IT WILL SET you back the best part of Bt80,000 but busy executives permanently on the go will no doubt find the elegant Dell XPS 13 a partner made in heaven. Powerful and light with a gorgeous 13-inch display with 4K resolution, the new laptop is smaller, thinner and lighter than the previous model – just 11.6 mm at its thickest part going down to 7.8mm and weighing a mere 1.21 kg.

It also has 20 hours of battery life, meaning you can finish your presentation while you’re out and about without having to find a power outlet.

The new XPS13 looks elegant in two colour combo options. One option has a Rose Gold aluminium shell and Alpine White glass fibre-woven palm rest. Unfortunately, the Rose Gold version is not available in Thailand so I got to test the model with a Platinum Silver shell and Black palm rest.

Dell claims that its team of developers took about 11,520 hours and 50 trials to develop the white palm rest with a woven appearance. To give it that stylish weave, the team considered different materials beyond the colour limits of traditional carbon fibre. The solution was an innovative new crystalline silica material with the white literally woven in, like a fabric, in nine composite layers. Dell says it’s the first to use this woven glass fibre in a laptop.

There are several choices of configurations of new XPS 13, depending on the CPU, memory, storage and display resolution. I got my hands on the 9370 model, which is powered by 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8550U 1.8GHz quad-core processor. It’s installed with 16 gigabytes of working memory or RAM – part of which is used by the integrated graphics adapter and a 512 GB PCIe Solid State Drive.

It has Dell’s next-generation Infinity Edge 4KDisplay with 3840×2160-pixel resolution, which is bright and great for viewing photos and watching HD movies. The graphic engine is the Intel UHD Graphics 620 with shared graphics memory. The display is a touch screen that provides fast interaction.

During the test, I enjoyed watching HD movies from iflix and YouTube 4K clips. The movies also sounded good thanks to the stereo speakers professionally tuned with Waves MaxxAudio Pro with 2 watts power.

Dell says the XPS 13 is the world’s first laptop built with Gore Thermal Insulation, the same silica aerogels used in high-tech science and extreme engineering environments to diffuse and dissipate heat. It has been used as insulation on the Mars Rovers and Hyper Velocity Particle capture in the Stardust Probe. This material directs heat out of the device, keeping the system cool while it works hard.

So it came as no surprise that during the test, I didn’t experience any heat problem.

The new XPS 13’s long battery life is credited to Dell Power Manager that allows you to customise the balance of battery life, charging and thermals.

And the Dynamic Power Mode intuitively delivers maximum power as needed, for such tasks as video rendering applications and advanced spreadsheets, while intelligently monitoring and managing system temperatures. That allows the XPS 13 to sustain its high performance.

The XPS 13 runs on Windows 10 Home 64-bit. During the test, I found the XPS 13 ran business applications, such as Microsoft Office, very fast and HD video clips also ran smoothly. The laptop took only about 20 seconds to start up and 10 seconds to shut down.

I also liked that the XPS 13 comes with three USB C ports that are compatible with other devices. That means you can use the laptop’s USB C charger to top up the power of your smartphone or tablet as needed.

It also has fast Wi-Fi connection using the Killer 1435 802.11ac MIMO 2×2 model. I was able to connect it to my home Wi-Fi router Linkysis EA8500 with ease.

Dell XPS 13 has a starting price of Bt79,990, depending on the configuration.

Key Specs

OS: Windows 10 Home 64bit

Processor: 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8550U Processor (8M Cache, up to 4.0 GHz, |4 cores)

Memory: 16GB LPDDR3 2133MHz

Storage: 512GB PCI3 Solid State Drive.

Display: 13.3-inch 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) InfinityEdge touch display

Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620

Audio and speakers: Stereo speakers professionally tuned with Waves MaxxAudio Pro; 1W x 2 = 2W total4 Digital Array Microphones; Far Field Cortana Capable

Camera: Widescreen HD (720p) webcam with 4 array digital microphones; Windows Hello compliant infrared camera

Wireless connectivity: 802.11ac 2×2 and Bluetooth

Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 3 with Power Delivery & DisplayPort (4 lanes of PCI Express Gen 3), 1x USB-C 3.1 with Power Delivery & DisplayPort, 1x card reader, |1x headset jack, 1x Noble lock slot

Battery: 52WHr battery (built-in)

Dimensions: 7.8-11.6mm x 302mm x 199mm (HxWxD)

Weight: 1.21 kg

BANGKOK, only a small trading post in the 15th century when Ayutthaya ruled the known world, became the capital of Siam 236 years ago, superseding Thon Buri on the opposite bank of the Chao Phraya River. It’s certainly undergone much radical change since then, mainly in the last 50 years, while Thon Buri – the capital for just 14 years – has remained its quiet neighbour.

Now, though, Iconsiam – the most expensive mixed-use development in Thai history at a price tag of Bt54 billion – is about to change the face of Thon Buri and the lifestyles of its residents forever.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn officially opened the newest landmark on Charoen Nakhon Road yesterday in what was billed as a “Mega Phenomenon”. The event at dusk was by invitation only, but everyone can join in the rest of the opening festivities today and tomorrow.

Drone lights add to the illumination for Iconsiam’s starstudded gala opening in Thon Buri yesterday, some 1,500 drones soaring above the Chao Phraya River./Nation: Ratchanon Intharagsa

An impressive line-up of foreign entertainers was on hand for the official opening, among them South Korean superstars Choi Si-won and Kim Dong-jun, Taiwanese boy band F4 and American singer Alicia Keys. Also spotted on the red carpet were Dan Stevens, Kenny G and Naomi Watts.

