Audio Technica has put its thumping great Pure Digital Drive technology into its new SR (Sound Reality) Series flagship headphones, the ATHDSR9BT, and the result is amazing quality with powerful bass.

The DSR9BT is actually quite similar to the DSR7BT previously reviewed here, but some significant improvements have been made.

First, these headphones feature a wider frequency range – 5 to 45,000Hz, up from the 5 to 40,000Hz of the preceding model – and impedance has been boosted to 38 ohms from 35.

Moreover, the DSR9BT is more comfortable to wear, with a wider sliding headband, and made of finer materials.

It comes with a hard carrying case, whereas the earlier model was held in a soft pouch.

Impressively, the DSR9BT can handle High-Resolution Audio when the Bluetooth wireless audio signal is transmitted to the headphones by a music player that supports Qualcomm’s aptX HD codec, which transmits audio signals at 24bit/48Hz.

I tested it with Sony’s XA Premium, which had been upgraded with Android 8.0 to deal with the aptX HD codec.

Playing FLAC 24bit/192kHz music tracks, I found that the DSR9BT reproduced very good quality sounds with terrific clarity and detail and bone-shaking bass. The headphones are also good for the AAC and SBC codecs.

The wonderful sound clarity is apparently due to the introduction of Audio Technica’s exclusive Pure Digital Drive system and reengineered 45mm True Motion Drivers.

Pure Digital Drive allows the headphones to operate without the sound-degrading D/A converter found in conventional wireless headphones.

The DSR9BT uses Trigence Semiconductor’s D-note chipset, so it can receive a Bluetooth wireless transmission, processing the digital audio signal and transferring it to the drivers, where the digital pulses of the chipset move the voice coil and diaphragm forward and backward to create the sound waves you hear.

The True Motion Drivers feature specially designed diaphragms and lightweight, bobbin-wound voice coils to deliver impressive, nuanced, high-resolution sound reproduction.

A pair of acoustic resistors controls the airflow in front of and behind the diaphragm to ensure a natural, balanced sound. And the entire driver assembly is housed within a layered aluminium structure that minimises unwanted resonance and isolates the electric circuitry from the housing’s acoustic space, resulting in optimal phase and transient response.

The Pure Digital Drive technology allows the headphones to handle the aptX HD Hi-Res Audio Bluetooth codec. Hi-Res Audio format is said to have around five times more detail in the music than a standard audio CD.

The DSR9BT has sensitivity of 97dB, a little lower than the DSR7BT, which has 100.

Battery life is essential for Bluetooth headphones and the DSR9BT is good for about 15 hours of continuous use (or 1,000 hours on standby). It takes about four hours to fully recharge the battery.

The headphones are certainly comfortable to wear for long periods, since the headband and earpads are soft and the headband is adjustable for a cosy fit. Plus, the headphones only weigh 310 grams.

I felt no discomfort at all while testing them and was wearing them for hours listening to various types of music.

The DSR9BT has a good design in terms of ease of use, including a builtin microphone to serve as wireless headset for your smartphone.

There’s a power switch on the right side and volume control on the left. Indicator lamps on the left display operating status and battery level.

A tap controller on the left side let you play or pause the music and videos and handle phone calls.

A micro USB port is also on the left, for recharging the battery and connecting to a computer (to use the headphones as highquality USB DAC sound system).

A two-metre USB cable is provided with the package.

I connected the headphones to my notebook computer’s USB port and used the foobar 2000 application to play Hi-Res Audio files of FLAC 24bit/192 kHz format. They sounded great with very good detail and powerful bass.

The Bluetooth connection was easy to set, thanks to NFC technology. I simply tapped the “N” mark on the left side of the headband to the back of the XZ Premium, and the connection was automatic.

The DSR9BT is good for listening to rock and audiophile singing because the vocals come across so clearly and the bass is quite dense.

The volume controls are also used to change tracks. Slide it to the “plus” side and hold for two seconds to move to the next track, opposite direction for the previous track.

The tap controller also has multiple functions. When a call comes to a connected phone, you tap it once to answer or tap and hold for two seconds to reject the call. While in conversation, you can doubletap to end the call. The same control can adjust the volume on a call.

While playing music, tap to pause or resume the music, doubletap to see the battery level, and tap and hold for four seconds to activate a connected phone’s speech-recognition feature, such as Siri.

Audio Technica’s ATHDSR9BT has a suggested retail price of Bt19,900.

