Showing 61 - 70 of 89
Techie travellers
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 23/01/2015
» By now you’ve probably memorised all the holidays in 2015 (as you’ve undoubtedly done with the freshly baked 12 core values of Thai people). Who’s to say, maybe you’ve already gone so far as to mark potential long weekends on your calendar. Well, the government, perhaps inspired by your go-getter attitude, also wants to promote tourism throughout this year. Why not help out, then, by injecting some of your hard-earned dough back into the economy? Here as a guide on your financially righteous quest are our picks of smartphone applications that will help you explore Thailand, the smart way.
Fried poultry paradise
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 23/01/2015
» Bangkok is the UN of fried chicken, and a new breed of the crispy bird has recently hatched, joining a flock populated by the likes of KFC, Korean fried chicken, buffalo wings, gai tod Hat Yai and karaage. The latest entry to the hallowed deep-fried fraternity is Sekai No Yamachan, which is famous for its tebasaki, or Nagoya-style fried chicken wings. With a half-man, half-chicken kinda-kawaii mascot statue out front, you can't miss this new izakaya (a Japanese term for a casual after-work drinking and dining establishment). Its dark wooden interior is inviting enough, but don't get too excited — nothing about the decor will knock your socks off. An industrial-style pendant hangs above each table, providing adequate lighting for your most salivatory food porn moments. There are two smaller rooms as well, should you want more privacy. Regular diners comprise about a 50-50 split of Japanese expats and Thais.
Cross-Cultural Chef
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 26/12/2014
» Cyril Mougin, 29, is the executive chef at Novotel Phuket Karon Beach Resort and Spa. He oversees the hotel’s four restaurants, one of which is the Asian-inspired TAi. Although he is trained in traditional French cooking, he showcases his passion for Asian food at TAi where he offers favourite dishes from Thai, Korean, Filipino, Japanese and Chinese cookbooks. We talk to him about his culinary journey.
Whet your app-etite
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 22/08/2014
» You can't call yourself a foodie these days if you're armed with only eating utensils and discerning taste buds. Next to your fork and spoon, you also need a good smartphone app to help you eat shrewdly and be in the know about the latest restaurants. For your appetite's pleasure, we've selected apps that every type of food enthusiast should have on their devices. Bon applications!
Aww-dorable Cafes
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 01/08/2014
» Thais are crazy for cute stuff. It is a fact. Remember how fast LINE and Rilakkuma tumblers from 7-Eleven sold out? How many times have you chatted with friends through stickers and emoji instead of actual letters? Do you know how many celeb dogs and cats there are in the Thai Facebook sphere nowadays? (They could fill a paperback book). What we’re trying to say is that cuteness is a real commodity here and some cafes in Bangkok are combining adorable edibles with cute characters to create their own atmosphere. Check out these mung ming frung fring (it’s how Thai kids are saying “cute” these days) venues to get your cute and cake fixes. Disclaimer: cuteness overload ahead.
Daddy dog care
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 11/07/2014
» Jay Spencer, 38, is a former business development manager at Thailand Creative & Design Center. Now he is the founder — aka “top dawg” — of a new dog-centric community space called The Barkyard Bangkok (10:30am-6pm. 65 Sukhumvit Soi 26, Soi Thanphuying Phuangrat Praphai, fb.com/thebarkyardbkk, IG: @thebarkyardbkk). The place for canines and their owners as well as those who go “aww” whenever they see dogs just opened its soft launch phase on Jul 7. Jay, the proud dad of three beagles (and one human child on the way), talks to us about his unique venue.
Lights, camera, Waller
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 27/06/2014
» Born in Thailand to an Irish father and Thai mother, Tom Waller is an international film-maker and film producer. In Thailand, he’s best known for his second film, Mindfulness and Murder (2010), which was nominated for Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Film at the Subhanahongsa Awards. Tom’s latest feature, The Last Executioner (fb.com/thelastexecutioner), is based on the life of the late Chavoret Jaruboon. Chavoret was Thailand’s last man to use a sub-machine gun on death row inmates at Bang Kwang Central Prison before the capital punishment method was changed to lethal injection. Vithaya Pansringarm of Only God Forgives plays him in the film, which was selected as one of 15 nominations for The Golden Goblet of the Shanghai International Film Festival last week where Vithaya won Best Actor. Tom talks to us about The Last Executioner, which will hit Thai cinemas on Jul 3.
Funny queen bee
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 04/04/2014
» Bon Jakobsen is the queen of funny videos on Thai social media. Since 2010, she has operated a YouTube channel called “bononstage” (youtube.com/bononstage), which began with videos to teach foreigners Thai language she posted while living in Norway. However, what has made Bon a true YouTube star are her parodies of different characters from a hi-so to a pretty to an ab baew. Bon has just started a new show called Jaidee TV Daily (fb.com/jaideetvdaily) where she gives amusing analyses of everything topical from politics to showbiz. Keep yourself up to date while being entertained by Bon (she does a really dead-on imitation of caretaker PM Yingluck Shinawatra, BTW) during weekdays at 7pm.
Growing Green Communities
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 28/03/2014
» This month marks the first anniversary of Bangkok Farmers’ Market and they will celebrate by having a big market at K Village over the weekend. In the past year, the market has helped encourage people to embrace organic and healthy products while creating a community in which people can learn and share new things. To highlight the trend of green living in Bangkok, we talked to the market’s coordinator to see what Bangkok Farmers’ Market has in store as well as document other organic ventures in the city.
Lucky bunny lover
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 31/01/2014
» Gullayanee "Kat" Jiamsinkul is the owner of Lucky Bunny Cafe Restaurant (Tue-Sun 10:30am-8pm, Lat Phrao 101 Yaek 28, 085-195-5465). She has turned one of her houses into a one-of-a-kind place that offers visitors playtime with cute rabbits, food and beverage as well as nice backdrops for photo-taking. A graduate from Assumption Commercial College, Kat has been a life-long entrepreneur, running an interior and landscaping design firm before deciding to open Lucky Bunny. Go to the cafe's Facebook page at goo.gl/4yaQnq for more information.