This event consists of five segments.

“Design Showcase” will have 51 designers and entrepreneurs displaying their wares on Charoenrat Road, at the former Election Commission headquarters next to the TCDC on Muang Samut Road, and at a nearby shophouse.

Clothes, decorative items, furniture, gifts, textiles, toys, ceramic objects, lamps, silver, wood and food products will be on sale, originating mainly in Chiang Mai but with some from Bangkok.

“Creative Space Workshops” will see entrepreneurs hosting open houses and sharing their skills. There will be 26 workshops across the city covering topics ranging from leather goods, mulberry paper, coffee and clothing to printed textiles.

Unfortunately, all are already booked up save one, in which Australian artist Chris Chun will demonstrate how to make some very cool pillowcases. Get an application form at the TCDC or email.

“Citywide Installation & Tours” examines large design objects like sculptures, wooden installations and furniture installed at seven locations. You get to interact with the objects and study the skills and materials used. There will also be a coffee tour, a bike tour and an artandculture tour activities.

“Business Programme” aims to link local manufacturers and entrepreneurs with buyers and business partners, both in Thailand and abroad. Events include a networking party and a market featuring handicrafts and homemade products on December 13 and 14 in the grounds of a 140-year-old house on Charoenprathet Road.

“Creative Dialogue” at the TCDC will involve panel discussions among 30 experts on subjects related to design and entrepreneurship.

Find out more at http://www.ChiangMaiDesignWeek.com and http://www.TCDC.or.th/chiangmai.

British royalty was in town last week to help the British Embassy and Siam Piwat in a humanitarian housing endeavour.

Michelin-star chef Ken Hom prepared “Dinner with the Duke”, which delighted His Royal Highness Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, Ambassador Brian John Davidson and all of their guests.

Helping host the evening were Siam Piwat senior executive vice president Mayuree Chaipromprasith and Habitat for Humanity Thailand chief executive Timothy Loke.

From left, Mayuree Chaipromprasith, Prince Richard and Ambassador Brian John Davidson.

Loke’s agency will use the funds raised to build homes for low-income Thais and otherwise assist their communities.

Prince Richard thanked Habitat for making life safer, more secure and more hygienic in many parts of the world for people “who otherwise would be living in shacks or have no home at all”.

“I’m delighted with your support for this charity and I’d like to thank Siam Piwat for sponsoring this. I supposed this could be an historic event because the British Embassy will not be here at this location very much longer. It is perhaps one of the last chances to appreciate it.”

Ken Hom and Timothy Loke

Ambassador Davidson lauded the strong, long-lasting friendship between the embassy and Siam Piwat. I’m delighted that we can donate all profits from ticket sales to Habitat for Humanity Thailand and that it will contribute to the good work they do here in improving people’s living conditions.”

Mayuree raised a cheer to Hom’s magnificent arrangements, including the meticulous six-course feast. It featured chicken and sundried tomatoes in spring rolls, creamy asparagus soup, jade prawns, roast lacquered duck, corn-meal-ginger waffles, warm mango compote and Petits Fours Mandarin Oriental.

ML Radeethep Devakula and Chamapan Rangaratna

Singer Rudglao Amaradit performed and celebrity photographer Pornpot “Sixtysix” Kanchanahatakij made the rounds recording the scene.

Among the more than 40 guests were ML Radeethep Devakula, Srisuphang Morris, Pisits Laosiriratana, Soontree Trayaporn, Nareerat Chinthammit, Chanvit Aneksamphant and Dao Sathienthirakul.

Nareerat Chinthammit and Apha Rungsimuntoran

Loke said that Humanity Thailand in not quite 20 years had enabled 57,500 people in 11,500 families “to build or improve a place they can call home”.

“Our work was made possible thanks to our generous donors and committed volunteers. More than seven million Thais are currently living in poverty, many of them in inadequate shelter.

“Even as we celebrate the happy occasion of Habitat’s 20th anniversary in Thailand, there is much more to be done. Everyone can help build homes, raise funds and speak out about the need for affordable housing.

“With continuous support, Habitat Thailand will strengthen the foundation for success by building strong, stable homes and communities though our housing programmes and community development initiatives. Together, let us build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.”

It’s called “Heavenly Bird of Siam” and it’s worth Bt38.8 million.

This is a brooch you really ought to see.

It’s on display at Siamgems Heritage’s Thai Gems and Jewelry Interactive Edutainment Museum and jewelry retailer on Bangkok’s Pradithmanutham Road.

