Out in The City
Chiang Mai is an extraordinary city that attracts extraordinary expatriates who have an enormous pride and affection for their new hometown and who rightly claim to be different from those who have chosen to settle in Thailand’s resort destinations. Among the western gay men is an army of culturally sensitive and amazingly talented individuals. Filmmaker, artist and photographer, Galen Garwood is … Continued
Inequality Beckons!
Pana Janviroj, a native of Chiang Mai, is the President of The Nation Congratulations to Citylife on your anniversary. You amplify what a niche location-based unit could do in a wider world – using knowledge, technology and creative endeavour to add value to Chiang Mai. But you are in a ‘small’ minority in a society dominated by a one-track national development mindset. It is a particular area, a … Continued
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Denis Grey joined Associated Press in 1972 during the Vietnam War era covering war and postwar issues. In 1976 he was appointed Bureau Chief of AP in Bangkok covering Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. He resigned as bureau chief in February this year when he was appointed roving correspondent for AP in Asia, focusing largely on environmental issues. Years ago, I was certain I had found what ev … Continued
Investigating Lives
Ah Chiang Mai, the “land of mists and mellow fruitfulness, close bosom friend of the maturing sun”. That may be Keats’ ‘Autumn’ in England but had he lived here wouldn’t he be saying something like this? I am always drawn to northern Thailand, Chiang Mai, and more particularly the hills beyond, so what a delight to contribute to ‘Citylife’, formerly the ‘Chiang Mai Newsletter’ and celebrate its 20 … Continued
Community Service
01 Informal Northern Thai Group June 14th: Louis Gabaude on Twisting Buddhism Through the Christian Lexicon: ‘Ordination’. For more information please call 053 117 319 or gabaudel@loxinfo.co.th. 02 Dog of the month Introducing Erin. This sweet young lady is 2 years old and is very friendly and calm. She gets along well with everyone _ people and dogs. She has a lovely silky black coat and is mediu … Continued
Oh for a Plastic Cup
Daughter #1 will finish her law degree in a couple of weeks and already has a job lined up in Sydney. As a parent, this is great news and we now have three years to save up before D2 spreads her wings and leaves the Daring household. No doubt she will also require great dollops of money as she does whatever she ends up doing. Then it will just be Mrs. D and I. Oh God. Mind you, we don’t really see … Continued
Seeking the ultimate comfort food
I enjoy Vietnamese food wherever I can find it, even when the food that’s put in front of me is far from authentic. Close enough is often good enough; I’ve learnt to compromise when I need a fix. I was born in Australia so in many ways I’m more Australian than I am Vietnamese, but one of the strongest links I have to my cultural heritage is the abiding love of the cuisine that my parents raised me … Continued
Tree Top Laos
Standing by the railing of a freshly-stained wood deck, we stared up at a massive cliff face framed in the lush green vegetation of the Laos jungle, with multiple flows of water falling some 100-something feet to the rocky pool below. The girl next to me wowed to herself, “This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen”. On the cliff face, a family of monkeys move about on the hanging vegetation. … Continued
Pakse Versailles
The dusty little town/city of Pakse in southern Laos is sometimes portrayed as a mere stopping point on the way to other locations in the region. It is the jumping point to the Four Thousand Islands (Si Phan Don) in the Mekong River as well as the Bolaven Plateau known for its amazing waterfalls, pristine forests and scenic vistas. In the city itself, there are a number of small cafes, restaurants … Continued
Indochinas’s Cities’ Secrets
It’s a small capital city, but enjoys a mix of international communities and social activities, and at only an hour and a bit flight from Chiang Mai, this is a great city to pop over for a visit during a long weekend. Vientiane’s dining and entertainment centre is located around the Nam Phou Square (The Fountain), a great place to walk around and check out bars and restaurants. Hungry? The Aria Mi … Continued
The Great Firewalls of Indochina
Journalists in French Indochina (Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia) have since the beginning of investigative – or even controversial – journalism in their countries been constrained by the limitations imposed upon them by dictatorial governments and the threat of venal public officials. Exponents of free speech and human rights are continually being incarcerated all over Indochina and Mainland South Ea … Continued
City Women