KEY SPECS

– Driver Diameter: 45 mm

– Frequency Response: 5 to 45,000Hz

– Sensitivity: 97dB/mW

– Impedance: 38 ohms

– Battery: 3.7V rechargeable lithium polymer

– Battery Life: 15 hours continuous use, 1,000 hours standby

– Charging Time: Five hours for full charge

– Weight: 310 grams without cable

– Accessories included: 2m USB charging cable, hard carrying case

– Microphone type: condenser

– Polar pattern (microphone): omni-directional

– Input jack: Micro USB Type B

– Communication system: Bluetooth Version 4.2

– Output: Bluetooth Specification Power Class 2

– Maximum communication range: Line of sight 10m

– Compatible Bluetooth profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP

– Support codec: aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC

Integrated flood and drought management for sustainable development in the Pa Sak River Basin under the nineyear master plan “The Power of Human Energy: A Journey Inspired by the King”, the ambitious project supported by Chevron Thailand, is now entering its second phase.

The master plan is divided into three phases: “Tok Sao Khem” meaning building a strong foundation through public acknowledgement, “Taek Tua” referring to extending results, and “Network Connection”, relating to the policy change of five national parties, namely the government, academia, public-private organisations, civil society and mass media.

The second phase is themed “Taek Tua Thua Thai … Ao Mue Samakkhi” in a reference to people getting together in a movement that’s spreading across the country and covering four provinces. It began with a farm demonstration property at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology’s Faculty of Agricultural Technology in Lat Krabang before extending to Sukhachai Supsiri’s Rai Suk Klangjai in Ratchaburi, Sawang Srithambutr’s land in Udon Thani, and a sufficiency economy learning centre at Wat Phra Borommathat Doi Pha Som in Samoeng, Chiang Mai.

This temple, which houses relics of the Buddha, is a prototype for loom khanom khrok (catchments) in the five-rai upland of Huai Pa Kluai in Chiang Mai’s Baan Om Long, which adheres to His Majesty the late King Bhumibol’s sufficiency philosophy. The upland showcases the late Monarch’s wisdom through an earthen dyke, “3 forests and 4 benefits”, vetiver grass, mountain farming, a check dam and klong sai kai (binding canals), and chiang da (Gymnema sylvestre) as the economic plant. All catchments in four provinces are designed by the Faculty of Architecture at King Mongkut’s Institute under the programme “Thai Social Geographic Design: Followup and evaluation of water management in the community”.

“Our projects over the past four years have proved that His Majesty the late King Bhumibol’s philosophy can help solve problems of flood and drought, economy and society, and bring a better quality of life to the country’s farmers. Some agriculturists can overcome obstacles and problems and become totally self-sufficient,” says Artit Krichphiphat, a general manager at Chevron Thailand.

“This second phase involves building a human resource model and also a tool for developing the learning centre into life-wide education under the structure of bovorn meaning home, temple and school. And the sufficiency economy learning centre at Wat Phra Borommathat Doi Pha Som is a very successful example of that structure. The temple is a centre for this community, the school and the governmental unit to help each other to conserve and protect natural resources and watershed forest, avoid wildfires, alleviate villagers’ debts, and ensure education in a kind of home school. Today, it is a self-reliant community, which has learned how to live with the forest and with self-sufficiency. Most importantly, this learning centre successfully follows His Majesty the late King’s 9-step theory to the sufficiency economy livelihood,” says Dr Wiwat Salyakamthorn, who is better known as Ajarn Yak, president of the Agri-Nature Foundation and Institute of Sufficiency Economy.

The temple at Doi Pha Som has been applying His Majesty the late King’s philosophy in the project, “1 Rai Khunnatham” since 2008. The abbot, Phra Sorayut Chaiyapanyo, adopted the bovorn concept and implemented the sufficiency economy through the “Forest Reservation, Water Conservation, and Check Dam”, “Self Sufficiency and Wet Fire Break Prevention”, “Energy Conservation and Alternative Fuel”, and “New Education Reforms” activities.

“We attended short courses in developing agriculture into the sufficiency economy at the Mab Aung Natural Agricultural Centre as well as at the Huai Hong Krai Development Study Centre in Chiang Mai, the Muang Ngai Agriculture Garden Special Royal Project and the Development Strategies of Pathom Asoke Village and the Sustainable Development. We help the villagers to bring self reliance into their daily lives,” says Phra Weerayut Aphiwiro, or Kru Ba Jok.

“We spent one year putting what we had learned through trials and error on Uncle Don’s 3rai of land, which today is used to grow upland rice, chrysanthemums and stevia. We applied His Majesty the late King’s sufficiency economy philosophy of ‘3 forests 4 benefits’ into our land.

