“It is a pleasure to introduce Vienna as our newest destination in Europe. The Austrian capital and Vienna is in central Europe, making it the perfect gateway to Europe. region. Passengers can easily connect to cities in Europe and from Europe to Thailand conveniently with our network,” said Usanee Sangsingkeo, the airline’s acting president.

“Vienna is known for its artistic, music, and intellectual legacy, particularly its revered residents such as Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud. As the city of music, Vienna is renowned for its classical composers as well as Imperial Palaces that include Schonbrunn Palace and the Museumsquartier baroque district. The cuisine, including various meats and strudels as well as the Sachertorte, is known all over the world.”

Thai Airways currently flies to 12 cities across 10 countries in Europe, namely Copenhagen, Oslo, Brussels, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Stockholm, London, Rome, Milan, and Moscow.

The service will offer g four roundtrip flights per week on Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Flight TG936 will depart Suvarnabhumi Airport at 1.30am and arrive in Vienna at 7am local time while the return flight TG937 depart Vienna at 1.3-pm and lands in Bangkok at 5.20am the next day.

For further information, visit ThaiAirways.com or call (02) 356 1111.

The academy is an educational establishment dedicated to holistic wellness derived from Oriental wisdom and knowledge, founded by Harnn, Thailand’s renowned luxury brand that has transformed natural body care, spa and aromatherapy products into global success.

The Mom & Me Jasmine Aromatic Hand Spa Workshop will be held on Saturday (August 5) from 2 to 4pm. You will learn how to give a complete three-step hand spa pampering experience starting with a jasmine infusion hand soak followed by making DIY tailor-made hand scrub infused with natural essential oils blends. You will also practice a relaxing hand massage with Harnn’s uplifting jasmine hand cream to relieve stress and tensions on her arms and over-worked hands to make this Mother’s Day the most memorable. The fee is Bt2,000 per person. Come along with mother and you pay just Bt3,000.

The academy is also offering many hands-on courses throughout August including a Herbal Infusion Mixology workshop on August 19 for Bt2,500 per person. You will learn how to use various Asian herbs to create tasty and healing herbal infusion and taste a range of herbal teas. You can also create your own tea-blending recipe by taste or medicinal purpose to enhance healthy living and vitality. The workshop covers an introduction to the main causes of poor health in today’s stressful lifestyle.

The Natural Home Spa Product Workshop will be held on August 27 and costs Bt3,500. It is designed to guide you to create a pampering spa experience at home with a range of natural product recipes. You will make and take home therapeutic massage oil with a selection of skin nurturing plant-based oil of your choice, body polish oil gel for a gentle and aromatic skin exfoliation and personalised body lotion – all infused with your own blends of natural essentials.

The Asian Holistic Academy is on the 12th floor of Zen World at CentralWorld, Bangkok. For details, visit www.AsianHolisticAcademy.com.

Designed to leave the skin feeling soft and looking radiant, Phytomer is recognised by spa professionals worldwide as the leader in marine-based beauty therapy.  Its products combine scientific advancement with natural ingredients derived from the ocean or relaxing and soothing treatments suitable for all skin types.

At The Grande Spa, the package includes a 60-minute Phytomer Hydra Blue Facial Treatment, followed by an invigorating 30-minute Siamese Head Massage, all for a special price of Bt3,500-plus.

Regarded as one of the finest day spas in Bangkok, The Grande Spa is a sanctuary where purity, stillness, and silence create a refuge for body and mind. Professional therapists, gracious Thai hospitality, and a calming environment ensure an unforgettable experience.

The Grande Spa is open daily from 9am to 11pm with the last treatment at 10pm.

SPG members enjoy a special privilege of 20-per-cent off a la carte treatments from Monday to Friday between 9am to 3pm. To enroll, contact the front office team.

For further information or reservation, call (02) 649 8121 or email: spa.grande@luxurycollection.com. Check out the spa at www.SheratonGrandeSukhumvit.com/en/store/thegrandespa.

TOP MARVEL’S mightiest heroes Iron Man, Spider-Man, Captain America, the Hulk and Thor as well as DC Comics’ powerful fighters Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are taking time out from fighting evil villains, leaving the big bad world behind as they jet into Bangkok to meet and greet their die-hard fans.

They’re part of the “Siam Discovery Presents Toys Station Pop Culture Fest” running at the downtown shopping mall until October 1. The collectible figures from blockbuster movies and comics ranging in size from a tiny 9.5 centimetres to the height of a grown man have assembled on the mall’s second floor alongside lots of rare and exclusive items that are guaranteed to attract ordinary mortals in their thousands.