The grand event, which is said to have cost Bt1 billion, shone a spotlight on Thailand’s rich heritage, showcasing both traditional and contemporary art and cultural performances in parallel with shows from overseas.

“Iconsiam was created to glorify the proud stories covering every dimension of Thainess by presenting them in exciting ways, blending them with the ultimate gracefulness of the unique Thai identity and putting them together in one venue,” said Chadatip Chutrakul, one of the project’s directors. “The development brings together the best Thailand has to offer and projects Thainess onto the world stage.”

The design spaces of the retail complexes /Nation:Tanachai Pramarnpanich

Iconsiam, a joint venture of Siam Piwat, Magnolia Quality Development Corp and Charoen Pokphan Group, has seen experts in various disciplines from many countries collaborating with local communities to build a new symbol representing the vision of an era that will make all Thais proud.

In term of architecture, the two modern retail complexes, Iconsiam and Iconluxe, are closely associated with cultural values and beliefs tied to the Chao Phraya River, including inspirations from the krathong and baisri, the way a krathong is folded, translating traditional Thai design signatures into modern interpretations.

The Iconluxe complex resembles three glass krathong with the facade stretching 300 metres along the river. A special glass is used to create vertical pleats all over the complex and is inspired by a traditional Thai dress with a pleated wrap shawl.

The ceiling is adorned with the light sculpture “Flow”, created by British outfit Haberdashery and Preecha Thaothong. /Nation:Tanachai Pramarnpanich

World-class brands in all categories, including fashion, jewellery and electronics, have been quick to show their confidence in the new location. The first Apple Store in Thailand is one of the highlights and is represented by a specially designed replica of the Thai alphabet symbol “aor”, which links the first letters of “Apple” and of “Iconsiam” in Thai.

Super brands such as Gucci, Tiffany & Co, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Bvlgari, and Bottega Veneta are all here, and Hermes takes luxury one step further by opening an elegant duplex store. The British brand Cos also has a duplex, while JD Sport, one of the top retailers in the UK, has chosen Iconsiam for its first flagship store in Thailand. Triplex stores house such big names in street fashion such as H&M and Urban Revivo.

The first Apple Store in Thailand boasts a specially designed replica of the Thai alphabet symbol “aor”, which links the first letters of “Apple” and “Iconsiam”. 

/Nation:Tanachai Pramarnpanich

Patek Philippe is also answering “Present!”, operating its biggest store in Southeast Asia with a floor space of 223 square metres. Narun Thammavaranukup, managing director of PMT the Hour Glass, importer of Patek Philippe, says the location of Iconsiam is the main attraction.

“The positioning is unique. We have a great profile of loyal customers on this side of the river too. It’s surrounded by five-star hotels, and is certain to become a major destination in Bangkok. Thais are among the most sophisticated watch collectors.”

Opras Lavichant, chief executive of Pacifica Group, distributor of high-end fashion brands Coach, Max Mara, Furla, Etro, Camper, Kenneth Cole and Keds, also has great expectations and sees a very positive future for Iconsiam.

“This place is not just a shopping mall but a lifestyle venue. The tenant list is complete and the decor is truly beautiful. All the brands in our group will be represented here. Coach and Nyx will have their own stores with the full range of product lines,” he says.

Iconsiam is also home to the first branch of Siam Takashimaya, which is taking up 35,000sqm of floor space. Japan’s most iconic department store, it was founded in 1831 in Kyoto and is today led by Shigeru Kimoto.

The first branch of Siam Takashimaya takes up 35,000sqm, combining the best of Thai and Japanese retailing./Nation:Tanachai Pramarnpanich

Siam Takashimaya combines the best of Thai and Japanese retailing, with Kimoto writing in the official press release that products from more than 530 brands, 80 of them newcomers to Thailand, will be on sale. “The staff is ready to give you a warm Japanese welcome – omotenashi. We believe that every customer will be impressed with our hospitality,” he says.

Anujtha Jaovisidha, director of Jao Prosperity, which is operating four food outlets at Siam Takashimaya – Kimukatsu Toku restaurant, Ichii Jidoriya, Azabu Zabo and Qpot Caf้ – is very impressed by the development.

“At first I was concerned about commuting to the shopping complex, but the shuttle boat is very convenient. I think it will be a great tourist destination.

“Siam Takashimaya is very Japanese with an exquisite and detailed-oriented design. Thais are already familiar with Japanese products. I’m sure they’ll like shopping here, and the prices are reasonable too, on a par with Japan,” she says.

The interior has 16-metre gilded pillars in exquisite and graceful Thai patterns designed by celebrated artist Preecha Thaothong, illustrating the story of Suvarnabhumi,

the Golden Land./Nation:Tanachai Pramarnpanich

And there’s plenty more to do than just shop, including admiring the masterpieces created by more than 100 artists and architects, both local and foreign.

Associate Professor Preecha Thaothong has translated his vast knowledge of the aesthetics, philosophy and ethics of Suvarnabhumi – the “golden land”, an ancient name of this region – into the interior design, with exquisite and graceful patterns gilded on four majestic 16-metre pillars. The Thai patterns are chronologically ordered by era, from Ban Chiang, Champasak, Funan, Nanchao, Dvaravati and Chiang Saen to Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin.

