Resume

    Name : Dr. Wattana Kanbua

    Profession : Government Service

    Present Position : Senior Professional Meteorologist and Director of Marine Meteorological Center

    Office : Thai Meteorological Department

    Office Address : 4353 Sukhumvit Road, Bangna, Bangkok 10260 Thailand

    Telephone : 662-3994561

    FAX : 662-3669375

    E-mail : watt_kan@hotmail.com , wattkan@gmail.com

    Website : www.marine.tmd.go.th

    Educational Qualifications :

    1. Bachelor of Science (Mathematics) from Ramkhamhaeng University.
    2. Master of Science (Applied Mathematics) from Mahidol University, thesis title is “Forecasting Tropical Cyclone Movement by Statistical and Dynamical Techniques”.
    3. Ph.D. Mathematics from Mahidol University, thesis title is "Wind-wave Characteristics Generated by Tropical Cyclone Activity in the Gulf of Thailand".
    4. Certificate in Advanced Course in Meteorology from Thai Meteorological Department, Thailand.
    5. Certificate in METPRO Workstation/Groundstation Operation Introduction to UNIX and Basic Administration Introduction to VMS and Basic Administration" arranged by General Sciences Corporation, held at Maryland, USA.
    6. Certificate in Numerical Wave Analysis and Prediction, organised by COMET and WMO, Boulder, Colorado USA
    7. Certificate in Numerical Weather Prediction (as HIRLAM model) and ocean wave model (as WAM model) from Norwegian Meteorological Institute, Norway
    8. Certificate Program in Tsunami Science and Preparedness, developed by the U.S. NOAA Center for Tsunami Research and the University of Washington Extension, held at University of Washington Extension, Seattle, Washington, USA

    Working Experience : Marine meteorologist and Chief of Technical Support Services Section in Marine Meteorological Center, Meteorological Observations and Warning Bureau, Thai Meteorological Department. The main duties assigned are studying, analysis, research and forecasting of marine conditions including ocean wave forecast.

    Administrative and Community Experience :

    1. National Disaster Warning Committee on Information Technology
    2. The Engineering Institute of Thailand Under H.M. The King'Patronage Committee on Water Resources

    Award :

    1. Recieved an award from the Graduate studies of Mahidol University Alumni Association of academic year 2011

    Research :

    1. Forecasting Tropical Cyclone Movement by Statistical and Dynamical Techniques
    2. Wind-wave Characteristics Generated by Tropical Cyclone Activity in the Gulf of Thailand
    3. A Study on Wave Forecasting from Typhoon LINDA by Using WAM model
    4. A Statistical Study : Wave Height Forecasting in the Gulf of Thailand
    5. Wave Direction and Height Forecasting By using WAM model
    6. A Study Possibility of Wave Height Forecasting from TOPEX/Poseidon data in the Gulf of Thailand During 1996-1997
    7. Ocean Wave Forecasting in the Gulf of Thailand during Typhoon Linda 1997 : WAM and Neural Network Approaches
    8. Ocean wave forecasting in the Gulf of Thailand during typhoon Linda 1997: Hard and soft computing approaches
    9. Wind-wave Characteristics Generated by Tropical Cyclone Activity in the Gulf of Thailand
    10. Virtual Wave : an Algorithm for Visualization of Ocean Wave Forecast in the Gulf of Thailand
    11. Understanding the Simple Model of Tsunami Propagation by SiTProS Model
    12. Decision Support System for Flash Flood Warning Management using Artificial Neural Network
    13. A Neural Network Model for Surface Air Temperature Estimation over the Eastern Part of Thailand in 2004
    14. Implementation of Neural Network for Spatial-Temporal Interpolation of Sea Surface Temperature in the Gulf of Thailand
    15. Wind-Wave and Tsunami Model in Thailand
    16. Analysis of Coastal Erosion by Using Wave Spectrum
    17. Forecasting Tropical Cyclone Movement by Neural Network
    18. Decision Support System for Prediction Air Temperature in Northern Part of Thailand by using Neural Network
    19. The Simulation of Wave model Under North-East Monsoon Along Coastline of Thailand
    20. Coupling of high-resolution meteorological and wave models over the Gulf of Thailand
    21. Affected by the northeast monsoon and the influence of the cyclone in the Indian Ocean induced Huge Wave along the eastern coastline of southern part of Thailand during December 25 - 28, 2011
    22. Alternative sites for HF Radar location along the shores of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea

    Seminars, workshops and conferences :

      1. Attended training for "METPRO Workstation/Groundstation Operation Introduction to UNIX and Basic Administration Introduction to VMS and Basic Administration" arranged by General Sciences Corporation, USA, in 1992
      2. Attended conference on “Forecasting and Monitoring Activities” arranged by OCEANOR, Norway, in 1994
      3. Attended conference on “Marine Meteorological and Oceanographic Observations on Research Vessels” arranged by JMA, Japan, in 1995
      4. Attended seminars on “Numerical Wave Analysis and Prediction” organised by COMET and WMO, Boulder, Colorado USA, in 1995
      5. Attended conference on “Port Meteorological Officers” arranged by BoM and WMO, Australia, in 1999
      6. Attended conferenced on “The Fourth Steering Committee Meeting on APEC Ocean Models and Information System” arranged by Office of Environmental Policy and Planning (OEPP) and Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, in 2000.
      7. Attended symposium on “the 5th Annual National Symposium on Computational Science and Engineering (ANSCSE5)” organised by NECTEC, Bangkok Thailand, in 2001.
      8. Attended training  for "Short-Range Forecasting Class for Forecasters and Meteorologists" arranged by NOAA Forecast Systems Laboratory and TMD, Boulder, Colorado USA, in 2001
      9. Attended International Conference : Computational Mathematics and Modelling (CMM 2002) arranged by Mahidol University and Curtin University of Technology, Bangkok, in 2002.
      10. Attended International Workshop : Third Regional Workshop on storm Surge and Wave Forecasting A Hands-on Forecast Training Laboratory organised by JCOMM WMO, Beijing, China, in 2005.
      11. Attended International Conference : Feasibility Study on Disaster Early Warning System in Thailand organised by Ministry of ICT and Finland Government, Phuket, Thailand, in 2005.
      12. Attended International Workshop : Third International workshop of Port Meteorological Officers organised by JCOMM WMO, Humburg, Germany, in 2006.
      13. Attended International Workshop : First Tsunami Alert Rapid Notification System (TARNS) organised by USAID, NOAA, IOTWS and NDWC, Hua-Hin, Thailand, in 2006.
      14. Attended International Workshop : Second Tsunami Alert Rapid Notification System (TARNS) organised by USAID, NOAA, IOTWS and NDWC, Hua-Hin, Thailand, in 2006.
      15. Attended International Workshop : Fourth Regional Workshop on storm Surge and Wave Forecasting A Hands-on Forecast Training Laboratory organised by JCOMM WMO, Manila, Philippines, in 2006.
      16. Attended International Workshop : Jamboree-II (Combined Modeling and Data Management Training Workshop) organised by IODE- IOC and JCOMM-WMO, Oostend, Belgium, in 2006
      17. Attended International Workshop : Third Tsunami Alert Rapid Notification System (TARNS) organised by USAID, NOAA, IOTWS and NDWC, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand, in 2007.
      18. Attended symposium on "The 11th Annual National Symposium on Computational Science and Engineering (ANSCSE11)" organised by NECTEC, Phuket, Thailand, March 28-30, 2007
      19. Attended symposium on "First Asia International Conference on Modelling & Simulation (AMS'07), 2007" organised by IEEE Computer Society 2007, Phuket, Thailand, March 28-30, 2007
      20. Attended International Conference : Disaster Relief and Management – International Cooperation & Role of ICT organised by ITU, Alexandria, Egypt, in 2007
      21. Attended Program : Certificate Program in Tsunami Science and Preparedness organised by USAID, IOTWS, NOAA and University of Washington Extension, from July 21 through August 2, 2007, on University of Washington campus in Seattle.
      22. Attended Integrated Workshop on Social-economic Impacts of Extreme Typhoon-related Events 2007, held in Bangkok Thailand, 10-14 September 2007.
      23. Attended DBCP-XXIII 23rd session of the Data Buoy Cooperation Panel , held at Jeju, Republic of Korea, from 15 to 19 October 2007.
      24. Attended INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON THE RESTORATION PROGRAM FROM GIANT EARTHQUAKES AND TSUNAMIS , Venue: Royal Phuket City Hotel, Phuket, Thailand, Period: January 22-24, 2008
