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On display are rare stamps from around the globe. The "Top of the World" display features rare and antique collections that include

Greece's first stamp, dated to 1861; Mauritius Island's 1848 Post Paid collection, Afghanistan's first stamp, from 1873; Brazil's 1867 Bull's Eye collection and the 1833 Soros issue from Thailand.

Along with an international stamp competition, philatelists can look forward to Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhon's collection of Soros and Phra Pak Pien stamps from the King Rama V period and a display sponsored by Her Majesty the Queen that showcases a line of handmade handicrafts. These include hand-made postcards of silk, silver, leather and bamboo depicting icons of Thai culture.

Stamps from over 20 countries, among them Bhutan, Serbia, Gibraltar, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, will be on sale.

The exhibition runs until August 12 from 10am to 9pm.

Fore more information, call (02) 831 3856 or visit www.thailandpost.com

Big-screen classics

Bangkok's original retro-theatre,  Lido, along with the 2007 Bangkok International Film Festival present "A Festival of Hollywood Classics" celebrating eight classic films of Hollywood's golden age from Sunday August 5 through Wednesday August 8. This elegant venue is bringing back  tinsel town's best for a series of single screenings of films on everyone's must-see list. The festival opens with the timeless classic, and ultimate romance, "Casablanca" (1942) on Sunday August 5 at noon. Other films on show include "Dr Zhivago" (1965) on Sunday at 8pm, "North by Northwest" (1959) on Monday at noon, "Ben Hur" (1959) on Monday at 8pm, "The Maltese Falcon" (1941) Tuesday at noon, "Gone With the Wind" (1939) Tuesday at 8pm, and "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938) Wednesday at noon. The festival closes with the definitive spaghetti western "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" (1966) on Wednesday at 8pm. Tickets range from Bt100 to Bt120.

For more information or ticket reservations call (02) 251 1727.

Welcome to the future

Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre on BangnaTrad highway will transform into an edutainment museum from next Wednesday to August 19 for the National Science and Technology Fair. 

This year's highlight is the Planetarium Dome, where you can see a simulation of a solar eclipse. A campaign and information on saving energy is presented at the "Global Warming" exhibition in the form of a 3D film showing how rising sea levels have the catastrophic potential to flood vast swathes of the earth. The Japan pavilion will display robot technology such as the Innovative Humanoid Robot, the Robotic Wheelchair and Murata Boy. The latest scientific and technological innovations from countries like Canada, Russia, Germany and Britain are also on show.

Hosted to mark Thailand's National Science Day on August 18, the fair also pays tribute to His Majesty King Bhumibol and King Rama IV with exhibitions in their honour.

The fair is open every day from 10am to 8pm, except August 10 when entry is by invitation only.

For more information, call (02) 354 4466 or visit www.most.go.th

Animating ecology

From August 8 to 22 the Japan Foundation in Bangkok once again presents the Asian Cartoon Exhibition, with environmental issues the theme for its 10th edition.

There will be 77 new animations from 10 nations, including Thailand, in the foundation's latest effort to foster understanding of green issues among Asian societies and cultures. Representing Thailand this year is Thiwawat Pattaragulwanit, whose work appears in both The Nation's sister newspaper Krungthep Turakij and the Bangkok Post.

The Japan Foundation is on the 10th floor of the Sermmit Tower on Soi Asoke and is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 7pm, and on Saturday until 5pm.

Call (02) 260 85604 or visit www.jfbkk.or.