I got my hands on the version with 3-gigabyte memory and 32GB storage. The two higher versions have 4 GB and 6 GB RAM and 64 GB storage respectively.

The model I tested was far from slow, with both its touch screen and its apps responsive.

The Zenfone Max Pro M1 is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 65-bit octa-core processor with Qualcomm Adreno 509 GPU. It runs on Pure Android 8.1 operating system without a third-party user-interface on top of it. The smartphone comes with LTE 4G connection. I tested it on TrueMove H’s LTE network and found it had fast Internet connection.

I checked the speed with Ookla Speedtest app and the smartphone got a download speed of 45.2 Mbps and upload speed of 29.3 Mbps.

It even supports High-Resolution Audio of 24bit/192kHz format with good sound quality. I tested the Hi-Res Audio with Sony MDR-1ABT headphones and was pleased to find it gave off good musical details and a strong bass.

The display has a high contrast of 1,500:1 and with full HD+ resolution, it’s good for watching HD video clips and looking at photos. I enjoy watching YouTube clips and movies and TV programmes streamed with TrueID TV app during the test.

The version that I tested comes with 13 megapixel rear camera and it uses a secondary 5 MP camera to help add more data for creating beautiful portraits with the bokeh effect.

You can use Auto mode or select one of several provided scene modes, including Landscape, Portrait, Sports, Flowers and Sunset. You can also select bokeh effect together with beautification effect to achieve beautiful portrait shots with blurred background.

The smartphone has a fingerprint reader on its back. It allows the phone to unlock in just 0.3 second and it can scan and save up to five fingerprints.

The Zenfore Max Pro M1 has an impressively large battery with 5,000 mAh capacity. With this capacity, you can play mobile games for 11.5 hours continuously or you can play music for 199 hours or eight days and seven hours continuously. Or you can stream YouTube clips for up to 17.8 hours or watch Netflix for 20 hours.

Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1 with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage retails for Bt5,990. The version with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB storage goes for Bt6,990 while the version with 6GB RAM and 64 GB storage costs Bt7,990.

>> Networks: GSM, WCDMA, LTE (Cat13)

>> OS: Android 8.1

>> CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 64-bit Octa-core Processor

>> Memory: 3GB

>> Storage: 32GB, expandable with microSD card by up to 2TB

>> Display: 5.9-inch Full HD+ (2160 by 1080) 18:9 Full View IPS display, 1500:1 contrast ratio, 450nits brightness

>> Cameras: 13MP+5MP dual-camera for rear camera with 25mm equivalent focal length, 8MP front camera with 26mm equivalent focal length

>> Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 5.0

>> Navigation: GPS, AGPS, GLO, BDS

>> SIM slots: dual nano SIM slots plus separate slot for microSD card

>> Sensors: Rear fingerprint sensor, Damp finger recognition, Accelerator, Gyroscope, E-Compass, Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensor

>> Battery: 5,000 mAh

>> Dimensions: 159x76x8.45mm

>> Weight: 180g

ATH-WS990BT is the flagship model of Audio-Technica’s Solid Bass series that feature Bluetooth connection, noise cancelling and High-Resolution Audio when used with a provided cable.

It can also be used as smartphone headset with built-in microphone and control buttons.

The ATH-WS990BT wireless over-ear headphones combine exclusive 53mm Deep Motion Drivers with large, high-flux magnetic circuitry and Bluetooth technology to deliver vibrant full-range wireless audio with invigorating bass. The drivers have frequency response of five to 40,000Hz, so the WS990BT supports Hi-Res Audio when used with the provided 1.2-metre headphone cable.

When connected in Bluetooth, it doesn’t provide Hi-Res Audio quality because the the Bluetooth protocol used does not provide enough bandwidth for the high sampling rate of Hi-Res Audio.

The headphones have high sensitivity of 101dB when the noise-cancelling function is not turned on. When the noise-cancelling function is turned on, the headphones have high sensitivity of 107dB. The WS990BT has impedance of 30 ohms when not using noise-cancelling and 150 ohms when using noise-cancelling.

