With the sun rising over the city, celebrities Karn Chatikavanij, Pitchana Ekachai, Stephanie Lerch, Chaiyapat Sadakorn, Paranya Lapudomsakul, Pathanon Treethepchanchai, and Jutarat Kaewmanee were put through their paces at the event sponsored by leading New Zealand leading wine brand, Brancott Estate and Brew Yoga Thailand, an event organiser who specialises in orchestrating bubbly workouts with a variety of favorite beverages.

“Yoga Wine” was recently introduced in Thailand and quickly gained popularity among health enthusiasts looking for an innovative workout.

Yoga Wine adapted the traditional yoga by bringing in wines to pair up with the balancing routine of yoga. The method creates artistic movements for the body while grasping a wine glass and posing elegantly. The challenge is the balancing of the wine-filled glass throughout the session without spilling in order to taste the drink after the session. The Zumba class that followed was designed to help relax the body, allowing all the muscles to work to their fullest extent.

The ambiance and the venue are two important factors and Sunrise Wine Yoga certainly met both criteria. The venue offered the experience of doing yoga on the biggest sky-high glass floor in the city as the warm sunrise gently bathed them in light,

The combination of classic yoga and a great white wine turned out to be a new exciting method of exercise with a fun vibe. Brancott Estate Flight was selected to pair with this yoga session for its characteristics that match perfectly with the wellness concept of the event. This low-calorie Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand is a white wine that comes with 90 calories per 142 ml of serving, a light body, and medium acidity.

The launch aims to firm up KOI’s reputation as an elite fine-dining establishment offering Japanese cuisine with a Californian twist in a modern setting and breathtaking city views. Started in Los Angeles in 2002 then opening in New York, Las Vegas and Bangkok, KOI has become extremely popular with celebrities and the business elite for its signature offerings.

The KOI Experiences programme offers a multi-tiered membership beginning with a Red Card allowing holders to collect points immediately for every baht spent enabling access to exclusive services such as welcome drinks and birthday gifts and across all services including hotel accommodation and care rental.

“Our customers are our greatest asset and KOI Experience is our way to thank and reward them for their loyalty and trust and will always continue looking to offer new exclusive benefits to our customers. KOI Experience is not just a loyalty programme, it is a way of living and well-being,” said Vittorio Bertini, executive general manager.

KOI Experiences Loyalty Programme has 4 card tiers: Red, Gold, Platinum and Black. The Red Card can be obtained by any KOI customer by completing the relevant application form on the KOI’s website. Every Red Card member can earn 10 points for every Bt100 spend, enjoy welcome drinks on select nights and receive a birthday gift card valued at Bt1,000.

The Gold Card is granted to customers who spend Bt24,999 in any of the KOI channels. As a Gold member, features include 15 points for every Bt100 spent, welcome drinks on select nights, an invitation to special events and a birthday gift card valued at Bt2,000.

The Platinum Card requires Bt39,999 spent at any of the KOI establishments and gives Platinum members 20 points for every Bt100 spend, welcome drinks on select nights, invitations to exclusive KOI events with guaranteed reserved seating, priority VIP bookings and a birthday gift card valued at Bt3,000.

The Black Card is the ultimate KOI Experience Card which can be obtained by invitation only. Black Card members earn 125 points for every Bt100 spend, enjoy welcome drinks on selected nights, receive bubbles and cake as a birthday gift, personal invitations to KOI’s exclusive events with a guaranteed reserved VIP table as well as invitations to special occasions available exclusively for Black Card Members.

Join the loyalty programme at https://koiexperience.com/koi-experience-loyalty

To join the activity, register via http://www.bemplc.co.th or the Bangkok MRT application from today until August 4 and you could be among the 20 lucky peoples (1 prize per 2 seats) to catch the movie at at Esplanade Cineplex Ratchadapisek (Thailand Cultural Centre MRT Station exit 3). The movie starts at 8pm and the winners will be announced two days earlier – on August 5 – at http://www.bemplc.co.th and on the Bangkok MRT App.‬

A whopping Bt45 million has been spent on the showcase, which unveiled exclusive timepieces flown in directly from the Swiss horology institute, SIHH.

The latest creation under Franck Muller’s Double Mystery collection – with a price tag of Bt25 million – was modelled by high-profile designer and celebrity Vatanika Patamasingh Na Ayudhaya. The dial of this dazzling piece is embellished with 21.28 carats of baguette diamonds interspersed with 0.98 carats of sapphires, rubies and savourites, all set on a classic crocodile leather strap. The complicated design lives up to its “mystery”, as there are neither numbers nor hands, but two discs that rotate with the gemstones serving as time markers.

