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Video: Thailand's ‘superhuman’ tattoos

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:00:36 +0000

CNN correspondent Dan Rivers explores Thailand's fascination with sak yant tattoos, including footage of Angelina Jolie's 2004 ink experience

For many, tattoos can be a sign of rebellion, individuality or fashion. For Thai devotees of sak yant tattoos, they offer promises of superhuman powers and protection against everything from bullets to accidents.

At the recent Wat Bang Phra Tattoo Festival, held outside of Bangkok, believers and curious spectators from all over Thailand gathered to pay respects to the temple's master tattooist monks.

CNN correspondent Dan Rivers paid a visit to this year's festival, reporting that "Wat Bang Phra resembles a lunatic asylum as hundreds of apparently insane tattooed men demonstrate their special powers."

In the above video Rivers also includes 2004 footage of revered tattooist Ajarn Noo giving a sak yant tattoo to his most famous client, Angelina Jolie.

Tags: Thai culture, tattoos, sak yant, Angelina Jolie, Ajarn Noo

Fit for royalty and rock stars: Amanpuri Resort

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:45:16 +0000

Baby elephants, 500 coconuts and more outrageous and luxurious resort requests from Amanpuri, Phuket

Make no mistake about it, my visit to Aman Resort's Amanpuri in Phuket, Thailand was an eye-opening experience. Rather than carry on about my two night, three day stay there, I think Amanpuri general manager Frederic Varnier's stories of some of their clients weave a better tale. Me? About the best I can do is request a Coke. Hold the ice.

A pachyderm present

Frederic Varnier: "A few years ago we organized a birthday party for the eight year old daughter of a very wealthy client in one of our private villas. As usual there were a number of demands made by the birthday girl and we had no problems in securing a magician, fire eaters, jugglers and a swimming pool filled with multi colored balloons of all shapes and sizes.

Amanpuri's tucked away villas.

The father of the birthday girl also enquired about the possibility of having exotic animals around to villa to somehow recreate a scene from the Jungle book.

Within 24 hours we had a baby elephant, small tiger, monkeys and a two meter Albino Burmese Python on the premises.

At the end of the party the little girl asked her father, 'Daddy can we take the Elephant back with us?' The father looked at me and without hesitation said, 'Sure princess, Fred will arrange for it to be shipped back home.'

I thought the father was kidding. He was not, and the baby elephant flew first class back to the little princess’ home."

The private rock show

Varnier: "A very successful young entrepreneur once decided to celebrate his 40th birthday at Amanpuri with about 50 of his closest friends and business associates. He wanted to have total privacy, so he rented out the entire resort -- all 40 pavilions and 30 villas, or enough room for 300 people -- for a week.

We flew in his favorite rock band from Europe and throughout the entire week we only served Dom Perignon Champagne and a selection of Chateau Lafitte, Latour and Montrachet wines. At the end of the week the party had consumed over US$250,000 worth of wine and Champagne alone.

He was also a keen badminton player so we set up a special court for him. When he specifically asked for a very experienced player able to keep up with him, we made a few phone calls and secured the services of the number one ranked badminton player in Thailand -- who was at the time in Bangkok preparing for the ASEAN games.

On the last night prior to the group’s departure we had a floating barge anchored right in front of the villa where they were staying and we set off a a massive fireworks display which lasted 30 minutes.

Everyone left happy the following day in their private Boeing 737."

How much fruit will an Airbus hold?

Varnier: "A family from one of the gulf states (sorry, can't name names) once spent a week with us on the recommendation of another influential family from the the gulf.

Amanpuri's villas are large enough to house a small family

As we anticipated, the family had an entourage of about 40 people and although there were just six people in the family itself, they took up four villas and 20 hotel rooms for their household staff.

The main villa was for the family and the other two adjacent villas were used for the luggage and 'play area' for the children. During the week the family took a real liking to the local delicacies. Thailands sweet young coconuts and tropical fruits in particular.

