A Look Back at 2013
Pim Kemasingki, Citylife Managing Editor What Citylife story had the most profound impact on you? The interview of the lady tuk tuk driver Plaa in October 2013’s Life of Plaa. For me it was personal, I had – OK I will say it straight – been rather snooty about her for many years (we had some personal interaction) seeing her as a mistress to her stepfather and a surly, grumpy woman with no discerni … Continued
Learning to Fly
I’m hanging completely upside down, my toes pointed above my head, my hair sweeping the floor, my arms at my sides. The only thing keeping me from crashing down onto the polished wood floor is a strange contraption that, until about an hour ago, I’d never seen before in my life. The technical name for said contraption is an AntiGravity hammock, which is essentially a billowing piece of soft, … Continued
Baan Tawai: Not Just for Tourists!
We locals can get pretty snooty about being in the know. To the point where we often miss out on really great deals and steals at more touristy destinations. Some areas such as the old Sankampaeng Road with all its factory shops, Baan Tawai with its handicrafts or the Night Bazaar and its famed knock-offs are just places we often send our visitors while we pretend we are too busy doing our nails t … Continued
Road Trip!
Get out of the city and explore the north of Thailand with Citylife every month in our newest column, Road Trip! This month’s road trip is to the leafy land of Phrao, a district just an hour or so northeast of Chiang Mai. So grab a travel buddy and a motorbike (don’t forget your helmet, the traffic police are everywhere) and let’s go! Head out on the 1001 towards Phrao and as you near the Chiang M … Continued
Bobbing for Bitcoins
If you haven’t heard of Bitcoin yet, you haven’t been paying attention. If you have, you still might not really understand what they are. But if you do, you just might be on your way to some serious riches. Since the creation of Bitcoin in 2009, many varying connotations have been ascribed to the mysterious currency. From being valued at only around $15 USD a year ago to hitting $1,000 USD this … Continued
Fatter Faster, Sicker Quicker
The fact that the western world is facing a health crisis is nothing new. The image of a fat American snarfing down McDonalds is pretty much ubiquitous with, well, the image of an American, and every day there seems to be a new disgusting revelation about liquid meat products or strawberries genetically modified with penguin skin. As the popularity of highly processed convenience foods filled with … Continued
The Boxer, the Bar Girl and the Blindfold
The spaces outside the rows of bars are populated by chain-smoking sex tourists, lurking in the neon light cascading down from the wall signs and marquees near the ring. Faux-friendly bar girls serve overpriced alcohol and L & M Blues to men with jaundiced eyes and vulgar mouths. Some sit and converse amongst themselves, the skin on their left ring fingers several shades lighter. The wedding b … Continued
Special Scoop: Wine Connection
Based in Bangkok, Wine Connection has been an expert in importing exclusive wines around the world for more than 15 years. Now it is a leading wine retail chain in Southeast Asia, a supplier for many hotels and restaurants with a large selection of more than 500 worldwide winelabels. Now, Wine Connection is making an exciting new foray into the food and beverage business, providing authentic and d … Continued
Design Idea
Lance Kostrobala Interior Designer, Floral Designer, Special Event Designer Owner, COSMOS . . . where all good things begin 25 Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 3 lance@cosmosbegins.com, www.facebook.com/cosmoswhereallgoodthingsbegin 087 577 3118 Over the years my partner and I have surrounded ourselves with collections of lovely items – some unusual and others not so unusual. Fine crystal, rare china, … Continued
Music Box
Various Artists – Inside Llewyn Davis: Original Soundtrack Recording The Coen Brothers’ acclaimed new film is sure to do for the 1950s and 60s folk music of New York’s Greenwich Village what O Brother Where Art Thou? did for the bluegrass and country music of the Deep South in the 1930s. The film focuses on the time just prior to Bob Dylan’s arrival on the scene, in which the real-life inspiration … 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 We have been separating our garbage into different categories for recycling and collection, but we’re not sure what to … Continued
Your Say
This is an open forum for you, the reader, to express your opinions. Write to: editor@chiangmaicitylife.com. Subject: Your Say. Letters can be on any topic but priority will be given to those under 200 words. Letters may be edited for clarity or conciseness. Name and contact details must be supplied. Cycling Safety It is becoming more and more apparent that bicycling in and around the … Continued
Client Spot
Nimman Bar & Grill Located inside the posh Kantary Hills hotel, caf? and shopping complex, the Nimman Bar & Grill is one of the most famous restaurants on Nimmanhaemin Road, and for good reason! Decorated in a modern and relaxing style with wooden furniture and green grass in front of the restaurant’s balcony, Nimman Bar & Grill is the perfect spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner or … Continued
City Buzz
A new year means a new start, so this is the perfect time to detox, distress and bring sexy back. Check out these spots and start getting your face, skin and body in tip-top condition. Hello 2014! Pure Natural Skincare Center Here, you can rest assured that you will receive the best all-natural treatment for your skin. Whether you want to erase blemishes or burn fat via massage, Pure … Continued
What’s Happening?
ARTS AND EXHIBITIONS: HM THE KING EXHIBITION 20th – 27th January @ Chiang Mai University 082 926 6485 The exhibition portrays 50 years of HM the King’s works via documentary, books, photography contest, and clip video contest. For more information: www.facebook.com/YangPhrabathThiYatra. “THE COOPERATION” EXHIBITION” 21st January – 30th March @ TCDC Chiang Mai 052 080 505 “The Cooperation” ex … Continued
City Talk
Yok Punika, 27 Receptionist and Manager, Thai People tell me I always gook grumpy, so the most ambitious resolution I made was to smile more and since then a lot more people come up to me and talk to me. I’m much more approachable when I smile. Lindsey Unger, 19 Student and Citylife Intern, American My New Year’s resolution and motto has always previously been to keep an open mind. It’s been quite … Continued
CityGuide: Sansai
Sansai This month we visit Sansai with former Citylife staffer Phumiphat “Oat” Jiarajetchai, 34, who now works as a photographer for Home Buyer’s Guide Chiang Mai. Check out his top picks as he shows us around his neighbourhood. What do you like most about your neighbourhood? I love the quiet and the fact that it is simple. Villagers live next to each other as they have for generations. It i … Continued
City7: Rooftop Bars
Roof The weather is perfect and the tourists are invading – what better way to escape the bustle and enjoy the coolness than high above the city lights, at one of these fabulous rooftop bars? 01 The Upper Deck This unassuming little old city hideaway on Sriphum, Soi 1 is tough to spot from street level, but once you climb the narrow staircase to the top, you’ll be rewarded with cosy fairy li … Continued
Editorial
We all want something, whether it is a new iPhone or world peace. As wonderful-sounding as Buddha’s teachings on the cessation of desire are, I have yet to ever meet anyone who doesn’t have them. It is in our nature, and, I suppose, nurture. And no one likes not getting their way. It can hurt, insult and frustrate. But that is part of growing up in life. We learn how to manage the lack of re … Continued