The Life of Wine
There are so many things that worry me about the word ‘buffet’. For one, I’ve always suspected it to be a word we English nicked from the French – and it is unmistakeably French – that the French never actually use. A bit like ‘négligée’ or ‘double entendre’ or ‘Tu parles trés bien français pour un anglais’. I have however done some research and been informed by a real live French person that this … Continued
This is Thailand
For those of you with any questions regarding Thailand, Thai culture, history, tourism, laws, rules, food, nightlife, sub-cultures, dating; generally anything as long as it is relevant, we have a panel of three experts who will respond to your enquiries. Email: hilary@chiangmaicitylife.com ………………………………………………………………………………………………. … Continued
Let Them Eat Cake
I’ve never been to Pai. A shame really because I’ve always fancied myself with a ponytail. The reputed hippy centre of northern Thailand sounds like the perfect place to sport strands of long, grey, hair down my back. As opposed to those appearing to grow out of my back. And front. Until a few years ago, my torso was smooth and bald. Now, to keep my ears and nose company, my body appears to have s … Continued
A Bite of Moon Pai
Pai’s outskirts are full of hidden gems, dotted around the quiet expanse of rolling green hills that surround the little town. One such gem is Moon Village, a small Japanese hippy settlement tucked away in a quiet corner of Pai’s lush countryside. Established in July 2002 by two dreadlocked Japanese wanderers, Toron and Keiji, Moon Village has become a self-sustaining community of permaculture, or … Continued
CityNews Chiang Mai
> News Highlights in September Drugs September saw an unprecedented amount of drug related arrests as the government stepped-up its war against drugs. Just use our search engine and type in drugs to see that drugs are verily enemy number one in Thailand right now. http://www.chiangmaicitynews.com Although CityNews editor, James Austin Farrell, is very skeptical about the war and he isn’t afraid … Continued
The Community
01 Informal Northern Thai Group Tuesday, October 9: Restitution of Stolen Works of Art by Manus Brinkman. For further information, please call 053 117 319 or gabaudel@loxinfo.co.th. 02 Nicotine Anonymous Want to stop smoking? It works! Meetings on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. at the 7 Fountains, Huay Kaew Road. For more information please call Earl 086 194 6300, Peter 087 145 9655. 03 AA g … Continued
A Grand Entrance?
The e-mail was short, to the point and blunt. Daring’s pontifications and ramblings not required for a month. The editor had found someone else in my place. A blow to my insecure ego, a few days of sulking followed. I awaited last month’s issue of Citylife with interest. Who was the person responsible for pushing me aside? Imagine my shock and surprise to find my daughter, D2, in my place. And wha … Continued
This is Thailand
1. Can I leave my car overnight at the airport? Grace: Yes, but it will cost you, they have just brought in a new fee of 250 baht for every 24 hours, so it may be worth getting a taxi. If you are just parking whilst picking someone up from the airport, it’s a lot cheaper, around 10 to 100 baht depending on how long you park. 2. Can you tell me the going rates at pawn shops in Chiang Mai? Bet: Pawn … Continued
The Life of Wine
Mon Dieu and lashings of putain de merde! Just when I thought the world couldn’t go any more to pot, I have to wake up and find that a vineyard in France has been bought by a bloody Asian. Ma sang boubles. It seems like everywhere I look these days there are bloody Asians buying things. So what’s caused one of the biggest furores in France since our Gallic friend’s had a small fit about the Englis … Continued
Chiang Mai on WWW
www.HotSpringsHouseChiangMai.com www.HotSpringsHouseChiangMai.com Hot Springs House Chiang Mai Hot Springs House; a magical open air wooden lodge and resort, is peacefully nestled in the lush northern Thai countryside. Next to the Doi Saket natural hot springs, less than one hour’s drive from Chiang Mai, this brand new small resort, has only eight rooms each individual in style and … Continued
Your Say
• Home Sweet Home How sad to read that the old house and garden have to go. My first memory of visiting your home was in 1987 when your mum and dad were looking after the young Isaan girl who had broken her back when escaping from a brothel in Bangkok. I was working at McKean and made her a special made-to-measure wheelchair then delivered it to the house where I remember being invited to have af … Continued
In The Zone
Chiang Mai is a city in constant flux and residents love nothing more than to gripe about unplanned over-development. I am forever squeezing my little car through tight soi, flanked by new buildings and labourers’ fleeting shanty towns. Most of us wish there were better sidewalks, more green spaces, fresher air and reliable public transport around here. And many of us are a little saddened, and al … Continued
Herd the News?