The fest is a collaborative effort between Siam Discovery, Hobbie Plus Co, the firm that runs the pop culture event Thailand Comic Con and Toys Station, which sells collectible figures. Together they have turned the shopping mall into a second home for figure collectors and Play Station fans, who are invited to test the latest game versions with the first PlayStation VR.

“The market for collectible figures from comics and movies has grown a lot over the last five years. A couple of generations ago, Thai kids were growing up with superheroes from Japanese movies and cartoons but during the past decade, American superhero movies have mostly dominated the silver screen, particularly after Walt Disney acquired Marvel in 2009,” says Chanvit Vitayasamrit, chief executive officer of Hobbie Plus.

The Cosbaby line of mini figures by Hot Toys

“There is also an increasing number of companies producing high-quality licensed collectible action figures. In Thailand alone, the market is worth between Bt2-3 billion.”

The event is divided into four major themes, each running at different times. From now until August 13, “Cosbaby” presents mini figures from Hong Kong-based firm Hot Toys, among them super heroes from Marvel and the latest movie “Spider-Man Homecoming”. Designed with an additional magnetic feature, the Spider-Man Cosbaby can be displayed as its owner sees fit. The Spider-Man and Iron Man Mark XLVII collectible set includes Spidey hanging on his web along with a flying Iron Man Mark XLVII.

Another highlight of the series is the Spider-Man: Homecoming Cosbaby Bobble-Head set featuring Spidey in his home-made suit, cool-headed Tony Stark with his kitty shirt as well as Peter Parker carrying his Spider-Man face mask. And a giant spider dubbed “Spidey” measuring an impressive 1.2 metres is available for those all-important selfies.

Designed with an additional magnetic feature, Cosbaby’s Spider-Man collection reflects the latest movie “Spider-Man Homecoming”.

“Most Thai collectors are aged 30 and above and 80 per cent of them are male. They’ve reached the age where can afford their favourite character figures that they saw as youngsters in movies or comics. These action figures are like they’ve come to life and become touchable. The Cosbaby line of mini figures by Hot Toys should also attract more women because they are smaller in scale and have cartoon-like representations,” adds Chanvit, who operates Toys Station shop on the fourth floor of Siam Discovery.

Among all the superhero characters, Iron Man is the all-time best seller.

“Car, gaming and action figures are top three hobbies of men today,” he adds. “Among the superhero characters, Iron Man is the all-time best seller, probably because people, and especially guys, find it easy to associate with him. Billionaire playboy Tony Stark is an idol for a lot of men as he’s rich, smart, and intelligent and those attributes allow him to invent a wide range of sophisticated devices and specialise in advanced weapons and armour. In addition, Iron Man comes in different suits of armour and various editions, which means collectors have plenty of fun amassing the figures. Superman is at the top of the superhero ladder, but as he comes from the planet Krypton, his approach is not down-to-earth like Iron Man’s.”

 Two “Gran Turismo Sport” pods are available for visitors to immerse themselves with PlayStation VR and play the latest version of the GT Sport game.

An authorised dealer of Sony PlayStation, Chanvit has also brought in two “Gran Turismo Sport” pods that allows fans to put themselves in the driver’s seat with PlayStation VR and challenge the GT Sport’s advanced matchmaking pits gamers. Other virtual games specifically designed for PlayStation 4 are also available to try out.

From August 14 to 27, new animated cartoon “Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir” will be in the spotlight. This animated series, a collaborative project between Japan, France and South Korea, features two Parisian teenagers, Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste, who transform into the superheroes Ladybug and Cat Noir, respectively, to protect the city from supervillains. It’s screening in Thailand on Channel 9 and fans of the series will find rare Ladybug collectibles at the fest.

HeroCross’s Transformers series

“HeroCross Exclusive Showcase” will run from August 28 to September 14 and feature the latest figures from “Transformers” led by Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, Mega Tron, Hound and Autobot Sqweek. Produced by Hong Kong-based firm HeroCross, the four-inch-tall Transformers figures quickly became coveted collectors’ items when the blockbuster “Transformers 5: the Last Knight” hit cinemas last month.

“We supplied these Transformers figures to Major Cineplex as collectible items for movie buffs. On the first day of screening, Major Cineplex ordered 5,000 sets – a set has five main character figures – and they sold so fast that the chain ordered 10,000 more sets and they too quickly went out of stock. For this event, I will showcase the exclusive collection that are limited to 500 pieces each character worldwide,” says Chanvit who also has a YouTube channel “hobbie plus” that reviews new action figures in store and visit homes of avid collectors.

