Hua Hin Today August 2015

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August 2015

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Strong Growth in Chinese International Travel

Page 38

Miss Universe Thailand 2015

Page 47

The Queen’s Cup Toyota Hua Hin International Triathlon 2015 Page 19

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3 Editor’s Note

The most significant day this month in Thailand is Her Majesty the Queen of Thailand’s birthday on August 12th. There are events being held throughout Thailand to mark the 83rd birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. Perhaps unique in the world, the day is also celebrated as Mother’s Day because the Queen has become known as the Mother of the Land, thanks to her numerous royal projects and initiatives.

If you have any doubts about the importance of the day; tune into the ‘Bicycle For Mom’ event, just watch a Thai TV station and you are bound to see the light blue event shirts being worn by the presenters. There are also posters all around Thailand showing the Queen along with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiral who will be bike riding in Bangkok in honour of the Royal Birthday on August 16th.

Last year the USA lost its crown as the world’s biggest economy to China, an economic change that is having ramifications worldwide.

Just take a look at our story about China’s Megaregions to see how the huge Chinese population is being managed.

On the local front Chinese tourism is big business.

Forget about the ‘bad press’ portraying these visitors as lacking in social or cultural sensitivities, the younger millennials and affluent travellers now fuel 20 percent growth in Chinese travellers. These are online savvy, high ap users which really calls for our local service industry to alert to the needs of these high-spending travellers, including online and in the Chinese language.

We hope that you can really celebrate the Queen of Thailand’s birthday, even if bike riding is not your thing. Just remember the appropriate colour of the day is Blue. HM Queen Sirikit’s personal royal standard is blue, representing the day of her birth, Friday. Wear it with respect..

Contents 4 Cover Story 7 News 10 Golf 16 Event & Calendar 20 Health & Spa 24 Food & Wine 34 Property Today 36 Fashion & Life style 40 Travel Today 46 Human Interest 44 Motoring 48 Wellness

Best Regards, Eleni

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Celebrating HM The Queen’s Birthday & Mother’s Day 2015

On July 19, 1949, Their Majesties were quietly engaged in Lausanne. On March 24, 1950, Their Majesties landed in Bangkok by ship after a long absence. On April 28 of the same year, the royal wedding took place at Pathumwan Palace.

August 12th is one of the most important days of celebration on the Thai calendar.

The Queen’s Birthday is a celebration to respect the mother of Thailand when people pray for happiness and long life for Her Majesty the Queen.

Since her marriage and the coronation of the King, Queen Sirikit has earned the deep respect and admiration of the people of Thailand through her charitable work with the poor and disadvantaged, and the granting of royal patronage to thousands of projects from the north to the south of the country.

Thai people respect the Queen’s story of love, self-discipline, courage, motherhood and devotion as she supports her husband in his service to Thailand. Her Majesty the Queen has been an all-loving figure to the King and all of Thailand.

In fact, the work of Queen Sirikit has been so intense and her devotion to working to improve the lives of all Thais so great, that it would be difficult for someone to visit any district of Thailand and not find many projects that she has been involved in.

Regarded as Mother of the Nation, Queen Sirikit’s birthday is also Thailand’s official Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day was established in its current form in co-celebration with the Queen’s birthday in 1976. Since then it has become an important national holiday, celebrated with much fanfare year after year.

Following the Asian tsunami in 2004 Queen Sirikit, as honorary president of the Thai Red Cross, took a leading role in relief operations and in establishing programs to assist those physically and psychologically affected by the disaster.

The two occasions are celebrated in concert – with public festivities such as parades and ceremonies and private family activities.

(Sources: Government Public Relations Department, O ffice of the Prime Minister, Thai Visa)

About HM The Queen HM Queen Sirikit was born on August 12, 1932, the same year that Thailand changed from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. This year will be her 83rd birthday.

She attended kindergarten class at Rajini School, but subsequently went to St. Francis Xavier convent school at Samsen District in Bangkok. Her father later on became Thai Minister to France, then to Denmark and, ultimately, Ambassador to the Court of St. James in England. Her Majesty accompanied him and continued her general education in the three countries and lastly in Switzerland.

It was while her father was stationed in Paris that she first met His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was then studying in Switzerland but went now and then to Paris. The chance meeting in Paris ripened into friendship and understanding.

When His Majesty met with a very serious motor accident in Geneva, Switzerland, and had to stay in a hospital at Lausanne, Her Majesty was a frequent visitor. When His Majesty was well again and left the hospital, he was pleased to arrange for Her Majesty to continue her studies at Riante Rive, a boarding school in Lausanne.

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The work of Queen Sirikit has also been recognized internationally by organizations including the United Nations, the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, Unicef, the World Health Organization and a multitude of universities and institutions worldwide.

Queen Sirikit, or to give her full title, Somdet Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat (สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิรก ิ ติ ์ิ พระบรมราชินนี าถ) is the world’s longest reigning consort to a head of state, having presided over the Kingdom of Thailand in her royal role for over 60 years.

How Do Thais Celebrate Mother’s Day?

resorts also offer Mother’s Day packages.

So you may want to be on the lookout for restaurant and hotel specials.

The traditional Mother’s Day gift in Thailand is jasmine. This delicate white flower is imbued with a sweet perfumed fragrance.

Called “dok mali” in Thai (ดอกมะลิ), jasmine is used in worship and is also seen as symbol of purity, gentleness and motherhood.

Jasmine is sold in open white blossoms (its most characteristic form as a symbol of motherhood) as well as in exquisitely crafted flower garlands and white fabric or other synthetic blossoms.

Similar to many other countries, children will often create a handmade Mother’s Day card. Young children and adult children may also give their mother a special gift in addition to or instead of jasmine. Foods, sweets, jewelry, handbags, tech gizmos, warm messages in a phone call, a special lunch, a weekend at the beach, a sprig of jasmine — the gifts vary widely according to each family, each child’s age and their circumstances, but the sentiment is always is the same; thanking their mother and honoring her for her sacrifice and dedication.

‘Bike For Mom’ A Special Bicycle Event For Mother’s Day Members of the public and cyclists have been urged to join an event ‘Bike for Mom,’ to be held simultaneously nationwide in celebration of Her Majesty the Queen’s 83rd birthday anniversary.

The event is the result of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn’s wish to express his gratefulness to Her Majesty, will see the Crown Prince lead a Bangkok bike caravan on August 16th.

The caravan will travel the 43 kilometres from the Dusit Palace Plaza to the 11th Infantry Regiment and back again, while bike caravans in the provinces will start from city halls. The bicycle rally will take place simultaneously nationwide on August 16th at around 3.00 pm.

The Prime Minister said people taking part in the event would be expressing their loyalty to the monarchy and their love for their mothers and for the mother of the land. The Event also aims to boost community unity and get exercise, he said.

Those wishing to participate can register at all provincial city halls.

Participants are encouraged to wear blue in honour of Her Majesty’s birthday colour.

People can use their registration numbers to collect a souvenir shirt and pin free of charge at provincial city halls on August 12.

HM Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn is himself an avid bicyclist and had arranged for the expense of the 90,000 shirts and 100,000 badges to be paid from his own personal budget.

The Interior Minister said that in the provinces, there will be several activities at the venue of this event. The activities include an exhibition in honour of Her Majesty, blood donations, and tree planting.

It is expected that a great number of people will join this historic event. All provinces will step up safety conditions for riders.

For more information see www.bikeformom. com or at the hotline 1122.

Like many important occasions, alms giving to monks forms a meaningful part of the traditional Mother’s Day celebrations. Early in the morning, ceremonies are held to give offerings of food to Thailand’s saffronrobed Buddhist monks.

Schools in Thailand typically host a Mother’s Day ceremony. Students may spend weeks beforehand rehearsing performances and the proper steps of the ceremony. On the special day, mothers come to their child’s school and each child kneels at his or her mother’s feet, paying respect to mom for all that she has done for them. Within these heartfelt moments, it’s common to see mothers wiping tears from their eyes and many children doing the same (and sometimes onlookers as well).

It’s also become quite common for families to celebrate their love for mom by taking her out for a special meal. Many restaurants offer Mother’s Day specials. Hotels and

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7 Building Bridges Thailand (Cha-Am) Meet Tambon Leaders

Steering Committee Members of Building Bridges Thailand (BBT) were recently invited by the Petchaburi Governor, Mr Monthian Thongnit, to join Cha-Am Tambon leaders meeting at the Cha-Am Municipal offices.

The BBT Members were also welcomed by the Cha-Am Mayor, Mr Nukul Pornsomboon-Siri, who offered future meetings to discuss the Municipality’s interest in the group.

The seven Members distributed a ‘Statement of Purpose’ document produced in the Thai language to those present and addressed the meeting to further explain their aims. They also presented the Governor, the Mayor and Khun Pittaya Wongkraisritong, Chief District Officer of the Cha-Am District, Petchaburi Province with a BBT shirt displaying the new BBT logo.

A spokesperson for BBT expressed an appreciation of the interest shown by the Tambon leaders and commented on the group’s intent to establish positive relationships with all levels of government in Cha-Am. Building Bridges Thailand was formed on the initiative of Khun Pittaya, who introduced the idea of starting an organisation to promote positive relationships between foreign residents and the Cha-Am Thai community.

The following aims outline the group’s purpose: To arrange targeted practical assistance for foreigners.

To increase the knowledge and understanding by foreigners of Thai culture, law, services and lifestyle.

To increase the participation of foreign residents in the Thai community.

To provide a forum to discuss issues for foreigners living in Thailand.

To improve communication and links between foreigners and Thai organisations/ agencies.

To help Thai organisations and agencies understand the issues facing foreign residents.

Although still in the early stage of development, Building Bridges Thailand now has a website presence and will soon establish an internet forum for open discussion. As a voluntary organisation, expressions of interest from interested Cha-Am residents are welcome. www. bbtchaam.org

Hua Hin Food Festival 2015 National Emergency A Feast for the Eyes & The Palate Number To Be 911 Soon Thailand will soon change the national emergency number to 911 as a universal hotline number to call when emergency assistance is needed.

It is the same emergency call number as in USA for the police or fire department.

Government deputy spokesman Maj-Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the 911 national emergency call number will come into force when legislation is approved by the Cabinet today passed it into law. He said having a single emergency call number could help to prevent confusion caused by the various existing emergency call numbers now in use.

The 2015 Hua Hin Food Festival will be held 28th – 30st August, showcasing the finest cuisine Hua Hin has to offer in a carnival atmosphere at the Soi 21, 19 Rai Park grounds.

With top restaurant and resort chefs eager to demonstrate their craft, fruit

and ice carving by culinary ‘artists’ and entertainment to match, this really was an opportunity for visitors and locals to sample why Hua Hin is on the ‘foodies’ map internationally. We hope you were able to take advantage of this opportunity to get amongst the flavours offered.

But he said that the existing emergency numbers like 191 and 1669 will still be in use but calls will be automatically redirected to 911.

He also said under the bill approved, false calls to the 911 emergency numbers will face legal action. A committee chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will oversee

the operation of the 911 emergency calls.

Other committee members are the Royal Thai Police Commissioner, the Minister of Information and Communications and the Chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.

The deputy spokesman said two emergency call numbers were proposed by the bill tabled for cabinet approval; they were the 911 emergency numbers used in the US and 112 emergency numbers used in Europe. However the Cabinet chose 911 as a universal emergency number as 112 might be confused with Article 112 of the Criminal Code which relates to defamation charge, he said.

Thailand Welcomes 13-millionth Tourist at Suvarnabhumi Airport Vu Minh Phuong, a 23-year-old Vietnamese tourist, was warmly welcomed by Thai authorities on her arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport as she was the 13-millionth tourist visiting Thailand this year.

Minister of Tourism and Sports Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, who presided over the welcoming ceremony, said that Thailand is running a special campaign to promote lowseason tourism during May to September when fewer tourists visit Thailand.

Vu Minh Phuong became the 13-millionth tourist visiting Thailand this year. “Every one-millionth tourist will receive special gifts. Miss Vu Minh Phuon will get from Thai Airways International free round-trip tickets for two people.

The tickets allow the holders to fly from any country in the world, with Thailand as the destination. The prize includes free fivenight accommodations for her next trip in Thailand, but she needs to use it within one

year from now,” elaborated Kobkarn.

The campaign is set to run until the end of September 2015.

Kobkarn was confident that the number of foreign tourists traveling to Thailand in 2015 would reach twenty eight million as expected. Most of the tourists are expected to come from ASEAN countries, China, and Europe respectively.

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KIDS 45

AFTER SCHOOL HOURS ACTIVITIES Hua Hin Horse Club

respect others. They learn to understand the difference between violence and the use of strength to be respectful, kind and humble.

Price per Week 5,000 THB. lunch included in the price.

Snacks and

This is for kids from 7 years old. Training classes are from Monday to Friday evenings and Saturday mornings.

Ride the Waves at Vana Nava! Featuring the ultimate in surf simulators, the Double

Price 250 THB per hour.

For more information 0854097566

Call

challenge, is suitable for all ages and ideal for friendly competitions and team building events. The 13 metre high Climbing Wall offers an exhilarating outdoor adventure for all, including the kids!

K.Meaw:

Cooking classes for kids at Dacha Restaurant Learning to cook helps children to learn about nutrition and healthy eating. Kids will be more apt to eat what they make. Cooking is a great way to learn life skills. Children can learn to work together as a team. While cooking kids can practice creativity and use their imagination. Cooking activities are a great way to express themselves and enjoy their creations.

Join the cooking classes and much more kids activities every Monday 18.00-20.00.

For more information call 087 048 9558 or check their website www.thebecc.com.

Artist Village or Baan Sillapin Artist Village This is Hua Hin’s original arts centre. It is the base for the Hua Hin Artists Group and the residence of Hua Hin’s most famous artist, Tawee Kesa-ngam and other artists who are also members of his family.

Artist Village includes large galleries of arts and antiques, artist studios, a coffee and gift shop, and classrooms for their very-popular classes in painting and sculpture. The facility is a frequent host of special exhibitions and performance event. Drawing classes in paper, The Club is situated close to the beach In Kao Takiab and can offer riding to beginners and experts and everyone in between. This is for both holidaying and resident kids with a variety of fun group activities with their four legged friends. Children can be left by parents in the knowledge that the will have a fun filled time in the care of the professional staff.

Prices start from 800 THB. For more information: Thai 0871663363 Eng 0893781266 or horseridinghuahin.com

Palapon Muay Thai Camp

Price 200 THB. For more information call Anna: 098960484 or 0989928164 or check their Facebook page: Dacha Restaurant or Anna Gross.

Flow Rider provides fast moving waters on a double-wide width. They also have a team on site to guide you as you try maneuvers on Body Boards and Surf Board. Expect to see Surf Classes, Events and Pro Competitions at Surf Shack.