Audio-Technica says the headphones’ powerful magnetic force of the circuitry results in dynamic, well-tailored diaphragm response to reproduce deep, clear low frequencies and detailed mid-to-high frequencies.

The sound is further enhanced by the exclusive dual-layer, memory-foam earpads, comprised of a firm internal layer and a soft outer layer, that provide excellent sound isolation and comfort.

The WS990BT uses built-in lithium polymer rechargeable battery that takes about five hours to charge from 0 to 100 per cent. The headphones last about 25 hours when using Bluetooth and noise-cancelling. When using only Bluetooth and turning off noise-cancelling, the battery can last for about 30 hours.

The battery can last up ot 35 hours when using noise-cancelling only. This is because when you use the headphones with a headphone cable, the Bluetooth will automatically turn off, while you can still turn on the noise cancelling to enjoy Hi-Res Audio music in quiet environment.

The noise-cancelling function turns on automatically when you turn on the headphones with the power switch. When the noise-cancelling function turns on, the built-in microphones pick up the noise around you, and the headphones will produce signals to cancel and reduce the noise.

I found during the test that the headphones reduced the humming sound of my air-conditioner and provided a quiet listening environment for me to enjoy the music.

Anyway, you can turn off the noise-cancelling function by double-tapping the touch sensor on the right ear cup. When the noise-cancelling function is turned on, a lamp indicator turns green. The lamps turn off when the noise-cancelling function is also turned off.

Apart from the noise-cancelling function, you can select the hear-through function that allows voices in the surrounding area to be heard through the headphones. This lets you listen for important announcements, say in a train station or airport, and hear the voice of anyone who might engage you in conversation.

When you use the headphones on the road, it can be dangerous if you don’t hear the sounds around you, such as the sounds of vehicles coming up behind you.

The hear-through mode can help you be aware of what’s happening around you. You can turn on the hear-through mode by pressing and holding the touch sensor for about two seconds. When the hear-through mode is turned on, the touch sensor indicator lamp will flash green. And in the hear-through mode, the volume is automatically lowered to assimilate to the sounds around you.

You can turn off the hear-through mode and return to noise-cancelling mode by pressing and holding the touch sensor for about two seconds and the touch sensor indicator lamp will turn solid green.

There is a jog switch next to the touch sensor. When the WS990BT is Bluetooth-linked to your smartphone, you can use the jog switch to control music playback and volume and to answer and end phone calls.

You can slide the jog toward the plus sign on the front to increase volume by one level or you can slide and hold the jog by two seconds to skip the next track. Or you can slide the jog toward the minus sign or to the back of your head to decrease the volume by one level. You can slide and hold the jog back for about two seconds to play the previous track.

When the WS990BT is connected with Bluetooth to your smartphone, you can press the jog switch once to answer an incoming call and during the call, you press it once to end the call.

When there is an incoming call, press and hold the jog switch for about two seconds to reject it. When on a call, press and hold for two seconds to switch to the phone.

During the test, I found that headphones reproduced good quality music on a Bluetooth connection, using aptX connection protocol.

But the music quality was much improved using the cable with the noise-cancelling function still on. I tested playing Hi-Res Audio songs in FLAC 24bit/192kHz format from my Sony XZ Premium and the music quality was great with good details and powerful and solid bass.

ATH-WS990BT is distributed by RTB Technology and it is available at Studio7 shops and IStudio, dot.life, Siam Discovery, Jaymart, Munkong Gadget, Betrend, Power Mall and Lazada for Bt9,900.

>> Driver Diameter: 53mm

>> Frequency Response: |5-40,000Hz

>> Sensitivity: 107dB/mW when using noise-cancelling, 101dB/mW when not

>> Impedance: 150 ohms when using noise-cancelling, 30 ohms when not

>> Battery: Lithium polymer, 25-35 hours, 5-hour charging time

>> Weight: 300g

>> Cable: 1.2m

>> Connector: 3.5mm stereo mini-plug

>> Microphone: Condenser with -44dB sensitivity, |omnidirectional

>> Bluetooth: 4.1, supporting Codec of aptX, AAC, SBC

>> Accessories Included: 30cm USB charging cable, pouch

IF THE residents of the remote Nhong Ung community in Yasothon province are keeping their feet dry these days even at the height of |the monsoon rains, they owe it all to the efforts of one very special |individual – His Majesty King |Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, whose birthday falls today.

