BIG+BIH April 2012

The 33rd installment of BIG+BIH, or Bangkok International Gift Fair & Bangkok International Houseware Fair, is being held from April 17th-22nd, 2012 at BITEC Bang Na.  The first 4 days, 17th-20th April, are for the trade sector (10am-6pm), while the event is open to public over the weekend, on the 21st-22nd of April (10am-9pm).

BIG+BIH is a popular bi-annual event - an international trade fair for trendy gifts and lifestyle products.   It is organized by the Department of International Trade Promotion, the Ministry of Commerce and the Thai Lifestyle Products Federation, for designers and new entrepreneurs to exhibit and market their collections.  One of the biggest trade shows of its kind in the region, BIG+BIH attracts more than 600 manufacturers and distributors of gifts and household products, from Thailand and all over the world.

The theme of the fair this time is "Heart of Design & Lifestyle Showcase of ASEAN", promoting the power of creativity and identities of ASEAN member countries, particularly Thailand.

The products featured include gifts, souvenirs, home decoratives, textiles, handicrafts, artificial flowers/plants, spa products, toys, stationery and more.

The exhibition hall is divided into special zones such as :
 - Over 300 booths from more than 100 entrepreneurs.
 - "Design Hall" zone showcasing new trends by new talents
 - "International Pavilion" exhibits by design entrepreneurs from 80+ countries
 - OTOP Exhibition
 - Toy and Stationery Pavilion

Last year, in April 2011, there were 586 participating companies occupying 1,573 booths.  On Trade days, there were as many as 10,654 visitors; while 90,000 people showed up on the public days. 

This year, it is estimated that more than 100,000 visitors, both local and international, will attend the exhibition.

The next BIG+BIH event will take place during October 16-21, 2012.

For more details, check out:
http://www.bigandbih.com/
http://www.thaitrade.com/
http://www.facebook.com/BIGandBIHfair

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Index Living Mall "One Price" promotion

Index Living Mall is having a "One Price" discount promotion on a host of their products including furnitures, housewares and other decorative items.  The promotion is taking place at all branches, on limited items and products, until June 28, 2012.

The cheapest One Price flat rate of 99 Baht applies to decoratives such as vases, baskets, picture frames, towels, placemats, containers, and other handy items used around the house.  At One Price of 590 Baht are rugs, lamps, seat pads, knife sets, etc.  Some of the 990 Baht priced items are clocks, dinnerware, vacuum cleaners, induction cookers, and more.

Furniture one price rates start at 9,990 Baht for certain sofas, dining tables, and TV stands.  One Price 39,900 applies for some 3 models of kitchen sets.   Bedroom sets range from 18,990 Baht to 35,900 Baht. For example,
THB 18,990 for 5-piece bedroom sets normally priced 20,470-25,570
THB 24,900 for 3-4-piece bedroom sets normally priced 24,900-29,990
THB 29,900 for 4-piece bedroom sets normally priced 35,900-36,890
THB 35,900 for 5-piece bedroom sets arenormally priced 43,070-47,880

For more information, check out the catalogue at: http://www.indexlivingmall.com/cms/data/promotion/download/52-9943.pdf
or the website of Index Living Mall: http://www.indexlivingmall.com

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Khao Chae at Bangkok hotels in April 2012

It's the season to eat Khao Chae - the traditional Thai summer dish of rice soaked in aromatic iced water which is scented with jasmine or rose, and served with a variety of side dishes and condiments.  Many hotels around the city offer this delicacy during April, but you can also buy it at certain food markets - though it might be difficult to spot them.  Some of the hotels having the specialty Khao Chae as set menu are as follows:

Ambassador Hotel - Am Cafe has Khao chae set at THB 190; also available as part of international buffet from April 9-20 at THB 470 net.

Montien Riverside - The Cafe is having Khao Chae set till April 30 at 200 Baht.

Royal Princess Larn Luang - Princess Cafe has Khao chea set till April 30 for 295 Baht.

Amari Watergate Hotel - Thai On 4 restaurant will serve Khao Chae lunch set until April 15 at 390++ Baht.

Peninsula - The Lobby and Thiptara will serve Khao chae set until April 15 at THB 420++.  The delicacy is also part of the complete Songkran set for THB 1,600++

Four Seasons Hotel - Spice Market has Khao Chae lunch set from April 13-19 for Baht 700++

Sukhothai - Celadon restaurant has Khao Chae set available from April 2-30 at THB 850


Other hotels have the KhaoChae as part of their ongoing buffets:

Royal River Hotel - Fangnam Coffee House will serve Khao Chae as part of international buffet lunch until April 29 at Bht 380++

Swissotel Le Concorde - Fountain Cafe - Khao Chae is part of the buffet lunch and dinner from April 10-17 at THB 450 net (lunch) and THB 666 net (dinner)

Chaophya Park Hotel - Park Café has Khao Chae as part of the regular buffet lunch during April 2012 at THB 535++

Imperial Queen’s Park - Parkview restaurant is having Khao Chae as part of lunch buffet till April 30th at Baht 599 net

Novotel Bangna - The Square's international buffet will include Khao Chae from April 9-18 at 600+ Baht for lunch, 700+ Baht for dinner and 950+ Baht for Sunday brunch.

Grand Sukhumvit Hotel - Cafe de Nimes - Songkran buffet lunch includes Khao Chae from April 13-17, at THB 650 net

Pathumwan Princess Hotel - Citibistro - Khao Chae is part of international buffet lunch and dinner thru April - THB 890

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International Buffet at Swissotel Nai Lert Park's ISO restaurant

The International buffet at Swissotel Nai Lert Park's ISO restaurant is probably the best value hotel buffet in Bangkok.  The ISO is a casual yet vibrant restaurant located on the ground floor of Nai Lert Park.  The restaurant overlooks a garden which lends a lively and fresh ambience to the place.

The buffet is a very good mix of various cuisines - from Japanese sushi to classic South Asian dishes, western delicacies like smoked salmon and several choices of appetizers including shrimps, a well-stocked salad bar and bread & cheese corner, soups, favourite Thai dishes and desserts as well.  While drinks are not included, there is complimentary drinking water.

The lunch buffet is on offer from Monday to Saturday, but the dinner buffet is only in the weekends from Friday to Sunday.  Of course, the dinner buffet costs more, but also has more offerings than the lunch buffet.

International Buffet Lunch (Timings: 11.30 am to 2.30 pm)
Monday to Friday - THB 349++/person
Saturday - THB 399++/person

International Buffet Dinner (Timings: 6 pm to 10 pm)
Sunday and Friday - THB 499++/person
Saturday - THB 799++/person

[All prices stated are subject to 10% service charge and prevailing government taxes]

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