The Big Picture Got an elephant painting? Seems like it’s time to get yourself painting an elephant. Like many interesting ventures, The Elephant Parade’s core concept is simple: invite artists and celebrities to paint resin elephants, exhibit and auction them all over the world, hire Thai artisans to replicate and sell them in miniatures, and a percentage of proceeds goes towards Asian elephant c … Continued
An Environmental Warrior
Environmental lawyer Matthew Baird, and his partner, textile designer Chris Chun, arrived in Chiang Mai for a six month sabbatical from Sydney, Australia, eighteen months ago and it doesn’t look like they are going to be leaving any time soon. Having spent over 25 years in local and national politics in Australia and the last decade on big-issues such as climate change on a national level, Baird n … Continued
How Slow can you Go?
Slow Movements are picking up speed worldwide as alternative ways of living which are more environmentally and socially responsible and have positive effects on our health, wellbeing and the world around us. The ‘Slow Movement’ advocates a cultural shift towards slowing down life’s pace and recovering slowness, reflection and togetherness. It all began in the mid 80s when protests were held agains … Continued
Calling Team Obama!
“It is imperative to vote,” said Gary Suwannarat, Vice Chair for Democrats Abroad, Thailand as well as a member of the Democrat National Committee through to 2016, as she nursed a cup of tea at Citylife’s office. Suwannarat had just returned to Chiang Mai, where she has lived for forty years, from attending the Democratic National Convention at Charlotte, North Carolina. “It was electrifying,” she … Continued
Guava like Lottery: Intrepid Citylife editors brave online dating…
Since the entire Citylife editorial team is how sadly single, our editor has used the commissioning of this article as a ruse for us to do a bit of research for her on online dating [Ed. I represent that implication!]. So here is what we found… Her Story: Grace Robinson Online, like a virgin. Well, not quite. I’d done internet dating in London. I met a cute banker, but after he made me walk with … Continued
Preserved, Pastoral, Peaceful…Phrae
A Northern Jewel Steeped in History The lazy drive to Phrae from Chiang Mai winds through rich forests cleared by smatterings of villages and the occasional standalone lean-to stilted house. As the road curves and the wheels turn, small villages are brought in and out of focus interspersed by flashes of gold demurely shimming from temples and pagodas. Living in cosmopolitan Chiang Mai, it is easy … Continued
Chiang Mai on WWW
www.whitehousecm.com www.whitehousecm.com White House Bed & Breakfast This small guesthouse is equally as cool and stylish at the road on which is sits. Nimmanhaemin Road has lots of restaurants, cafes, bars, boutiques and other places of interest and facilities, however is still a safe and quite place to stay. The guesthouse has a range of different and very reasonably priced rooms. Rooms inc … Continued
The Community
01 Informal Northern Thai Group Tuesday, September 11: “The Peace Corps’ 50th Anniversary in Thailand” by Hugh Leong. For further information, please call 053 117 319 or gabaudel@loxinfo.co.th. 02 Nicotine Anonymous Want to stop smoking? It works! Meetings on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. at the 7 Fountains, Huay Kaew Road. For more information please call Earl 086 194 6300, Peter 087 145 965 … Continued
D2 Strikes BackD2 Striles Back
No doubt, Dad had said something detestable again, or considered detestable in my mother’s eyes. This scene was nothing new in the Daring household…I mean the slamming of doors. My Dad is Phil Daring, the ‘wannabe’ writer, uncool parent and first class nerd. Great. Somebody, who should have known better, has given my father the opportunity to write about our family and our embarrassing stories e … Continued
This is Thailand
1. Where in Chiang Mai can I smoke shisha? Grace: The first place that springs to mind is Baan Din (16/2, Soi 13, Nimmanhaemin Road) and the place next door to it; Full Moon. There is another place called Harem on the Irrigation Canal Road, though I have been told it’s quite expensive. It usually costs around 250 baht per shisha/hookah/nagila/hubbly-bubbly whatever you want to call it. It is not i … Continued
The Life of Wine
Wine tastings are great, aren’t they? Not just because they involve drinking wine, which is always fantastic, but they make the act of getting drunk more classy and legitimate than popping out to a bar and getting spanked on Chang. Saying “I’m off to a wine tasting, dear” has a far nicer ring to it than “I’m off down the pub for lager and darts with Terry and the boys, don’t wait up.” The end resu … Continued
Your Say
