Showing 1 - 3 of 3
All the way around
Muse, Parisa Pichitmarn, Published on 18/03/2017
» It is hardly a surprise that despite being among the 10 most expensive marathons in the world, the Kyoto Marathon is the eighth-most-registered. Perhaps the picturesque mountains, free strawberries from spectators and smiling monks lend a hand. With 16,000 runners from around the world landing in this old capital and another 15,000 volunteers all along the 42km route, it's an event of a grand scale that sees the whole city on shutdown with people coming together to revitalise Kyoto through sport, especially since the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. After its devastating impact, the annual running competition has been the city's global promotion strategy to present the wonders and green environment of Kyoto to the world -- all in a most organised and orderly manner.
Futuristic retail wonderland
Life, Parisa Pichitmarn, Published on 09/06/2016
» Our country's parks, museums and libraries are in a sorry state, but at least we get our malls right. Imagine if our malls were complete rubbish as well! At least the ones made by Siam Piwat aren't and their latest unveiling of Siam Discovery, 4 billion baht of renovations later, is a spectacular splash of cubic and futuristic interiors, with a wide, modern space that is quite unlike what other places offer. Literally a retail wonderland with a brightly-lit ambience that no longer skimps on the wattage, the dazzling, digital vibes this mall gives off now cements itself as a marvel to be gaped at by even the most sophisticated shoppers from around the world. It's only the fact that there isn't a toilet on every single floor that's keeping us from giving this new revamp full points.
Smoke and mirrors
Life, Parisa Pichitmarn, Published on 16/10/2013
» Magic. In an era of smartphones that can perform once-impossible tasks, the word doesn't quite evoke the same allure and mystique that it once did. But despite its diminishing appeal as a form of mass entertainment, the art of illusion still has a few rabbits left in its hat. In July this year, 13-year-old Thirawat Kongnugul glided past young wizards from all over the world to bag second place in the International Brotherhood of Magic's yearly Stage Contest in Arizona _ proof that Thai magicians still have a few tricks up their collective sleeve (see accompanying story).