Prices start from 150 THB.

Chess Club Hua Hin at Dacha Restaurant

For more information call 032-909-606 or check their website: vananavahuahin.com

Dusit Thani Hua Football Academy

Chess develops analytical, synthetic and decision-making skills that can be applied to real life. Children learn to engage in deep and thorough chess research which will help them build their confidence in their ability to do academic research. Chess enables the child to gain insights into the nature of competition which will help them in any competitive endeavor.

Hin

On 4 of August the group celebrates the 1 year anniversary. Join them every Monday 16.00 - 18.00.

For more information call Konstantin 086 769 9187.

Looking for activities that will be fun for your children and learn Muay Thai, incorporating history, action, tradition and skills? Among the many forms of mixed martial arts, Muay Thai is a very interesting sport for children.

An exciting and engaging training program for youngsters with less of an emphasis on combat readiness and a greater focus on agility and physical development.

Children are directed more towards building character, strength and values. They do learn self-defense, but children also learn to

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HUA HIN TODAY, August 2015

Summer program at the BECC BECC has really exciting topics for children to follow. All children aged 2-11 years old from both BECC and other schools are welcome.

In the summer School program the children will focus on a different theme each week discovering exciting facts and creating fun craftwork based on that theme.

From 13th July – 21st August 2015.

shirts, boxes and more are also available for kids.

Price 100 THB per hour. Every day 10am- 5p close on Monday For more information call: 087 04 7712

Vana Nava Water Jungle Adventure Park The Ropes Course is an adventure rope climbing activity that Vana Nava is elevating its visitors to new heights! At 13.4 metres high, the Ropes Course provides a rousing

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The academy offers a wide range of football courses for children from 4 – 15 years of age and is open to all kids, regardless of gender or ability. The goal is to give to your children the right guidance to enjoy the game of football in a multi-cultural environment.

Their mission is to teach the kids, each a potential star of the future, all aspects of the game. High-quality training sessions at both basic and advanced levels will be held in a fun and safe environment.

Training hours: Fri: 16.30-18.00 Sat: 15.3017.30 Sun: 15.30-17.30

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For more information: +66 94 865 5665 or visit their website: dusitthanifootballacademy.

HUA HIN TODAY, August 2015

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10 Golf’s Oldest Major Returned to the Home of Golf in 2015 The 144th Open Championship was played July 16th -20th at the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland.

The sport has been played at St Andrews for well over half a millennium and the Old Course once again presented a spectacular and unique test for the world’s best players competing to become Champion Golfer of the Year. This year’s event was extended to five days after high winds forced play to be cancelled on day three.

St Andrews; A Links Golf Course

Louis Oosthuizen last won the Open at this venue in 2010, with Tiger Woods winning the prior two times before that in 2000 and ’05. Woods’ 19-under-par total surpassed the mark set by Nick Faldo ten years previously, when the Englishman shot 18-under-par to win by five.

Rory McIlroy was to be the defending Open Champion from Royal Liverpool last year, while Jordan Spieth was going for a third-straight Major win, to become the first since Ben Hogan in 1953 to accomplish the feat.

The term ‘links’ describes courses built on land linking the coast to good farmland. In other words, these types of golf courses originated because of land that was otherwise unproductive.

Pot Bunkers

Outward and Inward

This describes a layout common in links golf in which nine holes go out away from the clubhouse and the other nine come back in. Not very creative, but again, these course designers were working with bad farmland.

What is A Burn?

St Andrews is famous for the numerous pot bunkers, which can be placed as greenside guardians or as fairway menaces.

Pot bunkers are sometimes made even more dangerous by slopes down toward the bunker. It is not uncommon for pot bunkers to be blind from the teeing ground.

The ‘Ground Game’

However McIlroy suffered a rupture to an ankle ligament in a soccer kickabout 10 days before the event and was unable to recover in time. Spieth finished one stroke back from the winning score of 14 under par along with Australian Jason Day. Zach Johnson won the Open after a final-round 6-underpar 66 and then a four-hole playoff from which he emerged the victor over Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman.

It’s Not The ‘British Open’!

‘The Open Championship’ is the official name of the tournament. Although some would say calling it the British Open makes sense to help differentiate it from the U.S. Open, golf purists bristle when they hear that.

The Open Golf Champion Trophy

A burn is one of those annoying little streams that cut through the course and serve as magnets to golf balls.

At St Andrews, approach shots are often run up onto greens.

There are plenty of bump-and-runs around the greens and you see players putting with putters or hybrids from insane distances down the fairway.

The ‘Rota’

The Dunes

The Open Golf Champion Trophy, now commonly referred to as the Claret Jug, was originally made by Mackay Cunningham & Company of Edinburgh and was hallmarked 1873.

Following the 1927 Open, which was won at St Andrews by Bobby Jones, the Club’s Championship Committee took the decision to retain the Claret Jug in future years and to present the winner with a replica.

Dunes are hills of sand that are all over links golf courses.

Sometimes, they’re the only things that frame a links golf hole. Dunes are often covered in gnarly fescue and they come in all shapes and sizes. .

This is the term for the rotation of courses that traditionally host the Open Championship. The rota is set between The Old Course at St. Andrews, Carnoustie, Royal St. George’s, Royal Lytham & St. Annes, Royal Birkdale, Turnberry, Royal Liverpool, Muirfield, and Royal Troon which will host the 2016 Open.

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11 Golfing For Ratchapakdi Park

Golfers participating in the July army sponsored golf day at Suanson Pradipat, the Sea Pines Army Golf Course have something else to be proud about in the future; regardless of their golfing prowess on the day.

Proceeds of the Event will benefit the construction of Ratchapakdi Park, a 222 rai site where seven former Kings of Thailand will be immortalised with bronze statues, around 14 metres in height, installed to overlook ceremonial areas, museums, an exhibition centre and landscaped gardens.

In years to come, players from the golfing event can honestly say “I helped build this place”; albeit a relatively minor contribution to the estimated cost of 700 million THB. Army spokesperson Colonel Sirichan Ngathong said that His Majesty the King approved the Park project and Army Commander-In-Chief Udomdej Sitabutr wants the Park to demonstrate loyalty to the monarchy. The park will also function as an important ceremonial venue for army ceremonies as well as other agencies. It is destined to become a major tourist destination and place for education about Thai history.

Col Sirichan said the Army is raising donations to fund the Park, receiving donations via its welfare fund account number 077-1-07474-7 at the TMB bank.

Construction of the Park is well underway and visible from the roadside, with pedestals for the statues already in place. The park site is about 7 kilometres south of Hua Hin heading towards Pranburi. This is on the inland side from the Suanson Army Recreation Centre and Golf Course which have an ocean frontage.

A fierce westerly wind created an additional test for the

players at the July golf event day. Conditions were made even more hazardous by a ‘dust storm’ from the construction site blowing across the course.

The Team representing Hua Hin Today managed the conditions with ‘honour’, if not featuring on the leader board. Playing according to the System 36 format to accommodate players without an official handicap is really about making birdies and nothing over a double bogey.

Although this requirement was discussed prior to the commencement of play, it was apparent that our Team was unable to consistently put this strategy into action!

Sea Pines is different from other regional golf courses because its location is right on the ocean with a prominent vista of the nearby promontory of Kao Takiab. It could be described as a Thai version of a ‘links’ course. The last three holes are played alongside the beach; a very different golfing experience.

Playing Sea Pines is a great golfing test and reduced green fees available during the August/September Hua Hin & Cha-Am Golf Festival presents an opportunity not to be missed.

Hy Quality and Hy Class – The Hyatt Open @ Banyan Golf Course

“The Hyatt Open is about quality not quantity”; that’s the message from Sammy Caralus, General Manager of the Hyatt Regency Hua Hin. However with a full field of 132 golfers from over 30 countries, the 6th Hyatt Open also had the ‘quantity’ aspect covered.

Quantity was also covered with the charity element of the Event once again contributing to the educational requirements of remote and struggling Thailand schools.

In 2014 over 1.1 million THB has realised and when the final figures from this year’s event are totalled, that sum seems likely to be bettered. A Charity auction included accommodation at various Hyatt Hotels around the world, as well as air tickets, dining and spa experiences.

This made the 2015 Hyatt Open Golf Tournament not merely a fun event but also allowed guests the opportunity to give back to the local community.

Both Sammy Caralus and Stacey Walton, the Banyan GM, were playing in the field but their scores were not of the ‘competitive’ variety. That’s understandable; managing for quality means giving priority to the success of the Event rather than the quality of their own golf swing.

This is two rounds of 18 holes at Banyan timed to coincide with the ‘real’ open, the British one, on the weekend of 18th and 19th July. However the latter Event didn’t reach it’s conclusion until Monday because of high winds, no such issues for Hua Hin as a much more ‘golfer-friendly’ destination than 2015 in Scotland.

Once again a brand new Mercedes Benz was on offer for a Hole-in One. As this was not won either in 2014 or this year; Stuart Daley, Banyan’s current holder of Asia’s Golf Operations Manager of the Year, seemed to think that maybe this will jackpot to three Merc’s next year .............. chok dee!

There was also an opportunity to win a lifetime Membership

at the Mahasamutr Country Club on another hole for an ‘Ace’ but again no winners. There is a budding partnership developing between Banyan and Mahasamutr; being literally just down the road.

Next time you head up the hill towards Banyan, slow down and take a look. The enormous ‘inland’ sea’ is in the process of filling ready for water sports and leisure activities before long. James McManaman, the Country Club Manager was on hand and eager to reassure potential Members that all that will be missing is jelly fish!

Part of the success of this Event is the reach of the Hyatt ‘brand’ around the world and in Thailand the active involvement of the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok and the Hyatt Regency Phuket. The Hyatt’s catering on course and at the welcome dinner at the ballroom of the Hyatt Hua Hin also ‘raised the flag’ for excellence.

The combination of sponsorships, the award winning Banyan Golf Course, together with the Hyatt’s superior resort standards ensures that delivering Hy quality is a given for this Hy Class Event.

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ch n a r b w e ’s n st or of c i n i l C b o Nadp open on the 1 Flo 032 526 345 is now

Tel. Hair Salon t u C l o o K ar t Village ne e k r a M e h T

14 Military, Local Officials Study Pattaya Pier Options For Cross Gulf Ferry

Military officials have surveyed Bali Hai Pier as part of feasibility study for ferry services between Pattaya, Cha-Am and Hua Hin, finding both the jetty and harbour in need of improvements.

Air Chief Marshall Wijit Jitpakdee, chief of economic cooperation for the National Council for Peace and Order, has led the delegation of military and local officials to the South Pattaya pier for a survey of its suitability as the eastern base for the 4 billion THB ferry project.

The NCPO ordered the Marine Department in April to have its 30-million THB feasibility study complete by the middle of 2016 with hopes of having the cross-gulf ferry go into operation by 2019.

Military and government officials are assembling a feasibility study to determine whether Bali Hai Pier would be a suitable eastern base for a cross-gulf ferry service.

The project is aimed at boosting tourism, the economy and trade between the two coastal areas and shorten travel time to three hours from the current six or seven.

Bali Hai is one of five piers being considered for the eastern terminus of the ferry service, along with Ocean Marina in Sattahip’s Najomtien Subdistrict, the Royal Thai Navy’s Juksamet Pier in Sattahip, Laem Chabang Port and Koh Loy Pier in Sriracha.

Transport Minister Prajin Junthong said

in April that Bali Hai, Ocean Marina and Laem Chabang were considered the most-suitable locations. Wijit was told, however, that Bali Hai would need upgrades before it could be used for a commercial ferry operation envisioned to handle at least three million passengers and 220,000 vehicles per year.

During his presentation, Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome told the Air Chief Marshal that the pier, which went into service about a decade ago, is in need of repairs, particularly its dilapidated bridge.

The city has requested a budget of 55 million THB for maintenance.

More significantly, water in the harbour is only two metres at its deepest, while a ferry would require three metres of water. Significant dredging would be required, he said. Finally, the mayor said, Bali Hai needs additional parking and transportation links to the main arteries into the city.

All those involved said the operation must proceed carefully and suitably in the areas of budget and benefits.

The military officials planned to take all the data from their survey and the city presentation and present it to the NCPO and Marine Department to incorporate into the feasibility study.

Prajin said in April that the first two years of the project’s development, running through 2018, would see investment mostly in acquiring or building ferries, terminals and docks.

To date there has been little comment about pier options and requirements at the western (Hua Hin/Cha-Am) side of the gulf.

Siam Eastern Logistics Terminal Co. has proposed a four-year investment plan, starting next year, which the government is considering. Initial specifications call

for ferries to be 250-ton catamarans able to carry 280 passengers and more than 30 vehicles. It would travel at 18 knots.

The trip to Hua Hin would be cut from the 6-7 hours needed to travel 345 kilometres by road to 2.5-3 hours over 105 km by sea.

It is estimated the ferry would generate four billion THB in revenue a year.

Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh said the ferry plan is a good opportunity that creates value for the economy and tourism industry.

‘Quality’ As the Keyword for 2016 Tourism Plans The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has finalised its marketing plan for 2016, focusing on promoting the Kingdom as a “Quality Leisure Destination through Thainess.”

At a regional level, Hua Hin, Cha-Am and Pranburi will be the first combined area to be developed as a sustainable tourism model; pending the Cabinet’s endorsement before September.

At a Bangkok press conference last month, the plan was described as the start of a new era for Thai tourism. The Minister of Tourism and Sports, H.E. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul commented that “we are confident that Thailand will remain in the top 3 ranking in terms of international tourism receipts in the Asian region.

The wording of the new strategy indicates an end to decades of focusing on ‘quantity’, as measured by visitor arrivals, and a total shift to ‘quality’ as measured by visitor expenditure, average length of stay, and the overall quality of the visitor experience.

Mrs. Juthaporn Rerngronasa, Acting Governor of TAT described the plan as marking the opening of a new chapter for Thai tourism. “As Thailand has the natural geographical advantage of being located right in the heart of the Asia-Pacific and

ASEAN regions, we can be sure of strong arrival figures for years to come. We can confidently say that the era of promoting ‘quantity’ is over. The era of promoting ‘quality’ has begun.”

Tourism Minister Kobkarn highlighted the importance of the Thai tourism industry for economic development, job creation, and income distribution.

But, she added, tourism is more than just that. “It can also play a major role in enhancing social integration and preserving the environment. Tourism can be a great tool to build love and understanding, and grow the sense of pride in being Thai. This will lead to a balanced development covering the economic, social and environmental aspects of nation building.” She said that the new policy aimed to develop a sustainable and well-integrated tourism industry.

