2,2009TRAVEL,FOOD&DRINK,STYLE,ARTSANDTRENDSINASIAAroundAsiaP14-15LeAtHereDUPbOOKATABLEWuYisHANAW

THE NATION ASIANEWS April 26-May 2, 2009

TRAVEL, FOOD & DRINK, STYLE, ARTS AND TRENDS IN ASIA

Gone Bananas!

TRAVEL, FOOD & DRINK, STYLE, ARTS AND TRENDS IN ASIA THE NATION ASIANEWS

April 26-May 2, 2009

E P A / R u ngr o j Y o ngr i t

Around Asia MATE HUNTERS

P22-23

COVER

Art bears fruit p9-11 C o v er : D es i gned b y S ant i L a w c h a w ee Ill u strated b y C h a v ana C h u ngs u b h u n

SPLENDID SUKHOTHAI

P14-15

LEATHERED UP

P8

team

BOOK A TABLE

P13

CASTING CONFUCIUS

P24-25

WUYISHAN AWAITS

P30-31

Editor: Phatarawadee Phataranawik | Deputy Editor: Khetsirin Pholdhampalit | Photo Editor: Kriangsak Tangjerdjarad | Photographers: Ekkarat Sukpetch, Anant Chantarasut and Kittinun Rodsupan| Writers: Manta Klangboonkrong and Pattarawadee Saengmanee | Contributor: Pawit Mahasarinand and JC Eversole| Designers: Nibhon Appakarn, Pradit Phulsarikij, Ekkapob Preechasilp | Copy-editors: Luci Standley and Rod Borrowman | Sub-editor: Paul Dorsey | Contact: www.nationmultimedia.com, e-mail: ace@nationgroup.com.

(02) 338 3461 | ACE is published by NMG News Co LTD at 1854 Bangna-Trat Road, Bangkok

What’s Hot

Icons get the spin

A

ustralian animator and filmmaker Arlo Mountford is making his Bangkok debut at the Chulalongkorn University Art Centre. Until May 23 his animations “Return to Point” and “Stand Up” are screening, along with “Return to Form: NDINAVIA”, a film shot in Venice and Australia.

Mountford gives icons a new and humorous look, respecting their importance and subtly conveying a respect for contemporary art as well. For details, call (02) 344 6462 or (02) 218 2965.

You need Painkiller

Victory … sort of

S

ittipong Tanchaya’s pictures of tangled electric wiring alongside the Vic tor y Monument topped 800 other snapshots to win “ugliest photo” honours in the “Change Bangkok” competition held by the British Council, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Bangkok Design Festival and TV Thai.

The contest was part of the “Transforming Public Spaces” project, by which the British

| |

Council gets people to identify public spaces that could be improved with a little art.

Based on the entries, the area around the Victory Monument is in for a cleanup at the hands of local art collective Apostrophe S and Britain’s Maria Stukoff. They’ll unveil their ideas at the Design Festival in October.

Meanwhile, see what’s going on at www.ChangeBangkok. com and www.CreativeCities. org.uk.

Y

oung designer Siriorn Teankaprasith has opened a boutique on the third floor of Siam Centre called Painkiller.

She’s in good company with neighbours like Soda, F l y n o w, T h e a t r e , Greyhound and 27 Nov. Trained in Australia to design men’s gear, Siriorn also got a master’s degree in “Luxury Management and the Art of Living” in France and worked with top togs-makers Charles Jourdan and Pierre-Henri Mattout.

Her approach is delicate details combined with an underlying simplicity. Call her up at (02) 658 1000, extension 500.

April 26-May 2, 2009

c o u rtes y o f Ort o - da

Trends

Humour in the unholy In Israel, two remarkable theatre productions show there’s still a lot to learn from the Holocaust

Pawit Mahasarinand Tel Aviv

I

c o u rtes y o f R o y H o r o v i t z

April 26-May 2, 2009

nspired by Nathan Rapoport’s sculpture of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising - a work that was intended as a monument to Hitler’s victory in Europe but instead became a symbol of Jewish triumph - the play “Stones” is acted out by six actors entirely covered in Dead Sea mud.

The performance by Israeli theatre group Orto-da can be adjusted into variable lengths and staged both indoors and outdoors for audiences of any size.

It has little text, few props, various styles of background music and performing techniques that draw on pantomime, physical theatre, commedia dell ’arte, clowning and pop art.

Yet “Stones” is a powerful story re-

examining events that shaped the history of mankind.

In a second production, “The Timekeepers”, a three-character psychodrama set in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, a conservative, elderly Berlin Jew, a watch repairman, meets his new assistant, a young and outrageous German homosexual whose nickname is “Madame Butt”.

But misunderstanding and mistrust evolve into heartfelt friendship thanks to a shared love of opera. The Israeli cast is excellent.

Interestingly enough, comedy is present in both of these works, but without overshadowing their important messages, and perhaps that’s why they stand out among darker dramatic works about the Holocaust.

Since both productions can travel light, how about inviting them to the Bangkok Theatre Festival this November, to show how we can live with different, or even opposing, ideologies in these troubled times?

The writer wishes to thank the Israeli Embassy for arranging his trip to Tel Aviv. |5|

The key

B l o o mberg

Trends

to Ikea

The DIY furniture that didn’t get thrown in the trash now stars in a museum show Catherine Hickley

T

hink twice before ditching that old Ikea bookcase - it might be a museum piece.

The Pinakothek der Moderne museum in Munich, Germany, is showing the first exhibition devoted to Ikea furniture. Called “Democratic Design”, it features lowly “Billy” shelves and “Ogla” cafe chairs alongside permanent exhibits of design classics.

Anyone who’s been bewildered by screws left in the pack after sweating over assembling an Ikea desk will be amused and intrigued by this show.

The budget furniture is displayed on cardboard Ikea boxes and there are |6|

many old favourites on show.

The Ikea concept is to make design available to everyone, using mass production and self-assembly to keep down prices and transport costs.

Swedishness also plays a role: Ikea products tended to be of light wood with organic shapes and fresh colours. As the company has got bigger and more global, the style has become less distinctive.

Founded in 1943 by the 17-year-old Swede Ingvar Kamprad, the company began by selling nylon stockings, stationery and watches, only starting to produce its own furniture in 1956.

Ikea arrived in Germany, now its biggest market, in 1974.

It is difficult to argue about the success of Ikea’s concept. In 2008, the company had sales of ¤21.2 billion ($28.2 billion) with more than 583 million people visiting its stores from Prague to Shanghai, Dubai to Philadelphia.

The designs themselves are only rarely completely original, yet Ikea produces its own versions at a fraction of the cost.

The Billy shelves, for example, are exhibited next to a revolutionary design

by Bruno Paul from 1908. The difference is that Billy shelves have been sold 28 million times worldwide since they first appeared in 1978.

When they were removed from the product range in 1991, there were major customer protests. They returned to the stores in 1993.

The Billy bookcase on display at the Pinakothek der Moderne be-

longs to Florian Hufnagl, director of Die Neue Sammlung (the New Collection,) the organiser of the show. Hufnagl emptied the black shelves he bought as a student about 30 years ago to put them on show.

With Ikea items ending in garbage piles, some items were harder to find.

Curator Corinna Roesner tried desperately to track down a “Tajt” denim sofa.

When it first went on sale in 1973, it was a symbol of an alternative, anti-hierarchical lifestyle. Yet more than 30 years later, there were none to be found.

“These are things that get used every day and their lifespan is limited,” Roesner says.

Other exhibits, like the 1956 “Lovet” table - the first Ikea-designed item of furniture - are showing signs of wear and tear.

Further items were contributed by Ikea staff, who ransacked their own homes, while still others came from Die Neue Sammlung’s own collection - which includes about 70,000 design objects - and from the Ikea museum in rural Almhult, where the company is based, surrounded by woods, forest and elks.

Not every item on show was a source of pleasure. My hackles rose at the sight of the 2006 “Anes” chest of drawers. I bought an earlier, similar model in the 1990s. The drawers stuck, and getting a pair of socks out became a daily ordeal.

I consigned that chest to the cellar last year. It has yet to find its place in a museum.

“Democratic Design - Ikea” continues through July 12. For details visit www.Die-Neue-Sammlung.de.

— Bloomberg April 26-May 2, 2009

Seoul

in shapes Prada’s Transformer makes its debut in an ancient palace

I

A F P / K I M J A E - HW A N

April 26-May 2, 2009

t looks like a giant tent pitched by aliens who landed overnight in the yard of one of Seoul’s ancient royal palaces.

Welcome to the Prada Transformer — billed as the world’s first shape-shifting building — which can be lifted and rotated into different configurations to house art, film, fashion and other events.

“It’s a kind of statement that architecture doesn’t always have to be heavy... stable and repetitive,” Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas told journalists at Wednesday’s preview.

The structure, funded by the Prada Group, has four different shapes — a hexagon, cross, rectangle and circle.

Construction cranes will lift and rotate the structure into different facades and floor plate configurations to create a new venue for each cultural event.

“When you rotate this building, its floor becomes walls and walls become the floor,” said Alexander Reichert, senior architect of the Dutch-based Office for Metropolitan Architecture.

Situated next to the 16thcentury Gyeonghui Palace in the busy South Korean capital, the Transformer is also a visible symbol of the contrast between modernity and tradition, he said.

According to Koolhaas, architecture must accommodate many different activities.

“Waist Down - Skirts by Miuccia Prada” made its Korean debut yesterday at the Transformer, showcasing a collection of skirts by the Italian fashion powerhouse.

The exhibition space will be transformed into a cinema in June.