Star Wars’ collection made out of pewter by Royal Selangor

From September 15 to October 1, meanwhile, the, “Royal Selangor X Star Wars” theme will present exclusive products of Star Wars produced by Kuala Lumpur-based Royal Selangor – the world’s leader in quality pewter.

A full exclusive line of limited edition Star Wars merchandise made out of pewter with intricate details on which Royal Selangor collaborated with Disney will be on view as well as a life-size carbonite Han Solo. To commemorate Star Wars 40th anniversary, a selection of special edition gold-plated tokens of Princess Leia, Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker, limited to 1,977 pieces worldwide will be available.

Royal Selangor has launched a special limited edition of gold plated tokens with 1,977 pieces going on sale worldwide.

“Luckily, I’m not a fan of Star Wars because there are a lot of figurines and collectibles related to this film,” says avid collector Vasin Dolruedej, 39. “The Hulk is my favourite with Spider-Man coming in a close second. So far, I have about 200 figurines in my collection and I only collect the ones at 1/3 and 1/4 scales. I don’t think about the price, for me it’s enough to have my favourite characters on display all over my home.”

A former student in the US, Vasin became enamoured of Marvel and DC Comics comic characters as a youngster and started collecting his favourite figurines a decade ago when he had the money to indulge in his passion.

“It’s not like today. There were only a few companies producing these figurines a decade ago. It took me four years to get the figures of Hulk vs Spider-Man in battle produced by Sideshow Collectibles – the first item in my collection. Collectors today have more choices of products thanks to the increasing numbers of producers, so you can just buy the ones you like most without thinking about collecting,” he adds.

Chanvit Vitayasamrit poses with his personal hero, Iron Man.

Chanvit, who also co-owns IT retailer Com7, the operator of Banana IT, iStudio, iBeat, and Banana Mobile, believes the market has plenty of potential.

“Many of products are produced in limited editions, making it a niche but premium market. The widespread shares on social media and the business strategy of the film studios also help make this hobby more popular,” says Chanvit.

“Male collectors are like predators preying on other animals as they keep hunting for their favourite items in full collections. This is a business where customers are willing to deposit money on a pre-order and wait for several months to get the products. It takes sometimes more than six months to obtain an exclusive collection. A new iPhone or a Mercedes Benz doesn’t have such a long waiting list.”

MAKE LIKE A SUPERHERO

“Siam Discovery Presents Toys Station Pop Culture Fest” continues until October 1. It’s open daily from 10 to 10.

For more information, call (02) 658 1000 extension 3400.

THE MOON, long thought to be a dry, inhospitable orb, hosts surprisingly large sub-surface water reserves, which one day could quench the thirst of lunar explorers from Earth, scientists say.

“We found the signature of the lunar interior water globally using satellite data,” says Shuai Li, co-author of a study by scientists at Brown University in the United States.

“Such water can be used as in situ resources for future exploration,” adds Li, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Hawaii and Brown PhD graduate.

Li notes that scientists had believed the Moon to be “bone dry” until about a decade ago, when scientists found evidence of water – an essential ingredient for life – in pebble-like beads brought back by Apollo missions.

The Brown findings show numerous volcanic deposits distributed across the surface of the Moon contain “unusually high amounts of trapped water” compared with surrounding terrain.

They say discovery of water in the ancient deposits, which are believed to consist of glass beads formed by the explosive eruption of magma from beneath the Moon’s surface, boosts the idea that the lunar mantle is surprisingly water-rich.

“The key question is whether those Apollo samples represent the bulk conditions of the lunar interior or instead represent unusual or perhaps anomalous water-rich regions within an otherwise ‘dry’ mantle,” says Ralph Milliken, lead author of the new research, published in the Nature Geoscience journal this week.

“The distribution of these water-rich deposits is the key thing,” Milliken says. “They’re spread across the surface, which tells us that the water found in the Apollo samples isn’t a one-off,” he adds.

“By looking at the orbital data, we can examine the large pyroclastic deposits on the Moon that were never sampled by the Apollo |or [Soviet] lunar missions,” says |the associate professor at Brown’s Department of Earth, Environment- al and Planetary Sciences.

“The fact that nearly all of them exhibit signatures of water suggests that the Apollo samples are not anomalous, so it may be that the bulk interior of the Moon is wet.”

Scientists believe the Moon formed from debris left behind after an object about the size of Mars slammed into the Earth early in solar system history.

They had assumed it was unlikely that any of the hydrogen needed to form water could have survived the heat of that impact.

