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• Songkran: Lesser known traditions

  First published: 12 Apr 2011
  

  For the past few days we’ve written a lot about what to expect during this infamous Songkran holiday. The water and chalk, the washing of the Buddha, the nationwide merriment. But there are a few lesser publicized traditions that happen over these three days which add  a little context Songkran. So let’s prematurely explain some … read the full post

• Songkran: How to stay safe

  First published: 07 Apr 2011
  

  The unfortunate side to any holiday is that the line between fun and danger can be blurred in the blink of an eye. If you keep your wits about you and make smart decisions there is no reason for Songkran to be anything but an absolute blast. Merely remembering mother’s advice and using common sense … read the full post

• Songkran: History and background

  First published: 05 Apr 2011
  

  Every  year from April 13-15 the entire country of Thailand (and neighbouring Laos) breaks out into a no holds barred waterfight. As a foreigner or outsider Songkran can appear to be nothing more than a nationwide party, but there is real history behind the soaking wet mayhem.  What has become buckets of water thrown from … read the full post

• Vintage clothes shopping in Bangkok’s Thonburi

  First published: 01 Apr 2011
  

  On almost any street in Bangkok, there seems to be an endless supply of cheap and trendy clothing stalls. Most of these little shops are variations on the same thing with the latest fashions made in cheap fabrics, always with a surplus of polka-dots and frill. Once you cross the river to Thonburi, this type … read the full post

• Day trip to Amphawa floating market

  First published: 25 Mar 2011
  

  While most visitors to Bangkok get their floating market kicks at the hyper-touristy Damnoen Saduak, Amphawa floating market offers a more authentic option with less classic photo ops. An hour and a half outside of Bangkok in Samut Songkran province, Amphawa is an afternoon market (no early am wake up!) very popular among Thais. There … read the full post

• Best secondhand bookstore in Bangkok

  First published: 21 Mar 2011
  

  While Thai cities further north seem to have got the memo that travellers flock to used bookshops, Bangkok is still dominated by pricey chain stores in hi-so malls or xeroxed pages on Khao San streets. Dasa, on Sukhumvit, is a rare diamond in the rough and a treat for those of us who like our … read the full post

• Bagels in Bangkok

  First published: 13 Mar 2011
  

  As a New Yorker born and bred, I know just how seriously people can take their bagels. Not every roll with a hole counts. A bagel has got to have the right smell, it must be soft but not mushy, and the best bagels are so overflowing with dough that the hole is nowhere near … read the full post