Editorial: September 2014
Growing up, my name was Pim Shaw _ it’s my English father’s surname. In 1998, when I took over this magazine, I changed it to my mother’s Thai surname, Kemasingki. The only reason I did so was because I knew that I was going to be writing about Thailand and that it would not always be complimentary. I figured, correctly as it turns out, that I could get away with saying a lot more about this count … Continued
No Place to Call Home
One of the most negative aspects to develop out of the newly democratic and open society of Burma is the use of freedom of expression and freedom to gather as a catalyst for ethnic and religious hate mongering. While ethnic tensions between the Buddhists in Rakhine state and their Muslim Rohingyan neighbours have been underlying for generations in both civil society as well as politically, the new … Continued
Born Twice: The Shauna Pugh Story
“When I hit puberty, I became afraid of my own body,” says Shauna Pugh. “I had always identified as female, so I was shocked when my body wasn’t changing like a woman’s.” Now 51 years old and living in Chiang Mai, Shauna co-owns the popular Soho Bar and Guesthouse with her partner, Shattida Jaima, a slim and vivacious 27-year-old Thai woman whose friends call her Rabbit. Shauna is tall and elegant … Continued
Destination: Phnom Penh
Welcome to Phnom Penh, the crazed and colourful capital of a country steeped in brutal history and contemporary political turmoil. Today, it’s something like Bangkok, but a bit (okay, maybe a lot) rougher around the edges: tuk-tuks honking, motorbikes flying, exhaust bellowing, beggars begging, hawkers hawking and the occasional cow ambling along the side of the road. Step into the fray and you’ll … Continued
Citylife Old Site – 22 – 9 –
Welcome to Phnom Penh, the crazed and colourful capital of a country steeped in brutal history and contemporary political turmoil. Today, it’s something like Bangkok, but a bit rougher around the edges: tuk tuk honking, motorbikes flying, exhaust bellowing, beggars begging, hawkers hawking and the occasional cow ambling along the side of the road. Step into the fray and you’ll find a cornucopia of … Continued
Monks Behaving Badly
Lately, in news both national and international, there has been an increase in coverage of Thailand’s misbehaving monastic communities. The problem itself, however, is no new phenomenon. Novel, perhaps, but not new. Wavering figures hold that Thailand is home to between 35,000 and 40,000 temples, with Chiang Mai holding a particular touristic allure precisely because of this: the modern city … Continued
Editorial
Some things in life get under your skin and simply stay there. As odd as it sounds, for me, it was the rape and murder of British backpacker Kirsty Jones in Chiang Mai, back in August 2000. Long term readers will know that solving this murder of has been a bit of a personal crusade of mine all these years. As a naive 27-year-old, hired as a fixer and translator by the international press, I was de … Continued
Design Idea
The Chiang Mai Creative City’s Creative Design Awards has announced the winners for this year, the second year this award has been running. A group of volunteer judges spent six months scouring Chiang Mai for the most creative designs coming out of our city to showcase to the world. Here are the six recipients of the awards in the architecture category. Promenada (Design Concept & Architecture … Continued
City Talk
Jennifer Coulter, 20 Student, Thai/American My fave Thai dish is khao soy (egg noodles and curry) at Khao Soy Faham on Charoenrat Road – the moo satay (grilled pork on sticks) is also fantastic! Nathan Yuri Mohler, 19 Student, Brazilian I’d have to say my favourite Thai dish is tom yum kung (prawn soup with lemongrass). However, even though I love Thai food, the best place to eat in Chiang Mai for … Continued
Love or Something Like It
I firmly believe that one of the greatest things travel can do for your romantic life and perspective is that it forces you to see relationships in a new light and challenge your own biases. Progressive though I like to think I am in principle, I know that on some level I still identify strictly with the heterosexual monogamous relationship. That’s not just a product of my Catholic upbringing, but … Continued
Music Box
Valerie June – Pushin’ Against a Stone Road-weary singer and multi-instrumentalist Valerie June finally makes her major label debut with a near perfect piece of Americana. In seamlessly mixing folk, bluegrass, blues, soul and gospel, June makes the point that these genres have always had way more in common than what the record bin dividers and radio station dials indicate. Reminiscent of 1960s fol … Continued
The Life of Wine
As I was standing in 7-Eleven waiting for my foot-long spicy hot dog to warm up in the microwave and wondering what the devil to write about in this month’s column, my eyes came to rest on a half-bottle of well-known Australian chardonnay gathering dust next to the cigarette rack. The rack is cleverly designed so the cigarette packets cannot be seen by the young or the impressionable. But once the … Continued
This is Thailand
For those of you with questions regarding Thailand, Thai culture, history, tourism, laws, rules, food, nightlife, subculture, dating, or generally anything as long as it is relevant, we have a panel of experts ready to respond to your enquiries. Email: hilary@chiangmaicitylife.com I’ve heard that dengue fever isn’t that severe, but I’ve also heard people can die from it. What should I do if I thin … Continued
What’s Happening?
