Building upon its successful launch in 2017, the three-week accelerator programme consists of a series of lectures, hands-on workshops and coaching, culminating in a final pitch to receive a scaling grant of up to 500,000 Euros (Bt19.46 million) from Booking.com’s 2-million Euro fund in order to help support the next stage of the start-ups’ projected growth.

“The relationships we build with these passionate entrepreneurs not only help fuel their continued growth, but also invigorate and inspire our entire company. Our aim is to build a network of like-minded organisations and individuals that are leveraging technology to create a more sustainable future for destinations worldwide. Through our collective commitment, we are striving to ensure that we can keep the unique destinations we all love happy and healthy for generations to come,” says Gillian Tans, Booking.com’s chief executive.

With hundreds of applicants from all over the world, the 10 start-ups joining the 2018 programme hail from six different countries and operate collectively across six continents, including Antarctica. Their businesses also represent a diverse mix of innovative online marketplaces that connect travellers with inclusive travel experiences, cutting-edge technology solutions and initiatives that empower local communities to benefit more equally from the global tourism opportunity.

Thailand’s HiveSters is a social enterprise that acts as a hub for sustainable, real Thai experiences, connecting travellers who look for authentic cultural interactions with local experts in Thailand’s largest urban areas.

“We feel empowered that our mission was supported and we believe that Booking.com Booster will open the door to unimaginable opportunities!, says Achiraya Thamparipattra, chief executive & chief of fun.

Other participating start-ups are:

Community Homestay Network (Nepal)

Global Himalayan Expedition (India)

Hotel Con Corazon (Netherlands: Operating in Nicaragua)

Keteka (United States: Operating in Central and South America, Antarctica)

Kitro (Switzerland)

Reflow (Netherlands)

Sakha Consulting Wings: Women on Wheels (India)

Tastemakers (United States: Operating in Africa)

Wheel the World (United States)

All the participating social enterprises will also receive several months of ongoing mentoring and coaching from Booking.com experts, as well as opportunities and access to collaborate with Booking.com on potential innovation initiatives and experiments to help accelerate their future growth.

Together with the recently launched Booster Labs and the Booking Cares Fund, the Booking Booster Programme sits alongside Booking.com’s internal volunteer programme, where employees have long partnered with local organisations on projects that help improve destinations worldwide. Together these initiatives make up and further expand Booking.com’s Booking Cares commitment and further the company’s mission to make a positive impact globally.

Now the late Mexican artist’s family alleges the rights to her image have been stolen, and accuses toymaker Mattel of misrepresenting her appearance and ignoring what she stood for.

Mattel announced on Wednesday that Kahlo, a painter known for her searingly intimate portraits as well as her defiantly unplucked eyebrows, would be included in its newest collection of Barbie dolls.

It was perhaps an unlikely choice for the maker of the famously buxom blonde doll, given that Kahlo was known for upending gender norms and traditional ideas about how women should look and act.

Released just ahead of International Women’s Day, the “Inspiring Women” collection includes dolls based on Kahlo, aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, African-American mathematician Katherine Johnson and other historic figures.

But Kahlo’s family soon issued a statement objecting to the doll.

“Mrs Mara Romeo, great-niece of Frida Kahlo, is the sole owner of the rights of the image of the illustrious Mexican painter Frida Kahlo,” it said.

“The company Mattel does not have the proper authorization to use the image of Frida Kahlo,” it added, threatening to take “necessary measures” against the California-based toymaker.

However, an American company called the Frida Kahlo Corporation insisted it was the legitimate owner of the rights.

“Mattel has worked in close partnership with the Frida Kahlo Corporation, the owner of all rights related to the name and identity of Frida Kahlo, on the creation of this doll,” it said in a statement.

Romeo’s lawyer Pablo Sangri said the dispute arose after the family established the Frida Kahlo Corporation in 2005, in partnership with another company called Casablanca Distributors.

The latter has violated their now-expired contract by failing to inform Kahlo’s relatives about the uses of her “brand,” he told AFP.

And the contract never granted the Corporation rights to Kahlo’s image in the first place, only “certain uses of her name,” he said.

“The Frida Kahlo Corporation doesn’t hold, never held and will never hold the rights to Frida’s image.”

– Pop icon –

But the problem goes deeper than just a dispute over image rights, said Romeo, the granddaughter of Kahlo’s sister Cristina.

