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 

$1,192 ++ The Celeb Night

“Remote Thai Getaway: Remote but accessible aptly describes the Thai island of Kood, on which Soneva Kiri is set amidst the lush tropical rainforest, off the south-east coast of the Gulf of Siam. International guests are personally met on arrival at Bangkok’s Suvarnabuhmi airport and transferred to the resort’s own airplane for the one-hour flight to the Soneva Kiri airfield. From the air, the beauty of untouched Thailand and Koh Kood, with its white sandy beaches is immediately evident.”

Tempted? If you like the extraordinary, the newly opened Soneva Kiri by Six Senses may be your resort. Rates start at $1,192, exclusive of taxes, breakfast and that airport transfer. But what the heck, you get an eco-friendly, sustainable resort using local and organic ingredients in a zero-carbon emissions suite, complete with a bio-climatically designed pool villa. Here’s my favorite: The resort has several treetop pods surrounding the property for private dining.

Well, who has that money for dining in a treetop pod. Celebrities who go green. This remote Thai resort offers eco-conscious stars a hot vacation destination. Writes the Examiner: Lately, Thailand has been in the news for more than the strange celebrity death report about the tragic demise of martial arts legend David Carradine (…) Now Thailand introduces one of the latest private retreat hot spots that has been recently built to attract Green Celebrities and the ultra-rich.

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August 12, 2009 | Filed Under Fashion & Style, Health, Body & Mind, TTT - Top Thai Things, Travel & Tourism | 1 Comment 

Miss Hopeful Universe

It’s this time of the year again, on August 23rd, of the Miss Universe contest, this time on the Bahamas. Hopeful Thailand, known around the world for the most pleasant aesthetic singularity of her female offspring, is represented by Chutima Durongdej. Chuti-who? Miss Thai Universe?! Gimme a break!

She’s 23 years old, measures 35-26-35, has black eyes and … Bear with me for wondering what made her look more beautiful than the top of this nation’s outstanding women. Must be her inner beauty and intelligence I guess. But then again – and don’t forget to take the poll below:

We all know how eagerly the official Thailand celebrates global Thai achievements, such as a win in a sport event or a Thai heading an international organization. So why the choice of Kai Mook, pearl, as she is called? We’re lucky to get a wooden spoon.

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August 7, 2009 | Filed Under Bangkok Sirens, Fashion & Style, Survey / Poll, TTT - Top Thai Things | 7 Comments 

Thailand’s New Face

He’s Nichkhun Horvejkul, born June 24th, 1988, of 182cm height and 64kg weight. And he’s Thailand’s first new celebrity ambassador. Who?!

After the unforgettable, ever-lasting, worn-out Amazing Thailand campaign the tourism supremos are betting on something fresher.

Here comes a young guy and sings Come to Thailand; Let’s take a break! Nah? Caught the fever? Young, hip, cute – the new Thailand! Where politics have no place:

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August 3, 2009 | Filed Under Fashion & Style, News & Media, Travel & Tourism | 2 Comments 

Ask The Locals

Once in a while absolutely mirrors a Bangkok story that’s worthwhile. Here’s another one picked from off-beat travel site Peter Greenberg; a site that describes Bangkok as “OK, it’s a cliché, but Bangkok is a marvelously eclectic city that is worth at least one visit in your lifetime.”

“The city is steeped in ancient tradition yet thrumming with a cosmopolitan vibe. Where else can you find golden temples, gyrating ladyboys and efficient mass transit? Whether you’ve come to Bangkok to fill a spiritual void or to gorge yourself silly on exotic delicacies, there’s something.”

If you thought you know Bangkok inside out, you may learn a thing or two. For their latest Bangkok travel picks the site asked Ernest Lee, owner/director of H Gallery, to present a selection of local favorites that not only visitors can enjoy. Any insides you would want to add? Still didn’t make it to that phallus shrine on Wireless, another future topic as time allows …

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June 14, 2009 | Filed Under Culture & Arts, Fashion & Style, Food & Drink, Money & Shopping, Travel & Tourism, Truly Bangkok | 1 Comment 

So You Want To Run A Thai Film Festival?

You heard it. We were looking forward to the Phuket Film Festival under the directorate of Scott Rosenberg who was kind and willing enough to write this exclusive report for us. Scott cancelled the fest 15 minutes too early … And you think the title says it all? Sit back, relax and enjoy the back story. Here’s Scott, unplugged:

So you want to run a film festival? Or maybe just work for a film festival? You think it is a fun, glamorous job where you get to meet interesting, artistic, people from around the world, party hearty at luxurious food and beverage affairs and watch lots of great movies.

Forget it! The reality of the situation is a 24/7, sleepless job where you do get to watch lots of mostly boring/awful movies, deal with some really great but some really egotistical people that work in the film industries of the world and are so exhausted at the parties, you can’t eat or drink or have any fun.

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May 17, 2009 | Filed Under Being Farang, Books & Movies, Culture & Arts, Fashion & Style, The Thai Mind, Travel & Tourism | 3 Comments 

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