“Yamaha” joins hand with “Einstein” sending “season five” as a magnet in the “Everyday is SunDay with FINO” campaign

“Yamaha FINO”, a leading automatic motorcycle brand, continues pursuing its “Lifestyle Marketing” strategy via the music marketing with the Hybrid A cappella style, “season five”. The road shows will be also to conduct in five provinces of each national region.


Thai Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. a market leader in automatic motorcycles said the company would aggressively deploy the “Music Marketing” strategy to extend its previously launched campaign “Open the new experience with Yamaha FINO” that received a great response.

Under the new marketing campaign "Everyday is SunDay with FINO, Yamaha has jointly cooperated with Einstein by Matching Group, a new media and entertainment business unit of Matching Entertainment Co Ltd, offering special returns to its customers.

Soungsuda Manasboonpermpoon, General Manager: Marketing Communications Department of Thai Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. said after launching special campaigns throughout the year to FINO customers, the company has been preparing a new marketing campaign to provide customers the new experiences under the “Everyday is SunDay with FINO” , starting from December 2009 to March 2010.

In cooperation with Einstein, the season five choirboy artists were brought to present cheerful music in the “Hybrid A Cappella” style, given a modern music that is able to mix with all styles of music. The band is able to perform its live show and many of its songs have been on the top 10 Music Channel chart such as Kae Tua Loek (just a choice) and Rak Kon Mai Mee Tua Ton (love a person with nobody). season five has four members, comprising of Pao – Borworn Atchararattanasopon (bass), Jay -- Ekpol Satirakorn (tenor), Aek -- Sudkhate Jungcharoen (tenor), and Jug -- Sirodom Lorgunpai (baritone).

season five's music style is also harmonized with Yamaha's upcoming marketing activity that one of its “seasons of life” album namely – Everyday is SunDay – contains lyrics, describing traveling, positive thinking and doing every day as Sunday. Selected as a main theme, this song will be used for doing a fully-integrated marketing from producing into a music video in which the four choirboys join acting in riding Yamaha FINO to several interesting tourism spots towards disseminating it to customers via free TV, cable TV and radio channels.

Besides, Soungsuda said that Yamaha would give happiness to its customers by offering exclusive and VIP concerts in everywhere it conducts the roadshow events in 5 provinces nationwide. However, the concerts to be performed by season five are limited to the lucky members of the FINO family only 150-200 seats.

She said the “Everyday is SunDay with FINO” activity would debut on December 1 and the road shows will be conducted during December 24-26, 2009, starting from Chiang Mai province. FINO members in Chiang Mai. The customers would be able to ask for more information at yamaha website and yamaha square nearby. Besides, the FINO customers will be able to win the ticket for this exclusive concert through many special activities at the academic institutes and several local radio stations that Season Five will have an closely interviwed with and giveaway the tickets to the winners.

“We want to reward our FINO clients for all the supports by offering special quality music with the show that closes to the audience will make our clients impressed with the new different experience. In addition, the clients will receive a package of accommodations in where the concerts are taken place. We expect this campaign will satisfied all FINO customers as well as increasing new customers at the same time,” said Soungsuda.

“For the road shows in five provinces, five regions, she said it would serve demands of both old and new customers. This would also reinforce the FINO image, ranking the number one of the automatic motorcycle market with unique marketing that can respond all the customers' needs. We expect this marketing activity will help restore the FINO customers' confidence that FINO is not just a motorcycle, but more than that. What we give the customers is lifestyle in the FINO style, being shown under the “My Fino … My Experience” slogan,” said she.

Phuket International Boat Show To Generate Over 7 Billion Baht For Marine Tourism

Phuket is Asia’s Marine Hub and to become Monaco of Asia.

The organizers of the Phuket International Boat Show together with the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TECB) today announced plans for the 2010 event to be held 7-10 January in Phuket at Royal Phuket Marina.


Now in its seventh year, the Phuket International Boat Show continues to grow and expand, promoting marine tourism and attracting more international exhibitors and visitors each year.

Launched in 2003 at a time of rapid growth in marine tourism in the region, the Phuket International Boat Show now leads the way in promoting Phuket’s marine facilities to the world. Through business-generated by exhibitors, the Phuket International Boat Show contributes over 7 Billion Baht to Phuket’s marine tourism industry each year.

Phuket has five operational marinas, over 1,000 ‘resident’ yachts, and attracts approximately 300 international yachts and over 30 superyachts each year. Combine some of the most modern marina facilities in Asia and the growth in multi-million dollar properties on the Island, and it’s clear to see that Phuket has become the Asian playground for the wealthy and cements Phuket’s reputation as the Monaco of Asia.

The Phuket International Boat Show is a key contributor driving the growth of Phuket’s marine tourism by approximately 10% year-on-year. The Phuket International Boat Show is the biggest marine show in the region and has a proven track record with sales successes and strong visitor numbers for seven consecutive years.

Mr. Andrew Dowden, General Manager of Informa Yacht Group, the organizer of Phuket International Boat Show said that the show is the biggest international boat show in terms of the on-water display and that despite the global economic downturn, the show continues its popularity with confirmation of many new brand yachts exhibiting, increased international exhibitor presence and two superyachts attending from Europe - a 32 metre Mangusta and a 26 metre Pershing.

”Marine tourism in Asia continues to grow with many international marine businesses now looking to expand into Asia. Phuket is ideally located geographically, has good support structure and many modern marina facilities, which will combine to make Phuket the Marine Hub of Asia,” Mr. Dowden said.

“Phuket is perfectly geared to the needs of the yachting industry and tourists alike, and offers an unmatched diversity of leisure opportunities to suit everyone. With pristine natural beauty and two

brand new marinas, Phuket is ideally positioned as a hub for regional marine events such as Phuket International Boat Show 2010,” said Supawan Teerarat, Exhibition Director, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau. “TCEB is proud to be able to lend our support and backing to this premier regional

marine and lifestyle content and we are confident that this will fortify and enable Phuket to host large-scale events in the future.”

The 2010 show is expected to attract over 90 local and international exhibitors and over 5,000 visitors and international High Net Worth Individuals.The show’s exhibitors include a large variety of marine tourism products and services as well as yacht brokers, luxury watch makers, luxury real estate and other lifestyle products, from Phuket, Thailand and around the world.

The Phuket International Boat Show is an example of a successful international event hosted in Thailand that contributes to and helps to drive Thailand’s MICE industry. “This year, Thailand’s MICE industry is expected to attract half a million business visitors, with projected revenues of approximately THB 41 billion, and in 2010 we expect the sector to grow by up to 15%, demonstrating the buoyant long-term prospects,” said Supawan.

An exciting new development in 2010 for the Phuket International Boat Show is a series of seminars on maritime safety. Organized by the Human Development Forum Foundation, a number of international speakers will chair discussions on various aspects of maritime security issues.

A Bangkok Preview of the Phuket International Boat Show will be held 6 – 8 November 2009 at the Pan Pacific Hotel in the White Room. This will include a select number of exhibitors and give Bangkok residents a small taster of what will be on offer at the Phuket International Boat Show in January next year. The Bangkok Preview is open to the public and entry is free.

The Phuket International Boat Show is supported by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau with support and enthusiasm from the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Sports Authority of Thailand. Co-Sponsors include the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Horus Watches, with Pan Pacific Hotel as Official Supplier. Media Partners include 91.5FM, Asia Pacific Boating, Asia Spa, China Boating, Director, International Herald Tribune, Jet Asia Pacific, Luxury Properties, Millionaire Asia, Newspaper Direct, Phuket Gazette, Prestige Thailand and The Nation.

The Phuket International Boat Show will be held January 7-10, 2010 at Royal Phuket Marina.
For more information, visit www.phuketboatshow.com.
Notes to editor
About Phuket International Boat Show

The inaugural PIMEX took place in December 2003. Phuket, with its rapidly expanding marine industry and a healthy property market was already established as one of the world’s prime leisure destinations and a favourite with those seeking to relocate to a better lifestyle. Shortly after this first show the import duty on boats was reduced to zero as the government quickly realised the potential of this high end sustainable tourism.

The show will display on 2,500 square metres of air-conditioned exhibition space and around 45 on-water displays in a “working” marine environment. There are over 2,000 trade visitors and 2,000 members of the public – all the main players from the marine industry, property and lifestyle industry to exhibit at the show each year.
About Informa Yacht Group

Informa Yacht Group a leading events organizer recently acquired PIMEX from Andaman Marine Consultants and has appointed AMC as the management company for the show. Informa also own The Monaco Yacht Show, The Superyacht Cup in Palma and in Antigua, Abu Dhabi Yacht Show, and the World Yacht Racing Forum. Its parent company, Informa PLC, also organizes over 10,000 exhibitions and conferences worldwide through its subsidiary IIR Exhibitions.

