Monday, January 07, 2008

Get behind the wheel

Best of the week

Get behind the wheel

Published on November 23, 2007

The latest auto technology and model automobiles will be highlighted in the annual Thailand International Motor Expo, which opens on Thursday at Challenger Halls 1 to 3, in Muang Thong Thani.

Themed "Future Vehicles Stun the World", more than 30 car distributors will launch their models at the show. Among the outstanding models will be the Bt165 million Bugatti Veyron, Porsche Cayman, Porsche Cayenne, Ferrari 430, Aston Martin DB9 and a new Bentley.

The automobile exhibition presents the newest technology of vehicles for the new century and related accessories and products. Classic cars will also be on display, while second-hand cars will be available for purchase.

The fair is open daily until December 10, from noon to 10pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 10pm on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are Bt80.

For more information, call (02) 641 8444.

Eclectic jazz

Japanese jazz band Sadao Watanabe Group returns to Bangkok for a concert at 7.30pm Wednesday at 7.30pm at World Ballroom Centara Grand at CentralWorld.

On an Asian tour to promote its latest album "Basie's At Night", the band comprises saxophonist and composer Sadao Watanabe, keyboardist Akira Onozuka, guitarist Jun Kajiwara, bassist Koichi Osamu, drummer Masaharu Ishisawa and percussionist N'diasse Niang.

Watanabe was born in 1933 in Tochigi and he graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston. His styles range from bossa nova to straight jazz to jazz fusion. He also a talented photographer and executive producer of the Japanese Government's Exhibition Project in 2005.

Tickets are Bt2,000, Bt1,200 and Bt400, are available from Thaiticketmajor.

For more information,

call (02) 262 3456.

An artist returns

Respected painter Uab Sanasen returns to the local art scene with his retrospective exhibition, opening on Monday at 7pm at Queen's Gallery on Rajdamnoen Klang Avenue. To celebrate his 72nd birthday this year, it is his first solo show in almost 20 years.

On display are his early paintings, photography from both private collections and institutions plus current works. Owing to his early training in traditional Thai painting and in Western academic tradition under Professor Silpa Bhirasri, Ajaan Uab is adept in many different techniques and styles. Popular among art collectors are his exquisite and beautiful roses, landscapes and nudes painted in almost transparent layers of colours. Other sought after works are his "Bencharongse", "Violin", and his very own style of Thai paintings.

The gallery is located at 101 Ratchadamnoen Avenue opposite Wat Phokhao Thong. It's open from 10am to 7pm daily except Wednesday.

For more information,

call (02) 281 5360-1 or visit QueenGallery.org.

Promoting reading

The Magazine and Book Fair continues at Royal Paragon Hall until Sunday, 10am to 10pm. Themed "Because Books Are Life", the fair aims to celebrates Thailand's burgeoning publishing industry and the birth of many new magazines in recent years.

More than 300 booths from leading magazine and book publishers are on offer with discount prices.

At the Book Barter booth, book lovers can buy and exchange rare or out-of-print books. As the festive season is just around the corner, the fair is bringing together collections of books to be given as perfect gifts.

A highlight will be the "Father of the Land" exhibition that features a collection of photos of His Majesty the King from prominent magazine covers in the past.

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