Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Finding Thai Cooking Schools
Finding a cooking school in Bangkok or the major proinces is increasingly easy. Most of the major hotels that have their own in-house Thai restaurant will offer cooking classes, either as intensive hands-on sessions or as watch-and-eat events. In addition there are cooking schools that provide basic skills sufficient to prepare a Thai meal in your own home, or even training to professional standards.
The Thai Cooking School at The Oriental Hotel
c/o The Oriental Bangkok, Charoen Krung Road, Bangkok 10600
Tel : 0 2437 6211, 0 2437 2918
This legendary hotel on the bank of the Chao Phraya opened its own Thai cooking school on the other side of the river a few years back. The four-day cooking course, conducted in English, is mainly a “ watch and learn” experience, with emphasis on demonstration by the chef-lecturers followed by some hand-on participation by students. Classes start off with some background on Thai cooking, followed by different cooking techniques and fruit and vegetable carving. Recipes are a blend of the traditional and the imaginative. Menu preparation and selection is included in the course, as well as how to order at Thai restaurants. Classes take place from 9 in the morning to noon, followed by lunch. Tuition is charged per class.
Benjarong Cooking Class at the Dusit Thani
At the corner of Silom and Rama IV, Bangkok 10500
Tel : 0 2236 6400, 0 2236 7238
The Dusit Thani’s Benjarong Royal Thai Cuisine is one of the most sophisticated Thai restaurant in Bangkok. Its head chef runs the Benjarong cooking class every Saturday morning, from 9.30-12.30. Recipes are drawn from the restaurant’s menu and include snacks and appetisers, soup and salad, main dishes and desserts. Benjarong Cooking Class offers a very hand-on experience, and the instruction emphasizes practicality and inventiveness. The complete course comprises 12 classes, and graduates will receive a certificate as well as recipe book in English.
Between Sois 4&6, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110
Tel : 0 2254 0404
The restaurant offers a 7-day course designed to teach beginners all the basics of Thai cooking and enable them to prepare curries, soups, salads and other dishes that make up a Thai meal. The restaurant’s chefs lecture on ingredients and recipes, and then let students participate in the cooking and tasting. Nipa is famous for its authentic food, which has not been toned down to suit milder palates, and the course offers plenty of hand-on experience. Students will receive a recipe book in English or Japanese. Fruit and vegetable carving sessions can be arranged separately.
UFM Baking & Cooking School
Sukhumvit 33 Road, Bangkok 10110
Tel : 0 2259 0620-3
UFM offers 10-day Thai cooking courses every other month. Classes take place from 8.30-noon daily, and recipes are mix of the simple and the sophisticated, regional specialties and national favourites. Students will receive a companion book in English. Five-day vegetable carving courses are available on alternate months.
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Friday, August 24, 2007
Bhumibol Dam Invitation International Mountain Bike Championships
MOUNTAIN BIKE CHAMPIONSHIP 2007 August 25– 26, 2007 At Bhumibol Dam, Tak Province
Bhumibol Dam in Tak province will be hosting the Bhumibol Dam Invitation International Mountain Bike Championships for the fourth consecutive year on August 25– 26, 2007. Noted for its scenic landscape, Bhumibol Dam provides an ideal setting for the mountain bike races.
The event is being jointly organized by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in cooperation with the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) and Bhumibol Dam to promote ecotourism in tandem with outdoor sports at both a national and international level.
Local and international bikers are being invited to participate in this friendly event.
The mountain bike races feature three main classes consisting of Professional, Amateur and Family teams and five key categories consisting of:
- Competition Bike races covering a distance of 40 km
- Amateur Bike races covering a distance of 25 km
- Family Bike races covering a distance of 24 km
- Sweat Bike races covering a distance of 60 km
- Funny Bike
Each category is divided into sub-categories according to sex and age as well as open races.
Registration and more information:
Events Promotion Division, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 3496
Individuals participating in the competition are eligible for a 40 per cent discount on accommodation at Bhumibol Dam. A camping area will also be provided.
IMPORTANT
Event dates and programme details may be subject to change.
Many of the festivals and events listed on Thailand's official calendar of annual events are traditional Buddhist or folk festivals, the date of which is either determined by the Buddhist lunar calendar and waxing and waning moon. These are not staged events. The festivals reflect the rhythm of life in rural Thai villages and local traditions as observed in times past. To ensure you have the most updated information, please reconfirm details prior to travel.
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Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Shopping in Vietnam.
It is not recommended that you buy imported, famous branded products such as clothing, perfume or electronics in Vietnam as tax makes these items more costly than neighboring countries.
In terms of shopping for tourists, Vietnam is most famous for its handicrafts, war souvenirs, authentic clothing, art, antiques and gems.