The night before their departure I received a call from their secretary who wanted to place an order of fruit to take back with them in their private plane. Thinking they wanted some snacks during their trip back home I told her I would be delighted to prepare an assortment of tropical fruit with our compliments. She then proceeded to thank me for the kind gesture, but insisted on paying for the fruits. I soon found out why. She then placed the order which was as follows:

500 young coconuts
10 cartons of Mangoes
10 cartons of rose apple
10 cartons of Rambutan
10 cartons of mangosteen
10 cartons of Bananas
100 pineapples

The shipment of fruit was delivered the next day with the help of a 10-wheeled truck.

To my surprise, and easing my concerns about their excess luggage fees, a private Airbus flying their country’s colors was on standby ready to take the family -- and fruits -- back home."

For more information on rates and availability, please visit Amanpuri Phuket's website.

Amanpuri Gallery

The steps down to Amanpuri's private beach.

A view of part of the Phuket coastline.

The resorts private beach is small but uncrowded.

The setting sun as seen from Amanpuri's private beach.

Guests can either take the steps back up to their villas or get driven via cart.

Each villa has it's own private outdoor space and gazebo area.

Amanpuri's clubhouse features a library, full service Internet stations and a service desk ready to help with any requests, no matter how obscure.

Amanpuri's main clubhouse as seen at night.

Tags: Thailand resort, Phuket travel, Asia resort

Red flag: Places to avoid in Bangkok this weekend

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:56:10 +0000

As the red shirted Thaksin supporters descend on Bangkok there are a few places you should steer clear of, but we have a couple places you can escape to too

Supporters of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra are due to begin arriving in Bangkok from all over the country on Friday for planned protests and blockades aimed at pressuring the Thai government to call an election, and embassies around the world are warning their citizens to exercise caution. Here in the city, many high profile events are being cancelled, reports the Bangkok Post, while some businesses and schools are closing their doors for the weekend too.

Protest leaders from the red shirt pro-Thaksin movement, the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, are aiming to attract up to a million red shirts, though they have repeatedly said they will gather peacefully. Regardless, Thai Cabinet approved the use of the Internal Security Act in areas in and around Bangkok, which means check points, closed roads and additional patrols.

In an effort to combat the tourism fallout, the Thailand Tourism Authority has put together a list of areas people should avoid this weekend. In addition to the three mentioned below, the list advises tourists to stay away from Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Rama 9 Road, Samsen Road, Victory Monument, Rama IV Road, Silom Road and Rajdamri Road. Thailand travel website Paknamweb.com has put together a great Google map that pinpoints all these spots and more, including details on why that site is significant, and will be updating it throughout the weekend.

Rajdamnoen Avenue

According to media reports, on March 14 protesters will gather at the main rally site in Sanam Luang before moving into Rajdamnoen Avenue. They’ll then head to the main rally stage at the Phan Fah Bridge on their way to the Royal Plaza.

Unfortunately, this is an area near many of Bangkok’s most popular tourist attractions, including the Grand Palace, Khao San Road and Dusit Zoo. (See the Tourism Authority's map of routes to avoid if you're planning to head to there anyways.) The zoo has even relocated 14 animals ahead of protests, according to The Nation, as it’s close to the Royal Plaza and Parliament so the noise of the protests might stress out the animals.

The Prime Minister's residence

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva lives on Sukhumvit Soi 31, a very busy part of Bangkok. We suggest you avoid the general area around his home -- if only to avoid the threat of being hit with flying excrement. His house is being kept under close observation this weekend, with the beefed up security measures likely to cause traffic delays.

Media offices

Many of Bangkok’s media outlets are accused of being anti-Thaksin in their coverage, and red shirt leaders have threatened in the past to take over their offices. The most obvious one to avoid is the anti-Thaksin ASTV/Manager offices on Phra Arthit road, where heavy security is guaranteed. This road is a popular spot among backpackers, filled with guest houses and pubs and within walking distance of Khao San Road.

