projectsoi-blog

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Amphawa Floating Market's Top 3 Attractions

Top 3 Things to Do in Amphawa

It’s only a couple of hours drive from Bangkok proper (a little over an hour if there’s no traffic). You can either go on a day trip or stay overnight. It’s not as commercial (well, not yet anyway) as other floating markets. These three reasons are why I like going to Amphawa Floating Market in Samut Songkhram province, whether it’s a spur of the moment decision or one that’s based on…

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Top Places in Bangkok to Take Your Visiting Friends

Top Places in Bangkok to Take Your Visiting Friends

I have friends coming over in the next few months and and I am shuddering with anticipation. While I’m excited that they’re coming, it also worries me that I might not be able to suggest the right places. Some of my favorite spots are Kinokuniya bookstore and CAP (CD and DVD store), and I’m very sure that some of them won’t be too keen at spending time in the malls. But maybe I can persuade them…

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Why I Love Thailand's Thong Yip Dessert

Why I Love Thailand’s Thong Yip Dessert

It’s such a dainty thing that I didn’t really want to spoil the ‘moment’ by gobbling it up. So there was Thong Yip on my desk and I just stared at it in anticipation.

In English, Thong Yip means “Picking Gold” (thong = gold and yip = pick) and the name really does justice to it. Some also translate it as “pinched gold egg yolks”. Like a precious gold nugget, this traditional Thai sweet has a…

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Lav Diaz's 'Norte, The End of History' Makes a Pit Stop at Bangkok's Lido Theater

Lav Diaz’s ‘Norte, The End of History’ Makes a Pit Stop at Bangkok’s Lido Theater

A private screening for Lav Diaz’s Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan was held at the Lido Theater in Bangkok where an audience, comprised of Thai students, filmmakers and casual moviegoers, sat enraptured for four hours. The film was brought by producer Moira Lang who was invited to screen the film and act as a juror in the Thai Short Film & Video Festival. Bathroom breaks were taken, but the…

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Dogs are allowed in the MRT because they behave themselves and there is enough space. (at MRT ASOKE (Subway) Sukhumvit 21)

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Should you find yourself in need of a break from the margarine-rich and MSGd treats from the food stalls, Sustaina's macrobiotic meals might be the reprieve you're looking for. http://wp.me/p4yhaQ-aA (at SUSTAINA Organic Restaurant)

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Happening now: 18th Thai Short Films and Video Festival

Happening now: 18th Thai Short Films and Video Festival

A Tibetan photographer captures more than the images of Tibetan nomads, a Singaporean family makes an unexpected stop at a public toilet that would change the life of a young boy, a Thai indie actor-cum-masseuse who can’t get her passport on time because of the political unrest in Bangkok, a young Brazilian boy learning to read gets acquainted with the works of Nietzsche and Marx. These and a…

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Kwan and Riam's Love Story Lives On

Kwan and Riam’s Love Story Lives On

With heavily CGI-ed Hollywood fare lately I’ve not been inclined to watch movies in the cinema. When I finally went to the mall last weekend to catch a movie after such a long time I was shocked at how expensive going to the cinema in Bangkok has become.

What dragged me to the movie theater once again is the Thai film Plae Kao (The Scar), the latest adaptation of Mai Muengderm’s novel, which I…

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There are home accessories that you can never ever find in IKEA such as baby boy dolls, mouldy globes and pictures of old softdrinks. These and other peculiarities can be found (and bought) in Talat Rot Fai. http://wp.me/p4yhaQ-a5 (at Rod Fai Market Srinakarin)

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It's only a matter of time before we witness a life-sized statue of Madonna, Michael, Whitney, Mariah and other legends erected in one of Talat Rot Fai's vintage shops. For now, we have Elvis. http://wp.me/p4yhaQ-a5 (at Rod Fai Market Srinakarin)

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Bangkok’s Organic Retreat

One of the nicest things about living in Thailand is finding a refreshing eatery hidden in one those side streets that will surprise you with its offerings. When a friend—who has been based in Bangkok for almost four years—asked me if I would be willing to try eating in a restaurant where they only use organic produce, I was a little hesitant at first, although I admit that I was super intrigued.

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Alex Garland's The Beach Is Like On the Road But With Sharks

Alex Garland’s The Beach Is Like On the Road But With Sharks

The opening scene of The Beach movie has Richard walking Khao San Road where he is being chased by hawkers and some guy who, for no reason other than maybe to show the undeniable reality of Khao San’s snake blood trade (it’s not the reality, I bet), is urging him to drink snake blood, which he takes because the Thai peddler with a distinctly un-Thai accent was jeering him, and he couldn’t bear to…

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At Pak Khlong Talad flower market, there is no such thing as a late bloomer. Come visit! http://wp.me/p4yhaQ-8S

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Today is a national holiday in Thailand in celebration of the Queen's birthday. Happy birthday to the Queen!

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Before you go back to the reality of Monday (because the weekend is always just a total fantasy), make a quick stop at Dasa Book Café and buy actual fantasies and realities, etc. Happy end of the weekend! http://wp.me/p4yhaQ-9s (at Dasa Book Cafe)

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The best time to visit the Grand Palace is when the skies are themselves grand and dramatic. Some 'rules' you can follow when visiting the royal residence over here: http://wp.me/p4yhaQ-9d (at Bangkok- The Grand Palace)

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Thailand Through the Perspectives of Two Museums

Thailand Through the Perspectives of Two Museums

As part of the Museum Pass scheme (see previous post here), we have been able to visit some remarkable museums in Bangkok for a good deal. See for example our earlier entry about the macabre Siriraj Museum.

The other two museums we have visited recently are Museum Siam and the Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall. Both museums are attempts at mainly capturing the history and culture of Thailand but with…