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Looking to buy well-designed presents while at the same time supporting the local creative industry? Look no further. Here, Life picks some of the best local products from up-and-coming designers showcased at this year’s Chiang Mai Design Week.

NAA Design

NAA Design Based in Chiang Mai, NAA Design works with mostly wood and ceramic, blending them in a way to create a simple yet pleasing aesthetic. The brand develops their designs with local craftsmen from the North, emphasising the handmade with noble and natural materials. The Totem Teak Turquoise plant pots constituted one of their first designs. Mixing ceramics, stainless steel and solid teak together, , the set would make a perfect gift to those looking to add a little colour to their home. Totem Series Teak Turquoise: 28,000 baht, limited edition, numbered from 1-100.

SLOWSTITCH STUDIO

Slowstitch Studio’s one-of-a-kind indigo dyes and patterns come from a blend of traditional and contemporary techniques. Based in Chiang Mai and sourced from hand-spun and hand-woven materials, the unpredictable nature of natural dyeing creates unique and individual patterns not found elsewhere. Each piece of textile goes through a meticulous, time-consuming process and is made by hand. Slowstitch crafts accessories, clothes and interior goods — so shoppers have a multitude of gifts to choose from. Scarves start at around 2,500+ baht.

BAY ONE

BAY ONE Know someone who needs to jazz up their workspace? Bay One produces office accessories using their own handmade terrazzo. Having worked with local craftsmen and artists to develop their terrazzo-making technique, the brand is passionate in exploring and re-imagining its use while at the same time cultivating the skills of local craftsmen. Card Holder 900 baht; Pencil Holder 1,400 baht; Bookends 1,100 baht; Set of all three 3,250 baht.

Gleamwood

Gleamwood’s whimsical handcrafted wooden jewellery would make the perfect gift for a quirky loved one. The owners’ passion for the material results in stunningly detailed and finely polished rings, earrings and pendants for both men and women. Not using any colours or dyes, Gleamwood selects woods of different colours, scents and textures to create the best possible product. They have a ton of collections to choose from, like the cute Wood a Life collection, featuring forest animals and flora, and the Gems collection, which looks more classic in terms of jewellery. Prices start at around 600 baht.

Mood : Mind : Body

Mood : Mind : Body’s products are perfect for those who love natural, organic soaps. Created out of the owner’s need to soothe her dry and allergy-prone skin , Mood : Mind : Body uses a cold-process soap-making technique that requires only water, natural oils and lye. The beautifully patterned bar soaps have different benefits, depending on ingredients used. For example, the Jewel of the Ocean soap consists of a mixture of fleur de sel, coconut oil, rice bran oil, palm oil, olive oil, tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil and peppermint oil, perfect for improving oily skin, removing bacteria and healing joint pain when bathed in. One soap bar starts at around 200+ baht.

Source：Bangkok Post

Visitors to Thailand during this holiday period may want to see some Dazzling New Year 2018 Light Displays in Bangkok as the Thai capital joins the nation and the entire world in preparation to bid goodbye to the old year, and embrace in the new.

 Among the best locations are at the CentralWorld, EmQuartier and Emporium shopping complexes, where dazzling light displays have become a firm fixture on the calendar. And, especially for this holiday season, the ‘Thailand Illumination Festival 2017’ on Ratchadapisek 8 Road.

Here’re some of the images of the dazzling New Year 2018 light displays in Bangkok.

 Christmas at CentralWorld, from now until 7 January 2018, is decorated under the theme ‘The Dazzling Celebration’, featuring more than 400 Christmas decorations, cartoon characters and art pieces, including the five-metre-tall sculptures of Santa Claus and friends, created by the famous Argentinian illustrator, Javier González Burgos.

Thailand Illumination Festival 2017, from now until 6 January 2018, is inspired by the luminous garden lighting festival in Japan, currently lighting up a 39 rai (62,400 sq. m) plot of land on Ratchadapisek 8 Road with more than one million LED lights.

Christmas Lighting at EmQuartier and Emporium, from now until 7 January 2018, is under the theme ‘Winter Wonderland the Grand Celebration’ with the highlights being the 12-meter-tall polar bear as well as 3D mapping.