— Agence France-Presse |7|

Go SHOPPING

Getting stuffed Taxidermy’s comes up with a collection of trendy leather cases for today’s must-have gadgets

Pattarawadee Saengmanee

photo / e k k arat su k p e tch

Cases for the iPhone come in grey and brown and cost Bt495, while the jigsaw-shaped key rings, ideal for earphones, cost Bt355 a pair.

Two-tone canvas shopping bags are yours for Bt550.

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A

new star on the accessories market, Taxidermy by talented photographer-designer Muay Parivudhiphongs has plenty to offer anyone in search of trendy leather goods and stationery.

Her latest collections can be admired at the Bangkok International Gift Fair and Bangkok International Housewares Fair now on at Impact Arena.

Muay debuted four years ago with a range of simple notebooks and portfolios in plain black and grey.

Though unremarkable, they were an overnight success, selling like hotcakes at Playground on Soi Thonglor.

This time, the designer has expanded her product line and added some functional and simple genuine-leather cases for the popular iPhone and fish-eye Lomo camera, along with wallets, namecard holders, jigsaw-like key rings and straps.

Taxidermy’s stationery includes scrapbooks, pencil cases, folders and notebooks in hot shades of orange, pink, blue, green and purple, as well as in muted brown, black and grey.

Muay has also just launched a new range of two-tone shopping bags made from quality canvas in colourful hues.

Taxidermy’s products are available at Ministry of Fashion in the Centre Court zone on the ground floor of CentralWorld, at Room Interior in Siam Discovery Centre and at Mintz in Chamchuri Square.

For details call (02) 238 1292 or visit www.Taxidermy1111.com.

Brighten your desk with a functional folder that includes three notebooks and a pack of envelopes for Bt680.

Simple notebooks in vivid green, yellow and blue at Bt150 a pop.

Welldesigned leather accessories for the Lomo camera – the white case Bt1,200 and the brown strap Bt395.

These smartlooking leather wallets come in black and brown and cost Bt1,200.

April 26-May 2, 2009

E P A / R u ngr o j Y o ngr i t

Cover

ART WITH A-PEEL Ravindra Reddy’s sculpture

‘Bangkok … Bananas!!’, a 11-day festival of visual and performance arts, lays siege to the capital starting on Thursday April 26-May 2, 2009

|9|

COVER Manop Meejamrat

P h o t o / A nan C h antaras u t

Phatarawadee Phataranawik

V

enice, Berlin and Beijing can have their art “biennials” – Bangkok’s got its Banana.

And it’s a big one.

“Bangkok … Bananas!!” is a 11-day arts festival beginning on Thursday, with more than 100 artists from home and abroad showing off their talents and creations all around town.

P h o t o / A nan C h antaras u t

Nimitr Pipitkul

They’ll be in front of the department stores on Rama I Road, on the Skytrain walkways and in the galleries and theatres.

As well as sculptures and interactive installations, there’ll be music, theatre, film, breakdancing and the requisite hip-hop. | 10 |

The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre will be the main venue for the more conventional artwork, including photography and jewellery design.

Bangkok Bananas is a Bt15-millionplus bid by the Culture Ministry to bring art closer to the public, a favourite theme for its deputy permanent secretary, Apinan Poshyanond.

“Hosting a proper biennial requires a lot more money and professional commitment,” says Apinan, the festival’s artistic director, “so in the meantime Bangkok Bananas is like a rehearsal!”

“Banana” gives the artsy-posh words “biennial” and “biennale” a decidedly Thai twist, he says. The Thai word for banana, kluay, can also mean “an easy job”.

“We’re going bananas anyway. Bangkok is crazy with conflicts between people in different-coloured shirts, but beneath the craziness, our art and culture is very solid.”

Dozens of site-specific artworks have been created specially for the Banana, as you’ll see if you start your art pilgrimage at the Emporium.

In front of the mall will be Noppachai Angwattanapong’s interactive sound installation, and inside are Thaweesak Srithongdee’s giant “Dolls”.

On the Skytrain walkway at CentralWorld will be Narumon Padsamranen’s huge depictions of Bangkok landmarks and bigger sized portraits of bigeyed Indian women by Ravindra Reddy, from the Culture Ministry’s permanent collection.

Nearby you’ll see pieces

by Kamol Phaosavasdi, Thawatchai Punsawad,

Top Changtrakul, Kanoknuch Sillapawisawakul, Krit Ngamsom, Anuthin Wongsankakorn and the Supernomal group’s bamboo “Tree House”.

Peter Joseph Woytuk, the American sculptor now based in Ayutthaya, will have his bulky bronze bulls grazing in Parc Paragon alongside Thaweesak Srithongdee’s seated human figures.

On the Skytrain concourse at Siam Discovery Centre, Wit Pimkanchanapong’s humorous artificial maiyarab plant will be curling around the support pillars, and they’re bound to startle a few passers-by.

The Art and Culture Centre will display works

by Chakraphan Vilasineekul, Santi Lawrachawee and Kanoknuch.

Thaweesak’s “Dolls”

April 26-May 2, 2009

While visual arts will be spread around town, the performing arts and film screenings have specific venues.

Veteran dramatist Patravadi Meejudhon is transporting the stage fare of her Patravadi Theatre at Thonburi’s Wat Rakang to Parc Paragon for the festival.

Shoppers and tourists will be treated to contemporary dance, physical theatre and puppet shows – more than 80 productions in all.

“With more than 60 local troupes under the same roof, it will offer the big picture of the Thai theatre scene,” says Patravadi.

“We’ll conduct nightly workshops to share our knowledge, and we hope to educate and entertain the young generation as well.”

Pichet Klunchuen will raise the curtain with his dance production “Kap Hay Kluay”, inspired by the poetry traditionally sung for royal processions.

Then his fellow Silapathorn Award winner, Manop Meejamrat, will revive “The Eclipse”.

On May 2 Patravadi will once again stage “Pojamarn”, a modern interpretation of the old lakorn chari style.

B-Floor Theatre will present “The Goddess”, Botoh Co-Op Thailand “No Translation” and Wannasak Sirilar “Nithan Lamaka”.

South Korean Park Hobin and Manop will wrap things up with the

Jaika

play “Ghost”.

Meanwhile more mundane entertainment is out on the street – mimes, human robots, clowns, jugglers, magicians, breakdancers and skateboarders.

And the Thai Film Foundation is presenting nang klang plaeng every evening from May 1 to 10 outside Siam Discovery Centre.

Watching movies outdoors the oldfashioned way will be a treat, especially with classics like “Torachon Khon Suey” starring Mitr Chaibancha.

It opens the series on May 1, followed by the silent film “Elephant”, accompanied by with live music, and then “Mae Nak Phra Khanong”, Prayuth Ngaokrajang’s animations, home movies about Bangkok and short films.

Scary movies will close the series: “Baan Phi Pob” and Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s internationally acclaimed “Vampire”.

The outdoor stage at CentralWorld will offer every kind of music, from orchestral to alt-rock, hip-hop to pop and ska to jazz. Among the performers lined up are Fongnam, Khun In, Apartment Khunpa, Teddy Ska, Paradox and Oh of Doobadoo.

Impossible to miss Bangkok Banana continues from April 30 to May 10. The street performances and displays will be running daily from 3.30 to 6.30, and theatre productions at Parc Paragon start at 7.

Find a spot by 7pm for the outdoor cinema at Siam Discovery Centre.

That’s nightly from May 1 to 10.

The live music at CentralWorld starts every day at 6.

Got workshops and other activities, too: Check them out at http:// Bangkok-Bananas.blogspot.com/.

P h o t o c o u rtes y o f B angk o k B ananas

P h o t o / E kkarat S u kpetc h

Kanoknuch’s installation Joe Louis Theatre

April 26-May 2, 2009

| 11 |

Hip Hangout

The right port in a storm

Coffee that

cares

Pop into Green Coffee for a shot of java juice and you could leave with a tree

K he t sirin Pholdhampalit

P h o t o s / E k k a r a t S u k pe t c h

W

ith the Heineken logo in the lighting, it’s easy to mistake the sleek, cube-shaped building on Ram-Indra Soi 39 for a bar.

But Green Coffee’s owner, Watchara Na Nakorn, is actually just showing off his love for all things green. He’s long admired the design of the Heineken logo – hence his decision to borrow it – and he also runs Saladang, a firm offering green landscaping-anddecoration services.

He offers customers the chance to chill with coffee, recommending that they sit in the shady tropical garden and enjoy the fresh air. When the sun is too strong, the air-conditioned interior, with its funky, colourful and retro seats, offers a comfortable retreat.

It also provides a chance to admire the cement counter that’s covered with provocative messages from top graffiti artist Pakorn Thananon about the arid land. Free wi-fi Internet access is available too.

“This place satisfies my two passions,”

says Watchara, a graduate in engineering from Sripathum University. “I love to plant trees and work in a comfortable coffee shop, so it serves as my office and my sanctuary.

“Buy a cup of coffee and you’ll go home with a seedling in a used coffee cup. I have a tree nursery in Chon Buri and have donated hundreds of trees to schools nearby.”

His coffee is made with 90 per cent arabica beans from Thailand’s highlands, mixed with a small amount of Vietnamese coffee for a stronger taste.

Coffees and teas are priced from Bt35, while smoothies start at Bt60.

They can be enjoyed with chocolate or blueberry cake and brownies or a hamand-cheese sandwich for Bt35 to Bt55.

Hungrier folks can opt for quick meals from CP, such as minced-chicken spaghetti and stir-fried pork with garlic and steamed rice, from Bt75.

And don’t leave without visiting the restroom – a dream of a design with glass panels overlooking the glorious garden.