Just under two decades ago, the seven villages that make up this low-lying community of the Northeast province’s Koh Nue subdistrict faced annual misery, with floods every rainy season and drought the rest of the year. With crops damaged and roads impassable, residents were forced into the forest to forage for what little food they could find. The able-bodied left the villages to find work in urban areas, leaving behind their elders and children.

In 2000, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun visited his subjects and the royal-sponsored project at Nhong Ung, Yasothon, where he received a briefing from local officials.

Then on November 28, 2000, the then Crown Prince accompanied His Royal Mother, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, on a visit to flood victims in Baan Kham Nam Srang village.

In an attempt to bring comfort to his subjects, the Crown Prince granted a royal-sponsored project to develop and to improve the surroundings by dredging the ground at Nhong Ung and turning it into a water source, thus allowing residents to engage in agriculture and enlarge the fish breeding stock. The soil was improved and protected by planting vetiver grass while the forest was kept under careful scrutiny so that they could live in harmony with nature.

The Pid Thong Lang Phra Foundation recently invited the media to witness first-hand the productive results of this royal project, one of the many models that exemplifies His Majesty King Rama X’s resolution to fulfil the wishes of His Majesty the late King Rama IX and work for the benefit of all Thais.

Somsak Taweenan, head of the Nhong Ung Development Project, says that the main obstacle faced by local people was the repeated flooding, which was always particularly bad between August and October.

“The water discharged from the Ubolratana and Lam Pao dams would converge here. Water then submerged the rice fields causing major problems for the farmers. However, after the visit of the then Crown Prince, everything started to change thanks to various royal initiatives. Local people could commute more conveniently because the roads in Nhong Ung were raised by one metre along a 15- kilometre stretch. Dredging for water was also highly effective. The villagers were allocated plots of lands for farming and about 120 rai in the Nhong Ung area was shared among 120 families from Tayiem village so that they too could earn a living from agriculture by following His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s sufficiency economy philosophy,” he explains.

A view of the water integration system and the abundant forest.

The Dong Mun forest, which is close to Nhong Ung and covers some 3,000 rai, has also seen the benefits of the project. It had lost almost half its area to encroachment prior to 2000 but today has regained more than 50 per cent of its former abundance. Government agencies have helped to support local forestry systems by planting rubber trees, around whose roots grow such wild mushrooms such as puff ball, scabbard, talai and ra-ngok. And so local residents can still forage in the forest and their income has doubled, going from Bt1 million to Bt2 million. A cooperative has been set up with more than 70 members, who help each other generate more income by processing mushrooms as well as ant eggs.

Somsak Taweenan, head of the Nhong Ung Development Project

“We support all kind of integrated development – agriculture, fishing, and livestock so that the people will enjoy a better quality of life. The community is stronger because socially they have become more cooperative and willing to share. The royal-sponsored project has made seven villages stronger and united. It has also promoted knowledge sharing and this has expanded to other areas in Yasothon and to nearby provinces,” Somsak says.

Som Sairoj, 68, a resident of Baan Nam Kham village in Koh Nue subdistrict, says she greatly appreciates the royal-sponsored project, which has improved her life in so many ways. Today she is the vice-chairman of the Wanathip wild-product processing plant. She recalls the damage that past flooding did to her rice yields, explaining that on from a 20-rai plot, she was only able to harvest eight tons of rice worth some Bt20,000 -Bt30,000 a year.

Mushroom products from Nhong Ung community are well received in the market and create extra income for local residents. 

“When His Majesty King Rama X and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit visited us and brought many royal development projects, we all cried with happiness. Planting trees had allowed the forest to grow again and we are able to collect more mushrooms than ever before, which makes for extra income,” she explains.