Actor Warintorn “Grate” Panhakarn, meanwhile, showed off Corum’s Admiral AC-One 45 Double Tourbillon sports watch, which has a dodecagonal bazel surrounding the dial with nautical pennants on the flange. It comes with a price tag of Bt4.5 million.

Actor Chanatip “Champ” Phothongkam was spotted wearing Timex’s Q Timex limited edition, of which only 10 pieces are available in Thailand, while actress Kannarun “Prang” Wongkajornklai sported Titan’s Purple in rose gold with Swarovski crystals decorating the dial.

The band “SBFIVE” won the most cheers as they presented cool timepieces, such as Garmin’s MARQ Series designed for adventure lovers and Citizen’s Promaster 30th Anniversary Exclusive Collection, the world’s first multi-band radio-controlled watch powered by eco-drive technology, worn

Suradet “Bas” Piniwat modelled Casio’s MTG-B1000RB, one of only 4,000 pieces available in the world, and Luminox’s Navy Seals 3600 Series. Panuwat “Coper” Kerdthonglavee, wore Rado’s Caption Cook Limited Edition, which has only 50 pieces available in Thailand, and Hamilton’s Ventura, the official “Men in Black” watch.

Varodom “Kimmon” Khemmonta modelled Tissot’s Moto GP 2019 Limited Edition, which only has 50 pieces available in Thailand, and Seiko’s Prospex Spring Driver Diver 300m. LX Line. Darvid “Tae” Kreepolrerk presented Maurice Lacroix’s unique Aikon Venturer and SevenFriday’s SF-P3C/02 aka “Racer”.

The band wrapped up their modelling by bringing the cheers to fever pitch by performing their most popular number.

Apart from the fashion show, visitors were also given the opportunity to learn about each brand’s history and got to view special collections up-close-and-personal with popular celebrities like actor Mario Maurer and actresses Meen Pichaya and Taew Nathapohn showing off timepieces from Swatch, Gucci, Longines, Rado and Klasse 14.

Chanisa Kaewruen, senior deputy managing director for marketing and business relations of Siam Paragon Development, said this year’s watch expo features more than 30,000 timepieces covering every segment – from masterpiece to luxury and even smart watches. “Each brand has its special anniversary edition, which is sought after by collectors and investors,” she said.

Also on display were special timepieces created by Wise and Klasse 14 to mark the coronation of King Rama X.

But it’s increasingly accepted that Big Data is not only beneficial but also essential in determining both state policy governing all our lives and in helping corporations fine-tune their strategies.

But as speakers noted at a recent seminar in Bangkok, “Utilisation of Women Information in Big Data” organised by ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN), women’s roles in providing and evaluating the data are limited – to their collective disadvantage.

Irene Boey from Singapore, Cindy Chaw Khin Khin of Myanmar and Maria Cristina Coronel of Philippines-based Pointwest Technologies Corp joined Gwynpong Chatanon, head of data management at Thailand’s Advanced Info Services (AIS) in assessing the current situation.

Boey explained that “sex-disaggregated” data allow for the measurement of differences between women and men in various social and economic dimensions and were key to obtaining accurate gender statistics.

“Gender statistics rely on these data to reflect the realities of the lives of women and men and policy issues relating to gender,” she said. “This is a way to promote women’s economic power as the world transitions towards a digital economy. It starts with collecting sex-disaggregated data to differentiate the needs of female and male entrepreneurs.”

Khin Khin acknowledged that, among Southeast Asian nations, Myanmar was the “newcomer” to the world of technology.

“We are the last to open up,” she said. “Internet use, social media advertising and the Facebook audience all continue to growth, but women are so far not included in the digital economy. The challenge is how Myanmar can develop its digital economy and utilise women’s information in the form of Big Data.”

Gwynpong stressed the value of Big Data analysis in gaining insight into people’s behaviour, enabling better, more precise planning in response. Smarter technologies bring smarter insights, he said, so businesses can leapfrog past competitors in terms of performance.

“Big Data can be analysed for insights that lead to better decisions and strategic business moves. This is data in volumes too great to process by traditional methods, but Big Data is the new oil.”

Gwynpong noted that data can be analysed “descriptively” or “predictively”.

In one example of the former he cited, AIS research conducted via its Customer App found that 39 per cent of women enjoy playing games online, 36 per cent do their banking on the internet and 27 per cent shop online – and all these figures topped those of men by 1-5 per cent.

Predictive analytics, meanwhile, turned up the fact that 91 per cent of consumers are more likely to purchase brands they recognise, remember and trust to make them relevant offers.