No, the coffee’s not green Green Coffee is open daily from 8 to 8. It’s about a kilometre from the mouth of Ram-Indra Soi 39 off Ram-Indra Road. Call (087) 913 1000.

| 12 |

T

he old sailor’s adage “any port in a storm” can take on added meaning during Bangkok downpours. In the latest case, the port was the P&L Club in the lobby of the Conrad Hotel, where a group of diehard Port lovers – the real stuff from Portugal – braved an off-season drenching to sample their favourite elixir.

Winemaker Jorge Nunes was in the city promoting his employer’s famed W&J Graham’s Ports at two unique events.

The P&L Club is a cigar-and-premiumbeverage haven operated by Joe Thawilvejjakul, manager of Pacific Cigar Co. Three dozen puffing patrons agreed with Joe that cigars and Port are natural companions as they happily downed premium cheeses, figs and nuts with four Graham’s Ports, including Ruby, ’01 Late Bottled Vintage, 20-year-old Tawny and ’96 Vintage Malvedos.

Nunes explained the different processes involved in making each style of fortified wine – adding distilled grape alcohol to halt fermentation, thereby retaining sweetness in the finished product, and ageing.

He noted that, once people try port wines in Asia, they buy them because they complement many ethnic foods.

Two nights later he proved his point at the Dusit Thani’s Benjarong. General manager Danny Macafferty welcomed 60 guests to his popular Thai restaurant, advising this was Bangkok’s first-ever Port wine dinner.

Graham’s Ruby Port on the rocks, also a first for Nunes, and tapas with a Thai touch got the evening started successfully.

The Dusit’s talented chef’s were equally successful in pairing medallions of foie gras and caramelised ginger with 20-year-old Tawny. Squash and raisin dumplings on braised pork belly, followed by duck breast and a red-curry reduction, matched the wellbalanced ’01 LBV Port.

Grape chutney with Mekhong whiskey gave Thai influence to a plate of blue cheeses, accompanied appropriately by Graham’s redolent ’96 Malvedos Vintage Port.

Attendees at both events definitely found the right Ports in a stormy week.

Graham’s Ports are available through Italthai at (02) 318 1617. For P&L Club info, call (02) 685 3898. For the Dusit wine-dinner schedule, call (02) 236 9999.

April 26-May 2, 2009

Nostro is all ‘ours’ Sangdad, the cookbook publisher, has a new restaurant.

No need to fear the angry spaghetti

N

an Hongvivatana is a scion of the family that runs Sangdad, Thailand’s oldest cookbook publishing house, so count on him to know something about food.

And when he calls his new restaurant at Sangdad headquarters off Lat Phrao Soi 94 “Nostro”, he’s really putting the family’s heart into it. The word is Italian for “ours”.

Nan has expanded the business and given the building a sleek and contemporary look. On the first floor the Nostro Cafe and Restaurant links with a showroom for their books.

On the second floor is a cooking “studio”, where you can take classes in making Thai and other kinds of cuisine.

Upstairs is the photo studio where they take all the delicious pictures of food for the cookbooks.

The 80-square-metre restaurant is designed in loft fashion, with bare cement predominant, but softened by retro-style wooden tables and chairs that are upholstered in brown and blue.

On a wall in one corner are photographs of the Italian countryside that Nan took on family trips.

Free wi-fi Internet access is available, but not alcohol.

“To begin with I wanted this to be April 26-May 2, 2009

just a relaxing sanctuary for sipping coffee and browsing books or surfing the Net,” says Nan, the author of a book of his own called “Coffee”.

“But since Sangdad is a cooking resource, I decided we should have food on the menu too.

“This 30-seat eatery isn’t for fine dining, it’s a bistro serving fusion and Italian d i s h e s for quick meals. Appetisers and pastas are the stars of the menu. Many of the recipes come from our cookbooks.”

The food is prepared by Navara Pleanboonlert, who trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Britain. If she impresses you, you can sign up for her classes upstairs.

Among the appetisers are honey pork in spicy sauce for Bt90, spinach canneloni for B110 and baked clams in garlic and butter for Bt130.

The pasta is spaghetti with three bases – olive oil, cream and tomato.

Recommended and not too oily are the grilled zucchini and prawn with balsamic vinegar and crispy bacon and bacon arrabbiata. Either one is Bt180.

Arrabbiatta refers to the “angry” sauce, a traditional Italian tomato sauce

fired up with red chillies.

It’s not too spicy for anyone used to Thai food, though.

The grilled salmon with fried rice with butter and garlic and served with miso sauce is a main-course treat at Bt350.

“I love eating the crusty fried rice that’s stuck to the bottom of the pan,” says Nan. “The way we do it here isn’t soft, it’s brittle. And the miso sauce, to me, goes perfectly with grilled salmon.”

There’s an extensive list of drinks, with prices ranging from Bt45 to Bt85.

The coffee is made with only aromatic and smooth arabica beans.

For desserts, try the chocolate fondant for Bt110 or the vanilla pannacotta for Bt75.

Nostra has a set lunch for Bt150, offering a choice among spaghetti, mixed salad and iced espresso or iced tea.

Repasts and reading Nostro is just off Lat Phrao Soi 94, at the Town in Town, and is open daily except Sunday from 10.30 to 9.30. Call (02) 934 4414, extension 214, or visit www.

NostroCafe.com.

| 13 |

P h o t o s / U t h o r n S r ip h a n t h a a n d c o u r t e s y o f N o s t r o C a fe

K he t sirin Pholdhampalit

Laid-back

Silk and sensitivity A living time capsule, Sukhothai is a repository of everything that’s good about Thailand

Sathorn Gold Textiles Museum

Ban Na Ton Chan community | 14 |

Sathorn Gold Textiles Museum April 26-May 2, 2009

Ramkhamhaeng National Museum

Pattarawadee Saengmanee antique implements. Artisans demonstrate weaving on a loom, and there’s a boutique that sells quality silk clothing and accessories.

Out among the orchards and rice fields is the community of Ban Na Ton Chan, which specialises in fine, handmade pha mak khon.

The residents still dye cotton with the juices of tropical plants and soften it with long soaks in mud. The fabrics aren’t as colourful as you’ve seen, but they’re certainly unique.

To explore the deeper past, head to the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum in Sukhothai Historical Park.

“Not too many tourists are interested in what we do,” says an official of the Fine Arts Department, which runs the facility. “Or perhaps few people know we’re even here.”

They ought to. The three white buildings in a shady courtyard are a treat, beginning with the leaf-shaped boundary stones salvaged from old temples.

Inside the Lai Sue Thai Memorial Hall the history of ancient Sukhothai is explained with artefacts, photographs and mock-ups.

The two-storey Ramkhamhaeng Museum itself is lined with Sukhothai Buddha images and other sculptures

Ramkhamhaeng National Museum April 26-May 2, 2009

from the 14th century.

Among the highlights are a stucco bust of Kirtimukha, a bronze walking Buddha, stone inscriptions, purported

Ramkhamhaeng National Museum

relics of the Buddha himself, and sangkalok pottery from India and the Philippines – the ceramics that actually originated in the Sukhothai city of Sawankhalok.

Market for memories The Sathorn Gold Textile Museum is in Sri Satchanalai district and open daily from 8 to 6. Admission is free. Call (055) 671 143.

The Na Ton Chan textile group is headquartered at 111 Ban Na Tonchan in Ban Tuk district and has a shop in Section 22, Soi 4 of the Chatuchak Weekend Market. Call (085) 905 0961 or see www.SME-CommunityMoIMarketing. com.

The Ramkhamhaeng National Museum is open daily from 9 to 4. Admission is Bt30, Bt150 for foreigners. Call (055) 697 367 or visit www.ThailandMuseum.com.

| 15 |

P h o t o sP/ h Kiotttoin s /uKn o rRbp o dhsu ukp aPnh r o m r e k h a

W

hat is it with Sukhothai?

There’s no Big C, hardly any traffic and no colourcoordinated masses laying siege to state-owned facilities. It’s almost as if they enjoy the relative peace of the past.

The past, of course, means a great deal to the citizens of what was Siam’s first kingdom 800 years ago.

Their more recent past is in evidence everywhere, with traditional wooden houses on every corner and fresh markets doing a booming trade.

At the Sathorn G old Textiles Mu s e u m , 6 8 - y e a r - o l d S a t h o r n Soratprasobsanti displays more than 100 golden-silk sarongs – pha sin tean jok – along with handicrafts and ceramics, all at least century old.

There’s a 150-year-old sarong from Chiang Tung Palace, and the skirt that Sathorn’s daughter wore at her wedding – it’s 90-per-cent gold, weighing 82 baht, or 1,189 grams.

“We’re Thai Puan,” Sathorn says proudly. “Our ancestors came from Laos and settled in Sukhothai during the reign of King Rama III. “The pha sin designs all tell a story, and they represent the art and culture of the Thai Puan people.”

The museum also displays models of traditional wood houses furnished with

Laid-back

Big rooms, small prices

The Naumi boutique hotel in Singapore gets everything right

T

o Thais, everything in Singapore seems undersized and overpriced.

The rooms at the new boutique hotel Naumi on Seah Street are big, all right, but they’re not costly.

Billing itself as “your personal luxury hotel”, the Naumi – a revamped apartment building – shows a face of green ivy, and on the inside it’s modern and minimal with pastel hues.

Guests are greeted by a “personal Naumi aide”, who’ll be available 24/7.

Perfect for travelling couples and businessmen, the hotel is in central Singapore with easy access to major business and tourist attractions, as well as the subway.

Just a few steps from the hotel you’ll find shopping complexes, restaurants serving the local cuisine and a plethora of pubs.

