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Special service marks 126th anniversary of Kruba Sriwichai
Lanna saint began building road from foothills to Doi Suthep
Supatatt Dangkrueng
A special service marking the 126 year anniversary of
Kruba Sriwichai, the Lanna saint who began building the road from the
foothills to Doi Suthep, was held at the Kruba Sriwichai monument on June
11. Local people, led by Chief District Officer Chumporn Saengmanee,
gathered there to make merit and offered alms to 126 monks.
Kruba
Sirwichai, the Lanna saint who had the idea to build the road to Doi Suthep.
To
begin the ceremony, alms were given to monks, in this instance a novice, in
the early morning.
Kruba Sriwichai was born in Lamphun Province in 1877 and
passed away in 1938. He joined the priesthood when he was 18. He was called
“the developer monk” because he always encouraged and led people to
construct and refurbish religious buildings, chedis and temples. In all, he
helped with 106 places in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang and Mae
Hong Son.
In 1934, Kruba started the construction of the road to
Doi Suthep, which previously involved a climb of at least 4-5 hours. The
road construction began on November 9 with the support of the people who
pledged a 20 million baht budget as well as 5,000 hands physically helping
each day. The 11 km road took 5 months and 22 days to complete.
Many
people made merit by offering alms to 126 monks.
A
special service marking the 126 year anniversary of Kruba Sriwichai, the
Lanna saint who began building the road from the foothills to Doi Suthep,
took place at the Kruba Sriwichai monument on June 11
The ceremony is held to remind Chiang Mai of our obligation to the memory
of Kruba Sriwichai and to always respect his monument at the foothill of Doi
Suthep.
Hopeful teen presenters strut their stuff
Who best can present the anti-drug message?
Supatatt Dangkrueng
The first round of the ‘Freshy Model Anti-Drug’
competition took place on June 14 at Kad Suan Kaew Complex. More than 60
boys and girls participated in the contest, all vying for the chance to
become presenter of the anti-drug message.
The 25
round one winners of the ‘Freshy Model Anti-Drug’ contest will compete
on stage this Saturday afternoon to select one boy and one girl as the
anti-drug campaign youth presenters.
The project is a joint venture of the Office of Narcotics
Control Board (ONCB) Northern Region Office, Chiang Mai Provincial Education
Office, the White Family Project and Kad Suan Kaew Shopping Complex.
Each contestant took to the stage to present their ideas
and points of view about staying away from drugs and to invite and encourage
their friends to step away and never get involved with drugs. Organizers
hope that youthful attitudes towards drugs can be changed to believing that
drugs are not good for anyone and drug users are not smart.
The first round whittled down the field to 15 girls and
10 boys. The final round will determine the one girl and one boy winner, who
will then go on to be the new generation presenters of this project.
The final round will be held on today, June 21 at the fourth floor of
Bully Hall at Kad Suan Kaew Complex.
Queen of England’s birthday celebrated in Chiang Mai
Marion Vogt
Photos by Michael Vogt
Worldwide, people are interested in ‘The Queen’ and
her family and in the monarchy in general. So is of course the British
Community in Chiang Mai; therefore the deputy head of mission from the
British Embassy in Bangkok, Peter West, invited his fellow countrymen (and
women) to a reception in the Payorm Room at the Amari Rincome Hotel on the
evening of June 10.
Deputy
Head of Mission and Counselor Peter West, who arrived in Thailand in May
2000, came all the way from Bangkok. His address included facts and business
information, before he proposed a toast.
From
left to right - Hagen Dirksen (Hon Consul Fed. Rep. of Germany), Prawit
Archarachinores (Hon. Consul of Austria), Supawat Poowakul (Hon. Consul of
Finland), Chittiphan Sukhakij (Sen. Dir. Bank of Thailand, Northern Branch),
Chiang Mai Governor Suwat Tantipat, H.S.H. Prince Bhisadej, Peter West, Mme.