• Disappointed Royalist It was VERY disappointing that nothing was arranged for HM Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee here in Chiang Mai. People do not expect a free party – and most would be willing to pay for one – it will not cost the consulate a penny – but the consulate needs to ‘head’ the party – it needs to come from the consulate. There are plenty of appropriate venues here in Chiang Mai. Can they … Continued
Up In Smoke
When walking down the street or going to a nightclub, it quickly becomes clear that Thailand is a nation of smokers. Whether it’s L&Ms, Krongthips or hand-rolled cigarettes, the Thai people and many expats, have an oral fixation nursed by their cigarettes. Some estimates have suggested approximately half of adult men in Thailand are regular smokers. However, tobacco is a recent addition to T … Continued
The Lady’s Revolution of the Spirit
Flag-waving supporters danced to rap music blaring through the raucous Rangoon night, accompanied by the lusty singing of Burmese freedom songs. A huge screen erected at the campaign headquarters of the opposition, the National League for Democracy (NLD), flashed the latest by-elections results. The face of The Lady, Aung San Suu Kyi, was carried on banners, posters and t-shirts. About every 10 mi … Continued
Chiang Mai on WWW
www.TokyoVenderHotel.com Are you in need of an exciting yet cultural weekend break in Chiang Mai? Does your accommodation have to be modern, fully equipped and in the heart of the city? Tokyo Vender Hotel is within walking distance from the trendy Nimmanhaemin Road, Kad Suan Kaew shopping mall and only a tuk-tuk or red bus ride to city’s focal point Tha Pae Gate, many temples, tourist attractions … Continued
Your Say
• Incorrect Assertions about The Dow Chemical Company in your July issue In his opinion piece about Dow Chemical Company and its support of the Olympics in your July issue, Mr. Fawthrop fails to mention the facts about Dow Chemical’s culpability in the 1984 disaster at Bhopal, India. In truth, that plant was owned by Union Carbide, not Dow Chemical Co. In 1984, at the time of the disaster, the pl … Continued
The Life of Wine
Wine tastings are great, aren’t they? Not just because they involve drinking wine, which is always fantastic, but they make the act of getting drunk more classy and legitimate than popping out to a bar and getting spanked on Chang. Saying “I’m off to a wine tasting, dear” has a far nicer ring to it than “I’m off down the pub for lager and darts with Terry and the boys, don’t wait up.” The end resu … Continued
Community Services
01 Informal Northern Thai Group Tuesday, August 14: “Balloon Culture in Thailand” by Yut Wanichanond. For further information, please call 053 117 319 or gabaudel@loxinfo.co.th. 02 Nicotine Anonymous Want to stop smoking? It works! Meetings on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. at the 7 Fountains, Huay Kaew Road. For more information please call Earl 086 194 6300, Peter 087 145 9655. 03 AA group I … Continued
This is Thailand
1. I’ve been renting for too long in Thailand, please can you tell me how to go about property buying? Mo (Intern): I found Rodney Waller’s book ‘A complete guide to buy a property in Thailand’, a useful overview of the subject of buying property in Thailand. Basically foreigners can buy and own condominiums, according to the Condominium Act 2008 such as villas, pool villas, apartments penthouses, … Continued
If Music be The Food of Love
…then they better be more careful in shops about what they are playing. We’d been paying some bills and Mrs. D decided the best way of dealing with the emotional trauma of parting with lots of money was to buy a new handbag. Despite my protests of this causing more filthy lucre to disappear, I was dragged round the shops, complaining all the way. Things picked up when we reached the bag section … Continued
It’s Not Just ABC: the Politics of Teaching English in Thailand
In 2007, Bangkok Post reporter Erika Fry wanted to see how easy it was to fake being an English teacher in Thailand. Her resulting article, ‘Thailand’s School Daze’, encapsulates all of the little horror stories we’ve heard of faked resumes, careless school administrators, and overcrowded classrooms. After contacting an employment agency on Khao San Road, Fry found herself in a classroom of 50-som … Continued
Brothers in Peace: veterans of foreign war
Being born over ten years after the Vietnam War, my impression of this significant historical event is a collage of black and white images of long haired flare-wearers in anti-war protests, as well as the film The Deer Hunter, which I watched with my Dad. And of course, I cannot forget the harrowing pictures of Agent Orange victims I saw in a museum in Ho Chi Minh City. Whilst researching for an a … Continued