Under this model, which includes highend tourism development in six districts of Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces, new development projects will be controlled in line with the area’s infrastructure capacity, particularly traffic, and waste and water treatment.

Along the combined coastal areas of 265 kilometres, all developments will be kept at least 50 metres from the beaches.

Meanwhile the tourism industry has cautioned the government about developing the West coast of Thailand as a new destination, saying it should take time to ensure the areas are fully prepared before marketing them.

“Introducing or promoting new destinations is not a big question for the private sector, but we worry about readiness and capability if the government rushes to open areas to draw visitors,” said Ittirit Kinglake, President of the Tourism Council of Thailand. “Especially when we aim to attract quality tourists, we need to have good destinations first,” he said.

“The government should not rush to open the West coast and should not take top-down endorsement. It should begin

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talks with locals and residents before considering any development.’

“Tourism development could take time, perhaps years, for the areas to have complete infrastructure, good accommodation, attractive products with services and skilled resources”.

Pornthip Hirunkate, vice president for marketing at the Tourism Council, commented on a specific marketing issue as Hua Hin and Cha-Am may be regarded by many as ‘twin cities’.

“All of us in the tourism industry almost promote Cha-Am and Hua Hin together.

Of course, Hua Hin is more known than Cha-Am.” Currently they belong to different provinces, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan.”

There are many significant developments including resorts and condominiums which, for marketing reasons, have a Hua Hin nomenclature but are actually located in Petchaburi Province (Cha-Am).

The growth of tourism development between the two towns is increasing blurring the borders and adding to this confusion. Despite frequent discussions at various levels of government, a quality marketing plan with an integrated approach to the promotion of this combined region is yet to emerge.

15 Golf in The Palm of Her Hands

Being the General Manager at the Palm Hills Golf Resort & Country Club is certainly a fulltime job, but Khun Supha Rakprayune’s involvement in development of the regional golf scene is an additional commitment. For the past five years, Khun Tuk as we came to know her has also been the Secretary of the Phetchaburi Prachuap Khirikhan Golf Course Association (PPGA).

The Association has been established since 2000 to represent the interests of regional golf courses and to promote and create local activities and tournaments.

Promotion of Hua Hin and Cha-Am as the best seaside golf resort area in South East Asia has clearly been successful under the helm of Khun Suwit Ruengroongrueng as President. The region is the current ‘title holder’ of the Golf Destination of the Year for Asia & Australia.

Your Country’s National Day If you are not Thai then you will probably want to acknowledge your home country’s National Day in one way or another. Try to find a restaurant featuring the cuisine and traditional activities familiar to you. In August there are four prominent National Days.

Youm-e-Azadi (Pakistan Independence Day) - August 14 Independence Day, observed annually on August 14, is a national holiday in Pakistan, commemorating the day when Pakistan achieved independence and was declared a sovereign nation, following the end of the British Raj in 1947. Pakistan came into existence as a result of the Pakistan Movement; the Pakistan Movement aimed for creation of an independent Muslim state by division of the north-western region of the South Asia and was led by All-India Muslim League under the leadership of Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Khun Tuk is now busy with two main activities as PPGA secretary apart from her role at Palm Hills. First of all the annual Hua Hin and Cha-Am Golf Festival gets underway on 2nd August. This is a two month Festival of golf at 10 regional courses with weekly tournaments, a grand opening and finale. That’s a major task for any organisation and especially for the secretary. There’s been press conferences locally and in Bangkok and a constant stream of enquires.

Indian Independence Day - August 15

Second, in conjunction with The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), the PPGA is a key partner in arranging the 2015 Thailand Golf Travel Mart, to be hosted at the Royal Dusit Hall Ballroom Dusit Thani Hua Hin from 4th – 6th August. This is about linking golf travel suppliers and buyers and is a big deal for the golf industry, locally and throughout Thailand.

Meanwhile back at Palm Hills, Khun Tuk describes her management style as not dictatorial or overly controlling.

She has been the GM for the past five years and wants her staff (around 120) to be confident, self-sufficient but also accountable. She is happy to join them for afterwork tennis or a swim and doesn’t have much ‘nongolf’ time apart from the occasional visit to her family in Bangkok. That’s where she was born and raised although her tertiary studies were at university in Chiang Mai. She describes herself as a modest golfer with a handicap of around the 20 mark and Khun Tuk was previously involved in the management of the Royal Lakeside Golf Club (between Bangkok & Pattaya) since its opening in 1993 until a change of ownership in 2010. Her story is that after applying for a position in the property section at Palm Hills; her golf course management background was discovered. An offer to take on the Golf Course GM’s position then followed; an offer too good to refuse!

Independence Day, observed annually on 15 August, is a National Holiday in India commemorating the nation’s independence from the British Empire on 15 August 1947. India attained independence following an Independence Movement noted for largely nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience led by the Indian National Congress (INC). Independence coincided with the partition of India, in which the British Indian Empire was divided along religious lines into the Dominions of India and Pakistan. On 15 August 1947 Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of India.

Khun Tuk is a responsive (she replies to your emails!), affable and modern golfing manager; a real asset to the local golfing scene. Not just passionate about making sure Palm Hills delivers what it promises for golfers, but thinking about the future success of the broader golf industry in Hua Hin and Cha-Am.

Indonesian Independence Day - August 17 The Proclamation of Indonesian Independence (Indonesian: Proklamasi Kemerdekaan Indonesia, or simply Proklamasi) was read at 10.00 a.m. on Friday, August 17, 1945. The declaration marked the start of the diplomatic and armed resistance of the Indonesian National Revolution, fighting against the forces of the Netherlands and pro-Dutch civilians, until the latter officially acknowledged Indonesia’s independence in 1949.

Hari Merdeka (Malaysia National Day) - August 31

By the way our photo of her teeing off was really a demonstration at a Golf Festival promo; she’s eager to let everyone know that’s not her usual golfing footwear, just an unprepared, impromptu moment and a bit embarrassing now!

Hari Merdeka (Independence Day) is a national day of Malaysia commemorating the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British colonial rule in 1957, celebrated on 31 August each year. This should not be confused with Hari Malaysia (Malaysia Day) when Malaysia was formed on 16 September 1963 together

by Federation of Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore.

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16

16 Events & promotions Calendar SAT

1

Hotel de la Paix, Cha-Am Beach, Hua-Hin Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the best seafood selection Cha-Am has to offer at Hotel de la Paix’s Saturday night beach BBQ.

SUN

2

MON

3

Banyan Golf Club Hua Hin Saturday 8th Golf citizen Pairs Series Thailand 2015 Qualifier Price 2,600 THB inclusive of caddy free.

Become a golf citizen.

La Botte by Da Mario : Buy 1 pizza get 1 free from 12.00 – 17.00

15

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin Pamper yourself throughout your stay with your favourite choice of Therapeutic Massage. Buy 3 sessions of any 60 minutes Body Massage, get another 60 minutes Body Massage for free.

22

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin Saturday 22th Wine Tasting.

900 THB ++ per person from 6:00PM – 7:30PM

Hin AKA Resort & Spa Hua Seafood BBQ Dinner Every Friday & Saturday at Lake Bar 350 THB/per person

THU

FRI

Novotel Hua Hin Cha Am Beach Resort & Spa Italian Buffet @ Ocean Terrace. Savour a variety of all-time favorite Italian dishes. Monday Nights for only 590 THB Net per person

4

InterContinental Hua Hin Resort Every Tuesday vintage cocktails and bites and movies night Step back into the classic era with a black and white movie including free flow beers & cocktails with live jazz; 600 THB net per person 7:00PM – 10:00PM

5

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin Mother’s Day afternoon tea at The Museum Coffee & Tea Corner. Wednesday, 12 August 2015 From 3:00 p.m.

- 6:00 p.m. at The Museum Coffee & Tea Corner, 700 THB ++ per person, including a glass of sparkling wine.

6

InterContinental Hua Hin Resort Every Thursday fusion feast Discover the best of Thai and Italian cuisine that you can order unlimiteded from our a la carte menu, 1,299 THB net per person, 6:30PM– 10:30PM

Anantara Resort & Spa Friday 7th, Wine Dinner.

Join us for an evening of self serve à la carte live stations matched with locally produced Monsoon Valley wines from Hua Hin Hills and experience the very best of the local area.

9

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Ley Cafe’ Pranburi Big promotion pizza buffet. 139 THB from 10:30AM - 9:00PM. EVERY DAY!

11

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin Culinary Treasures of Japan Every Tuesday From 7:00PM – 10:30PM at Hagi Japanese Restaurant, 1,400 THB ++ per person

12

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin Thai Temple Fair Every Wednesday. From 7:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. At Suan Bua Thai Restaurant 1,200 THB ++ per person

13

InterContinental Hua Hin Resort: Every Thursday Fusion Feast. Discover the best of Thai and Italian cuisine that you can order unlimitedly from our a la carte menu.

THB 1,299 net per person 6:30PM – 10:30PM

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Hyatt Regency Hua Hin Sunday Brunch Every Sunday 11:30 AM – 03:00 PM 1,800 THB net per person, including a bottle of sparkling wine per two person, home-made lemonade and iced tea.

1,500 THB net per person, including home-made lemonade and iced tea, 750 THB net for children aged 6-12

Marzipan Café 3rd Food Market Village Marzipan Combo Set Waffle + Soda Pop 199 THB. Bike For Mom event, Sunday 16th start 3PM at Clock Tower Hua Hin

Black Mountain Water Park Special price 300 THB, Children 150 THB from 10:00AM -6:00PM EVERY DAY!

InterContinental Hua Hin Resort Tuesday Vintage Cocktails & Bites Movie Night at Lee La Bar. Throwback time to Classic Black & White Movies together with free flow beers and cocktails @600 THB net/ person.

Banyan Golf Club Hua Hin Wednesday 5th AND 26TH Power Tee Competition Tee Time 12.00 pm. 1,800 THB per person for green free & Snack following

Putahracsa Hua Hin Tapas Lounge Oceanside Beach Club & Restaurant Enjoy unlimited white and red wine and a weekly changing signature cocktail together with our Tapas Buffet every Thursday @699 THB net/person

7

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin Crustaceans and Swimmers Every Friday from 7:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. At Palm Restaurant 1,400 THB ++ per person

Novotel Hua Hin Cha Am Beach Resort & Spa Enjoy fresh seafood selection served in a fisherman’s basket, available every day, 990 THB net.

Cape Nidhra Hotel Hua Hin: Rock Restaurant Every Tuesday BBQ Buffet THB 1,300 THB from 6:30PM– 10:00PM 50% off for children under 12

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Retrophilia Bar & Grill Happy Hour Special 5:00-8:30 PM Gin & Tonic 70 THB Sangsom & Coke 70 THB EVERY DAY!

Banyan The Resort Hua Hin Saturday 22nd Retro 80’s Party, 699 THB. – Per person from 7:00PM – 11:00PM

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WED

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin The ‘Heritage’ Afternoon Tea Buffet Every Sunday, from 3:00PM – 6:00PM at The Museum Coffee & Tea Corner, 700 THB ++ per person.

Accompanied by Thai inspired dishes as well as refreshing herbal drinks, all skillfully prepared by our wonderful culinary team., 850 THB + + from 6:30PM 9:30PM

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TUE

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Mothers at Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa : The SpaPamper your beloved mom at The Spa, Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa with our selection of 90 minutes body massage and enjoy complimentary 20 minute milk bath or 20 minute body scrub for 2 persons throughout the month of Mother’s day from August 1-31, 2015. Price - 1,600THB For reservation please call 032-538-999. Open daily from 10:00AM- 20:00PM

24

InterContinental Hua Hin Resort: @ AZURE all you can eat fish.

Select your favorite catches of the day, with smooth live jazz. THB 1,299 net per person 6:30PM – 10:30PM

31

Dusit Thani Hua HIn Monday evening Carvery Night @ The Restaurant (18:30PM – 22:00PM) THB 1,150++

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Putahracsa Hua Hin Resort Best value in a 5-Star Spa Experience our Sweet Temptation Promotion that will spoil you thoroughly with delightful combinations of luxurious indulgences. Our August promotion “Sweet Temptation” includes: Floral Body Scrub, a choice of 60 minute Massage, 2 Hours Package @ 1,799 THB net/ person EVERY DAY!

Hilton Hua Hin resort & Spa: Every Wednesday Wine Dinner, combine sensational beachfront dinning with the ultimate 4 course dinner.

THB 1,800 nett per person from 7:00PM – 10:00PM. Hyatt Regency Hua Hin: Tapas Platter dinner on Wednesday nights and enjoy this beautiful view at McFarland House; THB 399 net per person. From 6:3010:30 PM

Hilton Hua Hin Resort and Spa Chayhad Restaurant Thai Seafood Buffet 799 THB. net

EVERY DAY EVENTS

PHONE NUMBERS

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin: Favourite choice of Therapeutic Massage. Buy 3 sessions of any 60 minutes Body Massage, get another 60 minutes Body Massage for free.

Hin AKA Resort & Spa Hua Hin 032 618 900

InterContinental Hua Hin Resort: 032 616 999

Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa 032 520 250

Hyatt Regency Hua Hin: 032 521 234

Hilton Hua Hin resort & Spa: 032 538 999

Putahracsa Hua Hin Resort: 032 531 470

Marzipan Café 3rd Food Market Village: Marzipan Combo Set Waffle + Soda Pop 199 THB.

Novotel Beach Resort & Spa: 032 708 300

Banyan The Resort: 032 538 888

Putahracsa Hua Hin: Best value in a 5-Star Spa Experience. August promotion “Sweet Temptation” includes: Floral Body Scrub, a choice of 60 minute Massage, 2 Hours Package @ 1,799 THB net/person

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas: 032 51 2021-38

Banyan Golf Club Hua Hin: 032 616 200

The Market Cafe & Bar Hua Hin 081 174 4647

Amari Hua Hin: 032 616 600

Hotel de la Paix, Cha-Am Beach, Hua-Hin: 032 709 555

Ley Cafe’ Pranburi: 032 630 564

Electric Mango: 098 510 5393

Retrophilia Bar & Grill: 092 962 6076

Novotel Hua Hin Cha Am Beach Resort & Spa: Enjoy fresh seafood selection served in a fisherman’s basket, available every day, 990 THB net

Ley Cafe’ Pranburi: Big promotion pizza buffet.

139 THB from 10:30AM - 9:00PM Retrophilia Bar & Grill: Happy Hour Special 5:00PM8:30 PM Gin & Tonic 70 THB Sangsom & Coke 70

HUA HIN TODAY, August 2015

Marrakesh Hua Hin Resort & Spa : MINT TEA MIRACLE Spa Package Look younger. Feel refreshed with the miracle benefits of mint tea. A beauty secret from Morocco. 50% OFF THB 3,884 net THB 1,942 net Daily 9AM to 10PM EVERY DAY!

