Showing 1 - 10 of 11
Let there be light
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 03/12/2021
» As the holiday season ramps up, parts of Thailand are transforming into centres of celebration for Christmas and New Year. More accurately, there will be more IG-worthy places for a limited period of time. Malls have set up Christmas trees while a number of light installations around the country are set to give visitors a little light in the otherwise dark and difficult period we've all been through these past couple of months. If you're looking to visit one of these places for some holiday cheer but don't know where to start, Guru has you covered.
The new normal
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 22/05/2020
» The curfew has been shortened. The booze ban has been lifted. Malls have reopened and so have restaurants. Bangkok is going back to normal! Or is it? As citywide measures start to ease up, Guru checks out what has changed in this city of ours. Welcome to Bangkok's new normal.
Secret services
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 28/02/2020
» Bangkok is rapidly becoming a city with innovations that make life much easier. Yes, we at Guru have complained a lot about the city's many negative aspects but we also can't deny that the city has improved. Is there room for improvement? Oh, definitely. But there are many things that we use right now that we simply cannot imagine life without. What would life be without the services of GrabFood to deliver meals to your door or Shopee and Lazada to do your shopping from the comfort of your home? How about the Lock Box storage facilities we see in many BTS and MRT stations that help tourists roam without having to drag their luggage with them? Can we forget about the lifesaving GrabTaxi and GrabBike services? There are more services on the rise that you may not know about and that's what we're here to spotlight this week.
Welcoming a new decade!
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 03/01/2020
» For those of you who may have missed it, we are in a new decade. Yes, you read that right. No, you are not hallucinating. Yes, we are all old. Welcome to the beginning of the 2020s where films like Back To The Future and Blade Runner are not just classics but the future worlds depicted in them are now effectively in the past; where years like 2050 and 2060 no longer sound ridiculous like they did back in the early 2000s and where those born in 2000 are 20 years old. It's a lot to take in, that's for sure. With every new year also comes the declarations of "New year, new me" posted all over social media and vocally announced at dinner tables everywhere. Resolutions are made and kept for a good two weeks or so before being thrown out the window. So instead of trying to expect things to happen that we aren't even sure will happen, let's take a look at the stuff that we're fairly certain will happen this year. Here's a couple of things to look forward to this 2020.
Holiday party essentials
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 20/12/2019
» Like most holiday seasons (we have a few in Thailand), this is a time for celebration, a time for giving and getting together with friends and loved ones. Whether it's for a classy Christmas dinner with the grandparents and all the relatives or a rowdy night out with the pals on New Year's Eve, you're bound to have lots of parties and get-togethers. Though you may be looking forward to the parties, there may be things stressing you out: What if your friends choose to party at a place that's really far where traffic is horrible? What if you have multiple get-togethers on one day and can't go home for an outfit change between events?What if you have nothing to wear to all these parties but even if you did, you don't have the budget for it? 'Tis the season and at Guru we are all about reducing your stress. We've got stuff that can help you out.
App-solutely smooth
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 01/11/2019
» We at Guru know we're snarky about Bangkok at times -- OK, most of the time -- but like any other city, there are things we hate about it and there are things we love about it.
Pizza pundits
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 01/03/2019
» Who doesn't love pizza? If you say "me" then kindly be aware that everyone is judging you. Pizza is one of the most loved comfort foods and honestly, this circular pie of goodness and love brings such a smile to our faces every time we see it. Fortunately, Bangkok isn't short on restos selling pizzas and Bangkokians have a pretty wide selection of where to satiate our cravings. Whether your taste buds are wanting some traditional Italian pizzas or perhaps you want to feast on a full one-metre rectangular pizza with your buddies, you can get all these right here in the Big Mango -- you just have to know where to look. And that's where we come in. Rest easy, readers -- here are our picks of the best pizzas around the city.
Final curtain call
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 09/11/2018
» For nearly 50 years, the Dusit Thani Bangkok has welcomed the likes of royalty, dignitaries, celebrities and common folk. From the late US president Ronald Reagan to singer Enrique Iglesias to an inconsequential magazine writer like me, the hotel has had a rich history. But despite its age, it's looking good and isn't slowing down at all, even if it is closing its doors in early January. Sure, it's only temporary but it's closing for a pretty sizeable amount of time -- at least three and a half years. However, does that mean there's nothing at the Dusit Thani except for weathered walls, an aged building and an establishment that's on its way out? Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Into the looking glass
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 03/08/2018
» We are now past the half-way mark of 2018. Yes, it's insane how time flies. Before we know it, we'll be doing a Christmas issue and wishing you a New Year. Although it seems like the days are flashing right before our eyes, there's still a bunch of days, weeks and a handful of months left in 2018 for us to enjoy. Case in point: all these thing left to look forward to as we draw nearer and nearer to the end of the year. Here are our picks.
Monsoon tales
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 13/07/2018
» While the scorching heat of Thailand will always be around, we're now into the season where that would be alleviated with a "bit" of rainfall. Yes, it's rainy season in Thailand, which means an increase in picky taxi drivers, wet floors on the BTS and Minesweeper-like pavements that could spew dirty water on you when you step on them. Despite the great inconvenience it causes, it also results in great stories that shouldn't just be kept to ourselves. Having said that, we asked you, our dear readers, what experiences you've had in the torrential downpour season, and as always, you didn't disappoint. Here are our faves.