Kahlo was known for her assertive embrace of her Mexican identity and her unabashed, unmanicured femininity.

“I would have liked the doll to have traits more like Frida’s, not this doll with light-colored eyes. I would have liked her to have a unibrow, for her clothes to be made by Mexican artisans,” she told AFP.

“It should be a doll that represents everything my aunt represented, her strength. It should be a Frida that represents Mexico.”

With her slender face and almond eyes — topped by just the slightest hint of hair between her brows — the Frida Kahlo Barbie looks only vaguely like the real-life Frida.

In recent years, Kahlo’s image has been stamped onto an explosion of consumer products: nail polish, bags, shoes, coffee mugs and much, much more.

Her instantly recognizable look — unibrow, thick black braids, flowery, hand-embroidered Mexican “tehuana” dresses — and the boldness with which she wore it have turned her into a pop icon.

But Romeo said the companies behind such products are making them without the family’s permission, and violating Kahlo’s legacy in the process.

“These products don’t mesh with what Frida was. They should contribute something to the world,” she said.

Kahlo (1907-1954), the wife of the Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, is today considered one of the great painters of the 20th century, particularly for her self-portraits, often brimming with pain and isolation.

Meet the mermaid and her friends at noon, 2.30, 4 and 5.30 daily. Entrance fees are Bt990 for adults and Bt790 for kids (aged three to 11).

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

Flowers for the senses

Play La Ploen in Buri Ram is showcasing more than 10,000 lilies from Holland under the theme, “Miracle of Love”, from now until May. Workshops and fun activities are part of the package.

For more information, call (087) 799 4936, (087) 798 1039, (087) 797 6425, or visit Facebook.com/playlaploen.com.

Sweet home Chicago

The Living Room of Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit swings to the sound of jazz vocalist Tammy McCann from Chicago, who performs with the Randy Cannon Group Tuesday to Thursday from 9.15 and Friday and Saturday from 8.45.

Book a table at (02) 649 8353 or email dining.sgs@luxurycollection.com.

Singapore says cheers

Sommeliers, bartenders, industry specialists and wine connoisseurs are in for a treat as Southeast Asia’s largest trade fair for wines and spirits, ProWine Asia 2018, returns to the Singapore Expo for its second edition from April 24-27, raising the bar with a greater experience for all.

For more information, visit http://www.ProWineAsia.com/sg.

It’s all about the colour

The much-loved Holi Rangotsav Festival of Colours 2018 is being feted this coming Sunday at Oasis Arena, Show DC from 10am to 5pm. The colours are all made from herbs and punters can have fun splashing them all over fellow partygoers. Register online and get a discount at https://HoliRangotsav2018.eventbrite.com/

Billed as an internationally registered event for women of every culture that enables women to experience “awakening and empowerment” in a safe and intimate environment, Festival du Feminin was founded in Paris and has developed across the globe, from Canada to India, Singapore to Colombia, Morocco to Hong Kong, the US to Mexico, Malaysia, Japan, Iran and Thailand.

Organiser Sylvie Baradel extends an invitation to all women “to discover, feel, contact and connect the multiple facets of our femininity through the gathering of a large tribe of women that gives you opportunities to meet, share, transmit, honor and celebrate precious moments of your lives and inner paths”.

The event features more than 20 interactive workshops devoted to bodymind experiences, personal growth, the healing arts and spirituality. An array of local and international midwives, energetic healers, artists, psychologists, scientists, coaches, therapists, business executives, writers, and more will provide their input.

“We are delighted to host the rapidly growing globalsisterhood awakening Festival du Feminin for the benefit of women in Thailand, as the movement perfectly complements Swissotel’s brand promise to support and deliver ‘Quality in Life’, and our firm belief that happiness is life’s true reward,” says the hotel’s general manager Bruno Rotschaedl.

A oneday pass goes for Bt3,000 and a twoday ticket costs Bt6,000. Special offers including “Buddy Tickets” are also available.

The programme details can be found at http://www.FestivalDuFeminin.com/en/bangkok2018.

To reserve a place, email: bangkok.womenfestival@yahoo.com

Based on European data assessed, 36 percent of women donate a kidney to their husband in clinically suitable cases.

That compares with just seven percent of clinically suitable men donating a kidney to their spouse, said the study by the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations.

It highlights how women are also liable to suffer from the most serious stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) as they tend to live longer than male sufferers and take longer to reach a stage requiring a transplant.

