Tuning In From Thailand
Sitting in a restaurant, riding on a motorbike, walking in the Old City or waiting in line at an ATM you can see people plugged in, with headphones in ear and smart phone or iPod in hand. While some may be listening to the latest trendy tracks, more and more are listening to a podcast.
The School of Endless Hobbies
I arrive at Ramby’s School to find founder and director Sahrah Boeck lying on the grass outside with her face covered in gold leaf. She looks up at me and jovially apologises. “It’s a new beauty treatment that I’m testing, so I can perhaps teach it if anyone wants to learn it!”
Dazzled by the Light
It began on a regular Chiang Mai afternoon. I was sitting at local hippy haunt Tea Tree Caf้e, sipping a cup of chai and minding my own business when I noticed something interesting going on around me. One by one, people were taking turns under a flashing box of light, and emerging blissed out and calm. Curious, I asked what was going on. As it turns out, these people were receiving an innovative … Continued
Fashion Meets Compassion
It all started a few years ago when Mark Weber was at his local Trader Joe’s grocery store in America. He and his now-wife and business partner, Alana Hitchcock, were at checkout one day buying their usual brand of fair trade coffee, which costs about 70 cents extra than the regular kind.
Itchy to Rock, Itchy to Roll
Firelight flickers over the faces in the crowd, an even mix of Thai and farang, swilling cheap cups of Sangsom and chatting amongst themselves. It’s a cool evening and many of the bar-goers are dressed in leather jackets adorned with spikes and patches – skulls, fireballs, the names of local punk gangs – attached with safety pins. The clientele meshes well with the bar itself, 7 Pounds, a ragtag open-air affair near Wat Jed Yod, several small buildings framing a central courtyard scattered with vintage adverts, old analog TV sets and mismatched chairs.
Fan of the Century
Janya Sugunnasil is a petite lady in her 60s, with a white bob, delicate features and merrily smiling eyes. The sliding screen door of her Wat Umong home bears a sign in Thai, politely warning us not to let out the cats. We enter and the room is clean and bright (no cats in sight) with muted colours and small pieces of antique-looking art scattered about – a bronze ballerina sculpture, a small wooden stool carved with dragons. A porcelain teacup full of live flowers sits on the glass-topped coffee table and Janya sits down on the couch by the window with her hands folded primly in her lap, wearing a long floral skirt, house slippers and a white lace top.
Design Ideas: Methawee Yoktree
Click to Enlarge Antique Coffee Grinder This hand operated coffee bean grinder really brings vintage style back to the kitchen. A classic and simple wooden box, with a really good quality grinder – great for everyday use or even as just an ornament in your home. Price: 800 – 1,500 baht www.temmart.com Ganesha Lamps These lamps are imported from India, but the Ganesha figure is made from clay that … Continued
Music Box: February 2014
Various Artists Hi-Fi Thai Country 3D This album is the second in a series of compilations of contemporary Thai folk from the Baichasong Label, known for its high quality production and the strong musicianship of its session players. What’s particularly notable here is how different these songs sound from the scratchy folk recordings of the past and the current day renditions backed by karaoke-sty … Continued
Is That A Lonely Man? An Interview with Expat Author Lawrence Osborne
A British-born novelist and journalist who has spent most of his life on the move, Lawrence Osborne now calls Thailand his home. His celebrated memoir, 2009’s Bangkok Days, paints a fascinating portrait of Bangkok and the motley cast of expatriates who live there. To date, Osborne has published 11 books and is a regular contributor to the New York Times. His next novel, Hunters in the Dark, a tale set in the underbelly of Cambodian, will be published in May of this year. Here, the critically acclaimed author discusses expat life, Thai culture, Buddhism, Bangkok, books and more.
The Art of Erecting a Garden
Just past the Prem School turnoff, tucked into a lush sea of rippling green rice paddies, is a teahouse. Made from a converted barn and surrounded by a walled garden, it may at first appear like any other teahouse. That is, until you notice the umbrella stands. And the columns holding up the antique sala. Are those…? Yes, folks, those are penises. Welcome to the brand new Erotic Garden and Teahouse of Mae Rim!