Other shopping districts along Sukhumvit Road and around Ratchahprasong are also lit up with festive lights and decorations, including at the Gaysorn Village and adjacent InterContinental Hotel Bangkok.

Bangkok’s Christmas lights get better every year and attract sightseers as well as shoppers. This holiday season’s dazzling displays a proof that Thailand is getting into the festive atmospheres and is very much a place for enchantment and enjoyment and will remain so as we count down to 2018.

source: TAT NEWS

It’s finally here: For the first time, Michelin, the French tire company that moonlights as a dining guide, announced stars for Bangkok, Thailand. There are just 17 starred restaurants in Bangkok, including 14 locations with one star and three with two stars. No Bangkok restaurants have three stars. The list is small — especially for a city with a population of more than 8 million people. (The 2016 inaugural guide to Singapore, a smaller city, featured 29 restaurants, and the comparatively minuscule Macau, has 18 Michelin-starred restaurants this year.)

Since Michelin announced plans for the guide earlier this year, many have wondered whether it would represent the the full diversity of Bangkok’s dining scene, including the city’s world-famous street food. The inaugural guide doesn’t completely disappoint — one street food vendor made it into the starred selections. Jay Fai, known for crab omelets and curries, joins Singapore hawker Chan Hon Meng in the tiny club of chefs with Michelin-starred street food. Further distinguishing Jay Fai from Michelin’s usual picks: Jay Fai is a woman.

Seven restaurants among the single-star selections serve Thai fare, including Eater 38 member Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin. There’s also one sushi place on the list (Sushi Ginza Ichi), an American tasting menu restaurant (Upstairs at Mikkeller), and five selections that offer mostly French, European cuisine.

As expected, Gaggan, chef Gaggan Anand’s innovative Indian tasting menu restaurant, makes its Michelin debut with two stars. The restaurant — which Anand has already announced he plans to close in 2020 — currently holds the top spot on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list.

Eater 38 member Le Normandie at the Mandarin Oriental also appears in the two-star category, as does Mezzaluna, which serves “European cuisine executed with Japanese precision,” practically making it a shoe-in for stars, given Michelin’s noted preference for European and Japanese fine dining.

Check out the complete list of Bangkok’s Michelin stars below:

Two stars **

- Gaggan (progressive Indian)
– Le Normandie (French)
– Mezzaluna (European)

One star *

- Chim by Siam Wisdom (Thai)
– Bo.lan (Thai)
– Saneh Jaan (Thai)
– Sra Bua by KiinKiin (Thai)
– Jay Fai (Thai)
– Ginza Sushi ichi (Japanese sushi)
– Sühring (contemporary German)
– L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (contemporary French)
– J’AIME by Jean Michel Lorrain (contemporary French)
– Elements (contemporary French)
– Savelberg (contemporary French)
– Paste (Thai)
– Nahm (Thai)
– Upstairs at Mikkeller (progressive American)

Source: Eater

For high altitude, cool breezes and a ton of fresh air, check into one of Thailand’s best mountain resorts. Don’t get us wrong — we love tropical beaches and soft, powdery sands, too. However, from time to time, it’s nice to escape the crowd and enjoy other outdoorsy adventures. Down in Northern Thailand, there are plenty of boutique resorts with enchanting mountain views. Whether you’re in the mood for lounging on your private balcony or reconnecting with nature, each of these five mountain resorts has an activity for everyone.

 Veranda High Resort Chiang Mai

Surrounded by lush greenery, Veranda High Resort Chiang Mai is a stunning retreat that is divided into two zones — northern Lannathai and contemporary veranda. Embracing the cultural heritage of the north, the boutique resort infuses traditional touches of Lannathai into its designs, from intricate handcrafts to wooden furnishings. And on one side, the resort has tastefully furnished its guestrooms and pool villas with modern touches. Set on a valley in the Hangdong district, each of the 87 rooms here features impressive scenic views, from mountain streams to rice paddles. If you’re going for that ultimate exclusive stay, pick the Plunge Pool Pavilion and Presidential Pool Villa. You’ll get to luxuriate in the cool waters in private while soaking up the mountain vistas.

