How To Catch The Bangkok Journalist

I’ve been to countless press conferences. Mostly the content draws you to the event. Maybe there’s a promising photo op. It’s a habit though in Thailand that some lunch or gift has to be offered, otherwise hardly any journalist would turn up.

But gosh look what flew into the mailbox: “You are cordially invited to attend the Press Conference on The Unveiling Of The World’s Largest Permanent Orchid Garden (with more than 250 species!) at The Nai Lert Park Hotel …”

The catch - further down: “All Press Journalists, Reporters, Editors, Photojournalists, News Photographers, News Camera crew are urged to bring along their business cards as there will be, besides the usual Press-Giveaways, a lucky draw for twenty-five household gifts from Central worth more than 200,000 baht.”

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July 23, 2008 | Filed Under Culture & Arts, Fashion, Travel & Tourism | 5 Comments 

Soi Arab: A Crossroads Of Two Cultures

Arabs are everywhere these days in Bangkok, so flush they are with oil cash and don’t know what to do with all that money. Have a medical checkup at one of Bangkok’s leading hospitals. Chances are you’ll be lonely farang surrounded by Arabs.

Here’s a recent article on Bangkok’s one and only Soi Arab, written by longtime Bangkok resident Jennifer Gampell. If one Bangkok expat lifestyle writer knows Bangkok, it’s Jennifer. She dishes up some Soi Arab insights even you weren’t aware of.

And agreed with Jennifer: Shahrazad’s a must in the treasure called Soi Arab. You’ll want more of their nan bread that comes fresh from the stone oven and of the wonderfully creamy hummus and …

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July 21, 2008 | Filed Under Food & Wine, Travel & Tourism | 6 Comments 

Exploit Thy Neighbor: Preah Vihear & Those Chauvinist Thais

You can turn and twist it as long as you like: The ancient temples of Preah Vihear belong to Cambodia. And you can’t blame the Cambodians for rubbing salt into the wounds of Thais by excessively celebrating their “victory” by having “their” Preah Vihear listed as a Cambodian UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fortunes for once are the other way around.

Thais always loved to make a quick buck from the misery of their neighbors in need. A crisis in Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and even Indonesia always meant business for Thailand. A trend that only got stopped when Thailand gave Asia the financial crisis of 1997 and was later on hit by SARS and bird flu.

All of a sudden it was Thailand losing big time. One cannot but sympathize with Cambodia’s former King Norodom Sihanouk who recently posted a handwritten note on his website. He accused the Thais of causing “unmerited and anachronistic problems” for Cambodia “rather than concentrating on developing harmonious, friendly and fruitful relations.”

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July 20, 2008 | Filed Under History, Politics, Society | 2 Comments 

“R Burger”: Yet Another Japanese Burger Joint

This one is different. You’ve tried them all. And R Burger at Siam Square will still surprise you. As they’re not serving the traditional bread buns. But Chinese-style steamed buns that are fluffier and a whiff sweeter than run-of-the-mill hamburger buns.

And a key ingredient of R Burger’s burgers is Marine Collagen. Go figure. But the burgers don’t taste the way they sound. They’re different and they’re fabulous. Especially the “Maguro Wasabi Mayonnaise Burger” with lots of tuna and healthy DHA.

Right, R Burger is another Japanese Burger joint venture after MOS Fine Burgers‘ phenomenal arrival in the kingdom. R Burger won’t be that successful, as they’re not that mainstream. Nevertheless worth some visits when you’re in the area.

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July 20, 2008 | Filed Under Food & Wine | 4 Comments 

Update: 3G iPhone in Bangkok/Thailand

Kind of bored with Thai politics and analyses at the moment. So why not talking about the essentials of a fulfilled life: The arrival of the 3G iPhone in Bangkok.

Todd the iPhreak did some research. MBK has price signs up. Most reliable and always most expensive Winner Telecom wants 38,000 to 40,000 baht for a 16GB.

They expect the first shipment by the end of July. Quite a steep price curve. We warned you. But then again, there are legit unlocked iBeauties out there.