Ornadda Tantipat, David Hopkinson, Mme. Julie Hopkinson, Mme. ‘Poo’
Baude, Thomas Baude (Hon. Consul of France).
David
Hopkinson, Honorary British Consul and Director of the British Council
Chiang Mai, during his opening address.
Definitely
of British origin (from left) Miss Sarah, Tom Delaney Jr., Dean & Pim
Kemasingki, MD of ‘Citylife’ Chiang Mai.
Not
only British people celebrated the birthday of Queen Elisabeth II, it was
more like a convention of the “Who is Who” of Chiang Mai, mingling
happily in the Payorm Room of the Amari Rincome Hotel.
When the Hon. Consul of the UK to Chiang Mai, David
Hopkinson, opened the evening, he gave a brief overview of the life of Her
Majesty Queen Elisabeth II. She was born in London on 21 April 1926, the
first child of the Duke and Duchess of York, subsequently King George VI and
Queen Elizabeth. Five weeks later she was christened Elizabeth Alexandra
Mary in the chapel at Buckingham Palace.
Her official birthday is celebrated in Britain on the 3rd
Saturday of June each year. This is a National Holiday in the United
Kingdom.
She has several titles. In the UK her official title is:
“Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland and Her other Realms and Territories Queen,
Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.”
Her Majesty’s Coronation took place in Westminster
Abbey on 2 June 1953. Representatives of the Peers, the Commons, and all the
great public interests in Britain, the prime ministers and leading citizens
of the other Commonwealth countries, and representatives of foreign states
were present. The ceremony was broadcast over the radio around the world
and, at the Queen’s request, on television. It was television then in its
relative infancy that brought home the splendor and the deep significance of
the coronation to many hundreds of thousands of people in a way never before
possible. The coronation was followed by drives through every part of
London, a review of the fleet at Spithead, and visits to Scotland, Northern
Ireland and Wales.
On 20 November 1997 the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh
celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary, indeed something very special
in times such as today.
Not
really a Brit, but seen at many functions around town is MD of Chiangmai
Mail, Michael Vogt, in conversation with H.S.H. Prince Bhisadej.
Almost
like in a fashion show, 3 elegant ladies posing for a picture (from left)
Mrs Ilkay, Khun Daeng and Mrs. Shanti, wife of the Indian Consul of Chiang
Mai.
Bonnie
Scotland was well-represented this evening, and could be spotted from far
away - Alistair in the red kilt and David Brown from LIST in the green
version.
British
residents of Chiang Mai from left: Margaret Osborne, the Delaney Family -
Tom, Dot and Tom ‘Senior’, with Geoff Thompson.
Pandee
Buchart, secretary to Hagen E.W. Dirksen, and Mrs. Carol Street taking a
break to catch up on the latest ‘news’ during the festivities.
All
ears are Eric Rubin (Consul of the USA), Mathew Abraham (Consul of India),
Hagen Dirksen (Hon. Consul of Germany), as well as Mme. Suzuki and Mme.
Abraham.
The Royal couple has four children, and so far six
grandchildren. Prince Charles, now the Prince of Wales, heir apparent to the
throne, was born in 1948.
The year 2002 saw the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, marking
50 years since the Queen’s Accession (rather than the Coronation, which
took place in 1953). This special milestone had previously been achieved by
only four earlier British monarchs - King Henry III, King Edward III, King
George III and Queen Victoria. Celebrations in the United Kingdom ran
throughout the summer months, including extensive regional visits.
Peter West was then invited to the podium, addressing the audience more
from a business perspective. He pointed out that this year 670,000 Brits
have visited Thailand so far, many on business, but also many tourists, but
a decrease can be seen due to SARS and the war in Iraq. He thanked the
honoraries for attending this auspicious occasion, and accentuated what a
pleasure it always is to be in Chiang Mai. After the national anthems of
both Thailand and England were played, a toast was proposed by the more than
200 invited guests who kept on mingling afterwards.
