Archive for September, 2007
Bangkok Dosa Quest
To cut a potentially much longer story short, the aim was to find Bangkok’s best dosa, an Indian staple food as you know. Usually served with a coconut and coriander chutney, dosa is a light food, fun to eat – and delicious. The quest first brought me to Phahurat, Bangkok’s Little India. If you’ve been
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Ikea Saga Close
What the rest of the world can, Thailand can! After years of rumors and denials and expansion attempts and retreats the long-awaited Ikea brand may finally make it to Thailand. “Siam Future Development Plc (SF) announced a joint venture with foreign and Thai partners to develop a 10-billion-baht home furnishing center” bringing Ikea to Thailand,
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Thai Monk Police
Recently, in Hua Hin, I tried to start a conversation with a monk who was watching the kite surfers on the beach. Turned out he didn’t speak a word of Thai. “Chinese,” a local Thai said, and the bogus monk just kept on smiling. Bogus monks and monks who have lost their way are obviously
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The Vongthip Letter May 09
Abhisit’s nightmares: If anyone in Thailand would wish away the ugly political events of 4/09, it would be the prime minister himself. Barely three months in the office, PM Abhisit had to go through the worst imaginable political crisis. On 7/4/09, he was ambushed and his car bashed by a crowd of “angry” Red Shirts
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Siam’s Old Cinema Splendor
Remember going to the movies as a child at that big old theater in the heart of town, the one with the marquee that was the length of the building and twinkling lights all over the facade? Can you recall the excitement you experienced when entering that ornate lobby, the sort that would be too
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A Snacker’s Guide To Bangkok Street Food
An Asian Sensation – Bangkok’s sidewalks are crowded with tasty options for pedestrians who need – or just can’t resist – a quick bite. And now imagine being guided through Bangkok’s sensational world of street food by a true connoisseur. Though I’ve toured markets in Mexico and roamed the streets of Hong Kong’s Central district,
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Visakha Puja
Personally, even as a humanist and doubter, it is my favorite Buddhist holy day: Visakha Puja. It’s the day you see the local temples overflow with people of all walks of life and ages. The day in the year that shows an alive and determined Buddhism. And while other religions kind of keep their doors
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Of Mystery Deaths, Patpong Clashes & Quite Some Skeletons
Glorious kingdom. Today’s news alert by Thaivisa contained three teasers leading to stories, well … Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra was right on target in the recent Spiegel interview when he assured that “in Thailand, the law of the jungle prevails.” And you expect harmony? The first story linking to the Phuket Gazette is a kind
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White
Who would have thought back in 2007 when HM the King prophetically sparked a new fashion craze by wearing colorful blazers that colors would soon be at the center of it all. First there was the pink shirt craze. Factories couldn’t produce enough pink shirts. Then the king was seen alternately wearing green and blue jackets – sellers
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