Being a child of the 80s, my first ever experience with a computer was using a strange device that plugged into the TV. It brought up a black screen with a bat and ball (well a white line and a round spot) and was not even vaguely entertaining. Things only slightly improved on the computer front when we upgraded to a Commodore 64! This was when Back to the Future was my guide of what was to come. … Continued
Chiang Mai on the WWW
www.qualitycondoschiangmai.com www.qualitycondoschiangmai.com The Shell, Quality Condos in Central Chiang Mai The Shell, located in the Nakornping Condo building, is a plush new set of apartments with lots to offer. The condo itself is right next to various shopping amenities, the large mall Central Kad Suan Kaew, Chiang Mai Ram hospital and lots of cool restaurants and pubs are also close to the … Continued
Your Say
• Christian Curious I heard that the church of Thailand is one of the largest owners of property in the north of Thailand. Is this true? If so, what do they own, how did they come about it and what do they do with it. I think that your readers would be interested to know about the good, if any, that they do and their history in Chiang Mai and the north. I am genuinely interested. Though I have my … Continued
The Life of Wine
This month’s question: Why is wine so expensive in Thailand? I have exhaustively researched this and the answer is: It just is, and for now, get over it. Complaining about it is as useful as telling a stall holder in London’s Camden Lock that you expected change from a tenner for those embroidered fisherman’s pants which cost 50 baht on the walking street in Chiang Mai. Thankfully, more and more w … Continued
This is Thailand
1. I would like to start running again but I don’t like going to the gym. Is there anywhere in Chiang Mai I can run outdoors without being chased by dogs? Jane (intern): There are plenty of places to run in Chiang Mai that don’t seem to be populated with crazy dogs. One of the best spots is the Huay Tung Tao reservoir, which is about a 10 minute drive from the city centre. Head north on the Irriga … Continued
Out in The City
That great swathe of South East Asia, tropically sandwiched ‘twixt India and China holds an endless fascination for western gay men. Legends of the epicurean delights, exclusive to the region, spread to Europe via returning French and Dutch pioneers and despite the modern global village, the exotic draw is stronger than ever. Contemporary explorers would be hard pushed to find a better base than C … Continued
The Best of Both Worlds
Indochina’s ‘Croissant City’ is, of course, Vientiane. In March, I drove my Honda Wave (with all 110 cubic centimetres of its engine capacity) over 800 kilometres to Nong Khai (and back again). After this journey, which involved four days of driving, I am more road-savvy and I feel compelled to share my lessons with you. My route from Chiang Mai to Nong Khai passed through Lampang, Phrae, Uttaridi … Continued
Community Services
01 • Informal Northern Thai Group 10th May: A screening of a documentary on The Secret War in Laos and Twisting Buddhism through the Christian Lexicon: ‘Ordination’ by Louis Gabaude will be shown. For more information please call 053 117 319 or gabaudel@loxinfo.co.th. 02 • Vocational Certificate @ CMU Since the spa industry has such a well known role in Southeast Asia, Language Institute, Chiang M … Continued
Mazda MX-5 Anyone?
We start with something from the ‘Big Book of Jokes for Eight Year Olds’: “Why didn’t the skeleton go to the dance? He had no-body to go with.” Thank you very much. I’m here all week. There are times though, when I feel like that. Not in a bad, old joke kind of way (although Mrs. D might disagree) but I am sure that my body is not the one I’m supposed to have. Mine is young, fit and full of energy … Continued
City Women
After months of anticipation, morning sickness and an ever growing bump, Ella May was born on 3rd March. Luckily, the birth was relatively quick, but as is usual in my world, it was not without incident! It was a typical Thursday afternoon in March; a heavily pregnant lady and her mother trying to escape the midday heat by traipsing around Tesco for last minute supplies. There I was happily baggin … Continued
Aquarium: Adventures in Chiang Mai
We’ve all heard of Chiang Mai’s famous Aquarium known as South-East Asia’s largest living museum. Now at the aquarium you can experience the amazing feeling of feeding a cownose ray. This unique species which mainly inhabits the Atlantic Ocean, is a beautiful and peaceful creature and a must see for any aqua-phile. It’s absolutely fascinating to observe the group of rays gorge on the little pieces … Continued
The Thai Health Care System
Over the last 30 years Thailand’s health care system has expanded to cover all Thai nationals in any part of the country for relatively little cost or even for free. Health care centres and hospitals now reach the remotest parts of the country rendering the days of shamanic rituals as a healing process all but unheard of. Nevertheless, the present health care system in Thailand has more than its f … Continued
Chiang Mai Researchers Cure ALL Disease!
