Bangkok Trader – Volume 6, Issue 10 – September 2012

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4 bangkok trader SEPTEMBER 2012

Krabi The hidden gem of the south

By Dave Stamboulis Additional photography courtesy of King Climbers

W

hile she often hides in the shadow of her bigger sisters, Phuket and Koh Samui, Krabi is certainly the Cinderella of Thailand’s beach locations. Boasting more islands, fewer tourists, and some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in the country, Krabi is a destination with a multitude of sights, and every visit will have you eagerly planning a return.

The turquoise water of the Andaman is what has been drawing visitors to Krabi for years, and there are plenty of islands and destinations to choose from. Of course everyone is familiar with beautiful Koh Phi Phi, site of the film The Beach, and home to beautiful bays, swank resorts, and reputed to have some of the best parties around. Good diving is to be found off of Phi Phi, with reefs full of stingrays, moray eels, and a multitude of colorful fish. Tiny Phi Phi Leh remains uninhabited, except by sea swifts, famed for their nests collected to make Chinese bird’s nest soup.

Perhaps even more beautiful is nearby Koh Lanta, which has remained somewhat of a Robinson Crusoe escapist island, with its hidden bays and beaches and extremely laid-back and quiet vibe, along with several fashionable resorts to soften the hardships of being castaway. Places like Lanta are perfect for lazing and relaxing, and yet, you might not want to

bangkok trader SEPTEMBER 2012 5

get too comfortable because the Krabi area offers some of the best adven- While beach activities take up the bulk of Krabi time, there are other desture sport activities in the country. tinations in the province to explore. Just outside of Krabi town, Wat Tham Seua (Tiger Cave Temple) is a popular stop. Perched atop a 300-meter-high Railay Beach, which is actually not on an island, but a peninsula near Krabi rock, a giant Buddha image and chedi adorn this temple, with views of the reachable only by boat, is home to some of the best sport climbing on the surroundings seen otherwise only by airplane, and the 1,237 steps to the planet. Rock climbers come from all over the world to try their hand at the summit are worth the hot and sweaty climb. Wat Tham Seua is named for hundreds of routes that ascend the limestone karst pinnacles that tower a tiger that entered the cave complex and yet refrained from harming the above East and West Railay and Tonsai beaches, and give staggering views monk who was meditating inside. of the magnificent surrounding jungle and sea terrain.

If it is rainy or cool out, make sure you stop over at the ‘namtok rawn’ or Nowhere else in the world can one climb such outstanding and challeng- ‘hot waterfall,’ as the Klong Thom hot springs is known. Located 40 minutes ing routes in just a swimsuit while gazing out at the emerald water of the south of Krabi town, this spot features hot water from several geothermal Andaman just below. Best of all, you don’t even need to bring equipment, springs flowing through a forest and then over a cliff, creating a hot watera climbing partner, or even know how to enjoy the thrills, as Railay is well fall. The rushing water and mineral deposits have created natural pools on stocked with ropes, harnesses, instructors, and even rope guns for a day if the side of the river for bathers to soak in and enjoy the absolutely divine you know what you are doing but don’t have a friend. King Climbers has natural setting. Water temperatures range from 35º-40ºC, and there is also been guiding and bolting routes here since the beginning, and can ‘show cool river water to jump into if it gets too hot. The Klong Thom springs are you the ropes.’ located nearby the gorgeous Sra Morakot Emerald Pools, a series of beautifully colored natural forest pools that are part of the Khao Phra Bang Khram Getting high above the ground is not the only way to enjoy the Krabi area. Nature Reserve, and a visit to Klong Thom can be combined with Sra MoraSea kayaking is a popular activity, with trips around the islands or in the kot to make for an excellent full-day outing from Krabi. mangrove swamps near Krabi getting top billing. One of the best spots to explore is Koh Hong, which means ‘room island,’ known for its secret passag- Krabi Town itself is not on the beach; the nearest resort area for this is Ao es leading into freshwater caves and lagoons, along with sheltered white Nang, a 15-minute bus or taxi ride away. But Krabi is noted for its excellent sand beaches and minimal tourist traffic, perfect for paddling. You can find night market, with plenty of cheap seafood and local souvenirs to be had, kayaks for rent at most beach resorts, and for all inclusive day trips, there are and the city center has all the conveniences and transport and tour services plenty of outfitters to cater to your needs. necessary to move you onwards towards your preferred destination. Addi-

6 bangkok trader SEPTEMBER 2012

tionally, the noted Ruen Mai restaurant is here, which attracts visitors from miles away for its award-winning food in a simple setting at local prices.

