Wonder Land

วันเสาร์ที่ 20 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2553

S.Korea considers scrapping law criminalising adultery

By Manager Online

19 March 2010 14:26

This photo retrieved March 19, 2010 is from http://www.laweddie.com. South Korea is deciding whether to revoke the controversial law making adultery a crime.

March 19, 2010
SEOUL (AFP) - A South Korean panel is considering whether to scrap a controversial law which makes adultery a crime punishable by imprisonment, an official said Thursday.

Critics say the law introduced in 1953 breaches individuals' rights, but in 2008 the Constitutional Court upheld the legislation for a fourth time.

The justice ministry said a special committee tasked with revising the criminal code was discussing a possible change to the adultery law. But a spokesman said it had made no decision so far.

Yonhap news agency said the committee of 24 legal experts was likely to scrap the law when it draws up a proposed new criminal code late this year.

In October 2008 only five of the nine Constitutional Court judges ruled that the law was unconstitutional, short of the two-thirds majority needed to nullify the legislation.

The ruling was in response to a high-profile petition by an actress who had been sued by her actor husband for adultery.

Some women's groups contend the law must be maintained to protect female rights in a traditionally male-dominated society. Critics say it breaches the right to sexual choice and is outdated.

วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 11 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Thailand deploys 50,000-strong force ahead of protests

By Manager Online

11 March 2010 16:22

Bangkok, THAILAND : Thai soldiers take a break while patrolling outside the Government House compound in Bangkok on March 11, 2010. Thai authorities began deploying 50,000 troops on the streets of Bangkok ahead of rallies by anti-government protesters that they fear could turn violent, the deputy prime minister said. The demonstrations by the so-called "Red Shirts", who support fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, begins on March 12 -- two weeks after the kingdom's top court confiscated 1.4 billion dollars of the tycoon's assets. AFP PHOTO/Christophe ARCHAMBAULT

March 11, 2010
BANGKOK (AFP) - Thai authorities Thursday began deploying 50,000 troops on the streets of Bangkok ahead of rallies by anti-government protesters that they fear could turn violent, the deputy prime minister said.

The demonstrations by the so-called "Red Shirts", who support fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, begins Friday -- two weeks after the kingdom's top court confiscated 1.4 billion dollars of the tycoon's assets.

Deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is overseeing the security operation, said "full deployment" began Thursday of 30,000 soldiers, 10,000 police and 10,000 civilian volunteer forces.

"If protesters intrude into army bases or police stations, the government will use armed force to crack down immediately, as we consider them terrorists," he told reporters.

The government has invoked a tough internal security act that allows it to call out troops, impose curfews and ban gatherings.

Checkpoints are being set up in and around Bangkok to search protesters for weapons as they arrive from the provinces, mainly their strongholds in the rural north.

The Reds, who resent what they see as an elitist and undemocratic government, say they expect up to 600,000 people to attend the main rally on Sunday but insist it will be peaceful.

The government estimates that nearer 100,000 will turn up.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva warned Wednesday there could be "sabotage", while Thailand's main airport, which was besieged by protesters in 2008, said Wednesday it had made contingency plans for the rallies.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) said it too had prepared measures to ensure that trading was not affected between March 12 and 15.

Thaksin, who made his fortune in elecommunications, has been egging on his supporters via text message, videolink and his Twitter page from his self-imposed exile in Dubai, where he is living to avoid a jail term for graft.

The Reds have held a string of protests since another court decision removed Thaksin's allies from government and brought Abhisit to power in December 2008, after a blockade of Bangkok's airports by rival, royalist "Yellow Shirts".

Japanese baby-bot with runny nose teaches parenting skills

By Manager Online

11 March 2010 16:40

Tsukuba, JAPAN : An engineering student soothes a baby robot during a presentations at a lboratory in Tsukuba University, Ibaraki Prefecture on February 12, 2010. It giggles and wiggles its feet when you shake its rattle, but will get cranky and cry from too much tickling: Meet Yotaro, a Japanese robot programmed to be as fickle as a real baby. AFP PHOTO/Kazuhiro NOGI

March 11, 2010
TSUKUBA (AFP) - It giggles and wiggles its feet when you shake its rattle, but will get cranky and cry from too much tickling: Meet Yotaro, a Japanese robot programmed to be as fickle as a real baby.