      25. Attended on “Programme on Marine Meteorological Services” organized by Hong Kong Observatory, at Hongkong Observatory, Hong Kong, 9 - 10 April 2008
      26. Attended conference on “35th WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones” organized by WMO, organized by WMO, held at Manama, Bahrain, 5 - 9 May 2008
      27. Attended conference on “13th National Convention on Civil Engineering” organized by the Engineering Institute of Thailand under H.M. the King's Patronage and Sripatum University, held at Pattaya, Chon Buri Thailand, 14 - 16 May 2008
      28. Attended meeting on “Dialogue of enhancing cooperation between Thailand and India in the field of Early Warning System”, held at INCOIS Hyderabad India, 18 - 22 June 2008
      29. Attended conference on “ 8th ASEAN Science and Technology Week" held at the Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Manila Philippines, 3 - 4 July 2008
      30. Attended conference on “ Japan - Thailand Estuary Workshop 2008" held at Thai Meteorological Department, Bangkok Thailand, 19 - 20 August 2008
      31. Attended conference on WMO Fact-Finding Mission to Myanmar" held at Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, Myanmar, 9 - 13 February 2009
      32. Attended International Workshop: Met-ocean Modelling (Jamboree-III), UNESCO/IOC Project Office for IODE, Oostende, Belgium on October 2009.
      33. Attended symposium on the 14th Annual National Symposium on Computational Science and Engineering (ANSCSE14) organised by NECTEC and Mae Fah Luang University, held at Mae Fah Luang University Thailand, on March 2010.
      34. Attended symposium on The Symposium on Sustainable Water Resource Management and Climate Change Adaptation., organised by NECTEC and Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University, held at Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University Thailand, 16 17 June 2010.
      35. Attended DBCP-XXVI 26th session of the Data Buoy Cooperation Panel , held at SAMS, Oban, UK, from 27 to 30 September 2010.
      36. Attended Second Asian Heads of Research Councils (ASIAHORCs) Joint Symposium, held on 1-2 November 2010 at Impiana KLCC Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
      37. Attended symposium on the 15th Annual National Symposium on Computational Science and Engineering (ANSCSE15) organised by NECTEC and Bangkok University, held at Bangkok University Thailand, during 31 March - 1 Apirl 2011.
      38. Attended international conference on the 12th National Conference on Statistics and Applied Statistics 2011 organised by Faculties of Science, Medicine, and Science & Technology at Prince of Songkla University, and Faculty of Science at Thaksin University, held at J. B. Hotel, Hat Yai, Songkhla, during 18 - 22 May 2011.
      39. Attended international conference on the 1st Ocean Radar Conference for Asia (ORCA), held at May field hotel, Seoul, Korea, during 17 – 19 May 2012.
      40. Attended international conference on the Fourth Session of the Joint WMO-IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM-4), organised by JCOMM and KMA, held at Yeosu, Korea, during 24 - 25 May 2012.
      41. Attended international conference on the 12th Marine Hazards workshop “Marine Hazards Forecasting and Warning”, organised by Iranian National Institute for Oceanography and International Ocean Institute, held at Tehran, Iran, during 9 - 11 June 2012.
      42. Attended IMPAC-T Workshop onIntegrated study on Hydro-Meteorological Prediction and Adaptation to Climate Change in Thailand, Held at Thai Meteorological Department, Thailand, January 28-29, 2013
      43. Attended conference on “40th WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones” organized by WMO, organized by WMO, held at Columbo, Sri Lanka, 25 February - 1 March 2013
      44. Attended conference on “The 18th Annual Meeting in Mathematics 2013” organized by Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Thaksin University, held at Aonang Ayodhaya Beach Resort Hotel in Krabi province, Thailand, 14 - 16 March 2013
      45. Attended symposium on the 18th Annual National Symposium on Computational Science and Engineering (ANSCSE18) organised by NECTEC and Faculty of Science at Si Racha, Kasetsart University Si Racha Campus, held at AMBASSADOR CITY JOMTIEN HOTEL, Chonburi, Thailand, During 17 - 19 March 2014 .