The “Pillars of Auspiciousness” by Professor Thavorn Koudomvit symbolise prosperity./Nation:Tanachai Pramarnpanich

In this he has been ably assisted by artist Thavorn Ko-udomvit, who has turned natural elements considered auspicious in traditional Thai culture into a design printed with real leaves on the pillars. These auspicious leaf prints are in gold, symbolising the value and brilliance of each civilisation.

Lasvit, a leading chandelier designer and manufacturer from the Czech Republic, has come up with a one-of-the-kind crystal chandelier called “Joy”, while light-sculpture expert Haberdashery from England is behind the “Flow” sculpture.

Sook Siam brings together the best of local must-buy items and foods from all 77 provinces./Nation:Tanachai Pramarnpanich

And showcasing the rich heritage of Thai history and culture, Sooksiam brings together the best of Thai brands in all categories, from fashion to handicrafts to must-buy items from all 77 provinces.

Artists from every region have come together to preserve precious local wisdom. Visitors can explore the whole of Thailand and fully appreciate the stories and inspirations behind these art pieces simply by scanning the QR Code provided next to them.

Outdoor river park /Nation:Tanachai Pramarnpanich

Outside, meanwhile, the 10,000sqm River Park boasts the longest multimedia water feature in Southeast Asia, costing Bt400 million, and a huge stage adorned with a sculpture by National Artist Chalermchai Kositpipat.

STILL MORE TO COME

The River Museum Bangkok, set to open in July, will be Thailand’s first world-class museum complex bringing together the historical and cultural heritage of the country under one roof.

Free shuttle buses run from BTS Taksin (Exit 2) and BTS Krung Thonburi (Exit 1) every 10 to 15 minutes from 8am to 11.30pm.

Free shuttle boats are provided at four piers – Sathorn, CAT Telecom, Si Praya and Ratchawong – and run every 10 to 15 minutes from 9 to 11.

The mass transit Gold line, which will connect with the Green, Red and Purple lines, is currently under construction, as are four more piers to support water travel via private yacht, boats and ferries.

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

AN AFFORDABLE smartphone with a big screen and good quality dual rear camera, the 2018 edition of the Samsung Galaxy J6+ has a 6-inch Infinity Display in 18.5:9 format with 1480×720 pixel resolution. The large display is good for using the Samsung App Pair feature that allows you to open two apps simultaneously, thus letting you browse the Internet while you’re chatting with friends.

The App Pair or split screen view can be activated by opening the list of recently used apps and selecting those you want displayed in the upper half and lower half of the screen.

The J6+ is affordable because it doesn’t use the fast flagship processor but its performance is good even without that extra boost. It’s powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 quad-core processor running at 1.4GHz and equipped with 4 gigabytes of RAM and 64 GB storage, which is expandable with a microSD card by up to 512 GB.

During the test, I didn’t feel the touch screen and menus were lagging although they were definitely not as fast as the flagship models.

But even with this low price, the J6+ also comes with fast 4G LTE connection. I tested it on TrueMove H’s LTE network and it was up and running in no time at all.

I used Ookla Speedtest app to measure the connection speed and the phone got the download speed of 37.4 Mbps and upload speed of 28.5 Mbps.

The J6+ comes with good quality rear camera that uses dual camera system for creating a beautiful bokeh effect. The main camera of the dual camera system has 13-megapixel resolution and it uses a bright lens of f/1.9. The secondary camera has 5 MP resolution and uses f/2.2 lens. The data from the secondary camera uses is used to obtain the blurred background effect.

The camera provides Live Focus mode for shooting outstanding subjects with blurred background. In this mode, a slide bar is displayed on the screen for you to adjust the level of blur in the background, and I had no trouble capturing beautiful portraits with blurred background.

Others mode options are Auto, Beauty and Pro. The Auto lets you capture beautiful shots in most environments while the Beauty mode will make your subject look younger with fair and smooth skin. The Pro mode lets you adjust exposure compensation value, ISO and white balance settings.

The J6+ comes with 8-MP front camera that’s great for selfie shots and has several fun shooting modes. One of them is the Stickers mode that let you superimpose stickers on your self portraits.

There’s also a Selfie Focus mode for blurring the background and a Wide Selfie so you can get all your friends in too.

The J6+ comes with a fingerprint reader embedded on the power button on the right side for quickly and securely unlocking your phone. The phone also supports face unlocking. I tried both methods and found they worked effectively.

The J6+ comes with a large battery of 3,300 mAh capacity that can comfortably last a day on a single charge. Samsung Galaxy J6+ retails for Bt7,990.

Key Specs

Network: 2G GSM, 3G WCDMA, 4G LTE FDD, |4G LTE TDD

OS: Android 8.1.0

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 quad-core processor running at 1.4GHz

Memory: 4GB

Storage: 64GB, expan dable with microSD card by up to 512gB

Display: 6-inch TFT display with 1480×720 pixel resolution

Cameras: Rear: |Dual 13.0MP -+ 5.0 MP cameras using f/1.9 and f/2.2 lens respectively; Front: 8MP camera with f/1.9 lens

Connectivity: ANT+, MicroUSB, 3.5mm stereo jack, Wi-Fi 802.11n; Bluetooth 4.2

Location: GPS, Glonass, Beidou

Sensors: Accelerometer, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor, Proximity Sensor

Battery: 3,300 mAh

Dimensions: |161.4 x 76.9 x 7.9mm

Weight: 178g

“GO ON Rocky, find it! Good boy!” The labrador wags his tail, happy to have found the hidden treasure as he graduates from Italy’s “truffle dog university”, doing his master proud.

