New Dutch tulip species named after Thai king

BANGKOK, Aug 20 (TNA) – Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej has granted use of his name to be bestowed upon a new Dutch tulip variety “King Bhumibol” developed by a Dutch farmer, according to an official statement released on Thursday. Vimon Kidchob, Director-General of Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Department of Information, said in the statement that His Majesty has granted a royal permission for having the flower been named after him following a request of Klaas Koedijk, a Dutch tulip grower and an owner of FA.P. Koeddiik & Zn company, according to the Office of His Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary. The “King Bhumibol” tulip’s bloom is butterly yellow, stands 45-centimetre high and is further developed from the Prince Claus tulip named after the consort of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. The Prince Claus tulip originated from the Judith Leyster tulip, which is one of the Netherlands’ most prized tulip varieties. Mr Koedijk’s inspiration to name the new species of tulip after the Thai monarch derives from his strong impression of the Thai people’s loyalty to their beloved King Bhumibol during the 2006 celebration of the 60th anniversary of HM the King's accession to the throne, the statement said. The tulip horticulturist’s son lived in Thailand as volunteer teaching computer skills to local students in the North during 2006-2007, fell in love and then married his Thai sweetheart. (TNA) source:www.mcot.net

New furniture designs bring ‘green’ closer to home

New furniture designs bring ‘green’ closer to home

As urbanisation drives city dwellers further away from nature, urbanites might not have many choices to enjoy a ‘green’ atmosphere against the backdrop of a concrete jungle. Now, a furniture designer has come up with an innovative idea which brings nature closer to urbanites.

Greenaround is a new furniture concept created by Patchara Champangoen, whose designs serve the needs of city residents wanting to increase the green atmosphere in their home and/or office, and using less space to do so.

Patchara said he came up with the new idea when he designed buildings, offices, and houses for his customers. He found the most requested element was a ‘green corner.’ So he translated that idea into practice.

‘Initially this chair’ pad was in a rectangular shape. I looked into its structure and found there’s a big space underneath the pad to grow some plants. So I changed the pad’s shape into a circle and trees grow around the empty space.’, said Patchara.

In the process of making the furniture, Patchara said he visits many furniture factories to see what kind of products they offer. Sometimes he asks them to produce specifically-designed items. Then he puts in the final touches, equipping the plain furniture with a ‘green’ element. Small plants are recommended as they can be grown indoors and can receive their required moistness through use of a water sprayer.

Patchara said at first he aimed to sell his products to the niche market like art galleries and department stores, as well as for export. But the ‘Greenaround’ furniture has surprisingly received a warm welcome from many customers.

‘After I exhibit my products at a local furniture fair, I receive many Thai customers more than I expect. But as the plants are excluded from the furniture, they share a common concern they will not be able to grow the trees like I do.’, said Patchara.

Patchara reasons he does not include plants with the furniture because he does not want to limit customer’s choice of greenery. The beauty of tree furniture also depends on the care of its owner. Despite special design, the cost of Greenaround furniture varies from 3,000 to 17,000 Baht, prices which can be affordable compared to those a items found at furniture markets.

Source:www.mcot.net

7 Wonders of Amazing Thailand

Thamkrabok Monastery Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre.

Located about 140 kilometres north of Bangkok, the renowed Thamkrabok Monastery Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in the central province of Saraburi has for decades been providing a herbal detoxification answer to drug addicted locals and foreigners alike.

This cheerful music is to give moral support to those going through drug rehabilitation at Thamkrabok Monastery. The detoxification is not only for Thais; but around 100 foreigners, of whom 80 per cent are British and German, also flock to the centre every year to get treatment.

Brian from Ireland came to Thailand with five of his friends for treatment. He said he knew of the centre through a radio show and an anti-drug network in his home country.

After having gone through the rehab for 10 days, he said his health condition had obviously improved. The process was simple and without pain, so he was confident he could stop using drugs for good.

“This medicine works. It works better than at home now. I would still be going through withdrawal symptoms from the heroin. But when I come to Thamkrabok, I take this medicine and it speeds up the process,” said Brian, a drug addict under treatment.

Monk Julien from Belgium has been ordained for 6 years after he was completely cured from drug addiction. He admitted Thamkrabok’s treatments were different from those in Europe and truly helped drug patients to become clean once again.

“Hospitals back home will give you drug substitutes or tranquilisers like methadone or Valium, and you’ll become addicted to those pills, and that doesn’t help. But here you’re treated with herbal remedies to which you won’t become addicted. It takes only 5 days and you can stop using drugs,”
said monk Julien.

The whole rehabilitation processes, divided into 2 parts, takes around 15 days.

Physical detoxification, taking only 20 per cent, or the first 5 days, of the whole process, includes vomiting, taking strong herbal medicine and bolus or herbal black pills, and a steam bath.

The other 80 per cent is purely about mental detoxification through dhamma conversations, meditation and a vow to build up one’s will power or mind’s strength.