All the rooms are huge and well equipped, with the choice ranging from 31 to 83 square metres.

In-room amenities include king-size beds, flat-screen TV with cable, iPod docks, free wi-fi and wireless IP phone,

| 16 |

Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii on request, shower and bathtub, kitchenette and tea and coffee maker.

Elsewhere in the hotel are a fitness and yoga room, a meeting room and a rooftop pool.

The Naumi’s whole sixth floor is exclusively for women, each room carrying Kiehl’s skincare products and satin sheets.

Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the hotel.

The ground-floor hall serves as the hotel’s meeting point, lobby lounge, bar and restaurant. Don’t miss the healthy breakfast here before heading out.

Simple and thoughtful, the Western breakfast buffet serves whole-grain bread, salad, “organic meat”, fresh juices and even a vitamin-protein mix.

See ya on Seah

The Naumi is at 41 on Seah Street. Contact the hotel for the best prices at (+65) 6403 6000 or www.NaumiHotel.com.

C ourt e s y of N aumi H ot e l

Manta K langboonkrong

April 26-May 2 , 2009

Wellness

Vipassana’s promise The International Meditation Club can help you resolve problems relating to stress, tension, anger, insomnia or depression through vipassana (insight) meditation. Training sessions are set for Bangkok on May 2 and 3 and on the beach in Cha-am from May 9 to 11.

Meditation practitioners of any level will enjoy the workshops, which will be conducted in English by an expert. Call (081) 622 4507 or (02) 712 8965 or e-mail info@intlfip.org.

The fight

Exercise and diet are more effective than creams in combatting that dreaded orange peel skin Me lanie Brandl

F

or some women, cellulite is a terrible part of ageing. They stare into the mirror appalled when they discover the ugly dips and dents on their bottoms and thighs.

But young, slim women also develop the undesirable feature, which makes the skin look a bit like an orange peel.

Women who get it are at the mercy of the connective tissue under their skin.

There is a range of products that promise help, but experts say a healthy diet and exercise are better to counteract cellulite.

“Every woman has a predisposition for developing cellulite,” says dermatologist Christoph Liebich. “It’s one of nature’s injustices: Men generally don’t get it.”

“Lots of exercise, a proper diet that includes a lot of fruits and vegetables, carbohydrates that metabolise quickly, little fat and sufficient fluids are the most effective measures against cellulite,” adds Anne Hundgeburth, a member of Germany’s professional association for dermatologists.

“Doing sports helps to tighten the muscles underlying the tissue. “When April 26-May 2, 2009

everything isn’t hanging down limp and untoned, the bottom and legs look a lot better.”

Because basic instincts lurk in everyone and can corrupt a training programme and iron discipline when eating, the cosmetic industry tries to steer customers toward a large selection of creams and gels that are supposed to inhibit cellulite.

The products are aimed generally at the same thing that is at the centre of any cellulite therapy. But experts doubt their effectiveness, pointing out that creams, gels and oils do not penetrate deeply enough into the skin to work where cellulite is.

More important than the creams themselves is the massage effect of rubbing them into the skin, Liebich notes.

The old recommendations remain the best: drink enough liquids, massage the area, ride a bike and always take the stairs. These don’t completely prevent cellulite, but there is at least a chance that they’ll help delay the development of bothersome orange-peel skin.

- Deutsche Press-Agentur

P hoto / A F P

against cellulite

Make mine mango You know how delicious mango is, and you ought to discover the great things it can do for your skin. Mango rind contains antioxidant and antibacterial agents and condensed tannin that can tighten the skin pores.

The Ambassador Hotel’s twohour “Lovely Mango” treatment includes a mango-wrap scrub, a mango body wrap and a body massage for Bt1,950. You might consider the Bt1,950 “After Sun Reviver” and Bt999 Luxury Milk & Rose bath as well. Call (02) 254 0444, extension 1254-5.

Veereena’s vow Take your stress and your blood-circulation worries to the Veereena Spa at the Westin Grande Sukhumvit Hotel this month for the “Royal Thai Retreat”.

It involves 90 minutes of traditional Thai massage with a choice between two 25-minute remedies: an herbal hydrotherapy bath or an herbal steam.

The cost is Bt2,000++. Call (02) 207 8000, extension 8450, or e-mail vareenainfo@yahoo. com. | 17 |

PHOTO ESSAY

| 18 |

April 26-May 2, 2009

Wet And Wild Songkran PHOTOS BY THE NATION (THAILAND) TEXT BY ASIA NEWS NETWORK

S

ongkran, the Thai New Year, is celebrated in the month of April.

Held all over Thailand with great fanfare, Songkran, also known as the festival of water, is the most popular event in the country. This year’s celebrations were wet and boisterous in Bangkok after days of political turmoil ended.

April 26-May 2, 2009

| 19 |

LIFESTYLE

Stars In Shape Regular gym workouts, yoga and a balanced diet are the common ways celebrities employ to keep fit and healthy

JAKARTA

Matheos Viktor Messakh The Jakarta Post

W

| 20 |

The Jakarta P o st

STAY IN SHAPE: Indonesian actress and director Lola Amaria goes to a gym, practices yoga and consumes balanced diet to stay in good shape.

e might forget it sometimes, but celebrities are human too. Like the rest of us, they have to work hard to stay in shape, even as daily pressures, professional requirements and advancing years work against them.

And even though they have different strategies for staying fit and healthy, a common theme emerges—that no matter how busy you are, you should always find time to look after yourself.

Indonesian actress and director Lola Amaria, who once had to pile on six kilograms for a role, stays in shape through regular gym workouts, yoga and a balanced diet.

Lola joined a gym near her house and tries to get there for a workout at least two or three times a week. But even if her busy schedule makes getting to the gym impossible, the actress still makes sure she does some kind of exercise every day.

“It doesn’t have to be excessive physical activity,” says Lola, who shifted her extra weight by jogging daily for six months. “A brisk half-hour walk every day will keep you healthy.”

The actress also finds yoga an important part of her routine. She learned yoga about five years ago and still practices it regularly. “It’s good for stress release,” she says. “Initially I was helped

by an instructor but now I do it by myself at home.”

Yoga, she says, makes her more relaxed during the everyday life, “especially you get stuck in a traffic jam”.

Getting the recommended amount of sleep is generally out of the question for the busy filmmaker, so she naps when she can. “I try to sleep at least six hours a day but it’s quite impossible, so what I do is I have a little sleep in between, in the breaks.”

And when it comes to what she puts in her mouth, Lola admits she is very strict, and rarely touches greasy food or junk food. “If possible, eat fruit and fresh vegetables at least once each day,” she says.

She points out that vitamins and supplements are helpful for people living in a polluted city, but adds that even those who have no faith in supplements can do themselves a favour by consuming fresh and healthy food and drinking lots of water.

“Nutrients are not only from capsules,” she says. “We can get them in fresh water or fresh food.”

Actor and presenter Ferdy Hassan is one of the many celebrities who work with professional personal trainers to stay in shape.

As he entered his 30s, Ferdy noticed something common to pretty much everyone: His body was changing, and he needed to take action.

“I realised that as I’m getting older, it’s not as easy to control my weight,” Ferdy says. “That’s why I need a trainer.”

April 26-May 2, 2009

Cou rtesy of Qu eenfireworks

OUTDOOR GOER: Jazz singer Syaharani prefers to head for the great outdoors to stay fit and healthy.

kapanlagi.com

eating too much fatty food, he makes an effort to balance his diet, although that doesn’t stop his love of eating.

“I’m Sundanese and I like to try anything,” he says.

Similarly worried by the way his weight crept up with the years, actor and presenter Farhan also hired a personal trainer almost two years ago, shocked into action when the scales tipped 95 kilograms.

It took him about a year to get into the habit of doing jogging, weightlifting and crunches for 30 to 60 minutes a day.

“I needed a trainer at the beginning but now I do it myself,” says the star, who believes that when we’re young we can do whatever we want, but have to The 36-year-old, who never fails go “pay everything back after 30”. to the gym at least twice a week, has The first thing that needs to be paid followed a regime for two years, in back, he says, is our diet. “I rarely eat which his trainer helps him with com- rice at the moment,” he says. “I skip plete body training and dietary advice. carbohydrates, sugars and meat. My Ferdy had joined a gym in high friends say I’m like a goat that eats lots school but then quit. He didn’t give it of vegetables but fortunately I never get another go until his weight exceeded 90 constipated anymore.” kilograms. It took him As part of his new four months of tailhealthy lifestyle, the oured workouts to lose 39-year-old also skips 10 kilograms. alcohol and cigarettes “I have tried many and always gets to bed ways to lose weight early. “I only bergabut the gym is the dang (stay up late) if I most effective. After really have to,” he doing exercise, we can says. focus better on other But the gym and things,” he says. other forms of indoor “We often can’t be exercise are not for bothered to exercise everyone. Jazz singer but believe me, you Syaharani prefers to will feel so much bethead for the great outGOOD LOOK: Presenter Ferdy ter if you do it. There doors to stay fit and Hassan is one of celebrities who works with professional trainers are lots of good effects. healthy. to help him slim down.

It’s also a life invest“Fitness is boring,” ment for us.” the 37-year-old says.

In short, he says, “If you love your “Our space is limited and we repeat our family, then do your exercise.” movements like ironing.”