“The growing evidence for water inside the Moon suggests that water did somehow survive, or that it was brought in shortly after the impact| by asteroids or comets before |the Moon had completely solidified,” says Li.

The volcanic beads contain only tiny amounts of water but the deposits are large and the water could potentially be extracted.

“Other studies have suggested the presence of water ice in shadowed regions at the lunar poles, but the pyroclastic deposits are at locations that may be easier to access,” Li says.

“Anything that helps save future lunar explorers from having to bring lots of water from home is a big step forward, and our results suggest a new alternative.”

“Kingdom’s Edge” by photojournalist Richard Humphries follows in this long tradition, revealing the underlying plight and sorrow of the Malay Muslims of Thailand’s three southernmost provinces through a collection of masterful and poignant photographs.

The book is divided into three parts, each contrasting colourful and vibrant landscapes with the dark and sometimes deadly circumstances of the people who live in them.

The inclusion of a map of Narathiwat, Patani and Yala gives a geographical overview – three provinces wedged together up against the border with Northern Malaysia. But it also offers insight into why they are ethnically and religiously closer to Malaysia than to Thailand.

Part I of the book presents pictures of lives and cultures interacting together, building their communities and struggling to maintain normality and sanity as forces beyond their control tear at the fabric of their peaceful and sometimes joyful society. Muslim women emerge from the mosque dressed in the classical finery of Manohra dance. Above the road hangs a large picture of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, overlooking the land. In contrast are the pictures of a train station where a bomb has suspended services, and of a school burned down leaving only the Thai flag hanging from the pole in front. The dark theme continues in images of police checkpoints and patrols by militia and the Navy, whose heavily armed presence contrasts starkly with the fertile and pristine landscape.

Part II demonstrates the everyday co-existence of Thai Buddhists and Malay Muslims in the South, by focusing in on their symbols of belief and reverence.

On the wall of a Muslim’s teashop in Narathiwat town, “Islamic prayers and an image of the Kaaba in Mecca hang alongside an image of Thailand’s revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej”. The two symbols of faith and obedience share the same space, embodying the life of the community. The co-existence of Thai and Malay culture and daily life is spontaneous and peaceful, despite the differences, and overlaps in the mental arenas of belief and self-awareness.

Part III crystalises the heightened contradictions of the deep South by turning our gaze on scenes of celebration and ceremony that jar with their wider social setting.

In one picture a Thai boy scout carries a portrait of King Bhumibol during a children’s day parade through Narathiwat town. In the next, we see a Narathiwat graduation ceremony for village defence volunteers – whose course featured reconnaissance, information warfare and vehicle patrols, and culminated with a live-fire exercise. Beside it, a Buddhist monk collects morning alms under armed military protection.

This last section bears witness to the violence and brutality afflicting both Malay and Thai citizens and testing the ties between them.  The recent attempts on both sides of the deadly conflict to restart negotiations have come too early – and under an unstable government – to offer hope of progress.

In the final picture the Sai Buri River winds peacefully beneath lush green trees through the village of Si Sakhon in Pattani, betraying the reality yet also reminding us that peace does flow under the surface of conflict.

“Kingdom’s Edge” carefully surveys the deep divisions in the far South, but its masterful aesthetic encompasses a far richer and more nuanced world than the one we are accustomed to seeing on television or online.

Kingdom’s Edge

By Richard Humphries

Published by Richard Humphries Photography

Available at kingdomsedge.org, 35 pounds (Bt1,500)

With 4K TV sets becoming steadily more affordable, 4K video-streaming services like Netflix – also affordable – are getting more interesting.

Netflix, from which you can stream high-quality 4K movies and TV shows, is now offered in Thailand for Bt350 per month. That covers two devices in simultaneous use.

But, for Bt420 per month, you can get 4K movies playing on four devices at once. Keep in mind, of course, that not all movies and TV shows are available in 4K resolution.

Netflix claims more than 104 million members in over 190 countries, drawn by its vast archive of 125 million hours’ worth of original TV series, documentaries and feature films.

You can watch Netflix content anytime, anywhere on nearly any Internet-connected screen, and you can pause and resume anytime too.

The service has become so popular that most Smart TV brands have a Netflix app built in.

I tested the Netflix service on a True Online 30/5Mbps Internet connection and Samsung’s Q7F QLED 4K TV. I also tested it on the Apple TV box reviewed on this page, using the Netflix app.

The connection was fast and the movies were streamed smoothly. Apple TV delivered a gorgeous picture to a Full HD LCD TV, but the resolution was much sharper and more beautiful on the Q7F TV, especially those 4K. The movie soundtracks were amazing via Netflix 5.1 audio, and of course the Q7F TV supports 5.1-channel audio decoding.