“Although it is hard to pinpoint a specific reason for higher numbers of wives being donors than husbands, the evidence suggests women are motivated by reasons such as altruism and the desire to help their family continue to survive,” said Adeera Levin, a Professor of Medicine at Canada’s University of British Colombia.

The study data shows some two thirds of kidney transplant recipients are men although the gender difference was less pronounced for donations by deceased men and women.

Worldwide, the study found 14 percent of women suffer from CKD compared with 12 percent of men.

Although the data showed higher proportions of women live with advanced CKD, “experts believe that systemic failures to detect or manage CKD in women leave women at a higher risk of progression and complications.”

This year’s World Kidney Day is closely focusing on CKD sufferers who are either pregnant or wishing to conceive.

“In women who have had a successful kidney transplant, fertility can be at least partly restored and chances of successful birth increase,” said Dr Giorgina Piccoli of Italy’s University of Torino and the Centre Hospitalier Le Mans, France.

“However, complications in these women remain more common than in the general population, and preconception medical counselling should always be sought,” added Piccoli.

She stressed the “clear need for higher awareness of CKD in pregnancy, to timely identify CKD in pregnancy, and to follow-up women with CKD during and after pregnancy.”

Dr Piccoli also indicated pregnancy-related complications can increase the risk of kidney disease.

“Women face unique issues in relation to kidney disease and donation, and since this year’s World Kidney Day coincides with International Women’s Day, we decided now was the time to highlight these issues,” said Professor Levin.

“These findings support the hypothesis that Vitamin D has protective effects against cancers at many sites,” researchers reported in a study published in The BMJ medical journal.

Vitamin D is made by the skin in response to sunlight. By maintaining calcium levels in the body, it helps keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.

While the benefits of Vitamin D on bone health are well known, there is some evidence that it may protect against chronic diseases as well, including some cancers.

Studies to date, however, have been carried out mainly in European and North American people.

As natural Vitamin D concentrations can vary by ethnicity, researchers from half-a-dozen Japanese medical schools and institutes set out to determine the potential for lowering cancer risk in Asians.

They analysed the public health records of 33,736 men and women aged 40 to 69.

At the start of the study, participants provided detailed information on their medical history, diet and lifestyle. Blood samples were taken to measure Vitamin D levels.

The researchers did not specify whether the trial participants used vitamin supplements or not.

Taking into account seasonal variations, the group was divided into four groups, ranging from the lowest to highest concentration of Vitamin D.

Participants were then monitored for 16 years on average, during which time 3,301 new cases of cancer were recorded.

After adjusting for well-known cancer risk factors — age, weight, smoking, and alcohol intake, for example — the researchers found that, overall, higher Vitamin D levels was associated with a 20 percent lower cancer risk for both genders.

The risk of liver cancer dropped even more, by up to 50 percent, especially for men.

Vitamin D did not appear have any impact in warding off lung or prostate cancer, however.

None of the cancers examined showed an increased risk associated with higher Vitamin D levels.

Previous studies have shown that low levels of Vitamin D increase the risk of bone fractures, heart disease, colorectal cancer, diabetes, depression, Alzheimer’s disease and death.

But others have found no evidence of a link to disease risk.

TODAY IS International Women’s Day, the occasion on which the world officially celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women.

Like other countries, Thailand has many women who merit that honour, among them Professor Emeritus Dr Wannee Nitiyanant of the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, a specialist in endocrinology and metabolism, who has been passing on her knowledge to medical students and doctors for more than four decades.

A long-time social advocate on health issues, Dr Wannee recently turned 72, but has shown no signs of slowing down, and is as active as ever in masterminding the country’s many health campaigns.

The president of the Diabetes Association of Thailand under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Wannee organised a four-kilometre run-walk and a seminar on diabetes in women to mark World Diabetes Day.

Diabetes is a massive global problem and Thailand is as affected as anywhere. Recently published World Health Organisation statistics show that the number of people with diabetes rose from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014 and that it is especially prevalent in middle and low-income countries.

Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation. In 2015, an estimated 1.6 million deaths were directly caused by diabetes. Already on the global agenda since the beginning of the century, world leaders recently committed to reducing premature deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), of which diabetes is one, by one third by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. However, recent WHO reports indicate that the world will struggle to meet that target. Unhealthy diets and physical inactivity are major risk factors for chronic disease.