He also finds reflexology beneficial, A brisk early morning walk is Syahacalling a massage therapist to his house rani’s favourite fitness habit. Three to in the Blok M area in South Jakarta four times a week, she heads out in the about once a week. “All the reflections early hours for a walk around her housof our physical health are in our feet,” ing complex in Bintaro, South Jakarta. he says. “When you are getting (a masWhen she finds time in her busy sage), you fall asleep and when you schedule—about once every two or wake up, you feel much more relaxed three months—Syaharani and her and refreshed.” friends get together to go hiking or Ferdy does not worry so much about trekking, most recently in Curug Panhis diet, but when he feels he has been jang in West Java.

April 26-May 2, 2009

Also beneficial to her health, she says, is meditation, which she learned years ago when she lived in Bali. “I do it as much as possible because it’s simple but it clears your mind. Mediation and stretching the body … make us relax because they maximise the oxygen in our body.”

Syaharani says that when she moved from Bali to Jakarta in 1995, she stopped meditating, and noticed big changes in her daily life.

“I was trying to work out why I got tired and bored so easily,” she says. “Then I took up mediation again and I felt better. Mediation is good and it works for people in all sorts of professions, especially for a singer like me.” She now wants to learn more about yoga.

Syaharani likes to eat but she recognises the importance of staying in control.

“I always remind myself that eating is not only for enjoyment but also for the needs of the body,” she says. “If in a week I have been having too much fatty food, I will balance it by having fresh fruit and vegetables.”

The singer especially likes mushrooms and broccoli because they are high in antioxidants and easy to prepare. “I always buy them when I go to the supermarket or ask for them if I go to a restaurant.”

For Syaharani, who has a medical checkup at least once a year, the first step in keeping healthy is stress management. “Stress contributes a lot to health problems,” she says. “Everybody has their own way of dealing with stress but they have to do it immediately.”

The second step is to do light exercise and the third is eating properly, she says. “Never skip breakfast because when you are busy in the day, you will forget everything.”

Too many people lead lives that are out of balance, she says—overeating and under-exercising, often because they are under stress and use food as comfort.

The most common mistake, according to Syaharani, is focusing on appearance rather than on health.

“In fact, the important thing is your behaviour: Stay active, eat right and feel good today,” she says. “The results will follow.” | 21 |

LIFESTYLE

SpouseHunting Although 90 per cent of singles in Japan want to settle down, many of them have made few effort to turn their dreams into reality TOKYO

Kwan Weng Kin The Straits Times

“W

| 22 |

AF P photos

HAILING ADULTHOOD: Kimono-clad Japanese women ride on a roller coaster to celebrate their initiation to adulthood at the Toshimaen amusement park in Tokyo.

omen, come on and go hunting!” “Men, go and better yourselves.”

These two bits of in-your-face advice in a best-selling book — Kon-Katsu Jidai (Spouse Hunting Times) — about the difficulties of getting married these days continue to ring in the ears of many single Japanese who, deep down, want to get hitched but have made little effort to turn their dreams into reality.

In a nutshell, the book’s two authors — sociologist Masahiro Yamada of Chuo University and journalist Toko Shirakawa — contend that finding a partner for life involves a lot of hard work, just like looking for one’s first job after college.

Unlike in the good old days of omiai (arranged marriages) and office ‘romances’, these days, one in four young Japanese will be single all his life if he merely sits back and leaves it to fate, they claim.

Borrowing from the popular buzzword shukatsu, which means jobhunting, Professor Yamada coined a new term, konkatsu, to encapsuApril 26-May 2, 2009

late the notion of hunting no extra effort on their part. for a mate.

After the book which YamaIncidentally, the word is da co-authored went on sale the shortened form of kekkon last year, urging women to go katsudo, literally ‘marriage ‘hunting’ for prospective husactivity’. bands because it said men were And now the book, which mostly reluctant to make the first appeared in February last move, Japan’s largest matchyear, has provided the inspiramaking firm O-net noted a tion for not one, but two, new surge in inquiries from women television dramas this month about its services. on the konkatsu theme.

“In fact, we were aware that One of the TV dramas is, in women had already known fact, simply called Konkatsu for several years that they had and stars 36-year-old Masahi- HUNTING TIMES: Posters of the TV drama entitled Konkatsu (above) to be proactive in looking for and Konkatsu Rikatsu (below). ro Nakai from the popular pop a spouse. The book only conidol group SMAP. vinced them that they were Nakai plays a character on the right track,”said O-net who is forced into hurriedly spokesman Toshiaki Kato. looking for a bride after he Although the book also lies about getting married warns Japanese men that only when offered a job that rea commitment to konkatsu quires him to have a spouse. can save them from an eventuThe other drama on the al life of solitude, men have NHK public television network been slower to react. not only looks at the perils of Believing that men need finding a husband but also the more help than women, O-net complexities in divorcing one. put together a booklet entitled According to Yamada, getHow To Succeed At Konkatsu ting married was much simat the beginning of this year. pler in the past.

The booklet aims to improve People belonging to the generation men they wanted to marry. the communicating skills of its male of Emperor Akihito and Empress For women, it was no more a case of clients.

Michiko, who celebrated their 50th resigning from their jobs and becoming “Women do not need the advice wedding anniversary on April 10, most- full-time housewives. More women in the booklets,’ said Mr Kato. ‘They ly got married through omiai. now want a husband who will allow know those things from female lifeThese omiai could either have them to continue working and leading style magazines.” been arranged through a tradition- the kind of lifestyle that they were used The slim booklet, small enough to fit al matchmaker or through one’s to before marriage. in a coat pocket, is used as a text in superior at work.

Furthermore, a couple can now go on seminars run by the company to preBosses in those days felt socially re- dates without feeling that they have to pare the men for their first dates. sponsible for helping their staff to settle get married eventually. This apparently Based on the pooled wisdom of the down and they often did so by pairing has led to more people postponing company’s marriage advisers, it inoff young male workers with eligible marriage and making the mating game cludes basic tips such as “be a good lisfemale clerks in the same office. more complex than ever. tener”, “always smell fresh” and “keep But in the late 1960s, the soAccording to Japan’s 2005 national those nails clean and neatly trimmed”! called ‘love marriages’, in which census, 47 per cent of Japanese men in In contrast, past seminars basically men and women meet and fall in their early 30s were single, as were 32 taught participants social etiquette and love through informal parties or per cent of Japanese women. In the 35- how to present themselves visually. group activities, started to outnum- 39 age group, 30 per cent of men were Incidentally, konkatsu as defined ber arranged marriages. still unmarried, as were 18 per cent of by Yamada is not limited to seeking When the 1990s came around, an- Japanese women. out marriage services. It includes atother sea change was noted.

Studies have shown that about 90 tendance at singles’ parties where Japanese men and women not only per cent of singles want to settle down. most, if not all, the participants have became freer to interact with each oth- Unfortunately, many people, especially marriage in mind, and actively geter, but women in particular also be- the men, still think that getting mar- ting friends or relatives to introduce came more selective about the kind of ried is just a matter of time and needs suitable candidates.

April 26-May 2, 2009

| 23 |

Entertainment

Utter Confucian C HINA DAILY P HOTOS

The first-ever film on Confucius raised debates in china on how the great scholar looked like

BEIJING

Liu Wei China Daily

CHINA DAILY PHOTOS

I honest: Famous actor Chow Yun-fat once said it not appropriate for him to don a scholarly robe.

| 24 |

f Confucius could see the controversy his name is generating more than 2,400 years after his death, the epitome of peace and good manners would probably say: “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”

Earlier this month, actor Pu Cunxin said he refused to play the philosopher in a biopic because of issues with the script. He also called on everyone to fight the idea of showing Confucius as a martial arts practitioner.

Hu Mei, the film’s director, responded by saying she never invited Pu to play the role. She also claimed her leading character would not be made to show kungfu moves. But according to historical records, she says, the revered thinker did know how to drive a carriage, was good at archery, and was a war commander.

However, this did nothing to cool the debate, which actually went up a notch when rumours that Chow Yunfat would play Confucius began to do April 26-May 2, 2009

SCHOLARLY?: A stage photo of the movie Confucius reveals how Chow Yun-fat protrayed the ancient scholar.

FIRST TRY: It is said that China’s first-ever film on Confucious will show the ancient scholar as a martial arts practitioner.

the rounds last month.

Chow, known for a number of gangster roles in John Woo’s hard-boiled films and for playing kungfu master in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, himself said at one point that it was not appropriate for him to don a scholarly robe.

Despite these concerns and criticisms, Hu started filming late March and has cast Chow as Confucius.

“I think Chow has proved his acting skills well in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Anna and the King,” Hu says. “He can play any character.”

The $22 million project, the first-ever film on Confucius, will follow his life from the time he was 17 years old.

Concern over who will play the ancient scholar is not without basis.

Confucius, who lived from 551 to 479 BC, is widely respected as a great thinker and educator.

His teachings on moral probity, a student’s duties and how to rule a country have a profound impact not only in China, but also in many other Asian countries, such as Japan and South Korea.

The question is, if Chow does not look like Confucius, who does?

April 26-May 2, 2009

A TV show Documenting China conducted a viewer survey in 2006 on how they thought Confucius looked.

About 60 per cent said they envisaged him as thin and short while 40 per cent visualised him as stout and short.

In The Records of the Grand Historian, or Shiji, a historical account of the period 109-91 BC by Sima Qian, Confucius is described as having an unusual look — with a head that was somewhat depressed in the center and raised on the sides.

Shiji also describes the adult Confucius as being about 1.9m tall in today’s measurements, giving him the height of an average basketball player. The book also cites someone who ran into Confucius as saying he was “tall and slim, with a pale green complexion.”

In Kongcongzi, a book written around 2,000 years ago, Confucius had a slight hunchback and long arms.

Zhuangzi, a classic on Taosim, mentions Confucius’ upper body as longer than the lower one.