At first, the villagers weren’t sure whether the sufficiency economy would be able to help them reduce their debt as they faced a lot of complex problems. The first of these was a shortage of farm labour, because their children didn’t come back home after graduating in the city. The second was that strawberries were grown here with high concentrations of chemicals.

Without their children to help, the villagers got loans from a bank to hire 10 or 20 alien workers to take care of the strawberries for the whole year. And worse still, they were forced to borrow money at extremely high interest rates from a loan shark at the Flower Market in Bangkok. When the villagers delivered their strawberries to Bangkok, they received bills only, with deductions for capital expenditure of purchasing a car and a house. The villagers were involved in these illegal loans for 10 years and were shouldering the burden of debt to both of the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives and loan sharks. Today, the villagers have a much better lives.

“Because of their problems, they didn’t worry too much about the environment and cared little about wildfire and drought. I remember going on an alms-round in the morning and receiving only a little food, but nowadays, there is plenty of food, enough for 30-40 people,” says the 36-year-old monk.

The villages began by helping to construct weirs and growing vetiver grass. Within three years, they had built more than 1,000 water weirs over a distance of three kilometres.

They now have enough water and even small waterfalls. They have also installed natural fire breaks around an area of 12,000 rai.

For six years, the villagers have been able to live on what they earn without requiring capital from other sources. Doing away with commercial chemicals and fertilisers and making their own with what nature provides has put an end to the spiral of debt.

Their income comes from selling Karen rice, bananas, coffee, garlic, and processing products such as soap and shampoo. Their coffee is sold under their own brand, Hug Pa meaning “hug the forest”, and they operate a coffeeshop called 7 Heaven.

“We are now partnering with Mae Ploy, a chilli sauce company, acting as a kind of sub factory for selecting and separating garlic. Nowadays, we deliver hundreds of tons of garlic to the company,” says Kru Ba Jok.

Indeed, Baan Om Long is now such a well-managed community that it shares responsibilities with seven groups covering interior affairs, development, public health, culture, finance, industry, and agriculture. The temple acts as a consultant.

“Next, we will plant a forest in the villagers’ heart, extinguish fires in their mind, and foster sufficiency in their hearts,” says Kru Ba Jok.

Sony’s GTKXB90 can bring true energy to your party with Extra Bass beats and party lights. Incredible Infinity Mirror lighting takes visual effects to the next level, and a rechargeable battery lets you hold parties anywhere for up to 16 hours. It can handle an LDAC high-resolution Bluetooth connection. The suggested retail price is Bt11,990.

Mate 10’s a marvel

The Huawei Mate 10 Pro features Huawei’s Kirin 970 octacore processor and AI technology and a Leica dual-camera system. The AI helps the main camera easily achieve real-time recognition of scenes and bokeh effects. The six-inch 18:9 OLED display has 2,160×1080 pixels. You get 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Expect to pay Bt27,900.

Never a dull moment

The Marshall Monitor Bluetooth combines Hi-FI prowess and Bluetooth aptX technology to give you 30-plus hours of exceptional audio quality on a single charge. The Monitor Bluetooth’s ergonomic overear construction delivers superior noise isolation without the bulk, staying light on your ears through hours of listening. It retails for Bt8,990.

Go “Beyond Max’

The Beyond Max is a smartphone from Thai firm PTE Intergroup with a dual-camera system for the rear camera, eight and two megapixels. The 5.2-inch IPS display has a resolution of 1,280×720 pixels. You have 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, the gadget running on Android 7.0. With a 2,400mAh battery, it’s selling for Bt3,790.

Keep up with the Beats

The Beats Studio3 Wireless maintains the sleek design of its forerunners but also offers redesigned acoustic components and an upgraded manufacturing process for premium ergonomic comfort and optimal noise isolation. The integrated Apple W1 chip provides the easiest onestep Bluetooth connection to an iPhone via proximity pairing. It’s in stores for Bt12,500.

A Bluetooth speaker system with a stylish vertical design and big sounds and good bass for enjoying music at home or at parties, the LG Sound Tower FJ1 comes with a wooden stand and a bass port located near the floor. Looking sleek in black, the speaker tower is about 960 millimetres tall and, it must be said, adds a certain panache to a room.

Two woofers flank the tweeters inside while the subwoofer is hidden on the side near the bass port at the bottom.