Dr Wannee, who is also president of the Royal College of Physicians of Thailand’s Network of Fatless Belly Thais and the Thai NCDs Alliance, emphasises the importance of personal and family health care and diet, adding that the current rate of women with diabetes is high, especially in those who are overweight or obese

“Women are at greater risk for diabetes than men because of their body physique, eating habits and lack of exercise. The risk of diabetes increases during pregnancy if the mother doesn’t take good care of herself. For every woman with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the risk continues even after childbirth and there’s always a chance of diabetes returning in some cases within five to 10 years. The 24th week of pregnancy onwards is when the risk is highest due to the development of the placenta, which involves the increase in hormone production causing insulin resistance. Other risk factors relate to genetics, being overweight, history of abnormal pregnancy or miscarriage. Therefore, it is important to have screenings for gestational diabetes and always follow the doctor’s instructions to prevent or take care of GDM as well as regular checks for diabetes for years afterwards. Moreover, women are also more likely to develop diabetes, due to insulin resistance. These are the factors that make women more vulnerable to diabetes than men,” she tells The Nation.

Diabetes, she stressed, can be prevented through diet, exercise, getting enough sleep and avoiding stress, alcohol and smoking. Interval health checks that include a diabetes test are important especially in those aged 35 and older as is weight control. Poor health can easily be identified by simple checks at home – calculating BMI, measuring waist and height [waist should be half the height] and taking blood pressure.

“Many people don ‘t know they have diabetes until their blood glucose level is more than 200 mg/dl. Indeed, they already have diabetes if the level is higher than 125 mg/dl. This is the reason why diabetic screening is very useful in preventing further development of the disease as at this stage it can be controlled by simply adjusting the diet and regular exercise without any need for medication.

“A survey of Thai people’s health found that in 2014 there were 4.8 million diabetic patients compared to 3.3 million back in 2009. This shows an average increase of 200,000 patients each year,” Wannee says.

“The development and severity of the disease has not changed much. What has changed is the rapid increase in the number of patients and that is mainly due to lifestyle.

“Medical students these days learn about the disease and are well-versed in the latest findings. Education is much more open than in the past. Students should be capable using their knowledge and carefully examining patients in order to identify the disease and prescribe appropriate investigation and treatment protocols. Diabetes is a complicated disease because a patient may present with a variety of symptoms,” she says.

“In fact, living as if you have diabetes is a superb idea because usually the diet of those already diagnosed with the disease is healthy. To achieve energy balance and a healthy weight, limit energy intake from total fats, shift fat consumption away from saturated fats to unsaturated fats, and eliminate trans-fats. Also limit the intake of free sugars, and limit salt consumption from all sources,” she advises.

“As part of Thai NCDs Alliance campaign, we advocate national or public policies that promote the health and wellbeing of Thai people Last year, we saw government impose a sugar levy but we won’t see the effects until 2019. Not only taxation, but also non-tax measures will be implemented in parallel. Food advertisement and promotion, especially to children, should be limited. We are really looking forward to seeing the outcome.

“However, Thailand is moving towards an ageing society and child obesity is a major problem. Women have an important role in the prevention of diabetes not only for themselves but also for their entire families as they oversee the wellbeing and diet of their loved ones.

“A wealth of scientific evidence and my experience tells me that NCDs can be prevented. Good health is a necessity and one must act now – otherwise it will be impossible to prevent and control diabetes and other NCDs,” Wannee stresses.

The wreckage was found Sunday by the team’s research vessel, the R/V Petrel, some 3,000 meters (two miles) below the surface more than 500 miles (800 kilometers) off the eastern coast of Australia.

The search team released pictures and video of the wreckage of the Lexington, one of the first ever US aircraft carriers, and some of the planes which went down with the ship.

Remarkably preserved aircraft could be seen on the seabed bearing the five-pointed star insignia of the US Army Air Forces on their wings and fuselage.

On one aircraft, an emblem of the cartoon character Felix the Cat can be seen along with four miniature Japanese flags presumably depicting “kills.”

The search team also released pictures and video of parts of the ship, including a nameplate, and anti-aircraft guns covered in decades of slime.

The USS Lexington and another US aircraft carrier, the USS Yorktown, fought against three Japanese aircraft carriers from May 4-8, 1942 in the Battle of the Coral Sea, the first ever between carriers.

The badly damaged Lexington, nicknamed “Lady Lex,” was deliberately sunk by another US warship at the conclusion of the battle.

