Out in The City
“The problem with the French is that they don’t have a word for entrepreneur.” – George W. Bush, discussing the decline of the French economy with British Prime Minister Tony Blair. No such problems for the gay community. Part of being a successful business operator is the ability to think outside the box. In many ways, gay people are already outside the box and innovation is second nature. Howeve … Continued
City Buzz
[left][/left] [left]Abe’s Memory [/left] [left][/left] Abe’s children now run this wonderfully humble, but deliciously organic restaurant…in his memory. Abe used to sing for HM the King and was very close to the royal household. In his later years he grew 100% organic vegetables on royal land in Chiang Dao, supplying the royal palace. What doesn’t go to Bangkok, is now on sale at Abe’s Memory. Mos … Continued
Doi Pha Tang
Been there, done that? Bet you haven’t! If you love the stunning viewpoint at Phu Chi Fah, then Doi Pha Tang should be next on your must visit list. And if you haven’t, well, you are in for a treat. This mountain peak rises 1635 metres above sea level and offers a spectacular 360 degree view of the Thai-Laos border with the great Mekong wending its way into the distance. The mountain is cool year … Continued
Where there’s a Will there’s a Way
Born into a country that does not know what human rights are, I grew up believing life is a struggle. My first memories are those of battle and worried faces. Army troops abused my parents and forced them into slave labour, which made it impossible for them to provide for our family. Freedom became the theme of their dreams. Of everybody’s dreams, really. Luckily eventually they found the courage … Continued
The Life of Wine
Having my own wine column is brilliant. Other than not being allowed to use swear words like quim, flaccid and discharge, or too obviously plagiarise people who actually know what they are talking about, I can pretty much say what I want. So this month I’m going to pleasure myself and bang on about my favourite red wine ever – Barolo. Barolo is stunning, confusing and intriguing because it is made … Continued
Hand-Made Goes Haute Couture: Bold New Fashion Out Of Chiang Rai
“We’re excited.” says Jittanart Pichaiya (Phai), almost breathless with exhilaration. Her large feather earrings flicker around her smiling face. Naishanan Maneerat (Nae), clad in a bright pink ethnic-inspired dress and large belt, rushes up to discuss last minute details. These two childhood friends-turned-business partners, along with Nae’s brother Nutnatee Maneerat (Nut), are about to present t … Continued
What’s Happening
– ARTS & EXHIBITIONS – 8th, 22nd and 29th May THE ART OF MANAGING ARTS AND CULTURAL PRATICE @ The 31st Century Museum of Contemporary Spirit 053 811 555 This is for artists, students or even organisations who are interested in how to deal with the practice of arts and culture. On 8th May, see the art of project management to seek the way to make your life easier. On 22nd May, see the ar … Continued
A Cut Below the Rest
An uncle of mine has spent the last fifteen years since he retired tracing our family tree. Thanks to meticulous research, he has been able to find our relatives as far back as the early seventeen hundreds, which is quite impressive. Much to his disappointment, no legitimate (or illegitimate for that matter) claims to a royal or noble bloodline could be found; nor a hidden fortune waiting to be cl … Continued
Making A Quick Baht
If standing in front of a rabble, I mean class, of kids every morning fills you with doom, and your toes curl at the idea of opening up a bar or getting in with the NGO cliques, then perhaps you must think further outside the stereotypical money making method box for foreigners in Thailand. Though most expats don’t come to the Land of Smiles, or more specifically to Chiang Mai, to get rich, one mu … Continued
The Wage Hike Debate: fair or foul?
