Dr. Sumet demonstrates the great expanse of the service elevator in the BMA Modern Art and Cultural Center which can carry 50 people. He said it is tall enough to fit a giraffe. It is also big enough to take a mature elephant up to the eighth floor.

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's Photo Exhibition

HRH Princess Sirindhorn gives a lecture on her life's philosophy and her photography at the Exhibition: "Always Roaming with a Hungry Heart" with 230 of her photos on display at the new BMA Modern Art and Cultural Center. Insights: She has to evade the onrushing crowds of people in order to be able to take unhindered photos. She carries at least three cameras with her because she keeps one always on so as not to miss the photo taking occasion.

On the way back to Bangkok we stop by Chokchai Steakhouse at Pakchong for a simple T-Bone Steak dinner,

Khun Pichai and Busaba admire the Toscana Valley Project, adjacent to Khao Yai National Park, which will be in the Tuscany architectural style and the minimum unit starts at just Baht 17 million. The unit under construction for Pravit Maleenon in the photo should be just under Baht 60 million, according to the site manager.

Toscana Valley Golf Course is 50 kilometers from Wang Nam Khieo. This very exclusive golf course is available to members who have purchased a residential plot only.

Khun Pichai is very happy that Busaba gave him 2 rai out of the 12 rai he paid for.

Puranee prepares to sign her check for the property she decided to buy just on the spot.

Busaba is happy to buy her piece of land while Pichai signs the check.

SD signs the purchase contract with the Or Bor Jor who owns over 9,000 rai of land around here.

The ladies conduct a massive shopping spree of fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, rice and other stuff at the Thai Samaggi Market in Wang Nam Khieo. Good thing we have two good sized cars to carry the goods back to Bangkok. The availability of a variety of fresh foods and wine is another big plus for this location.

We stop to buy Chateau des Brumes wine at the Village Farm Vineyard, just a few kilometers from the property. It is owned and operated by Virawat Cholvanich, our old friend from the Boonmitr days. The Village Farm is also a good place to go eat and party: see Village Farm Restaurant.

There is a running creek (Hua Hin Dat)from the Thap Larn National Park passing by the property and more importantly there is a vineyard across the creek.

Preparing for Global Warming

We rush to buy land in Wang Nam Khieo due to global warming. It is above 400 meters above sea level and ranks 7th in the world for best ozone level. The property is just north of Khao Yai National Park and borders the Thap Larn National Park ( the mountains in the photo above.) There is steady winds from the south all day long that pass the valley between Khao Yai National Park and Thap Larn National Park keeping the area cool in the summer and cold in winter.
We measured the elevation from Bangkok to Saraburi and it is mostly -1 to +1 meters above sea level. With a couple of meters rise in the level of the sea, the ocean will flood all the way to Saraburi. Many people have already purchase land in the Khao Yai area to escape the flooding.
Wang Nam Khieo is known as the "Switzerland of the Northeast". Please see its wonders at the Wang Nam Khieo Website here.

"Pla Kapong Nurng Manaow" or Plakapong In Lemon Sauce is a famous dish at Num Heang Restaurant in Krabinburi.

Fruit of the Rattan tree or Luk Waii.

Le Beaulieu

With HERVE, the Chef and Owner, and Chalaluck, Advisor to Siam Cement, at Le Beaulieu French Restaurant on Sukhumvit Soi 19, the latest craze of French cuisine in Bangkok and frequented by VIPs.
Bottom photo shows the Boned Dover Sole dish.

Almost unrecognizable!

Khun Thanom and Khun Suthas wearing weekend party costumes before going to the watch tower barbeque.

Firing the Benelli M4 for the first time

You can see Khun Thanom at:

Pavalyn Knows Her Own Name

Khun Sathit's Birthday Party at Scala Restaurant

Khun Sathit is smittened by Khun Rachada's very fat birthday kiss. The men's table keep toasting with the excellent wines.

Khun Sathit's daugther and sons present the birthday cakes.

Khun Angkana and her Bank of Thailand gang treat me to dinner at Coca Suki Surawongse on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of meeting me, when I when to work at the Bank of Thailand as Advisor to the Bank of Thailand Governor and as Vice-Chairman of CDRAC( Corporate Debt Restructuring Advisory Committee) charged with resolving some 3 Trillion Baht worth of Non- Performing Loans (NPL's).