Thursday May 8, 6.30 to 8.30pm, Baan Aree Library, near Ari BTS Station Steve and Rosemary Weissman, resident vipassana teachers at Wat Kow Tahm Retreat Centre, will give a dharma talk in Bangkok.

Some 6,000 people have passed through the much-praised Insight Meditation retreats that Steve and Rosemary have been leading for more than 20 years. The event is being held by Little Bangkok Sangha and is free of charge. No reservation is necessary. Visit http://LittleBang.Wordpress.com or call (085) 060 7386.

Giving birth to insight

May 19, 10am to 4pm

House of Dhamma, Ladprao

A retreat conducted in English and arranged by the Young Buddhists Association of Thailand together with the House of Dhamma is being held to mark Visakha Puja Day. A donation of Bt3,000 per person for individual instruction or Bt2,500 per person for small groups is suggested. Lunch and snacks are included.

The house also offers two-day introductory vipassana meditation courses, with upcoming courses being held on May 30 and 31, June 6 and 7, and July 11 and 12.

Call (02) 511 0439, e-mail houseofdhamma@csloxinfo.com or visit www.HouseOfDhamma.com.

The future's in the bag

Do your bit to cut pollution by using Devarana Spa's new eco-friendly bag, made of durable and washable lightweight canvas.

Bearing the Devarana Spa logo, the bag has a natural unbleached tone, with wide, dark-brown webbed handles making it easy to carry by hand or on your shoulder. It's ideal for groceries, beach gear and casual travelling. Available for Bt650 at any Devarana Spa.

Call (02) 636 3596 or e-mail bangkok@devaranaspa.com.