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Lovely textiles displayed
at Long Mar Doo Gallery
 Shannon Wardroper’s Solo Textile Artwork Exhibition took
place at Long Mar Doo Gallery, which is attached to Cafe Mong Pearl, next to
the Seven Fountains Church on Huay Kaew Rd., halfway between the Canal Rd.
and the front gate of Chiang Mai University. It started on Sunday 3rd of
August and ran until Friday the 8th.
Beautiful
textile artworks and the triptych (shown here on the right) went to Japan
for the group exhibition and was entitled “Cost/Benefit.” Also on
display was Kimono silk (white), natural dyes, screen printing, roketsuzome,
Hmong edges, “float” made of Thai silk, Hmong batik, Hmong edging, and
embroidery. Every single one of the artistic pieces was ‘to die for’.
Swiss Confederation Day celebrated at the Amari Rincome Hotel
by Marion Vogt; Photos by Michael Vogt
You do not have to live in Switzerland to celebrate Swiss
National Day. You can celebrate it anywhere in the world if you have some
enthusiastic Swiss people who love fun and good food. Both can be found in
Chiang Mai, and the Amari Rincome Hotel invited everyone to an evening of
Swiss specialties on 1st of August.
 The
Raclette station at the pool - the only one in the whole northern area of
Thailand.
Confederation Day, the Swiss National Holiday, celebrated
on August 1st, was instituted at the end of the 19th century. The date
actually refers to an agreement made at the beginning of August 1291 between
the cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Nidwalden. Traditional observance includes
bonfires on the mountains and celebrations in the communities, all occasions
for patriotic speeches. A constitutional change, voted by the Swiss in 1993,
proclaimed it a public holiday in the entire country.
 Instead
of the traditional bonfire, the Amari Rincome used a number more appropriate
Khom Loi’s, by the poolside.
The night at the Amari Rincome was a fine example of how
to celebrate the event. No, they did not have bonfires on Doi Suthep, but
they had everything else. Salmon tartar with arrugula salad leaves and
citrus flavors, a charcuterie of Swiss air-dried beef, smoked bacon and
dried nut ham with condiments, Basel style salmon, marinated in fresh lemon
juice and pan fried, served topped with saut้ed onion rings.
 La
Gritta Restaurant at the Amari Rincome, bursting with Swissophiles and
connoisseurs.
A separate Raclette station was outside at the pool where
Irish (Swiss for the evening) Chef Adrian, following the explanation of
Swiss GM Marc, arranged the only original Swiss Raclette cheese wheel in the
whole northern area for the guests. For those who did not go, Raclette is
made by cutting a large cheese in half and heating it until it melts. The
melted cheese is then scraped onto a baked potato and garnished with
pickles.
The very traditional Zrcher Geschnetzeltes was
not missing either. While it is possible to use any type of meat to prepare
this item, the original was made with cut veal. Traditionally, it came with
Rosti potatoes and bacon glazed with Emmenthal cheese hashed potatoes.
Desserts included the Basler Leckerli (Basel cookies) or
Rhubarb compote with vanilla ice cream made with lots of honey - very sweet
- and tasted just wonderful!
New British Council director welcomed to Chiang Mai
Michael and Marion Vogt
A reception was held at the British Council
Chiang Mai on July 31 to farewell Dr Bhaskar Chakravarti, and to welcome the
new
 From
left - Suthipong Chindasilp, director of Niyompanich, Surachai
Leosawasthiphong, managing director of The Gallery, Surapong Sugunnasil,
former director of the Chiengmai Gymkhana Club, and Norachai
Prasertmanukitch, Chiangmai Mail.
director of the British Council Thailand, Peter Upton. Guests
included the governor of Chiang Mai, members of the academic community and
other British Council contacts.
 Eye-catching
beauties - Dr. Taksina Kunarucks, CMU, on the left, and M. L. Preeyapun
Sridhavat, Honorary Consul of Peru and owner of the Chiangmai Ballet
Academy.
Dr Chakravarti spent three months in Chiang Mai studying
Thai when he first arrived to take up his post in 2000. As a result of his
time here, he and his wife Leila have formed a deep attachment to the city
and the north and will undoubtedly return for visits in the future. Dr
Chakravarti leaves to take up a post at the British Council head office in
London where he will be director of global estates.
 A
toast to strengthen all friendships, and to create new opportunities.
Peter Upton has over 22 years of experience in education
and arts, and has worked in a number of countries including Hong Kong, the
USA, Spain and France. His last post in London was director of education and
training in which he was responsible for the implementation of strategic
priorities for international education and training and initiatives
world-wide, including the Education UK campaign.
 From
left - David Hardcastle, managing director of Good Morning Chiang Mai, Pol.
Lt. Col. Kanokpun Roobkajorn, inspector at the Chiang Mai Immigration
Office, with Pol Capt. Napassawan Sripha and Chiangmai Mail’s MD Michael
Vogt.
Peter’s interests are not confined to education. He is
a passionate advocate of both arts and science, and has a strong belief in
developing new areas that showcase the best of the UK to deepen
partnerships. He has worked with the Breuninger
 Dr.
Bhaskar Chakravarti receives a token of appreciation from David Hopkinson.
Foundation in Germany, HSBC Bank and British
Airways on community arts programmes for young people. He said, “I am
delighted at the opportunity of working in such an interesting and vibrant
country.” Peter has two children, aged 12 and 16, who he says keep him
from becoming too serious - and when he has time off he flies micro-lights,
goes mountain walking and cooks.
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From
left - Incoming director of the British Council Thailand Peter
Upton, with outgoing director, Dr. Bhaskar Chakravart, and David
Hopkinson, British Council director, Chiang Mai. |
Suthipong
Chindasilp and Chiang Mai Governor Suwat Tantipat. |
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Enjoying
a good glass of wine and a chat (from left) Sandra, next to her
husband Dr. Chaithawat, and Assoc. Prof. Chesada.
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Tourism
Authority of Thailand Northern Office Director Chalermsak Suranant
exchanges views with Chiangmai Mail Chairman of the Board Norachai
Prasertmanukitch and MD Michael Vogt. |
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