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DAAD Road Show stops in Chiang Mai
Staff reporters
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), one of the
world’s largest and most respected intermediary organizations visited
Chiang Mai to increase the awareness of study and research opportunities in
Germany.
Miss Ke
Hong, DAAD Information Center Bangkok and Hagen Dirksen Federal Republic of
Germany honorary consul (both standing) talking to a group of
representatives from universities after the ‘road show’.
Miss Ke Hong, the marketing expert from the DAAD
Information Center Bangkok arranged presentations at Payap, Maejo and Chiang
Mai University. Students, teachers, researchers, and parents received first
hand information on what it means for a Thai national to study abroad and
what they can expect.
Over 349 higher education institutions are located
throughout Germany and students interested can choose between universities
and university-status institutions, such as the technical universities, or
the Fachhochschule institutions, or the colleges of art, music, and film
which are open to students of all nations.
The DAAD and the Federal Republic of Germany’s Honorary
Consul Hagen Dirksen jointly organized a dinner at the end of this very
successful first promotion tour.
Miss Ke Hong and Hagen Dirksen repeated that professors and teachers in
Thailand should stimulate the interest of Thai students to broaden their
horizons and become ambassadors for their country with a study exchange or
an international study programme. These programs offer in English courses
and end with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Let’s raise our glasses to Chiang Mai’s best bartenders
Phitsanu Thepthong
The best bartenders in the North have been found.
The Thai Hotels Association (THA), Northern Chapter, with
the Food and Beverages Club, Hotels Housemaids Management Club, and Chiang
Mai Chefs Club, held the 19th Bartender Contest for the Northern region on
Saturday, September 4 at the Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel.
The bartender competition was organized to create
opportunities for THA members to show off their skills and exchange
experiences to upgrade their abilities. “This event will also help produce
new concepts and products, and promote tourism-related business here,”
said Vorapong Muchaotai, the THA president.
The competition was divided into two categories:
educational institutions and hotels. Eighteen representatives from colleges
and universities in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Kamphaeng Phet provinces,
and 16 hotels members took part.
The winner in the educational institution category was
Songdej Phetharn from the Chiang Rai Vocational College, the first runner-up
was Phraphan Promkorn from Chiang Mai Rajabhat University, and the second
runner-up was Kosin Pipattanasukmongkol, also from Chiang Mai Rajabhat
University.
The winner in the hotel category was Manit Sinthusuk from
Imperial Mae Ping Hotel, Chiang Mai; the first runner-up was Chithinont
Duangdee from Dusit Island Resort Hotel, Chiang Rai; and the second
runner-up was Kongkaew Srivichai from Anuntara Resort and Spa Gold, Chiang
Mai.
The two winners will represent the THA, Northern Chapter, to participate
in the Asian Bartender Contest which will be held in Bangkok.
Chiang Mai Symphony Orchestra’s coming performance at Kad Theatre
Cory Croymans
On October 2, 2004, the New Life Foundation (under the
patronage of HRH The Princess Mother), is organizing a major fundraising
Concert to celebrate its 40th anniversary at the Kad Theatre in Chiangmai.
The performing artists will be the well known ‘A
Capella 7’ group from Bangkok and the newly established Chiang Mai
Symphony Orchestra (with 60 musicians) who will play western and Thai
classical music on western instruments.
The ambitious concert program will include Mozart’s
Concerto for Harp and Flute as well as Mozart’s First Symphony in E Major
and Haydn’s beautiful Toy Symphony.
Admission will be 1000 baht for VIP’s, 500 baht for
supporters and 100 baht for students. They will be available at the
following venues:
The New Life Foundation, No 1 Tapae Road (Bhuttasataan
Building), the Red Cross Healthcare station (close to the American Embassy),
Suriwong Bookstore on Suriwong Road, and Payap University’s Music
Department (opposite McCormick Hospital).
So far, sponsorship commitments have been received by Kad
Theatre, Green Diamond Company, Ricoh Thailand and Galliana Creations. All
donations to the New Life Foundation are tax-deductible. This Foundation is
presided over by Khunying Bupphan Nimmanhaemin, and takes care of 1065 Thais
with physical or mental handicaps in Chiangdao, Lee and Hangdong. This also
includes two elderly homes and two kindergartens in Lee and Chiangdao. It
has also set up a scholarship Fund for orphaned children to allow them to
stay in school.
For more information about the New Life Foundation,
please visit the following website: http://www.asian
healingartscenter.com/new-life-foundation.htm
Thai scientists find cancer
treatment in sea squirts
Thai scientists have successfully extracted a chemical
substance from sea squirts which can effectively treat cancer patients. The
substance was extracted from sea squirts in a joint research project between
the Institute for Research and Development of Marine and Coastline Resources
in Phuket, and Chulalongkorn and Mahidol universities.
The sea squirt is a marine animal found in abundant
numbers around the coasts of Thailand. International science research has
shown that the animal carries a chemical substance that can block the growth
of cancer cells in humans. The Thai sea squirts have a higher amount of the
substance than those in other countries.
The success of the Thai the project is good news for the
country, a senior member of the research team, Udom Patiyasevi said. He said
that the institute is currently trying to reproduce sea squirts in
sufficient numbers to allow the commercial use of the chemical substance
they produce.