Giovanni Monchiero is the dean of the unusual academy in Roddi in northwestern Italy and, like his father, grandfather and great-grandfather, transforms “normal” dogs into expert seekers of the lucrative fungus.

“Teaching a dog to find truffles is very simple, you just need plenty of patience and to realise that for the dog, it’s a game,” says Monchiero, 55.

“We start by getting the dog to play with the truffle. Personally, I use a fresh truffle, but if you don’t have one you can put some truffle-scented oil on a tennis ball. You throw it, the dog has to retrieve it and you reward him with dog biscuits.”

Giovanni Monchiero is the heir to a dynasty of rectors from the “University of truffles dogs”, founded in 1880 by his great grandfather Antonio. In three weeks, the University can train a dog to be a truffle hunter. /AFP

Then the master makes the game a little more complicated by throwing the truffle into long grass, where the dog can’t see it.

“That’s when you start giving commands: go on, find it, you’ve found it, well done! You have to always congratulate and reward,” Monchiero says.

“Once the dog has learned the truffle aroma, the next step is to bury the truffle, not very deep at first.”

Graduates then delight in unearthing the knobbly fungi lurking among the roots of oak, linden, willows or poplar trees – with which they have a symbiotic relationship.

Roddi is in the Alba region, famous for its white truffles, “distinguished by an intense perfume, evocative of the woods, of nature,” says Antonio Degiacomi, head of Italy’s National Centre for Truffle Studies.

Truffle hunter Giovanni Monchiero smells a truffle past his dog in the woods near Alba in northwest Italy. /AFP

This year white truffles fetch 350 euros (Bt13,000) for 100 grammes, down from at least 600 euros last year, with an average truffle weighing 20g.

Going truffle hunting is a passion, says Monchiero, who heads out every morning and evening during the truffle season, which runs from September 21 to January 31.

The university was founded by his great-grandfather in 1880 and Monchiero’s principle is that while not every dog can become a good truffle-hunter, all breeds have a chance.

“Some dogs are predisposed to find truffles, others are not,” says Monchiero, who has even trained a small German Pinscher to sniff out the delicacy destined for the finest restaurants.

He has trained dozens of dogs, usually one or two at a time.

“Master Monchiero is the best in the whole Piedmont region. This is the third dog he has trained for me,” says Rocky’s master, Diego Guaraldo.

“He doesn’t use cruel methods like depriving the dog of food, but gentler methods,” adds Guaraldo, a 36-year-old lawyer, describing the university’s graduates as “real champions”.

A white truffle in the Morra Truffles Shop in Alba, near Turin, northwestern Italy/ AFP

“He manages to set something off in the animal, which becomes crazy for truffles. That’s what all of us truffle-seekers want. The dog must be meticulous, focused, undistracted by the smell of game,” Guaraldo notes.

“The animal can smell a truffle from 10, 15, 20 metres away,” Guaraldo says of his graduate dogs.

The three-week education costs 400 euros and Monchiero says he gives three classes a day though he stops for an hour or two when he sees that his charge is bored or tired.

“This is a basic course. To become a good truffle dog takes on average three years. What’s important is to keep training the dog, not necessarily every day but every other day,” Monchiero says.

Rocky meanwhile has all the potential to become an excellent truffle dog. Except for his weakness for eating his finds.

Not a problem, Monchiero laughs.

“He knows how to seek out the truffle and to find it. He just needs to learn to hand it over in exchange for a biscuit,” he said, noting that some dogs always nibble a bit of their truffle.

Guaraldo doesn’t mind.

“Better a slightly damaged truffle in your pocket than a perfect truffle in someone else’s!”

With more than 28 million Thais downloading the widely popular mobile multi-player game RoV (Realm of Valour) over the past two and a half years, the Kingdom is set to host the world championships next month.

The domestic online gaming market is estimated to be worth Bt10 billion per year, with an annual growth rate of about 20 per cent.

According to Sarut Vanichpun,

country manager of Garena Thailand, the game’s publisher, next month’s event is officially known as AIC – for AoV International Competition. RoV is known as AoV (Arena of Valour) overseas.

The game is specifically designed for mobile phones and like devices and has so far registered more than 100 million downloads around the world, with Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam among the major markets.

Sarut said the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Bitec) in Bang Na will be the venue for the world championships, which will be streamed live on Garena’s YouTube and Facebook channels.

Sixteen teams of five to six players from 11 countries including Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, the United States and some European nations are expected to compete in Bangkok.

This is the second global event of its kind after the inaugural championships in Los Angeles in July.

Owing to huge domestic interest in mobile gaming, Sarut said, Thailand has joined the ranks of major markets for the Moba (mobile multi-user online battle arena) segment, which is outgrowing PC-based games due largely to the high penetration of smart phones here.

Gaming on mobile devices, especially smartphones, has outpaced the PC gaming segment, accounting for 45 per cent of market share against 30 per cent. Gaming on consoles and Play-stations accounts for the rest.

In Thailand, Garena uses the free-

to-play business model for its games

and generates revenue from the sale of necessary in-game items such as characters, which cost Bt300 to Bt500 apiece.