“It’s not about curing headaches, fevers or stomachaches. It’s about the mind of the drug addict. If the person stops using drugs but has nothing to hold onto, then he or she’ll go back to drugs again. So, having a strong will is important, and that’s why our treatments are different from others,”said Monk Boonsong Thanacharo, Thamkrabok Monastery abbot.

In October, a conference on Buddhism and drug rehabilitation will be held in the United States, where the treatment methods of Thamkrabok Monastery are to be officially introduced to the world stage. It will be a good opportunity for Thailand to show how drug and alcohol addiction is cured through Thai folk wisdom and the teaching of Lord Buddha.

Source : www.mcot.net

Muay Thai Study

Muay Thai Study

Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, has become increasingly popular overseas. As a degree is required for those who want to become a Muay Thai trainer abroad, the ‘Muay Thai Study’ programme was set up in Ratchaburi province west of Bangkok, ranging from undergraduate to postgraduate level.

Muay Thai Study and Thai Traditional Medicine College, Muban Chombueng Rajabhat University is the first in Thailand to offer Muay Thai Study courses, from a Bachelor’s degree to PhD levels.

The successful programmes have drawn much attention from foreigners. Current Pakistani ambassador to Thailand, Ahmed Amjad Ali, and his family recently visited the College to check out the programme.

The College has passed on the knowledge of Thai boxing to people in many countries, in order to promote and preserve this cultural heritage.

“We usually send our students to intern abroad. Now, we’ve managed to allocate scholarships for a certain number of students. They’ll make a reputation for our country, and the value in themselves will be added,” said Asst. Prof. Charnchai Yomdit, Director of Muay Thai Study & Thai Traditional Medicine College.

Up until present, Muay Thai has been shared on almost every continent. Boxing camps worldwide have been set up for Muay Thai practice and competitions.

Former Muay Thai boxers from Thailand have travelled abroad to become trainers and many countries require them to have direct academic qualifications.

The ‘Muay Thai Study’ programmes in Ratchaburi are designed to help and promote graduates who can use their education as a credit when looking to be employed overseas.

“If you at least have a Bachelor of Arts in Muay Thai, you can become a successful coach. Like me, for example, I’m qualified with my degree as well as guaranteed by my champion awards,” said Charnchai S. Thamarangsi, a Muay Thai Student and a five-time champion.

“There are many things I’ve gained from the courses. I can pass on my knowledge anywhere where people are interested in Muay Thai,” said Jaran Noilam, a Muay Thai student.

Thai boxing is a type of martial art praised for its beautiful gestures and this is considered one of the most dangerous.

In the past, Muay Thai was deemed a sport for the underprivileged. However, many Muay Thai boxers from Thailand have nowadays graduated with degrees in all different majors.

As Thai boxing coaches are in high demand abroad, so professional boxers with a degree in Muay Thai have an advantage in securing training positions.

Source : www.mcot.net

International Mountain Bike Championship

Bikers brave the rough stuff

Mountain bikers gather at one of Thailand’s most scenic dams for a series of races and fun activities.

Bumping over rough trails is not everyone’s idea of having fun, but medical science appears to support the idea that riding your mountain bike over a boulder-strewn course is actually good for building bone density.

If you need an excuse to join the sixth Bhumibol Dam International Mountain Bike Championship, 29 to 30 August, that might be it. But it is more likely to be that the venue, for this fun event, is the scenic Bhumibol Dam, surrounded by forest-covered hills, in Sam Ngao district, Tak province.

This weekend of fun rides and serious competition is a firm fixture in Thailand’s annual sports events calendar. It is remarkably popular because it focuses on mountain bikes as opposed to the majority of cycle-related events that are either a triathlon with competitors using triathlon or time-trial bikes, or the tradition road races that favour super light road bikes.

Most leisure cyclists own a mountain bike so here is an opportunity to take the family on an interesting trip to Tak province, a destination that has a reputation for serving up superb soft-adventure options as well as a famous dam where you can relax and enjoy nature.

Backing the event are the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Sports Authority of Thailand. Created to promote an interest in outdoor sports and also encourage ecotourism at both national and international levels, the races underscore the beauty of a province that is not on the main tourist trail.

For many mountain bikers and their families this is the highlight of the year, a reunion of friends from both Thailand and overseas, who share a passion for mountain bikes. Participants of all ages gather at the starting line on the crest of the spectacular Bhumibol Dam for two days of fun activities and serious races.

This very scenic location provides a variety of race routes that will both challenge the semi-pro mountain bike racers and also please recreational riders.

It is really up the participants as to how far they wish to push their bikes and bodies. If they want the thrill of descending steep slopes through jungle terrain, or the steady pace of a trail over rolling hills that border the reservoir, the organisers have a choice of categories to deliver the right experience.

There are six categories to choose from :


• Long distance 60 km;
• family 16 km
• tour biking 10 km
• cyclo-cross on the dam's crest, five km.
• international race 39 km.
• amateur 24 km.
  