Most portraits of Confucius seen today are based on the depiction by Wu Daozi, a painter of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). The philosopher is shown as a tall old man sporting a long

beard. He looks learned and amiable.

In September 2006, the Confucius Federation released a ‘standard portrait of Confucius’. While still based on the painting by Wu Daozi, the philosopher is portrayed as a gentle old man in a robe, with a square face, broad mouth, big ears and long beard.

It created quite a stir. Some slammed it saying every one has his or her own conception of Confucius and the idea of a ‘standard portrait’ is meaningless.

Some felt the federation was just out to make money as it claimed the portrait’s copyright and reportedly said it would charge those who made use of the image.

Whether or not Chow makes a convincing Confucius remains to be seen, but director Hu is ready for all reactions.

“It is impossible to avoid controversy when you are making a film abut Confucius,” she says. “This is the first film about Confucius, making it a double-edged sword. On the one hand, no one is totally confident criticising my choice as none of them has seen Confucius; on the other, everybody is deeply concerned about this film, which is kind of stressful.” | 25 |

Entertainment Anybody with an axe to grind, including the cops, a political upstart or an unruly mob, can suspend the screening of a film in Bollywood KOLKATA

Derek Bose The Statesman

N

andana Sen, the daughter of Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, was out to create Bollywood history with Ketan Mehta’s Rang Rasiya. As Sugandha, the model and muse of legendary painter Raja Ravi Varma, she became the first Hindi heroine to legitimately go topless for the camera— thanks to the Revising Committee of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) clearing the controversial shot.

Kangana Ranaut could not get as lucky though. In Madhur Bhandarkar’s Fashion, she tried to get past the censors with that famous ‘wardrobe malfunction’ scene, but had to settle for her twin assets being blurred on screen.

She took another chance in Mohit Suri’s Raaz—The Mystery Continues and this time, the footage of her baring herself in a bath tub had to be snipped off—producer Mahesh Bhatt and her skin-coloured body suit notwithstanding. Nobody outside the film unit (and maybe, the guys in CBFC) would ever know if that footage actually existed in the first place. But everybody knows how a skin show, however fleeting or suggestive, can provide a career boost to an upcoming starlet. Even a rumour | 26 |

Courtesy from G haj i ni

Censorship And Beyond

or speculative story in the media of a dare-bare act is enough to give her a head start over other her contemporaries. After all, nothing sells better than sex in Bollywood.

For the filmmaker also, the mileage gained from baiting the censors with ‘hot scenes’ is huge. From IS Johar (Five Rifles) and Raj Kapoor (Ram Teri Ganga Maili) to BR Chopra (Insaaf Ka Tarazu) to IV Sasi (Her Nights) to Shashilal Nair (Ek Chhoti Si Love Story) to Amit Saxena (Jism), directors big and small have been making commercial capital out of the censor’s obsession to play moral police. In fact, for many filmmakers, nothing can be more disappointing than getting a clean chit from CBFC without being engaged in a dispute. For disputes on a subject like sex, generate controversies and regardless of the outcome, the media jumps into the fray. Eventually the film stands to gain from the free publicity that no amount of paid advertising can match.

It is not as though the censors are unaware of when they are being exploited or how they end up indirectly contributing to the commercial prospects of a film. Their job, very specifically, is to certify a film—as ‘A’, ‘U/A’ or ‘U’—and not sit in judgment, edit, advise or suggest changes. Yet unfailingly, these socalled guardians of society have been exceeding their brief and playing into

LUCKIEST, LUCKY, UNLUCKY: Indian actor Aamir Khan (left) in Ghajini. Despite violent scenes in the film, Indian censors approved the showing without cuts.

Nandita Sen (centre) in the film Rang Rasiya also got the thumbs up even after she went topless in a film while Kangana Ranaut (right) didn’t get lucky.In her movie Fashion, she tried to get past the censors with that famous ‘wardrobe malfunction’ scene, but had to settle for her breasts being blurred on screen.

the hands of wily producers. The worst part is the manner they choose to focus all their attention and energies on the salacious parts. A film could be provocative enough to promote communal strife, defame a public personality, be contemptuous of courts or perhaps compromise India’s diplomatic relations with friendly nations. But that is obviously, none of CBFC’s concern. The censorship guidelines (there are no ‘codes’ or ‘rules’) lists out as many as 19 grounds on which a film may be denied certification. Of them, it is only sex that raises the censors’ hackles.

Even violence is no longer the bugbear it used to be. Take the Aamir Khanstarrer, Ghajini for example. It is one of the most violent films ever made in Indian cinema and had the CBFC been true to its brief, there was no way the film could have been cleared. A horrified mother of a nine-year-old complained to a Mumbai daily, soon after watching the film: “I was appalled at how Aamir Khan goes about breaking necks at random, complete with bone-crunching sound effects. One man’s body has the head in a 90 degree turn after Aamir is through with punching him. A water pipe is pushed into another man’s stomach in a tight close-up, with blood dripping from the tap lodged in his body.

People’s heads are bashed with crowbars, skulls open up and spout blood...”

Pleading for a ban on the film, the agiApril 26-May 2, 2009

Cou rtesy from th e movie Fa s h ion

Cou rtesy from Rang Ra s iya

tated woman added: “The Censor Board makes much ado about sex, but as a mother I would much rather have my child watch a sensual kiss or bedroom scene than so much violence.” Ghajini could run its course and emerge as one of Bollywood’s biggest box office grossers of all time.

Encouraged by the appetite audiences demonstrated for all the mindless violence in the film and more importantly, the role CBFC has played as its principal benefactor, at least 40 titles have now been registered by filmmakers on Mumbai’s 26/11 terror attack, one promising to be more violent than the other. The titles include B Subhash’s Taj Terror, Viraj Kumar’s Total Ten, Kumar Mangat’s 26/11, Wild Water Entertainment’s Woh 60 Ghante, Razor Edge’s Operation Black Tornado, Future Pictures’ Ultimate Hero and Cine X Company’s Shootout At CST. All these films are currently on the floors.

Significantly, around the time Ghajini hit the screen, there was another film awaiting release—Deshdrohi by one Kamaal Rashid Khan. It was not much of a film. But it was on a politically sensitive subject—about the hostility north-Indian settlers face in Mumbai. The CBFC, in its infinite wisdom, cleared the film. And then, the Mumbai cops clamped the Bombay Police Act of 1951 on the film, citing reasons of “breakdown of law and April 26-May 2, 2009

order”. Effectively, Deshdrohi could be released all over India, but within the state of Maharashtra, it was banned. The producer went into appeal and after prolonged litigation, on January 23 the Supreme Court lifted the ban. Yet, to this date, the producer is unable to release the film because no exhibitor in Maharashtra is prepared to screen it fearing police reprisals, if not from political goondas.The question that arises here is obvious: Of what use is a censor certificate when no filmmaker can ever be sure of exhibiting his film? Anybody with an axe to grind, including the cops, a political upstart or an unruly mob can suspend the screening of a film. Is the CBFC there only to play favourites between filmmakers—promote one film and ignore others?

That it is the proverbial toothless tiger is a well known fact. Even a child knows how shots can be interpolated with impunity and why nothing can be done if a film screened in a theatre does not match the certified version.

So why have the CBFC at all—especially in this age of Internet, home theatre and mobile telephony? The most logical and convenient way out would be to raise the banner of ‘freedom of expression’ and be done with the charade of film certification. But that could be taking matters to another extreme.

This does not happen anywhere in the

civilised world. A certain amount of intervention between a filmmaker and the public is always desirable simply because cinema happens to be an extraordinarily powerful medium at influencing impressionable minds.

However, intervention does not necessarily have to be at the government level. Ideally, film professionals should be the best arbiters. But then, judging the work of colleagues would inevitably raise issues of personal bias.

And getting non-film folks on board would invite criticism on grounds of competence. A middle-path would therefore have to be found, which is never easy. The other way of approaching the issue is to retain the CBFC, but limit its role to that of an advisory body. Rather than have it impose cuts and bans, let it simply advise parents on what children may not be allowed to watch and accordingly certify films as ‘R’ (for Restricted viewing) whenever necessary. Films not carrying this tag would automatically qualify for unrestricted viewing. After all, in a free country and more so, in a progressive democracy like ours, no adult needs to be told what to watch or not watch. In the same spirit, no filmmaker needs to be instructed on what should be shown or not shown. There is always the box office, effectively the most reliable, impartial and conclusive adjudicator in such matters. | 27 |

Still waters: A classical drama performance in Phan Thiet City in central Binh Thuan Province.

Saving Ancient Drama The 12th century art of stylised musical theatre has been faithfully performed by a Vietnamese family for generations HA NOI

Trung Hieu Viet Nam News

T

he sounds of clapping hands and joyful cheers rise up from the crowd of people sitting and standing around the small red stage set in front of a communal house in Vinh An Commune, Mang Thit District, in the southern province of Vinh Long.

Accompanying the noisy, traditional music, replete with cymbals and drums, a male general fights a female counterpart on stage, both donning colourful costumes and holding long spears in their hands.

The performance is by the Dong Thinh Hat Boi Troupe, made up of amateurs from Vinh Long Province.

Hat boi, also known as Tuong (classical drama), was formed in the 12th century, and throughout much of the 17th century it was very much in vogue. | 28 |

The art form consists of highly stylised dancing and music, conventional and imbued with symbolism. Thanks to the stylised, symbolic gestures by the performers and a good deal of imagination on the part of the spectators, the stage setups are in fact very simple.

Mountains, forests, rivers, dawns, nightscapes, horse riding and battlefields are all represented on stage using minimal accessories and very little technical equipment. The art form also has many strict rules on speaking, singing and dancing styles. In chronological order and by their content, the troupe’s plays are divided into traditional, royal, social and modern performances.