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TAPAS LOUNGE Enjoy unlimited White Wine and Red Wine and a weekly changing signature Cocktail together with our Tapas Buffet. Savor Thai, Fusion and classic Mediterranean Tapas and get together with your friends and family to enjoy a spectacular set up by the sea accompanied “The Vegii� . At the

by Chill out music from our live Duo Oceanside Beach Club & Restaurant, Putahracsa Hua Hin.

Every Thursday THB net /person

699

18 Thailand’s Kata Resorts Plans New Properties in Phuket, Hua Hin and Pattaya Kata Group Resorts, the Thailandbased hospitality company, is preparing to embark on a major new phase of expansion.

The company is preparing to undertake an IPO in 2017, in a move that will raise capital for the growth of the company’s portfolio.

One project that has already been announced is The Landmark Patong, a hotel and mall in Phuket, The company is also looking for new properties in the Thai beach resort

towns of Pattaya and Hua Hin. The company has appointed financial services company Asset Pro Management to prepare it for the listing on the Thai stock exchange.

Kata’s president & owner, Pramookpisitt Achariyachai, said the expansion plans are being fuelled by the growth of the Thailand’s tourism and hospitality sectors. ‘’We feel we still have a lot of room to grow,’’ said Pramookpisitt. ‘’We currently own and operate six hotels in absolute beachfront locations - with one a two-minute walk from the beach

- featuring concepts in the four- and five-star categories, appealing to a wide range of target groups and markets from around the world. ‘’Our strategy has always been to grow steadily and sustainably. This will not change. ‘’We have a strong project in The Landmark Patong and are seeking opportunities in Pattaya and Hua Hin, for which we need capital to fund the growth.

This is why we have appointed financial experts in Asset Pro Management to achieve this goal.’’ Kata Group Resorts has been operating in Thailand for more

than 35 years. Its portfolio now includes three adults-only Beyond Resorts in Krabi, Khao Lak and Phuket, plus the Kandaburi Resort & Spa in Koh Samui and two other properties in Phuket: Kata Beach Resort & Spa and Phuket Orchid Resort & Spa.

Bangkok “Could Be Submerged In 15 Years” Without urgent action, Bangkok could be under water within 15 years because of excessive pumping of groundwater, the weight of city buildings and rising sea levels, an NRC panel has warned.

Without urgent action, Bangkok could be under water within 15 years because of excessive pumping of groundwater, the weight of city buildings and rising sea levels, a panel set up by the National Reform Council (NRC) has warned.

The government should set up a national committee to deal with Bangkok’s subsidence to prevent the capital from being submerged, the committee says.

The issue was raised at an NRC meeting by Withaya Kulsomboon,chairman of the NRC panel responsible for drafting a report to address Bangkok’s subsidence crisis.

Bangkok and adjacent provinces were only 0.5 to 2 metres above mean sea level and sinking, Mr Witthaya said. The longstanding and excessive use of underground water in areas without tap water supplies and the heavy weight of tall buildings were accelerating the subsidence.

The weight of the Bangkok buildings, almost 5,000 of which are over eight stories high, is one of several factors contributing to its alarming subsidence. There are about 700 buildings with 20 floors or more and 4,000 buildings with 8-20 floors in Bangkok. There are also many electric railways. These could cause the submergence of parts of Bangkok and surrounding areas in the future.

A panel chaired by the Prime Minister Says urgent action is needed to deal with the crisis of rising sea levels and subsidence, according to the Chairman.

The situation is urgent, and the government may even have to consider relocating Bangkok, said Mr Withaya.

It should work on a long-term plan, and devise additional laws to protect Bangkok from going underwater, he said, adding that specific agencies should be assigned to implement the measures.

The government also needs to increase public awareness of the issue, he said. According to panel member Sucharit Koontanakulvong, if nothing is done, Bangkok might be underwater in less than two decades.

The report found the city’s subsidence is partly a result of groundwater pumping, which removed underground

water faster than it could be replaced, compressing the soil.

The NRC voted 166-to-5, with four abstentions, to accept the report’s findings. The council asked the panel to review the report once more and then send it to the cabinet within seven days.

One idea is to build barriers from Si Racha district of Chon Buri to Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan to prevent the capital from being submerged and hold off coastal erosion, said Mr Sucharit, adding that the project would cost 500 billion baht.

Thai Airways & TAT Organise Flight and Field Trip for Underprivileged Children Mr. Charamporn Jotikasthira, President of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI), and Mr. Sukree Sitthiwanich, Deputy Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), together presided over the launch of the “THAI-TAT Flight and Field Trip” for underprivileged children to create a learning experience outside the classroom and inspire children.

To celebrate THAI and TAT’s respective 55th anniversaries in 2015, a three-day field trip from 21-23 July 2015 was jointly organised as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility event.

THAI took 100 children from Northern and Southern Thailand on flights from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and from Phuket to Bangkok. The field trip included a visit to THAI’s aircraft maintenance hangar, which is the largest in Southeast Asia, and a cultural field trip to major tourists attractions in Bangkok. THAI emphasizes creative learning experiences outside the classroom and recognises the importance of inspiring young children, so they may grow to be quality citizens.

Based on TAT’s selection process, children between 12-15 years of age who live in foster care homes or orphanages in Northern and Southern Thailand who display good behaviour and good academic standing were selected to participate in the event.

Mr. Sukree Sitthiwanich said TAT was delighted that TAT and THAI had the same goal for sustainable tourism and that children could gain knowledge and appreciation about Thai art, culture, nature, and philosophy on sufficiency economy by visiting historical venues, with the aim to build greater pride in Thainess.

Venues and activities included: visit to the Grand Palace and practice showing respect to the Emerald Buddha;

tour of the Rattanakosin Exhibition at the Contemporary Art Center, Chedi Phukhao Thong at Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Vihara, Royal Chitralada Project and visit the marine ecosystem at SEALIFE, Bangkok Ocean World.

This activity began in 2013 with THAI in collaboration with the Thai Pilots Association. THAI continues this activity on the annual Thailand National Children’s Day in January, and on other occasions such as during the First Biofuel Flight in Asia and a visit to the Science Exhibition for Southern Border Children. This year is the first year that THAI has collaborated with TAT.

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19 The Queen’s Cup International Triathlon 2015

The 7th Annual Hua Hin International Triathlon is coming to the Black Mountain Water Park on Sunday 16th August.

This prestigious event gives elite athletes the chance to win the Queen’s Cup a week after HM Queen Sirikit’s birthday. This is one of the largest triathlons in Southeast Asia, and at an Olympic standard with a total distance of 51.5km. This consists of 1.5km swimming, 40km cycling and 10km running. Racing commences at 7.00 AM. There is also a duathlon which includes a 5km run, a 40km cycle and a further 10km run. The triathlon is open to all men and women above the ages of 18, who can enter individually or in teams of three. The duathlon is open to individual men and women above the age of 16. The youth triathlon for boys and

girls is in three categories- a 100m swim, 5km cycle and 1km run for kids between the ages of seven and nine; a 200m swim, 10km ride and 2km run for kids between the ages of 10 and 12; and a 400m swim, 10km ride and 2km run for those between the ages of 13 and 15.

Last year there were 500 competitors from many different nations involved. With increasing recognition, expectations are high for an even greater number this year. The Black Mountain Water Park provides a great spectator experience and the chance to see some of the fittest athletes on the planet! For more information go to: www.goadventureasia.com.

Japan Backs Dawei, Thai High-speed Train Thailand and Japan have agreed to develop the Dawei special economic zone in Myanmar and two train lines in Thailand including a high-speed train linking Bangkok and Chiang Mai. The agreement was reached in talks between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha on the sidelines of the seventh JapanMekong Summit meeting. Mr Abe had already pledged in the summit fresh aid worth 750 billion yen (205 billion baht) in official development assistance to Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam over the next three years to spur the region’s development.

Senior government officials of Thailand, Myanmar and Japan countries signed

the Dawei memorandum as Mr Abe, Gen Prayut and Myanmar President Thein Sein looked on. I’m convinced the signing of a memorandum of intent on Dawei Special Economic Zone will create an opportunity to strengthen economic partnership between Japan and Asean, and Japan and Thailand ahead of the launch of an Asean Economic Community,” Mr Abe said in a joint news conference with Gen Prayut after their meeting in Tokyo.

transit system in Bangkok, according to a Government House press release.

No details of the agreement were released but Gen Prayut said that when completed, the economic zone 200 square kilometres “will become a new distribution centre of the world”. Gen Prayut said Thailand and Japan also agreed to embark on a high-speed rail route between Bangkok and Chiang Mai and the Red Line mass-

The two countries “plan to develop” the two lines “in the future”, the Thai statement said.

The pledge for the Red Line could clear the way for the State Railway of Thailand to receive an additional loan of 38.2 billion yen (10.4 billion baht) from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica).

But Tokyo stopped short of making a strong commitment on two more rail lines in which Thailand was hoping it would invest. They are a route from the Thai border with Myanmar in Kanchanaburi to Rayong and Aranyaprathet district in Sa Kaeo, and another line from Mukdahan to Mae Sot district in Tak.

The Red route will run from Bang Sue to Rangsit. The railway agency needs more loans from Japan to finance the project with the Jica already the main financial source.

Japan also pledged a total of 99.85 billion yen (US$812 million) in yen-denominated low-interest loans to Myanmar to help develop infrastructure.

Of the total, 41.12 billion yen ($334 million) will go toward developing a national power transmission network, and 33.87 billion yen ($275 million) toward improving the Myanmar portion of the East-West Economic Corridor that connects the country with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam by road. The remaining 24.87 billion yen is linked to a project to upgrade the circular railway line in Yangon.

Beach Soccer Cha-Am Phetchaburi Cup to Take Place this Month The Sport Authority of Thailand’s office in Phetchaburi is organising the 1st Beach Soccer Cha-Am Phetchaburi Cup 2015 on the beach in front of Long Beach Cha-Am Hotel. This sports event will take place from 19 to 23 August 2015 and is now open for participants who would like to join it.

players and 5 support members, including 1 manager, 1 coach, 2 coach assistants and 1 administrator. The game will allow only 5 players to play for each team, but the team can change players at any time. Each game is divided into two rounds, each of which takes 15 minutes with 5 minute break.

The first beach soccer championship ever held in Cha-Am, this event is calling for applications of up to 16 beach soccer teams with. The Members must be the Cha-Am locals atives and have house registration documents made prior to 1st January 2014.

Each of the team must have no more than 12

Those interested in joining the game can obtain an application form at the Sport Authority of Thailand’s office in Phetchaburi (tel. 032 427 197); those living in Cha-Am can contact the Education Division of ChaAm Municipality (tel. 032 471 822) during office hours.

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20 Tension Release Massage @ The Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa Three days ago I had many things happen to me. I could not even get good sleep or relax. I was caught up with several stresses at the same time. But also it was lucky to be unfortunate. I believe that........

Today I made an arrangement with my partner for a spa review, but suddenly he became ill, meaning it had become my responsibility; bad luck for him!

The Spa Review was with the Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, where I met Khun Pichapha (Ploy) Sitpho. She is a massage therapist with a very warm welcome and a nice smile, she was introduced and recommend to me.

After finishing my treatment, I immediately felt relieved of the stress and pain but my time went very fast with deep sleep and relaxation. For sure I will come back again soon for a heavenly tension release massage. The words Spa and Hilton just seem to go together.

Tension release massage spa THB 1,500 net Hours of Operation: Daily from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. To book a treatment, call +66-32-538-999 or email thespa.huahin@ hilton.com.

A Tension release massage spa for me was for 1 hour. My therapist seemed to know I been stressed for a while. This is a deep tissue massage performed to give an extra boost for who are high on stress, short on time; focusing on the back, neck and shoulders. The massage uses oil and Swedish massage techniques to relax tension - filled areas.

Tips for Taking Care of Your Children When They Catch Colds The current weather is very inconsistent. One day it’s hot, another day it’s raining.

Such change of weather may cause illness, both for children and adult.

One of the most common illnesses is nothing else other than the common cold, an infection in the respiratory tract, especially in children. For families that have many children, having never ending colds in the house is very common.

One child will catch cold when another child is almost cured.

Here are some tips to manage colds in the household..

1. When the cold lasts for longer than 10 days, with symptom of coughing and having a runny nose, your child may eat less. We would suggest that you have them drink more water, either water or milk is fine . However, if your child is having trouble breathing with stertorous breathing, we would suggest you put a damp cloth alongside their bed to make the room more humidified and use saline nasal drops which will help them breathe easier.

2. If your children are having stertorous breathing that sounds like a snore or a cough, it may a symptom of an infection in the respiratory tract. Such symptom will start from having fever, cough, gruff voice, and trouble breathing during night time. Having your children sit straight may help, however these symptoms may also be the beginning of diphtheria or croup disease, which occur from a virus.

Therefore, we would suggest your children should be checked by a doctor.

3. If your children vomits while they catch cold or cough because they swallow the phlegm, let them lie down over your knees or hold them over your shoulder then gently pat their back may help.

4. If your children also have fever when they catch cold or cough, have them take paracetamol for children to lower the fever. Also, have them drink more water, either boiled or milk is okay.

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5. Sometime having chronic catarrhal rhinitis may lead to bronchitis, which includes shortness of breath that may cause the mouth to turn green and gasp for breath.

Therefore, we strongly suggest that you should take your DESIGNHUAHI N@GMAIL.COM 095-531-5281

children to the doctor if they have chronic catarrhal rhinitis.

6. Children that catch cold frequently also have high chances of otitis. The reason for this is because their Eustachian tube which connects between the middle ear and the upper neck is rather short. Therefore germs can go in easily resulting as an inflammation. Your children may cry a lot, but the symptom will usually go away within 2 – 3 days without any treatment. However, if your children have fever and are also pulling their ears all the time, we would suggest that you take them to the doctor.

Children that catch cold frequently are usually those who were born with a lighter weight, shortened gestation, or were not raised with breast milk which helps strengthen immunity. Lack of nutrition and having congenital disease are also related. However, children may catch cold as often as 10 – 12 times per year.

If it is a normal cold, the infection may last for 5 – 7 days.

Taking paracetamol may help lower the fever and ache.

Receiving vaccine injections to strengthen immunity may also protect your children from colds, but not 100% because there are more than 200 types of virus.

In addition, there is still no proof that taking vitamin c daily will help prevent cold. Children with colds must be taken care of as the symptom may change drastically or complication diseases may occur if they are not treated properly. If their symptom does not improve, we would suggest that you take your children to the doctor for proper treatment.