INSPIRATIONAL LIVING

       Intukarn GajaseniSirisant brings Martha Stewart s Midas touch to the Thai edition of Martha Stewart Living writes Samila Wenin
       Intukarn Gajaseni Sirisant may be better known as an Isabella Bird-type than a Mrs Dalloway, as evidenced in the myriads of postcards collected from numerous places she's visited all over the world - a passion that earned the 41-year-old beauty over half a decade-long editorship post at Honeymoon & Travel magazine. Those who have not known the other side of Intukarn frowned when she took up the editor-in-chief post for the newly launched Martha Stewart Living Thailand.
       "Travel is my passion and I used to travel a lot. But I have this domestic side the Martha Stewart side - and it's my daily life," she said.
       Those close to her remember Intukarn as an excellent cook. She used to work as contributing editor for the culinary website Pai-Kin-Khao (Let's Go Eat), won a cooking contest and also co-wrote a culinary book titled,Spice of Life: The Recipes & Cooking Culture of Thailand , with renowned food stylist-columnist Ekarin Yusuksomboon.
       "The magazine is pretty close to who I am and my lifestyle, and I believe this would make it easier for me to understand what it's trying to present to readers," she explained.
       "Martha Stewart Living is a magazine for women who are interested in cooking,entertaining guests, home-keeping and doing crafts. I love to cook and entertain my friends with my home-cooked meals on the weekends. And that's why I said yes right away when I was offered the job. It's a very good opportunity."
       As part of the preparations for the launch of Martha Stewart Living Thailand, Intukarn,along with Post International Media Managing Director Siri Udomritthiruj, sales manager and art director flew to Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia's headquarters in New York to undergo training. Visiting the empire of the domestic queen is, as Intukarn reflected, both practical and inspirational. For example, the beautiful office that overlooks Hudson River boasts a large kitchen for the cooking team to try recipes and deliver the freshly-cooked dish to the studio for a photoshoot right from the stove.
       "What I have learned is that those who work here always go into great detail. They are real experts in the field and not just writers who go to interview experts. The crafts editor, for example, has innumerable materials stored in her office so that she can come up with and work on new ideas all the time. As for the food section, we have learned that each recipe has to be tried and tested by experts several times before it appears in the magazine."
       The team also has to work closely with headquarters. With the current content comprising of picked-up stories from the US edition and local stories -at the proportion of 80 to 20 percent - the Thai editorial team is required to send the content line-up to headquarters for approval.
       "The condition set for me is that, no matter what we do, the magazine has to stick to the Martha Stewart Living character.It has to be Martha and not any other woman. There are three key points in the framework we have to bear in mind. First,the stories are accessible for Thai readers.Second, each issue must come in a harmonious colour tone that is pleasing to the eyes for readers. Finally, you need to have a well-proportioned combination of stories to ensure the flow of content."
       Despite a large number of home, cooking and decoration magazines dominating local magazine racks, Intukarn remains confident that Martha Stewart Living Thailand will be able to secure its place in the publishing industry. Using her own experience as an example, she said that, unlike other home and decoration magazines which mostly feature content with respect to global trends,Martha Stewart Living does not pay heed to trends and instead offers ideas and tips that are timeless."I've been a fan of the magazine even before I became editor. I often borrowed ideas from it and never trashed a copy. When I was offered the job,I went back to the old issues and found that those ideas and recipes can be used even today. It's more like a reference book for dreamers and doers."

Magnificent seven

       In the most important, most revered event since the invention of the brontosaurus trap,Microsoft shipped the most incredibly fabulous operating system ever made; the release of Windows 7 also spurred a new generation of personal computers of all sizes at prices well below last month's offers.The top reason Windows 7 does not suck: There is no registered website called Windows7Sucks.com
       Kindle e-book reader maker Amazon.com and new Nook e-book reader vendor Barnes and Noble got it on; B&N got great reviews for the "Kindle killer"Nook, with dual screens and touch controls so you can "turn" pages, plays MP3s and allows many non-B&N book formats, although not the Kindle one;Amazon then killed the US version of its Kindle in favour of the international one, reduced its price to $260(8,700 baht), same as the Nook; it's not yet clear what you can get in Thailand with a Nook, but you sure can't (yet) get much, relatively speaking, with a Kindle;but here's the biggest difference so far,which Amazon.com has ignored: the Nook lets you lend e-books to any other Nook owner, just as if they were paper books; the borrowed books expire on the borrower's Nook in two weeks.
       Phone maker Nokia of Finland announced it is suing iPhone maker Apple of America for being a copycat; lawyers said they figure Nokia can get at least one, probably two per cent (retail) for every iPhone sold by Steve "President for Life" Jobs and crew via the lawsuit,which sure beats working for it -$6 (200 baht) to $12(400 baht) on 30 million phones sold so far, works out to $400 million or 25 percent of the whole Apple empire profits during the last quarter;there were 10 patent thefts, the Finnish executives said, on everything from moving data to security and encryption.
       Nokia of Finland announced that it is one month behind on shipping its new flagship N900 phone, the first to run on Linux software; delay of the $750(25,000 baht) phone had absolutely no part in making Nokia so short that it had to sue Apple, slap yourself for such a thought.
       Tim Berners-Lee, who created the World Wide Web, said he had one regret:the double slash that follows the "http:"in standard web addresses; he estimated that 14.2 gazillion users have wasted 48.72 bazillion hours typing those two keystrokes, and he's sorry; of course there's no reason to ever type that, since your browser does it for you when you type "www.bangkokpost.com" but Tim needs to admit he made one error in his lifetime.
       The International Telecommunication Union of the United Nations, which doesn't sell any phones or services, announced that there should be a mobile phone charger that will work with any phone; now who would ever have thought of that, without a UN body to wind up a major study on the subject?;the GSM Association estimates that 51,000 tonnes of chargers are made each year in order to keep companies able to have their own unique ones.
       The Well, Doh Award of the Week was presented at arm's length to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development; the group's deputy secretary-general Petko Draganov said that developing countries will miss some of the stuff available on the Internet if they don't install more broadband infrastructure; a report that used your tax baht to compile said that quite a few people use mobile phones but companies are more likely to invest in countries with excellent broadband connections; no one ever had thought of this before, right?
       Sun Microsystems , as a result of the Oracle takeover, said it will allow 3,000 current workers never to bother coming to work again; Sun referred to the losses as "jobs," not people; now the fourth largest server maker in the world, Sun said it lost $2.2 billion in its last fiscal year; European regulators are holding up approval of the Oracle purchase in the hope of getting some money in exchange for not involving Oracle in court cases.
       The multi-gazillionaire and very annoying investor Carl Icahn resigned from the board at Yahoo ; he spun it as a vote of confidence, saying current directors are taking the formerly threatened company seriously; Yahoo reported increased profits but smaller revenues in the third quarter.
       The US House of Representatives voted to censure Vietnam for jailing bloggers; the non-binding resolution sponsored by southern California congresswoman Loretta Sanchez said the Internet is "a crucial tool for the citizens of Vietnam to be able to exercise their freedom of expression and association;"Hanoi has recently jailed at least nine activists for up to six years apiece for holding pro-democracy banners. Iran jailed blogger Hossein "Hoder" Derakshan for 10 months - in solitary confinement.