“We have fully embraced the sufficiency economy. We plant trees in the forest and protect them because they are a great source of income. More importantly, we don’t have to move anywhere. This is our home. If we work harder, we can have more money. Our processed mushrooms are a great success and have been awarded 5-star Otop rating. When our earnings are good, life too is better,” Som says with a smile.

Farmer and fisherman Bin Sansook 

Sixty-four-year-old Bin Sansook is also grateful to the King. Two decades ago, he gave his four rai of rice fields to his nephew and turned to raising fish in Nhong Ung’s pond. But too many other villagers had the same idea resulting in the pond eventually losing its oxygen content and the fish dying.

“Back in 2000, I was a member of the subdivision’s administration. I saw His Majesty coming to the village from a long way off and I was delighted. The royal project was the great hope. The land suffered from drought, the soil was like sand, and didn’t have land ownership. Now we can stay in our village. They are plenty of fish for us all. The income from the fishery is better than ever, earning a clear profit of Bt200-Bt300 per day. Some days we catch Clown featherback fish, or Mekong catfish and we are satisfied with that even though it is not a lot. I also plant vegetables and I share the surplus with my neighbours. In the past, it was very hard to grow anything and life was very difficult. I had only enough money to buy fish sauce to mix with steamed rice and vegetable,” Bin recalls.

Gaysorn Rosapa, left, and Nanta Chaiya

Mother and daughter Gaysorn Rosapa, 63, and Nanta Chaiya, 39, of Baan Tayiam have also reaped the benefits of royal generosity. Both members of the Support Foundation under Her Majesty the Queen’s patronage at Baan Kham Nam Srang, they recall all too clearly the flooding of the past.

“Life was very hard and I ended up moving to Bangkok to work in a plastic manufacturing factory for 10 years. When the royal-sponsored project was initiated, my mother asked me to come home. We have now lived happily as a family for more than 13 years, much more so than in Bangkok where I really struggled to make ends meet. These days we grow rice and vegetables and even have some money saved.

“Every time we think of the royal graciousness, we shed tears of joy. Wherever Their Majesties visit, prosperity comes to those areas.”

The event continues through August 5 at Main Atrium on the first floor, Seacon Square Shopping Center on Srinakarin Road the moves to Seacon on Phetchkasem Road from August 10 to 19.

“The ‘70s in the West with their anti-Vietnam War demonstrations and the hippie movement had a big influence on Thais. People in Bangkok were wide open to western culture, such as movies, music, and fashion. Nowadays, people who lived in the 70’s are in their 50s and 60s and they will have a chance to remember their happy times at this event,” says Charun Poopat, vice president for marketing communication and corporate relations group of Seacon Square Shopping Centre.

The atrium will be transformed into the popular neighbourhood, Wang Burapha, which was the fashion and shopping centre at that time. It boasted the largest entertainment complex of movie theatres like King cinema and Talat Ming Muang, where ladies — actresses, singers, and members of the general public — went to when they needed artisan tailors. Also the most popular shopping centre for people in those years was the Nightingale-Olympic Department Store, which is the oldest mall in Thailand and it is still active until nowadays.

The 70’s was the golden era of heavy metal, rock and disco. Thais, especially people in Bangkok, were influenced by music from overseas. They listened to international songs and many of these will be performed at a concert by Thailand’s top professional musicians from Chaba Big Band, Isn’t and Spirit, Hard Boy and Kaleidoscope on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

The event will also host a bustling trading area with grocery stores, peddlers, street stalls and much more. Customers can try Thai savoury and sweet dishes, such as traditional desserts, cotton candy from the coin-operated machine, frozen egg icecream, claypot sweets, traditional fizzy drinks, as well as buy souvenirs, music CDs, musical instruments, tin toys, apparel, shoes, and much more.

For more information, please call (02) 721 8888 or visit at http://www.seaconsquare.com and http://www.facebook.com/SeaconSquareFanPage.

For Seacon Bangkae, call (02) 454 7777 or visit http://www.seaconbangkae.com and http://www.facebook.com/SeaconBangkaeFanPage.