CNN will be covering the marches all weekend but if you want to avoid it all, simply get out of town. There are a few decent events happening near the city this weekend:

Go fly a kite

Head to the beach resort town of Cha-Am this weekend for the 11th Thailand International Kite Festival. Demonstrations include kite flying shows, fights, contests, art sessions and a parachute show. The event takes place Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 9pm at the Naresuan Army Camp. Cha-Am, a two hour's drive south of Bangkok, has many great hotels, from tiny boutiques to massive five-star resorts. Our pick of the bunch is the gorgeous Alila Resort, with rates starting at 4,300 baht per night.

Join the harvest

It's harvest season for Thailand's wineries, with events taking place in many of the tourist-frequented vineyards in Khao Yai, Hua Hin and Pattaya. Till the end of this month, visitors to the regions can participate in the annual harvesting of premium Thai grapes and meet winemakers and owners. Many vineyards are marking the harvest with special food, music and other events in addition to the usual wine tours. This Saturday, Pattaya's Silverlake Vineyard will be hosting a wine dinner and concert featuring music by Jazz Kamikaze.

Tags: Thaksin Shinawatra, Thai protests, Thai politics, red shirts

World’s five greatest tastes, in one Bangkok buffet

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:36:11 +0000

Novotel Siam Square’s “Quintet of International Gastronomy Festival” features dishes from Thailand, China, India, Japan and France

The cuisines of Thailand, China, India, Japan and France will be the highlight of Novotel Bangkok Siam Square’s nine-day “The Quintet of International Gastronomy Festival,” which starts today. (We always thought Italy was up there with the global greats too, but hey. These five will do.)

There are plenty of Bangkok buffets worth hitting, but what struck us about this one was the price as the Novotel’s Bangkok buffets are known for being of a high standard. The Gastonomy Festival buffet -- -- more recently being referred to as "The World's 5 Greatest Cuisines Festival," perhaps for the benefit of those who might be confused by the words 'quintet' and 'gastronomy' -- is just 888 baht per person and 444 baht for children. Novotel says the drinks will also feature prominently in the festival, with national drinks offered at special prices. (We wonder if the "Siam Sunray" will be on the menu.)

The Quintet of International Gastronomy Festival will be held nightly, from March 11-19 in the hotel’s The Square restaurant, which closes at 10:30pm. The event features nightly musical performances and a lucky draw in which diners can win air tickets to Tokyo, Paris, Beijing or Delhi. To reserve a table, call +66 (0)2 209 8888.

Novotel Siam Square: 392/44 Siam Square Soi 6, Rama I Road Pathumwan. BTS: SiamTags: Novotel, buffet dinners, Bangkok restaurants

Blue Velvet: Potent drinks and dungeon chic come together in Bangkok

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:56:26 +0000

Thonglor welcomes yet another fabulously quirky bar to its growing list of stylish venues

Chalk up another hit for Thonglor. Blue Velvet is the latest fine addition to the trendy Bangkok neighborhood’s never-ending list of partying venues. But to call it “another new club” would be grossly understating its appeal.

Blue Velvet is best described as a dungeon, its decor sucked right out of Europe’s medieval period. I actually thought of Count Dracula’s castle when I first walked into the place, with its brick-covered walls, dazzling chandeliers and plush furnishings.

If you get to Blue Velvet before 10pm you can sample their menu of fusion food (Thai, Western and some Japanese), with dishes at surprisingly decent prices for the area. We recommend their spaghetti larb calamari, a step up from the ubiquitous spaghetti phad kee mao.

In terms of drinks Blue Velvet offers the standard liquor menu with lots of wine, bottled beer and some whiskeys and spirits. Do try out their wide range of cocktails, though lightweights may want to exercise a bit of restraint as Blue Velvet is really serious about serving strong drinks. Which is a good thing in a city filled with watered down junk. They have their own cocktail variations too such as the Bloody Rikki in addition to the usual favorites.