There are plenty of top-notch resorts in the Krabi area that will pamper and spoil to soften the edge of all the hard outdoor play. Try out Koh Lanta’s Houben Resort, a small family-run minimalist resort built on top of a cliff overlooking the stunning beach and bay of Ao Kan Tiang. The resort also provides cooking courses, jungle elephant rides, and other cultural programs and tours around Koh Lanta. For something truly decadent, try some star treatment at the opulent Ritz Carlton Phulay Bay Reserve, nestled into a pristine seafront location along the Andaman, looking out at Koh Hong Island, and made famous by its appearance in the Hollywood blockbuster Hangover 2.

By The Way Stay.

• The Houben Resort, 272 Moo 5, Koh Lanta Yai, Krabi 81150. Tel. +66 (0)75 665 144. www.thehouben.com • Ritz Carlton Phulay Bay Reserve, 111 Moo 3 T. Nongthalay, Krabi 81000. Tel. +66 (0)75 628 111. www.phulaybay.com Eat. Ruen Mai – known as the best Thai restaurant in Krabi and is set in a nice garden. The menu is vast and each dish is made with fresh, high quality ingredients. 315/5 Maharat Road, Krabi Town, 2 km north of the center.

Tel. +66 (0)75 631 797

Do. King Climbers – located at Flametree Restaurant in the Walking Street Plaza, Railay West Beach, 194/5 Moo 5, Tambon Saithai, Krabi 81000. Tel. +66 (0)75 662 096, (0)75 819 466, (0)81 787 8923. www.railay.com Sea Kayak Krabi, 40 Maharat Soi 2, Ruenrudee Rd, Krabi 81000. Tel. +66 (0)75 623 395-6, (0)75 630 270. www.seakayak-krabi.com Khlong Thom Hot Springs, Khlong Phon, Khlong Thom, Krabi. Tel. +66 (0)75 622 713, (0)75 622 624. Open daily 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., entry fee is 100 baht.

Fly. THAI Smile by THAI Airways offers four flights daily service between Bangkok and Krabi. Reservations can be made at www.thaismileair.com.

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8 bangkok trader SEPTEMBER 2012

Asiatique Return of the Night Bazaar

housed in ten giant warehouses, each one having their own set of shops, restaurants, and bars. The warehouses are divided by districts such as the Waterfront, Factory, and Town Square, all easily navigable with large litup maps that are conveniently placed in front of each warehouse. The theme throughout the market is retro and industrial, with plenty of giant sculptures of nuts, bolts, and gears hanging above and below. Narrow passageways run through each warehouse, with old trams, rickshaw statues, and fountains surrounded by park benches, making for some scenery other than boutique shops and eateries.

While the clientele and prices are certainly a lot more upscale than Suan Lum, there still are plenty of shops selling clothing and bric-a-brac at prices more akin to local markets, and there are a few hidden bars (meaning emember Suan Lum? It wasn’t just the towers of cold beer served not on the riverfront), such as the 9E Furniture Bar, where one can get a up by the girls in skintight beverage-branded outfits, nor was it cocktail for 120 baht or a Phuket micro beer for 80 baht. There are around simply the choice of multiple food stalls all lined up next to each 50 restaurants scattered throughout the complex, lots of them leaning other, nor was it even the live bands to entertain you while you ate. Suan Lum was the top night bazaar of Bangkok, a must-go attraction complete with shopping stalls, cool pubs, and even its own Ferris wheel, eventually bought out and destroyed by Bangkok developers, leaving locals with one less nice and inexpensive evening hangout.

R

There has been an attempt or two to replace Suan Lum, albeit halfhearted until now, however the new Asiatique Riverfront Night Market, created by alcohol magnate and Thailand’s third richest person, Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, is making a full-on effort to fill the void and even beyond. Asiatique’s setting is certainly fantastic, spread out along the Chao Phraya a few kilometers south of the Saphan Taksin Bridge. Free shuttle boats whisk visitors down from the Saphan Taksin Pier, arriving to lots of neon lighting and a pleasant open plaza along the river that fronts the bazaar.