More than 200 members of the crew died in the battle but most were rescued by other US vessels before the Lexington sank.

Admiral Harry Harris, who heads up the US military’s Pacific Command (PACOM) — and whose father was one of the sailors evacuated — paid tribute to the successful research effort.

“As the son of a survivor of the USS Lexington, I offer my congratulations to Paul Allen and the expedition crew of Research Vessel (R/V) Petrel for locating the ‘Lady Lex,’ sunk nearly 76 years ago at the Battle of Coral Sea,” Harris said in a statement.

“We honor the valor and sacrifice of the ‘Lady Lex’s’ Sailors — and all those Americans who fought in World War II — by continuing to secure the freedoms they won for all of us,” he said.

The USS Lexington was carrying 35 aircraft when it went down.

The search team said that 11 planes had been found including Douglas TBD-1 Devastators, Douglas SBD-3 Dauntlesses and Grumman F4F-3 Wildcats.

Search teams led by Allen have discovered the wreckage of a number of historic warships including the USS Indianapolis, a US heavy cruiser which sank in the Philippine Sea in July 1945 after being torpedoed by a Japanese submarine.

After 15 years of supporting talented female scientists, L’Oreal Thailand has announced changes to its fellowship programme “For Women in Science” as it moves into the 16th year. The aim is address the country’s development in the fields of science.

Moving from the original three award categories of material science, life science and chemistry, this year’s awards are being re-categorised into two branches – life science and physical science.

“The world is changing and science is expanding as its embraces the digital world, artificial intelligence and genomics. Our two new categories address this change and are able to cover more branches,” says Dr Yongyuth Yuthawong, Deputy Prime Minister and the former Minister of Science and Technology, who is a member of the jury.

Dr Yongyuth adds that the introduction of the new categories will attract a broader range of women scientists to submit their work to win a possible grant of Bt250,000 although the number of awardees will remain the same.

Joining Dr Yongyuth on the judging will be seven other honorary national experts, namely Dr Kopr Kritayakirana, who will serve as president, Prof Dr Pairash Thajchayapong , Emeritus Prof Dr Wanpen Chaicumpa, Emeritus Prof Dr MR Jisnuson Svasti, Assoc Prof Dr Paritud Bhandhubanyong, Assoc Prof Weerasak Udomkitdecha and Professor Dr Jumras Limtrakul.

For the purposes of the awards, physical sciences are concerned with the study of inanimate natural objects, including chemical science and engineering, computer science and engineering, Earth science and engineering, electrical and electronics engineering, environmental science and engineering, material science and engineering, mechanical engineering, nanoscience and nanoengineering and digital science.

Life sciences, meanwhile, relate to the study of animate natural objects, and life-science related topics, including bioscience and biotechnology, cellular and molecular, marine science, biophysics, plant science, microbiology, bioengineering, environmental science, nanoscience and nanoengineering, and engineering.

The new categories will also apply to the L’Oreal Women Science Award in France.

The programme has been adjusted to allow for recruitment and the research granting process to be done online rather than by post as in previous years. Interested applicants can submit their applications with the research in PDF format to email FWISTH@loreal.com between May 1 and July 31. Announcements of the fellowships will be made in September.

Five grants of Bt250,000 will be awarded. Applicants must be Thai female researchers aged between 25 and 40 years, work in the categories of physical sciences and life sciences and submit research that’s in the process of development and operation.

“The research should be creative, new, knowledgeable and widely accepted internationally,” Dr Yongyuth explains.

One of the measures used in the judging is what is known as the H-index, a matrix that measures both the productivity and citation impact of the publications of a scientist or scholar. The index is based on the set of the scientist’s most cited papers and the number of citations that they have received in other publications.

An average of 45 to 60 research papers have been submitted annually to date and most of the scientists are young. A total of 61 fellowships from 16 organisations have been granted. But while the winners have more than merited their places, no Thai women scientists have made it into the International Rising Talents or top International Awards categories, which reward five outstanding scientists from five regions, namely African and Arab states, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America.

This year, the Thai jury could submit the most outstanding research for the international award.

“Even before I became involved with Women in Science of Thailand, I’ve hoped to see a Thai woman scientist place top and I believe it will happen soon. We have submitted research before but so far none has qualified for the international award,” says Dr Yongyuth.

This year, the programme is also introducing additional activities with the aim of supporting soft skills for past recipients of fellowships through the For Women in Science Academy, an online learning platform offering varied training platforms to leverage their work.