Friday and Saturday nights are obviously the busiest, when the crowd moves up to the second floor and the DJ spins everything from funk and soul to house.

If you plan to head there on a week day when the crowds are thin, bring your loved one and a good camera. The place is perfect for photographs. In fact, I'm willing to bet it will be frequently used as a shooting location for fashion magazines/commercials/TV shows in the months to come, so check it out now before the masses catch on to its dungeon chic charms.

getting there

Blue Velvet
Open daily, 6:00pm-1:00am
Thonglor soi 5, Sukhumvit 55. BTS: Thonglor
Tel +66 (0)2 392 1769
Blue Velvet Facebook page

Tags: Thonglor, Blue Velvet, Bangkok bars

100 Thai dishes that inspire us to get out there and eat

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:05:53 +0000

An American blogger has put together a mouthwatering list of the finest meals on Bangkok’s streets, including plenty of obscure but tantalizing greats

When you live in Bangkok, it’s easy to get stuck eating the same thing every day despite the city's many incredible street eats available. Maybe you hit up your favorite noodle stand daily or can’t live without that old woman on the corner who slaps together a mean plate of khao mun gai.

That’s why we were excited to see American Mark Wiens' list of 100 great Thai dishes that will allow you to "eat like a king in Bangkok" on his blog, Migrationology.com. Whether you’re a local or just visiting there are some truly inspiring choices, from clay pots of jim jum to steamed snapper in green chilli sauce.

Mark says it took him about a month to compile the massive food list, including photos. Of all the 100 dishes, his absolute favorite is gang som plah chon, #59, followed by #12, panang gai.

Also worth noting: This list does not include all those tasty deep fried and sweet snacks or Thai desserts sold on Bangkok's streets. Those, Mark says, will be tackled in future articles on Migrationology.com.
Tags: travel blogs, Thai cuisine, food blogs, dining in Bangkok

Not-so-desperate housewives: Expat spouses who thrive in Bangkok

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:26:30 +0000

Fighting everything from predatory prostitutes to boredom can be tough for some expat wives, but one magazine is trying to help

