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Rejoice Urban Development Project facilities now complete
Linda Santitharangkul
The new facilities for Rejoice are now completed and a
dedication ceremony was held at the impressive new facility.
 Gareth
Lavell (far left) and Steve Hallam (back row far right), with a former
princess from Laos, supporters and well wishers.
The Rejoice Urban Development Project assists people
affected by HIV/AIDS and orphaned children. RUDP’s goal is to provide a
desperately needed medical and social support system to the population of
very poor, sick and underprivileged people living in Chiang Mai’s
villages, urban slum communities, and the surrounding hill areas throughout
the Chiang Mai province. In particular, RUDP’s programming addresses the
diverse array of medical and social needs demonstrated by the people
affected by HIV/AIDS.
Guests from all parts of the community were seen at the opening and
welcomed by Steve Hallam and Garreth Lavell, the dedicated ‘brains’
behind the project. Even a former princess from Laos came to pay her respect
and receive more knowledge regarding the huge task of helping AIDS victims
and their families. For more information, please go to
www.rejoicecharity.com
Simply Nai’s exhibition opens - simply
Saksit Meesubkwang
Local late-blossoming artist Nai Glinhom celebrated the
opening of her latest exhibition ‘Simply Nai’s’ along with friends and
guests at the Panisa Gallery, Mahidol Road.
 Nai
Glinhom (first left), accompanied by a number of friends, during the opening
of her latest exhibition at Panisa Gallery.
This is her second exhibition and Nai explained to Chiangmai
Mail that this one is more focused on flamboyant flowers that capture
the diversity of nature’s colors, as interpreted through her eyes, as the
artist interpreting the experience.
 Visitors
admire the beautiful watercolor paintings.
Being a self-confessed ‘late starter’ in her painting career, Nai
underwent formal training under the stewardship of local artist Serm
Watcharin, and enjoys painting mostly with watercolors. Her exhibition will
run through the month of November, and admission is free.
Preserving Lanna architecture
Nopniwat Krailerg
The beauty of Lanna architecture was showcased at a
seminar organized by the Lanna Architecture Committee. Lanna Architecture
2004, held in cooperation with the Chiang Mai Municipality at the Central
Airport Plaza, treated the public to the unique nature of northern style
architecture.
 Chiang
Mai Deputy Governor Prinya Panthong presents a certificate to the owner of
one of the city’s prestigious buildings.
A seminar entitled “Attractive City, Tourism Site and
Livable Chiang Mai” was held to promote the conservation of old buildings
to sustain Chiang Mai’s image as a historical city.
 Models
pose at the end of the fashion show at the opening of Lanna Architecture
2004.
The committee paid special attention seven buildings on
Thapae Road, one on Wualai Road and eight on Wat Ket Road. The owners of the
buildings were awarded silver shields to encourage them to keep them in good
condition.
In addition, the Government Saving Bank on Thapae Road,
five buildings on Wualai Road and the Chiang Mai First Church on Wat Ket
Road were recognized as outstanding contemporary buildings.
Chiang Mai Deputy Governor Prinya Panthong said that old buildings had
been neglected for a long time but it was not too late for people to
conserve them, as they were a precious heritage which reflected Chiang
Mai’s architectural history.
Northern young designers promoted in contest
Saksit Meesubkwang
The Industrial Promotion Center, Region 1 of the Ministry
of Industry, on Saturday, October 30 hosted the Northern Young Designer
Contest 2004 at the Imperial Grand Hall, Imperial Mae Ping Hotel. The
concept was to promote and support young designers to develop their designs
in cotton textiles and silver ornamental products in line with market
demands, and to international standards.
VIP
guests at the contest pose with Prinya Panthong (middle), Chiang Mai deputy
governor, Ornadda Tantipat (third left), the governor’s wife and Jumpol
Chutima (first left), president of the Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce.
Chiang Mai Deputy Governor Prinya Panthong said at the
opening ceremony that the North is the largest source of handicraft
production in Thailand, generating substantial revenue annually through
exports. “Therefore we need to develop the quality of product designs to
international standard,” he said.
The
winners and models wearing their designated clothes pose with Wanchai
Ratchadamas (in red), director of the Industrial Promotion Center, Northern
Region.
A dazzling presentation of silver ornaments and fashion
designs followed, as well as a contest for teenagers and Young Designer
fashion shows, a popular cotton cloth fashion design contest, as well as the
fashion shows from the previous Young Designer contests.
As well as the promotion of cotton textiles and silver ornaments, the
event was also aimed at helping preserve the unique Lanna identity, culture,
tradition and local Thai customs.
Co-host of local TV program wins international music competition
Karen Thomson
On November 6, “From Heart to Heart” co-host Debbie
Klongtruadroke-Scott won first place in the bi-annual Sabaoth International
Film Festival in Milan, Italy. “Debbie K” was one of eight finalists
chosen to perform at the Sabaoth Festival of Christian Music, held this year
at the Auditorium di Milano, the city’s premiere concert hall.
 Debbie
Klongtruadroke-Scott on the ‘Heart to Heart’ set in Chiang Mai.
The finalists in this year’s competition performed to a
crowd of over 1,000 people including a panel of jurors comprised of
producers, professional musicians, and pastors from throughout Europe.
Finalists were evaluated not only on stage performance and composition but
on their Christian testimony, as well.