With the Bt420-per-month Netflix package, you can create four separate profiles, assigning each one a different set of preferences for content. One can be reserved for children, ensuring that the movies and shows are suitable for their ages.

When you create a profile, you’re asked to name three favourite movies. Netflix gears your content offerings accordingly. A portion of the titles it offers will be similar in nature to the ones you’ve named.

Apart from the ones suggested, you can always browse the huge selection on your own. Click “browse” and you see an array of popular titles, Netflix original productions and new arrivals. Go straight to “Audio & Subtitles” to find foreign movies that have the audio dubbed in Thai or Thai subtitles.

You can browse by category – TV Shows, Action, Award-Winning, Children & Family, Classics, Comedies, Crime Movies, Documentaries, Dramas, Horror, Independent, Music & Musicals, Romance, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Special Interest, Sport Movies, Standup Comedy and Thrillers.

The most popular series at the moment include “House of Cards”, “Genius”, “Blue Bloods” and “12 Monkeys”.

In the kid’s corner is a selection of animated shows and movies suitable for children.

You can try Netflix free of charge for one month at http://www.Netflix.com before deciding whether to subscribe.

KEY FACTS

– Available in 190 countries

– More than 125 million hours of TV shows and movies

– 4K and Full HD resolution

– 5.1 audio available

– Bt350 per month for Full HD viewing on two devices

– Bt420 per month for 4K viewing on four devices

Billed as the ultimate hub for home entertainment, Apple TV provides access to a huge selection of ondemand movies and IPTV shows and at the same time is a terrific way to listen to music and view photos.

This isn’t a television set. It’s a tiny box that connects to the Internet wirelessly or by LAN to stream movies and TV shows from providers such as Netflix. You can also download apps for games and fitness, lifestyle and education programs to enjoy on your TV set.

The Apple TV box is 98mm square and 35mm tall and weighs 425 grams. You choose the 32 or 64GB version depending on storage needs and you get an even tinier Siri Remote with a Lightning connector for recharging the builtin battery.

The box hooks up to the TV set via an HDMI 1.4 port and to the Internet through a 10/100 BaseT Ethernet LAN port and builtin ac WiFi with MIMO.

There’s also Bluetooth 4.0 for linking to an enabled keyboard so you can use the box like a computer surfing the Web (you need an app for that).

A 64bit A8 chip funnels in the power and it’s fine for playing various video formats, including H.264 of up to 1080p at a rate of 60 frames per second and MPEG4 up to 2.5Mbps. The audio formats covered are AAC, MP3 AIFF, WAV, Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital Plus 7.1.

To watch movies and TV shows, pick the services you like and get their apps – Hulu, Netflix, HBO Now, Watch ESPN or YouTube.

I patched in with True Online’s FTTX fibre-optic connection at 30/5Mbps and streamed Netflix movies with Apple TV on Samsung’s Q7F QLED TV. My connection was via Linksys EA8500 MIMO router, swapping between an LAN cable and Wireless 802.11ac.

The flicks I watched from Netflix looked fantastic, as did high-definition YouTube clips.

First-timers need to log in with an Apple ID before accessing videos and photos stored in the iCloud and purchasing movies and music from iTunes.

Using the box as a minicomputer running on Apple’s tvOS operating system, you’re connected to the television set through the Touch function on the remote and Siri voice-command assistant.

The Touch surface on top controls the Apple TV features much as you use a touch pad on a notebook computer. It’s quite easy to navigate, scroll and select onscreen items, swiping up, down, right and left.

The Menu button hops back one step and the Home button brings you to the home screen. Move your thumb in any direction and the action is mirrored on the TV screen.

You can move around a movie timeline while watching – just hit Play/Pause button and then slide back and forth on the Touch surface. Swipe quickly to fast-forward and rewind rapidly, more slowly to proceed frame by frame.

Rest your thumb at certain points of the Touch surface and tips appear about what action is available on the particular app you’re using.

Adjusting settings is a simple matter of swiping downward on the Touch surface to access options, such as audio language and subtitles. You can even skip chapters in a movie or redirect the sound to compatible speakers and Bluetooth headphones.

The new feature Reduce Loud Sounds is a clever way of keeping peace in the neighbourhood, too.

The most fun feature about the remote is the Siri button, which can be pressed and held like on a walkie-talkie to give voice commands to Apple TV. Apple TV supports dictation in Thai, though not the full Siri functionality. That you can only get in English.