In another useful design component, the FJ1 has a slot on its top for placing your smartphone that is Bluetooth-linked to the speaker. Since you can recharge your smartphone with a USB port provided at its right side, the provided channel is very useful for placing your phone when you are recharging it.

Apart from streaming music from your smartphone or tablet computer via Bluetooth, you can also listen to FM stereo and play music files from your USB drive on the FJ1. It comes with a 3.5mm stereo jackin and AUXin for connecting to the selected music source, such as a portable MP3 player or a CD player.

The tuner function supports 87.5 to 108.0 MHz as well as alarm and sleep functions, allowing you to use it to wake you up in the morning with an FM broadcast and to turn itself off after you fall asleep at night.

The FJ1 is very loud as it has 100 watts of output power – 25 watts for stereo channels and 50 watts for the sub woofer.

Each of the music channels uses one 1.5-inch tweeter and one 4-inch woofer. The system uses one 5.25-inch subwoofer with bass port design to enhance the bass output.

The speaker system is good for party and dance music as its midrange and high sounds are outstanding and the bass level is good though not floor shaking one.

The FJ1 can be connected to two Bluetooth devices at once so you and your friends can take turns controlling it during a party without one of you disconnecting first.

The FJ1 comes with six equaliser settings of Standard, Pop, Classic, Rock, Jazz, and Bass Blast based on music taste. The choice of your EQ setting is displayed on its LED panel.

I tested the system by playing dance and EDM streamed from my JOOX account on my smartphone along with the music files stored on my USB. It had no problem supporting my choice of folder, and even briefly displayed the name of the folder its the LED panel.

The remote control made it intuitive to operate the speaker system too.

LG Sound Tower FJ1 has a suggested retail price of Bt5,990.

KEY SPECS

– Output power: 25 wattsx2, plus 50 watts for subwoofer

– Functions: Tuner, USB, AUX, Portablein, Bluetoothl

– Tuner: FM 87.5108.0 MHz

– Speakers: 2×1.5inch tweeter, 2x4inch woofer, 1×5.25inch subwoofer

– Speaker impedance: 4  ohms

– Dimensions: 142x960x153mm (WxHxD)

It’s all explained in the exhibition “Spaces within Space: A Vision of Co-Living Generation”, continuing through Sunday at Woof Pack Bangkok on Salaldaeng Soi 1 off Rama IV Road.

AP and Fabrica, the Benetton Group’s communication-research centre, are pursuing new ways of thinking in the way interiors are designed. Innovation in layout and design, they believe, can in turn improve the way people behave towards and work with one another.

The Space Scholarship combines AP’s expertise in creating living spaces with Fabrica’s creative-thinking approach and will result in condominium units specially designed for the scholarship winners.

Scholarships are “awarded” in square metres in a condominium managed by AP. The idea is to connect the lives of seven students from the provinces who have good study records but are short on fund and lack a place to live. Forced to move to Bangkok to pursue their university studies, they can now take advantage of this programme.

The condominiums are both near universities – Aspire Rattanathibet 2 and Aspire Sathorn-Taksin.

“For this project, AP aims to present the design of co-living of the future via a study and discovery of spaces hidden within space – what our team calls ‘the third space’ – and how we look at space in every dimension,” says AP (Thailand) marketing chief Sappasit Foongfaungchaveng.

“We have the expertise in designing quality living space, especially life in a condominium, where every square inch is so valuable so you have to make the best use of it.

“We’ve combined our expertise with that of Fabrica, whose conceptual strength is in the connection of cultural differences to bring about work that hits the right note with people around the world. We’ve worked together to create a living space for seven students from different provinces to live together happily.

“AP attaches great importance to the design and construction of the room for the scholarship recipients,” Sappasit says. “That’s why our Design Lab chose to work with a world-class design studio like Fabrica, which is a hub for a new generation of thinkers and designers. The design director of the Treviso-based studio is Sam Baron, a famous personality in the international design community. He’s an idol for young designers and is recognised as one of the decade’s greatest designers. He helped us discover and make the best use of every square inch of the third space from the design overlapping which is also made to look beautiful and carries a strong identity.”

“I admire AP for creating such a good social project like the Space Scholarship,” Baron says. “In my opinion this project will help improve the quality of life for youngsters in Thai society. The challenge was that you’ve got to design living spaces in a condominium for students to live together. These kids didn’t know each other before. They’re from different provinces, backgrounds and cultures.

“We designed a room for four male kids and another room for three female kids. One design philosophy at Fabrica is the blending of cultural differences into one. One of the strengths allowing Fabrica to create work that resonates around the world is that we have young thinkers and designers of different races. They came together to create design work that clearly understands and reflects cultural value.”