    Proficiency in Foreign Language :English

    Publications

    Author(s)

    Title

    Journal

    Year

    Volume

    Pages

    Pornpinatepong, S. ; Wirattipong, T. ; Wittmann, P. ; Ekmahachai, S. ; Sritangnan, K. ; Lueangaram, V. ; Junthorn, P. ; Samosorn, B. ; Kanbua, W. ; Tanglumlead, B.

    Wave prediction in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea

    Songklanakarin Journal of Science and Technology

    1999

    21

    207-212

    Kanbua, W.and Chuai-aree, S.

    Virtual Wave : an Algorithm for Visualization of Ocean Wave Forecast in the Gulf of Thailand

    KMITL Science Journal

    2005

    5

    140-150

    Tsuji, Y., Y. Namegama, H. Matsumoto, S.I.,Iwasaki,
    W. Kanbua, M. Srivichai, and V. Meesuk

    The 2004 Indian tsunami in Thailand: Surveyed runup heights and tide gauge records

    Earth, Planets and Space

    2005

    58(2)

    223-232

    Namegaya, Y., Tsuji, Y., Matsumoto, H., Kanbua, W. , Srivichai, M., Meesuk, V., Iwasaki, S.

    Field survey of the tsunami of the 2004 Indonesia-Sumatra earthquakes along the coast line of Thailand exept Phuket Island and Khao Lak areas

    Annual Journal of Coastal Engineering JSCE

    2005

    52

    1351-1355

    KANBUA,W.,SUPHARATID,S. and TANG, I.

    Ocean wave forecasting in the Gulf of Thailand during typhoon Linda 1997: Hard and soft computing approaches

    Journal of Atmospheric and Ocean Science

    2005

    10(3)

    145-161

    Kanbua, W. Supharatid, S. and Tang, I.

    Ocean Wave Forecasting in the Gulf of Thailand during Typhoon Linda 1997 : WAM and Neural Network Approaches

    ScienceAsia

    2005

    31

    243-250

    Publications and Proceeding:

    Wattana Kanbua, C. Khetchaturat: Estimation of ocean wave spectral shapes in the Gulf of Thailand by using GRNN, Proceeding of the 18th annual national symposium on computational science and engineering (ANSCSE18), Faculty of Science at Si Racha, Kasetsart University Si Racha Campus, Chonburi, Thailand, during 17 - 19 March 2014.

    Wattana Kanbua, C. Khetchaturat: Monitoring coastal erosion by using wave spectrum in the case of constructions in the Gulf, Proceeding of the 18th annual national symposium on computational science and engineering (ANSCSE18), Faculty of Science at Si Racha, Kasetsart University Si Racha Campus, Chonburi, Thailand, during 17 - 19 March 2014.

    Wattana Kanbua,Somporn ChuaiAree:Decision Support System for Flood Warning System By using Artificial Neural Network,Proceeding of the IMPAC-T Workshop : Integrated study on Hydro-Meteorological Prediction and Adaptation to Climate Change in Thailand, Held at Thai Meteorological Department, Thailand, January 28-29, 2013

    Somporn ChuaiAree,Wattana Kanbua:Rainfall Report System Using Radar Image Processing and Weather Information for Participatory Disaster Monitoring and Management on GIS,Proceeding of the IMPAC-T Workshop : Integrated study on Hydro-Meteorological Prediction and Adaptation to Climate Change in Thailand, Held at Thai Meteorological Department, Thailand, January 28-29, 2013

    Wattana Kanbua: Ocean wave and Tsunami Modeling: International experience, Proceeding of the 12th Marine Hazards workshop “Marine Hazards Forecasting and Warning”, organised by Iranian National Institute for Oceanography and International Ocean Institute, held at Tehran, Iran, during 9 - 11 June 2012.