BANGING HER OWN DRUMS

       Jureeporn Gamontummagul of band Abuse the Youth talks about the hands that rock the sticks Astereotype exists in rock music about girls being sexiest with a bass guitar. Yet, they never seem to be associated with the drums. The drums are a masculine instrument. They require the biceps, triceps and shoulder muscles of a man to master. And let us tell you that "mastering" is as much about the weight of the sound measured by the intensity of each stroke as it is about rhythm and timing.
       Jureeporn Gamontummagul, drummer of indie rock outfit Abuse the Youth, seems to have such muscles and they seem to have enabled her to beat the stereotype and become a rare gem of the Thai indie rock scene - a female drummer who can really bang the drums. "It's down to two tricks," she said, smiling proudly while showing us her toned forearm.
       "I have worked a lot, rather than work out. My family runs a factory that produces and distributes sweets. Like all Chinese families, we all have to work. I've been helping my parents with everything, most of all with manual tasks such as carrying huge sacks since I was young. That's how I don't get tired easily on stage."The second trick is practice. I have been practising every day for years and when you do that, your muscles remember and become familiar with the intensity and the stroke. Then, you become comfortable with it."
       In person, the 28-year-old drummer is polite and courteous. She's communicative, but not chatty. During conversation, she would drop some funny remarks, but not tell a long joke. Jureeporn is not the type of charismatic rock personality who commands great presence onstage and glides like a white swan amongst a flock of rock chicks and the wannabes at an after-show party. She looks more like an ordinary music enthusiast until she grasps the sticks. Buried behind her Ludwig kit, the brand for which she was hand-picked as the ambassador for by local distributor Intermusic, Jureeporn provides the beat that is the backbone of Abuse the Youth's much-revered raw and intense live energy.
       Growing up in a large, extended Chinese family, Jureeporn has familiarised herself with her music lover uncle's instruments since she was seven, playing first the guitar and later settling with the bass in a band comprised of family members. Her stint with the sticks began during her middle school years when a cousin and former band member quit and left a drum set at her home. Jureeporn started playing with them and learned the basics from a friend.
       "I never took any official drum courses," she said. "Apart from informal lessons from a friend, the rest was trial and error. I would listen to a song and figure out how the drum part was played and copy it. I learned to play it by heart."
       The nearest thing Jureeporn had to a formal music lesson was a three-year training scholarship awarded to her and her all-girl band by GMM Grammy's Meefah Music School. The programme trained the band to play better together. Jureeporn, back then a student at Abac University, travelled for kilometres from her university to the city centre every evening to take the invaluable lessons.
       "The training focussed on music theory and practical things such as how to make music and play together in harmony. I never got tired of it. Once, I had to take a motorcycle taxi all the way from my university to the school at [Soi] Nana to be on time."
       It was also during this period that she met her mentor, Crescendo drummer Ekpong Cherdtham, who Jureeporn credits as the one who taught her about the theoretical knowledge that enabled her to become a professional musician. When Ekpong was occupying the studio next to the one she was practising in, Jureeporn would knock on his door and beg for a drum lesson.
       "I learned a lot from him, both about theory such as drum notes and, more importantly, something that he never actually verbalised - to enjoy playing music. He taught me this just from the way he would play the drums and I took it that if you enjoy playing, the audience enjoy it, too."
       When her scholarship was discontinued after three years, which coincided with her graduation, Jureeporn put down her drum sticks and started working as a graphic designer for a year until she was summoned to audition for Flure when the band's drummer took leave to study abroad. She got the part, quit her full-time job and has since become one of the most sought-after drummers in the Thai music scene, playing back-up drummer for the likes of Flure, Ornaree and Crescendo.
       Despite playing with various top groups, Jureeporn didn't find a band of her own until she was introduced to Mick Voranisa and Suppaphong "Toonz" Preunglumpoo who would soon become her Abuse the Youth band mates.
       "I was told about this rock band who was looking for a drummer. Mick sent me some samples of songs he had written and I was soon hooked. They have this 1990s indie rock feel that reminded me of the very first time I heard the sound.
       "From the very first time I played with them, I knew this was the band I would be committed to."
       Unlike playing as a hired drummer for other bands, her commitment with Abuse the Youth requires much more professional and personal chemistry.
       "We had a honeymoon period of about six months," she recalled with a laugh. "I would be doing everything they wanted and after six months, I had more courage to voice my opinions and ideas. We would argue more but the good thing about boys is that once we left the rehearsal room, we would drop any work-related arguments and start having fun. They would not hold a grudge."
       Although Jureeporn and Abuse the Youth have already earned a five-year contract with indie record Mind the Gap, released one album, titled Under Skin, and toured extensively in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, the drummer insists to young music aspirants who would always come to her for advice after gigs that they do not need to give up everything to do music, nor do they need to obtain an official music degree in order to be a professional musician.
       "It's still difficult to make a living as a professional musician," she said, not with a sigh of regret but with an understanding of a person who sees and accepts the realities in life.
       "If playing music is your dream, you don't need to give up everything for it. You might need to work and make a living doing something else in order to sustain that dream. I still work as a freelance graphic designer and also help my family with their business from time to time and I still play in this band."
       Relate Search: Jureeporn Gamontummagul, GMM Grammy Meefah Music School, Abac University, Ekpong Cherdtham, Mick Voranisa, Suppaphong "Toonz" Preunglumpoo

GOLDEN GIRL

       All things that glitter might not be gold,but investment guru Tipa Nawawattanasub believes it is certainly gleaming despite the recession, writes Napamon Roongwitoo
       Sitting amongst 150 million baht worth of gold,it was hard to say whether the radiant glow in the room was coming from the eye-catching bars of gold or from the graceful lady 'Muse'was talking to.At 28, Tipa Nawawattanasub is the managing director at YLG Bullion International. In fact, she has held this position for a few years already. Though she may be born and bred in a family that runs a jewellery business, Tipa is not the kind of business heiress who spent her earlier years studying at a privileged school overseas before returning home to take the seat in the executive chair. The young businesswoman has spent her entire life working hard in the glittering business.
       "My family has a jewellery business and I have helped out since I was a little girl," says Tipa. She recalls that every day, when school was over, she would walk back home and once she got back she was no longer a student - she was one of the staff.
       Her business mind drove her to pursue a bachelor's degree in Business Administration at Thammasat University, and later an MBA from the University of Kent at Canterbury as well as a master's degree in Public Administration from Ramkhamhaeng University. Yes, two master's degrees. And that's not all.
       "I am almost done with my PhD at Ramkhamhaeng University, too," adds the brainy beauty.
       Her lifelong experience, coupled with her education background, gave her career a strong kick-start. Upon finishing her studies in the UK, her parents discussed with her about the opportunity to expand their business.Gold trading seemed like a tempting option since the jewellery market was beginning to feel the impact from India's and China's growth spurts.
       "My career in gold trading started about five years ago. We decided to go ahead with the expansion of our existing business line to include the sale of 99.99 percent pure gold bullion products. It took incessant braincrunching meetings but finally here we are!"
       The difference between 99.99 and 96.5 percent gold is the purity, which cannot be seen with the naked eye.Gold accessories are usually 96.5 percent, which makes them a little cheaper. Gold bullions, which are 99.99 percent, are a better option for investment. They might not look as pretty, but there is no goldsmith charge.
       "When selling your gold accessories, you have to go back to the shop where you bought them from otherwise the price would drop significantly. Gold bullions are accepted anywhere, and each bar has its own individual serial number for tracking and safety purposes," she explains.
       Tipa's job is not just trading gold - her policy is to make sure that her clients know exactly what they are doing with each order so they can make the most wellinformed decision when purchasing. The minimum investment is a one kilogramme pure solid gold bullion bar, which equals about one million baht. Such a big investment should not be done in a rush. If the market is not suitable for buying gold at that moment, her staff would suggest the clients to hold off on the purchase."We don't just trade gold. We want our clients to buy and sell at the most profitable times. It's business with ethics."
       Her clients come from all walks of life. She could tell you, interestingly enough, that her biggest clients are sometimes noodle shop owners or fish ball makers."They might wear ragged T-shirts and shorts, but some of these investors have bought over 100kg of gold. My delivery boys told me that some families stock the gold bars in their refrigerator! You really cannot judge people from the outside."
       The hard-working businesswoman feels blessed that she started off so young compared to most of her elder clients who feel she is one of their children. When Tipa would make a mistake in the beginning, they would give her advice instead of picking on her.
       "Without these kinds of clients, I would not be where I am today," she says with a smile. She also adds that her staff never go hungry because her clients always bring in snacks as a treat.
       Despite holding several degrees and having many years of first-hand experience in the gold business,Tipa does not consider herself much different from other women when it comes to investment. Both women and men, she says, have different preferences when it comes to taking risks. Men are typically higher on the financial risk-taking scale than women, and so gold investment is the preferred choice for many women now."Gold prices hardly ever come down. There are more factors to push the price up than there are that would drag the price down," she explains.
       "I'm not very adventurous when it comes to financial investment. And I choose to invest mostly in gold as well because I have seen its price grow 200 percent from the first year our business opened. While making profits for the clients, I thought to myself,'Why shouldn't I invest in this, too?' and so I embarked on this path as well."
       With more women nowadays seeing investment opportunities as equally important as a good and stable career. Her advice is to find the right investment as it is a subjective matter, not a one-size-fits-all choice.
       "Think hard and research well before you decide to put your money in any investment. You can't just think,'Okay, I will invest in gold today,' and run to the gold shop without any prior knowledge. Ask yourself what kind of investor you would like to be - short term or long-term. Assess your risk management skills. And most importantly, stay in the know about what's going on in the world around you. For example, gold prices and oil prices are interlinked, so you need to keep a diligent eye on this all the time. Moreover, the 99.99 gold price changes constantly as the price is global, so sleep with one eye open!"