At the end of February, the National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT) jubilantly released the following headline: Thailand successfully produced the world’s first vaccine against dengue fever. This was an announcement deserving of attention. The mosquito-transmitted dengue fever (known as ‘break bone fever’ for the excruciating pain the infected suffer) affects 100 million people worldwide annually, … Continued
Abortion in Thailand
Late last year the discovery of more than 2,000 foetuses in a temple publicly revealed an uncomfortable and unsurprising truth: each year, abortion is a reality for tens of thousands of women and their partners in Thailand. Although there is a lack of definitive data, conservative estimates suggest that well over 300,000 abortions occur every year here. This is an extrapolation based on known case … Continued
Chiang Mai on the WWW
www.holidaygardenhotelandresort.com www.holidaygardenhotelandresort.com Holiday Garden Hotel & Resort, Chiang Mai is located within walking distance to the bustling Nimmanhaemin Road and only a short 5 minute drive from the city centre. Situated at the base of Doi Suthep mountain, Holiday Garden Hotel & Resort is surrounded by lush tropical gardens and a large swimming pool, creating the … Continued
Your Say
• Hilton Missives My name is Anuchit Phonboon (Apple). I am from Sisaket, but now I live in Bang Kwang Prison. Every month I look at Citylife. My favourite part is ‘City Events’. If my English was better I am sure that I would enjoy all of Citylife. Citylife is helping me with my English. Thank you and please continue sending us Citylife. A Happy Reader, Anuchit Phonboon (Apple) • Quaking in our B … Continued
The Life of Wine
Before I bang on about what a brilliant grape Riesling is I would like to answer a question I was asked recently: How do you tell if a bottle of wine is corked? And, if it is, what do you do about it? Right. If it smells wrong and it tastes wrong after the cork is popped, a lot of the time, it’s corked. Humans have the ability to pick up the tiniest fraction of TCA – the contaminant which causes w … Continued
This is Thailand
1. Where can I get a polygraph test done in Thailand? James: Orion Investigations provides polygraph services. The cost is 10,000 baht per person. They would need a deposit of 50% of the fee and a background to the information which needs verifying. They do not offer these services for verifying faithfulness in a relationship or other private matters. They only offer these services for business re … Continued
The Best of Both Worlds
Last month I wrote about motorcycling in Thailand, so perhaps a logical sequel to that article is the taboo subject of Death. As Benjamin Franklin said, ‘Nothing is certain in life except death and taxes.’ Even if you dodge a few taxes, even Houdini couldn’t escape death. The essential elements of life are birth, health and sickness, and death; and nobody realises this fact like medical doctors, n … Continued
Out in The City
A fierce argument has been raging on the internet. Indignant feet have been stubbornly stamped and pearl necklaces have been shaken fit to break. The subject that has caused this incandescent mass debate: ‘Is attraction to ladyboys a gay thing?’ Chiang Mai has a fair share of these transgendered ‘Lola’ folk who evoke envy from Thai women and much confusion generally. So who is attracted to ladyboy … Continued
Trans-Man: transcending gender
[i]”I’m trying to find myself, here…In one direction is a Thai girl…In the other, a farang boy. In one direction is a tom….In the other, a transgender man. I’m here at the intersection of tom, trans and Thai…waiting. I don’t know if I should say kha, or krap. I don’t want to gender myself so I hesitate to speak. I want to be polite but I’m silenced by language.”[/i] – Opening dialogue from … Continued
Community Services
• Informal Northern Thai Group 19th April: Tom / Trans / Thai – Writing Self Across Thai and Thai American Trans-Masculinities. Please visit http://jaiarunravine.wordpress.com/tomtransthai/ or eucalyptusraven@gmail.com for more information. • Care for Dogs Nabooki came to Care for Dogs with her brother (since adopted). They had both been horribly abused and were on death’s door from starvation. Sh … Continued
North by North Worst
I would like to start with a limerick. There was a young lady called Laurel, Who was asked to perform something oral, She said with a sneer, And a slight look of fear, Now that would be very immoral. Several prior versions were unsuitable for publication but the point is that what is acceptable to some will be unacceptable to others. Mrs. D’s view of the world is black and white; it’s either right … Continued
City Women
Scantastic From the moment those two lines appeared on the test and confirmed that I was pregnant, my life became a blur of sickness, hormones, excitement, trepidation and countless trips to the hospital. Here I am nine months later excitedly waiting for what will no doubt be the most painful day of my life! Pregnancy has certainly opened up new experiences. My stomach has been poked, prodded, exa … Continued