In the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta, at the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century, each province had hundreds of communal houses in the villages.

Following local customs, each village organised a le ky yen (ceremony to wish for peace) at their communal house once every three years. During this ceremony,

a classical drama performance was a must. It was considered as an art that could both serve rituals and meet the residents’ entertainment demands. At that time, classical drama monopolised theatre stages in the Delta’s rural areas.

Annually, many troupes from the central province of Binh Dinh travelled southward to the Delta by boat. The troupes went on tours from village to village to earn their living over the course of several months. Many artists stayed in the Delta provinces to set up their own businesses, and they trained many younger generations of performers.

The Dong Thinh Troupe has existed for nearly 100 years. Its owner, showman and artisan Huynh Van Rang, was brought into the art form through three generations of performers.

He has followed his grandfather and his parents since he was born, and even as a child played child characters in the performances.

Today, at the age of 74, Rang still practises regularly.

“Classical drama is in my blood,” Rang says. “I followed my father on tour ever since I was a little boy. Seeing the spectators clap their hands, that encouraged me, and so I pursued the art form.”

His family now has 17 members pursuing the art form, including his wife, children, daughters-in-law, sons-inlaw and grandchildren.

Troupe members Vu Linh Tam and Thai Phuong, along with Rang’s daughter Yen Linh, have 30 to 50 years of exApril 26-May 2, 2009

V iet Nam News/T h anh V u

ARTS & CULTURE

perience. Every year, the troupe goes on tour throughout the Delta provinces.

But the troupe’s members don’t have salaries. Each performer only receives up to several hundred thousand dong per show, while they have to spend their own money for costumes and other personal property.

Therefore, during their time out of the limelight, the performers have to find other jobs to support themselves.

Vu Linh Tam designs and decorates stages, writes scenes and directs cai luong (reformed theatre) and other plays. Actor Thai Phuong sells children’s toys near a local school.

“The art form is not only our passion, but also our blood and breath,” says Phuong. “Although our lives are still hard because we have to struggle to earn a living, we still believe that we can maintain the traditions inherited from our parents, which can express feelings of joy, anger, love and hate.”

Global tour

The art does not betray the artists’ passions or devotions. In early July 2007 the troupe was invited to travel to the US to attend the Smithsonian Institute’s annual Folk Life Festival, entitled “The Mekong River: Connecting Cultures”.

For the artists who were descended from the countryside, this was a boundless joy, says actress Yen Linh.

“When the provincial Department of Culture and Information told us the news, we were so happy and promised each other that we would try our best to

April 26-May 2, 2009

Strict rules

There are many strict rules to follow while performing on stage, Tam says.

“When stepping out to the stage, the actors must go through the Gate of Birth on the left, and they go back behind the tormentor via the Gate of Death on the right.

“While singing, they must not show their backs to the spectators, and they must stand or move their bodies following the shapes of Han scripts,” he says.

As the art is so difficult, it requires each artist not only to have an inborn talent, but also to have an inquiring mind and to really love the art.

“Classical drama can be summarised as “Nhat sac, nhi thanh, tam bo, tu tich” (Beauty first, voice second, moves third, stories fourth) which means the play’s success mostly depends on the beauty and voices of the actors, as well as their performances, while the stories only play a small role,” he says.

More than 50 years ago, the art form ruled the nation’s stages, especially in rural areas. But as society has developed, many new art forms have appeared and now compete with these classical dramas. The art itself is performed in a classical style, so many spectators today can hardly understand the ancient lyrics, which have many Chinese and Nom (Chinese-transcribed Vietnamese) words.

After the Liberation Waterworks: Spectators enjoy a classical Day of Southern Viet drama troupe’s performance on a river in the Nam, many provinces in Can Gio District of Ho Chi Minh City. the Delta established troupes that combined cai Performers have to apply make-up luong with classical drama, but these following a different criteria of each troupes did not survive.

Dong Thinh Troupe is considered kind of character, such as the kings, generals, loyal mandarins, villain man- the greatest and most long-standing darins and monsters. They must make troupe in the Delta that is still mainsure that their faces reflect each per- taining this art form, thanks to preserson’s character. Therefore, while vation efforts and the devotion of Rang, putting on make-up, performers must who has wandered all over the Delta, focus on the smaller details, like eye- along with his family and troupe membrows, the corners of the eyes, mouths bers, over the past years, all so that today his descendants would be able to and foreheads.

Tam says that each main tune con- bring the art form abroad to introduce sists of dozens of different voices. In it to international friends as a unique addition to the major tunes, there are cultural movement of the Vietnamese people. supplemental ones as well.

Viet Nam N ews/Minh Quang

Vie t Nam N ews/N guyen Duy M inh

Duet: In classical drama, the beauty, the voice and the dance of a performer are vital elements.

bring pride to the nation,” she recalls.

The troupe sent actors Linh Tam and Thai Phuong, actress Yen Linh, and two instrumentalists to the US. “Normally, a classical drama lasts two or three hours, with 20-30 performers. But to perform abroad, because of limits in time and the number of performers, we had to select extracts and edit them to be really special. We also had to make extra efforts, like quickly applying our own make-up, and changing our own costumes. Each instrumentalist had to play two or three instruments,” says Tam. Tam say that classical drama is a very difficult art form.

“Our forefathers left this art to us and it is a heritage because each move of the performer and the way he performs requires an inborn talent. Performers’ looks, eyes and mouths, as well as the movements of their limbs all express feelings and attitudes.”

| 29 |

Explore

Wild Ride To Wuyishan

With numerous picturesque mountains and streams, Wuyishan provides a memorable sampling of the scenic sights in southern China FUJIAN

Christine Jalleh The Star

A

good traveller has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.

This quote by Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu perfectly sums up a recent trip of mine to Mt Wuyi or Wuyishan in Fujian province.

Travelling by train, van and boat together with my husband’s Chinese colleagues, we had such an unforgettable adventure.

Departing from Xiamen, we took the late evening train and arrived in Wuyishan on the south-eastern coast of China the next morning. At the train station, I was struck by the sheer number of travellers (multiply the crowd at KL Sentral by five) and how comfortable the Chinese were eating, drinking, sleeping, squatting or breastfeeding there.

Our motley crew of a grandmother, two men, four women, two young children and a toddler were unprepared for the crowds and the jostling. About two hundred of us were caught in a small corridor when incoming passengers | 30 |

pushed their way (or us) through.

Packed like sardines for 15 minutes, with sweat streaming down our faces and people shouting all around, we felt like singing Born free when we burst into the open space of the waiting area!

Ticket to ride

The train’s arrival had us scurrying along the platform and onto the train, which, although cramped, was clean.

Two triple-decker bunks, each one measuring about 2.5ft (0.7m) wide and 6ft (1.8m) long, flanked each other.

Each bunk had a pillow and a quilt. A flask of hot water was to be shared among the six passengers, especially as almost every local person carried a glass or plastic tumbler of Chinese tea.

The conductor came around to collect our ticket stubs, which we surrendered for safe-keeping.

Settling down, our travel companions feasted on popular snacks like preserved chicken feet or duck’s tongue, which I declined. Instead, I ate a steaming hot dumpling or man tou, barbecued pork, chicken floss and various nuts.

Soon, shrieks filled the air as card games went into full force. Vendors touted pickled foods or toys loudly, and one selling mini torches con-

vinced a few of us to part with 15 yuan (RM8) each.

Strategically arranging my toddler and myself on the lowest bunk, we slept way before lights were out at 10 pm.

Waking up at 7 am, I was urged by grandma to quickly wash before the rest of the passengers woke up. I was fascinated by the people’s lack of selfconsciousness as they went about their cleansing rituals in full view of others.

After this peek into the long-distance travel habits of the average Chinese, I’d think twice about travelling on a train again especially after visiting the common squat toilet.

Climb every mountain

We arrived at the Wuyishan Zhan station at 8.30 am and disembarked quickly after getting back our train tickets.

Our tour guide (dao yu) hustled us into hiking gear at the hotel as we had to ascend and descend Wuyishan before sunset.

Wuyi mountain covers an area of 70sq km. Its 36 peaks, most under 600m high, are skirted by a meandering river, Nine Bend Stream. With its landscape of water and hills, Wuyishan is known as south-east China’s most scenic wonder.

April 26-May 2, 2009

T h e Star

Chinese tea, green olives, tea eggs and baked sweet potatoes soothed our hunger pangs before lunch.

The kids ran wild and free on the giant expanse of green grass and breathed in sweet mountain air.

An hour later, the climbers returned to regale us with awesome descriptions of the view from the top. I truly admired the 60-yearold Sichuan grandmother’s endurance — her cheeks were flushed but she looked none the worse for the wear, unlike the younger members of the group!

Rough ride on the raft

April 26-May 2, 2009

STREAMING: Bamboo rafts drift down Nine Bend Stream.

toddler had a slight fever. We spent the day at a jade factory and a red mushroom retailer where we bought red mushrooms (at 180 yuan/RM95 per kg) known for its aromatic and health properties when boiled.

This wild ride to Wuyishan was certainly a memorable sampling of the scenic sights in southern China. | 31 |

The Star

Bracing ourselves for the raft ride, we walked to the UPHILL: Visitors scale Mount Wuyi. edge of the stream where we were told to firmly hold Cute and colourful “trains” brought on to the children’s hands — a young us to the foothill, where rows of litters child had once drowned while playing (bamboo chairs hoisted on men’s in the crystal clear stream water with shoulders) stood. It costs 250 yuan koi swimming in it.