If you can want to jump ahead in the playback, for example, you say, “Skip ahead 10 minutes.” And how’s this for cool? If you didn’t catch what a character in a show said, just ask, “What did he say?” Siri will skip back and temporarily turn on closed captioning so you can see what you missed!

Then ask Siri to try that new app you just downloaded for Apple TV. “Open YouTube,” you might say.

The remote makes it easy to customise-arrange apps on the home screen. Highlight the app and press and hold the Touch surface, then swipe to the new location. Press again to anchor it. Apps moved to the top row show their shortcuts immediately above.

Swap apps around by double-clicking Home to see which ones have been used most recently and then rearranging them. It saves you going back to the Home screen again. You can also swipe upward to force-quit an app.

The main-event entertainment just comes streaming in, of course. Apple Music has more than 30 million songs to choose from as well as whatever else you’ve got on iCloud and iTunes.

The box will pull down your stored photos and home videos from My Photo Stream, which automatically uploads new photos taken on any iOS device. AirPlay will wirelessly stream photos and videos from your iPad, iPhone, iPod touch and Mac.

The Home Sharing function will send content from your computer’s iTunes library to Apple TV so you can enjoy them on the big screen. Use Apple TV as an interface for your iPhone or iPad to browse the Web on the big screen – you need the AirWeb app on the handheld gadget and a connection to mirror the content on Apple TV. There are apps for watching Facebook and Twitter videos, too.

As for gaming, the Siri Remote becomes your console with its builtin accelerometer and gyroscope. I tried it the Bowling game, using the remote to simulate the real throwing of the ball. A Remote Loop, available separately, tethers the remote during play.

Serious gamers will appreciate the support for MFi-based controllers. You run, jump, shoot, kick, throw, punch to your virtual heart’s content.

Apple TV with 32GB of storage retails for Bt7,200. With 64GB it costs B9,200.

KEY SPECS

– Chip: A8 with 64bit architecture

– Ports and interface: HDMI 1.4, 802.11ac WiFi with MIMO, 10/100BaseT Ethernet, Bluetooth 4.0, IR receiver, USBC

– Accessibility: Voice-Over, Zoom, Bold Text, Closed Caption and SDH support

– Storage: 32 or 64GB

– Dimensions: 35x98x98mm

– Weight: 425g

– Siri Remote: Bluetooth 4.0, IR transmitter, accelerometer and gyroscope, Lightning connector for charging

HIS MAJESTY the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s sufficiency economy philosophy is coming under the spotlight in a new initiative being launched by sugar producing giant Mitr Phol Group.

Known as “Tham Tam Phor”, the project will see the establishment of 70 agricultural learning centres around the country before the end of this year in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the King’s accession to the throne.

“Mitr Phol Group has operated in the agricultural sector for the past 60 years with the fundamental goal of bolstering the self-sufficiency and quality of life of farmers. Many projects have already been developed as a result of this commitment,” says Buntoeng Vongkusolkit, the group’s chief operating officer.

“Under our concept of ‘Ruam Yoo Ruam Charoen’ (‘Grow Together’), we have combined this philosophy with the new theory of agriculture for the betterment of farmers and communities. Today, our aim is to inspire small sugarcane farmers, communities and the general public to embrace the sufficiency economy philosophy. We plan to achieve this through our new initiative that will educate farmers and improve their living conditions, allowing them to enjoy stronger business and lead happier lives.”

Small-scale sugarcane farmers will be the initial beneficiaries of the project. Eight agricultural specialists will educate them in the new theory of agriculture through training courses in the provinces of Suphan Buri, Singburi, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Loei, Amnat Charoen and Tak, all of which are home to Mitr Phol’s factories.

“I’m fascinated by design and the King’s sufficiency economy philosophy and thought long and hard about how I could combine the two. I was given the chance to design and develop two royal project development centres in Teen Tok and Huai Phak Phai (Thung Roeng) in Chiang Mai,” says Nopanit Isarankura Na Ayudhya, 29, a consultant to Mitr Phol Group.

“At Teen Tok, I found an abandoned garden at Pha Nam Lod with a gigantic stone, which I realised could become a tourist attraction. I developed the garden and set up a coffee shop near the stone so that tourists could come closer to nature.

“At Huai Phak Phai, I designed the rose greenhouse also as a tourist attraction. The aim was to make these royal project development centres self-sufficient and not have to rely on funding or even admission fees. Today the rose garden is very popular and being expanded into the second phase,” he continues.