    W. Kanbua, A. Sirurngla, and P. Siriyotha, S. Tonjan: Coupling of high-resolution meteorological and wave models over the Gulf of Thailand , Proceeding of the Fourth Session of the Joint WMO-IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM-4), organised by JCOMM and KMA, held at Yeosu, Korea, during 24 - 25 May 2012.

    W. Kanbua, A. Sirurngla, and P. Siriyotha, S. Tonjan: Affected by the northeast monsoon and the influence of the cyclone in the Indian Ocean induced Huge Wave along the eastern coastline of southern part of Thailand during December 25 - 28, 2011 , Proceeding of the Fourth Session of the Joint WMO-IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM-4), organised by JCOMM and KMA, held at Yeosu, Korea, during 24 - 25 May 2012.

    W. Kanbua and T.Tepparaj: Alternative sites for HF Radar location along the shores of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, Proceeding of the Fourth Session of the Joint WMO-IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM-4), organised by JCOMM and KMA, held at Yeosu, Korea, during 24 - 25 May 2012.

    W. Kanbua and T.Tepparaj: Alternative sites for HF Radar location along the shores of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, Proceeding of the 1st Ocean Radar Conference for Asia (ORCA), held at May field hotel, Seoul, Korea, during 17 – 19 May 2012.

    Wattana Kanbua ,C. Khetchaturat, S. Chuai-Aree:WAM-ANN Hincast Wind Wave Climatology for The Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea, Proceeding of the 15th annual national symposium on computational science and engineering (ANSCSE15), Bangkok University, Rangsit, Thailand, 31 March - 1 Apirl 2011.

    W. Kanbua , S. Chuai-Aree:Wind-Wave and Tsunami Model in Thailand,Proceeding of Second Asian Heads of Research Councils (ASIAHORCs) Joint Symposium, held on 1-2 November 2010 at Impiana KLCC Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

    W. Kanbua ,C. Khetchaturat, S. Chuai-Aree:Analysis of Coastal Erosion by Using Wave Spectrum,Proceeding of the Symposium on Sustainable Water Resource Management and Climate Change Adaptation, Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, 16 - 17 June 2010.

    Wattana Kanbua, C. Khetchaturat: Forecasting Tropical Cyclone Movement by Neural Network, Proceeding of the 14th annual national symposium on computational science and engineering (ANSCSE14), Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand, 23 - 26 March 2010.

    Wattana Kanbua, C. Khetchaturat, S. Chuai-Aree: Analysis of Coastal Erosion by Using Wave Spectrum, Proceeding of the 14th annual national symposium on computational science and engineering (ANSCSE14), Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand, 23 - 26 March 2010.

    Wattana Kanbua, C. Khetchaturat: Decision Support System for Prediction Air Temperature in Northern Part of Thailand by using Neural Network, Proceeding of the 14th annual national symposium on computational science and engineering (ANSCSE14), Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand, 23 - 26 March 2010.

    W. Kanbua , S. Chuai-Aree : The Simulation of Wave model Under North-East Monsoon Along Coastline of Thailand, Japan - Thailand Estuary Workshop 2008 , Venue: Thai Meteorological Department , Bangkok, Thailand , Period: August 19 - 20, 2008

    W. Kanbua , C. Khetchaturat : Implementation of Neural Network for Spatial-Temporal Interpolation of Sea Surface Temperature in the Gulf of Thailand, Japan - Thailand Estuary Workshop 2008 , Thai Meteorological Department Bangkok, Thailand, March 19-20, 2008.