As part of an e-sports promotion, the Tourism Authority of Thailand recently held a national contest for the best design of digital hero “skins” inspired by Thailand’s tourist landmarks such as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Thanks to the growing popularity of online games, people are now getting jobs as professional e-sports players and commentators during live streaming of major competitions.

Sarut said most players in Thailand are aged 15 to 35.

In a related development, the LoL World Championships were held in South Korea from September 22 to November 5 and the final round ended with the Invictus team of Chinese and Korean players beating the Fnatic team from Europe 3-0.

Chinese retailer Tencent is a shareholder in both Garena and game developer Riot Games, while Garena is part of Sea Group.

Sea, the parent company of Garena, operates the digital entertainment platform also called Garena, e-commerce service Shopee and digital financial service AirPay.

Online gaming and other electronic sports have also evolved into a new segment of competition recognised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) as a medal event slated for the 2022 Asian Games in China, having been a demonstration sport at this year’s Asian Games in Indonesia.

The OCA has also introduced Moba games as one of the e-sports for the Asian Indoor and Martial Art Games.

However, official recognition of online gaming and e-sports as part of the traditional sport programme has been controversial, with some critics opposing the classification.

In Thailand, there have also been concerns about game addiction among young people.

Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat said e-sports should be developed to require more physical movement like players actually having to hit balls, run on treadmills or jump over specially designed electronic obstacles.

He said the process of “gamification” had a wide range of benefits, but there should be more developers focusing on new applications, such as those aimed at helping senior citizens maintain their health, and making traditional activities more challenging and appealing. Education, training and other mundane activities also benefit from gaming, he said.

The bottlers of Mekhong recently showed again just how far the 80-year-old rum’s flavour extends with the second Mekhong Thai Spirit Cocktails competition. The winner and runnerup will be served at the Michelin Guide Thailand Star Revelation and Gala Dinner on November 14.

“Mekhong introduced the campaign in 2017 to find the best cocktails to represent Thailand on a global stage,” said Sansiri Yodmeungcharoen, assistant marketing director at Thai Beverage Marketing.

“Rin Kam Lam Khong draws its inspiration from the slogan ‘the Spirit of Thailand’,” says Aekachai Khongsri.

“We were able to proudly present two cocktails – ‘Koon Suek’ from Baan Suriyasai and ‘Thong’ from Tep Bar – at the Michelin Guide Bangkok 2018 Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner.

“What’s special about this year’s campaign is the sharper focus on using truly unique local ingredients alongside Mekhong rum to really celebrate the uniqueness of Thai flavours,” he said. “This year we expanded the search to cover the entire nation. We shortlisted 11 cocktails from 11 bars and restaurants. Each one tells a charming and unique story about Thailand, such as culture, tradition, and history.”

“‘Nuan’ refers to the off-white colour of a milled rice grain,” says Watchara Warodom.

The public was given a chance to vote on the shortlisted entries on Mekhong’s Facebook page.

“Those votes accounted for 20 per cent of the total score,” Sansiri said. “The remaining 80 per cent came from our panel of esteemed judges – Mekhong master blender Dechapongsa Kanchanalakshana; Philip Bishoff, the winner of Best Bar Asia; cocktail guru Ano Chuminchaj; celebrity chef Chumpol Jangprai; and Ariya Samattai of Thai Beverage Marketing.”

The two winners were Rin Kam Lam Khong, conceived by Aekachai Khongsri of Pullman Bangkok King Power, and Nuan, a creation of Watchara Warodom of Tep Bar.

Rin Kam Lam Khong

“Rin Kam Lam Khong draws its inspiration from the slogan ‘the Spirit of Thailand’, which in turn was derived from the iconic Mekhong River that’s the source of life for many,” Aekachai explained.

“To represent the origin of the river in Thailand, I used herbal tea and a blend of galangal, lemongrass and pandan leaves as a base before fusing it with sweet tamarind from Loei and crispy banana from Ubon Ratchathani.”

Watchara noted that the word “nuan” refers to the off-white tone of milled rice.

Dechapongsa Kanchanalakshana, Chumpol Jangprai and Philip Bishoff were the judges.

“A ceremony is typically held before rice, widely regarded as a sacred plant, is planted every June. In Bangkok, the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony marks the traditional beginning of the growing season. Taking this as inspiration, the cocktail Nuan delivers the subtle flavour of rice milk made from Thailand’s celebrated Hommali 105 jasmine rice.

“The real highlight comes from Mekhong, which is made from broken, milled glutinous rice. The cocktail has the natural sweetness of stevia and gets its acidity from Tep kitchen’s rice vinegar. Served in a tall glass rimmed with puffed rice crackers, Nuan celebrates rice in all its glory.”

Sansiri said Mekhong, established in 1941, “continues to represent the uniqueness and charm of Thai culture to people around the world”.

“The distinct flavours of the rum come from cane sugar and glutinous rice tips, distilled using traditional methods and then mixed with a blend of herbs and spices. The recipe has been passed down from one generation to the next, and is well loved by Thais and people around the world.

“We realise the role we play in helping to promote Thai culture far and wide. And this is why we initiated this campaign and will keep it going. We want Thais to be proud of their heritage and homegrown spirits such as Mekhong, which can be used to create truly unique cocktails.”