The speakers agreed that more female talent is needed in the field of data analysis if “the right solutions” for women are to be identified.

“In the US, only 25 per cent of STEM roles [science, technology, engineering and mathematics) are filled by women,” Gwynpong said. “AIS currently has 10 data scientist and all of them are men.

“By 2020 the number of positions for data and analytics talent in the US will increase by 364,000 openings, to 2,720,000. But today, 85 per cent of data scientists and 74 per cent of predictive analytics professionals are male, according to the executive-recruiting firm Burth Works.”

Coronel pointed out the “significant” economic force represented by women entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia. An estimated 61.3 million own and operate businesses in the region’s 10 countries, accounting for 9.8 per cent of the total population.

She cited research predicting that if the “credit gap” for women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises could be closed by 2020, average per capita income might rise 12 per cent by 2030 across the region.

“Lower education levels can influence factors such as the size of the business, due to lack of growth orientation, products and services innovation, and access to finance due to lack of information,” Coronel added.

“Women’s business skills are also negatively affected by the tendency to study subjects in school that are linked to traditional ideas. Women’s time and mobility constraints limit their ability to grow their businesses. Women in Asia handle over 70 per cent of the total domestic and care work. By addressing these gender gaps, we can achieve significant improvement to GDP and welfare.”

Famed for its “View” collections, the brand now adorns its goods with cheery painted views as seen through the train window – all rolling green landscape, flower-bedecked fields and sunny skies.

You can almost smell the English countryside amid scenes of hay bales, gardens, rustic fencing and farmers at their ploughs.

The soft whites and greys grow warm and welcoming with yellow, pink, cream and brown.

Part of the new collection bears the “Red Label”, a logo signifying superior quality and high value, and there’s also more of the popular “Mimosa Flower” range, aglow with eye-catching yellow.

Full of a variety of authentic local menu from the northeastern region of Thailand, enjoy a selection of irresistible northeastern dishes with a modern touch along with an array of international favourites.

The Isaan delicacies in the dinner buffet include chef’s favourite grilled marinated Australian wague beef, lamb chop with spicy salad – “Naam Tok”, tuna with spicy salad – “Laab”, fried sea bass with herbal spicy salad.

Guests are invited to experience an array of fresh seafood at the “Seafood Wall”, featuring locally sourced crustaceans such as river prawns, mud crabs, rock lobsters, blue crabs, mussels and squids. The colourful pot is labelled with your preferred cooking techniques. Whether it is stir-fried with yellow curry powder, with garlic, with chili and salt, or grilled, the chefs are able to provide at the live cooking stations.

The dinner buffet is offered at Bt1,388 with a 50 per cent discount for children 6-12 years old while children below 6 can eat free. For reservation, telephone (02) 088 5666 or visitwww.bangkokmarriottsurawongse.com

The 0.0 Fit activity was held at the Aspire Club and led by Daniel Remon, the founder and chief executive of Fitcorp Global, a diverse results-oriented and integrated health, fitness and wellness company, who acted as head trainer for this activity. Health-conscious celebrities Thanchanok “Bebe” Ritnaka, Chaiyapol “New” Julien Poupart, and Benjawan “Bow” Ardner took part in the fitness challenge in three specially designed classes.

An energy boost with Heineken 0.0

The first was “0.0 Heart”, which focused on fat burning, heart pumping cardio exercise to bring  fitness to the max using Air Bikes and Rowing machines.

Levelling-up fitness to the max in “0.0 Heart”

The second was “0.0 HIRT” (High Intensity Resistance Training) and while the title might sound painful, the class offered a rewarding focus on core strength and stability through Tyre Flips, Battle Ropes and a Sled Push.

Finding the burn in the well-balanced programme with “0.0 HIRT”

The last was “0.0 Fun”, which featured a fitness battle in an activity designed for everyone to sweat and get energised before the cool down, then enjoy post-workout relief with Heineken 0.0.

Kicking it up a notch in “0.0 Fun”

The 0.0 Fit special activity by Heineken 0.0 is good for both beginners and hardcore gym trainers, as the intensity can be calibrated depending on each individual’s level of fitness. Munchuta Goaysomboon, Heineken brand manager, said, “Heineken 0.0 is an ideal post-workout drink made from natural ingredients with no sugar added, no alcohol, and low calories, which you can enjoy anytime, anywhere – even during or after a workout. Whether you’re adopting a new diet or hitting the gym on a regular basis, Heineken 0.0 will help you maintain active lifestyle, while you enjoy your gym routine without compromising your lifestyle or workout goals.”