Open on all four days from 10am to 8pm, the expo is the largest brick themed event ever held in Southeast Asia, with more than a million Lego bricks and covering an area of over 4,000 square metres.

It offers an interactive experience, divided into zones, allowing visitors to get their hands on a huge range and variety of different Lego elements, see rare collections, as well as getting a closer look at lifesize models including tuktuks, ninjas, and the Krunk bear.

Tickets cost Bt300 and Bt500 at Thai Ticket Major counters and online at http://www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.

So much “Bird”

“Fan Ja the Musical”  a musical inspired by Thai superstar Thongchai “Bird” McIntyre’s songs – is being staged at the Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre from August 15 to September 2.

The jukebox musical presents several of the superstar’s hits including “Lao Soo Kan Fang”, “Fan Ja”, “Duay Rak Lae Pook Pan”, “Mai Khaeng Ying Phae”, “Than Fai Kao”, “Boomerang” and “Too Much So Much Very Much”. They’ll be performed by some of Thailand’s bestknown singers, among them Nanthida Kaewbuasai, Charas Fueangarom, and Nueng ETC.

Tickets costing from Bt500 to Bt3,000 are now on sale at Thai Ticket Major.

All that jazz

The Fabrizio Sotti Trio featuring three of the most dynamic and mature jazz players of the current generation, is set to perform two concerts, the first at the auditorium of Bangkok University on Tuesday at 7pm and the second the following night at the Bamboo Bar of Mandarin Oriental Hotel starting at 8.30pm.

The trio is led by guitarist, composer, producer Fabrizio Sotti, and features Peter Slavov on bass and drummer Clarence Penn.

The concerts at part of the ongoing Italian Festival so admission is free but reservations must be made at http://www.EventBrite.com.

Find out more at Facebook.com/italianfestivalthailand.

Remembering Elvis

Vasu Sangsingkaew, Jaruek Viriyakit and Arthur Husain mark the 41st anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley in the tribute concert “The Legend of Elvis” being staged in the Main Hall of TOT Headquarters on Chaeng Wattana Road on August 26 at 4pm.

The concert will present the hits of 1950s to 1970s by Tim Welch, the great Elvis impersonator from Las Vegas and also feature an exhibition.

Tickets cost from Bt900 to Bt2,500 to Bt900 available at Thai Ticket Major.

To coincide with the artist’s final shows of the European leg of his Revival tour, the rag & bone X Eminem capฌsule was unveiled in London two weeks ago.

The awardwinning artist, who has sold over 125 million albums worldwide, worked closely with the brand to develop “The Icon Hoodie”, It’s available in three colours and is 100percent made and manufactured in America using premium ribknit. The unlined, lightweight sweatshirt was codesigned with Eminem to make his perfect hoodie.

Michael learns to ‘ror’

Michael Kors is introducing a capsule colฌlection of watches, handbags and footwear embellished with an original piece of hardฌware. The “Rory” collection features three handbags, three pairs of shoes and two watches.

Inspired by Leo, Kors’ astrological sign, the Rory detailing is a lion’s head wearing aviator sunglasses. Ruled by the sun, Leos are known for their charismatic personality, playful energy and confidence, making them the most expressive sign of the zodiac. The collection will be available in Michael Kors stores next month.

Send Mum trekking

With Mother’s Day around the corner, Tumi is making its travel, business and lifestyle essentials available for all mothers on the go. The travel cases, daybags and accessories are perfect gifts for Mum.

Socialite Pimpisa Chirathivat chose the Voyageur collection for her mother Chanadda – the Bryce and Rivas Backpacks and Aberdeen Crossbody.

The Rivas backpack offers a padded tablet pocket, multiple organisational pockฌets and a twoway handy side zip that allows easy access to the main compartฌment. It’s available in black, navy and mink.

Off to the races

Tissot, represented by the Swatch Group Trading (Thailand), has launched the TRace MotoGP Limited Edition 2018, designed in celebration of Thailand hosting the MotoGP at the Chang International Circuit in Buri Ram from October 5 to 7, for which the watchmaker has been the official timekeeper since 2001.

