Offering guidance on how to use meditation in our working and daily lives, the course, which is priced at Bt1,000, combines recorded talks by senior teachers along with meditation instruction and discussion facilitated by authorised staff.

There are five Saturday classes: An Introduction to Meditation, Basic Goodness and Becoming Familiar with Equanimity; Using Mindfulness and Awareness to Gather the Mind and Work with Emotion; Overcoming the Obstacles to Meditation; Willing to Open the Genuine Heart; and Meditation as a Transformational Tool for Society.

The meditation centre also offers a series of free meditation classes every Wednesday from June 14 to 28. The mindfulness meditation provides many benefits to develop the qualities of stability, clarity and strength of mind.

Each class will involve guided meditation instruction, meditation practice, mindful activities and discussion. Participants can learn from a posture of meditation how to breathe as the object of meditation and how their mind relates with emotions and thoughts.

Bangkok Shambhala Meditation Centre is on the second floor of Yogatique Building, Sukhumvit Soi 23. Register online at http://www.Shambhala.or.th.

The flavours of French are being celebrated in the form of the Tourteau crab, prepared fresh daily to your liking at the Grand Mercure’s One Rachada World and Agehan Japanese restau?rants. Best enjoyed with a glass of Lindemans Cawana Chardonnay 2011, the distinctive crab is also called dormeur, which means “asleep” in French, because it is very slow and almost always still. Those who prefer Chinese food can also enjoy the crab at Nan Yuan in a casserole served with glass noodles. The promotion runs through July 31. For reservations and more information, call (02) 641 1500.

Nine West comes East

Shop till you drop from today until Monday at the Amarin Brand Sale being held at the Event Hall of Amarin Plaza. You can snap up trendy threads from Nine West at generous discounts of up to 70 per cent. |Find out more at (086) 966 5554.

Mylo’s got the beat

Rising Dutch star Justin Mylo is coming to Bangkok and will perform at Levels Club and Lounge this Thursday. Born Emilio Justin Behr, the DJ, producer and musician is only 21 but has already played at some of the biggest known venues yet and been part of the residential summer shows of Martin Garrix at Ushuaia Ibiza since 2015. Tickets cost Bt350 including one drink. |Find out more by calling (082) 308 3246 or email info@levelsclub.com.

Marvellous mollusks

Tuck into mussels and clams every Monday night at The World restaurant, Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, You;ll enjoy them in such dishes as Boston clam chowder, Mussel Florentine, Stir fried black mussel with white wine, Sauteed black mussel and clam with fried cream and white wine, Yum Takai Hoy Lai, Fried crispy mussel, Bake mussel with garlic and butter or just served on ice. The menu costs Bt1,390 including free-flow Chilean Sauvignon Blanc. For reservations, |call (02) 100 6255.

Duck delicious

Silver Waves Chinese Restaurant at the Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok goes quackers all this month with a selection of duck dishes including stuffed duck with mashed taro and mushroom sauce, stir-fried duck with Sichuan chili sauce, braised minced duck and bean curd in superior soup or braised whole duck with Chinese chestnuts in brown sauce all to be enjoyed alongside Silver Waves’ panoramic 36th floor vista. Prices start at Bt380-net. Book a table at |(02) 307 8888 extension 1948-49 or |e-mail: silverwaves.chrb@chatrium.com.

A chance to heal

Pranic healing instructor and clairvoyant Indra Ramamoorthy will lead a “Full Moon Meditation” programme this Thursday to “manifest success and abundance along with divine healing”. The event will take place at ITCC, No 13, Sathorn Soi 1 from 6.30 to 8.30pm. The fee is Bt250 and the programme is designed to heal at the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels and help bring mental clarity and emotional stability. |Book a place at (081) 991 0096 or email pranichealingthailand@gmail.com

That means they come from “an approved mining source” and their movements are tracked and recorded through the cutting and polishing process, the company says.

Jubilee Enterprise chief executive Anyarat Pornprakit recently gave the press a preview of the latest line at House of Sathorn. A special looking glass on the retail counter afforded a close look at the inscription found on every Forevermark diamond.

