Embassy of India organized its annual reception for Thai nationals who have availed scholarships offered under Government of India’s “Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation” (ITEC) programme and by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). The reception, which was held on February 16 at Novotel Lotus Hotel, Soi 33, Sukhumvit, was presided over by Indian Ambassador Anil Wadhwa and attended by over 85 Thai alumni, besides officials from Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Government of India offers 65 scholarships annually under ITEC to Thailand. During the past eleven years, over 400 officials from Thailand have attended training programmes in India under the ITEC scheme. Under the Technical Cooperation Scheme (TCS) of Colombo Plan, Thailand is offered ten seats annually. Over 100 Thai officials have attended training courses in Indian institutes during the past eleven years. ICCR offers 29 scholarships annually to Thailand. Over 150 persons from Thailand have availed of these scholarships over the past eleven years.

Speaking to the alumni, Ambassador Wadhwa said cooperation between India and Thailand in the education sphere and capacity building is an integral part of multi-faceted cooperation between India and ASEAN as a whole. He hoped that each one of the alumni, who has availed of the opportunity to attend courses or study in India, would serve as an important link in the bilateral relationship between India and Thailand. Some of the alumni also spoke of their experiences in India.

A short performance by Indian Cultural Centre’s sitar teacher, Ustad Matloob Hussain Khan and table teacher, Ustad Vasi Ahmed Khan was also held.

]]> http://www.atleisuresiam.com/2012/02/17/indian-technical-and-economic-cooperation/feed/ 0 http://www.atleisuresiam.com/2012/02/15/paradise-escapades-package/ http://www.atleisuresiam.com/2012/02/15/paradise-escapades-package/#comments Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:50:08 +0000 admin http://www.atleisuresiam.com/?p=5960

Join Paradise Escapdes promotion at Millennium Hilton Bangkok and get a massive 20% discount off BAR on night stays and dining when book during March 31, 2012, and extension of night stays will be until December 31, 2012.

For further information and reservations, telephone 0-2442-2000

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Splash Jungle at Centara Grand West Sands Resort & Villas Phuket, covering an area over 14 rai is the island’s wettest wildest water park, providing gallons of excitement for all the family.

The park has thrilling rides such as the Boomerango and Superbowl as well as a six-level wave pool and an aqua-play pool for the children. If the exhilarating slides are not for you then why not idly float around the 225m lazy river or treat yourself to some hydrotherapy in the hot springs pool.

The water park is open to anyone. All-day lockers, showers and changing facilities, single and double tubes, and life vests for children and adults are all available at no charge. The water park operates daily from 10am to 6pm.

Exclusively for Centara Grand West Sands Resort’s guests, the accommodation prices include the Splash Jungle entrance fee.

Splash Jungle entrance fees for outside guests:

- Full-day tickets are THB 1,295 for adults aged 20 years and older

- THB 950 for students aged 15 to under 19 years

- THB 650 for children under 15, and free for the under-5s.

Centara Grand West Sands Resort & Villas Phuket is located at Mai Khao Beach, and a shuttle bus plies at regular times along the west coast resorts.

For more information and reservation, please contact tel. 076-201 234 or e-mail to cgwp@chr.co.th

Drop by to Hong Teh Chinese Restaurant on  the 2^nd floor of  Tower Wing at the Ambassador Hotel today if you wanted to tried out some great offer of  lunch or dinner treats.  Here you will enjoy soft shell crab; Deep-fried soft shell crab salad with apple; Fried soft shell crab in Sichuan sauce; Wok fried soft shell crab in black peppercorn sauce and Deep-fried soft shell crab in garlic and Sichuan peppers  cooked to perfection giving it the perfect exotic flavor, specially prepared by Hong Kong Master Chef only at 295  baht net per dish.

Open daily for  Lunch 11.00 am –2.00 pm and Dinner 6.00 pm – 10.30 pm

For reservation, please call  0-2254-0444  Ext. 1562-3

Miss Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, paid a State Visit to the Republic of India as Chief Guest to commemorate “The Republic Day” from 24 – 26 January 2012. The Prime Minister had the opportunity to pay a courtesy call on Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President of India, and had a meeting with Mr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, to exchange views on bilateral cooperation including trade and investment, regional connectivity, water management, energy cooperation and other issues of mutual interest with the view to raise the bilateral relations to strategic partnership.

Prime Minister Yingluck met with important personages from the Government of India as well as top CEOs and  delivered a speech during the business luncheon in which the top CEOs of the Thai private sector were also attended. The Prime Minister accompanied the President of India as Chief Guest to attend the State functions of the Republic Day on 26 January 2012.

This visit reaffirms the close and cordial relationship between Thailand and India, consistent with Thailand’s “Look West” policy and the “Look East” policy of India. Both sides share a common desire to enhance the strategic partnership cooperation in all levels.

Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Thailand Mr Majid Bizmark hosted a reception to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution’s Victory Day  on Friday, February 10, 2012 at Plaza Athénée Bangkok, A Royal Méridien Hotel.

Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Thailand Mr. Lázaro Herrera Martínez and Mrs. D. Herrera hosted  ‘A Cuban Party’ on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at the Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok where the guests enjoyed to instill the best qualities of Cuban culture – food, music, drinks & dance.

The JW Marriott Bangkok has just unveiled a brand new “Bon Appetite Package” , the perfect complement to a stay at the hotel, allowing guests to enjoy both the beautiful room and the signature dining in the hotel’s renowned restaurants available from now until 31 May 2012.

Simply book 2 consecutive nights in one of your favorite room types. Rate starts from Baht 7,900++ in a Deluxe room per night and includes daily Breakfast for 2 persons at Marriott Café, as well as two Progressive Drink & Dinner meals for 2 persons.  Dinner is recommended to start at 19.30 hrs as the progressive dining can carry on until 22.30 hrs. Dine until you drop!

-          Bon appetite day 1, drink at the Lobby Lounge and dine at Man Ho Chinese restaurant and the award winning New York Steakhouse.

-          Bon appetite day 2, drink at Bangkok’s only Sake Bar, and dine at Tsu traditional Sushi & Sashimi restaurant headed by 2 chefs from Japan, Nami Japanese Teppanyaki and the all time favorite Marriott Café.

It is essential that table reservations with dining time are made in advance, best is to indicate together with the room reservations.  JW Marriott Bangkok is conveniently situated on the fashionable Sukhumvit Road with easy access to anywhere via the BTS skytrain at Ploenchit Station.

For “Bon Appetite Package” reservations and more information on terms and conditions, please call +66 2 656 7700.

Alain Passard is the proud owner of 3 Michelin Stars and his restaurant Arpège located in Paris, France, continues to conduct new innovations in French cuisine that never fail to impress diners who are fortunate to experience any of his creations.

Born in France into a family of musicians, Alain’s interest in cooking started at an early age while assisting his grandmother in the kitchen. He began his professional culinary career at the age of 14 working at Hôtellerie du Lion d’Or in Liffré under Michel Kéréver and his career has escalated ever since, eventually earning him the distinction of being the youngest chef to obtain 2 Michelin Stars, at the age of 26.

In 1986, Alain purchased the 3 Michelin Stars restaurant Archestrate from his former mentor, Alain Senderens, and renamed it Arpège. It took only a single year to earn its first star, then one year more to earn its second. In 1996, Arpège earned its third star from the Michelin Guide, which it has retained ever since.

Alain’s cuisine resonates something so distinctive in itself, as his inspiration focuses on expressing the idea of mere land and sea by removing red meat from his menu completely and utilizing produce as one of the cores of his art. The Arpège is “home cooking” by Alain, a workshop where raw materials are vegetables, fish, poultry, herbs and spices. He captures the essence of each ingredient through eliminating unnecessary steps, to highlight the character of the products and harmonize their individual qualities into one dish. His dedication and success in opening new doors, as expressed in each of his creations, provides a memorable experience for everyone.

24 April                      Wine Dinner Night at La Scala

25-28 April                Set Lunch and Set Dinner at La Scala

29 April                      Sunday Brunch at Colonnade

At La Scala and Colonnade, The Sukhothai Bangkok

Reservations essential!

Tel:  66 (0) 2344 8888

The ‘First Lady of Jazz’ works her vocal magic at The Living Room

Renowned as one of the world’s greatest jazz vocalists, Alice Day returns for a much anticipated residency at The Living Room from now until April 1, 2012, only at Bangkok’s premier live jazz venue, The Living Room!

Born into the extraordinary musical tradition of gospel, Alice has committed her life to music. Her professional singing career began while still a teenager growing up in Miami. Drawing inspiration from the greats such as Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday and Mahalia Jackson, Alice created her own distinctive style and is acknowledged as one of the finest jazz vocalist performing today.

Jazz Entrepreneur, Frank Spena once said of her, “Alice Day is a renaissance woman. She has the ability to mesmerize and captivate an audience with her stage presence. Whether singing an intimate ballad, or a raucous, belting blues, there ain’t nobody does it better.”

Affectionately known as “The First Lady of Jazz”, Alice is in demand at top jazz venues around the world and regularly tours in Switzerland, Italy, Germany, France, and Austria. Her outstanding contribution to music has been honored and she is the recipient of numerous awards including the coveted ‘Cultural Ambassadors’ Award’, and the ‘Key to the City of Miami’. In 2009 she was also inducted into the ‘South Florida Jazz Hall of Fame’.

To see Alice perform is an enriching experience. It is impossible not to be moved by the depth of feeling she instills into jazz classics – a feat only possible by those who have devoted a life to the genre, and an increasingly rare experience. Her approach to more obscure jazz numbers is playful and exploratory. Seldom is a song ever performed in the same way. Tempo and delivery vary according to inclination, nuances are exploited, and the audience is always delighted.

Alice Day’s vocal artistry will be complimented by the renowned Shawn Kelley Trio and Malaysia’s foremost jazz pianist, David Gomes.

Don’t miss jazz diva, Alice Day from now until April 1, 2012.

The Living Room, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, A Luxury Collection Hotel.

For further information, please contact: 02 649 8888.

The Living Room – It Simply Swings!