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How breads from the freezer can still taste great Local baker Wild Grains opens up its secrets to Tim Cornwall

12/1/2021

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At the recent Hope Fair, I thought it would be easy to by-pass the wonderful aroma of fresh bread, secure in the thought that I would be wasting my money buying a loaf or two as it would surely go stale before I had had a chance to even enjoy a few slices.
I was wrong! Actually, you can put it in the freezer and take out a slice or two whenever you want to a sandwich or toast. After a few words with Wild Grains, a local baker, I have learned that for a sandwich from the freezer, it’s two slices in the toaster once, or if I want toast, in the toaster twice.
This has led to two problems. First, my freezer is almost full and second, I do not know what to buy next.

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What I’ve learned from a decadeof reviewing the Thai propertymarket

12/1/2021

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He’s been threatened, even with death, over the years, but Mark Wolf continues to sift through thousands of classified ads to get the best results for his busines

I ​see the bad posts.  Some I ban.  Some I message.  Some send me threatening messages in return.  Even the occasional death threat. 
I feel like I'm an online addict.  For the past 10+ years, I have been reviewing classifieds and property posts on (now) four separate websites in Thailand.  And in the property and tech sectors for over 40 years.
About 500 listings per day.  Some days more… some a bit less… and growing every day.  On one of our property websites (ProperDee.com), 250,000+ property listings this year.  On our newest one with Thairath, (classifieds.thairath.co.th), increasing daily and growing fast.  And more in the works.
Thankfully, I have help.  Fulltime Thai staff who are young and full of energy.  And AI (artificial intelligence).  Unheard of years ago; now my friend.
Unlike many other websites, we personally review every listing.  We have always reviewed every listing.  My former partner at BahtSold.com often reviewed listings well into the night and always on weekends.  It is a thankless job.  We now finish by about 8 pm each day.  Including weekends.
What are the weirdest and funniest posts?  That is for another article.
I also have a confession.  I can't read or write Thai.  "Taxi Thai" is the best I can do after 20+ years in this Kingdom.  Maybe it's my senior age; maybe I'm tone-deaf; but likely I am lazy.

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NEw book : JAnuary 2021

12/1/2021

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​Beads on a String 

By Dr Yuangrat Wedel and Paul Wedel
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All too often left out of the spotlight, the history of southern Thailand is nonetheless fascinating and important to the understanding of the kingdom’s development. Helping to correct this oversight is a couple with all the right credentials – Dr Yuangrat Wedel, an eminent academic and researcher with family links to the south, and Paul Wedel, one of this country’s most experienced journalists, author and member of the board of the Fulbright Foundation in Thailand. Together, this husband and wife team have written a novel that not only entertains but also shines some of that missing spotlight on this still little known region.
“Siam at the turn of the 19th century. Four families in the southern peninsula are tied together by ambition, revenge, love and tragedy.
A young Malay imprisoned for rape reinvents himself as a Siamese aristocrat in royal service.
A beautiful young Thai woman seizes control of the family casino and defies the king’s ban on gambling to form an underground criminal operation
A guilt-ridden Thai-Chinese sailor seeks enlightenment and purpose as a wandering Buddhist monk.
A former slave fights to escape the domination of a Chinese secret society gangster and rises in the increasingly powerful police force.
A recreation of life in southern Siam at a time of wrenching change, Beads on a String weaves together these stories and others, immersing readers in a gripping epic, full of intrigue and insight.”

​Published by River Books Co Ltd.
Tel. 66 2 622-1900, 224-6686 Email: order@riverbooksbk.com www.riverbooksbk.com

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Chef Philippe puts on a perfect show

12/1/2021

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A​s The Rib Room is under extensive renovation our team assembled in the Executive Lounge which still sports those extensive views of Bangkok - the hallmark of the hotel.  
Dining started from the opening bell with a tasty selection of canapés, comprising Chorizo and crumble nacho, smoked potato espuma, Teriyaki Chicken Wing Lollypop, Skagen on Pumpernickel and a Mini Reuben on Rye.  
Whilst all of the canapés were very good, food spokesman Brendon Winter’s pick was the mini Rueben. Simple and tasty.  It came with gallons of Domaine Pinon Vouvray Brut NV (Loire, France).  
However, wine spokesman Tom Whitcraft (appointed by David Dean in absentia) claimed not to be a person who knows a lot about wines - our President speaks, of course, in jest.
“The sparkling wine was OK, ” said Tom, “I am not a sparkling wine kind of guy but I guess for people who like sparkling wines, they probably would have liked it”. But he confirmed he did like it.  
Made by traditional method from a plot of very old Chenin Blanc vines, François' Brut NV is kept on the lees for 18 months before being disgorged and bottled.  It has pretty apple, pear, floral and toasty flavours with good acidity balancing the fruit.
There were two appetizers: Beef tartar on marrow bone, air bread (very rich with the air bread moderating the richness thereof) and followed by RR&B Baked sea scallop with Porcini duxelle, a pleasant contrast to the richness of the previous appetizer.  

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Why Thailand’s tourism industry will never be the same again

12/1/2021

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Too much reliance on one sector, says Deputy PM

A recent speech by Deputy PM Supattanapong Punmeechaow shows me that tourism will never be allowed to recover to previous levels. The writing is definitely on the wall, windows and front door that there has been a major policy shift in government thinking by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s cabinet. 
In a deeply worrying development for Thailand’s massive Travel & Tourism industry, which last year generated a huge Bt 2.2 trillion of income (US$ 55.2 billion), and accounted for 20 per cent of GNP and 10 per cent of all jobs in Thailand, Deputy PM Supattanapong said that the country relied too much on tourism and that this was unacceptable. 
This must be as worrying for property developers as well as investors. If the 39 million tourists that Thailand received last year in 2019 is never to be repeated, why do we need to continue building and investing in new hotels?
According to Thailand’s Nation newspaper, K. Supattanapong admitted that the Covid-19 outbreak had exposed cracks and faults in the Thai economy. 