Merit making and prolonging
the history of Chiang Mai
Ancient ceremonies held all over the city
Surachai T. Bunditkul
Chiang Mai Municipality organized merit-making ceremonies
on June 14 to preserve the history of Chiang Mai, with cooperation from
government, private sectors and Chiang Mai people. Similar ceremonies were
held at 10 spots around the old city, with Chiang Mai Governor Suwat
Tantipat presiding over the ceremony staged at the Three Kings Monument in
the morning.
Buddhist
monks sat serenely overlooking the ceremonies in every spot around the old
city of Chiang Mai.
People
pay respect to the Lanna ancestors’ spirits protecting the city wall at
Hua Rin Fort.
Since the founding of Chiang Mai City, it has been
believed that Lanna people must make merit to prolong the life of the city.
These ceremonies then became traditional rites from that time.
The ceremonies took place at the Three Kings Monument,
Thapae Gate, Chiang Mai Gate, Suan Prung Gate, Suan Dok Gate, Chang Puak
Gate, Sriphum City Fort, Katum Fort, Ku-huang Fort and Hua Rin Fort.
Chiang
Mai Governor Suwat solemnly pays his respects at the Three Kings Monument.
Many
Chiang Mai people participated in the ceremonies around the city.
The
ceremonies begin at the Three Kings Monument in the morning.
The ceremonies were divided into two sections with the
first ceremony to worship ancestor spirits in Lanna style, while the second
was a Buddhist ceremony.
First TOT shop in Thailand opens at Central Airport Plaza
Alexander Graham Bell didn’t know what he started!
Nantanee Jedsadachaiyut
The Telephone Organization of Thailand opened the first
TOT shop in Thailand at the Central Airport Plaza, Chiang Mai. Information
and Communications Technology (ICT) Minister Surapong Suebwonglee presided
over the opening ceremony at Central Airport Plaza’s grand hall.
Minister
Surapong uses a new smart card at the opening of the TOT shop.
Since the Telephone Organization of Thailand (TOT) went
public last year, this is the first TOT shop, with the concept
“Communication Friendly”, to assist TOT customers.
The TOT shop opens every day from 10.30 a.m. - 7.30 p.m.,
and provides many services such as payment receipts for TOT and TT&T,
applications for new services, selling pin phone and TOT cards, and
providing information on TOT services.
The managing director of TOT Corporation, Sitthichai Songpiriyakit said
that following the interest in this first shop, TOT shops would be opened at
various population centers throughout the kingdom.
Double artist photo exhibition at Gong Dee
Supatatt Dangkrueng
Two young talented photographers opened their joint
exhibition at the Gong Dee Studio on June 1. Phum, 29, and Ms. Uthaiwan, 25,
combined their efforts to share their photo-artistic impressions with the
public.
Many
art lovers attended the opening ceremony of the photo exhibition at Gong Dee
Gallery.
Phum Narischart is an independent Bangkok photographer
who is displaying a selection of black-and-white photographs, ranging from
1999 until now, showing memories of places he visited.
Ms. Uthaiwan Boonloi has collected photographs since she
started at university. Some of her pieces are from her thesis during her
last semester, while others came from her impressions of the good times and
good feelings she had whenever she visited new places. Uthaiwan previously
participated in a photo exhibition ‘Space Contemporary Art’ a few years
ago.
The concept of their exhibition is to catch and hold
memorable moments, with most of the photographs in black-and-white.
Some
examples of the black-and-white pictures on display.
The
artists, Phum Narischart (3rd left) and Uthaiwan Boonloi (4th left) proudly
show their pictures to VIP guests Hon. Consul of the Federal Republic of
Germany Hagen Dirksen and his wife, Wanpen.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Manop Silapee,
the managing director of Siam Studio Co., Ltd., with VIP guests including
the Hon. Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany, Hagen Dirksen, and his
wife, Wanpen, plus the owner of Gong Dee Gallery, Vichit Chaiwong.
The exhibition will run until June 28.