For most of us, especially in Asia, rice is an integral part of our culinary traditions and our diet. It’s a staple too for the Pga K’nyau residents of Ban Pha Mon but to these ethnic Karen people, the grain itself means so much more.

Located in Chiang Mai’s Doi Inthanon National Park, seven kilometres off the main highway, the small rural community of Ban Pha Mon is home to Pga K’nyau Karen who migrated from China and Myanmar and settled down in this village in Chom Thong District more than 130 years ago.

Farmers harvest rice as the sun bathes the fields in gold

A breathtaking sea of terraced rice fields and the mountains in the background have turned Pha Mon into something of a tourist attraction since it became part of a community-based tourism initiative more than 10 years ago.

More recently, the villagers have been conducting further research into ways they can use their strongest point – the stunning rice terraces– to draw more tourists to their home.

“We have a bond with rice. Rice is our life, spirit, and soul. Rice is more valuable than money. If you don’t eat rice you will die,” says Boonta Pharueksachimpli, one of the village leaders.

“Every seed [of rice] has its life. It dies three times a year to feed humans,” he adds.

After harvesting, farmers thrash the rice to separate the paddy from the plant.

According to Pga K’nyau beliefs, the rice dies the first time when it is sown in the field, a second time when it is harvested and a third time when it is cooked, Boonta explains.

Legend has it that a millionaire and a widow argued over whether rice or money was the most important thing in life. The millionaire gave priority to money while the widow believed rice was more important.

One day, the son of the millionaire cried so hard that the father soaked some money in water and had his son drink the water. But still the boy cried. The father later saw rice immersed in water and brought the rice for his son to eat. And the son stopped crying.

Karen women demonstrate how to make “Khao Mud”, a local rice-based dessert.

The Karen have been planting rice ever since and have always given priority to the crop.

With a population of 645, Pha Mon village currently has around 264 rai of rice fields. The community produce some 10,000 tons a year, most of it for local consumption, with the balance sold to the Hmong people, another ethnic group living in north of Thailand.

Boonta Pharueksachimpli, second left, and Pha Mon’s research team.

Here, perhaps more than elsewhere, the farmers pay attention to every step of the crop cycle from the preparation of the earth, to sowing and growth, Boonta says.

Before they even start, the farmers conduct more than 30 elaborate procedures along with spiritual rites, he adds.

For example, they will select one member, who they believe will be able to get a good yield, as the leader to take charge of all the processes that year.

A sign reading “Ban Pha Mon, a model village for farmer-based tourism” at the entrance to the village

Then they must choose the most auspicious day of the week to start planting.

That choice is based on the day that delivered the best-growing rice seedling during the experimental planting they organise ahead of the season.

In Thailand’s central and northeast regions, two to three crops are usually planted during the year but here too the Karen are an exception, planting rice just once in the 12-month cycle.

“Our rice grows for six months. We start to plant from end of May and harvest in October to early November,” says Boonta, who last year led a group of villagers to conduct research into using rice to promote tourism under the farmer-based tourism scheme. Under this initiative, villagers will organise tour programmes that focus on the farmer’s way of life.

A friendly Pga K’nyau grandma in traditional dress laughs as she watches the visitors

The research for the farmer-based tourism project, which was launched last year, is supported by the Thailand Research Fund [TRF]’s community-based research division and is aimed at empowering and strengthening villagers and farmers through research as well as through using tourism to generate extra income to elevate their quality of life.

Ban Pha Mon is one of 10 communities in the pilot project and TRF anticipates that villagers and farmers could earn between Bt500,000 to Bt700,000 per year from tourism, with each household benefiting from no less than Bt35,000 annually.

After a year of studying and collecting information, Boonta and his team could see that their village has the potential for farmer-based tourism.

They can trace back their rice history through eight species, showcase some ancient farming tools as well as the rituals and local wisdom used in the planting of rice terraces and demonstrate the evolution in the way of rice planting.

The researchers are now in the process of finalising the design of route trips and rice walking tours and expect to launch the tour programme for tourists next year before the next planting starts.

The tentative walking route will start from the rice terrace where tourists will learn how the farmers plant and harvest the rice and even have a go at it themselves.

Visitors will also witness the spiritual rites conducted before and during planting, as well as after harvesting to protect the crop from dangers caused by nature and humans.

Along the route, tourists will be able to learn about the ecology as well as about the herbs and plants the villagers use to cure certain ailments.

Demonstrations of how the rice is processed into other products, including desserts, will also be included.

Tourists can choose to stay overnight in a villager’s home to fully immerse themselves in community life. Numbers will however be limited to no more than 20 visitors a day.

“Bue Pha Doh” rice is the most popular rice species among the Karen.

Revenue sharing will use the same model as the community-based tourism scheme, with those earning income for the tourism services allocating some five to 10 per cent to the commune for public interest spending, including scholarships for students, healthcare for the elderly and building firebreaks.

“The Karen have a unique way of planting and thinking about their rice. To them, rice is like God. They believe people eat the ‘virtue’ or ‘value’ of rice,” says Somkid Kaewtip, dean of the School of Administrative Studies at Maejo University and an adviser to the TRF’s research division.

The research findings will also change the way others perceive rice, he adds.

“Their ‘ways of rice’ are closely linked to their way of life. So understanding their way of planting rice will help outsiders enjoy a better understanding of the Karen,” Somkid says.

