Primary- and secondary-school students are invited to design a beautiful and creative piggy bank with the theme "Saving Like My Father Does". University students and members of the public can invent a piggy bank for mass production without a specific theme.

Normally, the bank holds the contest only once a year but this year is holding three contests, in order to celebrate the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne. Applications for the three contests may be submitted from July 15-31, August to October and November to next January, respectively.

Winners for each contest will be announced next March.

Twice-a-week Hong Kong to Chiang Mai flights start

With the successful landing of its new 76-seat Embraer 170 aircraft at Chiang Mai International Airport this afternoon, Hong Kong Express Airways has become the only airline to offer direct scheduled flights between Hong Kong and Chiang Mai.

Two return flights per week - every Thursday and Sunday - enable both weekend and extended getaways.

"We are particularly pleased to launch this new route to such a fantastic leisure destination. Being the only airline to currently offer flights on this route places us firmly on the map for travellers looking for a convenient, hassle-free breakaway," said general manager for sales Simon Sin. "As significant as the Taichung charter service we launched earlier this month was for us, today's Chiang Mai route launch is a giant step forward in our expansion beyond mainland China."

Health and Beauty Show planned for November

The Export Promotion Department has invited Thai health and beauty entrepreneurs to meet with potential foreign customers and expand their business network at the Thailand Health and Beauty Show 2006.

Director-general Chantra Purnariksha said Thailand Health and Beauty Show 2006 is scheduled for November 8-12 at Muang Thong Thani's Impact Arena.

The event aims at promoting Thai exports of health and beauty products and services and steering the country to become an Asian health and beauty hub.

Chantra said leading producers and exporters from Thailand and beyond had confirmed their participation in the event, as anticipated.

She added that the department expected as many as 30,000 visitors from Thailand and elsewhere in Asean, South Asia, Europe, the United States and the Middle East.