In winning first place in the competition, 26-year-old
Debbie K will receive a recording contract, a fully produced CD release and
international music ministry opportunities. Debbie is the daughter of Kiat
and Olanda Klongtruadroke. Debbie’s father is Thai and her mother is
Italian, while she is married to American pastor Bob Scott. Debbie has been
a friend of CBN Siam since before the operations began in 1999 and today is
one of the co-hosts of the Thai language program “From Heart To Heart here
in Chiang Mai.”
“From Heart to Heart” is a production of CBN Siam, the production
division of Operation Blessing Foundation (Thai) in Chaing Mai. “From
Heart to Heart” airs nationwide every Sunday at 6 a.m. on iTV. If you are
interested in more information regarding the foundation, Regional Director,
Operation Blessing Foundation (Thai) at 053-262940 or by e-mail at Karen
@cbnsiam.com
Alois comes to Chiang Mai
You do not have to play harp to eat at Alois
A previously hungry staff
reporter
Bavarian Restaurants with good plain German food are
known all over the world. Another Bavarian restaurant is now here in Chiang
Mai, run by chef Alois.
 The
smiling Alois, especially when the first pork knuckles came out of the oven.
A native of the Bavarian Alps of Germany, Chef Alois
reflects true Bavarian spirit of fun. He is not one of those Bavarians who
hide their charms behind a grim face. His mission is, as he told us, to
create an environment for Germans to feel at home and for every other
nationality to experience true Bavarian character and food.
He chose the name Alois he said, pronounced “arroy -
aloy” (great taste) in Thai, because he was inspired by the naughty
Bavarian angel Aloisius, who can be seen everywhere in Munich, sitting on
his cloud, playing his harp and enjoying himself.
The fable of Angel Aloisius was that when he arrived in
heaven he was a disruptive influence, singing ‘Hallelujah’ at the wrong
times and the others complained and beseeched God and St. Peter to send him
back down to Munich again even just for one day so he was given communiques
from heaven to take to the government of Bavaria. Angel Aloisius flew down
to the town hall, folded his wings, but as a true Munich spirit went for a
beer before delivering the letter. One Bavarian beer led to another, and
Aloisius is still there drinking, while the letter was forgotten.
Bavarian ‘tapas’, homemade beer pretzels, authentic cuisine and cold
beer will make ‘Alois’ a favorite in Chiang Mai in no time. If you have
problems finding this small family restaurant, just give Alois a call and he
will guide you there if you know Fern Guest House, Alois is just opposite.
Lunch Bunch headed
to Lampang Ceramics Fair
Shop ‘till you drop
The Lady’s Lunch Bunch will make their Christmas trip
this year to Lampang on Thursday, December 2, the first day of the ceramic
fair. The organized package will include coach transport, lunch, walking
through the ceramics factory, and a stop at the forest and flower market is
also included in the price. To reserve a place, a deposit of 500 baht per
person is required.
 According
to Anne, the organizer of this yearly event, the final cost can not be
decided until final numbers are known, as it is dependant on how many people
turn up on the day. The more people the lower the cost.
Guaranteed is a fun day with lots of possibilities to
stock up on mugs, plates and little something’s which you urgently need,
you just never know until you see it.
All ladies are welcome to join, newcomers to town as well
as those who normally might not have the time to join and ‘the regulars’
of course. Call organizer Anne Dawson at 0 5321 6132 at your earliest
convenience to reserve your place on the ‘shopping coach’.
THAI supports Soroptimist
International Thailand fund raising
Bu-nga Kornvinai
(second from left), Thai Airways International’s vice president, IT
Department, presents a cheque for 200,000 baht to Jinee Russell (second from
right), president of Soroptimist International Thailand, during the
fund-raising 2004 charity event at the Plaza Athene Hotel to celebrate the
sixth cycle birthday of Her Majesty the Queen. Proceeds from the charity
event will go towards scholarships for the underprivileged, Pakkred
Orphanage, and constructing and completing a library at Cholaprathan
Songkroh School.
Chiang Mai Night Safari proposes
single-pricing for Thais and foreigners
Still under construction, the management team of the
Chiang Mai Night Safari has announced they will propose that that Thais and
foreigners will pay same entry fee to visit the park.
Thongchai Wongrienthong, deputy governor of Chiang Mai
Province who heads the public relations team of the project said it has been
agreed that a single-fee-rule would be applied regardless of nationality,
and children will pay only half the price.
“We will charge every adult 800 baht to visit the Night
Safari and children will pay half of that. This entry fee applies to
everyone regardless of race,” he said.
Earlier, the fees varied due to nationalities. A
child’s fee for foreign nationals was 300 baht and 400 baht for foreign
adults, while Thai children were to pay 100 baht and Thai adults 250 baht
each, and only 100-170 baht for Chiang Mai locals. There was also a special
fee for Thai families.
“We think the former rates were unfair and needed to be
changed. We may offer memberships and holders could have a few free visits
as incentives,” said Thongchai.
However, the new fee scheme needs to receive a green
light from the government first. The deputy Chiang Mai governor said he
would propose the change in fees to Plodprasop Suratwadi, adviser to the
prime minister for consideration.
The Chiang Mai Night Safari is expected to be partly
opened on April 13, 2005, although its construction is likely to be
completed later than the scheduled month of April next year, as the private
sector is not confident whether the project is worth investing.
“It is difficult to do marketing now when the project
is still not completed. We cannot take any overseas bookings until another
year,” Thongchai said. (TNA)
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