(RM133) for a lift up the mountain, This was the starting point of our while a ride downhill costs only 20 two-hour raft yuan (RM11). ride along Nine The trek up was pleasant in the Bend Stream, cool mountain air, past thick, green 9kms long. Six foliage. Passing by a bridge, we caught adults to a raft, a glimpse of the bamboo rafts that we were given would take us downstream later. The flimsy life-jacksimple, handcrafted bamboo rafts ets, which didn’t had 80s-styled rattan armchairs fit the children, mounted on them. not to mention We broke our trek at the scholar our toddler!

Zhu Xi’s Memorial Hall, where Sensing my tourists took snapshots of stone worry, one of the figurines depicting classical Chi- muscular polenese classes in session. men assured Gasping for breath halfway up that the raft exthe steep stone steps, we stopped in cursion was a a cavern to enjoy the coolness un- gentle and ender the rocks. joyable ride and By 10.30 am, we had reached the that both of them were able swimmers. plateau and disbanded with half of us Taking the biggest risk I’d ever staying back to babysit while the other taken in my life, I stepped onto the half (with grandma in the lead!) con- raft, strapped the life-jacket onto my tinuing the long and narrow climb up toddler and ordered him to sit quiTianyou Peak. etly between my legs.

The rest of us, who paled at the idea I’ve been on canoes, speed boats, milof scaling the mountain, trooped gladly itary ships and river cruises down the to the teahouse, where fresh pots of Seine and gondola rides in Venice, but I

swear this raft ride down the peaceful waters of Nine Bend Stream was the most relaxing.

The rattan chairs make you feel as if you’re in your grandmother’s house in the kampung. You sit back and play with the stream water as a gentle breeze caresses your face, and you breathe in pure oxygen from the lush green trees you pass by. What bliss.

Of course, our toddler didn’t sit still and soon wanted to play with the bamboo water gun (5 yuan/RM3). It entertained him for a while until it malfunctioned. His favourite snacks occupied him next, but soon he started to get restless again.

In the end, the pole-men suggested that he paddle in the pool of water collected in between the bamboo poles.

Peace reigned again and everyone sat back to relax, snapped photos or took turns being the pole-men. Although the pole-men’s strokes seemed effortless, nobody in our group could mimic their graceful efforts!

Land was soon in sight, and I was relieved to be on solid ground again.

The next day, we missed the visit to the Dahongpao tea plantation as our

Explore

REFRESHING: Madras tea is a specialty of the Sabah Tea Garden.

KOTA KINABALU

Lydia Lau The Star

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estled in the lush tropical wilderness of Mt Kinabalu on 2,509ha and at 692m above sea level, Sabah Tea Garden’s cool and refreshing atmosphere renders it perfect for anyone who wants to get away for the weekend or a holiday.

Here are some six must-dos while there:

The tea experiencep

CARE FOR A SPOT OF TEA?

We reached Sabah Tea Garden (www.sabahtea.net) after flying into Kota Kinabalu from Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Airlines and were ushered to the Tea House where we were treated to cups of chilled tea — a perfect respite from the hot weather.

My Sabah Tea with ginger was a blend of black tea with slices of ginger. It was refreshing.

To make the whole tea experience even more authentic, we tried the Tea Pancakes.

These are made using tea leaf extract, flour and eggs. We had ours served with honey and it was delicious — a great way to start our DELICIOUS: Tea Pancake “totally tea” experience.

Malaysia’s Sabah Tea Garden is a great place to get close to nature and have a relaxing holiday

| 32 |

Stay at the Sabah Tea Longhouse Visitors who opt to stay at The Sabah Tea Longhouse can enjoy an authentic “tribal” experience. Built about 1m1.5m above ground, this longhouse has 10 rooms and took 10 men to complete in a month. Each room sleeps two to three adults.

If staying in a longhouse is not your cup of tea, Sabah Tea Garden April 26-May 2, 2009

also offers chalets with three rooms, a living room, kitchen and bathroom.

Try organic tea Sabah Tea Garden is the only organic tea plantation in Malaysia and one of few in the world to produce its own special blend of tea.

They are especially proud of their organic tea, as it is grown without pesticides or fertilisers, and it is certified organic by SKAL International B. V. of the Netherlands, an independent international non-profit organisation that performs inspections and grants certification for organic production methods.

Apparently, the Garden’s organic tea was not planned, but a happy accident.

“The insects choose to eat from the other trees instead as tea leaves are actually bitter!” our guide explained with a smile.

Hence, there was no need to use pesticide on the plants.

A tea adventure The Sapaon Recreational Area is where visitors can take part in obstacle races, swim in cool mountain waters and picnic at the waterfall.

I consider myself to be reasonably fit, but jungle trekking up Kamunsu Hill shot that perception to pieces.

We huffed and puffed up the steep jungle trek with the assistance of our guide who explained the various rainforest flora and fauna we saw along the way.

When we finally reached the peak, we knew it was well worth the effort — the view from the top (2,271m above sea level) was mesmerising and everything looked tiny.

Those less physically inclined can also opt to do a night walk among the tea bushes after dinner, but prior bookApril 26-May 2, 2009

ing is recommended.

Catch a view of Mt Kinabalu On our third and final morning in Sabah Tea Garden, we woke up early again, determined to see the mountains before we left. This time, we were rewarded with a clear view of Mt Kinabalu. The mist surrounding the highlands was breathtaking and gave the scene a surreal touch. In the cool air, I felt as if I was walking on clouds!

Visit the tea factory We had one more place to visit: the tea manufacturing factory. This is where selected tea leaves that are plucked from the fields are dried, fer-

mented, sorted and packed into tea bags. To preserve its freshness, all tea leaves that come in are processed within 24 hours.

Saying good-bye Over the last two days, we had walked through several tea plantations, which covered about 404ha of land but little did we know that there were another 2,023ha of untouched forest in the area!

It’s certainly worth a repeat visit and perhaps on my next trip, I can add scaling Mt Kinabalu to my itinerary.

For now, I will have to be content with a few boxes of organic Sabah Tea which I picked up on my way out. So next time I have guests, I will be ready to serve up some Malaysian hospitali-tea! | 33 |

DATE BOOK SINGAPORE

World Gourmet Summit 2009

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ombining fine cuisine with great wine, WGS 2009 promises a unique dining experience in the company of internationally renowned masterchefs, wineries, celebrity chefs and mixologists.

Wine enthusiasts can look forward to the Chianti Classico Wine Fair and tutored-tasting symposium, presented by the vintners of the top five wineries from Chianti Classico region. Gourmet enthusiasts can also look forward new culinary discoveries at the Le Cordon Bleu dinner and outreach symposium presented by three of the finest masterchefs from Le Cordon Bleu in Australia, Japan and Mexico.

S EO U L

When: April 19-May 2 Info: www.worldgourmetsummit.com

Lotus Lantern Festival

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PATTANI

Sai Buri Fishing Competition

When: April 24-26 Cost: Free to watch; individual entry 100 baht (US$2.80); team entry 2,000 baht ($56)

HONG KONG

Bun Festival

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hen Cheung Chau island was devastated by a storm, followed by an outbreak of the plague that claimed lives 400 years ago, it was believed that the island was haunted. Locals performed a sacrificial ceremony to placate the gods and pray for their favour. The festival is now timed to coincide with Buddha’s birthday.

As part of the celebration, Hong Kong’s largest fishing island sees floating children and towers of lucky buns. The people of the island also eat a vegetarian diet for three days prior to the main procession, when 16m-high bamboo towers are erected in front of the Pak Tai temple and studded with thousands of steaming buns as an offering to the ancient Chinese spirits.

When: May 2 Where: Cheung Chau Island Info: www.cheungchau.org

When: April 26, 12pm-7pm (Buddhist Culture Street Fair); 7pm9:30pm (lantern parade) Where: Jongno Street and around Jogyesa & Bongeunsa Temples http://www.llf.or.kr/

N A M WO N

Chunhyang Festival

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he Korean equivalent of Romeo and Juliet is re-enacted in this festival, the focus of which is the Kwanghallu Pavilion, where Sung Chunhyang and Lee Mong-Ryong had their famous romance. Chunhyang, a renowned symbol of female virtue in Korea, fell in love with handsome Lee Mongryong, the son of the governor. Just after they had secretly married, Lee Mongryong had to leave Namwon because his father was transferred to a government post in Seoul. Unfortunately for Chunhyang, the new governor of Namwon took rather a fancy to her and would not take no for an answer. She refused to yield to his advances despite his repeated beatings and eventually her husband came back to rescue her and they lived happily ever after.

When: April 24-28 Cost: Free Info: www.chunhyang.org BEIJING

Art Beijing & Photo Beijing

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he fairs Art Beijing and Photo Beijing take place at the same time.

Galleries from across the world present their best contemporary art and photography for enthusiasts, collectors and critics to view.

When: April 26-30 Where: Agricultural Exhibition Centre Opening Hours: Sun (VIP only) 7pm-10pm; Mon-Wed 10am-7pm; Thu 10am-6pm

Courtesy of c hunhyang.org

a Sukri Beach, 50km from Pattani town in Southern Thailand, welcomes both local and international anglers as they flex their fishing rods at the on-shore and off-shore fishing competition, one of the oldest sports fishing events in the country.

TOURISM AU THORI T Y OF T HAILAN D

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ake lanterns, print traditional Korean patterns or practise Zen meditation under the guidance of Buddhist monks for free.

The lanterns themselves range from small hand-held lotus shapes to much larger lights carried by groups and even bigger lantern floats in the shape of dragons, elephants and Buddhas.

Want more from business travel?

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www.staralliance.com Information correct as at 09/2008