    W. Kanbua : Ocean wave forecasting in the Gulf of Thailand during normal sea state and typhoon Linda 1997: Hard and Soft computing approaches , 8th ASEAN Science and Technology Week , Venue: the Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Manila, Philippines , Period: July 3 - 4, 2008

    W. Kanbua , S. Chuai-Aree : Ocean Wave Simulation Under North-East Monsoon Effect in the Gulf of Thailand, 13th National Convention on Civil Engineering , Venue: Pattaya, Chon Buri, Thailand , Period: May 14 - 16, 2008

    W. Kanbua , S. Chuai-Aree : Tsunami Propagation Prediction by SiTProS Model, INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON THE RESTORATION PROGRAM FROM GIANT EARTHQUAKES AND TSUNAMIS , Venue: Royal Phuket City Hotel, Phuket, Thailand , Period: January 22-24, 2008

    Kanbua, W. , Supharatid, S. and Tang, I. [2005] : Ocean Wave Forecasting in the Gulf of Thailand during Typhoon Linda 1997 : WAM and Neural Network Approaches, ScienceAsia Journal Vol.31 (2005): 243-250.

    KANBUA,W. ,SUPHARATID,S. and TANG, I. [2005] : Ocean wave forecasting in the Gulf of Thailand during typhoon Linda 1997: Hard and soft computing approaches, Journal of Atmospheric and Ocean Science Vol. 10, No. 3, September 2005, 145–161

    Kanbua, W. and Chuai-Aree, S. [2005] : Virtual Wave : an Algorithm for Visualization of Ocean Wave Forecast in the Gulf of Thailand, KMITL Science Journal Vol.5, No.1 Feb.2005, 140-150.

    W. Kanbua, I Ming Tang and B. Wiwatanapataphee (2001) : A study on ocean wave forecasting from typhoon LINDA using WAM model , Proceeding. Of the 5th annual national symposium on computational science and engineering (ANSCSE5), Bangkok Conventional Center, Central Plaza, Bangkok, Thailand, June 18 -20, 2001.

    W. Kanbua , S. Chuai-Aree : Understanding the Simple Model of Tsunami Propagation by SiTProS Model, The 11th Annual National Symposium on Computational Science and Engineering (ANSCSE11), Phuket, Thailand, March 28-30, 2007.

    W. Kanbua , C. Khetchaturat : Decision Support System for Flash Flood Warning Management using Artificial Neural Network, The 11th Annual National Symposium on Computational Science and Engineering (ANSCSE11), Phuket, Thailand, March 28-30, 2007.

    W. Kanbua , C. Khetchaturat : Implementation of Neural Network for Spatial-Temporal Interpolation of Sea Surface Temperature in the Gulf of Thailand, The 11th Annual National Symposium on Computational Science and Engineering (ANSCSE11), Phuket, Thailand, March 28-30, 2007.

    W. Kanbua , M. Inthachot : A Neural Network Model for Surface Air Temperature Estimation over the Eastern Part of Thailand in 2004, The 11th Annual National Symposium on Computational Science and Engineering (ANSCSE11), Phuket, Thailand, March 28-30, 2007.

    Somporn Chuai-Aree, Wattana Kanbua : , "SiTProS: Fast and Real-Time Simulation of Tsunami Propagation," ams, pp. 490-495, First Asia International Conference on Modelling & Simulation (AMS'07), 2007.

    Wattana Kanbua and Somporn Chuai-Aree: , "The simple model of Tsunami propagation simulator by using SITPROS Model", Proceeding of the IUGG XXIV 2007, held at Perugia, Italy, during 2 - 13 July 2007

    Tsuji, Y., Y. Namegama, H. Matsumoto, S. –I. Iwasaki, W. Kanbua, M. Srivichai, and V. Meesuk, (2005) : The 2004 Indian tsunami in Thailand: Surveyed runup heights and tide gauge records, Earth, Planets and Space, Vol. 58 (No. 2), pp. 223-232.

    H. G. Bock, S. Chuai-Aree, W. J?ger, W. Kanbua, S. Kr?mker, S. Siripant : 3D Cloud and Storm Reconstruction from Satellite Image , Proc. of Intern. Conf. on High Performance Scientific Computing (HPSCHanoi 2006 ), March 6-10, Hanoi, Vietnam, 2006.

    W. Kanbua: Measurement of Wave Height in the Gulf of Thailand,Proceeding of the International Conference on the International Oceanographic Data & Information Exchange in the Western Pacific (IODE-WESTPAC), held at Pelangi Beach Resort, Langkawi, Malaysia, during 1- 4 November 1999.