Until November 19, Siamgems Heritage is celebrating its 56th anniversary and its successful transition from jewellery retailer to retail travel destination.

Part of the fun is a chance to win prizes valued at a combined Bt6 million.

The museum’s hall of fame, with its twin golden statues of elephants representing a bull and calf, has been turned into a legendary scene from Thai literature.

The sacred Anottata Pond is there, in the middle of the Himava Forest, with a model of Mount Meru surrounded by seven kinnaree.

The scene shows the kinnaree Manora, who’s been kidnapped and given to King Su Thon. The story symbolises the obstacles that couples endure together and in turn reflects the impediments that Siamgems Heritage has had to overcome to reach its present strength.

“For 56 years, Siamgems Heritage has always had the support of the government and its business partners,” says senior vice president Panchanok Jitchinakul.

Nicolene models the “Heavenly Bird of Siam.”

“We were one of the pioneers in jewellery retail in Thailand, meeting the needs of foreign tourists. We’ve grown into one of Thailand’s leading centres of education about Thai gems and gems from all over the world. We enjoy being among those who support the government’s efforts to enhance our industry and the tourism industry by meeting international standards.”

In fact, Prommate Nathomthong, a deputy director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, was on hand at the anniversary exhibition’s opening for a discussion on the evolution of Siamgems Heritage.

Joining him were Kreingkrai Kanjanapokin, founder-chief executive of Index Creative Village, and Miss Thailand World 2018 Nicolene PichapaLimsnukan.

The new Siamgems Heritage exhibition continues into mid-November.

“The jewellery industry is highly significant for both business and tourism in Thailand because it creates value and pride in Thai craftsmanship,” Prommate said. “Siamgems Heritage is one of the greatest jewellery retailers in Thailand and has taught us all about the process of making gems and jewellery. It’s made us realise the importance of Thai gems.”

Kreingkrai said the company’s major challenge is in providing useful and reliable information about products and services.

Nicolene pointed out that a museum is a storehouse for Thai history and culture, extending from the past to the present day, a place where everyone can learn and experience new wonders.

“Heavenly Bird of Siam” is a necklace of rubies and diamonds inspired by the mythical phoenix – the sacred bird symbolising resurrection and immortality.

Nicolene happily modelled the necklace, with the avian pendant of 18k gold affixed with a 10.03k ruby in the centre. Surrounding it are more than 200 rubies, totalling 28.6k, and 9.26k of diamonds.

In “Grand Lucky Dip”, anyone whose purchases top Bt56,000 in value get to play the lucky dip, with prizes totalling Bt6 million in value.

The star immersed himself in the neighbourhoods of Stanley, Lok Fu, Kowloon City and Wong Tai Sin, meeting citizens from walks of life and making new discoveries.

In Kowloon district, Jeong visited the famous Wong Tai Sin Temple and paid tribute to the Taoist deity revered for granting wishes to pious believers. This cultural feast of ancestral architecture and beguiling Chinese zodiac sculptures was followed by a colourful leisure experience at the nearby Temple Mall that draws on the unique vibe of the temple.

Jeong sampled the taste and the making of the much-loved Chinese dumpling xiaolongbao. Another indelible experience had Jeong dressed in a traditional navy cheongsam of his own choice. The walking tour continued in Lok Fu Place, where Jeong enjoyed an authentic Chinese tea ceremony and one of Hong Kong’s most famous sweet treats – egg tart.

On another walking tour in the southern district of Stanley, Jeong met the sunny side of Hong Kong, where he soaked in the sights and colours of Stanley Main Street to Stanley Plaza.

The laidback shopping destination greeted Jeong with the stunning views of Stanley Bay on the observation deck, where he wrote his wish on a heart-shaped card and hung it up on the railing like the locals and visitors do.

The tour culminated in the burnt orange sunset at the Murray House, where he joined local buskers to stage a surprise gig.

Conceived as a regular programme that connects international visitors and local residents to explore the city, the Link Community Tour won Bronze prize in Best Event Targeted Community category of The Marketing Events Awards 2018 and was a finalist in the Best PR Campaign – Consumer category at the Marketing PR Awards 2018.

Find out more details at http://Walkin.hk/tours/storyofkowloonin6tastydishes/ and http://Walkin.hk/tours/stanleymystery/.

Suckley has consistently broken through the ranks of established dance music chart-toppers around the world with his trance tracks, which have been championed by the genre’s luminaries including Armin van Buuren and Aly & Fila.