Daniel Remon led the warmup

Apart from information about proper exercises and techniques, the 0.0 Fit activity also outlined important dietary habits for those who are active, including swigging Heineken 0.0, which is made from natural ingredients and has just 69 calories. It’s another option for consumers that provides energy from carbohydrates derived from malt, combined with a rich aroma and flavour which makes exercise more rewarding and balanced.

This non-alcoholic malt beverage is suitable for men and women aged 20 and older. It’s available in 330ml cans and bottles at leading convenience stores.

All proceeds from the sale of collectable gifts will be donated to aid in the purchase of medical supplies including ventilators, surgical tools, and a variety of X-ray machines among other items, for Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute (CNMI). The institute is short upwards of Bt1.4 billion needed to operate at full capacity.

The recently launched campaign features the work of four renowned artists led by ML Chiratorn “Kru Toh” Chirapravati, and including Somnuek “Kru Parn” Klangnok, Pattreeda “Pang” and Nualtong “Nual” Prasarnthong, who showcase their signature artistic strokes in a variety of products.

“Throughout the 50 years of the Ramathibodi Foundation, we have received an invaluable amount of goodwill from donors and volunteers from all walks of life, gathered together in giving back,” says Punsiree Kunakornpaiboonsiri, managing director of the foundation. “Charitable gifts also act as another method to give back. Therefore, I’d like to offer my sincerest gratitude to the four artists who give of their time to design these charitable gifts every year.

Punsiree continues, “I whole-heartedly believe that everyone who purchases these items has the same intention in wanting to help ailing patients. Therefore, the Foundation would like to make sure that the items they purchase are beautiful, and will give them or their loved ones happiness when received.”

This year’s theme, “Better Together”, celebrates coming together to aid in prolonging longevity and was the inspiration for each artist’s individual designs and interpretations.

“When we are with someone, sometimes we don’t need to say the words ‘I love you’, and vice versa for them. We feel this love in many ways. The illustration that I designed reflects this idea that love doesn’t have to be verbally expressed, but rather felt,” says artist ML Chiratorn.

Somnuek’s “Cocoon Angels” work, with interlocked arms and a beaming heart, is inspired by the idea that the act of giving will create an angel’s heart in the giver.

“With the linked arms, walking together hand in hand, it is even more powerful. I would like to invite everyone to join hands in purchasing these gifts decorated with the Cocoon Angels print, and hope that every time these items are used you can’t help but smile, knowing you were involved in giving back.”

Pattreeda was inspired by “the increase of energy when you are holding hands. I decided to use bold colours so that when you see or receive the items, you are uplifted by the colours.”

Nualtong’s illustration features two women holding hands while seeming to dance. “I wanted to show that by holding hands, happiness is transmitted to both the giver and receiver, like when we are dancing.”

This year’s charitable gifts include notebooks, T-shirts, bags, two-in-one pillow blankets and many other items. The prices range between Bt69 and Bt399. They are available at Ramathibodi Foundation online at www.ramafoundation.or.th. Donation can also be made to the following bank accounts: Siam Commercial Bank account No 026-3-05216-3 and Bangkok Bank account No 090-3-50015-5.

Jessdaporn, dubbed the “Campaign Champion” for this mission, travelled to the hardest-hit areas as part of a bid to raise funds in Thailand to help 1.6 million children in need of humanitarian assistance in the aftermaths of Cyclones Idai and Kenneth that struck in March and April.

He visited a temporary medical facility at the Mutua shelter that was treating many children for malnutrition and malaria.

“I saw families still suffering to this day,” Jessdaporn said. “I’m worried about their future, especially the children who deserve to grow up in better living conditions. I truly believe that support from Thai people would be a vital force that could help these children overcome obstacles and return to normal life again.”

More than 1.6 million children in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe are still in need of humanitarian assistance, including healthcare, nutrition, protection, education, water and sanitation.

Cyclone Idai, which hit all three countries, was the most devastating disaster to befall southern Africa in 20 years.

Six weeks later, Cyclone Kenneth made landfall in northern Mozambique – the first time in recorded history two strong tropical cyclones hit the country in the same season.

Contaminated water sources and lack of clean water are exposing 1.6 million children to the risk of cholera, malaria and diarrhoea.

Unicef is setting up water pipes to the hardest-hit areas and establishing temporary learning centres to get children back in school as quickly as possible.

Natural disasters and traumatic experiences significantly impact children’s psychosocial well-being and development. To help them overcome such experiences, Unicef and its partners are setting up child-friendly safe spaces in affected areas.