The cuddly baby-bot looks unearthly with a pair of luminous blue eyes and oversized cheeks, but engineering students are hoping it will teach young people the pleasures of parenting as Japan faces a demographic crisis.

"Yotaro is a robot with which you can experience physical contact just like with a real baby and reproduce the same feelings," said Hiroki Kunimura of Tsukuba University's robotics and behavioral sciences lab north of Tokyo.

Yotaro's face, made of soft translucent silicon with a rosy hue, is backlit by a projector connected to a computer to simulate crying, sneezing, sleeping and smiling, while a speaker can let out bursts of baby giggles.

The baby changes its facial expressions and moves its arms and legs when different parts of its face and body are touched. Physical contact is detected by sensors, and Yotaro's mood changes based on the frequency of touches.

Yotaro also simulates a runny nose, with the help of a water pump that releases body-temperature droplets of water through the nostrils.

While the baby robot has a balloon-sized head and exaggerated facial features, its inventors nonetheless hope "Yotaro could help young parents to learn about raising a baby," said research team member Masatada Muramoto.

"We came up with the idea of a baby robot because we wanted to reproduce a human being's warmth and skin colour," said Kunimura.

"We decided on an infant that has not yet learnt to talk because the feelings generated towards a newborn will be the same for everyone, and because interaction is less complicated than if we had made it talk."

Japan is already famous for highly sophisticated robots, from Honda's humanoid Asimo to pancake-flipping chef Motoman to Paro the fluffy robot seal that helps ease loneliness among the elderly.

Hundreds of thousands of industrial robots toil in factories, while robo-receptionists can serve tea, greet guests or vacuum corridors. Japan even has a robot supermodel, the HRP-4C.

Tsukuba, JAPAN : An engineering student displays a baby robot at a lboratory in Tsukuba University, Ibaraki Prefecture on February 12, 2010. It giggles and wiggles its feet when you shake its rattle, but will get cranky and cry from too much tickling: Meet Yotaro, a Japanese robot programmed to be as fickle as a real baby. AFP PHOTO/Kazuhiro NOGI

The pretty humanoid, which boasts 42 motion motors programmed to mimic the movements of flesh-and-blood fashion models, was unveiled last year ahead of Tokyo Fashion Week.

The world last year also got a glimpse of Japan's first child-robot, the CB2, with a so-called "biomimetic" body designed to learn and interact just like a human infant, mimicking a mother-baby relationship.

Elsewhere the University of Osaka last week unveiled a robot that mimics a crawling baby, part of a research project to examine the process by which a human being acquires the skills to move and speak.

The 50-centimetre (20-inch), 3.5-kilogram (7.7-pound) M3-neony has a body similar to that of a newborn. It is equipped with 22 motors, 90 tactile sensors and microphones placed near the eyes and ears.

When ordered to move forward, the baby-bot, lying down, will wave its feet and arms, gradually learning which movements will allow it to push itself up and crawl, said project leader professor Minoru Asada.

Yotaro and M3-neony are part of Japan's push for a robotics revolution as the country seeks solutions to a demographic crisis that threatens to deplete its workforce and the number of carers for the elderly.

Japan has the world's longest average life expectancy -- 79 years for men and 86 years for women -- and one of the lowest birth rates, meaning its population is headed for a steep decline.

The Tsukuba students hope Yotaro may help Japanese want babies to revitalise a country where more than a fifth of the population is aged 65 or older. By 2050, that figure is expected to rise to 40 percent.

Yotaro may look unusual, with its broad face wrapped in a hoody sporting a pair of teddy-bear ears, but the students think most Japanese will be comfortable with it, thanks to their long exposure to robots in pop culture.

"Japanese have always been comfortable with robots who are not seen as threats but as beings that have the potential to develop friendly relationships," said Muramoto. (By Kimiko de Freytas-Tamura/ AFP)

California restaurant accused of serving whale sushi

By Manager Online

11 March 2010 17:47

A whale is harpooned in the Southern Ocean. A restaurant in Santa Monica, California faces criminal charges after being accused of selling sushi made from whale meat, the sale of which is strictly banned in the United States, prosecutors have said. (AFP/HO/Greenpeace/File/Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert)

March 11, 2010
LOS ANGELES 2010 (AFP) - A restaurant in Santa Monica, California faces criminal charges after being accused of selling sushi made from whale meat, the sale of which is strictly banned in the United States, prosecutors said.