ARTS AND EXHIBITIONS “KARMA POLICE” BY YUREE KENSAKU Now – 3rd November @ 100 Tonson Gallery 081 910 9440, 084 388 1488 info@100tonsongallery.com A free solo exhibition by Yuree Kensaku, one of Thailand’s most outstanding young female artists, sharing her experience of being cheated by a construction contractor, a situation which left her homeless and studio-less. Gallery open Thursdays – Su … Continued
Your Say
A Tourist is a Tourist Good article on Chinese tourists. It’s a welcome relief to have them here; to distract us from culturally insensitive Westerners. Good observations about the insularity of group tours. Recently, in Istanbul, I saw a busload of Thai tourists acting just like the Chinese do here: being loud and pushy. But they were picking their noses instead of spitting. So it goes. … Continued
What’s Luck Got to Do With It?
I never used to believe in things like chronic bad luck – I didn’t think coincidental intangibles could be chronic. But beliefs can change just as quickly as luck can, and even faster when you (and by you, I mean me) wake up one day realising you’re unluckier than the number thirteen. For me, this realisation occurred not long after I arrived in the good old Land of Smiles. Before that, I’d retain … Continued
Dam Awesome
There have been houseboats on Mae Ngad Dam for over 30 years, since the days of Kingfishers’ Cottage (if you are old enough to remember!) but nothing even comes close in sheer awesomeness to the new Mountain Float, which has been open for only a couple of months and is already booked up every weekend until nearly the end of the year. Less than an hour’s drive from the city centre, upon arrival at … Continued
Market Obscura: Shopping Off the Beaten Path in Chiang Mai
Ages before the shopping mall boom of today, traditional outdoor markets were a way of life in Chiang Mai. Fortunately, urban development hasn’t yet completely eclipsed the traditional sights and charms of old Lanna. Chiang Mai is renowned for its relaxed atmosphere, enchanting temples and picturesque waterfalls, but it’s the traditional street markets that retain the true flavour and uniqueness o … Continued
Killing in the Name of Buddhism
It was not so long ago that Burmese monks dressed in saffron robes organised brave protests and peaceful processions against the brutal military junta led by General Than Shwe. It was dubbed the Saffron Revolution. In 2007, the monks’ Gandhian non-violent resistance was watched with awe, and commanded the respect of millions around the globe. But these images etched in our collective memory are ha … Continued
City7: Happy Hours
01: 137 Pillars House Hotel This gorgeous hotel in Wat Gate features a 137-pillared old colonial house as its star. Recline in air-conditioned comfort in the sexy lounge, or sit like a teak-wallah on a covered veranda for a buy one get one free series of very “euphoric times” from 4 – 7 p.m. daily for all drinks soft and hard. 2 Soi 1 Na Wat Gate Road www.137pillarshouse.com 02: The Pub One … Continued
Clients’ Spot
Studio Naenna In 1988, Patricia Cheesman, an acclaimed art historian and expert in Lao and Thai textiles, was inspired to revitalise the 2,000-year-old artistic tradition of local weaving and intricate patterning to create one-of-a-kind textiles. She founded Studio Naenna to offer a collection of exquisite, handmade clothing and eco-friendly textiles, including silk and cotton. Today, her daughter … Continued
City Buzz
Coffee Villa Owned and operated by veterinarians, it’s no surprise that the popular Coffee Villa in Hang Dong opted to use an animal (a deer, to be exact) as the caf?’s friendly mascot. The moment you step inside, you are welcomed with playful deer-related d?cor, from an antler chandelier to mid-century modern tables and chairs. The ambiance is chic and funky – a tad bit country loft meets m … Continued