Last but not least, taking good care of your children includes their diet, getting enough sleep, proper exercise, receiving all required vaccines and have good growing environment. These are all important factors that will prevent your children from catching cold or heal quicker and easier if they do catch cold.

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22 Trunk Detective: Sniffer Elephants Trained To Detect Landmines Sniffer dogs around the world may just have met their match. Elephants in South Africa are being trained to detect landmines and explosives as well as poachers, while they are showing promising results, aided by their highly developed sense of smell.

The project was the brainchild of Sean Hensman, who noticed how an elephant was able to track him when he was growing up in Zimbabwe. Also experts were able to note how the animals were able to avoid landmines, which suggested they are able to sense abnormal scents.

apprehend a robber who had broken into a neighbor’s farm house. The beast was able to cover a distance of five kilometres crossing difficult terrain before he eventually caught up with the burglar.

During a demonstration, a 17-year-old male elephant called Chishuru walked past a row of buckets, one of which had a swab of TNT under it. The elephant would then put his truck into each of the buckets and then would raise his right leg when he thought he had found the explosives – he was right every time.

The elephants’ sense of smell is so good that they are able to smell explosives 100 metres away – around 28,000 times better than that of a human.

The elephants have also proved to be good crime fighters. In 1992, Rory successfully managed to use an elephant to track and

There is even hope that elephants may be able to provide an early warning sign for those suffering from cancer. They hope to train elephants to smell out the cancer in a person’s sweat. The person would wear socks and the elephant would smell different socks to identify whether cancer is present.

New British Government Sugar Advice Suggests ‘Extreme’ Diet Changes Most treats will be off limits and replaced with wholegrain and vegetables if health officials act on recommendations from British scientific advisers According to British newspaper ‘The Telegraph’, nutritionists have commented that people conforming to the new guidelines would need to make “extreme changes” to their diets Adults and children should halve the amount of sugar they consume and eat almost twice as much pasta, potato and other fibrous foods, according to an official report. In a bid to tackle an epidemic of obesity and tooth decay, the British Department of Health will be urged by its scientific advisers to reduce the amount of sugar allowed in the official definition of a healthy diet.

The recommendations, which follow a seven-year inquiry, will result in the first changes to public nutrition guidance on sugar since 1991 and will fuel the debate about whether sugary food and drink should be more heavily taxed. People could be told by ministers to ensure that no more

than 5 per cent of their energy comes from sugars, down from 10 per cent, including those naturally present in honey, fruit juice and other foods.

for just four squares of dark chocolate, two chocolate biscuits and a small packet of crisps as “treats” allowed during a normal week.

Adults will also be advised to increase significantly the amount of fibre they eat, raising the quantity from 18g a day to 30g.

To meet the larger fibre recommendations, most people would naturally turn to wholemeal bread, breakfast cereals, and pasta, it said.

The proposed limit on sugar, 25g for women and 35g for men, is the equivalent of a single can of coca-cola a day - and no other sugary food at all. The suggested thresholds will leave almost no space for treats and will require the consumption of eight portions of fruit and vegetables a day, rather than the five recommended now.

A weekly diet plan based on meeting the recommendations included no fizzy drinks.

The British Nutrition Foundation said only very low or zero calorie versions might be squeezed in by people who sacrificed food elsewhere. Its analysis found space

But eating large quantities of these foods would push most people above the targets for salt, sugar and overall energy intake. So most people would have little option but to eat far more fruit and vegetables than they do today.

Tea and coffee would need to be unsweetened and taken with semiskimmed milk rather than full fat. Healthy snacks included a handful of unsalted nuts and raisins one day and a plain scone with low-fat spread on another. Two glasses of wine were allowed during the week and

deserts consisted of fruit most days. There was space for a small chocolate mousse one day, and a spiced rice pudding on Sunday.

Sara Stanner, a Director of the British Nutrition Foundation said: “We wanted to give people some helpful, practical advice on what the likely new recommendations could mean for their diets. “The models we created found the targets are achieved through a balanced, healthy diet - but it is one that looks very different from the diets we have today.”

(Source: dan.hyde@telegraph.co.uk)

Five Reasons to Enjoy Tonic Water Tonic water contains a small amount of quinine, a drug once used to treat malaria.

Quinine comes from the bark of the cinchona tree and it was commonly used as a drug for many maladies for centuries until the development of penicillin and other antibiotics.

Large doses of quinine can cause allergic reactions in some people. Other problems can include skin reaction, vascular and kidney complications.

Most people experience no reaction at all. Newer drugs that contain less quinine are now used as anti-malarial medication and quinine has lost FDA approval for previous doses.

But quinine is still added to a sweetened soda water for people who enjoy their gin and tonic or vodka tonic with lime. The small amount of quinine in the drink is not considered harmful in any way.

A British officer in India discovered the benefits of quinine water in the early 1800’s during the time of the British Raj. He knew the quinine was bitter yet he wanted his soldiers to have it as an anti-malaria drug.

The bitter powder was mixed with sugar, soda and water. He knew that adding it to gin would encourage his troops to drink it.

Leg cramps Quinine was once prescribed for leg cramps. The drug was then taken off the market. But many people drink a glass of quinine water and find that it helps with nocturnal cramping. Other medications are available for this problem.

Insect repellant “Mosquitoes don’t bother me,” insists a man who has lived in Central America for several years. Malaria has been eliminated in Panama and several other countries but people are still bothered by “no-see-ums”.

This gentleman, who enjoys his vodka and tonic with lime every evening, will tell you that it keeps the pesky stingers away because they don’t like his bitter blood.

There is some scientific evidence to support this theory since quinine was once used against mosquito-borne malaria virus in the bloodstream. DEET, the most common topical repellant, emits a bitter odor or taste to flying insects.

Digestive aid Quinine water is a clear carbonated drink. The alkaloid or “bitters” in quinine can soothe a tummy troubled by minor indigestion.

The tonic water on the market today from many companies contains carbonated water, sugar, citric acid, potassium sorbate as a preservative and quinine.

Other natural sweetening products can be used in place of sugar. Diet soda versions are also available.

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Tonic water can be made without highfructose corn syrup, phosphoric acid or food coloring. Read the label when buying a bottle or can.

Thirst quencher Quinine or tonic water can be added to cranberry, orange, pineapple or other juices for people who don’t want to drink it straight. Any number of non-alcoholic cocktails can be made using tonic water.

It can be consumed straight or over ice on a hot day. The combination of quinine and the citric flavoring makes a refreshing carbonated drink with a little lime or lemon added. This restores potassium lost through perspiration.

A mixer Quinine water is generally used as a mixer with gin or vodka. This is the bitter lemon drink popular in the UK and Europe.

Quinine water is naturally fluorescent under black light which adds to its fun at parties.

Next time you order a gin and tonic, think of India in the 1800’s and the British soldiers who developed and enjoyed this now legendary drink.

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34 Eco Modern Pool Villas

Answering the demands of the modern home buyer, Le leaf Valley Hua Hin combines affordability, trendy style and great location with Eco-modern villas which curry structural guarantee.

conditioning in all rooms plus your own 3 x 7 meter pool plus an adjoining Jacuzzi to create affordable access to the property market without having to give up on much desired luxuries.

Moments from attractions such as golf courses and water park Separate title deed for each property ready for transfer (i.e. no existing mortgage on the land)

The Eco quality construction materials is a key feature.

This include 15 cm thick solid concrete CLC lightweight bricks which have superior thermal reduction qualities and PU foam roof insulation with a high thermal dispersing quality. Long lasting UPVC doors and window frames are used and LED light bulbs are utilized to reduce electrical consumption. Modern dual flush toilets save on water usage.

Other value adding qualities include: Flexible floor plans Easy 6 month payment plan A guaranteed annual 5% return on investment rental management plan Low 2 150 Baht per month maintenance free On-site management office which can also take care of your garden and pool in your absence 24 hour access controlled security Great location only 9 km west of the city centre on route with minimum traffic

With 9 properties sold within the first 9 months while the show house was only completed 2 months ago the entire development is expected to be sold out fast. You can visit the development’s website at www.huahinproperties.co

All villas feature 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, a stylish European Kitchen fitted by Danish contractors, air-

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Phone: Thai 087 860 7665 or English: 086 762 0662, Office: 032 575 250, E-mail: sales@huahinproperties.co or info@huahinproperties.co facebook.com/leleafvalleyhuahin.com

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35 Clean Water? - Water Filtration vs Water Softening

What are the main differences between a water filter and a water softener?

Which system is more necessary and important for my home?

These are a few of the questions that many people often ask when they are considering a whole house water filter.

A basic understanding of the mechanics behind each system is important for making an informed purchasing decision on a home water filtration system.

Water Filtres or Water Softeners -What’s in a Name?

Water filters are any systems that can filter and remove contaminants from the water. They can include small RO drinking water systems and also large whole house water filters which treat water throughout the entire home. Water softeners, as their name would imply, are a type of whole house water filter that softens water by removing minerals which make water hard and cause scale.

Therefore while you can say that a water softener is also a whole house water filter, the term ‘water filter’ encompasses a much large scope of products which includes more than just water softeners.

Examples of other whole house filters include backwashing carbon filters, iron & sulfur removal filters, sediment filters and fluoride adsorption filters just to name a few. These are completely different systems that perform vitally different water purification functions entirely.

How Whole House Water Filters Work Whole house water filters use a wide variety of water purification technologies to treat water contamination. Advanced media beds are used to remove pollutants from the water through the process of adsorption, ion-exchange, micron-filtration, catalytic conversion and oxidation. There are many types of media and their versatility allows them to treat everything from natural and man-made chemicals to heavy metals.

Most work by first trapping or converting contaminants within their matrix and then removing them through the processes of regular backwashing cleaning cycles or media and cartridge replacements. For microbial concerns, UV lamps are used to sterilize water by attacking the DNA of microbial contaminants with ultraviolet light which effectively destroys bacteria, viruses and cysts. Screen, sieve and membrane filtration can also be used to remove pollutants within a wide range of micron ratings.

sodium solution and when hard water comes into contact with the resin beads, the calcium and magnesium ions migrate out of the solution to the active sites on the resin and are replaced in the solution by sodium ions.

Salt-free water softener alternatives are also available for people don’t want to add salt or chemicals to their water. These salt-less systems use an advanced ceramic media that effectively attracts and neutralizes hard water scaling properties without the need for regeneration, backwashing, or electricity.

They are also more eco-friendly because they do not require rinse water and electricity, are easier to maintain, and are 100% salt free making them a more natural and healthy water softening alternative.

Choosing a System Water softeners are excellent water purification systems that will protect your home from the harmful effects of hard water scale buildup. However, if you have other water problems such as with water chlorination, bacterial contamination or iron staining, you will need to consider

getting a whole house filter that will treat those specific water concerns as well. It is quite common for homeowners to install both a water softener and whole house filter to properly treat their incoming water, and these total solution type setups offer more complete filtration coverage.

Today’s whole house filters are highly efficient, long lasting and very affordable making them a great home improvement investment that will protect your health and home from many years to come.

Below is a table that lists some common water problem and the systems which can treat them.

How Water Softeners Work Water softeners treat hard water by using salt and ion-exchange resins to remove calcium and magnesium hardness from the water. These resins are coated in a

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36 fashion & life style Electric Mango; The Spirit is All Around!

A dream came true and we were there to see it happening and live it with them. Two nights full of fun, glamour and music! Electric Mango is something more than just a restaurant or a bar or resort and is not a little of everything; there is plenty of it all. More things have been promised, even though we are already overwhelmed.

For those who missed it or haven’t been there yet, is difficult to describe. Words are not enough and pictures can’t show everything! This place has been built with a dream and I assume that everyone who goes there will love it!

On the 1st day Jennifer Kim gave us a fairytale performance with a stunning background of the big swimming pool with the colours of the water changing form blue to pink to create a magic atmosphere. The night had free flow wine from Siam Winery and an amazing buffet supervised by Edward Thomson in collaboration with the Electric Mango chef and staff.

The 2nd night Titanium, a big list of DJs who followed the mood of the crowd, making everyone jump to their rhythm and in the pool at the end. A fashion show from Triangl swimwear with Russian models gave a glamour note to the night.

The guests were could feel it was on the money! Thai, foreigners it doesn’t matter and this is the summary of the night. Music connects people and we would be blind not to notice that.

Congratulations to Khun Lars and Khun Namfon for inviting us in an event to remember! But let’s not forget the other important people behind the scene; Khun Jack, Khun Toey (the GM) and Khun Jamie and the Team.

Sponsored by:

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fashion & life style 37 TRIANGL swimwear is now in Hua Hin!

Wearing a bikini usually comes with a bit of stress involved – through hot weather and a lot of movement.

It’s important to find a bikini that is very comfortable, basically something catering for long days at the beach or by the pool. TRIANGL is the piece exactly for this!

TRIANGL is a relatively new Australian swimwear line that offers simple and sporty styles in bright neoprene fabric. Largely due to the use of neoprene in all of current pieces, this fabric is amazingly comfortable and looks great as well. It’s an exciting fabric to work with as it allows bikinis to hold their shape and look really structured and modern. It can be worn

all day long at the beach; to swim in, sunbake in, run around, etc. Practical and fashionable!

And the good news are that this fashionable swimwear is now available for purchase in Hua Hin! The grand opening of the TRIANGL shop will take place on 8th August . The shop is located on 119/4 Soi Moobaan Nong Kae, Hua Hin (opposite Cicada Market). You can also order online at www.valery-fashion.com and it will take only 1-3 days to deliver it around Thailand.

For more information contact: 087-811-4917, triangl.th@gmail.com

HUA HIN TODAY, August 2015

38 Thai Cabinet Gives Greenlight to Three Motorway Projects

The Thai Cabinet has approved two infrastructure mega projects worth about 260 billion baht which include three new motorways and an electricity transmission line of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.

He pointed out that his government would implement projects which are regarded as top priority whereas projects which are of secondary priority would be passed on to the next government for implementation.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha said that the three motorways would bring about prosperity and investments in the rural areas without which people will have little chance of increasing their revenue.

The three new motorways are: Bang Yai-Kanchanaburi motorway which will cost 55.6 billion baht of which 5.4 billion baht are to be used as compensation for land expropriation

and the rest, about 50 billion baht to cover construction cost.v Construction is due to commence next year and to be completed in 2019.

Bang Pa-in-Saraburi-Nakhon Ratchasima motorway which costs about 84.6 billion baht of which 77.9 billion baht are for construction cost.

Pattaya-Map Tapud motorway which is estimated to cost 20 billion baht of which 14 billion baht are for construction and the rest for land expropriation.

Construction is due this year and the project is expected to be completed in eight years.

Improvement of Egat’s power transmission line in the Northeast, lower North, the central region and Bangkok was estimated to cost 94 billion baht.