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July 18, 2008 | Filed Under Gadgets & Shopping | 2 Comments 

Oho! New Bangkok Art & Culture Center

absolutely has some exclusive shots: Of the not only architecturally impressive Bangkok Art & Culture Center that is about to open its doors after years of setbacks and delays. Opening day is Sunday, July 27th, dedicated to Princess Sirindhorn’s photography.

The new Bangkok Art & Culture Center is not only a gallery and museum. It will mainly promote contemporary Thai art and culture, in the heart of Bangkok. At the new pulse of all non-classic Thai art.

A truly unique art market shall become alive opposite MBK and Siam Discovery Center. Be it paintings, sculptures, music, dance or performances, if you’re into the wide field of art, the new center will have something for you.

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July 13, 2008 | Filed Under Culture & Arts, Travel & Tourism, Truly Bangkok | 3 Comments 

Thaksin, Man City & Forbes

I’m still rubbing my eyes. What happened to our courts! CNN Asia just headlined “More charges filed against deposed Thai PM,” while for the first time you can’t laugh off anymore the thought that Thaksin may squarely land in jail.

Many of his enemies want him dead. His believers wish his return to power. After months and months of silence though the prosecutors launch one attack after the other against the old demagogue.

The noose tightens. I wouldn’t be surprised if he flees the country - but hey, he can’t accuse his homeland of military rule and monkey justice anymore. It’s his own bunch ruling the place.

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July 11, 2008 | Filed Under Politics, Society | Leave a Comment 

Court Power

Thailand has seen some amazing justice these days. Hardly amazing regarding the nature of the verdicts. But amazing that the first time since years seemingly untouchable powers are touched. At the same time, after a long wait, the court action against former prime minister Thaksin starts - who has even been barred from leaving the country. The PAD and opposition look like amateurs in comparison.

The hail of deep blows against “lawmakers” (what an ironic term) started with the jailing of three lawyers of Thaksin. Then the Supreme Court banned former house speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat from politics for election fraud, while the Constitution Court ruled that Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama acted unconstitutionally with the signing of the Preah Vihear joint communiqué. Noppadon reacted swiftly. And resigned.

Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsab was already kicked out of office by the Constitution Court … Is Thailand witnessing a “Judicial Revolution,” as Marwaan Macan-Markar of IPS argues. Some even talk of a “Judicial Coup.” Not a good thing? Well, when nobody trusts the politicians anymore, I’m all for a “guided democracy.”

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July 10, 2008 | Filed Under Politics, Society | Leave a Comment 

Movie: The Thai Coffin Ritual For The Living

Thai film director Ekachai Uekrongtham, maker of Beautiful Boxer and Pleasure Factory, has a new film to be released: “The Coffin” - a movie about a deeply bizarre Thai death ritual for the living. Another artful Thai horror film.

Inspired by the true Thai ritual of lying in coffins to get rid of bad luck and prolong life, The Coffin is a supernatural thriller about a young man and a young woman who decide to go through the ritual in Thailand.

Chris, a claustrophobic Thai architect, does it in the hope of saving his Japanese fiancée who’s dying of brain tumour. Sue, a nutritionist visiting Thailand from Hong Kong, does it to save her own life after being diagnosed with lung cancer - one week before her wedding.

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July 7, 2008 | Filed Under Culture & Arts, The Thai Mind | 2 Comments 

The Vongthip Letter Jul 08

Trying to make sense of it all? Lost in the labyrinths of Thai society and politics? Here’s Khun Vongthip Chumpani with her monthly newsletter.

Is it really “Preah Vihear for Koh Kong”? Should you pity Thaksin’s jailed three lawyers? And is there “a revolution in the making?”

Khun Vongthip’s opiniated facts make for some great read again this month.

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July 7, 2008 | Filed Under Economics, Politics, Property & Investment, The Vongthip Letters | Leave a Comment 

Thailand - Energy Solutions Leader?!