THE LAST OF THE EASTERN PLAYBOYS

       We were in quite a rush to make the appointment for a photo shoot of Thanop Eiamamornpan - more commonly known as Mark. He was wearing a magnificent timepiece that had to be flown back to Singapore urgently.
       After the photo shoot the timepiece came right off his wrist and was placed inside a security case and put on a plane.
       In between shots, the former man-about-town talked amiably about his new image.
       The 34-year-old is less of a party animal these days. He is happily married to Navipa, 29, and has a 20-month-old daughter, Namon. She will soon have a younger sibling as Navida is four months pregnant.
       Many people know Mark as the heir to the family-owned Frank's Jewelry, an upscale watch boutique which bears the name of his father.
       "Now I help overlook the family business by giving advice. I help with the business plan for new brands and products. For instance, today before we did the photo shoot, I was helping to negotiate a product to market in the future."
       The watch that Mark wore for the photo shoot was a famous upmarket Swiss brand he is negotiating to bring to Thailand.
       Mark's transition into the family business wasn't all plain sailing. His father was forced to fire him when he returned from studying abroad. "I was too aggressive and my dad couldn't handle me," Mark explained.
       His father gave him a dose of reality by finding him a blue-collar job, which he worked at for six months.
       "My father sent me to be a trainee at ThaiNamthip Limited, where I delivered cases of Coca-Cola, because he wanted me to learn that in life nothing comes easy."
       Mark says he learned the intended lesson - that he was indeed born fortunate and daily survival is a struggle for people in Thailand surviving on the minimum wage.
       "This makes me want to live a better life. Imagine eating boat noodles at the Peninsula Plaza. It costs 250 baht per bowl, which is equal to the daily wages of many people."
       After the delivery job, Mark landed a job at AJF Asset Management, a joint venture between the Bank of Ayudhya and JP Morgan, where he was involved in private and investment banking. He was a star performer and developed his own method to deal with clients.
       "Within a year I pulled in about 2.5 billion baht and I was only 24 years old," said Mark.
       Mark cemented his name in the financial field and the Stock Exchange of Thailand asked him to host a television programme called SET in the City, offering consumer-friendly advice on investment. He hosted the show, which has been on the air almost a decade, for four years.
       Since then, he has been a TV spokesperson and a guest lecturer at schools, universities and financial institutions.
       But his life may have turned out differently if not for the intervention of his father at a formative age. As a 12-year-old he was in trouble at Eagle Brooks, a junior high school in Massachusetts in the United States. "I was punching the teachers," Mark confessed.
       His father sent him to the Institute Le Rosey in Switzerland, where he was mentored by a family friend and member of the famed Piaget family which makes the prestigious watch brand of the same name.
       Mark next went to Florida to obtain his bachelor's degree at Lynn University with a major in marketing.
       "My father wanted me to have exposure to different countries. In Florida, I got an 'A' in beach volleyball. I took a class in advanced golfing and did very well. Other than that, I rarely went to class.
       "Once I took my economics professor out for lunch. My friends and I were 18, and the professor was in his 40s. We had some vodka shots. My friends and I came back to the exam room and waited, ready to take the exam. The professor couldn't come back to give the exam because he was too drunk."
       Now Mark is in the process of writing his second book, after a successful first effort - Hai Ngern Tum Ngarn (Let Your Money Work for You). It's been on the bestseller list for a long time, with more than 170,000 copies printed. "The book is about asset allocation, basically about how to make your money work for you in different ways."
       His second book, which doesn't have a title yet, will also be about financial advice. "It will be about the global economy and the meltdown, what caused it, the effect it has, how it affects you individually and new ways of doing businesses. It's going to be similar to the first one, and it's certainly going to be easy to understand."
       Anyone who knows Mark knows his passion has always been motorcycles.
       "I enjoy speed machines or anything that can go fast without supplying my own power or energy. Perhaps you can call me lazy. When I was young, I used to collect the allowance that my parents gave me, and when they were gone for one week to Singapore, I secretly bought my very first motorcycle, a Honda CBR 400."
       On the first day he owned the motorcycle he took a nasty fall, but still managed to keep a hot date, albeit covered in blood.
       "My date ended up cleaning the blood for me and we are best friends up to this day. After we ate she took me to the hospital. Well, the lady came first."
       His favourite bike today is a 1963 BMW R27, and he's also very fond of his limited edition Ducati 996 SPS.
       "It's a real racing bike that you only need to add a few things to make it street legal," said Mark.
       His third bike is a gift from his wife, a Sachs 150CC, which he has modified with a nitrous oxide booster. "This bike is for city use," said Mark.
       He acknowledged that married life has been very good for him. "I still party, but now that we've got a kid, I have to party with more responsibility. I go home no later than midnight. I also drive my family back home from their grandmother's house every evening after I finish work so that we all can go home together."
       Instead of going out, most nights Mark watches movies with his wife. He calls it "their time" - every evening after his daughter goes to sleep.
       "We watch movies together until we both fall asleep," said Mark, who added that he fell in love with Navipa at first sight, but she never gave him the time of day because of his playboy reputation. But later she saw how well he treated her and decided to give him a chance.
       "After a few months, I asked her to marry me because I was ready to settle down.
       "Whereas before I used to get drunk every night, now I hit the gym every day at the Polo Club," he said.

Welcome to Estrella's world

       Estrella is a young almond-eyed lady with bangs who loves arts, design, fashion and music. In contrast to her elegant and well-dressed look, though, she's always awkward, even a biy gauche, which causes considerable embarrassment.
       No matter how funny she is, she lives her life based on the motto "I Believe in Art" - and thinks art can bring out the best in people. Her mission to encourage everybody to embrace artistic experiences in their daily lives.
       Estrella is a comic character created by Hatairat Estrella Montien, and they do share thraits.
       Drawn by Hatairat's illustrator brother Pattanapong "Oat" Montien, the cute character is a channel to promote the brighter side of the picture and educate poeple about art.
       The younger Estrella was introduced to the public at last year's Fat Fstival in the form of a comic-style booket titled "Estrella: My contradictory Life", of which 1,000 copies sold for Bt50 each.
       The chariming comic not only attracted the public, it hooked Thanakorn Thammavatvimol, the marketing manager of Universal Music (Thailand).
       Estrella's world has blossomed beyond all expectatons. Thanakorn has invited Estrella to appear on the covers of eight bossa nova albums that Universal is releasing. She's already on three, and the rest are due next year.
       Estrella also appears on a limited-edition canvas bags designed by local fashion house Kloset.
       Meanwhile Hatairat - "Doa", as she's know among family and Amsterdam.
       Estrella will be the tour guide in the books, taking readers to art galleries and museums and sharing the street culture.
       "Estrella means 'star' in Spanish," syas Dao. "When I was 16 I participated in AFS Intercultural positngs to Venezuela, and my real name was hard for foreigners to pronounce, so my friends named me Estrella, which shares the same meaning as my Thai nickname."
       Though she had a degree in art history from Silpakorn University, Hatairat's passion for art didn't take hold until she visited the Getty Museum in Los Angles in 2000. Stunned by the way it was managed, Dao decided to pursue a master's degree in museum studies at the Amsterdam Academy of Art inthe Netherlands.
       She came home keen to change the common perception that going to a museum is dreay and dull. She and hr friends, all young museum professionals, established a group last year called B Muse, short for Bangkok Museum, to promote art appreciation.
       To digest her knowledge on museum manangement, her brother Oat, a graduate of Raffles College of Design and Commerce is Sydney, drew the comic character Esterella from Dao's personality to become the official spokesmodel of the B Muse gorup.
       "I believe in art," Dao declares. "Art is the first stage of happienss. Art appreciation makes people good-hearted."
       Her illustration exhibit, "Estrella: I Believe in Art", was displayed as part of the Bangkok Computer Art Plus convention last July.
       In "Estrella: My Contradictory Life", Dao compares the arrangement of her wardrobe to the way a museum collecton is managed.
       "When I want to start something in my life, I begin by arranging my own wardrobe," Dao explains.
       "It's almost meditative. De-cluttering a wardrobe encourages me to meet the changes. So I assign all the clothes and accesories to different lists, the same way that museums divide their collections.
       "List A is the most beautiful outfits-like the masterpieces of a museum's permanent collection. List B is the fashionable ones, comparable to a temporary show. Lists C and D are unwearable or out-of-date, but you cna't throw them away. Thati's like what museums keep in storage."
       The first album was so successful that Universal let Dao choose the tracks for the follow-ups, "Sweet Bossas" and "Chic Bossa". Estrella reappears as a fashionista who appreciates creativity and exquisite design. "I'm a big fan of Kloset, so in the booket I dressed Estrella in clothes and accessories from Kloset. I believe that when we look good, we feel good."
       Doa also runs the B Muse Cafe on Prachaniwet Road which functions as the B Muse group's headquarters and a sort of budding museum.
       The modest venue is done up in vintage wallpaper, old furniture and Dao's own antiques. She believes a museum should be a place of inspiration, and the B Muse Cafe reflects her future vision, with her brother's panitings on the walls and vintage trunks, typewriters, tin toys, chandeliers and wall lamps.

       >> COMIC STAR ONLINE
       Estrella and her creators can be found on at least three websites - htt://EstrellaComic.exteen.com, www.BMuse.org and www.OatMontien.com.