Anyarat said the diamonds are sold at more than 1,800 outlets in 37 countries. Hollywood celebrities including Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson and Kate Winslet favour them, he said, since the stones originate from mines that demonstrate community and social responsibility and meet international standards.

“Forevermark is the new standard among diamonds thanks to the rigorous selection process, he said. “All diamantaires must comply with the brand’s pipeline integrity standard, which is a rigorous track-and-trace manufacturing process.

“Every Forevermark diamond is meticulously cut and rigorously examined before being given the Forevermark inscription and a unique number at the factory in Antwerp, Belgium. These are not visible to the naked eye, so you need the special viewer, and they don’t affect the internal quality of the diamond. Less than 1 per cent of the world’s diamonds are worthy of this inscription.”

Two collections of diamond jewellery have designed in Italy.

“Forevermark Setting” echoes the shape of the brand’s signature four-pronged mount cradling the stone. The settings also have a “secret” piercing.

“Forevermark Encordia” tells stories, such as an elegant “knot” setting that represents the Knot of Herakles of Greek mythology. The smooth loop of gold or platinum signifies an enduring bond between two people, held in place by a beautiful diamond.

Forevermark diamonds and jewellery are sold at Siam Paragon, Central Chidlom and Bluport Hua Hin.

One popular purchase is spray-on sunscreen, quick to apply and with protection as good as the liquids.

French firm La Roche-Posay’s new formula is a face mist you can’t even feel on the skin.

Anthelios Invisible Fresh Mist Anti-Shine SPF50 (Bt990) has the optimal protection based on the patented filtering system Mexoplex, which is combined with the same firm’s soothing and antioxidant Thermal Spring Water. The mist is quickly absorbed and dries to an invisible finish.

No sunscreen can provide 100-per-cent protection, of course, so the idea is to apply it just before you go outdoors and freshen it up regularly and generously, especially after perspiring or towelling. Find out more at http://www.LaRochePosay-th.com

Another French brand, Avene, has Eau Thermale Avene Very High Protection Spray SPF50+ (Bt1,550) that uses a photo-protective system. Its alcohol-free, silicone-free, water-resistant formula boasts an improved texture that complies with stringent European regulations.

Japanese brand Shiseido offers Anessa Perfect UV Spray Aqua Booster SPF 50+ / PA++++ that’s suitable for water sports and leisure.

It’s easily applied to the face, hair and body, a waterproof sunscreen equipped with new Aqua Booster technology to ensure a stronger barrier against harmful solar rays. Hyaluronic acid and curcuma root extract moisturise even the most dehydrated skin.

It’s available at Boots, Watsons and Lab Pharmacy.

Organised by Media Business Services, the Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek appeals to a growing number of charterers and sailors from Australia keen to escape the Australian winter for sunshine and warm weather.

“The Balmain girls had been recommended to Phuket Raceweek by club members who had taken part in the event before. They got in touch with me and after a few emails, I put them together with a group of experienced Phuket-based female sailors,” explains Stuart Compton of Phuket charter company Sailescapes.

“Together they will be competing as an all-female team on the Farr 1104 Farrgo Express which has podiumed at every Raceweek it has competed in so far, so there’s plenty of pressure on the ladies to deliver the goods.”

With strong support from the Phuket and Thailand sailing community, participants are coming from around Asia and as far afield as Russia and the UK to compete in what has become a “must do” destination regatta, and the opening event of the 2017/18 Asian Yachting Grand Prix championship.

“The response from Australian sailors who have competed at Phuket Raceweek has always been positive. Happy sailors are going back home and telling their friends and we can see how the regatta’s awareness in Australia is growing,” says Byron Jones, managing director of Media Business Services.

“In addition to Con and the all-female team, we have two more Australian-chartered boats confirmed this year, as well as many individuals from Australia and around the world flying in to compete.”

This year, Johnny Holder will be sailing the Farr 11.06 Plus 16 from Darwin to Phuket especially to take part in Raceweek and then will likely stay on in Phuket to do some of the other regattas.

“The budget is always a factor when choosing a boat for the regatta, but this year we have been lucky in being able to sponsor Plus 16, which is owned by an old friend of mine, Johnny Holder.”