“I spend most of my life in the city so I guess people wonder how I can be part of the sufficiency economy. But it’s really all about having enough to get by. I split my money into several parts. Some I save for investment, and some to use to travel to gaining knowledge and experience. And I use my knowledge to develop myself and the people around me,” adds Nopanit, who graduated in environmental architecture in Melbourne, Australia.

Potential farmers in these eight provinces will be invited to attend training/coaching sessions on land utilisation and crop optimisation. Participants’ progress will be closely monitored as they put the newly acquired farming strategies and techniques into practice. Seventy farms will later be chosen to become the founding class of the “Plook Proh Suk” Agricultural Learning Centres. Each centre will then contribute towards the sharing and dissemination of knowledge with neighbouring farms, with the aim of reaching 700 participants during the second year and 7,000 by the third year.

“I come from a farming family and wanted to make the career of agriculturist more progressive and sustainable. That’s why I chose to study at Khon Kaen University’s Faculty of Agriculture. Fate led me to His Majesty the late King. I worked at the Chai Pattana Foundation for eight years and collected knowledge while absorbing the King’s guidance on development,” says Preecha “Kaek” Ngoksimma.

“That led me to set up a learning centre where people interested in the royal projects can learn about the new theory and sufficiency economy philosophy. I’m delighted to have the chance to share my knowledge and experience with Mitr Phol’s sugar cane growers.”

Preecha adds that there are many easy ways to make farming more sustainable under the King’s new theory.

“First, it’s important to know about water for crops and animal husbandry. In the new theory, we must get by with sufficient water so we need to provide or manage a water source for our land by digging a water catchment or groundwater well. Second, we must think of the food we will grow or raise. If we like to eat vegetables, we plant them. If we would like to eat chicken or eggs, we feed chicken, or even fish. After that, we start to plant perennials for shade. It goes along with His Majesty’s concept of ‘Three Forest, Four Benefits’ which features food and medicine from herbs.”

Under the concept, forests should be divided into three parts to grow timber, fruits and firewood. The fourth benefit is the by-product of the Three Forests –the conservation of soil and watersheds.

“I’ve allocated part of my land portion to be a learning source so that people can come to study the basics of the new theory. The second step is to transform agricultural products through science. I’ve already turned many of my agricultural products from the ‘Three Forest, Four Benefits’ concept into cosmetics and I export these. I also run workshops in soap and shampoo making.

“And I’ve also joined with the community to create a bank for trees, which will provide a pension for farmers. I started growing perennial plants when I was in my early 20s. By the time I reach 60, the trees will be 40 years old. A Yang or Gurjan tree is currently priced at Bt40,000 and I have 500 trees covering more than 40 species, including Burmese Padauk and Siamese Neem.”

Preecha is doing well from his personal care products, exporting his bergamot, butterfly pea, boraphet and charcoal shampoos and lemongrass-scented shower gel to a spa business in Hong Kong. “My wife is working on a way to produce hair transplant serum and body serum,” he says.

Thidarat “Dao” Talupnil is the perfect model of an agriculturist using the new theory.

“I love growing plants and my family now eat home-grown and pesticide-free vegetables. I practise sufficiency farming and that gives me more time to spend with my family. I used to grow sugar cane but was constantly affected by factors beyond my control like price. One day, I was invited by an official of Mitr Phol Group’s community development programme to try sufficiency agriculture using the new theory.

“But what really inspired me to grow vegetables was my mother’s health. She’s been so much better since she’s only eaten pesticide-free vegetables. And when I have a surplus, I share them with my relatives and also sell them. I’ve allocated my two-rai of land to practise agriculture based on the new theory,” says Thidarat.

In addition to supporting agricultural development, Mitr Phol Group also intends to have a positive impact on the lives of city-dwellers through its “Plook Proh Suk” e-Book, an easy-to-read guide that weaves lessons from the sufficiency economy philosophy and the new theory of agriculture into daily urban life.

The much-loved Royal Project fair returns to CentralWorld next Friday and will be offering a range of gustatory delights on the theme “Bringing value from the top of the hill to the city centre”.

“The late King Bhumibol Adulyadej started the Royal Project in 1969, aiming to develop agriculture on the highlands to reduce the problems of shifting cultivation, forest demolition and the growing of narcotic plants among the hilltribes in addition to preserving the forests. These are a major source of water in the country, and continue to develop the quality of life for the ethnic minorities,” His Serene Highness Bhisadej Rajani, president of Royal Project Foundation, told participants at the recent press conference for the “Royal Project 48” event.

“The foundation holds a Royal Project festival every year to show the progress of our research and development and to distribute crops and products from the Royal Project Foundation, the late King’s personal projects and other supporting units partnering with the Royal Project Foundation,” the sprightly 97-year-old continued.