GROWING OLD WITH THE GARDEN

       Kathleen Williams invites me to sit with her on a bench beneath the katsura tree she planted years ago. The view of her back yard is across a ravine, where garden sculptures and specimen trees talk to one another.
       "This I call the box seat," she says, where she rests to take in the drama of her own making. At age 97, Williams spends most days in her garden, still drawing inspiration and delight from it. Her eyesight isn't what it was, and she uses a cane when she's in the multilevel garden.
       But here is a women born before the Titanic sank who is still actively gardening and loving it.
       A sculptor and later a jewellery designer, Williams has used her skills to create a woodland sculpture garden behind her home in Chevy Chase, in the Atlantic US state of Maryland.
       Good genes and healthy living may be at play, but one can't help but think that the creative life has kept her going. The garden, needless to say, has many stories.
       In the early 1950s Williams was living in London with her three children. Her husband had moved to the Washington area to work for a political organisation. He found the house for sale and phoned his wife to ask whether he should buy it.
       "I said, "I don't know, darling. You're there; you decide.' And the house was dreadful," she says, erupting into laughter.
       She arrived on Christmas Eve 1951 and found the roof was leaking and the wallpaper was far too florid.
       But when she looked out to the back garden, she saw the potential drama of the site, a hill that descended to a stream and then rose up behind it to what was then a railway line, now the Capital Crescent Trail.
       In the front of the house, a garden has been crafted around a ceramic birdbath she designed, and an old yew has been carefully shaped to produce a cloud effect, a technique seen on many old shrubs throughout the garden.
       "This is what I call my green sculpture," Williams says. A dwarf conifer has been painstakingly pruned into a dome.
       The back of the house, which was enlarged, now features a deck with transparent railings as part of Williams' careful framing of views. Likewise, trees around the deck have had lower branches removed.
       As other trees have fallen, the emptiness has become a platform for her sculptures. "I'd been brought up to appreciate views," she says.
       The area below the deck is a stage for an abstract sculpture, and in the open bed in front of it a large sitting figure of Pan gazes over the four descending terraces to the stream.
       Seated on the bench, Williams explains that she views the garden in front of the stream as theatrical seating and the far slope as a stage.
       The main act is a drama she calls the Poet's Garden. The sculpted head of the poet directs its gaze toward an artfully pruned blue Atlas cedar tree she calls "the Blue Princess".
       "This is really the key to the garden," she says.
       At the far end, a large black walnut tree is underplanted with bamboo and Leyland cypress, both vigorous plants but here stunted agreeably by the soil chemicals exuded by the walnut.
       Nearby, a large clay torso, "Daphne", is framed by a decorative trellis. This was Williams" last big sculpture, done about 20 years ago. "I made her in two parts so I could get her into the kiln."
       Williams' gardening partner for the past five years has been Eleanor Hillegeist, a professional gardener who specialises in working with elderly clients.
       While Hillegeist works the central compost bins and does the heavy pruning and shovel work, Williams is doing the lighter stuff. "She weeds like you wouldn't believe," says Hillegeist, whose clients range in age from 87 to 104.
       The two also work together in placing each sculptural element in a way that it supports the conversation Williams wants it to have with surrounding plants, other artwork and the garden as a whole.
       For Hillegeist, that requires patience and an understanding that if Williams "is going to take an hour to get a certain figure in just the right design, that this isn't a waste of time, it's for her a work of art. To me it's a joy."
       Williams grew up in the artistically gifted family of an English industrialist. Her 91-year-old brother, Michael Kidner, is a major op-art painter who lives in London.
       When Williams switched to designing jewellery, she focused on intricate necklaces. "I think she has been in the business of creating her life," says Hillegeist, "and she continues to do that. When she became too old to do sculpture, she didn't just lay down her tools and die."
       They garden together one or two times a week for as long as three hours. Williams also employs an arbourist to look after the trees and additional help to keep the stream clean and welcoming for the rich bird life.
       Williams stops to point out a new project, a miniature rock garden in the front yard, filled with the tiniest of conifers and perennials. "It's very young still," she says, "but I think it's coming along."

RECREATING A HAPPY HOME

       As the tsunami hit the south of Thailand in 2004, it indiscriminately and harrowingly claimed thousands of lives, including four members of the tight-knit Sthapitanonda family on holiday at the time, leaving the sole survivor, Assoc Prof Dr Parichart, suffering heart-wrenching trauma for several years having to cope with such an unexpected loss.
       The once loving and affectionate family home back in Bangkok turned bleak and lifeless. Happy laughs were deafened by silent sobbing of the only dweller. Each day ended with an anguished memory.
       "I felt so desperate and lonely," revealed Dr Parichart."At the time, it seemed that my life was over too. I missed my parents and two closest sisters. The entire house turned gloomy and cheerless."
       The situation was exasperated when a group of burglars broke into her "melancholic sanctuary" and took away her loved ones' belongings. It seemed like the entire world was collapsing in front of her eyes.
       "I felt this city was no longer safe, even right in my own house. I kept asking myself why those things had to happen to me.Suddenly, I felt that my home was no longer liveable and I really wanted to move out and sell it to others," she said.
       "But when I came to my senses, I carefully explored my inner feelings. Eventually, I knew what I had to do with my parents'house."
       No place like home
       Five years later the once "dying house"is now restored to its glory days, vividly reflecting the true identity of the owner who wants to keep parts of her memorable and happy experiences with her loved ones alive in every nook and cranny.
       "I redecorated some corners and rooms to bring a new dimension of happiness to my life. But the genuine spirit of this home is still maintained. To me, a true home is a place where I can live happily, both physically and mentally," she said.
       Though Dr Parichart is an authentic travel aficionado, she finds that no place is like her home. When she wants to relax her body and soul, she simply moves to different areas of the house.
       Cool therapy
       Whenever Dr Parichart feels physically and mentally weary, she knows right away where to go to recharge her batteries. She merely heads back home and then immerses herself in her cozy jacuzzi, enjoyably slipping into her resting privacy. And the best time to keep her body and mind fresh and cool is at night.
       "While listening to the water sounds and soaking in the whirlpool bathtub, I feel overwhelmingly relaxed. It seems like I can escape from the chaotic city," she said."More impressively, when I look up into the sky, I can see the glamorous Moon and the glistening stars. That makes my relaxation time more impressive and natural."
       A rainy bathroom
       Dr Parichart always yearns for nature and is happy to bring it into her home, even the most private area.
       A semi open-air bathroom is designed to satisfy her need to have a shower amidst the natural environment. And her happiness is doubly increased when the rainy season comes since it means that she can take a real cool shower pouring down from the sky.
       The entire bathroom is in yellow tones with no roof. Its rough cement walls reflect rawness and simplicity. The floor is lined with wood and pebbles, rendering a unique ambiance.
       "At night, I can hear the crickets chirping while in the mornings many birds also sing their tuneful songs. It's like I'm taking a bath in a natural setting," she said.
       A happy hammock
       At weekends, Dr Parichart always happily ends her days in a hammock tied under big trees where she can expose her soul directly to her small green world.
       "This area is nestled in a small forest where several kinds of trees that bear fragrant flowers are thriving well and providing cool shade.In the evening, I enjoy taking a rest beneath the canopy of these trees to smell their scented blooms," she elaborated.
       This corner was once also the most favourite place of her two dead sisters who always had a cup of coffee and practised yoga in the morning.
       "My two younger sisters really liked a garden. If they were still alive, they would frequently spend their time here," said Parichart.
       A doll's world
       To Dr Parichart, a doll's room is so meaningful since it keeps all the good memories of when members of her family spent their time altogether in other countries. Upon returning home, they always brought back with them a wide variety of adorable dolls vividly reflecting various cultures and identities of the countries they visited. And each family member also had their own favourite dolls. So far, several hundreds dolls from all over the world are kept in glass cabinets.
       "We shared the same interest in collecting dolls. It was first started by my mother and then the others followed suit. Each doll we collected also mirrors our character. These collectible showcases also fascinate my guests,too," said Dr Parichart.
       "Whenever I feel bored,I will go to this room and rearrange the dolls. Those at the back are moved to the front and vice versa.It's pleasurable doing this."
       Apart from serving as a private doll museum,this room is also set aside as an informal living room where Dr Parichart can welcome her close friends to attend any get-together party and they all will be treated with about 500 songs played automatically by the ancient piano bought from Japan, regarded as a family heirloom.
       "This piano was bought when I was 10. I will play it when I have guests. There is also a space where they can dance along with the songs. But while relaxing myself in the jacuzzi,I will listen to the songs played by this piano.It's so relaxing," she said.
       An Indian ingress
       And when the meeting is more formal, Dr Parichart will lead her guests to the multifunction room, once the family's living room.
       In order to connect the interior area with the outside green zone, Dr Parichart prefers glass walls rather than opaque ones that seem to trap all people inside with no way out. And to be compatible with the theme of a multi-function room, there is a whiteboard which can be used on various occasions.
       "Sometimes when I have a meeting or teach my students at home, this whiteboard is so useful. This room is so versatile. It can be used to hold a personal party and small meeting. Very, often, I also work in this room,"she said.
       At the front of the room stands a majestic thousand-year-old Indian-style door, regarded as the house's extraordinary showcase. It took Dr Parichart several years to "hunt down"her favourite door.
       "I once saw an Indian door at Siam Discovery and I really liked it. I told my interior designer to find one for me while I studied abroad but he couldn't. When I returned home, I was still looking for an Indian door until I found one in Chiang Mai," she recalled.
       At the centre of the room stands the dining table where her family once enjoyed happy meals together. Now this remnant of the old days still serves its original function whenever
       a small party is held at home.
       "My mother bought this table several years ago. It was imported from Italy and now it is not available in Thailand because its price is so exorbitant due to the stone used to design the whole piece, which is taken from the deep sea. At first, it was put in the garden but I just moved it into the room to accommodate my guests," she explained.
       An endless mission
       According to Dr Parichart, the fun part of decorating her house happens when everything can be moved from place to place to render a novel atmosphere and to be in harmony with the different moods of the different times of the year.
       To her, finding the right piece of furniture or any decorative item is also challenging and exciting.
       "I can't finish decorating my house. It takes years to find the favourite pieces. Decorative work is endless," she said.
       Dr Parichart believes that it's not necessary to pay for expensive decorative items when it comes to interior design. There are other factors that can make the entire house more magnificent and liveable including light-andshadow arrangements and, more importantly,continual care and maintenance.
       "The beauty of a house can vanish within the blink of an eye if the house is neglected.It demands great care and continuous attention to keep all details in good shape.What I am trying to do is to make my house become my retreat centre, where I can happily rest my body and soul," she said.

