NEWSLETTER
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NEWS	EVENTS	.LINKS + NOTICES
British writers join campaign against Tesco  Lotus   30 May - British authors including Nick Hornby and Mark Haddon have signed a letter to Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy urging him to call off a libel suit against two Thai activists.  Jit Siratranont, vice-general secretary of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and business writer Kamol Kamoltrakul are being sued for a total of £18m following their public criticism of the supermarket giant. Freedom of speech organisation English PEN, to which Hornby and Haddon belong, claims the figure is grossly disproportionate.  The two Thai campaigners acknowledge that there were some factual errors in their public statements but they have since retracted these.   Tesco has responded saying that it took the action reluctantly 'but felt we had no choice after a sustained campaign of misinformation'. Rice price soars 2 May - Thailand, the world's largest rice exporter, will not restrict exports despite price rises in the home market.   Samuk Prisnanantakul, the country's agriculture minister said "we have ample stocks to meet domestic demand and export commitment as our domestic supply situation is improving" He also said "Thailand would produce 30 million tones of paddy in 2008, the same as last year, However, the government would aim to increase rice growing areas in coming years to boots output"  However, the price of Thai Hom Mali (Jasmine rice), the popular fragrant rice, has increased dramatically. In some Thai supermarkets the price has risen to £18 per kilo as supplies are restricted, making the national supermarkets such as Sainsbury's and Tesco more competitive.	¤ Monday 26th May Eastern Cultural Fete, The Grange Leisure Centre, Midhurst, West Sussex. More>>> ¤ Friday 30 May - Sunday 1 June Asian Food and Drink Festival Cutty Sark Gardens, Grenwich, London ¤ 21st June 2008   Global Peace Festival, Cardiff More info: contact Hideyuki Yamamoto 01495 271215 ¤ Sunday 6 July Thai Food and Crafts Festival Castle Fields, Southsea, Seafront, Porthmounth, start from 11 am till late ¤ Sunday 27 July Thai Festival British Genius Site, Battersea Park, Wandworth, London SW11 4NG, starts from 10.00am. Visakhapuja Day 18 May 2008   Visakhapuja or Vesak takes place on the full moon of the sixth lunar month and commemorates the birth, the attainment of enlightenment, and the passing away of  the Buddha. These three events occurred on the same day so it is regarded as the most important day for Buddhists and traditionally they go to the temple to make merit, listen to  the Buddha's teachings and take part in a candle procession.   Thai temples in the UK will be celebrating on this day.  For a full list of templesand contact details click here>>> *******************************************************   Rocket Festival (Prapheni Bun Bang Fai )  6-11 May 2008  Prapheni Bun Bang Fai (บุญบั้งไฟ) is a rocket festival practiced throughout much of northeast Thailand and Laos, by numerous villages and municipalities near the beginning of the rainy season.  The celebration typically includes three days of music and dance performances, parades, and at least one competitive firing of home-made rockets.  In recent years the Tourism Authority of Thailand has helped promote these events, particularly the festivals in the The Thai provinces of Nongkhai and Yasothon.    The latter boasts the largest and most elaborate of these festivals, However, local participants and sponsors use the occasion to enhance their social prestige, as is customary in traditional Buddhist folk festivals throughout Southeast Asia.	Experienced Thai teacher London-based available to teach both adults and children.  Recognised and trained through the European Thai Teachers Programme. For more information e-mail Rongnuang@googlemail.com HELP WANTED! Tudor Grange School in Walsall, West Midlands has adopted a Thai theme for its international week this summer. They are keen to make contact with anyone who can offer sponsorship, experience or ideas, especially Thai dancers or musicians. If you can help contact Holly Dennis. (posted 23/3) Thanks for sending us your suggestions for new links. Here are the latest... . Dome Songwish: Thai artist and opera singer Dome Songwish has produced a unique Thai song-cycle: listen on-line. . www.ilearnthai.com: Thai language tuition in London from beginners to advanced, private to corporate. . Thai-politics.com: blog about power and politics in Thailand . Tan Thai Massage: South London traditional Thai massage using original Thai herbs. . New Mandala: political and social comment on Thailand and other countries of south-east Asia. Includes an interesting series of interviews with SE Asian academic specialists. . Sunrise Divers are based in Phuket offering liveaboards, day trips and PADI dive courses. Global Peace Festival is a celebration of life promoting strong families, services to others and inter- religios harmony. Mudita Trust is a non-profit, non-sectarian and non-government trust dedicated to helping abused, distressed, under-privileged children and prevent child prostitution in Thailand. Thai Women's Organisation has a useful website for Thai women who are living in the UK.  Includes guidlines on how to live and look after you child  in the UK. Also you can ask questions about the UK law with a specialist.

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