On top of that, improvement of the transmission line in the upper North will cost another 12.2 billion baht.

Chinese Dragon Building Steam - Strong Growth in Chinese International Travel

Latest Hotels.com Chinese International Travel Monitor highlights younger millennials and affluent travellers fuel 20 percent growth in Chinese outbound travellers1 80 percent of Chinese travellers have used an online device including mobiles, desktops and laptops to plan and book travel, compared with only 53 percent last year. Chinese-language booking websites serve as trusted link between Chinese travellers and accommodation providers Hoteliers called on to accommodate the needs of Chinese travellers with free WiFi and Chinese-speaking staff The continued, sustained growth in the number of Chinese international travellers present huge opportunities for the global tourism industry and hoteliers, reveals the Hotels.com Chinese International Travel Monitor 2015.

According to Hotels.com’s latest major annual study, tech-savvy, younger and more affluent Chinese form a substantial part of the 20 percent growth in outbound mainland Chinese travellers,

reaching 107 million in 2014. The report also highlights the need for hoteliers to cater to Chinese travellers’ needs such as Chinese-speaking staff, Chineselanguage tourist guides and dedicated websites.

The fourth edition of the Hotels.com™ Chinese International Travel Monitor (CITM) provides detailed insights into how outbound travel movements by mainland Chinese are impacting the global travel industry.

It combines data from more than 3,000 Chinese international travellers and 1,500 Hotels. com accommodation partners globally with Hotels.com’s own data and other third-party research.

The Hotels.com CITM identifies the growing influence of Gen Y travellers – the so-called tech-savvy ‘millennials’ aged 18 to 35. Fifty-nine percent of hoteliers surveyed say they’ve experienced an increase in Chinese guests aged 35 or under in the past year and they expect this trend to continue to grow. The growth is especially strong in the Asia Pacific region, where 78 percent of hoteliers reported an increase.

Another feature of this year’s results is the growing financial muscle of the top 10 percent of travellers in terms of overseas travel spend.

On 73,770.66 THB per day including accommodation, they parted with 4 times more than

that of the average traveller, who spent 17,796.10 THB. However, this pales into insignificance in comparison with the top five percent of spenders, who shelled out over six times more than the average (111,703.74 THB), indicating the emergence of a ‘super-luxury’ class.

Using the internet to research and book overseas trips has become the norm for Chinese travellers, while the use of mobile phones for planning and booking their travel has skyrocketed. In the past 12 months, 80 percent of Chinese travellers have used an online device including mobiles, desktops and laptops to plan and book travel, compared with only 53 percent last year. Half of all Chinese

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international travellers now use apps on their smart phones to plan and book trips, up from just 17 percent the year prior.

According to the number of rooms booked on the Hotels.com Chinese website in 2014, the top three countries which Chinese travellers visited were the USA, Thailand and Hong Kong.

Australia, Japan and France are the top three countries Chinese travellers intend to visit in next 12 months.

In New Zealand, Sweden and Argentina, Chinese travellers were the biggest spenders on hotel accommodation in 2014.

39 Thailand’s Coffee Revolution

When people think of where the world’s best coffee comes from, Thailand doesn’t rank very high.

For all the great things Thailand is known for coffee isn’t usually one of them. In fact 10 years ago it was a struggle to find a cup of real fresh coffee anywhere outside a fancy hotel or restaurant.

Those days are well and truly gone. The streets and roads of Thailand are lined with cafes selling quality local coffees. This is a lucrative business today, thanks in part to decades of government efforts to encourage villagers in remote mountain communities to replace opium crops with coffee beans.

Private companies and individuals have gone in on the action, working with villagers to grow organic coffee and establish sustainable farming and selling practices that benefit the local community. Here is a sampling of the companies bringing quality Thai coffees to the market.

Akha Ama Akha Ama Coffee was founded by Lee Ayu Chuepa, who grew up in an Akha hill tribe village outside Chiang Rai. Villagers struggled to make much profit from the coffee trade, as they had to travel long journeys to Chiang Rai and sell to a middleman who took a hefty share of the profits. Lee found a way to put himself through school, attended university and made it his goal to give back to his community.

The result of his ambitions was Akha Ama Coffee. Village farmers grow quality, organic coffee and Lee ensures fair prices in exchange for a percentage of the sales going to his stores. He opened two Akha Ama shops and if you’re ever passing through Chiang Mai, you should absolutely stop in to one of them. The coffee is tasty, and care has

Pluto–Up Close and Personal

clearly gone into everything from the preparation of the beans to the decor of the shop.

To encourage patrons, coffee enthusiasts and travelers to engage with the product they’re consuming, Akha Ama leads a yearly coffee journey. Guests stay in the village, meet the farmers and see exactly how coffee beans are harvested and readied for sale.

Doi Chaang Another socially minded enterprise, Doi Chaang is a partnership between a Canadian father-son business team and Akha villagers in Doi Chaang. The company is 50 percent grower owned, and has received a number of accolades in recognition of their business model and quality product.

Doi Chaang coffee is made from organic arabica beans, and is “shade grown, handpicked, fresh water washed and sun dried,” according to the company . There are a number of Doi Chaang coffee shops throughout Northern Thailand, including in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, where you can find the original Doi Chaang shop.

Duang Dee Like Akha Ama and Doi Chaang, Duang Dee coffee is produced by villagers in northern Thailand and the coffee enterprise allows them to bring in sustainable income

and maintain their traditional way of life. Duang Dee also works with farmers to educate them about preventing soil erosion and sustainable, ethical farming practices.

This not only benefits the villagers by ensuring they are able to continue living off the land, but the environment as well.

No pesticides are used in coffee production, so there’s also the added health benefit of not having to worry about beans being heavily treated with chemicals. It allows consumers to make ethical choices when they have a hankering for a cup of joe. According to the Duang Dee website, they distribute thousands of coffee trees to village farmers, with no obligation that the farmers have to sell to them.

‘Cool As A Cucumber?’

– Not Everyone Agrees

There are two types of people when it comes to cucumbers; the ones who love them, and the ones who hate them. It’s not often that you hear a person say, “I guess they’re okay, I really don’t mind them.”

First the Cucumber Haters!

Some people don’t just dislike cucumber; they have a loathing which is close to phobic. Even looking at a picture will make them squirm. They will tell you they can detect a vile odour at 10 paces. If they fail to notice just a sliver in a ham & salad sandwich, the instant reaction is to gag uncontrollably as soon as the taste buds make the detection.

It’s no use removing the offending slices from a mixed salad, it’s too late. Contamination has already taken place and the salad becomes inedible.

When the New Horizons spacecraft launched toward Pluto in 2006, no one knew that the tagline “the first mission to the last planet” would be short-lived. However two weeks earlier Eris, an icy body 30 percent more massive than Pluto had been discovered and ended Pluto’s then 76year reign as the most distant planet in our solar system.

Subsequently Pluto would lose its planetary status.

Pluto is tiny and far away to see in more than the fuzziest of detail from here on Earth. New Horizons was designed to bring clarity. For the past nine years it’s been speeding across the 3 billion miles between Earth and Pluto, and in July it finally reached its target.

The spacecraft carried infrared and ultraviolet cameras and high-energy particle collectors, among other tools. As it sailed past at 31,000 mph, it captured images of Pluto and its moon, Charon, in more detail than anyone has ever seen.

With just a little imagination, the lovable Disney canine character could even be inscribed on the surface!

When the mission was first conceived, astronomers thought of Pluto as a bit of an anomaly. It is tiny, for one, with an icy, rocky surface—a stark contrast to the giant, gaseous planets that orbit nearer to the sun. But since the launch we’ve learned much more about Pluto and its environs.

And rather than the exception, it seems to be the rule.

In Thailand these people may need to learn at least one Thai language phrase as it’s a frequent ingredient in the local cuisine. With every food order just say “mai ow tang kwa” – “I don’t want cucumber”!

consuming it – but also about the many, everyday uses for wellness, personal hygiene and a lasting beauty secret.

Until recently some believed there were psychological origins, at least one sufferer contemplated whether he was the victim of an assault by one as a small boy. Now we know there is a genetic basis. Cucumbers contain related organic compounds that are thought to cause the smell and taste some people find repugnant and others don’t notice at all. A gene called TAS2R38 is responsible.

But OK; maybe for you eating cucumbers is genetically impossible. Instead here are some non-dietary reasons for adding them to the shopping list.

It’s true; that cucumber hate is actually encoded in their genes! This is now become a source of celebration; “I think we should take pride in our superior tasting powers that lesser mortals do not possess. Go ahead, celebrate your genetic superiority.”

WD-40 replacement: Did you know you can get rid of a squeak by rubbing a cucumber on the hinge? Wow, now you don’t have to tear your garage apart looking for that little can with the red straw.

If you knew all of the things you could do with cucumbers, even if you hate the taste, you may find yourself putting them in your basket at the grocery store. They are cheap, readily available, and totally green. You can even grow your own supply!

Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day. Cucumbers contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

Cucumbers are cooler than you think. It’s not only about cucumber being a healthy food and the benefits of

Defogger: Do you get annoyed when you get out of the shower and you have to fight the fog on the mirror? Try rubbing a slice of cucumber on the mirror before you hop in and you will have a fog-free mirror.

Tarnish remover: If you’re finding tarnish on your stainless steel kitchen faucets and appliances, rub it off with a cucumber slice. Not only will it remove years of tarnish, it will leave it streak free and your hands will thank you, and your kids won’t be put at risk from a dangerous chemical.

Pest control: Put three or four slices of cucumber in a small container and place them in your garden. The chemicals in the cucumber have a reaction that pests hate and drive them from your garden all year long.

Sunburn: Sometimes sun block doesn’t always protect from sunburn. If you don’t have any aloe, rub some cucumber on the affected areas. Many doctors even use cucumber to treat patients with irritated skin and sunburns.

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A towering demon rises above you wielding a sword. Hands reach out from the depths below you on a bridge to a heavenly temple. Shrunken heads sprouting Spanish moss hang from tree branches.

Thai angels and mystical creatures cavort through the temple grounds and on the masterpiece sanctuary at the temple’s heart. Wander through the magical world of Wat Rong Khun, often referred to in English as the White Temple.

Perhaps the most unique temple in the Kingdom of Thailand, the White Temple was born from the devotion of National

Artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. A deeply devout Buddhist famed primarily for his religious-themed paintings, Chalermchai began the White Temple in 1997. Wat Rong Khun however is no traditional temple.

Chalermchai re-imagines Thai art for the modern world. As you move through the temple grounds, you find yourself in the artist’s surreal vision of Buddhist teachings.

Superheroes, movie stars and cartoons make their entrance into temple murals depicting traditional Buddhist motifs. Fantastical sculptures and architecture cover the landscape.

The esteemed artist’s imaginative touch makes its presence known even from outside the temple itself. Red skulls top traffic cones on the street. Light gleams brightly from the central temple hall.

Every detail of Wat Rong Khun carries deep religious symbolism – though admittedly most Thais will be unaware of most of the meaning as well unless they have studied up on its mysteries.

Departing from the expected gold, Chalermchai chose to construct the temple in white, symbolizing the purity of Lord Buddha. The mirrors embedded in the structure reflect light, representing the Buddha’s wisdom shining out across the Earth and the Universe.

Much of the temple’s messages refer to escaping desire, greed and passion and moving towards the sublime through Buddhist teachings. To reach the main temple hall, you cross a threshold guarded by demons and traverse a bridge over an ocean of ghostly hands reaching up from the cycle of death and rebirth. The temple building symbolizes the realm of the Buddha and rising to a state of nirvana.

What Is There to See? Wat Rong Khun is a work in progress. details of the white ubosot, the main temple hall, have been completed. A number of other buildings are in various stages of construction and decoration.

The masterplan is expected to take decades to complete.

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Getting There The White Temple, Wat Rong Khun, is located 13 km outside the city of Chiang Rai. If travelling from Chiang Rai, you can go by songthaew (the covered pickup trucks you find throughout much of Thailand) or take the public bus from platforms 7 and 8 of the old bus station.

Hours Wat Rong Khun is open every day from 6:30 am to 6:00 pm.

The art gallery is open Mon – Fri 8:00 am to 5:30 pm. On Sat – Sun and national holidays the gallery is open 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.

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42 New General Manager in Town

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin Launches New Ice Cream Bar

Hua Hin’s Mayor Nopporn Vuttikul warmly welcomed Mr. Jean-Marc Mucellin, newly appointed General Manager of the InterContinental Hua Hin Resort, to the town. Mr. JeanMarc Mucellin was accompanied by the hotel’s outgoing General Manager, Ms. Britta Kutz, who has served in her position in Hua Hin for three years.

Welcoming New Lions Chairman

The management enjoyed their first scoop of “La Vanille”, premium French ice creams nearby the Colonial pool. All products are made from fresh and finest 100% natural ingredients. Experience an unsurpassed range of delicate and impressive flavours such as Salted Caramel, Madagascar Vanilla Bean, Dark Belgian Chocolate, Coconut Sorbet, Chiang Mai Lychee Sorbet and many more, daily from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Young Models 2015 From Thai TV Channel 7

Twenty four young contestants in the 2015 Young Models contest models visited and joined in environmental activities at the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park, Phetchaburi Province.

Dusit Thani Hua Hin Offer Alms and Robes To Monks In Phrae Province

Putahracsa Tripadvisor Double Award

The Mayor of Hua Hin, Mr. Nopporn Wutthikul with the past Chairman of Lions Hua Hin Mr. Khanit Chokesuchart, congratulated Mr. Prakob Chamnankit, the incoming Chairman for 2015 / 2016.

Additionally Mrs. Phairohwalee Chaiyasit, Mr. Montree Chuphu and Mr. Kittiphong Siriphetkasem will be the new Deputies and Ms. Warinthon Fassoi the Lion’s Secretary.

This welcoming event took place at the Hua Hin Grand and Plaza.

Vana Nava Voted Amongst Top 10 Thai Best Tourist Attractions 2015.

Once again the Putahracsa Team is the proud receiver of the ‘Tripadvisor Award of Excellence’ This award has been achieved issued for five continuous years by Putahracsa and as well for the Oceanside Beach Club and Restaurant.

“These two awards mean a lot to us, as it is based on opinions of all our guests”, says the General Manager, Manuel Lang,

Medical Volunteer Foundation

Victor Sukseree, General Manager of Dusit Thani Hua Hin, led members of the hotel staff and management on a traditional and seasonal ‘Pha Pa Samakhi’ offering of robes and alms to monks at Wat Pathum Thammaram Temple in Amphoe Nong Muang; Khai Phrae Province.

They also handed over donations, raised by the hotel personnel, to help build and restore facilities at the temple.

