Phra Bill

It’s one of those strong Thai rituals to send the sons to the temple to become monks and if it’s only for a few weeks, being taught humility and renunciation. Even for an atheist and nihilist monks can be today’s true heros. Each morning, when driving my son to school, I meet this barefoot monk with his aides making the same old round since years. A good day starts with a decent sacrifice and offering.

Here is the story of Phra Kantisalo Bhikkhu whose name in the passport says William Callaway. Vietnam Vet William, from Phoenix, Arizona, has become Phra Bill, a Thai monk. 67 years this September, he has been through it all – maybe a key ingredient of the pondering mind and soul to become a monk. And there was this Thai woman. Today the Buddhist monk lives at the small country temple Wat Khao Lang in Lopburi.

Phra Bill gives some insights into why he became a monk, if it’s changing his life and even helping him – and how he can communicate with the abbot even though his Thai is terrible. Yes, Phra Bill does alms rounds and says chants. But there is so much more to monkhood than meets the eye. At the bottom of the page Phra Bill shares his advice to foreigners who ever thought about becoming a Buddhist monk in Thailand.

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September 29, 2009 | Filed Under Being Farang, Culture Shock, Society, The Interview | 6 Comments 

Gourmet Extravaganza, 10th Edition

Not for the faint-hearted purse, I already had to stomach quite some criticism last year because of my enjoyment of the culinary elitism at the Four Seasons Hotel’s 9th World Gourmet Festival. But no regrets whatsoever; especially from someone who usually appreciates the candor of street food.

Others fly to Hong Kong or Singapore for a rushed weekend that leaves you more tired than anything. Some enjoy really extraordinary food. At the expense of that weekend in Hong Kong or Singapore you can’t afford anymore. Carpe diem Bangkokem. Why not thinking out of the box once in a while.

Seriously, there’s nothing wrong with dining off the plates of award winning master chefs. The 10th edition of the week-long event starts on October 05th and culminates in the traditional Seven Course Gala Dinner, combining the works of all ten chefs from around the world. For 7,500 baht ++ including wines. BTW: Austin Bush, renowned food photographer, will be kind of live blogging about the events.

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September 26, 2009 | Filed Under Food & Drink, Nightlife & Entertainment | Leave a Comment 

Prostrate Thou Self

As satire, cynicism and sarcasm are hardly existent in Thailand, we have to find satire, cynicism and sarcasm in the real world. Which is actually not too difficult. Some real events here are to such an extent out of touch with common sense and what’s the norm elsewhere that they can only be understood as accidental satire.

Beautifully described in Ngandeeleg’s Has Dr. John got it right? one cannot be sure any longer in Thailand about what is right and what is wrong. Even the wrongest can be righted. With the keyword brainwashing summing it all up. But the ones above us, considered to be role models of morals, ethics and society, ask for even more:

Parliamentarians are obviously not given enough honor and respect. An order has therefore been issued demanding all staff working at parliament to prostrate themselves before MPs as a gesture of respect any time and anywhere the two should meet. My humble experience though is whoever deserves respect gets respect.

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September 25, 2009 | Filed Under Culture & Arts, On Our Own, The Thai Mind | 2 Comments 

BKK Film Fest

If the following sounds like Spanish to you, you have to read on: “Double Take. Weirdness involving Hitchcock and the Cold War. World cinema fans are into A Prophet, Antichrist and 35 Shots of Rum. Independencia and Manila from the Philippines, Here from Singapore, The Forbidden Door from Indonesia, Agrarian Utopia from Thailand, Burma VJ and Malaysian Gods in the documentary showcase. Also any of the Cherd Songsri retrospective as well as the closing Sawasdee Bangkok.”

Right, it’s this time of the year again with film goodies from all over the world at the “Bangkok International Film Festival 2009.” Above are the movie recommendations of our local movie connoisseur Wise Kwai – who is mainly into Southeast Asian and Thai films. Here’s Wise Kwai’s most complete guide to the fest, arming you with the necessary knowledge to find your way through BKKIFF09’s astonishingly busy schedule of some dizzying 120 features.

Celebrities, awards, seminars and events – and learn who’s in and who’s not, who’s in town and who’s not. Well, the red carpet won’t be as red as in Cannes or such, but still, the Bangkok film fest deserves its place among the world’s major movie events. Yes, we had this film fest scandal and the recent Phuket Film Festival had to be cancelled altogether. But as anyone knows you’re much better of in the kingdom if you just don’t care about politics and such. Enjoy!

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September 24, 2009 | Filed Under Books & Movies, Culture & Arts, Nightlife & Entertainment | 2 Comments 

CNNGo

Life in Asia is about to be enriched by CNNGo.com, a new local lifestyle and travel site from CNN. “A work still in progress,” as CNNGo’s Bangkok city editor Karla Cripps tells aB.com, is launching the Asia regional site covering the six city sites Bangkok, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo on September 28th, 2009. Makes you wish to be in Asia, that’s right! Eat, drink, play, shop, sleep, it’s all in there.

Sneak peeks are available, but the curtain’s about to be raised anyway. Initially planned for a June launch and delayed again and again, the site’s editor-in-chief Andrew Demaria took a timeout for a careful preproduction and went for a late September start. An invitation email now promises: “CNNGo is the ultimate insider guide for Asia’s greatest cities. Set to be the definitive, indispensable city lifestyle resource, it harnesses the unrivalled experience, integrity and excellence of the CNN brand in a unique digital destination.”

Sounds like an addition to or even competitor of local blogs? Well, the whole site is a kind of blog. And bloggers will play an integral part within CNNGo. Each city has a dedicated “Local Blog Buzz” section pointing to the very best blogs locals and travelers should know about. All adding up to: “For the most discerning local, the cultural voyeur and the visitor (travelling for business or pleasure) alike, CNNGo compiles the best each city has to offer, often dishing up the unexpected and opening up these cities like never before.”

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September 23, 2009 | Filed Under Culture & Arts, Fashion & Style, Food & Drink, Health, Body & Mind, News & Media, Travel & Tourism, Truly Bangkok | 10 Comments 

Girlfriend For Sale

Not much to add. This is a YouTube upload of “Girlfriend for Sale” filmed for Britain’s Channel 4. It’s been a while since it was on air in December 2007. But hell, while some get wiser and learn, some don’t – and are not less happy.

It’s the same old story over and over again. Film crews followed two girls, Fon, a bar worker, and Yek, a karaoke singer. All they want is to find a foreign man to whisk them away from a life of poverty and provide for the children.

For foreign men searching for petite Thai wives the red light districts of Bangkok and tourist resorts are full of Eastern promise. But for the women who work there life couldn’t be less glamorous. I know, nothing new, but still:

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September 21, 2009 | Filed Under Books & Movies, Nightlife & Entertainment, Society, The Thai Mind | 10 Comments 

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