IF YOU GO

– Ban Pha Mon is located in Chiang Mai’s Doi Intanon National Park, seven kilometres off the main highway and about 90km from downtown Chiang Mai.

– To arrange a visit, call (081) 166 4344 or join the conversation at Facebook/baan.phamon.

The workout crowd at Jetts 24 Hour Fitness in Bangkok was even better looking than usual one recent evening when Miss Thailand, Miss Thailand World and Miss Earth Thailand tried out “Jetts Mantra Circuit Training”.

The beauty queens gathered at its club at Suanplern Market on Rama IV Road looking to further tone up.

Country manager Dane Cantwell said the young generation today, “especially women”, tend to seek exercise activities that yield total body results within a limited time.

“The circuit training class is developed from our clearcut understanding of the ladies’ aspiration to always stay in shape, whether it’s for their health, a requirement of their jobs or the fact they’re expected to meet very high standards because they’re always in the public eye.

“After this class, your arms, thighs, abdomen and hips will be toned and strengthened, while the body’s metabolism and cardiovascular systems will be improved altogether. The pilot classes are scheduled to open at Suanplern Market during the first phase, before expanding into other branches across Bangkok soon.”

The 60-minute session involves a five-minute warmup, 15 minutes each of lower and upperbody exercise, 20 minutes of nonstop core muscle exercise and a five-minute cooldown.

“If you choose a workout regimen and fitness location that fits your lifestyle, a hectic schedule will never be a problem,” says Miss Thailand 2014 Wilasinee Chanwuttiwong.

Jetts has an Eight Stack for toning and building muscle from pecs to lats, a Rower for increasing leg and back strength, an Abs Machine for toning abdominal and back muscles, and a Fit Ball to be used as upbeat music plays.

Thanchanok “French Fries” Moonninta, Miss Thailand World 2015, said she’s enjoyed several career opportunities, including being an emcee and actress.

“You definitely need a fit body and mind. Jetts Mantra Circuit Training helps me a lot, not only with weight loss and figure maintenance, but also in terms of personality and self-confidence boosting. I’m never bored, even for a second. It’s a great alternative if you’re tired of the usual cardio and weight training.”

“Circuit Training helps me a lot, not only with weight loss and figure maintenance, but also in terms of personality and selfconfidence boosting,” says Miss Thailand World 2015 Thanchanok Moonninta.

Wilasinee “Aee” Chanwuttiwong, Miss Thailand 2014, pointed out that being involved in beauty pageants “may look feminine and glamorous”, but it requires a lot of stamina and fitness.

“Now that I’m juggling academic life, duties as a university ambassador and my career in show biz, it’s vital for me to be physically fit to be able to undertake all the activities to my fullest ability.

“If you choose a workout regimen and fitness location that fits your lifestyle, a hectic schedule will never be a problem.”

Paweensuda “Fahsai” Drouin was first runnerup in Miss Thailand 2013, second runnerup in Miss Universe Thailand 2015 and won the crown as Miss Thailand Earth 2017.

“The class also enhances my performance at work. I’ve become full of energy,” says Miss Thailand Earth 2017 Paweensuda Drouin.

“I’m a workout freak and plays sports on a regular basis, but I have to admit it’s very difficult to keep in shape on a hectic schedule,” she said. “That’s why a workout activity that matches my lifestyle and time is very important.

“After going through the circuit training with Jetts, I can feel my muscles are getting stronger and my extra fat has started to disappear. Not only does the class improve my health physically, but it also enhances my performance at work. I’ve become full of energy and sharper both mentally and physically.”

Jetts also offers a wide range of other exercise classes, including bodypump, bodycombat, bodybalance, sh’bam, functional training FX, TRX, gym ball, bun 24, zumba, yoga and pilates. Group exercise classes are offered every week at no additional charge.

All members can automatically join workout classes for free after signing up for Bt1,500 per month.

Visit http://www.Facebook.com/JettsThailand to check out the weekly Circuit Training schedule.

To celebrate the first anniversary of its launch in Thailand, until November 30 the first 50 people to sign up pay only Bt3,000 (Bt1,500 monthly fee and Bt1,500 for an access card), a free month’s membership and a waiver of the Bt1,500 entrance fee.

Regular members get the same deal plus a free VIP Pack (three personaltrainer sessions).

An invitation-only private event takes place tomorrow (November 9) for VIPs, celebrities, artists from around Thailand and the world, members of the Thai and international media and the first 1,000 members of the general public selected by Iconsiam.

It features a line-up of international artists including Choi Siwon, Kim Dong-jun, and F4 as well as a surprise concert by a world-renowned singing star whose identity is being kept secret.

On Saturday and Sunday, members of the public are invited to see shows and performances by F4, free of charge.

Iconsiam will welcome visitors with a combination of magnificent traditional Thai art and a Thai shadow play, a performance art that dates back to the Ayutthaya Period. The artistic work to be performed was created by Professor Kamol Tassananchalee, the 1997 National Artist in visual arts and a locally and internationally renowned artist. The shadow play will be performed by Thai masters from Wat Khanom while skilled puppeteers will put on a traditional Thai puppet show bringing to life famous literary heroes and heroines created to act as if they were alive, waiting to greet and entertain visitors in a polite and friendly manner.

Also joining the opening celebration will be floral and butterfly performances in the form of Stilt Walkers from Australia’s Empress Stilt Dance.