Breaking Good
Did you know that Chiang Mai is home to one of the biggest, and self-proclaimed baddest, B-boy crews in Thailand? Do you know what on earth a B-boy is? Well, if, like me, you are not so up to date with the latest trends, the term “B-boy” may be lost on you. Put simply, a B-boy (or B-girl) is someone who is devoted to the hip-hop culture, with a focus on the urban art of breaking or breakdancing. Originating in the Bronx of New York in the 1970s, the term B-boy has evolved over the last 40 years to include other lifestyle identities encompassing music, arts, magic and even, here in Chiang Mai at least, hairdressing.
The Wedding Planner
Araya “Am” Panyanuwat is a recognisable face in Chiang Mai. For most of her working life she has been a Jill of many trades. She spent years working in PR and marketing in a five star hotel, has worked in events organising for the past decade, often moonlights as a much-coveted bilingual emcee – most recently hosting Citylife’s piano concert on Maya’s rooftop – and for the past year, she has been … Continued
Talking for 30 Years: The Informal Northern Thai Group
And so it was in the early eighties that John and Hans frequently met up at the Alliance Francaise where they went for bi-weekly viewings of movies, one of the few social activities available in those days outside private residences. “We kept talking about resurrecting the talks, there were so many people doing fascinating research in those days,” said John. Southeast Asia was exploding with resea … Continued
Community Renaissance
Chiang Mai has been known for its artisans and handicrafts since the Lanna period, the city rife with bustling markets that even today remain a vital part of daily life. But with towering megamalls popping up like mushrooms after a rainstorm and traditional markets turning into dime a dozen tourist traps, many worry about rapid modern development replacing what used to make Chiang Mai, well, Chian … Continued
Unique Boutiques
Chiang Mai is rife with fabulous independent shops selling all manner of goodies, from fancy gowns to painted elephants to trendy trinkets. Here are a few unique boutiques around the city to check out on your next shopping spree. 1. Lamai This Airport Plaza shop is an experiment in fashion fusion, featuring everything from K-pop bubble necklaces to Harajuku platform sandals to Alice in Wonderland … Continued
Francois Russo: International Man of Luxury
From the outside, Maison Takuya’s headquarters don’t look like much. A low, grey building, nondescript in every way, located in the outskirts of Chiang Mai. It has no sign at the entrance, and at first we’re not even sure we’re in the right place. But this is the home, studio and factory of Francois Russo, an international French designer who specialises in luxury leather handbags under the brand … Continued
Music Box: January 2015
The Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band 21st Century Molam Maft Sai and Chris Menist wrap up a big year with the first release from their touring band, a collection of veteran Isaan musicians and young Bangkok talent. The group’s sound is focused around the swirling, hypnotic playing of Kammao Perdtanon on the phin (sort of a Thai lute) and Sawai Kaewsombat on the khaen (similar to a harmoni … Continued
Dai’s Design Ideas
Preedaporn “Dai” Vaidhayakarn Owner of Sabudbob Studio www.facebook.com/sabudbob www.sabudbobstudio.com I do corporate and brand identity, graphic and web design, events and exhibitions. Here are a few of my favourite local design products! a. Painting by Soper Graffiti and graphic artist Christ Soper is part of a new generation of local Chiang Mai artists, and I got this eye-catching work from … Continued
In the Valley of the Dolls
The fluorescent lights take a second to flicker on, popping and buzzing. As they reach their full power, the colours begin to take hold. Reds and golds, greens, purples and yellows, all accented by beads and mirrored sequins. It is all a bit too much to take in at first. But slowly, as my eyes adjust, the figures and faces attached to them begin to take shape.
Design Ideas
Preedaporn “Dai” Vaidhayakarn Owner of Sabudbob Studio www.facebook.com/sabudbob www.sabudbobstudio.com I do corporate and brand identity, graphic and web design, events and exhibitions. Here are a few of my favourite local design products! a. Painting by Soper Graffiti and graphic artist Christ Soper is part of a new generation of local Chiang Mai artists, and I got this eye-catching work from … Continued
Exit, Stage Left
“When approaching the intersection of Chang Klan and Sri Donchai Roads, a sense of loss pervades. Here on the Southeast corner of this busy intersection rests the colossal of Chiang Mai cinemas, rotting mercilessly. Bound like a sedated hostage in the cheapness of billboards and advertisements, the sole surviving relic of Chiang Mai’s movie-going glory days awaits an undetermined, likely grim fate … Continued