The sleek and agile watch features toughness and high precision and mimics in its structure the frame and other parts of motorbikes in its black body and striking red details. Both the Quartz and Automatic movements utilise ETA Calibre C01.211. Encased in a helmet box, only 3,333 pieces are on sale worldwide.

For the ninth consecutive year, Wacoal has joined forces with the National Cancer Institute, regional cancer hospitals under the Department of Medical Services, Bangkok Hospital Group and Samitivej Hospital Group for customers showing His & Her cards when purchasing Wacoal lingerie products worth a combined Bt12,000 net between now and October 31 will receive a VIP mammogram and ultrasound exam card.

The service is provided at 28 participating hospitals until December 31. Those who do not want to use the privilege can give the card to a person you care for or forward it to underprivileged women through the Charity Mammogram Project by the National Cancer Institute.

The 28 participating hospitals include the National Cancer Institute, Maha Vajiralongkorn Thanyaburi Hospital, Chonburi Cancer Hospital, Lopburi Cancer Hospital, Lampang Cancer Hospital and Ubon Ratchathani Cancer Hospital.

Breast cancer is the No 1 life-threatening disease for every women, whether they are single or married, with more than 13,000 new cases have been diagnosed each year. The figure is on the rise in all age groups owing to changing lifestyles.

Regular breast checks are key in minimising the risk and maximising healing opportunity. Mammogram and ultrasound examination is considered the most effective breast cancer screening method to date because it can detect cancerous lump as small as two millimetres in diameter, an early stage with virtually no apparent symptoms.

For more information, please contact the Call Centre on (02) 296 9979.

For the first time, visitors will get the first-hand interactive and augmented reality experience of the arctic story through the mission of taking a polar bear cub home.

“The Adventures of a Polar Bear Cub” tells the tale of the cub’s mission setting out to find his lost mother and siblings in the arctic through an explorer’s looking glass – through learning spaces in the underwater world of Sea Life.

Beginning by helping the cub track his mother’s paw prints amid the falling snow in the Arctic Circle, explorers get to discover what it is like to live in the Arctic – dipping your hands into the iced cold water to learn how polar bears hunt via Time to Eat activity.

Continue the journey to see A Fellow Explorer and watch their story in the Explorer Talk role play about how he successfully tracked the whereabouts of the lost cub and return him to the nature.

Here, explorers are granted a chance to come close to the animatronic polar bear cub, who wriggles around in the arms of the Fellow Explorer for all to cuddle, stroke, and take a photo with.

Following the real touch and feel to the area behind the iceberg, explorers will finally get to see the cub popping up from behind the ice, with the Northern Lights dancing in the background.

The well-designed augmented reality technology brings all explorers face to face with the cub onscreen – giving them the chance to play with him. The journey comes to a happy ending with the beautiful reunion of the mother bear and the cub at last – walking paw in paw back into the icy landscape they call home.

Sea Life Bangkok is at Siam Paragon and the entrance fees are Bt990 for adults and Bt790 for kids three to 11 years old.

For details, visit http://www.SeaLifeBangkok.com.

Continue the journey to see A Fellow Explorer and watch their story in the Explorer Talk role play about how he successfully tracked the whereabouts of the lost cub and return him to the nature.

Here, explorers are granted a chance to come close to the animatronic polar bear cub, who wriggles around in the arms of the Fellow Explorer for all to cuddle, stroke, and take a photo with.

Following the real touch and feel to the area behind the iceberg, explorers will finally get to see the cub popping up from behind the ice, with the Northern Lights dancing in the background.

The well-designed augmented reality technology brings all explorers face to face with the cub onscreen – giving them the chance to play with him. The journey comes to a happy ending with the beautiful reunion of the mother bear and the cub at last – walking paw in paw back into the icy landscape they call home.

Sea Life Bangkok is at Siam Paragon and the entrance fees are Bt990 for adults and Bt790 for kids three to 11 years