The highlight show at the River Park on the bank of the Chao Phraya River is called “Eternal Prosperity” and combines art and culture with material advances to reflect the prosperity of the past which has continued into the present as well as the advancement and the glory of the future.

A riverside area has a huge performance stage decorated with an exquisite sculpture designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat. The sculpture is installed above the expansive performance area spanning more than 1,000 square metres and is to be used for traditional Thai performances, contemporary Thai dances, international performing arts and world circuses. These performances are from many of the country’s leading institutions and include a song called the “Icon of Dreams” presented by the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra led by Dr Sugree Charoensuk, the melody for which was composed by Dr Narong Prangcharoen and Sarawut Lertpanyanuch with lyrics by Dolchai Boonyaratavej, and with Thanis Sriklindee as the soloist on Thai flute.

The Eternal Prosperity show will include the spectacle of “Sri Mahasamut” sailing junks gliding along on the Chao Phraya River. Visitors can also admire state-of-the-art technology brought to the event courtesy of a major collaboration with Intel, which will create magnificent visuals in the sky with over 1,500 drones, making it the first great drone performance in Thailand, and the largest number of drones used in a show in Southeast Asia.

The outdoor performances will end with the longest river dance in Southeast Asia from 8pm to 10pm. It will go along with a spectacular lighting show centred on the two super luxury residential buildings – Magnolia Waterfront Residences and The Residences at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok.

Indoor highlights include dance performances mingled with acrobatics at the mezzanine hall on M Floor.

Visitors will also be treated to an acrobatic show by a troupe of Chinese pyramid acrobats and music performances from the band Ekkarong, conducted by Jirapan Angsawanon, and a host of international skilled musicians, together with beautiful songs from Thailand’s own diva Saowanit Nawapan.

A giant stage 17 metres high and decorated with exquisite arts and a large garland will serve as the podium for specially choreographed dances that show the delicate art of Thai handicraft making and the meticulous art of making garlands as traditional Thai-style welcome gifts.

The 1st floor of the shopping complex showcases a collaboration of Thailand’s four leading designers namely Jirat Subpisankul, Wisharawish Akarasantisook, T-Ra Chantasawasdee, and Platt Srilalitsoi who have transformed Thai silks into an art installation of fabric called “Concentration”. The art piece was crafted with contemporary innovation combined with the traditional tie-and-dye process, resulting in a modern, creative, and unique work of art.

The high art of food decoration on garments will be on full display for the first time in Thailand with a menu created by Tom Wolfe, the world-renowned chef in collaboration with Sorapol, a Thai designer who has earned worldwide fame. Together, they will create an haute couture collection that appeals to the eye and satisfies the taste buds in equal measure on the first floor.

Special performances by world-class magicians will present for the first time ever in Thailand together with world-class ballet performances. They will perform exciting and spectacular shows around stories created exclusively for Iconsiam at Iconluxe.

The magic shows will be headlined by Charlie Mag, a young Spanish magician who is well known around the world from a popular TV show in France.

Mag is best known for his dove illusion that is considered one of the most difficult feats. A winner of multiple international illusion magic awards, he is considered one of the world’s most successful magicians.

He will team up with Vinz from France, who will give a special show involving a magic key that leads to the discovery of the most beautiful art of ballet from world-class performers of the Mariinsky Theatre in a show directed by Erika Lemay from Physical Poetry.

ML Dispanadda Diskul, the foundation’s chief executive, notes that the project is now in its third year and aims to create a workspace where Doi Tung’s partners and local craftsmen came collaborate and come up with a special collection.

This year, designer Polpat Asavaprapha, organiser Sombatsara Teerasaroch, Vogue’s editor in chief Kullawit Laosuksri, and actress Natapohn Tameeruks are working with the Doi Tung’s artists on their exclusive designs.

There are 30 special products that effectively communicate the key message to the target group of new generation urbanites. All revenue after expenses will be used to further support the project known as “Plant People” to enable independence in accordance with the Princess Mother’s resolution along with sustainable development.

Polpat Asavaprapha of Asava spoke on the inspiration behind the collection, explaining that the design collaboration between the ASV fashion brand and Doi Tung stemmed from the desire to incorporate the knowledge and beauty of unique and characteristic handcrafts with the brand’s modern and fun design. The special collection of unisex fashion items includes a jacket with vertical stripes made from woven bambooinfused cotton, short and long dresses, cotton and rayon dresses with silver thread, offshoulder tops, blouses, crew neck tshirts, trousers, denim jackets, and shirt, as well as handwoven bags and unisex hats.

Sombatsara designed a large rayoninfused cotton handwoven carpet. Titled “Flowers on the Hills”, it reflects the inspiration stemming from the perpetually changing spectacular views of Mae Fah Luang’s flower garden. The pattern and feeling of the moment are the main message in this artwork that depicts the wonderful vibe of Doi Tung’s garden.

Likewise, Kullawit created the City Bag, a tote made from natural cotton fibre and handwoven by Doi Tung’s craftsmen. It’s completed with authentic leatherwork that helps enhance and strengthen the element while black and purple add to the modern style. The tote is multifunctional with several internal pockets for convenience and can be worn in various ways for different lifestyles.

Natapohn concocted a handwoven clutch from the soft hempinfused cotton in natural dyes and complemented it with a handwoven handle and Japanese handmade washi paper notebook box set. The 4notebook box set took its inspiration from Doi Tung’s thread weaving tradition.