The soft skills, says Onanong Pratakphiriya, the director of corporate communications and public affairs for L’Oreal (Thailand), include management skills, public presentations that women scientists can use in their research management and how they present their research.

The academy provides four areas to enhance the social skills of fellows including management, empowerment, communication and tutorials. Currently more than 170 online content components are available on the platform, which also allows for discussion and exchange of ideas with L’Oreal fellows across the world.

L’Oreal’s Thailand “For Women in Science” fellowship programme was set up in 2002, offering annual grants to female researchers working in the fields of Life Science, Materials Science and Chemistry. Last year, to mark the 15th anniversary of the event, the programme introduced the honorary “L’Oreal Woman Scientist Crystal Award” to two former fellows.

This new initiative offers a clear indication of the company’s support to the sustainable development of women in the science profession in Thailand.

L’Oreal’s “For Women in Science” fellowship programme was established in 1997 in collaboration with the Secretariat of the National Commission for Unesco. To date, the programme has offered fellowships to more than 3,122 female scientists and researchers from 117 countries around the world. Ninety-two laureates have been awarded the top International Awards. Two of them went on to become Nobel laureates and another has become president of her country.

WITH military-ruled Thailand feeling isolated from the international community, it’s been relying more on “soft power” to make and maintain friendships with other nations. Last weekend the Culture Ministry treated the ambassadors of 20 countries to a feel-good tour of the far North, hoping to strengthen bonds in more than just culture.

The envoys’ spouses were along for the four-day excursion to Chiang Rai and also dipped into Keng Tung in Myanmar, a fellow member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Portuguese Ambassador Francisco De Assis Morais E Cunha Vaz Patto leads fellow diplomats around Aen, an ethnic Shan village.

The ministry’s deployment of soft power predates the 2014 coup that drew international condemnation. It became a fence-mending tool in 2008, when anti-government yellow-shirt protesters shut down both of Bangkok’s airports, triggering alarm overseas.

So it’s been a decade of organising friendly cultural trips for the always-agreeable diplomatic corps, which have included destinations across Thailand and in Laos and Cambodia.

In 2013 it was ambassadors of Unesco who were given a tour of Wat Maha That in Nakhon Si Thammarat, which Thailand wanted the United Nations agency to designate as a World Heritage site. The same happened in 2015 when Phu Prabhat Historical Park in Udon Thani was up for consideration. Neither site has yet been listed, but hope prevails.

Polish Ambassador Waldemar Jan Dubaniowski and his wife Ewa Maria make saa paper at the Jinnaluck Mulberry factory in Chiang Rai.

Last weekend it was the ambassadors of countries, and this time Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat was hoping they would “help spread our rich culture to the world”.

Once again, the world’s major powers – the United States, China, Britain, Germany and France – declined to send their envoys along. It was, once again, the “regular guests” who enjoyed themselves. They came from other Southeast Asian nations and South Africa and from Portugal, the Czech Republic, Greece, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary and Poland.

There was actually a little sensitivity to this trip because it extended across the border from Mae Sai into Tachilek, Myanmar, for a visit to Shan territory – Keng Tung, also known as Kyainge Tong and in Thai as Chiang Tung.

Lanna culture, so deeply associated with Thailand’s North, crossed the same frontier hundreds of years ago.

Myanmar Ambassador Myo Myint Than and his wife San San Maw examine ceramics at Doi Din Daeng Pottery in Chiang Rai, founded by Somluck Pantiboon, centre.

Just as the ministry is promoting Krabi with the Thailand Biennale international arts festival in November, it’s telling the world about Chiang Rai being a “city of art”. The northern city is home to several prominent artists, some producing world-class contemporary art. Nakhon Ratchasima is meanwhile being touted as the third of Thailand’s “Art Cities”.

The envoys got to see Baan Dam (Black House), home of the late National Artist Thawan Duchanee, the Princess Mother (Mae Fah Luang) Museum and the Doi Tung sustainable-development project.

Cambodian Ambassador Long Visalo said he found the excursion “interesting”.

“I learned more about how Thai artists turn their home studios into art museums, as at Baan Dam,” he said. “And at Mae Fah Luang and Doi Tung, I learned how clever the late King Bhumibol and his mother were in turning opium fields into beautiful, sustainable and legal croplands. All of this can be adapted to fit with other Asean countries.”