The Hump restaurant and its chef Kiyoshiro Yamamoto, 45, are accused of "the illegal sale of a marine mammal product for an unauthorized purpose," over allegations they sold Sei whale meat.

Yamamoto faces up to a year in prison and the charges also carry a fine of up to 200,000 dollars for the restaurant and 100,000 for the chef.

"Sei whales are listed as an endangered species, and the sale of all whale meat is prohibited in the United States by the Marine Mammal Protection Act," said a statement from the local US Attorney's Office.

"Someone should not be able to walk into a restaurant and order a plate of an endangered species," said United States Attorney Andre Birotte Jr.

"Federal law has a variety of provisions... intended to protect this planet's threatened natural resources. People should be aware that we will use these criminal statutes where appropriate to protect endangered species, including to ensure that they do not end up part of a meal," he added.

Prosecutors said a search warrant executed at the restaurant last week confirmed that The Hump had sold Sei whale meat on at least three occasions since last October.

The meat was identified as "whale" when it was sold, and receipts given to customers also indicated that they had eaten whale. DNA tests done on samples of the meat from the restaurant confirmed it was Sei whale meat.

The New York Times reported that local authorities were tipped off about the restaurant by the film crew who made "The Cove," a documentary exposing a dolphin cull in Japan, which Sunday won the Oscar for Best Documentary.

The Times said Louie Psihoyos, director of "The Cove," had mounted several sting operations against The Hump, seeking to gather evidence that it was illegally serving whale meat.

He reportedly equipped crew members posing as diners with mini-cameras and had them collect samples of the whale sushi that were then analyzed in a laboratory and determined to be from Sei whales.

The Hump reportedly charged 600 dollars for a dinner for two including a 60 dollar serving of whale meat.

วันอังคารที่ 9 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Pantip Plaza: 'Original' IT Shopping Hub Retains Leadership Position

UPDATE : 8 March 2010

Staff Writer
Located on New Phetchaburi Road, Pantip Plaza Pratunam remains Bangkok's best known indoor shopping mall for IT products.

The building was originally launched as a regular shopping plaza over 20 years ago, but failed to compete with rival malls at that time. Deserted for a short period of time, the plaza reemerged as a IT plaza and has managed to retain a good deal of popularity ever since, largely due to its central location and its huge range of products and services.

The plaza has two main 'anchor' businesses – IT City (on the uppermost floor) and Data IT (on the mezzanine level) - which are very useful for shoppers who are seeking a 'general' IT shopping destination. In addition, there are literally hundreds of smaller outlets specializing in hardware, software and accessories, including laptops, Macintosh products and services, modifications, networking equipment and software, parts, peripherals, repairs and second-hand items.

Grey market
One of the main reasons Pantip Plaza has gained a good deal of success (and notoriety) over the years is through its sale of counterfeit software and pirated DVDs.

While the authorities suggest this issue is being addressed, the reality seems somewhat removed. While some legitimate software is available at Pantip Plaza, it would appear to be less popular and most of the titles tend to be obsolete.

Stores in Pantip Plaza offer a wide selection of new and second-hand computers from most of the major manufacturers, along with a selection of second hand and custom equipment. Many other forms of electronic equipment, such as digital cameras, game consoles, music players and printers are also available.

Purchasing strategies
While there was once a useful column published known as 'the Pantip Prowler', listing various interesting IT bargains on sale within the plaza, it would not be entirely practical (or useful) to list sample prices within the confines of this article. Nevertheless, there are one or two general points worth considering before making an IT purchase.

Firstly, particularly if you are considering buying a 'big-ticket' item, get a general idea of the regular price on the Internet. Obviously this is more difficult if you are seeking to buy 'a notebook' rather than a specific brand and model, but the more research you do, in general, the less likely it is that you will be disappointed with your purchase.

Secondly, find out what kind of guarantee you can secure. If it's something like a laptop computer, an international warranty is obviously preferable among foreign buyers or Thai expatriates (Thai based overseas). Nevertheless, it should be pointed out that, in general, local guarantees do tend to be respected, although bear in mind that 'unofficial' outlets can easily 'go out of business' overnight, no matter which city we refer to.