With further study and research, the scientists hope
Thailand can produce enough of the substance for domestic use and for export
within the next four years. (TNA)
THAI Extends THAI Touch, their THAI Traditional Massage Project
Thai Airways International (THAI) is so pleased with the
success of its THAI Touch, THAI Traditional Massage Project that it will be
extended into next year.
The massage concept, organized together with Thailand’s
Ministry of Public Health, arranged for professional Thai masseuse to
provide health massage services for THAI’s Royal First Class and Royal
Executive Class passengers. The project created awareness of these services
which included the adaptation of Thai traditional medical practices and Thai
herbal drinks. These traditional services were intended to give both Thai
and foreign travelers a unique Thai massage experience while relaxing in
THAI’s lounge before boarding their flights. The project was launched on
April 26, 2004 for three months, but is now extended to October 2005.
Following the launch of the THAI Touch, THAI Traditional
Massage project, THAI received numerous letters of appreciation and much
positive feedback from its passengers.
THAI will also promote Thai traditional massage further
by producing an in-flight video for passengers and a Thai traditional
massage course for THAI cabin crew. The possibility of providing in-flight
traditional massage is also being considered.
Government launches new anti-aging cream
Say goodbye to those bags and wrinkles
The government launched a new anti-aging cream made by
using the latest technology. The cream, made by the Government
Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) marks the GPO’s success in combining the
country’s intellectual heritage and nano-technology, the public health
minister, Sudarat Keyuraphan told journalists.
Curcuma zedoaria, or ka min chan, is the main ingredient
in the cream. It has been known in Thailand for centuries as a high-quality
skin moisturizer. Nano-technology has been used to produce ultra-microscopic
agents to allow the moisturizing chemicals to effectively penetrate the
facial cells.
The GPO Curmin – as it has been labeled for the moment
- will effectively slow the facial aging process, according to the minister.
It should soon be very popular among women with beauty concerns, she
predicted.
The product has been tested and certified by a French
cosmetic testing laboratory. Initial tests showed that the cream’s quality
is equal to international brands already on the market.
GPO Curmin was launched at the national fair of Thai
herbal products and medicines September 1-5 at the Impact Trade and
Exhibition Center in Maung Thong Thani, Nonthaburi Province on the outskirts
of Bangkok.
GPO is a government organization responsible for
researching and producing important drugs to meet local needs, including
anti-AIDS medicine for HIV infected patients. It has been trying to increase
its research capacity, and help Thai medical products meet international
standards. (TNA)
Higher standards for spa and massage services
The government has stepped up efforts to register local
spa and massage businesses throughout the country in an effort to
incorporate them into the government’s integrated control and management
system by the end of September.
Through this scheme, the government hopes to improve the
standards and services of the Thai spa, massage and other health-related
businesses.
The aim is to make sure that the Thai businesses offer
the highest standards of services in the region to help establish Thailand
as a healthcare service hub in Asia.
The Ministry of Public Health issued regulations setting
standards for different kinds of spa and massage services in April. Under
these regulations, spa and massage businesses must register with the
Ministry of Public Health. Health officials will thoroughly check the
quality of services, hygiene and personnel of each registered business
before issuing a government certificate that guarantees its quality of
services. This certificate needs to be renewed annually.
The scheme is aimed at boosting greater confidence in
Thailand’s spa and massage industry, and tempting more tourists to try the
services. So far more than 2,000 spa and massage businesses throughout the
country have applied to be listed, according to a senior public health
official, Dr. Rewat Wisarutvej.
The Public Health Ministry hopes to finish all the
examinations by the end of September. Places which open without a government
certificate will be definitely closed down, and their owners will face tough
penalties, he said.
The government expects to generate more than 200 billion
baht from the health-related industry over the next five years. Two-thirds
of this is expected to come from Thailand’s medical services, 50 billion
baht from the spa and massage business, and 20 billion baht from health
products. (TNA)
A touch of Mexico to draw tourists to Mae Hong Son
Staff reporters
This year’s Bua Tong or Mexican sunflower festival of
Khun Yuam district, Mae Hong Son will be officially opened on November 9.
Khun Yuam planned ahead for the festival to attract more
tourists to the district by planting the Bua Tong flowers in 500 rai of
barren areas, along the 38 km road to Doi Mae U-Kor and the 20 km Mae
Chaem-Khun Yuam Road.
As a result, tourists this year can experience and take
pleasure in the Bua Tong flowers while driving on these two roads before
reaching the Bua Tong yellow fields on Mae U-Kor Mountain.
The Khun Yuam district chief officer said that last year
tourists did not have anywhere to pitch their tents on the mountain. To
solve the problem, this year the district has assigned the tambon Mae U-Kor
Administration Organization to provide all necessary facilities to serve the
visitors.
As one of the important income generating sites for the
province, Mae Hong Son granted 5 million baht budget to the district to
spend on improving the site. To date, 90 percent of the improvements have
been made, and the rest will be completed before the festival begins in
November.
The Bua Tong field in Mae U-Kor Mountain is ranked fifth
on the list of Mae Hong Son’s tourism attractions by the Mae Hong Son
Tourism Coordination Center, after Fish Cave, Phra That Doi Kong Moo temple,
Jong Kham and Jong Klang temples and the long-necked Karen village.
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