With a core nucleus including five S80 skippers on board as well as the current state champion, Macarlino says, “the chatter on board may get interesting. The weather in Perth has just turned cold, so we are all looking to get over there to enjoy ourselves and thaw out for a few days.”

Find out more details at http://www.PhuketRaceWeek.com.

Managed by chef Sirasa Laoputthipong and culinary experts, it provided instruction on the proper baking of Chigiri Bread, an attractive Japanese-style loaf.

“We’d like to thank our customers for their trust and support by holding this cooking class for parents and children. In addition to the sheer fun of baking, this class aims to enhance the creativity, self-development, and imagination of children,” said its general manager of marketing Pattarapol Techasamran.

Originating in Japan, Chigiri is a derivation of the term “Chicken and Chick”.

It is easy to bake so young children and adults can help each other at every step,” chef Sirasa added. “In addition, the bread is very tasty since it is stuffed with cheese and the main ingredients include bread flour, processed cheese, curry powder, turmeric, black sesame seeds, and ketchup. And decorating the bread is fun too.”

Parents and their children were asked to work as a team to knead the dough, mix, bake, and finally decorate the hen and her chicks on top of the bread. Children who joined the workshop also learned to focus when kneading the dough and to follow rules and precautions to avoid injuries when making and baking the bread. Finally, they could maximise their creativity by decorating eyes, beaks, and crests of both hens and chicks.

“I was very pleased to join this special cooking class as it allowed every family member to spend valuable time together. My daughter not only learned how to bake bread but also to practise her focus, attention to detail, and patience,” said celebrity Benyiam Songwattana.

As ever, the brand is all about elegance and refinement with stunning designs and maintains its high standards by using just the best one per cent of Akoya and South Sea pearls.

The new line comes in nine designs including an exquisite pearl choker, Akoya pearl bracelets, and large and classic South Sea pearl earrings with diamonds set in white gold.

The pride of the collection is a classic elegant necklace and earring set featuring White South Sea cultured pearls with diamond accents and a gold chain for the necklace and White South Sea cultured pearls on the earrings. Another necklace features Akoya Cultured Pearls with a detachable diamond and pink sapphire brooch.

Ladies will also love the Tree Brooch with diamonds and pink sapphire, the White South Sea pearl earrings with diamonds, the premium Akoya pearl ring with diamonds set in white gold and the White South Sea pearl ring also with diamonds and set in 18k white gold.

The High Jewellery 2017 Collection is now available at Mikimoto, M Floor, Siam Paragon. Find out more at (02) 129 4444-5.

Luncheon may be selected from set or buffet in the hotel outlets (except Shogun and Dusit Gourmet). An extra charge of Bt800 will be levied for Sunday Brunch at The Pavilion Restaurant.

Find out more by calling (02) 200 9000 extension 2345,e-mail: dtbkdining@dusit.com or visit http://www.Dusit.com/dtbk and Facebook.com/dusitthani.

Couples who confirm their wedding with The Chatrium during the event can choose from such benefits as a one-hour after party room rental charge for 50 persons inclusive of soft drinks and mixers, Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok Privilege Card for 1 year, cocktail or buffet style food stall (100 portions), Chinese set table for 10 persons with a selected set menu, complimentary champagne tower with a bottle of sparkling wine, a 30-litre barrel of house draught beer and much more. Discounts on food and beverages are also being offered. Packages are priced from Bt200,000 to Bt500,000 and the privileges are tied to the cost of the package.

“Wedding Fair 2017” is being held at the QSNCC from June 8 to 11 and will be open on all four days from 11am to 9pm.”

AN INCREASING number of young people from Japan’s cities are migrating to provincial areas to live in the same town as their grandparents.

The “mago-turn” trend – mago means “grandchild” – is similar to the “U-turn”, when city people return to their hometowns and the “I-turn”, when people migrate to different rural areas from where they grew up.

For young people who want to be closer to nature but feel uneasy about living in an unfamiliar place, moving to where their grandparents live can be an attractive option, since it’s easier to assimilate into the community.