Learn more at http://www.APThai.com/spacescholarship.

Featuring the world’s only suspended dinner table, 22 guests are fixed securely in German TUV-approved safety harnesses, enjoying a four-course gourmet dinner prepared by Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit and accompanied by incredible city views above the Emporium and Dinosaur Planet – straight off BTS Phrom Phong.

Guests will be seated around a large dinner table with the entire Dinner In The Sky system suspended by a 200-tonne European telescopic boom crane. The experience promises front row seats to the most astonishing views the city has to offer, either at sunset or late on into the night sky. Free Uber riders to and from the experience are also arranged.

“Thailand has always been recognised as a leader in Asia for dining options of all kinds. But Dinner In The Sky is Thailand’s first high-end dinner table to be suspended and served at this altitude. This innovation encourages guests to take their eating experience to new heights,” said Friso Poldervaart of Dinner In The Sky Thailand.

Dinner In The Sky has operations in more than 45 countries including France, USA, Holland, Colombia, China, Macau, Denmark, Finland, Japan, Sweden, Taiwan, and Portugal.

“We have a catering team on site headed by executive chef Gaetano Palumbo who has designed a menu that perfectly complements the extraordinary high-altitude experience on first take-off,” added Robert Wittebrood, executive assistant manager of Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit.

Dinner in the Sky is designed according to German safety standard DIN 4112 regarding flying structures specifications, and has surpassed world-leading German TUV-accredited standards. Based in Kuala Lumpur, DITS ASIA chose Thailand to become the second Southeast Asian country after Malaysia in 2015.

Seats are sold online at http://www.Dinnerinthesky.co.th for Bt4,990 on weekdays and Bt5,390 on weekends, inclusive of the four-course meal. There will be two flight sessions per day; sunset at 6pm and city lights at 7.30pm. The flight duration is 60 minutes.

Thai fashion brand Poem presents the elegant art installation on the concept of “It’s Snowing Diamonds” featuring Poem couture bejewelled with crystals while natural and organic products brand Panpuri sets up a dashing Christmas tree adorned with 204 pieces of the exquisite peafowl signature glass.

“The Christmas tree is symbolic of happiness. The celebration illustrates love and warm. So, lighting the Christmas tree is the true beginning of the holiday celebration and also the start of the happy and noteworthy moment,” said Vorravit Siripark, founder and chief executive officer of Panpuri.

Montblanc has a Christmas decoration under the concept of “Circus”, inspired by the ambition and imagination of PT Barnum, American showman who founded the circus in the 19th century with his legendary “Greatest Show on Earth”.

Fashion brand Lonely Two-Legged Creature by noted architect Duangrit Bunnag invented an Christmas installation dubbed “The moment of getting together”, inspired by the story of clothes and special drinks he designed for his boutique-cum-cafe to welcome the festive season.

Japanese eyewear brand Owndays presents ab installation that mimics Polaroid frames adorned with various Christmas characters, while 1823 Tea Lounge by Ronnefeldt brings a new meaning to Christmas tree with its Christmas Tea made from its iconic tea tins.

Other renowned brands such as Thann, Maxmara, Eric Kayser, Starbucks and Bric’s are also celebrating Christmas with their own stylish installations all over the Gaysorn Village. Visitors can join “Make a wish” activity and have a chance to win special prizes sponsored by the above 11 of fashion and lifestyle brands.

Shoppers can discover new ideas for heart-warming gifts for loved ones at the Gaysorn Creative Gift Fair on the second floor, where more than 20 shops will showcase their special products.

And with Christmas the time for sharing, visitors can also join “Gaysorn Spirit of Giving”. From now on, every time you come to shop or and dine at the Gaysorn Village, bring along items you no longer want such as shoes, bags, shirts, accessories, sports equipment, electric appliances. These items will be on sale with the money used for 150 education scholarships for the disadvantaged children from Pankan Society project by the Yuvabadhana Foundation.

And don’t leave before tasting the tempting signature dishes from the many food trucks parked outdoors.

The Harnn for Her collection is raising money for Pink Park Village, a non-profit holistic-care centre being established by the Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer Foundation.

Held in a pouch tied with a pink ribbon, the collection costs Bt2,340 and includes Rose & Geranium Rice Bran Oil Soap, Oriental Rose Shower Gel, Body Balm, and Hand Balm.

The nourishing Oriental Rose collection is infused with rice-bran oil, shea butter, seaweed extracts, the co-enzyme Q10 and oil from the Asian rose.

