Maidreamin’ Cafe Opens in Bangkok with Cute Thai Girls

April 26, 2013
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Maidreamin’ Cafe Opens in Bangkok with Cute Thai Girls

If it’s your dream to visit a themed restaurant where cute Thai girls dress up in maid uniforms, then you will probably enjoy the new Bangkok restaurant called Maidreamin. First opened in Japan, the latest branch is now here in our city at Gateway Ekamai on Soi Sukhumwit 42. As you arrive, two maids come to greet you and escort you to your table. Opening hours are 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily. More information and pictures on their Facebook page. I’m not quite sure what to make of this. It seems to be demeaning to women. What do you…

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Update for Google Maps Thailand

April 25, 2013
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Update for Google Maps Thailand

Hot on the heels to the major update to Google Street View that added seven new provinces, comes the news on the Google blog that they have just added today “more comprehensive and accurate maps for Thailand”. The updated map for Thailand now provides more comprehensive information about the Bangkok city center. So next time you happen to find yourself needing to cross the Chao Phraya River, you’ll be able to see that many ferry routes across the river are now mapped in greater detail, with route names shown and piers clearly marked. You can also pinpoint nearby points of…

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Watch True Visions Anywhere on your Smartphone or Tablet

April 25, 2013
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Watch True Visions Anywhere on your Smartphone or Tablet

Some interesting news coming out tonight from a TrueVisions press conference in Bangkok. Apparently they will be launching a “TrueVisions Anywhere” app on 1st May 2013 where you will be able to watch up to 120 channels on your smartphone or tablet. I don’t have many details yet as I wasn’t there, but the idea is that you will soon be able to watch any channel, any time, anywhere by using 3G on your smartphone. The app for this will be released in iTunes & Google Play on 1st May. After you download you need to register. The first year…

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Blue List of 23 Shark Fin Free Hotels in Thailand

April 25, 2013
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Blue List of 23 Shark Fin Free Hotels in Thailand

As part of global Earth Day initiatives, Thai celebrities, students, conservationists, and leading hospitality industry representatives gathered to launch a Blue List promoting hotels in Thailand that are 100 per cent shark fin free. “Many hotels are taking shark fin off their menus out of concern for endangered shark populations threatened by overfishing. They should be commended for this important action to protect sharks and the marine environment,” said Jirayu Ekkul, Fin Free Thailand spokesperson and Marine Conservation Campaign Director for Love Wildlife Foundation. Featuring 23 leading luxury hotels, the Fin Free Thailand Blue List was announced on Earth Day…

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Thai Boxing in front of MBK on Wednesday nights

April 25, 2013
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Thai Boxing in front of MBK on Wednesday nights

I noticed the other day that the boxing ring is back in front of MBK in Bangkok. They are promoting it as “MBK Fight Night” every Wednesday from 6:00pm to 8:30pm. Has anyone been yet? Any good? RT @lululyyana: #muaythai girl on girl action in #bangkok #MBK t.co/3qpnTWFyeh

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Samsung Galaxy S4 Released in Thailand on 3 May

April 24, 2013
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Samsung Galaxy S4 Released in Thailand on 3 May

As many of you know I’m an Apple fan as I have both an iPhone 4S and an iPad 4 (upgraded from iPad 1). Like other people I didn’t upgrade to an iPhone 5 as I wasn’t impressed. Apple used to be a leader in innovation but they just seem to be playing catch up these days. On the other hand, Samsung has been doing some amazing things with their devices. Over the last year I’ve seen many people switch to Samsung from either BB or iPhone. Now with the launch of the Galaxy S4 in Thailand on 3rd May…

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Lunch at Saras Indian Restaurant in Bangkok

April 24, 2013
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Lunch at Saras Indian Restaurant in Bangkok

During my backpacking days I spent about three months travelling around most regions of the Indian subcontinent. I was fascinated by the culture and I was even more taken by the food. In particular the vegetarian food of the south. Not once did I miss eating meat. After settling in Thailand, I never really got a chance to eat Indian food again. Mainly because there aren’t any Indian restaurants where I live in Samut Prakan, but also because I fell completely in love with Thai food. But, after all these years I thought it was time for a change. The…

