Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Nippon express
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 19/11/2021
» Thailand has reopened its borders to foreigners and the prospect of travelling abroad seems to be more of a reality now than it did a few months ago. It's not entirely back to normal though. There are hurdles to go through and it costs a lot of money if you want to go abroad and return to Thailand. That being said, unless you're unlike many of us and showed great self-control when it came to spending on food deliveries during lockdown, you've probably saved a fair bit to travel. A recent Visa survey revealed that the number one place Thais want to visit is Japan and if you can't get yourself there, Guru has the next best thing -- places in the Land of Smiles that transport you to the Land of the Rising Sun.
The power of attraction
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 24/09/2021
» K-pop stans and Blinks across the world were sent into a frenzy when Blackpink's Lisa released her solo debut album, Lalisa, a few weeks ago. The internet quickly fell in love with its addictive beat and rhythm, but the accompanying music video featured more than just tantalising visuals drenched in neon lights -- it featured the Buri Ram native in a traditional Thai headdress and the Prasat Hin Phanom Rung.
Art against authority
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 16/07/2021
» We can all agree on one thing: this whole pandemic is a crapfest. The time when Thailand was lauded for successfully handling the first wave has long gone and we are in the throes of the third wave with daily cases almost hitting 10,000 (at least in the time of going to print), hospitals running out of beds for patients and vaccinations going at a snail's pace. The anger and fury directed at the government's handling of the third wave has reached boiling point and none are more vocal about it than political artists, who have found a home, voice and audience on Facebook. From tarot cards to 3D renders, here are a few artists who use their art to make their voices heard.
Read all about it
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 23/04/2021
» A blogger a number of years ago cited an alleged Unesco statistic stating that Thais only read eight lines per year compared to the five books a year Singaporeans and Vietnamese read. I couldn't find the statistic anywhere but a former editor for Guru also wrote in one of her past editor's note that the National Statistic Office reported in 2005 that Thais read an average of just seven lines a year. However, the Unesco site which you can check out has traced that illiteracy has begun declining in 2015 so perhaps the seven-lines-per-year has improved. But why in the world am I talking about Thailand's literacy rates when we usually talk about food or Uncle Tu's latest blunders in this magazine? Well, today is actually World Book Day, and we're listing out a few things you can do to celebrate the occasion -- and perhaps also keep that upward trajectory on the Unesco stat going. So choose a cozy spot and get ready to bury your nose in a few pages as we celebrate World Book Day 2021.
The other WFH
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 29/01/2021
» The light at the end of the proverbial tunnel seems to grow brighter and brighter each day as Covid cases begin to somewhat falter and vaccinations are set to soon begin. But as we look forward to the day when we can finally and truly put all of this behind us, we're not entirely out of the woods yet. That means we're still facing a few more days of enduring working from home just to be safe. That might be great news for some, but for others who are sick of the same desk, same chair and same four walls, fear not. If you're looking for a change of work scenery, these hotels in Bangkok and nearby provinces are offering their rooms so you can WFH or "Work From Hotel".
Guru awards 2020
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 18/12/2020
» A lot has happened in 2020. From the pandemic to protests, the year has had a flurry of events, good and bad (perhaps mostly bad). Paradoxically, it seems that 2020 lasted longer than it should and we all can't wait for it to be over, but at the same time it also seemed like we just went into quarantine yesterday. We're all looking forward to the year that's ahead and leave 2020 behind, but before we do, let's take a look at the year that's been and determine which blunders, skills and mascots are worthy of recognition.
The plastic-less revolution
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 17/01/2020
» The first day of 2020 saw a major change in the lives of those who live in the Kingdom of Thailand: the (almost total) disappearance of single-use plastic bags. It's a huge change but a seemingly necessary one. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, Thailand is one of the four countries responsible for half of all plastic in the oceans in Southeast Asia. While 2019 saw a drastic drop in the use of plastic bag, the plan is to eliminate 225,000 tonnes of plastic waste per year. Single-use plastic bags are just the beginning though as bottle caps, cups and straws are next on the list. So what exactly are people saying about the ban? Is it absolutely necessary? What does it mean for customers who go grocery shopping? Are there ways to help lessen plastic waste? Hopefully, this clarifies some things and answers some of your questions.
Thai pride
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 15/11/2019
» Thailand is well-known around the world for a number of things: beautiful beaches, great food and extremely friendly people, to name a few. It's also home to a variety of homegrown talent be it in the entertainment industry or elsewhere. Sure, you can probably name a bunch off the top of your head that people go gaga for right here in the country, but there's also a number of them who are pretty well-known internationally, some of whom you may not be aware of. Either way, these are people who are making their motherland proud and whose works are worthy to be celebrated. From make-up artists to cake designers, here are Thais who are getting recognition locally and internationally for their work.
The Year That Was
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 28/12/2018
» 2018 has come and gone as quickly as motorcyclists swerve off the sidewalk when they see a cop. And it's been a whirlwind of a year -- the Winter Olympics, Harry and Meghan, Yanny and Laurel and the daring rescue of the boars. With the many, many events, it's hard to recap everything in one go. Plus, we don't want to make the same mistake YouTube Rewind did. So we decided to ask people from various walks to life to tell us what the year has been for them. Here's a look back at 2018 and here's us wishing you a Happy New Year!
Summer checklist
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 06/04/2018
» The blistering heat and scorching sun has made it evident that summer is upon us. The bad news is that it's likely to get hotter from here on. The good news is that the city is going to be an all-out water war zone in a few weeks. Aside from that, there are plenty of things to do during this summer. But if you're scatterbrained like us, can't organise yourself and will probably end up lounging on the couch eating a tub of ice cream (which is not a bad idea, actually), you can stop fretting. We've compiled a summer to-do list for you.