Showing 1 - 9 of 9
A fight on all fronts
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 13/08/2021
» It sucks that we are still in the throes of this pandemic, that people are suffering in all kinds of ways because of it, that incompetence rules the roost when it comes to handling the crisis and it sucks that we are still moaning about it. Though we at Guru have listed things to make lockdown bearable and listed how you could help those in need, it's time to hear from of some the city's professionals on how the state of things has affected their lives.
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.
Team Thailand
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 12/10/2018
» Us living in Bangkok may be accustomed to complaining about the various things we experience on a daily basis, whether it be heavy traffic, the absence of law-abiding drivers, taxi rejections or the crowded streets and trains. And while these grumblings are founded and you have the right to complain (because we do too), there are things that we should be proud of in the Big Mango and Thailand. As evidenced by this list, plenty of accolades have been lavished to Bangkok or Thailand, and sometimes we have to put aside our jadedness to realise that we're living in a pretty great place. Just recently, Bangkok was named one of the top destinations in the world by Mastercard and was also named "the least unhappy country" by the Bloomberg Misery Index. So this week, we've done what we thought was impossible: we're putting aside the snarkiness and sarcasm -- OK, maybe we're just lessening it a tad -- and listing the awards that have been bestowed upon Thailand. This is just so we learn to do what Eric Idle from Monty Python has been singing all these years: Always look on the bright side of life. That's wishful thinking though, we'll probably be back to our usual sarcastic selves in the next issue.
Bibliophilia: Five havens for bookworms
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 15/06/2018
» Did you know that Thailand was named the World Book Capital by Unesco in 2013? Maybe we should instead ask : can you believe Thailand was named the World Book Capital by Unesco in 2013? Whether you believe it or not, it's true. Now bookstores are a common sight in malls but we usually know them by a Japanese name and another name that specifies a continent of the world. However, those aren't the only places a bookworm can find refuge at. There are a number of places right here in the Big Mango that book lovers will absolutely adore. This week, we have picked out some of our favourites.
Countryside mayhem
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 20/04/2018
» The latest entry to the Far Cry franchise is finally here after much anticipation. Its predecessor, Far Cry 4, delivered a pretty ruthless villain, a gorgeous open-world environment, but a story that didn't appeal to some and a gameplay that was criticised as being too similar to the previous game. The question now is whether Far Cry 5 avoided these pitfalls.
Relax and refill
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 06/04/2018
» Better Moon Café x Refill Station has a peculiar sounding/looking name. The first part is pretty straightforward, the second refers to their eco-friendly programme where customers can bring plastic containers to be refilled with different products ranging from shower gel to dishwashing liquid. They're also a guesthouse. We've featured their refill station in a previous issue, but since we're Guru, we couldn't just pass up on giving their café's menu a try.
Truffles galore
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 09/02/2018
» Inside Sukhumvit 22, just a few blocks away from the main road, lies Truffles Bar & Ristorante, which is about three months old. At first glance, it seems to be one of those usual hole-in-the-wall bars that you see so much of around the city, but don’t be fooled. The front of the restaurant where guests enter houses the bar and a number of open-air tables, which is suitable for when you’re there to have a drink or two. However, delve deeper into the restaurant and you’ll find they have more tables in an air-conditioned room that could accommodate more than 30 patrons easily. Plus, the inside dining area is more suited for when you, family or friends are gathering for a full-on meal instead of just chilling over drinks. The area has a very authentic Italian feel to it and we’re glad that the menu strives to do the same as well.
Just a couple of foodies
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 09/02/2018
» It's that time of the year when couples come out in full-force, restaurants are jampacked, roses and chocolates are more expensive, and single people are more bitter than usual. Yes, St Valentine's Day is upon us and that means couples all over the place. We could have just given you a list of places you could go to for a special dinner (actually, we did -- check our Food listings). But in lieu of the upcoming "festivities", if you could call it that, we decided to round up a number of foodie power couples to get to know their favourite restos and what they do during on this romantic day. Perhaps we noobs could learn a thing or two from them.
Garden chillin'
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 12/01/2018
» Tiny Tree started out as an online terrarium shop on IG. They've got two locations and are planning to add one more, but it's only at their store on Sukhumvit 31 that they serve a brunch-and-coffee-style menu. It's a way to have their customers participating in their weekend terrarium workshops, something to munch on while in the midst of it, but over time it's also become a place for people to chill, do work or have friends gather over a small meal and drinks.