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Arianna’s art is bold, beautiful - and it can be worn

23/12/2020

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Nearing the end of her annual three-month stay in Bangkok earlier this year, Italian artist Arianna Caroli realized that returning to her homeland would not be easy because of all the travel restrictions caused by the Covid-19 epidemic.
So instead of lamenting her predicament, this stylish and animated (in that unique and wonderfully Italian way) lady decided to simply stay on in Thailand and continue her lifetime passion for painting. It launched an interesting new chapter in her life.
Through connections, Arianna found a great location that would for the first time allow her to showcase her various artistic endeavors to a Bangkok audience – a vacant shop in the lobby of the Athenee Hotel in Wireless Road. Today, this shop is an exclusive outlet for her paintings, home accessories and a wide range of attractive clothes, from wispy scarves and aprons to gorgeous shawls and even stunning interpretations of simple everyday clothing found in Thailand.
Although she intends to eventually head back to her homes in New York and Italy, where graduated in ancient literature and archeology from the University of Rome, for the time being Arianna and her beautiful collection is a permanent fixture in the hotel, lighting up the public area in a joyful blaze of fluorescent colours that characterize her work.
“It’s the first time in 30 years that I’ve actually stopped somewhere on a semi-permanent basis, and it has allowed me to focus and remain strong inside,” says Arianna, who describes herself a “nomad and citizen of the world” who finds inspiration in the cultures colours of the East.

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Journey through Thailand’s past: 1997-2001

23/12/2020

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1997 was the year Chulabhorn Research Institute was initiated by Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn to conduct research in biomedicine and biochemistry. American Pacific International School in Chiang Mai was established and the Constitutional Court was founded. The 88-storey, 303-meter Baiyoke Tower II was completed, making it the tallest building in Thailand. Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) opened in Bang Na district of Bangkok, as did the CentralPlaza shopping center on Rama 3 Road and Emporium luxury shopping mall on Sukhumvit Road.  

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The beautiful ‘US Marine’ who wanted me to fund her emergency leave

23/12/2020

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Many years ago I lived in a US military camp in the middle of the desert in Saudi Arabia.  Basically five thousand smelly farting marines, whose only joy in life was the arrival of a Lockheed Hercules full of beer once a week. However, discreetly living amongst these marines was a select group of individuals from numerous US intelligence agencies. 

One of these agencies lived in the office next door.  The whole building was US military so they were able to leave that door open without fear of other "spies".  Instead, they had to put up with individuals like me, who would arrive at the office and stand at the door, singing the James Bond theme, whilst pretending to either have a gun or a magnifying glass in my hand - I was informed that it was amusing for the first 50 or 60 times. 
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So my point is, I have encountered many of these individuals over the years, and from harsh experience I have learned that when Americans from intelligence agencies knock on your door, even if they are smiling, it is wise to politely ask "why?"
At one point there were so many spooks in Saudi they quite literally did not have enough desks, so I had to provide two desks for two different Americans.  One was like something from The A-Team; he could make anything electronic out of the content of the bin. The other, despite his business card saying consultant, was a psychiatrist with two separate dissertations on warfare psychology. 

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BANGSTOCKWhen the City Rocked

18/12/2020

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​Charity music festival organised by a group of music-loving residents is a resounding success

B​angkok enjoyed a rare live musical treat recently when Shenanigans Irish Pub and Restaurant was transformed into an outdoor concert venue that featured eight bands, four comedians, a Brit DJ and a pumped-up crowd that kept Surawong Road rocking from noon ‘til midnight.
The charity music festival was rapidly organised by a group of music-loving residents; including Les Walsh, Robin Westley Martin, and John  Campbell to help raise money for the BCTFN Charities after this year’s much-loved Ploenchit Fair had to be cancelled due to restrictions put in place by the government to contain the Covid 19 virus.
The doors opened at noon, and the event was kicked off with Les welcoming an already swelling crowd to the festival. Robin the DJ then asked everyone to stand for the Thai National Anthem, and began his DJ stint with a song from one of Birmingham’s (Robin’s hometown) finest, Black Sabbath.
After spinning a few more tunes the first band were ready to hit the crowd with the first set of the day, which they did with gusto and rocking precision … setting the tone for the 12 hours about to come.

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Spitfires firing on all cylinders

17/12/2020

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       The Siam Hockey League (SHL) 2020-21campaign has seen the defending champion Novotel Spitfires stay undefeated after five games. Novotel, led by captain Mike Freeson, Swiss star Tomas Stastny and Thai national team captain Ken Kindborn, seem to find a way to win no matter what the score, coming from behind three times in the final minute to clinch victories.
Facing their closest rival KCG captained by Harrison Oztemel on November 1st, Novotel stormed back to win with 47 seconds left in the game after KCG (4-1 on the season), had tied it on a goal by Jari Eerikainen on a great pass from Thai-Swedish star Jan Iskasson just 12 seconds before that.
Iskasson, with his determination, stickhandling wizardry and joyous celebrations when he scores has been a force to be reckoned with since coming out of quarantine after returning to Thailand.        

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