Panviman Chiang Mai Resort & Spa

A gorgeous sanctuary that rests atop of Mae Rim, Panviman Chiang Mai Resort & Spa is probably one of Chiang Mai’s loveliest hideaway. You’ll be surprised when you’re there, you’ll have a bird’s eye view of the surrounding tropical forests, flower orchards and mountain streams. Combining otherworldly natural beauty and traditional Thai designs, the main buildings are furnished with hand-carved teakwood and gable roofs. The exquisite villas are all nicely spread out across the property area, making each of the stays extremely secluded. For those who are into spiritual retreats, you’ll be interested in visiting the meditation cave — the lapping sound of the nearby waterfall will definitely add to the calming setting.

Puri Pai Villa

Nestled in Pai — Mae Hong Son’s most scenic destination — Puri Pai Villa draws guests seeking personalised service and see-and-be-seen ambience whatever the season. With large glass patio doors, you’ll get to admire the lush greenery in the comforts of your guestroom. With Mother nature just steps away, you can also dive into plenty of outdoor adventures. Stay in our of the Pool or Puri Villas for all the luxe amenities, from private plunge pool to spacious sundeck and comfy hammock. Each of the wooden teak villas also feature a built-in kitchen and airy living room area. Imagine waking up to a sea of fog in the far distance and faded mountains seemingly rising. Stay here for the ultimate mountain views and hilltop villa experience. You won’t regret it.

Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle

Tucked away in the dense forests in Chiang Rai, Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle offers ultra-luxe tented stays with panorama views of the majestic mountains, as well as the Ruak River and Golden Triangle. Each of the tents is decorated with the artful touches and vintage antique furnishings. Book an oil massage when you’re here — the open-air spa experience will offer profound levels of relaxation. For ultimate privacy, check into the newly opened Explorer’s Lodge. Don’t miss the current tour package, which includes jungle trekking with an elephant friend, and cruising along the Mekong River.

The Sense Resort KhaoKho

Go for high drama, stay at The Sense Resort KhaoKho. Situated on Phetchabun’s verdant valleys, the resort offers impressive views of foggy mountain ranges. Here, all of the rustic-chic villas boast floor-to-ceiling windows with bamboo rods mounted on the outside, fully immersing you in nature. Each of the 15 exclusive villas are connected to each other via a scenic nature walk. Aside from the picturesque landscape, the resort features a mouth-watering collection of local flavours at their signature restaurant S2. Savour scrumptious bites and stunning mountain views at the same time.

Source: Lifestyleasia

The Thai telecom regulator needs to reduce the spectrum space designated for 2G in order to allocate more frequency for 5G development, says a leading US communication network firm. ”

“Thailand ranked second among Asean countries in terms of 5G development, behind Singapore,” said Navin Vohra, vice-president, service provider sales, Asia-Pacific, at Thai Inc.

5G technologies are taking a key role in the government’s plan to promote a competitive economy through digitisation.

But Thailand needs to speed up its overall 5G broadband framework. Singapore has already identified several suitable spectrum bands for 5G use, for example.

Singapore, South Korea and Japan have already shut down 2G services to free up spectrum and redeploy it to higher speed services like 3G, 4G and 5G.

“In Thailand, the 5G spectrum auction, originally planned for 2017, was delayed to next year, in part due to technical issues,” said Mr Vohra.

In order to stay at the front of the regional 5G development pack, Thailand will need to speed up the process of identifying suitable spectrum and its availability.

Spectrum is a valuable and limited commodity, and it is important that it be put to the most efficient use, said Mr Vohra. Only 1.4% of Thailand’s 95 million mobile subscribers are 2G subscribers. Few would be affected by efforts to allocate the space currently occupied by 2G to fuel the development of 5G.

Moreover, consumers in Thailand are becoming more connected. For example, Thais spend almost three hours a day on social media, almost twice the global average of 1.7 hours, according to Deloitte. This number is only expected to grow further as tech-savvy Generation Z comes to the fore.

Since clear frameworks for operators on spectrum choices and availability of spectrum are still being introduced in Thailand, it is difficult for operators to begin laying out plans for their 5G investments.

To transition into a 5G and Thailand 4.0 era, Thailand must develop a comprehensive and sustainable spectrum roadmap.

source: Bangkok Post