Boasting 50,000 square meters and 1,500 shops, with parking area for over 2,000 cars, everything is spacious at Asiatique. The market is

bangkok trader SEPTEMBER 2012 9

towards Japanese and Chinese food at a lot higher prices than Suan Lum For those living along in the CBD or beyond, even with public transport, it ever charged, which is par for the course given the setting and rents. is still a long haul to get to Asiatique, and the new Mega Bangna complex might give it a run for its money. However Asiatique does have a very Asiatique is still a work in progress though, and may prove very popular pleasant vibe and great spot along the Chao Phraya, complete with vistas once it is completed. Plans are afoot for the legendary Joe Louis Puppet and breezes, a big plus for most of the year. The place certainly is far Theater, which closed its doors when Suan Lum went under, to reopen cleaner, well laid out, and far easier to navigate than Suan Lum, not to here, and there will also be a ladyboy cabaret show, as the popular mention plenty of fans and air conditioning circulating air throughout the Calypso will relocate to a stage here. It will be interesting to see exactly warehouses, and although it might seem a bit sterile and more akin to the demographic that Asiatique ends up pulling in. The out-of-the-way something one would find in Singapore or KL, most visitors will probably location and huge car park suggests a local upscale Thai crowd, and give it a thumbs up. As the friend I went with remarked, “Bangkok needs certainly, that has been the market thus far. However the cabaret and a lot more places like these that are actually pleasant to come and puppet theater are big tourist draws, and the free river shuttle makes hang out.” getting here easy. There certainly is no shortage of advertising, as many of the Chao Phraya river ferries have big banner ads on the boats, and on Asiatique The Riverfront, 2194 Charoenkrung Road, Wat Prayakrai the evening I went, there were an abundance of Chinese tourists en route District, Bangkor Laem. Tel. 02-108-4488. www.thaiasiatique.com to the night market.

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10 bangkok trader SEPTEMBER 2012

Forget the Land of Smiles.

It’s the Land of Sumos!

By Voicu Mihnea Simandan

S

ome time ago, Thailand hosted its first-ever sumo wrestling competition with the participation of nine Japanese professional sumo wrestlers. It was an event meant to promote cultural exchanges and the political-economical relationship between Japan and Thailand. Thais have been sharing their history with the people of Japan for about 600 years and have had diplomatic relations for more than 125 years.

But, regardless of the political significance of such an event, the biggest winner of them all was the sport of sumo itself, which had been missing from the Thai sport scene for quite some time. Half a decade ago, Chiang Mai hosted the 2007 Sumo World Championships, and ever since, nothing has really happened on the national level. Until recently!

A full-contact sport, sumo has always been associated with very large wrestlers known as rikishi who fight in a circular ring called doyho. The objective is to force your opponent out of the ring or to trip him (or her!) to the ground.

Once a sumo wrestler steps over the boundary of the ring or touches the ground with anything else other than the soles of the feet, the bout is over.

It can all take up to only a few seconds, and Japanese professional sumo athletes can reach stardom status. But before anyone can achieve that, each sumo wrestler has years and years of practice at a sumo training ‘stable.’

sport that few know can also be practiced in Thailand. The Sumo Association of Thailand was established in 1993, and its current president and head coach (known as sensei to his students) is Sumio Kurasawa, a Japanese national who has been living in Thailand for 30 years.

After practicing sumo in Japan for six years, where he reached the title of a regional sumo champion, Sumio Kurasawa moved to Thailand where he opened Tokyodo Books, a Japanese language bookstore that has several branches in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. But, apart from knowledge, he also brought from his home country his passion for sumo and helped Thailand build its sumo association. In 2010, Sumio-san received a certificate for ‘Excellence in promoting sumo wrestling in Thailand’ from the Japanese Ambassador to the Kingdom.

Alongside 87 other countries, the Sumo Association of Thailand is an organization that is part of the International Sumo Federation (www.ifs-sumo.org), which, unsurprisingly, has its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.

Most ASEAN countries are also part of this Federation, while Asian sumo comprises of over forty nations. The mission of the Federation is to promote sumo worldwide and organize international championships for amateur athletes.