He is best known for his remixes for Gareth Emery, Tiesto, and Armin van Buuren, as well as his collaboration with Paul van Dyk.

His record label Damaged Records made it to Beatport’s Top 15 of best-selling trance music labels within its first year and he’s a regular at such as including TomorrowWorld, EDC, A State of Trance, Future Sound of Egypt, and Global Gathering.

Tickets are Bt500 for male and Bt400 for female available at the door.

For more information and table reservations, call (082) 731 8885 or Line: @insanity.

The first department store in Thailand to offer EV stations to customers two years ago, the project is part of the mall’s “Central…Love the Earth” initiative for sustainable living and environmental protection. With innovative technology from Germany, the EV station chargers fit all types of electric vehicles, provide fast and safe charging, and are fully safety certified. Twenty stations are available to meet the increasing use of electric vehicles at no charge.

Tapida Norpanlob, Omni-channel Merchandising Director of Central Department Store said: “We recently replaced our existing electric chargers, with a new higher technology set that caters to both hybrid (PHEV) and battery electric cars (BEV) from any car manufacturer. By installing 20 charging stations in total, 12 in Central Chidlom and eight in Central Embassy, we are making sure that we are offering the best in services to our customers as they become greener in their travel choices. The staff at each station can facilitate the use of the systems and ensure that any questions are answered. At Central Embassy alone, we have seen increasing use to about 75 per cent, which is a very encouraging number.”

Peerapatr Sirichantaropart, managing director of Sharge Management, who provide the EV stations added, “The market in hybrid and battery electric cars has seen an impressive growth of 40 percent per year. We think that the customers of Central Department Store are leaders in regards to embracing new technologies, and we’ve seen that the number of EV users at Central is 1.3 percent, compared to a national average of 0.0005%. We offer EV stations that are looking to future use as well, with our power output at 22 kW, even though hybrids at the moment require approximately 4 kW. With the average customer spending two hours in-store, that allows re-charging to at least 50 percent power levels, so it is a substantial amount to charge. We make sure that this service is free to encourage as many customers to use the stations as possible, reducing exhaust emissions and increasing the living quality of the city.”

Perrapatr also highlighted three advantages for the use of EV.

– Better for the local & global environment: EV have zero exhaust emissions, so this will lead to a drop in the amount of harmful pollutants in the air that we breathe. They can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars by up to 50 per cent, which is a significant help in reducing these harmful gases in the atmosphere.

– Cost Saving:     The running costs of the EV are lower than conventional petrol & diesel cars at Bt2-4/km.

– Cheaper Maintenance: With less moving parts than conventional vehicles, the costs of maintenance will obviously be less.

Dress up to fright for a four-hour nonstop boogie from 9 tomorrow night for only Bt600 per person inclusive of 1 Halloween drink. And the best dressed takes home a surprise giveaway.

Grab your ticket now at https://goo.gl/GzSiFW. For more information, call(02) 624 0000 or write a note to H6835@sofitel.com.

Wonderfully Whisgars

Halloween is one of the most fun days of the year where you can dress up in scary costumes and be someone completely different. Whisgars Sukhumvit 23 is ready to welcome party-goers with plenty of fun in a “haunted” environment, with great live jazz and a costume contest nightly through October 31.

The unique whisky and cigar bar has been transformed into a “haunted graveyard” especially for the occasion and Coco Rouzier with her jazz band entertains from 9pm until midnight.

And don’t forget to check out “The Omen” cocktail at Bt150.

The three winners of the costume contest will be selected by the crowd and announced at midnight. The first prize is a bottle of Dictador 12-year-old Rum valued at Bt4,600, the second is a Bt1,000 voucher, and the third is a Bt500 voucher.

Book your seats at contact (02) 664 4252 or email info@whisgars.com.

Halloween for the babes in arms

Come and enjoy trick-or-treating with your little ones at the Bambi Spooktacular Party at Novotel Bangkok on Sukhumvit 20 on November 3 from 9.30 to 11.30am. Admission is free for Bambi members, and Bt300 for non-members.

All about books

Head over to the Neilson Hays Library on November 3 and 4 and stock up your bookshelves from a selection thousands of fiction, nonfiction, and large-format books in English donated by Neilson Hays Library supporters. The popular fund-raiser offers books in all genres, with prices starting at just Bt20.

The sale kicks off at 9.30 on both days and parking is only available in the Voravit Building on Surawong Road for Bt30 an hours.