Sun continues to shine on California wines
California’s wines continue to enthral its share of
drinkers, especially the young, rich and uninitiated. The United States’
most populous state is a major proponent in the New World wine revolution
rivalled only by Australia in terms of production.
Domaine
St. George, California winemaker and Sonoma Wineries Association “2002,
Wine Person of the Year” Robert Fredson.
In 2002 Californian wineries shipped a record 463 million
gallons of wine to domestic and international markets, an estimated 3
percent increase from the previous year according to the San Francisco-based
Wine Institute trade association.
This phenomenal growth is a testament to the world’s
steadily increasing awareness of the state’s constantly improving wine
quality. And if the trend continues, wine experts believe that more people
would be wishing that their next bottles would all be Californian wines.
Inspired by lifestyle changes of the past four decades,
raised income for many, and more worldly perspectives, California’s
diverse array of vintners has come from all walks of life, giving rise to a
heady spirit of optimism and experimentation.
The state’s modern winemaking era is perhaps best
marked by Robert Mondavi’s 1965 departure from his family’s Charles Krug
Winery to the Napa Valley. The charismatic winemaker helped America’s
palate to evolve with a combination of personal charm, dedication to wine
quality along with innovative marketing techniques.
California’s rise to stardom remains most startling in
its rapid evolution. Back in the ’60s the state was merely known as a
leading jug wine producer. Even in the mid-1980s, California was still
considered a promising but immature wine region by non-Californians.
Today, however, the state’s winemakers have caught up
to, and in some cases, surpassed their competitors from around the world.
Vineyards have been fine-tuned along with winemaking to the point that
hundreds of exceptional wines are released each year. Fact is, the once
lofty French and other Old World hegemony is now continually challenged by a
relatively young but tightly-forged New World wine industry.
Connoisseurs need look no farther than Napa Valley or
Sonoma County, for example, to find satisfaction with nearly every popular
variety. Positive reviews from Wine Spectator Magazine and from many other
organizations and individuals, including some from Europe, have established
that many California wines belong on the table with the best wines of
Europe.
In Sonoma County, several outstanding labels have had
their share of the limelight. Coupled with the attention given to fine
produce, their winemakers too have not gone unnoticed.
For his significant contribution to the local wine
industry, winemaker Robert Fredson was honoured as “Wine Person of the
Year” by the Sonoma Wineries Association in 2002. With more than thirty
years of hands-on experience cultivating Sonoma’s rich soil and
eco-climate, the fourth-generation winemaker has transformed Domaine St.
George from a rustic family operation to an internationally acclaimed
winery.
Domaine Saint George is a traditional winery located in the hills above
the Russian River Valley near Healdsburg, in the heart of Sonoma County.
Wine grapes were first planted here in 1928, and the winery was founded in
1934.
Chiang Mai sets sausage record
Who said size doesn’t matter?
Surachai T. Bunditkul
The world’s longest “sai ua” (northern sausage) was
rolled out in Chiang Mai on June 10. Chiang Mai Provincial Authorities along
with Wanasanan Shop organized the record breaking event at the 700 Years
Anniversary Sports Complex, setting a new measure for the longest sai ua.
The
Wanasanan staff set the world benchmark for sai ua sausages.
The previous longest sausage was 1,011 meters long,
displayed at Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi Province. Our newest and longest
sausage was 1,707 meters in length and about 2-3 centimeters in diameter. It
was kept at that length to celebrate the 707 year anniversary of Chiang Mai
City this year.
Chadcharn Eakchaipatanakul, the managing director of
Wanasanan Shop, said that the sausage was made from a ton of pork, 500 kg of
fish and 600-700 kg of other ingredients and cost 600,000 baht. Sales of the
super-sausage were expected to bring in around 170,000 baht. All income
raised from the event would be donated to Maharaj Nakhon Chiang Mai Hospital
to help purchase medical equipment.
Chiang
Mai Governor Suwat Tantipat presided over the opening ceremony.
The newly installed Chiang Mai governor, Suwat Tantipat presided over the
unveiling ceremony of the world’s longest sai ua.
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