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Major Update for Google Street View in Thailand

April 24, 2013
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Major Update for Google Street View in Thailand

Google Thailand announced today that they have done a major update for Street View. According to a tweet this morning, they said that “7 new provinces just went live on Street View in Thailand”. These include Pattaya, Chon Buri, Bang Lamung, Sattahip, Bo Thong and other locations in Thailand. Street View was launched in Thailand just one year ago (see my original report).  To see Street View in action, just visit maps.google.co.th and to the left of the screen you will see a little man above the zoom control. Drag him onto the map and you will see blue lines like below. This tells…

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Where are Bangkok’s Best Beaches?

April 23, 2013
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Where are Bangkok’s Best Beaches?

I often receive letters from people asking for information about beaches near Bangkok. The islands in Southern Thailand, like Koh Samui and Phuket, are world famous. But, sometimes people want to go somewhere a bit closer to Bangkok. The nearest beach to do as a day trip is Bangsaen in Chonburi. It is less than 90 minutes from Bangkok. Not exactly the cleanest beach as this is the point where mangrove forest and mudflats become sandy beach for the first time. However, it is very popular with Thai people. Further down the same coast is the beach resort of Pattaya…

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Old Pictures of Siam Center from 1973

April 23, 2013
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Old Pictures of Siam Center from 1973

It’s strange looking at these old pictures of Siam Center as there is so much space around the building. These days it is difficult to get a clear picture as it is hemmed in on all sides but not only other malls, but also the skytrain tracks. These pictures, posted on the sanook.com forums, were taken back in 1973 shortly after its opening. At the time, Siam Center was one of the first shopping malls in Bangkok. It has been renovated a number of time including after a fire in 1995. It has recently re-opened after another major refurbishment.

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Bangkok Bicycle Exhibition for Cycling Lovers from 2-5 May 2013

April 23, 2013
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Bangkok Bicycle Exhibition for Cycling Lovers from 2-5 May 2013

“Bangkok Bike 2013″, from 2-5 may,  is a major event for bike and travelling lovers where over 200 booths will display and highlight many products and services. This is the only event that had its own dedicated Bike Lane which will be set up for cyclists to visit and buy goods around the Exhibition Hall at Impact Muang Thong Thani. The main sponsors are Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Thai Cycling for Health Association. The event aims to promote the campaign for Thais and foreign tourists to travel by bike around Thailand. The TAT will arrange activities to entertain cyclists under the…

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Cycle Ride on Rattanakosin Island

April 21, 2013
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Cycle Ride on Rattanakosin Island

At the weekend I was exploring the old city in Bangkok around the Grand Palace. Here are some of the pictures that I tweeted as I cycled around. RT @RichardBarrow: The Standing Buddha at Wat Intharavihan is 32 meters high & 11 metres wide. It’s best to take a picture of the Standing Buddha at Wat Intharavihan in the morning when the sun is behind you. RT @RichardBarrow: I see Starbung Coffee is still on Phra Athit Rd. I thought they received a cease & desist from Starbucks. RT @RichardBarrow: There’s a nice riverside walkway parallel with Phra Athit Rd.…

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Bangkok St George’s Society 51st Anniversary Ball

April 21, 2013
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Bangkok St George’s Society 51st Anniversary Ball

The Bangkok St George’s Society 51st Anniversary Ball is on Saturday 27th April 2013 at Amari Watergate. Ticket price is 3,000 Baht.

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Make Merit by Offering Books to Monks on 23 April

April 21, 2013
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Make Merit by Offering Books to Monks on 23 April

UNESCO has awarded Bangkok the “World Book Capital City 2013″ with the theme “Bangkok, Read for Life”. Events to launch this special honour are being held in Bangkok from 20-23 April 2013. On Tuesday there will be a special making merit event on Sanam Luang with Buddhist monks from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Instead of giving the usual alms to the monks, people are being invited to offer books. For more information please contact at 02-245-5405-6 or read more detail at bangkokworldbookcapital2013.com.