  Just to ensure all the hard physical activity is balanced with lots of fun, the organisers encourage visitors and participants to display vintage two wheelers in an “ancient bike contest”. The line up is impressive with some participants showing off bikes that have serious historical value, while others are more exotic, possibly bordering on weird.
  
  On the sidelines, folk music bands entertain to create a family atmosphere, while there are even handicraft stalls supplied by shops under the One Tambon, One Product project, a national initiative to support village handicrafts.
  
  To round off the fun, bike shops attend to sell equipment at discount prices. All this is part of a healthy experience for biking enthusiasts, who usually discover that they need to make just one more purchase to round off the beauty, or technical excellence, of their prized bikes.

Bhumibol Dam is located in Tak province, 426 km north of Bangkok, just off Highway 1.
The race site, at the crest of the dam, is 60 km north of Tak provincial town, where most of the hotel accommodation is located.

Call TAT Tak office at 055 514341-3 or visit : www.bhumiboldam.egat.com
Source : www.tourismthailand.org

Planet Ocean

Planet Ocean

2009 marks the 6th consecutive year for the annual French Cultural Festival ‘La Fête 2009’ in Bangkok. As part of the festival which runs until October, various exhibitions and shows are on offer. One of these, ‘Planet Ocean: Voyage to the Heart of the Marine Realm’ was launched on Friday to coincide with World Environment Day. It’s one of the festival’s highlights, in which the mysterious beauty of marine life is unveiled.

Occupying over 75% of the earth, the undersea world’s natural richness is still very much a secret, despite scientists having confirmed the oceans as having been the source of all living creatures.

Yet, the list of damages man is imposing upon the sea and its myriad inhabitants - like global warming, pollution, and over fishing - is extensive.
With his passion and devotion to the marine environment, Palme d’Or-award-winning photographer and marine biologist Laurent Ballesta hopes his audience will appreciate the marine world’s values and be aware of the indispensability of this ‘world beneath the waves’.

“It’s very close related to us. It links to our own survival, and when you start to understand that and take so pleasure, I mean, our pleasure to make the photo. I think that’s the beginning of the respect and of the conservation,” said Laurent Ballesta, a marine biologist and photographer.

With the oceans holding our past and stating our future, scientists remind us sustainable exploitation of marine resources is a major challenge which must be addressed.

Ballesta’s beautiful shots have appeared in numerous exhibitions across Europe over the past 3 years. They carry a significant message and are now being exhibited in Asia for the first time in the ‘Planet Ocean’ exhibition with the aim of raising awareness in this part of the globe of the critical need to protect the oceans.

“Sometimes, I’m afraid that people think ocean is just seafood. It’s not just seafood. It’s so many other sources of happiness, you know,” said
Laurent Ballesta, a marine biologist and Photographer.

All forms of nature should be respected, as this helps man live in harmony with the natural world. For those interested in exploring more of the under-water world, the ‘PLANET OCEAN: Voyage to the Heart of the Marine Realm by Laurent Ballesta and Pierre Descamp’ is now on display at Bangkok’s Zen Department Store until 12 August.

Source : www.mcot.net

Don Hoi Lot

Don Hoi Lot

Razor clams, or Hoi Lot in Thai, have been a source of food and income for local fishermen in the central province of Samut Songkhram for decades. But the razor clam population at the mouth of the Mae Klong river is now under threat. This report takes you to Don Hoi Lot, a habitat of the distinctive shellfish, to find out more.

The complex ecosystem of Don Hoi Lot, registered as an international wetland under the Ramsar Convention in 2001, was once home to a great variety of species.

Yet recent a research carried out by Chulalongkorn University in cooperation with the area’s local community reported the density of razor clams had decreased sharply from five per square metre in 2004 to just one this year.

"In the past the area had a high density razor clam population. But the number of clams is now in crisis and they are nearly extinct. Ten years ago each fisherman harvested at least 10-kilogrammes of clams a day while today around three-kilogrammes of clams is the largest amount we can catch, said a razor clam collector.

Panuwatra Kongraksa, a leading member of the local Don Hoi Lot biodiversity conservation committee, explains why razor clams are rare.

"The number of razor clams has sharply dropped because of improper clam harvesting, and other fishing which affects the clams’ way of living. Also changes in the environmental condition around the wetland including the mangrove forest, wind and tides, are factors," said Panuwatra also a local environmentalist.

Panuwatra said the 22-member committee, officially set up a few months ago, worked together with the Bangchakreng Sub-district Organization, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Thailand Research Fund.

The committee aimed to preserve the overall ecosystem at Don Hoi Lot. But with only 22 volunteers, the group was now seeking the participation of more villagers.

Panuwat said an initial plan to save the clam population was being drafted.

"We’ll use a quota system for razor clam collection and ask local fishermen to catch 4.5 centimetre-long clams instead of smaller sizes. As Don Hoi Lot is an open site, we are planning to restrict the number of tourists and some activities which might harm the ecosystem, said Panuwatra.

The preservation plan has raised some hope the deteriorating situation for the razor clam will be salvaged and its dwindling numbers will not see it become extinct.

Source : www.mcot.net