Archive for September, 2007
Whois Somchai – Husband Of The Wife
If you ask Thais about Somchai Wongsawat, Thailand’s new prime minister, they may jokingly answer “krup, krup!” Implying Thailand got a yes yes man as premier. A “low expectation premier,” foresees the Asia Times. The Bangkok Post calls Somchai a “blessing in disguise.” A dark horse for others. Nominee by blood. Bureaucrat, technocrat, leader against
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Culinary Elitism @ 9th World Gourmet Festival
To be elitist in Bangkok seems to be on vogue these days. So let’s be straight out elitist. As it’s this glorious time of the year again with the World Gourmet Festival @ the Four Seasons Hotel. From September 22nd to 28th. Well, the cheapest event at the festival, the Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whiskey
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Bangkok’s A Beach
Stuck in Bangkok, I know. Need a break? How about some beach. Some fresh air, great seafood and nice flow of beer. Nah, you don’t have to head all the way down to Pattaya or even Hua Hin. Remember, Bangkok has a long wild coastline hardly anybody knows. Bangkok’s basically a coastal city. And what
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Pink Planet: Tom-Spotting In Bangkok
The amazing Thai butch-femme. Nobody in Bangkok uses the L-word. Even though there’s a sturdily active lesbian scene. Toms are highly visible, reports says Julia Steinecke, who recently brought us the Bangkok – Fantasy Land for Gay Tourists. Toms are highly visible and Dees (short for bisexual or straight ladies) can find them in any
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Thai Values, Status & Reform Politics
A question that hasn’t been fully answered yet: What role do Thai values play in Thailand’s current political and social turmoil. To understand a people, you have to understand the people’s values. A consequence thereof: How could you apply a Western idea such as democracy by not addressing a society’s own values. How to deal
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Wanted: Politics Of Damage Control
Politics again. I know. But the house is on fire. For those who cherish banker Khun Vongthip Chumpani’s monthly newsletters on absolutely, here’s a special Vongthip letter. An emergency letter so to say. In a nutshell: It’s the view of that Bangkok elite. The task is rather demanding: PAD supporter Khun Vongthip examines ways out
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Investor’s No-Go Zone Thailand?
Should investors avoid Thailand? Investors fleeing usually mark the moment for canny investors to enter a market. But then again, it’s a whole ‘nother world here in this village called Thailand. They not only do things different here, things are different here. What may look absurd to the outside world is a natural state of
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Virtual Bloggers’ Meeting On Thailand Crisis
Global Voices Online, a non-profit global citizens’ media project founded by Harvard Law School, proposes a virtual meeting of bloggers in the East Asia region to discuss the political crisis in Bangkok. Discuss with and meet fellow bloggers you know. Get key insights and latest updates about the situation. absolutely Bangkok is invited as a
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Victory! Samak’s Out. Or Is He.
Another beautiful twist in the ever bizarre world of Thai politics. Not hate nor a mob nor a political debate topple Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej. But a cooking show. Thai politics certainly live up to their reputation of mindless nitpicking. Out of the blue the coalition got a golden chance to salvage the national
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Meet Chuwit Kamolvisit, Brothel King Turned Bangkok Governor?
// Meet Chuwit Kamolvisit, self-declared guard dog of the people and adversary of Thailand’s political establishment. Khun Chuwit recently welcomed absolutely Bangkok at his beautiful Thai villa at the back of „Chuwit Garden“ down Sukhumvit Soi 10. „Each square meter of this park cost me one million baht,“ Chuwit grumbled proudly. „And it’s free, open
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