Fight Autoimmune Disease with Absolute Health
Although the exact cause of autoimmune disease remains somewhat of a mystery, there are many things we do in our daily lives that could cause the weakening or confuse the immune system, opening the gate to this chronic illness to attack. Stress, lack of sleep, bad nutrition and toxicity in blood, are all causes that could open that gate which leads to an abnormal immune response.
Nimman Social Cafe and Bar at ALEXA Hostel
As one of Nimman’s newest hostels, Alexa wanted to make an impact. Though still establishing itself as a hostel, workspace, cafe and bar, the modern, casual and social style of the open-aired venue seems to be making a hit with travellers, nomads and locals alike.
Sukhothai: The Quiet Ruins of Ramkhamhaeng
With the current craze for ancient temples and traditional Thai dress thanks to the hit Channel Three tv series Buppesannivas, people from across the nation are reviving their interest in Thailand’s historical city of Ayutthaya. Flocks of people, often in splendid traditional garb, arrive at the ancient city and pose in front of temple ruins to recreate their favourite soap opera. Even our dear Prime Minister has joined the craze, occasionally adorning a jaunty sash around his waist. This madness (although possibly short lived) has made Ayutthaya busier than it has been in decades and despite being in my late-20s, but I have an air of ‘ageing National Trust member’ about me, which is why I like to visit my ruins in peace. So for those like me who are put off by hordes of tourists getting in my way, Sukhothai is a pleasant alternative.
Combating Convenience: Leading the charge against plastic addiction in Chiang Mai
In a bold move against single-use plastics, Taiwan became the first country in the world to issue a blanket ban that will eliminate the use of plastic straws, cups, lids and bags by the year 2030. The act has been termed aggressive by media outlets and doubt is widespread as to the effectiveness of such a ban.
A Norwa Story
Paranin Kummata has always been passionate about jewellery. From a young age, she’s been fascinated by her family business which is among Thailand’s largest manufacturers and exporters of jewellery for many local and international brands. Today, she is the founder of two jewellery brands of her own, employing hundreds of women from underprivileged communities, including several ethnic minority hilltribe villages in Northern Thailand and even sex workers in Bangkok, for whom Paranin has set up alternative vocational training in the art of silver jewellery-making.
What’s so Fascinating about Bamboo?
“Bamboo supports all four basic necessities of life,” said Nimitr Suchronesom, founder of Northern Bamboo Invention and a director of a bamboo research centre in Nakhon Ratchasima, referring to the Buddhist philosophy, which refers to food, shelter, clothing and medicine. Found across many continents including Asia, Africa, Australia, and Central and South America, this versatile giant grass is now finding itself sprouting amongst many sectors of the world’s innovative economies. One of the fastest growing and ubiquitous plants in the world, bamboo can grow up to 30 centimetres per day, and has been interwoven into the fabric of human society for millennia. According to Southwest Forestry College, China, bamboo utilisation in Asia dates back to second millennium BC’s Shang Dynasty, China’s second dynasty, when bamboo was used to make arrows. Today, with over a thousand species found across the world, bamboo is used across a bewildering number of industries and sectors from food to medicine to construction to textile and craft.
Through Thai Eyes: A veteran’s account of the Vietnam War
On the 28th July 1969 Sanongpanyakun Yomcharoen, now 77, along with a company of infantry made up of Thais, Australians, Koreans and Americans, stood poised ready to run as soon as the carrier plane doors opened on a Vietnamese airstrip. As the rear door dropped, the dinging sounds of bullets on metal signaled to the troops that the Viet Cong had opened fire.
Curse of the Blood Jade: the neighbouring ethnic war we know nothing about
Dressed in their Sunday bests, Chiang Mai’s Kachin residents filled a church in Doi Saket recently, sounds of hymns echoing across the quiet Buddhist village. After service, little girls in princess dresses, women clad in traditional Kachin sarong and men with jaunty turbans, poured out of the church and into the spacious compound that belongs to the community. As the women sat down to a feast cooked and served by their men, they chattered and laughed while being serenaded with song in honour of Mother’s Day.
Editorial: June 2018
There is a lot of buzz about public transportation these days with new bus services setting up pilot projects, talk of massive international investment in a monorail system and even finally a glimmer of a promise from the central government that some funding may be heading our way to set up…well, something. Call me cynical, but having edited these pages for nearly two decades and featured dozens of stories and breathy announcements for impending transportation solutions, I’m no longer holding my breath. Millions of baht have been given to various university departments over the years to conduct research on mass transit systems, with talks of double decker buses, trams, monorails, underground and above ground trains, electric buses and even upgrading the pesky songtaews and corralling them into some semblance of a transit system.
La-iad Bungsrithong the general manager of RatiLanna
The RatiLanna Riverside Spa Resort is a beautiful property overlooking a quiet stretch of the Ping River. Infused in the essence of Lanna, from its architecture to décor, the resort offers international standard of amenities, facilities, and service, while retaining a northern charm.