THE ICING ON THE CUPCAKE

       She made her name as an actress, but now the girl nicknamed Namfon is baking cupcakes and other fabulous creations which taste as great as used to be known as Wanwalai Posayanond to many Thai people,and it was not only her prestigious last name that made her famous,but also her roles as an actress and TV presenter.
       "I have starred as the lead actress for 10 years, in all TV channels,"said the 33-year-old.
       The mother to two young boys,Mrs Wanwalai chatted after filming a live morning television programme for housewives called 30 Young Jaew [30 and Still Splendid].She was being pulled along by her eldest son, three-year-old Purich,and was also with her handsome husband Anusorn, a pilot for Thai Airways International.Her youngest son, one-year-old Jinn,was at home.
       The former actress is the owner and managing director of Fin-ish Me Cupcake (www.cupcakerie.blogspot.com). As she spoke about her business, she opened a box of cupcakes decorated with all kinds of colourful and pretty flower toppings.
       "The TV show asked for all these flowers because it was a woman's show."
       Her three mobile phones rang nonstop during our entire conversation, as the show had aired her mobile number on TV as the point of contact.
       Mrs Wanwalai said:"At night I run a cupcake business. During the daytime I'm a full-time mother to two naughty boys, and also do accounting, buy ingredients to bake the cakes, and take the kids to school."
       This is partly why she does not have her own shop, despite the increasing demand."I bake at home so that I will have time to be with my sons. If they want to cuddle, then I will still have time for them."
       She talked about how her business started."It started from a hobby, which turned into a cupcake business, which evolved into catering. Now my business is also about customised cakes, such as ones shaped like Chanel and Hermes bags, Barbie dolls, footballs - anything a client wants.
       "The first bag I baked, a Birkin bag, was a total disaster. When I was on the highway to deliver it, the straps and buckle fell apart! This made me want to study about it more, to make it better. So YouTube became my best friend. I search for clips such as 'How to Stack a Cake', or 'How to Make Your Own Butter Cream'. You can say my cakes are made by the heart and the hands."
       It's almost a family business, she laughed."When my husband is not flying, he would help me deliver the cakes. I would, of course, bake them, and my sons would help with the decorations."
       Indeed, as we were having lunch, Mr Anusorn hopped over to the nearby building to deliver a gorgeous Chanel handbag cake."Well, cakes are delicate. You can't just let anyone hold it and deliver it," she said.
       When her husband is away flying around the world, he buys ingredients for his wife,such as top quality chocolates from Belgium, Germany and France which cannot be found in Thailand, or the best pure vanilla extracts such as Nielsen Massey.All the eggs used are organic."We are able to keep this high grade since we are a made-to-order bakery. Everything is fresh and homemade, with no preservatives,"she said.
       Her steady supply of imported ingredi-ents may never have become available if her husband had not noticed a large billboard at a bus stop. That was where he first saw Mrs Wanwalai, who was featured on the billboard. He even told his friends this was the kind of girl he likes. When he saw his mother watching a television soap opera starring Mrs Wanwalai, he told her that this was the girl he was going to marry.
       "We still laugh about that until this day," she said with a chuckle.
       Fate brought the two together on New Year's Eve in 1998 through a mutual friend.They went to the same party, where Mrs Wanwalai noticed a man staring at her all night. She said:"He was a friend of a friend. He seemed very shy and didn't talk
       to me all night. However, before we all left, he asked for my number.I thought he seemed nice, tall and clean - not the harmful type - so I decided to give it to him."
       The next day Mr Anusorn called,and the two have been talking on the phone every single day up to now.
       "Once his plane touches the ground, he calls me. We dated for six years. All the best years of my life were spent with him, and they are still spent with him," she said with a sweet smile.
       She started acting because a friend who worked at a modelling agency asked her to come in for a casting session. Mrs Wanwalai was driving and the traffic was very heavy, so she decided to stop by the modelling agency as it was on her way home. She was chosen for a part in a cosmetic commercial,which led her to starring roles in soap operas and movies and becoming a TV host and presenter for many products.
       "Through acting, I have been to places and did things I've never done in my entire life, such as rowing a boat in the river," she said.
       Her acting background has also helped her business. She admits that her fame opens doors, with many customers recalling her acting days.
       Her biggest fan however, is her husband."Even when I didn't know how to bake, he told me to try and make it a real business. We put up posters in an expatriate community,and that was how I got my first P:P order. I was really excited and spent hours and hours baking just one Obox of homemade cupcakes," she said.
       Her specially-designed cupcakes Shave proved to be very popular."I think they're going to be here for a ;L long time. When people think about cupcakes, it brings a smile to their faces. Cupcakes are convenient to Oeat. You also don't have to eat a lot if you're on a diet. I think they still have a long way to go.B"I get orders from Brunei. They would fly over to pick up the IT cupcakes. They discovered me from my blog site. They said they never Btasted any cupcakes that are as good as mine," she said with a smile.
       "There's also a demand for my niche, customised cakes such as the handbags. I can even make them in the shape of my customers' favourite sofas.Many people order them through my blog,and they communicate with me through my blog, so I get a more personal touch about my products. They'll leave testimonials and send pictures."
       Some of the most popular products from Fin-ish Me Cupcake are carrots, honey and cream cheese; cookies and cream;banana and peanut butter and chocolate fudge and strawberries and cream. Other popular products are strawberry shortcake,chocolate fudge cake, blueberry cream cake and New York cheesecake. She caters to weddings, birthdays and various product launches.

DESIGNS ON POLITICS

       Immersedin an artistic lifestyle,'Thank'Mahapaurya dreams of following in the footsteps of his stepfather, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij By Panpimol Krishnamra
       Phongsakorn Mahapaurya is a handsome 27-year-old who owes his good looks to his mother, Vorakorn Chatikavanij,a petite and pretty lady who always turns up smart and lively and never appears anywhere less than stylish. She is also the woman behind investment banker-turned-politician Korn Chatikavanij, Thailand's finance minister and stepfather to Phongsakorn and younger brother Bhanditr,18.
       Rounding out the happy family are Mr Phongsakorn's two half brothers,12-yearold Karn and the nine-year-old Kraisiri Chatikavanij.
       Mr Phongsakorn is an artist, and he certainly lives the lifestyle. We met at The Lofts Yennakart, where he lives alone. He walked out to greet us with a killer smile wearing a light blue Y-3 polo shirt and shorts, looking relaxed despite having returned late the night before from a quick trip to Chiang Mai for an art exhibition.
       Everything Mr Phongsakorn needs is in his bachelor pad. Of course, there is the bedroom. Outside, one corner is reserved for his artwork, oozing with sculptures, sketches, oil paintings and water colours. Another area is zoned for movies and other entertainment and a final corner is taken up by his computer,where he spends a lot of time when at home. He explained that his mother encourages him to be self sufficient. The condo was a gift from her, but otherwise he takes care of all his expenses.
       He pays the bills with the proceeds from his own funky brand of designer jewellery, called Thank, which is also his nickname. He exports the jewellery to a regular customer who owns a jewelry shop in Switzerland.
       He explained:"All my jewellery is handmade and a work of art. I used to have a shop at Siam Paragon, but decided to close it when the economy took a downturn. Still, some tourists who like my work have been making continuous orders for jewellery to sell at their shop in Switzerland, which is enough to sustain my business. I am also happy with the selling price," he said.
       Thai people can also adorn themselves with the Thank brand of jewellery, as Mr Phongsakorn still makes customised pieces for people he knows."If anyone is interested, all they have to do is contact me,"he said.
       He compared his jewellery with fusion food, saying the brand is comprised of chunky jewelry with a fusion twist combining modern style with vintage flair.For example, you might find a vintage lion head combined with trendy enamel and gemstones.
       "During the Victorian era," he noted,"they used a lot of designs with gold. To this I add new materials such as animal skins or contrasting gemstones."
       Most of his creations are bracelets for women. Prior to establishing his own brand he trained and worked with ML Rojanatorn Na Songkhla, the aristocratic lady famous for her own jewellery brand, Narandha.
       "I've always liked art, and I've always liked to draw, and I was looking for a line of work that involves drawing and that I can make a living out of."
       Now, however, Mr Phongsakorn is in the process of taking a step back with his jewellery business to gain more expertise."The brand is still relatively new. I still don't have enough experience. I want to have more practice before I return with a change for the better."
       When he makes his comeback he plans to go further than before, with a rebranding and a partner to help run the business.
       Besides art, another area that captures Mr Phongsakorn's interest is politics. This is not surprising given that his Oxfordeducated stepfather is the finance minister.
       "When I went to help Khun Korn run his election campaign I got the chance to meet with many different people," he said.
       "It paved the way for me to get to know people from every level of society.Khun Korn taught me that if I make these contacts I should not abandon them. So once in a while I join in on various activities such as annual boat competitions and temple fairs.
       "I am the sort of person who can mix with all types of people. I am open to people and things around me. If you understand the nature of people, then you will be able to help solve their problems."
       Not surprisingly, the young man plans to become more involved with politics in the future and also to continue with his jewellery business.
       "I love the designing part. I just want someone to help me with the business side so that I will have more time to assist Khun Korn with politics. When I walk into certain communities and see, for instance, old people, I want to help them to live comfortably."
       With his good looks and charm, it is not surprising that he was once a teenage heartthrob, appearing for three years in the popular Thai teenage series,Calling Wai Korn Poh Sorn Wai ."I played a character similar to myself,a rich but down-to-earth teenager who was a leader of his group of friends."When he landed the role he had just returned from his studies abroad at Melbourne University, where he graduated with a major in manufacturing engineering. Prior to that he attended Scots College,a boy's school in New Zealand.
       When he came back to Thailand he took another bachelor's degree at Srinakarinviroj University with a major in jewellery design. The experience proved to be entirely new for him.
       "The courses were taught in Thai, and it was my intention to study with Thai students. I wanted to have friends in Thailand. It's a different culture. I wanted to get the feeling of student orientation,
       which is the tradition in Thai universities for first-year students."
       He found school here more fun than studying abroad, he said with a broad smile."I like the seniority system here.During the student orientation, stressful situations were created so that students within the same year learn to unite and bond by solving the various problems that the senior classes give them.
       "Studying with all my classmates for another four years made us closer. I still see some of them up to this day."
       He was also a TV host in a variety programme called Hi Friend on Channel 5 for one year, where he updated the audience on the latest trends and venues.