The September 2008 cover of Acclimate, the magazine's first issue.		Though little heard of, American and other foreign women who move to Bangkok with their spouses often suffer confusion, depression or even divorce while grappling with Thailand's strange food, "predatory prostitutes" and limited job offers. But there is reason to be optimistic. Despite being viciously mocked by local bloggers, Acclimate magazine's American editor-in-chief, Tracey Starr, boldly confronts subjects whispered by foreign women when they nervously compare notes about their lives in exotic, opaque Bangkok. Worst-case scenarios include expat husbands who fall in lust for a Thai woman and leave their wives. Best cases include foreign women who join local volunteer groups, learn Thai, revel in the spicy cuisine and explore the countryside, culture and religion.
‘Living here doesn’t make a man cheat’ Liz, also American, is the magazine's pin-up example of a woman who lost her husband while in Bangkok, but emerged one year later to build her own career. "[Liz] believes that if your husband is going to [go-go] bars frequently, and refuses to stop, there's a problem," Acclimate warned readers in its first issue in September 2008. In August 2009, the magazine wrote, "there are other bars and restaurants in Bangkok where men can go for a night out with the guys that doesn't involve predatory prostitutes and bar girls." But Bangkok is not solely to blame, Acclimate magazine explains. "Living here doesn't make a man cheat. However, it can make cheating seem easier and more acceptable for those who are so inclined." Liz and her unidentified husband divorced after she found "a long, straight, black hair on the bed." Despite this awful experience, Acclimate proudly updated readers one year later that Liz had fallen in love with another man and now "will serve as a Foreign Service Officer in U.S. embassies and consulates around the world. Her first foreign assignment will be to Mexico in 2010." Other morale-boosting stories fill the glossy, 64-page magazine, which has attracted advertising from Bangkok's Bumrungrad Hospital, jewelry stores, international schools, furniture shops and shipping companies. The reluctant house wife Many of Acclimate's 2,000-3,000 readers are "trailing spouses" or "accompanying partners" in Bangkok, says Starr, 36, from her new base in Hong Kong where she is currently working on the magazine's seventh issue, which comes out in May. "Trailing spouses are those people who give up their own careers or traditional roles to follow their spouses on overseas employment postings," she says. "You might expect that it's just about the cushiest, most enviable role on the planet. Your partner makes enough money that you don't have to work. The employing company is probably subsidizing your housing and other costs of living, allowing you to save more money than you could in your home country. "In many countries, especially throughout Asia, it's customary to have maids, nannies, and drivers to take care of your everyday needs. And you have the opportunity to travel to exotic locations far more easily than you could have from your home country." Unfortunately for many of these pampered women, boredom soon sets in, typically exacerbated by an inability to qualify for a work permit. "It's scary and depressing. Add to that the guilt you feel when you hear from your friends and family back home who have to work to put food on the table, and it can make you feel like you're going crazy."
Not The Nation mocks foreign women’s plight
		Starr has been harshly teased for focusing on foreign women's lifestyle problems. The popular, satirical website NotTheNation.com -- which some foreign correspondents suspect is run by a witty Brit who may have worked at Thailand's Nation newspaper -- recently published Starr's photograph atop a story headlined: "Female Expat Maintains Positive Self-Image Despite Living in Thailand." Without naming Starr, who is married, the satire made it appear that she was an imaginary Canadian expat, "Martha Herkimer," and unable to find a boyfriend in Bangkok. “Friends say Herkimer has not yet attempted to compensate for her inability to interest farang [Caucasian] men by engaging in humiliating episodes of attention-seeking, such as drunkenly removing her shirt and clambering onto the stage of a go-go bar to arrhythmically shift her heavy frame among the stable of bored-but-still-sexy bar girls," it said.
NotTheNation.com quoted an apparently fictional Thai "clinical psychologist" who said: "It's almost inconceivable that she can remain totally unaffected by how poorly her sweaty, hulking figure compares to those of the much more slender and lithe Thai women who surround her."
Lifestyle tips, including what to do if there’s a coup That satire echoes a sad reality, frequently expressed by foreign women in newspapers, magazines and online, about how they are "invisible" to other foreign men in Bangkok, and end up self-conscious and lonesome. But Starr, who was president of the American Women's Club of Thailand, says Acclimate can help women tackle the woes of "marital problems, including infidelity and divorce." The magazine's other themes provide positive, constructive ideas for "real women in our community, who have either overcome great obstacles or lived through exciting situations," and how to deal with "identity loss -- that loss that trailing spouses experience when they give up their own careers, or established roles, in their home countries," she says. Acclimate's readers are "typically holders of college degrees and, in many cases, advanced degrees. Many have held professional jobs." Schools for children, medical advice, financial tips, books, where to get big bras and other information are also favorite topics. Starr even has tips on what to do if another coup is staged in Bangkok. "Keep a supply of food and water on hand so you're prepared to wait out a situation for a few days. Keep a supply of cash on hand in case banks close or you don't have time to get to an ATM. Have an escape plan, which could include having open-ended plane tickets on hand for the family, as well as knowing what you would take with you if you had to leave suddenly."

Tags: expat women, Bangkok expats, Acclimate magazine

BAMBI Bring & Buy Sale

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:51:05 +0000

Location: Bangkok Prep School, Sukhumvit Soi 53, Bangkok

Hours: 9:30-11:30am

Phone: +66 (0) 8 1910 6251

[Website]

The BAMBI Bring & Buy sale at Bangkok Prep School on March 27 from 9:30am-11:30am is your chance to pickup or offload old child rearing apparatus and other child-related bits and pieces.