The collection is available at Harnn stores and http://www.Harnn.com.

The idea for the fund-raiser came from the touching story of a Harnn employee who was diagnosed with breast cancer.

On her journey through treatment and recovery, she came across the Pink Park project and had the opportunity to meet Dr Kris Chatamra, chairman of the Breast Cancer Foundation and founder of the village.

He explained that countless Thai women in urgent need of care simply cannot afford the help they need. The revelation prompted the folks at Harnn to seek a means of offering support.

Pink Park Village is being established on 121 rai in Nong Chok on the outskirts of Bangkok.

It will not only provide holistic treatment but also the physical and mental support that can be essential to recovery, all within a harmonious environment.

The site will feature a hospice, convalescence facilities, diagnostic and training centres, day care and a rehabilitation home.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women in Thailand, claiming 12 lives a day on average. One in every 10 women stands a chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer.

More worrying is the fact that half of the patients in Thailand are unable to pay for regular check-ups, let alone treatment, even as studies show that early diagnosis can boost the chances of fighting off breast cancer to 98 per cent.

Find out more at http://www.QSCBFoundation.org.

Tuck into authentic Chinese food at the Ambassador Hotel Bangkok’s Chinese restaurant Hong Teh where dishes of the month include Baked Scallops with XO Sauce and Vermicelli in a Clay Pot. Prices start at Bt350 per dish and the restaurant is open daily from noon to 9pm. Book your table at (02) 254 0444 extension 1562 or email at fbmbkk@amtel.co.th.

A taste of Greece

Greek specialities are under the spotlight all this month at Oasis at Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya. The delicacies include crispy fresh Greek salad (Bt280), beeftaki (Bt300-plus), ground beef served with Greek herbs and potatoes, kebabs of chicken (Bt250-plus), beef (Bt300-plus) and lamb (Bt320-plus), and a Greek-style burger of lamb and beef (Bt350), with feta cheese and tzatziki sauce. Oasis has both indoor and outdoor seating, and is open from 6am to 11pm. Book your table at |(038) 714 981.

Scarlett’s hot lady

Winner of “Top Chef Thailand” Chef Tam or Chudaree Debhakam will be the special guest chef at Scarlett Wine Bar & Restaurant from Thursday to Monday. The first female chef to guest at the restaurant, Tam will collaborate with Scarlett’s talented team in the creation of seven irresistible a-la-carte menu items including chicken liver mousse with spiced tamarind and grilled sourdough and enticing cured seabream with local citrus and lemongrass oil. |For reservations, call (02) 352 4000, |(096) 860 7990 or email scarlettbkk@randblab.com.

Beer Belly goes pop

Thai pop outfit 25 Hours take the stage on November 29 at Beer Belly and will be playing such hits as “Mai Koey”, “Fah Pen Jai” and “Rue Doo Kal” off their latest album, “Night Heaven” Admission is free. Beer Belly is part |of 72 Courtyard at the Phetchaburi end of |Soi Thonglor. Book your seat at (02) 392 7770 |or check out http://www.facebook.com/ events/1498028086910354.

Four hands in the kitchen

Domenico Francone, executive chef at Tuscany’s Castello Banfi, whose Sala dei Grappoli restaurant was named one of Italy’s best 100 restaurants earlier this year at the prestigious Chef Awards, will join Ciao Terrazza’s new Chef de Cuisine Marcello Scognamiglio for a series of exclusive “Four Hands” dinners at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok from tomorrow through Saturday. Prices start at Bt2,500-plus per person. Reserve a table at (02) 659 9000 ext.7390 or email mobkk-restaurants@mohg.com

After a major refurbishment, the library is all ready to reopen and is turning its grounds into a weekend marketplace for readers, offering thousands of fiction, non-fiction, and large-format books in English, plus a selection of other languages, donated by Neilson Hays Library supporters. Prices start at only Bt20.

The event also helps reduce plastic waste by inviting customers to bring their own bag and provides a Bt10 paper bag for anyone wanting extra. The neighbourhood British Club will also serve a choice of delectable food and drinks at the event, and parking is only available in the Voravit Building (Surawong Road, near Naret Road, approximately 20 metres before library entrance) at the fee of Bt30 per hour.

Those wanting to contribute to the sale can drop off books at the library between 9.30am to 5pm. Proceeds will go towards the extensive restoration of its landmark building.

Find more details at (02) 233 1731 or email admin@neilsonhayslibrary.com.