From screen actor to family director

       My fingernail just grew back. The old one fell off after it got caught in a door. My forehead has also healed. I got 10 stitches after I ran into a mirror." said Nong Pip, as the toddler proudly showed of remnants of his injuries on his tiny body with an indisputable sense of pride.
       Nong Pip was surprisingly at ease despite meeting with mylife for the first time. The young toddler was far from being shy, thus confirming his parents' description of their little son as someone who has excellent social skills.
       And adding to Nong Pip's growing CV is a popularity vote cast by his classmates, eight out of 10 children to be precise, said that Nong Pip is the one person they want to have as their friend at school.
       "He is a great social being, not at all shy.This is what he gets from his mother because Praew was a talkative five-year-old herself when she began helping her father [the late Damrong Lathapipat, a former secretary-general of the Democrat Party] by answering the phone from various party bigwigs.
       "But if you are talking about physical simi-larities then it is definitely me. Especially if you look at old photos of me when I was young and compare them - you can't tell the difference between me or Pip," said a beaming Ravit "Pip" Teutvongse, the 40-yearold-actor from Channel 3 and father of Nong Pip who share the same nickname.
       PLAYING THE ROLE OF FATHER TO TWO CHILDREN
       Today Ravit's scripts are for real because his role in real life is a father to two lovely children: Nong Pip (Thornton Teutvongse,three years old) and Peppin Teutvongse, six months old. His wife is Darika "Praew" Lathapipat,37, who currently serves as ViceRector of Dhurakijbandit University as well as taking care of her family.
       Ravit and Darika dated for two years before tying the knot. Ravit said that what attracted him to his future wife was her straightforward manner, easy-going attitude and a "fighting"spirit.
       Darika maintained that what won her heart from the very beginning till the day they became a family, was his cool temperament,generosity, and the fact that he rarely gets angry. They always talk openly.
       "We are considered pretty lucky because our families are full of elders. There are so many helpers when it comes to taking care of our children, especially Nong Pip because he is the first grandchild on both sides of the family ... There's a chance that he might get spoiled rotten which is of concern and requires close supervision in bringing him up in the right way. But the advantage is that there are so many relatives taking care of him, it allows me and Praew to concentrate on our work as if we never had children before. If we want to be by ourselves, we can do that too," Ravit said.
       ARTISTIC DNA: FROM FATHER TO SON
       Once Mum and Dad are free from work,they make sure they make up for lost time by involving themselves in activities with Nong Pip. The most popular family pastime is creating works of art.
       It's only natural because Ravit is a graduate from the Arts Department of Chulalongkorn University. It's his forte which is why he has a passionate interest in art. Ravit has already
       held a semi-abstract art show.
       Nong Pip often sees his father drawing and painting on canvas. This is why Nong Pip is interested in the arts as well and has shown an aptitude for drawing.
       Ravit collects artwork created by his son to examine Nong Pip's artistic development and to see if any progress at each stage matches his at his age or not; Ravit also wants to collect the artwork for his son for when he grows older.
       "He's seen me drawing since he was young.He knew how to hold a paint brush at a very young age. I just let him draw and have not taught him anything since he was three years old. He'd draw a three-step waterfall by drawing three circles overlapping each other or he'd draw a candle and add in more details on the flame. There are things he can't draw and asks me to help and will also add in a few touches here and there."
       The love of art made Ravit make a major change in his younger days. He moved from the prestigious Bangkok Christian College where he had studied till the ninth grade (Matayom 3), and enrolled at the Thaivichitsilpa Art School which is a vocational school renowned for its art courses. He honed his skills there and eventually matriculated as an art major at Chulalongkorn University.
       "Studying at Thaivichitsilpa made me very happy. At the Christian College only one hour of art classes were offered in an entire week. But at Thaivichitsilpa there were so many art classes offered. It was as if I had discovered my purpose. There was a lot of work to be done but I persevered no matter how hard it was.
       "I found out that no matter what we do,as long as we love it, have a passion and stay with it everyday, there will be a way through eventually. When I take care of my son, I place great importance on finding out what it is that he does best. Is he happy with it? I believe that if we discover whatever it is that we like to do, the financial rewards from it will eventually come. Or even if you don't want to make a living out of it, having art in your life helps you achieve happiness." said Ravit.
       However Nong Pip is only three years old which is why Ravit doesn't want to rush things for his son and focus on just one direction. He finds many activities which is why Nong Pip gets to be involved and learn things which he isn't accustomed to.
       "Art, music, sports and imagination I am not concerned much because Nong Pip likes to do everything. What I really want him to pay attention to is the logic of mathematics in order to achieve a sense of equilibrium. So I let him play Lego or something that will help build upon the foundation of maths. I would like him to be like his mother as well because she is extremely good with numbers."he said.
       WORKING MUM'S SECRET
       Darika may be a mother of two young children but she also holds a high-ranking management position at Dhurakij Pundit University in charge of finance, purchasing and IT technology.
       This is a job that requires much devotion,yet she still places immense importance on family. It is her first priority.
       After work, she spends almost all her evenings with her family, and that includes weekends as well. Her home is a soothing environment filled with green trees large and small. Appointments which are not important, she simply will not go to - which is why she's earned a reputation for deliberately missing appointments with her friends.
       "I am not the type that likes to go out just for the sake of it or go shopping. I like staying at home. Once I step into my house I don't want to go out. My husband also likes to stay at home. He takes care of the trees while Nong Pip likes to play in the garden, observing insects, ants, centipedes, and Carp fish. The environment at our house is relatively good,along with a plethora of elders.
       "I am used to staying with a large family.My mother's house is in this compound and my younger brother also lives here. Not too far away are my uncle and auntie. Let's just say that this soi is full of my relatives. It's full of warmth and love, so to speak. There are many activities, both in and out of the house for Nong Pip. At times there are queues for Nong Pip but everyone asks us [out of respect]and we decide where Nong Pip can go and what he can do," said Darika.
       Besides her duties as a mother, Darika is constantly recruiting family members to teach.So far, Ravit has taken the bait and is currently teaching the basics of drawing and the related art subjects; her younger brother also fills in as a part-time teacher in the Economics Department at Dhurakij Pundit University.
       BRINGING UP CHILDREN IN A LARGE FAMILY
       Both Ravit and Darika admit that rearing children in a large extended family has its pros and cons.
       The advantage is a general feeling of warmth but "alone time" between parents and children can be limited.
       Another down side is the fact that the method of bringing up a child might not be what the parents had hoped for at first. The truth is that the older generation is usually prone to letting their grandchildren have their way. Hence, it is imperative that discussions should take place between parents and the older family members, so that the proper and optimal way of bringing up a child is achieved. It is easier said then done.
       "Some families just shut out the older relatives. We chose not to do that. We consider ourselves lucky because there are many helping hands. There are plenty of toys and clothes.We barely spend money in this area. But at times when we think Nong Pip is being spoilt,we talk it over and explain that if he has his way all the time, he might not listen to us in the future.
       "But when it comes to major issues, our elders always give us the respect since we are the parents. We get to decide. For example the choice of school and school fees, we made it clear that we want to be responsible for it. It is our choice and duty. If we want to be with our son or go outside with Nong Pip,older members of the family understand and give us the freedom to do so. Right now my family consists of four persons, father, mother and two children. It feels complete, it gives a sense of bonding, I love my wife more than ever and am concerned for my children even more," said Ravit.

IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR

       The first time Nandhamalee "Bing" Bhirombhakdi sat behind the wheel of a Ferrari on a race track in Zhuhai, China, the instructor told her to go faster and brake harder. The second lap was altogether different said Ms Nandhamalee, who concedes she was very excited prior to the test drive.
       "The first lap I didn't go very fast," she said. "The second lap, the instructor had to tell the other few cars on the circuit to be careful, Ms Nandhamalee is coming!"
       Today the transition is complete. She is now the lady in red - the new face of the famous prancing horse sports car in Thailand that is the heart and soul of F1 racing, and for most the ultimate automotive fantasy.
       So how did a petite, pretty lady who drives an Audi A4 Turbo MTM (admittedly with mag wheels) end up with a job most car lovers would sell their right arm for?
       It turns out it's a family affair, fuelled by a shared appreciation of automotive excellence and complemented by Ms Nandhamalee's experience in dealing with high-end markets and brands.
       On July 20, Cavallino Motors was appointed the sole authorised dealer and service centre for Ferrari in Thailand, with Ms Nandhamalee as managing director, the first woman to hold such a position. Cavallino Motors is a joint venture between Vudha Bhirombhakdi, the company's chairman (and of Boon Rawd Brewery fame) and Charlerm Yoovidhya, the company's president (and of Siam Winery Trading fame). The pair are unabashed Ferrari fanatics.
       Mr Vudha is Ms Nandhamalee's father-in-law. Her husband, Voravud, also serves as the company's vice-president executive director.
       But the men won't have it all their own way. Ms Nandhamalee spent eight years with Citibank, her last position as an assistant vice-president, meaning she had clocked up the miles and experience required for the MD's job.
       "I am proud that the company's board has entrusted me with this job," said the 36-year-old. "One of the reasons is perhaps because I have been involved from the start with the company's operations, including contacts with Ferrari's parent company and the creation of a business plan for Thailand, among other responsibilities."
       She recalled how the idea was formulated over a family meal. "My husband, Voravud, father-in-law Vudha and uncle Charlerm had dinner one day. We all share the same passion for Ferraris, and my husband mentioned that he'd heard there was an opportunity to pitch for the Ferrari dealership. Uncle Chalerm revealed that he happens to know the Ferrari management in Italy, and they invited him to pitch. It was the right moment for my husband to mention the pitch to uncle Chalerm, and the pitch was successful.
       "Uncle Chalerm's son, Varit, has to take care of his family's business, as does my husband, Voravud. The next in line was me," smiled Ms Nandhamalee.
       The smile aside, she says the real reason she landed the job was that she has had a lot of interaction with overseas business people. "I worked abroad for 10 years. I know their system. I know about their high-end market and the premium brands. I am able to relay the Ferrari strategy, branding and marketing campaign back to Thailand using my experience, and also to manage the Thai showroom and its services."
       Ferrari imagined the new MD in Thailand would be a man. But when Ms Nandhamalee presented the final proposal to the company in Shanghai, they were impressed by her professionalism and passion.
       Much of that love for fast and furious cars stems from her husband, who she started dating when she was 16. "I have developed a passion for supercars since I was a teenager. My husband has always loved Ferraris, and I was always part of it. He collected model cars, and also memorabilia of various Formula 1 teams, especially Ferrari, and we enjoyed attending F1 races in various countries."
       When she went for management training in Hong Kong she had to break down stereotypes. "I was the only woman among all the men during the managing director training, so everyone took good care of me. I was able to show my skills and capabilities as a manager. No one looked at me as a woman in that sense, and they treated me with respect." The subjects included finance, marketing and sales. There is also the Ferrari Academy in Maranello, Italy, which teaches the history and branding of the famous marque and where you can visit the factory where the cars are made.
       "There is a lot of technical information to understand. However, it's not too hard if you try. I'm open to new ideas, and I'm happy to learn. I enjoy new experiences and learning. This way, I can transfer the know-how to my technicians. For the technical side, Ferrari told me that no one is born with it. If you are capable of learning it, it's fine. We don't sell cars, we sell dreams.
       "Ferraris are supercars that are always in people's hearts. You don't simply sell their beauty and performance, but also the lifestyle. A Ferrari enriches your life. It fulfils your life. It's also an investment, with hardly any depreciation. The cost? It costs approximately 20-30 million baht for your dream."
       So with the economy in the doldrums is it a difficult time to take on such a high-end franchise?
       Not for the optimistic Ms Nandhamalee, who said Thailand already has 350 Ferrari owners despite the high import duty of about 328%. Ferrari says Thai buyers also have the distinction of being the owners who like to personalise their cars the most. "It shows that besides having a passion for the brand, Thais rank top for people who like to customise their cars after purchase," she said.
       "It is not surprising then that this year's orders have in no time become next year's waiting list, despite the company only being launched on July 20."
       The first model Ms Nandhamalee will introduce to the Thai market will be the Ferrari California, a luxury sports coupe equipped with Formula 1 technology, yet designed for everyday use. And to ensure the best service, Thai staff have been sent to the Ferrari plant in Italy for training.
       Ferrari's temporary showroom and service centre will open next month on New Petchaburi Road, occupying a spacious three rai plot. The fully operational showroom is expected to be completed in the first quarter of next year. It will occupy two-storeys, with the ground floor selling Ferrari merchandise such as clothes, bags and other memorabilia. The first floor will be a showroom and service centre featuring a state-of-the-art high-tech bay, where customers can sit back and relax while watching their cars through a giant window as technicians run diagnostic tests and service them. This is a new concept for Ferrari worldwide, revealed Ms Nandhamalee.
       Ferrari also has a customisation programme where customers can order classic Ferraris from the past that are no longer manufactured. Ms Nandhamalee explained: "All our customers are important to us. We try our best to service their needs, and they can specify anything from the colour of the seats to the interior stitching, so that they will feel proud that they ordered everything themselves."
       August 4 marked Ms Nandhamalee and Mr Voravud's 12th wedding anniversary. They have three-year-old twins, a boy and a girl named Nandhavud and Voranan, and with so much work, Ms Nandhamalee now tries to include her children in her work schedule.
       She takes them to the office or when she has a lunch meeting, letting them sit at an adjoining table so that they can see their mother. Despite all the overseas travel requirements, Ms Nandhamalee said she is now just as happy to go to the beach at Hua Hin or Pattaya.
       "This makes me appreciate Thailand more. I'm very happy just to be with my family."
       Ms Nandhamalee met her husband when she was 14, on the day she arrived in the UK. When she went off to school, they kept in touch by letter, and saw each other when they came back to Thailand.
       "We got engaged at 20, and married at 24. It's been a long relationship, but we still talk on the phone every day. When something comes up, we just call each other. We don't wait until the evening when we get home to talk about it," she said.
       Relate Search: Nandhamalee Bhirombhakdi, Audi A4 Turbo MTM, Boon Rawd Brewery fame, Charlerm Yoovidhya, Ferrari

MULTI-TALENTED, PRETTY - AND SINGLE

       Sikanya Bhanubandh is one busy lady, juggling many different tasks. On the day we spoke, she had just finished an interview for Who magazine, was on her way to be interviewed on a UBC program called Fashion Focus , before attending an event where she used to work closely with the host, and finally attending a movie premier.
       Miss Sikanya, or Pau, is marketing director to the family-owned MaliBu Kao Tao Condo at Hua Hin. Set among 15 rai of palm-filled landscaped grounds, this is a residence with a character of its own.
       "It's a Thai-colonial style right at the beachfront," explained the 28-year-old.
       She is also brand director for the popular Kipling brand of bags, which are trendy,practical, high-quality-yet affordable."My mother Sirikarn was the one who imported this brand to Thailand, and I took over as my mother is now assisting my father more in the real estate side of the business,currently with the new hotel Renaissance Bangkok Hotel Ratchaprasong," she said.
       "My family is actually mostly involved in the real estate business. As I first stepped in to assist with the family business, I chose to help with what I like most."
       Thus, Miss Sikanya chose the MaliBu Kao Tao Condo at Hua Hin because it is a beautiful project that is not too big to handle. This also applies to Kipling, and plus it is a retail project.
       "I like beautiful things," she explained,looking radiantly beautiful herself, clad in all white, wearing a white tank top and long flowing skirt. Yes, white is her favourite colour. It's not a surprise that she was voted Most Eligible Bachelor Woman 2005 byThailand Tatler magazine.Another retail brand that her mother is the sole distributor of is Shanghai Tang.From a colourful and nostalgic art deco concept, it has evolved into a modern lifestyle vision of Chinese chic.
       "There is already a brand manager, but I still help out with the buying process and the marketing and PR," she explained.
       Last but not least, Miss Sikanya is a shareholder in several restaurants, including Pomodoro and Amici, both offering tasty Italian food. Another restaurant she has shares in is Boqueria at All Seasons Place, which serves European food, where famous chef Ian Chalermkittichai of the famed Kittichai restaurant in New York's SoHo district is the head chef.
       However, a lot of us are used to seeing her as the news anchor for Newsline , the English-language news programme on channel 11, which she had done for five consecutive years. Many have picked up on her British accent on Newsline - she was sent to school in the UK where she started at Roedean School in Brighton when she was only 11.
       Her television career started when she became an intern at Newsline during her senior year when she was a student at Syracuse University in New York while doing a double major in economics and psychology.
       "I've always been interested in psychology. Regarding economics, I feel that Asian students are good in science and math, so I took up economics in New York. Also, I've always liked art. During my A levels, art was one of the subjects I took besides math and economics. I did everything from oil painting to water colours.
       "At first I wasn't ready to get into the family business. I wanted to search for my own professional experience first."
       Now with the big change in career, were there any doubts from the people around her? She smiled before answering."When my mother first brought in Kipling 11 years ago, there was Kipling fever. There was a long line of people waiting to buy the bags. Some looked at me as a dara [movie star] because they saw me on TV a lot, be it as a news anchor on Newsline or whichever channel, and they doubted if I could run a business.
       "Some looked at me as a khun khu [rich little lady], and doubted whether I could do real work. Some saw me as a celebrity or a socialite. My mother did everything so well, so there was certainly high expectation from some people, which created stress for me. However, my mother never gave me any pressure whatsoever. I stepped in to help when I felt I was ready,and she has always been a wonderful supporter to me."
       Now she has more responsibility."I was my own boss working as a news anchor.I looked after myself. If anything turned out bad, it reflected upon me, which made people want to hire me or not want to hire me. Now I have to take care of approximately 100 staff. How well I perform also reflects on their well-being."