Active minds

Spider-Man, Hamtaro, Masked Rider, Four Angie and Pang Pon will be on hand. Booths from various companies offer children's products, including clothing, toys, learning equipment and food. The Royal Thai armed forces will display a jet fighter, an armoured car and even a submarine for kids to climb around on. Admission is free.

The fair is open from 10am to 8pm.

For more information, call (02) 726 9656-9.

Musical revival

The trend for musical plays continues, with director Thakonkiat Wirawan bringing his dramatic hit, "Banlangmek the Musical" for a new production at the Muang Thai Ratchadalai Theatre at The Esplanade Bangkok.

It's the tragic love story of Panrung (Sinjai Plengpanich), whose life becomes more complicated with those of other characters from different generations, in a story infused with human desire. Songsit "Kop" Rungnopakunsroi, Jason Young, Te Pitisak, Mot Three G and Bie Sukrit also star.

Opening yesterday, the show runs daily until October 14 with showtimes at 7.30pm Thursday to Sunday and 2pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are Bt500 to Bt2,500, available at Thaiticketmajor.

For details, call (02) 262 3456 or visit Scenario.co.th.

Land of the Long White Cloud

Siam Paragon's Lifestyle Hall will be play host to all things kiwi for the "Explore New Zealand" festival from Thursday until October 14.

Hosted by the New Zealand Embassy and Tourism New Zealand, the festival will offer a look at places to visit in the country the Maori call Aotearoa, "the land of the long white cloud".

There will be Maori cultural performances, products from New Zealand and tour packages, as well as a photo exhibition on the landscape and animals of the Pacific coast taken by Duangdao Suwanrangsri of Nature Explorer magazine and her team.   

There will be free seminar on "Self-Drive" on October 6 to 7 and 13 to 14 from 5pm to 9pm. The festival is open daily from 10am to 9pm.

For more information call  (02) 377 5370-2.

Set in stone

Master stone carver Somchai Thaothong presents what he says is his last show - a collection of 80 sandstone sculptures - at the Peugeot showroom on Surawong Road from today until December 30.

During the past three decades, Somchai has enjoyed the challenge of transforming solid stone into lightweight, fragile-looking creations. His carvings come in various styles and sizes. The show is open Monday to Saturday, from 9am to 6pm.

For more information, call (02) 234 09216.