That research has led to a plethora of products, many of which will be highlighted this year. They include smoked sturgeon, rainbow trout, figs, two rare local rice varieties grown on the highlands and different types of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as preserved foods such as Earth Star mushroom. In all, the event is bringing together more than 3,000 different products from the Royal Projects.

Making their debut at the fair are two rare local rice varieties grown in the highland community and consumed by local residents. They are Pakakayo and Lawa yellow rice, also known as “Bue Bo rice and “Pakakayo Kai Pa Rice” (Bue Cho Mee rice).

Bue Bo rice has a short and slender grain with dark haylike colour husks. The rice is fragrant and very soft after being cooked. It contains gamma oryzanol and is said to help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. It has also been shown to reduce bad cholesterol and blood sugar. Rich in potassium, it helps to control the water balance in the body, lowers blood pressure and also contains iron, which helps to generate red blood cells thus preventing anaemia. The zinc content is high in this rice, which is an important nutrient for children’s growth.

Bue Cho Mee rice can be grown once a year and its grains are long and slender similar to those of jasmine rice. It contains antioxidants and helps to strengthen body functions, and also prevents premature ageing. It contains potassium, which will work together with sodium in order to balance water in the body. Bue Cho Mee Rice helps to normalise the heartbeat and is rich in vitamin B1, nourishing the nerves and relieving the symptoms of beriberi disease.

Hand-raised cold water fish are long-time favourites and sturgeon were introduced to the projects in 2007 when Her Majesty Queen Sirikit donated Bt200,000 for the purchase of one kilogram of fish eggs from Russia.

The Royal Project’s smoked sturgeon has a fine aroma with a gold-coloured flesh and tastes delicious. It is rich in protein, omega-3, collagen and antioxidants.

Rainbow trout are also successfully raised at the Inthanon Highland Fisheries Research Unit. They contain a high level of unsaturated fatty acids and are high in omega-3, thus helping to reduce the amount of cholesterol and free iron in the blood.

Figs were among the late Monarch’s favourite fruits. Enjoyed fresh or dried, they contain healthy levels of fibre, carbohydrate, calcium and vitamin A. They are particularly recommended for people suffering from hypertension, high cholesterol and liver disease.

Other Royal Project branded products that will be available at the fair are ganoderma lucidum mushrooms, also known as lingzhi or reishi mushrooms in capsule form and mixed in with coffee made from premium Arabica beans, along with white tea derived from the leaf tips of Assam tea grown in the forest area of Huai Nam Khun Royal Project Development Centre in Chiang Rai. Last year, the Royal Project’s white tea received the Silver Medal at the World Tea Union 2016, organised by the World Green Tea Association in Shizuoka, Japan.

Shoppers can also buy gluten-free buckwheat flour, avocados, sweet passion fruit, azuki beans, persimmon, fresh vegetables, winter flowers and other processed products such as ready-to-eat Japanese red beans, tabasco pepper, Lenghong tea, and Jiaogulan herbal green tea.

Doi Kham is introducing several new products at the fair, among them gac juice with honey, which is rich in betacarotene and lycopene and Indian gooseberry and plum juice, also mixed with honey. This is a product from the forest restoration project from an initiative of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in Omkoi District, Chiang Mai Province. Well worth tasting is the Virgin Mary, a new tomato juice with a bold and tasty tang from ginger, chilli, pepper and celery. Packed with BCAA and L-Carnitine, it helps to increase the metabolism and is reenergising.

Mango and passion fruit jam with no added sugar has a bold, sour taste from the passion fruit that grows around the Royal Projects that goes well with the sweetness from golden mangoes. Lychee with butterfly pea jam combines the sweetness from Hong Huay lychee with colourful butterfly pea flower, which is high in fibre and good for the digestive system.

The fair will once again feature cooking demonstrations using crops from the Royal Projects presented by popular food stylist Karb Suthipong Suriya and flower arts in the “The Art of Botanical Living” plus performances from Kasetsart University student clubs, a Thai textile fashion show and music.

Shoppers will also be able to buy products from the Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques under the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, Chitralada Store, Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre, The Sai Jai Thai Foundation, Phufa shop, The Chulabhorn Research Institute, Thak Roy Saoy Rak Arts & Crafts Project under the Chulabhorn Foundation, Dr Namjit Dr Namjai Store, the Princess Pa Foundation, the Queen Savang Vadhana Foundation, and the To Be Number One project.

Tasty treats

– Royal Project 48 runs at CentralWorld from August 4 to 14.