When the Yingluck Sinawatra government surged into power, surfing the crest of its populist wave, the majority of Thais were elated: promises of computer tablets per child, low interest loans from government banks, giveaway credit cards to farmers, a 7.7 billion baht women’s funds and the crowning peak, the minimum wage hike from, in some provinces, as low as 150 baht per day, to a standard minimu … Continued
Smells Like Entrepreneurial Spirit
Familiar faces in Chiang Mai, partners Pakin and Toby are the founders and CEO of the iconic Oasis Spas…latest count, nine branches around Thailand. The first branch of Oasis Spa opened nine years ago on Sirimangkalajarn Road and the rest seemed to effortlessly follow. After 10 years as a medical rep for a pharmaceutical company, and bearing witness to much sickness, Pakin realised that it was bes … Continued
When Capitalism Ends and P2P Markets Thrive
Chiang Mai resident Michel Bauwens, is listed 82nd on the (En)Rich List, which “celebrates a wealth of inspirational individuals. Collectively, the people highlighted […] present a rich tapestry that points to globally prosperous and sustainable futures.” Unlike the Forbes rich list of billionaires, this lesser-known list spotlights the endeavours of people who look towards the future – thinkers, … Continued
Your Say
– Dear Vigilante, Communicating with likeminded individuals by way of the Citylife letters page? I like it, very clandestine and a smart idea from someone who is clearly a man of action. I too spend my days railing against the forces of enjoyment and have, since one tragic episode as a young boy involving a balloon, a catapult and a tub of petroleum jelly, dedicated my life to funfighting. Few are … Continued
Chiang Mai on WWW
www.baantawan-pai.com Fancy spending a cosy weekend off by the Pai River with your family, friends, or loved ones? Sense, smell, and taste the local traditional culture of Lanna at Baantawan, Pai’s Boutique Guesthouse, from riverside bungalows, cottages using local fabrics and designs, family rooms with wide balconies, to huge deluxe rooms, complete with a private green garden and shade. View the … Continued
Editorial
Chiang Mai is facing an identity crisis. Most people agree that over and unchecked development and the continuous focus on tired old attractions are damaging to our city’s future, but no one seems to be able to agree upon a solution or a direction in which to move forward. Recently I talked to the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Suraphon Svetsreni, who said, “Chiang Mai seems to be … Continued
Clients’Spot
Property CM Platinum Property CM Platinum is Chiang Mai’s premier full-service real estate company, helping buyers and sellers of houses, land, and other property types. With intimate knowledge of the Chiang Mai area and the support of CM Platinum Development Co., Ltd. Property CM Platinum is well-positioned to be the driving force of property listings in the Chiang Mai area and beyond. Online, th … Continued
City Vibes
Artist: BBU Album: Bell Hooks Rating: It’s about time 2012 threw up a bold, brash and discernible hip hop album and BBU’s Bell Hooks delivers in every respect. This release, which follows the group’s politically charged ‘Fear of a Clear Channel Planet’ is mixed by DJ Benzi and pounds walls with its raw energetic rhythms and intoxicating bass. Showboating well-known rappers such as Das Racist and G … Continued
City Talk
What’s your dream job and why? My dream job is to be a pizza delivery boy that sells his own brand of sauce secretly on the side…because it’s easy and I love pizza. 01 Joshua Lucas Oates British, 22, Runs a record label My dream job is working among foreign people in order to practice my English! 02 Namfon Saowarod Thai, 23 Administrative staff My dream job is a flight attendant. If I were a fli … Continued
This is Thailand
1. Where can I get hold of a decent second hand car in Chiang Mai? Kwan, Intern: As well as visiting one of the many car sales rooms around the city, the two main websites I have come across which are useful for used car hunting in Chiang Mai are www.cmusedcar.com and www.chiangmai2car.com. From these you can get a good idea on pricing and what’s out there. In the websites there are names of secon … Continued
Comminity Services
01 Informal Northern Thai Group Tuesday, 22nd May: ‘Merchants and Missionaries – Western incursions into Lan Na between 1829 and 1921’ by Ian Bushell. For further information, please call 053 117 319 or gabaudel@loxinfo.co.th. 02 Nicotine Anonuymous 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 Ea … Continued
Take Me to the Other Side
A couple of years ago I worked with a Danish intern who told me about a substance used in Amazonian healing rituals – a brew of hallucinogenic plants and leaves, among other natural plants – called Ayahuasca. He told me a captivating story about a man whose life had changed after he had gone into the Amazon and taken the brew with indigenous Peruvian shaman. I have since read some literature about … Continued