The merit-making trip is one of Dusit Thani Hua Hin’s annual activities under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.

‘Beautiful Roads By Our Hands’

Within just a half year of opening, Vana Nava Hua Hin Water Park, led by General Manager Mike Fijas, management and staff recently celebrated their great success in achieving recognition among the Top 10 Thailand Best Tourist Attractions 2015, voted by Chinese visitors to Thailand.

“We have positioned Vana Nava to be one of the best water parks in Asia and this recognition has strengthened our marketing efforts.

We operate the park with international standards, from attractions, hospitality, being environmentally friendly, and especially to safety. We are proud to learn that our visitors are pleased and happy with our efforts and that they have helped us spread the news to their friends and family.”

“We will soon open our 20th attraction, our fantastic Underwater Studio, so plan your holiday to Hua Hin and be prepared for the next level of Splashtacular Fun,” said Mike Fijas, General Manager.

This award is organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in cooperation with King Power International Co., Ltd. and SINA Corporation Co., Ltd., the online media company serving China and the global Chinese communities, which has over 600 million members around the world who voted via weibo.com during 8th-29th May 2015.

The Mayor of Cha-Am Mr. Nukul Ponsomboonsiri chaired the ribbon-cutting ceremony to open a new the project, ‘Beautiful Roads By Our Hands’, launched on the Khlong Thien Road on 18th July 2015.

Chedtapon Maneechay, the Marketing and Corporate Communications Manager Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin with a team nurses and first aid units were in attendance in support of the recent charity golf tournament at Sea Pines Golf Course.

The tournament was to raise funds to build Ratchapak Royal Park at the Army Sports Park; Suanson Pradipat army camp.

With the Mayor were the Chairman of Fah Suay Cha-Am Sai Group Mr. Anan Thongsamrit, the Manager of Chol Prathan Cement Mr. Kolayuth Wunbamrung and committee members of Fah Suay Cha-Am Sai Group.

The project of ‘Beautiful Roads By Our Hands’ was initiated by the Fah Suay Cha-Am Sai was established with the aim of sustainably improving and beautifying highways and roads in the Cha-Am municipal area.

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43 China’s Megaregions – The Future of Something More Than A Big City

IT’S called a megaregion, and, as the name suggests, it’s really big. Jing-Jin-Ji in China is so big it’s estimated to be the size of 17 Sydneys and, once complete, will be home to 130 million people.

But this megalopolis is not a new supercity that has organically emerged from the Chinese countryside. It’s actually three very large cities that are being forced to merge together to, bizarrely, reduce the size of one of them: Beijing. While the massive project, which will see Beijing, the port city of Tianjin and the Hebei hinterland region connected by high speed rail, began two years ago, Chinese authorities have been talking about creating it for more than a decade.

China already has two megaregions, the Yangtze River Delta (south of the Yangtze River) and the Pearl River Delta (which comprises of nine cities including Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macau), and has plans to create ten more, but Jing-Jin-Ji (“Jing” for Beijing, “Jin” for Tianjin and “Ji,” the traditional name for Hebei Province) is considered different because it was born out of political pressure rather than economic prosperity.

Over population, traffic congestion and high levels of air pollution have forced Chinese authorities to devise a new way of dealing with the growing problems, according to University of Sydney associate professor Duanfang Lu. “I have just done my field research there and I think it’s a big failure because when I was there were few people were shopping there,” Dr Lu said. “When those markets were in Beijing they used to be very crowded. Now it’s very few people. “It doesn’t make sense. Low income population will not spend half a day to travel to the market to buy a few things then travel back to the city.”

But it’s not just the moving of markets that don’t add up for Dr Lu. She says the recent announcement that the municipal government (local councils) will also be moved out of Beijing also doesn’t make sense.

“Beijing actually wants to make itself smaller — it has more than 20 million people — and the traffic is really bad as well as pollution,” Dr Lu explained. “Because the air pollution has become so bad, it has become a political issue for the central government. Pollution is a health issue and a lot of people are very concerned about it.”

So how does a country go about reducing the size of one of its largest cities to create a megalopolis? By shifting its hospitals, schools and “non-core” industries out of Beijing and placing them in the other areas. Sounds simple enough but in reality is quite a big project, and well, quite harsh.

Dr Lu, who is an expert in urban planning, said the ambitious project, which is set to be completed within six years, has already had some unintended consequences.

One of the key strategies for the Jing-Jin-Ji megalopolis is to spread economic opportunities throughout the entire region. But in order to do this, authorities have to direct investment away from Beijing.

Traditionally Tianjin and the Hebei region have competed with Beijing but now they will share in its economic wealth. But Dr Lu says for this to happen “some people will gain, some people will lose”.

“Unlike other existing megaregions, which are based on economic concerns, the new Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei region is more based on the political concerns, I would say,” she told news.com.au. “It will have economic success but it will come at a cost for some people. So basically Beijing wants to move its non core industries out of Beijing and focus more on political, cultural and high tech industries, the high end functions. “The heavy industries will be moved into the other provinces.”

The first “non core” industry to be moved out of Beijing to date has been the wholesale markets, a well known staple of Beijing. But Dr Lu says this has been a big failure. She explained those who would visit the markets were those on lower incomes who cannot afford to travel an hour or more to the new site.

Dr Lu says she is not sure whether the Jing-Jin-Ji megaregion will have a negative or positive affect but she is certain the Chinese government will ensure it happens. She says some people fear the megaregion will become even bigger than the 130 million because people from outside that huge area might be attracted to the employment prospects. “It will happen,” she said.

“Especially now with China’s high speed trains; I think like a lot of things that involve large investment, as long as the cen

“Apparently they want the central government to stay in the core of Beijing but not the municipal government which is quite a surprising arrangement,” she said. “I think it is quite a big sacrifice for the officials. They have to move their families or lose their jobs”.

This sacrifice is the harsh side of the mega-project.

Millions of loyal workers will essentially be forced to move to less developed areas or lose their jobs completely.

Instead of creating employment they will just move existing jobs out of Beijing and into Tianjin and the Hebei region.

“Although it’s an effort to solve the urban problems such as air pollution and overcrowding, a lot of people are not very happy about it,” Dr Lu said. “They don’t actually think it will reduce the population in Beijing. It might just leave the whole megaregion with even more people.

“That’s what I have seen from people commenting on the internet.”

Dr Lu says while the reasons behind the megaregion might seem like a good idea, it was also a bit narrowminded. She explained the central government doesn’t take into account that a person will have to give up their social networks as well as access to some of the best facilities once they move. Many of the large cities in the outer region lack facilities, although she concedes some might be attracted to the cheaper housing and cleaner air.

Beijing, she says, has higher house prices than Sydney. A good example is the city of Yanjiao in the Hebei Province.

Over the past decade the population has increased tenfold. It is littered with 25-story housing blocks but has very little public infrastructure or facilities. The city has no bus terminals, no cinemas and only two very small parks.

“The streets flood in the rain because there is no good drainage,” Xia Zhiyan, a 42-year-old employee of a printing company told the New York Times. “They just built more and more apartments without the most basic facilities.”

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44 An aMazing Mazda Around aMazing Pala -U

First a statement: There are too many cars in Thailand that are white, grey, black or variations on that theme.

Multi-coloured taxis are everywhere, but otherwise coloured cars are few and far between.

However our Mazda 2 test car was certainly not greyscale, but Dynamic Blue.

Dynamic in colour, but also dynamic in styling. Externally the ‘KOFO’ or to anglicise from Japanese; the ‘soul of motion’ styling adheres to an intent to portray the pent up energy of an animal about to pounce. Perhaps this is the origin of another colourful Mazda option; ‘Soul Red’.

These are eye-catching ‘Zoom-Zooms’ by any standards; real head-turners! However for the more conservative, shades of white, grey, silver and black are also available.

Internally there’s an obvious quality look and feel as soon as you open the door, a sophisticated instrument binnacle, a sporty shape for the seats and more front shoulder room.

Craftsmanship takes a big leap forward over the outgoing model. You’ll also see a small pop-up translucent speed-reading screen, we all need to be mindful that there really are speed limits in Thailand.

Our test drive of the 1.3 litre petrol engine Mazda 2 focused on the Pala-U area, not just to the well-known multilevel waterfalls but also to check out the areas renowned durian crop and a newer tourist destination; the Dao Caves.

With modern ‘Skyactiv’.technology, this apparently small engine provided more than enough ‘Zoom’ to manage the hilly terrain. If you are still driving an older 2 litre vehicle, be prepared to be amazed.

This area was recently the destination of bicycle run to promote sustainable and

green tourism in Hua Hin. Launching the event were the Hua Hin mayor Mr. Nopporn Wutthikul, the TAT director of central Thailand Mr. Somchai Chomphunoi and the Deputy Governor of Prachuab Khirikhan Mr. Pramote Samphao-ngern.

Over 300 amateur and professional bikers from Prachuab Khirikhan, Phetchaburi, Samut Prakan and Bangkok took part.

The Director of TAT’s office of Prachuab Khirikhan, Mrs. Orasa says that the Pa La-U Waterfall is an area where the TAT wants to promote ecotourism, agrotourism and cultural tourism in its marketing strategy plan for 2015 to 2016.

Apart from waterways, bird and butterfly watching, Pala-U is famous for succulent and very sweet durian and a royal initiative for dairy produce, supported by Their Majesties. This is a good example of how Thai people can live a simple but happy life under the established selfsufficiency principle.

We can vouch for both of these produce items. Durians are easy to observe on roadside trees and slow-moving milktankers can be a very minor interruption to the tranquility of the drive. Bearing in mind the ban on taking durian on public transport (the odour is too offensive for some), we didn’t want to destroy that desirable ‘new-car’ smell so only a flavour test, rather than a take-home purchase was possible. Although the going rate of 120 THB per KG at roadside stalls was tempting.

There is a story about one unfortunate visitor who left several durians in her car while she visited the waterfalls. She found that elephants had stolen them by the time she had returned, leaving her car rather like an empty tin of pet food. Durians will do that to hungry elephants and it’s not a good idea to feed wild elephants. We didn’t see a single elephant however ‘elephant evidence’ was everywhere on the roadside.

Talking about undesirable odours, that was one issue at the nearby Dao Caves.

One parody of a well-known Christmas song goes ....”Jingle bells, Batman smells, Robin ran away ..............”, but I suspect that real musty bat guano smells much worse that Batman ever did. Unfortunately my olfactory memory seems to have retained that smell to this day!

At the caves, the first obstacle is a steep climb of 118 steps to the entrance. Internal lighting is not really the best, but this only adds to the atmosphere; just watch your step as well as holding your nose. There is a map inside to guide you in several directions.

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Deeper into the cave there are many huge stalactites and stalagmites, thousands of years old. The cave winds into the side of the rock going lower and smaller with a rickety ladder so you can climb down through a small entrance that opens up into an inner cave. A fantastic experience with Buddhist embellishments and bats flying overhead to complete the scene.

Our thanks to Hua Hin’s main MazdaMan, Khun Wijanprida Isararee for providing such a dynamic vehicle for this recommended day-trip. Apart from Mazdas, ‘Alex’ (as he is known to his friends) also has a passion for two wheels and more specifically Harley Davidson’s, but that’s another story.

Our Test Car: Mazda 2, two door sedan, 1.3 litre petrol (hatchback and 1.5 litre diesel available).

Price: From 550,000 THB Provided by: Mazda Hua Hin, 40/24 Petchakasem Road.

Contact: Phone 032 522 200 More information: www.mazda.co.th

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46 Some Offbeat Days To Celebrate in August

At first glance, August might seem light on the holiday offerings.

We dug a little deeper to find a healthy helping of celebrations to help you beat the low season blues.

1. AUGUST 1ST: NATIONAL GIRLFRIENDS DAY

physical feel of a book, and have no interest in cracking one open. Or maybe, this day is meant to honour books in love with each other. Today is the day to exalt book lovers of all shapes, sizes, covers, and word counts.

6. AUGUST 10TH: LAZY DAY

Rest easy, boyfriends of the world, this holiday has nothing to do with you.

National Girlfriends Day honours the lady friends who are there for their lady friends.

If you like gendered activities, today would be the perfect day to schedule mani-pedis with your best gal pals.

4. AUGUST 8TH: NATIONAL DOLLAR DAY And a lucky day because this year it falls on a Friday! Start the weekend early by doing positively nothing.

7. AUGUST 13TH: INTERNATIONAL LEFT-HANDERS DAY

On this day all the way back in 1786, the US Congress established a monetary system for the United States of America. Today, you can honor the birth of cold hard USD with a few Georges, Andrews, and Abrahams. If you decide to invite Benjamin, give us a call!

5. AUGUST 9TH: BOOK LOVER’S DAY

For those world citizens who have found themselves in a right-handed-scissorsworld, today the world honors your special gift. The other 364, we righties are still secretly jealous. If you were in the UK on the 13th, the Left-handers Club sponsors members-only areas called “Lefty Zones.”

Okay fine, we’re jealous all 365 days.

8. AUGUST 18TH: NATIONAL BAD POETRY DAY

Granted, for most book lovers every day is a day to celebrate reading, but for the sake of celebration let’s open up the floor to all interpretations of what it means to be a “book lover.” Perhaps you just love the

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Franklin Delano Roosevelt laid out the ultimate burn by declaring Orville Wright’s birthday National Aviation Day. Why he chose to honor Orville over Wilbur in 1939 is a mystery to historians, but we think National Aviation Day is a great time to start preposterous rumors based on wild speculation. For example, Wilbur Wright was a figment of Orville’s imagination.

10. AUGUST 24TH: NATIONAL HUG YOUR BOSS DAY

3. AUGUST 5TH: NATIONAL UNDERWEAR DAY Though we cannot prove it, we smell quite the collusion between International Beer Day and this fest of unmentionables.

Whether coincidence or conspiracy, celebrating these two August 5th holidays

9. AUGUST 19TH: NATIONAL AVIATION DAY

does not have to be mutually exclusive. You may even get a free pair of undies out of it.

2. AUGUST 5TH: INTERNATIONAL BEER DAY

Back in 2007, a group of friends decided to internationally dedicate a day to “gather with friends and enjoy the deliciousness that is beer, celebrate the dedicated men and women who brew and serve our beer, and bring the world together under the united banner of beer.” And to that we say, cheers. Or salute! Or prost! Or gan bei! Well, you get the idea.

Roses are red/ Violets are blue/ You probably saw this joke coming/ But we made it anyway.

While it appears to have originated in the UK, the principles of this special day apply around the world. For one day of the year, set aside your frustrations and show your boss a little appreciation with a physical embrace. Please make sure to first check all company HR codes – thoroughly.