Pantip Plaza has a handful of fastfood restaurants located on the ground floor (A&W, KFC), along with a food court on the mezzanine and second floor, which offer a wide variety of local dishes, desserts and drinks. A bowl of noodles here will cost about 30-40 baht (US$1-1.20)

Variety unrivaled?
While there are far glitzier places to shop for IT products - the appearance of the building and stores have definitely seen better days - none come close to Pantip Plaza for product variety, and, in general, bargain prices. Fortune Town IT Mall (read more) comes close and is easier to access via the MRT subway (Rama IX station), but Seri Center requires a longer journey out to Sri Nakarin Road.

A visit to Pantip Plaza is not for the faint-hearted, though, and it should be pointed out that there is no store plan to speak of, although, if you ask around, you're sure to find a helpful vendor who will point you in the right direction.

Pantip Plaza is open daily from 10 am to 9 pm. However, stores based within the plaza are free to operate their own hours, and they tend to begin closing by about 7.30-8 pm in general.

For further information about Pantip Plaza Pratunam and its other outlets, visit the official site (Thai-language only) at http://www.pantipplaza.com.

Transport connections:
Train: The quickest and coolest way to reach Pantip Plaza is to a 5-10-minute walk from the Ratchathewi BTS skytrain station.

Bari Lamai Resort: Unpretentious Approach Impresses

UPDATE : 5 March 2010

Youthapong Charoenpan

Rayong has developed markedly over recent years and is now extremely well positioned to service the needs of various visitor categories, including eco-tourists and techno travelers.

It seems that most of the hotels and resorts located along this stretch of the Gulf of Thailand remain family-owned and it would appear that operators are paying the local environment the respect it so thoroughly deserves.

Peace and tranquility
Conveniently located alongside Laem Mae Pim Beach, Bari Lamai Resort benefits from a peaceful setting. The décor at the chic boutique resort is certainly very tasteful, managing to find a perfect compromise between rustic and modern.

Before you reach the entrance to the resort, you'll notice that there's a long stretch of bamboo fencing surrounding it. This serves to provide the resort with a real since of privacy and seclusion.

The lobby area leads to the adjoining Bari Bar & Restaurant, which is open on all four sides, providing an impressive panoramic view of the surrounding landscape and ocean.

The resort boasts numerous amenities, including a room where you can access WiFi Internet free of charge, as well as a multi-purpose open-air lounge suitable for many different kinds of event. There's also a long swimming pool, which stretches alongside a path leading to a building that has 18 suites, each with its own private balcony.

The swimming conditions are just perfect as the pool is located right next to the beach should you wish to enjoy a dip in the ocean at some point instead.

A subtle sense of style
I spent two memorable nights at Bari Lamai Resort in a Beach Front Deluxe suite (4,500 baht [US$137] per night). I found the décor, featuring off white walls, to be unpretentiously stylish, while the in-room facilities were pretty much state-of-the-art.

The wooden furniture included cushions in earthy tones and the room interior in general matched perfectly with the overall laid-back style and cozy ambiance of the resort.

The views from my room were particularly stunning, but I would also suggest heading down to the beachfront area at around 6.30-7 pm to enjoy the sunsets from there.

Since the resort is still fairly isolated, a stay here can provide a really invigorating experience with lots of fresh air.

An added bonus at Bari Lamai Resort is that it's one of the few coastal hotels and resorts in the kingdom to still allow guests to bring along their pet (dog).

I personally really enjoyed the resort's unpretentious setting, where you can enjoy all kinds of pleasant seaside pursuits.

For further information or to make a reservation, call Tel: +66 (0)81 720 8671 or +66 (0)81 813 6707, or visit the resort's official website at http://www.barilamai.com.

Transport connections:
Bari Lamai Resort is located at Moo 6, Laem Mae Pim Beach Road, Glaeng in Rayong's Muang district. It's also conveniently located near the piers that service the nearby island of Koh Samet.

Bus: Buses to Rayong’s Ban Phe depart regularly from Bangkok’s Ekkamai bus station.