For more information, call (02) 233 1731 or email info@neilsonhayslibrary info@neil¬sonhayslibrary.

Ghosts that salsa

Mojjo Rooftop Lounge & Bar, a rooftop bar on the 32 floor of Compass SkyView Hotel, is holding Latino Fiesta Halloween Party (Free-flows) on Wednesday night from 7pm to 2am.

A DJ spins the music while free-flow drinks, including beer, cocktails, red wine, white wine and soft beverages, are priced at Bt200 from 7pm to 9pm and Bt600 for men during the same two hours.

The exhibition, which has as its theme “Love and Fondness” is being organised by Siam Piwat, the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage and Thai Beverage, and runs until October 28 at the Lifestyle Hall on the second floor of Siam Paragon.

Thanpuying Butree Veeravaitaya, the Foundation’s Secretary-General said: “More than 23 years after her death, the graciousness, love and caring of the late Princess Mother remain imprinted on our memories. The late Princess Mother witnessed many changes in Thai society throughout the five kingdoms since the reign of King Chulalongkorn until the reign of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Throughout her lifetime, she gave love to everyone and her royal works continuously helped solve problems for everyone, no matter their nationality or religious beliefs.”

This year’s exhibition aims to encourage the young generation to follow the Princess Mother as a role model and is divided into several chapters of her life.

Chapter 1: Dekying Sangwan grew up in a family goldsmiths in the small community of Wat Anongkharam and became a royal servant to Princess Valaya Alongkorn, the Princess of Petchaburi, daughter of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and Queen Savang Vadhana. Sangwan later enrolled as a student of Siriraj School for Midwifery and Nursing.

Chapter 2 Mom Sangwan of Prince Mahidol, the Prince of Songkla was selected for a scholarship to study nursing in the United States. This was a major turning point in her life and followed her marriage to Prince Mahidol, the Prince of Songkla Nagarindra. The couple was soon raising their family.

Chapter 3 Princess Sri Sangwan: Following the death of Prince Mahidol Adulyadej, the princess assumed the responsibility of head of family raising two sons and one daughter in a changing society.

Chapter 4 Princess Mother Sri Sangwan: the Princess Mother continued to take care of and train her sons and daughters – Princess Galyani Vadhana, the Princess of Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, King Ananda Mahidol (King Rama VIII, and King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX) and later passed this great love to her grandchildren, instilling in them a sense of morality and responsibility.

Chapter 5 Princess Mother Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Boromrajajonani not only graciously took care of her family members, but was also full of mercy and kindness to Thai citizens. She is the “Somdet Ya” beloved to all Thai people.

Chapter 6 Mae Fah Luang: The Princess worked hard to support the hilltribes through the setting up of the Mae Fah Luang Foundation and Doi Tung Development Project. Her mission was to solve the poverty problem, leverage incomes and raise the quality of life of the people. She became known as “Mae Fah Luang”, bringing happiness and hope to the hilltribe people in the remote areas in Kingdom.

Chapter 7 Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Boromrajajonani: On June 9, 1970, His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej honoured the precious blessings of the late Princess Mother and her great graciousness to citizens inscribing a golden template with “Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Boromrajajonani”.

The event will also distribute quality products under the Doi Tung brand produced by members of the Doi Tung Development Project in Chiang Rai Province. These include handicrafts of Doi Tung Lifestyle and coffee under Doi Tung Caf้ as well as seedling from the Mae Fah Luang Garden at Doi Tung, Chiang Rai province.

Shoppers can also follow Somdet Ya’s footprints by learning how to make a terrarium, creating green area around and create a beautiful bookmark from a dried flower.

GERMANS HAVE found October rather warm, but it made Somchet Sattayakitkajohn’s first trip to Europe rather pleasant.

The president of the Institute of Innovative Media for Learning, which has published and sold textbooks and picture books to Thai kindergartens for the past decade, was here to attend the Frankfurt Book Fair, the largest such event in the world.

“We’ve decided to expand to the primary-school level, so I wanted to come and get acquainted with the material produced by the world’s biggest players,” Somchet said. His first visit to the Frankfurt Book Fair coincided with the event’s 70th anniversary.

Unlike the Thailand Book Fair, which focuses on retail, Frankfurt sets the pace for the international publishing industry and showcases trends and innovations. It’s where the world’s publishers and literary agents meet to negotiate deals over translation rights and licensing.