Among the troves of desirable but unneeded paraphernalia are children's toys, baby furniture, strollers, kid's books, car seats and household items.

Local parents' group BAMBI has created an enjoyable family occasion with various activities, a play area for children and refreshments. There is a 50 baht entrance fee and all proceeds go towards their charitable work.

Tags: parents' groups, BAMBI, baby clothing

Bangkok International Book Fair 2010

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:38:33 +0000

Location: Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, 60 New Rachadapisek Road, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110

Phone: +66 (0) 2954 9560-4

[Website]

Each year the Bangkok International Book Fair goes from strength to strength, attracting hundreds of international exhibitors and thousands of visitors, including both tradesmen and the general public.

A vast range of books are available, from fiction and graphic novels to special interest books on self-development and the applied principals of dharma. With all the big publishers in town, many flogging stock at discount prices, you are sure to find something you like.

Held at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, the fair runs March 26-April 6, open every day from 10am to 9pm. With no admission fee, it's certainly worth a peek.

Tags: book festival, book fairs, Bangkok International Book Fair

Commart 2010

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:21:26 +0000

Location: Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, 60 New Rachadapisek Road, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110

Hours: 10am-8pm

Phone: +66 (0) 2 686 9009

[Website]

Commart returns to Queen Sirikit Convention Centre for a four day event, from March 18-21. The fair features international exhibitors and all the major brands, who will be showing off their latest consumer IT gadgetry.

Visitors will find special deals on new keyboards, free computer handbooks, smartphones, notebooks and netbooks. There will also be seminars such as a Blackberry workshop, social networking workshop, computer assembling workshops and Preview Office 2010 workshops.

Tags: Queen Sirikit Convention Centre, computers, Commart 2010, Bangkok gadgets

CNNGo Bangkok RSS Feed

Video: Thailand's ‘superhuman’ tattoos

CNN correspondent Dan Rivers explores Thailand's fascination with sak yant tattoos, including footage of Angelina Jolie's 2004 ink experience

Fit for royalty and rock stars: Amanpuri Resort

Baby elephants, 500 coconuts and more outrageous and luxurious resort requests from Amanpuri, Phuket

A pachyderm present

The private rock show

How much fruit will an Airbus hold?

Amanpuri Gallery

Red flag: Places to avoid in Bangkok this weekend

As the red shirted Thaksin supporters descend on Bangkok there are a few places you should steer clear of, but we have a couple places you can escape to too

Rajdamnoen Avenue

The Prime Minister's residence

Media offices

Go fly a kite

Join the harvest

World’s five greatest tastes, in one Bangkok buffet

Novotel Siam Square’s “Quintet of International Gastronomy Festival” features dishes from Thailand, China, India, Japan and France

Blue Velvet: Potent drinks and dungeon chic come together in Bangkok

Thonglor welcomes yet another fabulously quirky bar to its growing list of stylish venues

100 Thai dishes that inspire us to get out there and eat

An American blogger has put together a mouthwatering list of the finest meals on Bangkok’s streets, including plenty of obscure but tantalizing greats

Not-so-desperate housewives: Expat spouses who thrive in Bangkok

Fighting everything from predatory prostitutes to boredom can be tough for some expat wives, but one magazine is trying to help

‘Living here doesn’t make a man cheat’

The reluctant house wife

Not The Nation mocks foreign women’s plight

Lifestyle tips, including what to do if there’s a coup

BAMBI Bring & Buy Sale

Location: Bangkok Prep School, Sukhumvit Soi 53, Bangkok

Hours: 9:30-11:30am

Phone: +66 (0) 8 1910 6251

Bangkok International Book Fair 2010

Location: Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, 60 New Rachadapisek Road, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110

Phone: +66 (0) 2954 9560-4

Commart 2010

Location: Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, 60 New Rachadapisek Road, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110

Hours: 10am-8pm

Phone: +66 (0) 2 686 9009