Car: To reach Rayong from Bangkok by car, take Highway 7 or Highway 34 and head towards Chon Buri. Highway 3 continues to run right along the coast to Rayong. Alternatively, you can take Route 344, which cuts across to Klaeng. A short drive along Highway 3 from there will also lead you to Rayong.

Map provided courtesy of Bari Lamai Resort.

Village Farm & Winery: The Height of Good Taste

UPDATE : 8 March 2010

Nida Tunsuttiwong

Wang Nam Khiao district in Nakhon Ratchasima province (‘Khorat’) has become an increasingly popular weekend destination among Bangkok residents looking to escape the capital for some fresher air amid stunning mountainous terrain.

Although the area has seen a number of newer tourist destinations emerge over recent years, I would still recommend a visit to the Village Farm & Winery, which has truly stood the test of time.

A lofty locale
Established in 2000, Village Farm & Winery ('Village Farm') is located in Thai Sammakkee sub-district, which is also home to several other well known tourist destinations. The development includes a lovely vineyard that includes a wine outlet, a Western-style restaurant, as well as an impressive resort.

Village Farm is located on a 200-rai (32-hectare) plot of land, about 500 meters above sea level. This kind of terrain is clearly ideal for the cultivation of grapes suitable for wine production, enabling the the farm to produce its own wine, as well as grape juice and related products.

The output from the vineyards is used in the production of premium quality wine under the labels Village Cellar Wines and Chateau des Brumes ('Castle in the mist'), which refers to the morning mist that's synonymous with the area.

While wines produced under the Village Cellar label offer a particularly fruity appeal, bottles produced under the Chateau des Brumes label aim to emulate French-produced wines, with the emphasis on balance, complexity, structure and texture.

If you don't enjoy a glass of wine, you might wish to sample some of the winery's grape juice, which is free of any additives, preservatives or added sugar. The Village Farm store also sells jars of grape jam, which is seasonal, along with grape toffee and some other crisply snacks derived from grapes.

There's also a counter located near to the store where visitors are welcome to sample some wine, while there is also a restaurant called Village Cuisine. The country-style restaurant sells hamburgers, steaks and a range of other dishes.

Overnight options
If you wish to sample the morning mist surrounding Village Farm, you can always organize a stopover as the farm offers several kinds of accommodation options. Each of these aim to reflect a genuine sense of the local, rural lifestyle while providing the comfort and style many city dwellers have come to expect.

The resort also has its own library, swimming pool, along with a special wine-tasting program for guests staying within any of the five accommodation categories available. Prices start from 2,200 baht (US$68) per room (suitable for two persons), which includes breakfast (for two). You might also wish to consider booking a house (8,000 baht per night), which is suitable for larger groups.

Time to unwind
Village Farm also has its own spa operation, which includes grape-based wellness solutions among its various treatments. A 20-minute Red Wine Hydrotherapy treatment, for example,
uses a gentle form of stimulation, which includes wine, mineral water, as well as several natural oils, including chamomile, lavender and rosemary.

The one-hour Red Wine Body Scrub program is another interesting option. You can choose from an invigorating grape salt, or a soothing grape-based cream, which is used to exfoliate, rejuvenate and moisturize the skin. It should be noted that a number of the spa products found here can also be purchased at Village Farm's store.

For further information about Village Farm, contact Tel: +66[0]4 422 8407, or visit the official website at http://www.villagefarm.co.th.

Transport connections:
Car: Take Highway 304 from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima’s Wang Nam Khiao district. Once you spot the temple of Wat Bupai in Thai Sammakkee sub-district on the opposite side of the road, prepare to take the next U-turn. Once you have made this U-turn, take the small road on your left, which will lead you directly to Village Farm.

POI: N14 23.306, E101 52.440

Wonder Land

วันเสาร์ที่ 20 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2553

S.Korea considers scrapping law criminalising adultery

วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 11 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Thailand deploys 50,000-strong force ahead of protests

Japanese baby-bot with runny nose teaches parenting skills

California restaurant accused of serving whale sushi

วันอังคารที่ 9 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Pantip Plaza: 'Original' IT Shopping Hub Retains Leadership Position

Bari Lamai Resort: Unpretentious Approach Impresses

Village Farm & Winery: The Height of Good Taste

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