“As the world reaches the half way point of its limited oil reserves, there will be no let up of oil prices as prices past 150, 200, 300 and more. These price increases will have to be factored into everything. Hopefully, wages chasing prices will not spiral out of control like in the 1970’s.”

“Oil shock inflation of the 1970’s was finally brought under control by the world’s gain in energy efficiency according to U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke in a recent speech. Thailand now has a solution and a sustainable energy policy thanks to our far-sighted neighbor Japan …”

Tawan Pornpang of Newsvine has some pretty idealistic views about Thailand’s fight for energy solutions. Her take looks rather simplistic. There are millions of ways to cut down energy waste in the kingdom. No serious efforts though are undertaken and I have hardly ever met a Thai with a determination and awareness to save energy.

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July 5, 2008 | Filed Under Economics, Society | 1 Comment 

Stickman About Stickman

The man needs no introduction. If you know Bangkok but you don’t know Stickman, Bangkok’s nightlife guru, you don’t really know Bangkok. He’s an institution. A hero for many. “Stick” though is no glorification of Bangkok nightlife. Far from it. Stick has a very dark side - a dark and highly cynical side that only gets darker and even more cynical as the years pass by.

Stick couldn’t care less about nightlife. It’s not his passion. Just his job, as he told absolutely in a tell-it-all interview - well, tell-it-nearly-all: “If you can avoid the nightlife areas all together,” says Bangkok’s most famous nightlife columnist, “I think your overall impression of Thailand will be so much better. I truly believe that.”

When I had met Stick for the first time as a friend many years ago, I must confess I didn’t even know about Stickman. Even today his “operation theater” is none of my favorite pastimes. But if you struggle to understand the Thai mind and the darker sides of Thai society, Stick has an advice or two for you. Here we go with his - as Stick puts it - “irreverent look at life in Bangkok”:

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July 2, 2008 | Filed Under Being Farang, Nightlife, The Interview, The Thai Mind | 7 Comments 

Oops!

absolutely has had a not too shabby run so far. Born on September 19th, 2007 - that’s right, the first anniversary of the coup -, we reached nearly 1,000 unique visitors a day by June 2008. Exactly 928 daily visitors according to Webalizer - for what that’s worth.

188 topics within roughly nine months and on Matt’s Top 100 Thailand Blogs we’re ranked 7th as of beginning July. Darn, should have kept quiet me babbler - now will you please stop hitting that 1-star rating!

Still a lot to be improved and refined. But absolutely’s basics of mixing the elaborate with the profane has proven to be not too off the mark. An political analysis and some economics followed by some more profane stuff, why not?

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July 1, 2008 | Filed Under On Our Own | 4 Comments 

Times Of Inflation: Tougher Bangkok Life?

Just had an eye-opener phone call. Was talking to a friend that the rising prices start taking a toll. That I’m thinking twice before driving upcountry with these gas prices. He, laughing: “Those gas prices don’t affect people like us, don’t they.”

I was lost for words for a second. Those prices do affect me. They not only bother me, they affect me. Or is it a badge of the affluent here to not bother about anything with a price tag attached?

Showing off with high prices has some roots here among Bangkok’s rich, newly rich and wannabe rich. Told me a retailer some time ago that certain products he can only sell with a hefty price tag. Otherwise the bag or sunglasses not only look cheap, they are cheap.

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July 1, 2008 | Filed Under Gadgets & Shopping, Property & Investment | 5 Comments 

Thailand’s Totalitarian Democracy & The West

They do it again and again, the Western media and Western politicians. Ignoring all the shades between white and black. “Democracy in Asia? Beware of Thailand” is the title of an editorial published by the Italian daily La Stampa.

The author argues that “the explosive mix of street protests and veiled military threats holds the (Thai) government hostage - a risk for the spread of totalitarian regimes in the whole region.”

I’m not saying that elections in Thailand are simply bought and perverted. The very problem is that the “formally democratic process” meanwhile has a global appeal. Just vote - and the West calls it democracy.

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June 29, 2008 | Filed Under Politics, Society | 3 Comments 

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