47 Miss Thailand Universe 2015 Crowned 21-year old Aniporn Chalermburanawong, a model and student from Lampang, was crowned the 16th Miss Universe Thailand 2015 during the annual pageant held at the Royal Paragon Hall in Siam Paragon, Bangkok, on July 18th.

40 entrants from countrywide had camped in Ubon Ratchathani before flying back to Bangkok for the final stage.

Pimbongkod Chankaew, 1st Runnerup of Miss Universe Thailand 2014 and representative of Thailand at Miss Universe 2014, crowned her successor at the end of this event that was broadcast in part live on Channel 3. The 2015 pageant was the first time ever that Miss Universe Thailand used the same format as Miss Universe pageant; Top 15 (Swimsuit competition), Top 10 (Evening gown competition), and Top 5 (Final questions and final look).

Aniporn stands 1.76 m in height and will be

the representative of Thailand during the next edition of the Miss Universe pageant that will take place in Shanghai, China sometime in December. Thailand has won the competition twice, in 1965 and 1988 She picked up a million baht in winnings as part of her prize package. Chavika Watrsang from Phuket was the 1st runnerup and won 100,000 baht cash.

Thailand To Host Asian Science Camp 2015 With Nobel Prize Winning Scientists Three ministries have co-organized the Asian Science Camp 2015 in Thailand set during 2-8 August 2015, with 7 awardwinning scientists participating as guest speakers with 265 youth participants from 29 Asia-Pacific countries.

The Promotion of Academic Olympiad and Development of Science Education Foundation under the patronage of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra (POSN) Charas Suwanwela has said that Thailand has requested to be the host country for Asian Science Camp in 2015, which corresponds to the auspicious occasion of HRH Princess

Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s, the royal principle of the POSN, fifth cycle birthday.

He has said that the camp will inspire creativity among scientifically gifted Asian-Pacific youths. Participants will attend lectures, discussions, and engage in conversation with world class scientists, and cooperate with youths from other nations to enhance the region’s younger generation cooperation.

Guest speakers in this event are Nobelwinning and leading scientists in Chemistry, Anatomy, Medicine, Mathematics, and Physics from Taiwan, Germany, Israel, Russia, Japan, and Thailand.

The Minister of Education Admiral Narong Pipatanasai has said that this event will help increase the quality of Thai youths to reach international standards, in line with the government’s policy to develop human resources in science, technology, and innovations.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Science and Technology Pichet Durongkaveroj has said that the event will take place at Thailand Science Park, Khlong Luang Distirct, in Pathum Thani, which is set to become a learning center with the concentration on science and technology. High security standards will be enforced to accommodate

the international participants during the event.

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will be presiding over the opening ceremony of Asian Science Camp on 3 August 2015, and will give a special lecture that will receive a live television broadcast by the NBT channel, and on the www.asc2015. posn.or.th website. Youth, students, and the general public can follow the developments of this event and watch the broadcast of this activity on nstda channel (http:// nstdachannel.tv), which will also broadcast the recording of the event after the Science Camp has concluded.

How the ‘Selfie’ Became a Social Epidemic What do President Obama, Ellen Degeneres and Pope Francis have in common? They’ve all snapped selfies in the last year. So has Miley Cyrus (she’s posted 121 of them on Twitter). Plane-crash survivor Ferdinand Puentes, astronaut Steve Swanson and probably you.

The selfie, of course, isn’t new—it has been around since the advent of photography, when chemist-turned-photographer Robert Cornelius captured one in 1839.

But in the past two years, it has become explosively popular—the sort of meme that scales, seemingly overnight, from mere trend to phenomenon to something your Aunt Edna talks about in her crocheting circle.

The Oxford English Dictionary called out “selfie” as the 2013 word of the year.

More than half of all millennials (age 18-33) have taken a selfie and shared it online, according to a March 2014 Pew Research Center poll. Indie band The Chainsmokers produced a music video called #Selfie that became a viral hit (and was awful!). How the heck did these hastily snapped-andshared self-portraits become le dernier cri of smartphone society?

Like so many social changes, the rise of the selfie begins with a shift in technology.

For most of the twentieth century, photography was expensive and the gratification of capturing a moment was subject to lengthy delay.

That was back when amateur photographers purchased roles of film, and sent those roles to labs for processing.

In the late ’90s, digital cameras changed the economics of photography, making it easy to click, review and erase images.

Then broadband replaced dial-up Internet service in homes, allowing people a faster online experience. The first mainstream social networks began to take off.

MySpace popularized the profile pic, and by 2004, images tagged #selfie began to appear on Flickr.

In 2007, Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone; for the first time, we began carrying cameras around in our pockets. Pictures were easily snapped and shared, either privately by text message and email, or by uploading them to social networks.

Then in 2010, in an effort to support video chatting services like Skype and Apple’s own Facetime, Apple released a new version of the iPhone 4 with a front-facing camera. Apple’s users began snapping photos of themselves.

To understand why, consider how these tools have changed the nature of the photograph itself. They’ve created an abundance of images. Five years ago, we shared somewhere close to 50 million photos daily, mostly on Facebook, according to Mary Meeker’s 2014 Internet Trends Report. Today, we share 1.8 billion photos daily. Photos have taken on a disposable quality. Much like written

language, they are pieced together and used to communicate.

The modern selfie is the perfect vehicle for a message—facial expression, after all, is the most critical element to verbal communication. In December, for example, when the small plane carrying Ferdinand Puentes and eight others crashed into the sea off the coast of Hawaii, Puentes flipped on his GoPro camera, and as he bobbed in the water, captured a photo of himself as the tail of the plane rose out of the sea above his right shoulder. Terror screamed across his eyebrows, his photo announcing, “I was here, and this is how it felt.”

Another boon for the selfie explosion: In the past year, an emerging group of apps have offered more temporary vehicles for photo-sharing. The most popular is Snapchat, the disappearing photo app that lets its users—mostly teens—send photos to each other, setting a timer for them so that they (ostensibly) disappear

in less than ten seconds. Snapchat users, who are mostly teens, currently upload more than 700 million photos to the service each day.

To be sure, the word itself is a bit of a fad.

Like high-rise jeans and shoulder pads, this early form of the genre—camera positioned 45 degrees above our heads, pouty lips, the hint of an outstretched arm in the foreground—may look as dated to our future selves as the tools we use to take and share them. Cameras will creep into glasses, watches, cars, and just about everything else you can imagine. Snapchat and Instagram may give way to Whatsapp and Wechat. But the act of capturing ourselves visually as a way to communicate will only grow. “It would not be wrong to speak of people having a compulsion to photograph: to turn experience itself into a way of seeing,” wrote the critic Susan Sontag in her seminal 1977 work, On Photography, adding, “Today everything exists to end in a photograph.” Everything, and also, everyone.

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48 Cosmetic Acupuncture For Facial Rejuvenation

The best candidates for Cosmetic Acupuncture are women in their mid 30’s, because it can slow down or diminish wrinkling, but women in their late 40’s and mid 50’s, who have some lines and wrinkles, can also be helped.

What Is Cosmetic Acupuncture?

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through the patient’s skin at specific points on the body. The needles are inserted to various depths.

According to traditional Chinese medical theory, acupuncture points are located on meridians through which chi vital energy runs. The needle which sounds scary is very fine, like a hair.

Using acupuncture needles on specific points on the face to enhance beauty and preserve a youthful appearance has been done for centuries in China and other Asian countries, but it’s just started to become popular in the western world.

Cosmetic acupuncture is done in the same fashion as acupuncture done for general health and specific conditions, with the goal of creating collagen just under the skin to help fill in wrinkles and plump skin, similar to the results of Botox, Restylane

or plastic surgery.

Like traditional acupuncture, the cosmetic version also aims to balance the body’s energy and create a sense of well-being.

When an acupuncture needle is inserted, the body reacts by sending red blood cells and critical nutrients to the area, essentially stimulating a local immune response. Once the needle is removed, the body quickly realizes that it’s not actually under attack and calls off the immune response.

In the meantime, those areas on the face where needles were placed have been flooded with a new supply of blood and nutrients. This stimulates the production of collagen, the protein responsible for tightness and vibrancy in the skin.

Benefits Of Cosmetic Acupuncture Patients find it a great alternative to Botox because it works to improve the look of the entire face and not just certain spots, and it also appeals to many who balk at having foreign substances injected into their faces.

It fills in wrinkles and increases the collagen production in areas that need it,

like frown lines, smile lines and smoker’s lines around the mouth, in addition, the colour and texture of the skin brightens and smoothes and sagging gets lifted in a natural way. It’s not like a surgical facelift because it’s not that drastic.

Afterglow While cosmetic acupuncture patients shouldn’t expect the immediate, dramatic results they might see with other treatments, they do report seeing some changes rather quickly.

While most patients seek out the procedure to improve their looks and erase some of the toll time takes on all our faces. They find an added bonus in the increased sense of well-being that comes along with acupuncture. It addresses the person’s overall health, whereas a lot of the Western techniques are just about the face.

At age 42, one patient had been using acupuncture services for health issues, including pain from carpal tunnel syndrome and discomfort from occasional bronchitis and headaches, for about two years.

Recently, she began cosmetic acupuncture as well. One morning after her second session she was putting on eye shadow and noticed she suddenly had a bit more lid to cover, she says.

“My face is definitely tighter, and I just got all excited this morning about putting makeup on,” she said.

Finding The Right Acupuncturist When shopping for a practitioner, find one who can answer all your questions and also fill you in on their patient success stories.

Patients tend to present in a couple of ways. A segment of patients are already using more traditional acupuncture services and, at some point, choose the additional procedures. Others hear about cosmetic acupuncture, typically from friends who have tried it. Once they’re patients, many eventually try the treatment for aches, pains or emotional issues as well.

Some Local Options San Paolo Hospital Hua Hin: www.sanpaulo.co.th Chivasom Resort Hua Hin: www.chivasom.com

Hua Hin Hospital: www.huahinhospital.go.th Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin: www.bangkokhospital.com

6 Stress Reduction Strategies for Men Almost everyone encounters stress in life, and how we deal with it is an important skill. When it comes to gender, what works for men can vary slightly from what works for women. If you’re a man coping with stress in today’s world of financial pressures, family responsibilities and overwhelming schedules (or a woman trying to help a male you love deal with stress), try these simple strategies.

Talk it Out It’s important to talk about your feelings and difficulties, especially if you often bottle things up. Try finding a good listener you trust. Sometimes it’s not the advice that’s most valuable, but the act of verbalizing your problems and working them through that helps.

Get Physical When your body is healthy, your mind is healthy. By seeking wellness in your life, you can blow off steam and build confidence, both of which enhance your

sense of happiness, security and control.

Remember that stress places you at increased risk for heart disease and other disorders. Try strategies like: Taking a multivitamin Working out for stress release and a confidence boost Eating healthfully for a sharp mind Getting more sleep to better cope with daily obstacles

Playing sports to escape from worries Seek Spirituality Research shows that people with religious affiliations are better equipped to handle stress positively. Believing in a greater power can be comforting and helps you relinquish some control of things.

Alternatively, meditation can be effective in promoting peace, increasing calm and restoring balance. Try attending religious services, or take up yoga.

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Go Outside Research supports a link between nature and health. Going outdoors, even for short periods, is proven to increase productivity, boost stamina, enhance mood and elicit well-being. Get outside, get some light for increased vitamin D and endorphin release and step away from stressors often in your day.

Practice Leisure To reduce stress, prioritize leisure time.

Finding a hobby and engaging in relaxing activities or competitive sports can distract you from stress and help you focus on some enjoyment. It may also provide opportunity to trade feelings with other men.

Make a Change Sometimes you need to make a change to fix what’s not working in life. Taking control of a negative situation and turning it into a positive is empowering. Whether this means changing your way of thinking

at work or changing your job, realizing that change is possible can help.

Most men can successfully manage their stress by trying some of the tips listed above; however, if anxiety becomes unmanageable, a potentially larger problem may exist. Consult your doctor if your stress feels out of control. Remember, investing in happiness is always worth the effort, because you matter!

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Who is in charge?

General Manager: Eleni Mastronikoli eleni@huahintoday.com Editor: Pol. Maj. Gen. Noi Wannapaiboon Assistant to the editor: Rotjana Saitakam (Nok) 0863382203 nok@huahintoday.com Sales & Maketing: Phrueksahirun Noiwong (Put)

Tel.096 889 4438 email: sales@huahintoday.com Administration & Sales: Phiphitthon Boonyapitchayakid Chai@huahintoday.com Graphic Designer: Grit (Nat) Promprasert, Nicolas Cheimonidis Accounting: Atchara Namklan (Yui) accounting@huahintoday.com Journalists: Chamnan Puengjoh, Supansa Kraiwaad,

Soravit Eiam-Aek, Kesang Yuden

Where to find us!

Hua Hin Today Co., Ltd

Address: 62/51-52 Soi Moobaan Hua-Na, Phetkasem Road,

Nongkae, Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan Thailand 77110

Tel. 086 338 2203 / 096 889 4438 Website: huahintoday.com Facebook: facebook.com/huahintodaynews Twitter: twitter.com/huahintoday

Some Important Regional Contacts Organisation Hua Hin Cha-Am Police 191 (Emergency) 191 (Emergency)

032 511 027 032 471 321 Highway Police 1193 Tourist Police 1155 Fire Station 199 (Emergency) 199 (Emergency)

032 511 666 Ambulance 1554 Medical Emergency 1669 Electrical Call Centre 1129 Alcoholics Anonymous 089 587 682 Bangkok Hospital 1719

033 616 800 San Paolo 032 532 576 Cha Am Hospital 032 471 808 Hua Hin Hospital 032 520 401

Transport Bus Station Railway Station

032 514 477 032 512 770

032 471 159

Government Muncipality Immigration Tourist Info Centre Water Supply Post Office Power Board

www.facebook.com/huahintodaynews HUA HIN TODAY, August 2015

032 511 047 1132 032 522 656 032 511 047 032 471 005 032 511 677 032 477 646 032 511 063 032 477 252 032 512 215 032 472 069

51 see our

New Location”

Why

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Condo for Rent 2 beds/ 2 baths fully furnished, 102 sqm 60,000 THB

416/2 phetchakasem

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House For Rent

3 beds/ 4 baths, Fuly furnished, 250 sqm, Private swimming pool

37,000 THB

Advertise in Hua Hin Today?

• 7,000 copies circulated each month • Coverage of Cha-am as well as Hua Hin • The only English language newspaper in the Region • Full design and proofreading services • Full colour available • Online advertising is available • Our readers want to know what is available in Hua Hin!

Call: 086 338 2203 096 889 4438

Contact number:086 369 3604

ADVERTISE WITH US 082-635-3151

s a l e s @ h u a h i n t o d a y. c o m

HUA HIN TODAY, August 2015