Taro Nakazawa, 24, was born and raised in Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, and moved to Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, in April. He works with a local “community revitalisation corps” promoting tourism in the city.

Nakazawa’s parents hail from Hokuto and he often visited his grandparents when he was growing up. He’s been drawn to the area’s magnificent mountains and highlands since childhood.

Taro Nakazawa lives with his grandparents, Kenichi and Kesae, in Hokuto./Yomiuri Shimbun

Although Nakazawa had hoped to live in the area someday, he joined a construction firm in Kanagawa after graduating from university.

But the death of his maternal grandfather last August prompted him to make the move sooner. “I thought it would be better to move while my [paternal] grandparents are still healthy,” he says.

His income is lower than what he earned in Kanagawa, but “I don’t have to ride a packed train. I work less overtime. I feel like my life has become richer.”

Nakazawa lives with his paternal grandfather, Kenichi, 89. “I enjoy having him here because he makes our home lively.” Grandmother Kesae, 84, says he helps with the heavy work.

Naoko Sakaguchi, 36, a coffee-shop owner in Asahi, Toyama Prefecture, moved from Tokyo’s Edogawa Ward in 2007 to take care of her grandparents. Her shop, called Hygge, is housed in an old renovated residential building.

“At first I was worried about whether I could be comfortable living here,” she says. “But people in the neighbourhood were very kind – they welcomed me as the granddaughter of Mr and Mrs Sakaguchi’.”

Naoko Sakaguchi, right, chats with a customer at her coffee shop in Asahi, where she moved to take care of her grandparents./Yomiuri Shimbun

With the support of her relatives living nearby and new friends, Sakaguchi opened her coffee shop in 2015, fulfilling a long-held dream.

During the period of high economic growth in Japan, young people moved to urban areas to seek jobs. Their children are doing the opposite. The Tokyo-based non-profit Furusato Kaiki Shien Centre (Hometown Relocation Support Centre) advises people who are considering relocating to rural areas. Deputy executive director Kazuo Kasami refers to the phenomenon as “mago-turn”.

After the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the organisation began receiving more requests from younger people. Kasami realised there were quite a few planning to live in the same towns as their grandparents.

“I thought this was a new style of migration, different from U-turn or I-turn,” he says.

There are no national data on mago-turn, but a local survey of people who moved to Suo-Oshima in Yamaguchi in fiscal 2015 found that nine people – 8 per cent of the 116 respondents – said they moved there because of their grandparents.

Kasami says young urban people don’t consider rural areas inconvenient and the towns often hold fond memories for them, such as family visits and nature excursions.

Some remain hesitant to give up city life because of job, housing or relationship concerns.

“With mago-turn, people are likely to have fewer concerns about such issues,” says Meiji University Professor Tokumi Odagiri, an expert in rural policy who’s familiar with issues relating to provincial flight.”

Taking advantage of family connections makes it easier for people to find work or a place to live. If the grandparents own agricultural land that’s been passed down for generations, farming could be an option for their grandchildren.

“If mago-turn results in more young people moving to rural areas, the areas will be rejuvenated and the wave could attract other young people without family ties to the region,” says Odagiri.

“Mago-turn could become a major pillar of future migration policy.”

Facing declining populations, some local governments have introduced measures to support people who migrate to the areas where their grandparents live, aiming to attract more young people.

In April 2016, the government of Bungotakada in Oita Prefecture began offering 100,000 yen to people moving there if their grandparents lived in the city.

Other governments offer academic scholarships to households with children and subsidise events that will help people to settle in their hometowns.

However, migrating to provincial areas is never easy.

“Migration, including mago-turn, requires meticulous preparation,” stresses Koichi Hayashi of Iju Koryu Joho Garden (Migration, Exchange and Information Garden), which offers guidance for people considering a move.

Hayashi tells people who are thinking about leaving the city to write down the reasons they’d like to live in the countryside and what kind of lifestyle they hope to have.

He urges them to visit their prospective destinations several times and speak with the residents before deciding. “It’s a good idea to visit when the local weather conditions are at their worst, like when it’s extremely cold or hot.”