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Kickstarter Launch Party in Bangkok for “Ride The Future Tour”

April 19, 2013
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Kickstarter Launch Party in Bangkok for “Ride The Future Tour”

For almost 2 years, Susan Jones of Xenon Motors has been assembling an electrical fleet that includes a scooter, motorcycle, and automobile to battle the consumer pain from the pump and eradicate global gas emissions. This summer they will be attempting a world record for the Longest Journey on Electric Vehicles across america. The attempt, called “Ride The Future Tour”  is projected to be accomplished in about 40 days and will end at the Google campus in Mountain View, California. The Nissan Leaf will be setting the record for the automobile, the Xenon Scooter for the scooter, and A2B Electric Bikes for the e…

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Events this Weekend on Rattanakosin Island in Bangkok

April 19, 2013
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Events this Weekend on Rattanakosin Island in Bangkok

  There are a number of events on this weekend that are of interest to me. The main one is celebrating the anniversary of the founding of the Rattanakosin Kingdom  This is taking place 20-22 April 2013 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the old part of Bangkok which includes Grand Palace, Sanam Luang and Ratchadamnoen Avenue. This is the information that I have so far: Demonstration of 10 traditional crafts in the grounds outside the Thammasat University as well as at the National Museum “Mahanakorn Amorn Rattanakosin 2325 to Present” and “Rattanakosin Celebration Flag” at National Museum At the…

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Top 10 Most Popular Thai Nicknames

April 19, 2013
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Top 10 Most Popular Thai Nicknames

All Thai people are given a nickname shortly after their birth. This is often used in daily life and in fact, nicknames are used so much that many people may not know their friends and colleagues real name. I have some Thai friends who I have no idea what their real name is. Though this is probably more to do with them keep changing their name for good luck. Anyway, here is the Top 10 of the most popular Thai nicknames: May, Ploy, Nan, Ice, Bank, Mai, Fah, New, Bon and Beer. RT @khajochi: 10 อันดับชื่อเล่นที่โหลที่สุดในไทย: เมย์, พลอย, แนน, ไอซ์,…

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Instagram feed of Princess Ubolratana

April 19, 2013
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Instagram feed of Princess Ubolratana

The Instagram feed of Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, eldest child of Thailand’s King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit t.co/Mt4obeJHea /via @zenjournalist

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Mass Alms giving on Silom Road on 19 May 2013

April 18, 2013
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Mass Alms giving on Silom Road on 19 May 2013

  In Commemoration of International Visakha Bucha Day there will be a mass alms offering to 10,000 Buddhist monks in Bangkok. The event will take place on Silom Road on Sunday 19th May 2013 from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Dried food and drinks collected on this day will be given to the 323 temples in the four southern provinces of Thailand. For many of the monks in the deep south it is too dangerous for them to go out on alms rounds due to insurgency attacks. Foreigners are welcome to join this event. If you are offering alms you…

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Public Holidays in Thailand During May 2013

April 18, 2013
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Public Holidays in Thailand During May 2013

There are three long weekend holidays in Thailand during May 2013, however only two are for the general public. The next long weekends in Thailand: Coronation Day 4-6 May, Royal Ploughing Ceremony 11-13 May (*) and Visakha Bucha 24-26 May 2013. (*) The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is only a holiday for government workers. However, you will find government offices including Immigration closed for the long weekend. State enterprises like the post office will also close

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Celebrate Songkran on Bangsaen Beach 16-17 April 2013

April 16, 2013
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Celebrate Songkran on Bangsaen Beach 16-17 April 2013

If you missed out on the Songkran water fights over the last few days or want a second round then head to Bangsaen in Chonburi for their Songkran Festival on the beach. As well as the water fights, there are free concerts and fun & games on the beach. There is also a Sand Pagoda building competition. The Wan Lai Bangsaen Festival is taking place this week, 16th-17th April 2013. This is the annual water flowing festival that takes place a few days after Songkran. People in this area of Chonburi Province are descendants of the Mon and they celebrate…

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Thai Lottery Results on 16 April 2013

April 16, 2013
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Thai Lottery Results on 16 April 2013

RT @RichardBarrow: 16 April: Thai lottery full results – 843846 | 86 | 834 862 906 828

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