Authors, writers and literary celebrities from across the planet gathered for the 70th Frankfurt Book Fair, billed as “the world’s most important fair for the print and digitalcontent business”. /EPA-EFE

Somchet came looking not just for kindergarten picture books but also textbooks for grades 1 to 6, specifically covering English as a second language.

Any textbook he arranges to sell in Thailand has to be approved by the Ministry of Education and for that it has to be part of a complete set – the textbook, activities book, teachers’ guide and additional materials.

Somchet has agents and distributors presenting him such sets at home, but he knew there’d be much more to see in Frankfurt.

“Sometimes there’s miscommunication or a misunderstanding, or it takes a long time to reach an agreement,” he said, and Frankfurt would likely present both more options and direct contacts with the publishers of the textbooks he’s interested in.

While most people think of established names like Oxford and Cambridge as sources on English-lesson textbooks, Somchet said there are publishers in Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea and European countries like Italy producing high-quality books despite English not being the main language in those places. These companies understand the best ways for non-native speakers to approach English.

Somchet Sattayakitkajohn

At the end of the five-day fair, Somchet said the trip was well worth it. “We were able to see textbooks from publishing houses we’ve never seen before. And there are so many well-made picture books for kindergarten students.”

He vowed to return every year to keep up to date with the trends.

Risuan Aramcharoen, president of Plan for Kids, which publishes children’s books and learning media, agrees with that view, having dispatched her staff specialists on translation rights to Frankfurt for years.

She sees the fair as an opportunity to sell translation rights to other countries too. Plan for Kids has done this with several titles about dinosaurs and the popular character Kung King to buyers in Hong Kong, Macao, Mainland China and Belgium.

But Thais aren’t going to welcome every popular title from the West, Risuan pointed out.

“There’s still a big gap between Thailand and the West in terms of parenting,” she said. “Westerners grow up with books. They don’t ask what you get from reading – they know books are good for kids and help in their development.”

That makes imaginative stories popular in the West, but they don’t sell as well in Thailand.

Risuan Aramcharoen

“Thai parents will look for something closer to daily life, such as teaching kids how to do household chores and brush their teeth or encouraging them to eat vegetables,” said Risuan. This stems from the fact that many Thai parents didn’t grow up with books themselves and don’t understand how books can contribute to a child’s mental and emotional development.

“I’m often asked. ‘Which type of books should I buy?’” she said, and some parents believe there’s no need to give books to children until they’re in school.

But there are more and more Thai parents who understand how books can help pre-schoolers, she said, and that will gradually improve the overall reading culture in Thailand. Kids who grow up with books will get their own children reading early.

Electronic books haven’t had an impact on her publishing house, Risuan said, because young learners need the sight and feel of printed books. “But it’s obvious that adults are now reading books and getting their news on their mobile phones. So the big impact is on the print media that depend on advertising,” she noted, citing the closure of a slew of magazines and newspapers in Thailand.

This year’s Frankfurt Book Fair hosted an Asean Forum for the first time, featuring publishers from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines on discussion panels that covered topics as diverse as children’s books and translation funding schemes.

One insight that emerged was that publishers in Southeast Asia are facing similar problems, such as distribution obstacles and universities allocating less funding to their own publishing houses. “We have many good books, but they’re not reaching readers,” said Trasvin Jittidecharak, president and director of Silkworm Books, known for its high-quality English-language titles about Southeast Asia.

Trasvin said selling translation rights to other countries has never been easy for publishers in the region. “We have to accept that there is still a limited number of adult book titles across the entire region, not just Thailand, that can generate international interest,” he said. “We also have many great illustrators doing magnificent work, but we don’t yet have the platforms where they can shine.”

Trasvin Jittidecharak

Trasvin is trying to remedy some of these issues by organising with NCC Management and Development the International Children’s Content Rights Fair in Chiang Mai from November 29 to December 2. It’s billed as a marketplace where deals can be struck on creative-content rights and where interest can be stimulated in buying and selling copyrights and content related to children and young adults. Nearly 50 publishers from Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Brazil have signed up to participate.

For now, Trasvin explained, the Chiang Mai event will be focused on youth literature because the books have big, beautiful pictures and less text, so they’re easier and faster to translate and publish. Hopefully there’ll be an expansion into adult genres in the near future, he said.

“There is still limited exchange among publishers in our region,” Trasvin pointed out. “We hope this event will generate much more interest and interaction. We hope we get to see and appreciate more work by Southeast Asian writers, illustrators and innovators.”