Art and Antiques
Vietnam has very strict regulations about exporting real antiques. Most “antique” and art pieces sold to tourists are fake or copies of the original. Be careful and check your sources for certificates if they claim to sell you an original or antique piece.
Clothing
Clothing varies greatly from tourist T-shirts to beaded handbags and traditional ao dai (the traditional costume) made to fit your size. Items made from silk are a popular buy, with prices varying depending on the material and tailor. Pre-made traditional dresses are sold in many places. However, it is more recommended to have the dress made to fit your body, which takes more time and slightly more money.
Shoes, slippers and handbags made from traditional materials (silk and bamboo) can also become unique gifts and accessories.
The Vietnamese traditional conical hat, can be found everywhere throughout the country, but hats made in Hue are most famous as they have a poem embroided on the inside.
Gems and jewelry
Vietnam is rich in gemstones. The jewelry business is also increasing during current years, and sophisticated works are produced by both big businesses and traditional crafstmen. The quality of the gemstones sold is sometimes doubtable, so it is recommended that you buy gems at prestigious locations and be ware with cheap prices.
War souvenirs
Most war souvenirs sold today in Vietnam (for example, Zippo lighters engraved with platoon philosophy) are fake reproductions. Be careful while transporting these items as many airlines do not allow weapons, even fakes to be carried on their planes.
Handicrafts
Other popular handicrafts in Vietnam include lacquer ware, wood-block prints, and oil and watercolor paintings, blinds made from bamboo, reed mats, carpets, and leatherwork.
Where to buy
Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An are the best destinations for shopping souvenirs.
It is popular in Vietnam and thus convenient for tourists, for a whole street or district to sell the same products. For example, Hanoi has whole streets selling only shoes, silk, or earrings! Thus, take your time strolling around these shopping places and compare the products and pricing!
Many villages in Vietnam are famous for producing a distinct kind of handicraft and it would also be interesting to visit these villages and buy the items at source with a good price. For example: Bat Trang pottery village, Van Phuc silk village.
Tips: Hoi An is the best place for having clothes/shoes made while Hue cannot be missed if you want an Ao Dai.
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Friday, August 03, 2007
Ho Chi Minh City travel guide.
With the anual average temperature is around 27ºC, heavy and long rains during rainy season from May and November, the best time to visit tropical climate zone – Ho Chi Minh city is in the dry season – from December to April.
Getting there
Flights: Most visitors will arrive at Tan Son Nhat International airport located about 4 miles from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) serving both international and domestic flights. And from the airport you could reach the downtown by taxis costing around 5 USD.
Train: The Thong Nhat Express train runs from Saigon to Hanoi serving nearly all of the major cities along the coast. The travel time from HCMC to Hanoi by train may take up to 30 hours, but many people prefer to stop along the way in Hue, Danang, Nha Trang, etc. There is also a tourist train from HCMC to Phan Thiet.
Bus: Ho Chi Minh city is a great starting and ending points for open tour buses that go up the coast towards Hanoi. The two main bus stations in HCMC includes: Cholon or Mien Tay.
Highlights
- Reunification Hall
- War Remnants Museum
- Notre Dame Cathedral
- Saigon River
- Cu Chi tunnels
- The Ho Chi Minh City Museum
From Ho Chi Minh, it is easy travel on to the nearby beaches of Phu Quoc, Phan Thiet (Mui Ne), Vung tau, or the mountainous resort town of Dalat.
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Wednesday, August 01, 2007
The Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum (SEACM)
The Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum (SEACM), Bangkok University, Rangsit CampusThe Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum (SEACM) was established in 2002 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Bangkok University. The museum, which houses more than 2,000 ancient and valuable ceramics donated by Mr. Surat Osathanugrah, the founder of Bangkok University, aims to instill an appreciation for ceramics in students, art lovers and art enthusiasts alike. It will also be a center for research and training on all aspects of historical ceramics.
The museum is responsible for housing and preserving valuable collections of ancient ceramics, most of them made in Thailand or imported into Thailand in ancient times; collating data and information related to ceramic wares and potteries; identifying the various types of ceramics according to their origins and characteristics; documenting and safeguarding the collections; exhibiting the collections; organizing educational activities; and providing ancillary museum services and any other activities that will contribute to the uniqueness of the museum. The Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum Newsletter makes news from the museum and from regional sources available to ceramics enthusiasts.
How to get to SEACM 
- Public transportation: The following public transport is available: Regular bus Nos. 29, 39
- Rangist-Pratunam Phra In bus
- Air-con bus Nos. 29, 39, 510
- Air-con van (Victory Monument-BU Rangsit Campus)
- Taxi
Private transportation: Convenient and spacious parking is available at Parking lot No. 5, Bangkok University
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Closed on Sunday and Monday
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