Showing 51 - 60 of 64
Dim sum fun
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 09/05/2014
» THE SET-UP: Sure, you can get your dumplings or salapao from 7-Eleven or a mobile vendor uncle, but their offerings are mainly for sustenance only. Luckily enough, we Bangkokians have many options to take the dim sum experience to a savoury level with the all-you-can-eat options from the hotel restaurants out there. Chyna is one such place and, as suggested by its name, it tries to put new spins on Chinese dishes. Behind the tall windows of Chyna lies a spacious and airy main dining area. There are two private rooms that can be merged once the partition is retracted, in case your clan wants to organise an annual gathering (so everyone remembers where they are in the complicated family tree). The outdoor area overlooks a nearby temple and the city beyond in case you want a view. The regular patrons during weekdays are businesspeople while friends and families come in the evenings and on weekends. Chinese and French hotel guests staying at Centra Central Station also stop by.
Splish splash
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 11/04/2014
» There was a fuss made recently over a report that a company planned to organise Songkran celebrations in Singapore. Like a motorcycle taxi’s seat pre-heated by the April midday sun, this prompted some Thais to be extra protective of what they considered exclusive to Thailand. However, we need not worry about anyone copying our Songkran since we have many elements that are so inimitable that no other country would be able to (or want to) recreate them. In honour of the upcoming Thai New Year, we present you with all the things that make Songkran uniquely Thai.
My digital dowry
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 31/01/2014
» Living in Thailand, there comes a time when you need to figure out very specific questions.
Not the news
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 24/01/2014
» We think we aren’t the only ones who have been glued to our smartphone screens of late, following updates regarding #BangkokShutdown on Twitter and whatnot. Amid the cascade of information and misinformation, one item caught our attention, like a crystal-encrusted golden whistle under the midday light. It was an item about nightlife giant Ku De Ta closing its doors after a series of “bad circumstances” over the past few months that were bad for business with the shutdown being the last straw.
#LOWCOSTCOSPLAY
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 17/01/2014
» There have been two things on our mind during the last week besides Bangkok Shutdown and Lin Hui’s pregnancy. They are #selfieolympics and #bikinibridge. The former is the latest trend in photo-taking (seemingly for people who have smartphones, too much time on their hands and a big mirror in front of them) while the latter is a hoax (which we sure hope will really catch on in Thailand). They inspired us to search for lesser-known creative (and cuckoo) photo trends appearing in Thai social media that you may not be aware of. Help popularise them (at your own risk).
Happy hugger
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 17/01/2014
» Worakorn "Lucky" Thanyananthima is also known as HugMan. The 33-year-old Surin native has made it his life mission to give strangers free hugs in the hope of promoting world peace. Since Jan 21 is National Hug Day in the US when participants offer free hugs to family members, friends and strangers alike, we talk to Lucky to learn what it's like to offer free hugs all year round. You can follow him at facebook.com/LuckyHugman.
Bangkok songkran agendas
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 12/04/2013
» OMB! We have five days off in a row because the cabinet kindly declared that this year's "official" Songkran break starts from today until Tuesday. Say what you will about PM Poo, but she is so right in giving us a long holiday since we can't function properly during this kind of heat anyway. Anyhoo, that's over 7,000 minutes we're supposed to wisely spend relaxing before going back to the grind on Wednesday. And even though some shops and places in Bangkok may be shut during the Thai New Year, there are plenty more options for celebrating. Here's what we suggest you do and, hopefully, you may also find a deeper meaning of Songkran Festival (besides throwing water at strangers) along the way. Happy splashing, everyone.
What's the big Idea?
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 19/10/2012
» We're increasingly sure that becoming an adult in Thailand doesn't require passing any tests in common sense. The number of grown-ups we've seen come up with a plan to achieve something through flabbergasting means is more flabbergasting itself (doubling the flabbage factor). With all due respect, here are our picks of the most questionable ideas ever cooked up in the Kingdom. (If nothing else, they should make you feel good about your plan to get off work by rubbing your face with a sick kid, or something equally silly).
Bangkok's best taxi drivers
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 14/09/2012
» Hailing a cab in Bangkok is like playing reverse Russian roulette - you want the unlikely to happen to you. The reality is that you never know if the first driver will agree to take you to your destination; or the second, or the third....
Puzzling Pricings
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 15/06/2012
» I was on Silom Road recently when I came upon a farang man, probably in his 20s. He asked a motorcycle taxi driver how much he would charge for a lift to a nearby hotel. The driver mimed out a price of B30 with his hands. The guy mistook the gesture for B300 and became upset. The driver was offended too that the farang thought he tried to rip him off. Only after another driver explained that there was no extra zero, he gestured a wai to the driver to apologise. Both men swallowed their bruised pride before they agreed to complete the B30 transaction.