The diplomats also toured Wat Rong Khun, the “white temple” built in recent decades by another National Artist, Chalermchai Kosipipat, and stopped for tea that was served in ceramic teacups handmade at Somluck Pantiboon’s Doi Din Daeng Pottery.

Somluck uses local red earth and trains 15 novices in the manufacture of utensils and decorative items that are sold to top hotels and restaurants and exported to Japan and Europe.

South African Ambassador Geoffrey Quinton Michell Doidge enjoys an exhibition at Chiang Rai’s Art Bridge.

At the Jinnaluck Mulberry Saa Paper Factory, the envoys and their spouses tried their hands at making the paper themselves. At Krua Silpa – the Art Bridge – they viewed the contemporary artwork of the young co-founders, who also conduct workshops.

Art Bridge president Songdej Thepthong explained to the visitors that the idea is to forge a bridge between artists and the community at large. He thanked the ministry for promoting Chiang Rai as an art city, but said the effort requires long-term support.

The Hall of Opium museum recalls the history of the Golden Triangle on the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar.

Within the Golden Triangle spanning parts of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, the Hall of Opium examines the history of the opium trade, ending with its virtual eradication in Thailand thanks to the efforts of King Bhumibol and the Princess Mother.

Across the border in Keng Tung, the largest town in Shan state, Myanmar Ambassador Myo Myint Than welcomed the touring diplomats over dinner. He promised them a weekend of “beautiful culture” and ample evidence of the similarities between Thai and Burmese tradition and culture.

“It’s my first trip to Shan too,” he said, explaining that he had to get central-government permission to travel there, so sensitive is the political protocol involved.

U Mu Lin Ta’s family runs the last surviving laquerware production house in Keng Tung.

Keng Tung culture bears similarities to that of neighbouring Chiang Rai chiefly because Thailand occupied it from 1942 to 1945. It’s a city in transition, with infrastructure being steadily built, but the surrounding nature and Buddhist-influenced culture are indeed undeniably beautiful.

Oman Ambassador Abdullah Saleh Ahmed Al Maimani shows his talent in painting at the U Mu Lin Ta Laquerware production house in Keng Tung, Myanmar.

“Traffic is increasing because the city is on the Asian highway network connecting Kunming and Jinghong in China and Chiang Rai,” said Saviti Suwansathit of the Thai Culture Ministry. “It’s beneficial to the economy and for tourism, but traditional culture could be harmed if the development doesn’t proceed carefully.”

The party followed the new highway to Wat Chom Doi Loy, whose perch atop a mountain affords excellent views of surrounding forests and rice fields. The first temple built in Keng Tung is believed to hold strands of hair of the Lord Buddha within its compound.

Wat Chom Loy is believed to be the first Buddhist monument erected in Keng Tung, Myanmar. It’s said to hold strands of the Lord Buddha’s hair.

In a village called Aen, the ethnic Shan minority greeted the travellers, who quickly began purchasing lovely fabrics made locally by hand.

Back in Keng Tung, they toured U Mu Lin Ta, the town’s last surviving family-run lacquerware production house. Invited to help paint a piece that typically takes a month to complete, Oman Ambassador Abdullah Saleh Ahmed Al Maimani showed his talent for decorative art.

Golden Buddha statues in the Burmese style adorn the country’s important temples, including the Maha Myat Muni at Wat Phra Sao Loang and Wat Hua Kwang in Keng Tung. But at Wat Chom Kham, the faith that unites the two countries was evident in the many Thai-style Buddha statues. Also on display is a photo of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visiting the temple in 1994.

The ambassadors were impressed with the cross-border weaving of art, culture and religion. Francisco De Assis Morais E Cunha Vaz Patto of Portugal, whose remit spans both countries along with four others in Southeast Asia, was on his second visit to Chiang Rai, but he’d never been to Shan state before.

“I’m very happy to see culture in two different nations be so close in so many aspects,” he said. “It’s important to show their similarities and to maintain their independence, and also to try to preserve them and support them.

“Buddhism is very strong in both cultures. It’s probably more modernised in Thailand because Myanmar is less developed, but I have the sense that it will grow there very fast.

“Culture helps bring diverse peoples closer,” Vaz Patto said. “For the Portuguese, it’s one of the international principles of diplomacy. It’s not a matter of how rich or how powerful a country is – we try to use culture as the key instrument in promoting diplomatic relations. When we share culture, we’re close.”