In Bangkok, the instructor in charge of both the new and more experiLiterally, the word sumo means ‘strength in combat,’ with the ideogram su enced sumo wrestlers is Tassama Chalearmthip, a 39-year-old former meaning ‘combat’ and mo standing for ‘strength.’ It is a traditional Japanese member of the Thai judo national team. Tassama had practiced judo for

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12 bangkok trader SEPTEMBER 2012

ten years, but she retired from competitive judo after she won the gold medal at the 2001 Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia. “The transition from judo to sumo was not difficult at all,” she confesses. “I had been involved in judo for many years, and now that I’ve switched to sumo, I’m loving every minute of it.”

And indeed, she has good reasons to be proud of her sumo achievements.

At the Women’s Sumo World Championships in 2008, she came in third in the middleweight division (under 80 kg) after Japan and Taipei. In 2009, Tassama lost the match in the 1/16th-elimination bout to an Estonian wrestler, but in 2010, she reached a well-deserved fifth place.

It is important to mention that Tassama participated in tournaments opened to amateur sumo athletes, also known as shinsumo or ‘new sumo.’ Professional sumo excludes women from competitions and all related ceremonies. The biggest visible difference between amateur and professional sumo events is the lack of ceremony that we’re all used to seeing on TV or YouTube. Still, successful and talented amateur sumo wrestlers can join the ranks of professionals, but this happens only in Japan where a rigorous ranking system is followed at all levels and divisions. Only Japan has professional sumo stables, where wrestlers live and train.

sumo, and at an amateur level, there’s no need for a special weight-building diet or even gym training. “I keep telling my students that, in sumo, it doesn’t matter if you’re big or small. Never be afraid of a bigger opponent; a skill is more important than strength in sumo,” says the children’s coach.

Using a series of well-tuned and perfectly placed slaps, punches, and knee strikes, a smaller rishiki can bring down a bigger opponent, but in the case when the sumo wrestler manages to grabs his opponent’s belt and lifts him up and out of the fighting area, then definitely, size and weight does matter.

Boys and girls can train together with no problems, and during a regular training session, the wrestler’s condition is automatically strengthened using the routines and special exercises taught and repeated time after time. A lot of emphasis is placed on balance, flexibility, and the conditioning of leg muscles.

There are about 20 sumo students training at the Bangkok facility, all Thai. Nonetheless, anyone can join them, regardless of nationality, gender, fitness level, or body weight.

There is only one training session per week, on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The session includes warm-up, skills practice, and fights, followed by short meetings when important announcements need to be made.

The lessons are free of charge, and the Japanese coach provides all newcomers with a mawashi, a sumo belt that is wrapped around the waist and groin during training and competitions. Female wrestlers wear a T-shirt and tight shorts under the mawashi, while shier men can also choose to wear tights.

There are only two places in Thailand where one can practice sumo, and the second one is 140 km north of Bangkok, in Baan Mee in Lopburi province. Here, at a government school, Jakkrapong Chaorungmetee, a Thai national sumo wrestler, is coaching about 20 children from upper primary to high school in the Japanese sport of sumo. Also coming from a judo background, a sport The Thai national sumo team is now preparing for the 2012 World Sumo Jakkrapong had practiced for ten years, the instructor from Lopburi has Championships, which will take place between 27-28 October in Hong been a sumo wrestler for the last eleven years.

Kong, China. Three men and three women in both the junior and senior divisions will represent Thailand. We wish them good luck!

Soon after he took up sumo, Jakkrapong won a gold medal in the middleweight division (under 115 kg) at the 2002 Asian Sumo Championship. More In Bangkok, sumo training takes place at the headquarters of the Sumo recently, he reached the ninth place at the Sumo World Championships in Association of Thailand, which is located in a specially modified house 2010 in the lightweight division (under 85 kg). In comparison, in 2008, he on Sukhumvit 71, Soi Pridi Banomyong 20. To reach their dojo, you can came in at a modest 19th place. “I started training in sumo because I think it’s either take a motorbike taxi on the corner of Soi Pridi 20 or drive up the a very exciting sport,” says Jakkrapong. “At the very beginning, I was highly soi until you reach St. Andrews International School. From here, go down impressed and influenced by our sensei’s kindness and his willingness to Panitchakun Yaek 1 for another 100 meters, and you will see the Sumo Asinstill the spirit of sumo here in Thailand.” sociation on a corner on your right-hand side.

Sumo is for everyone, regardless if you have a robust physique or if you’re For more information, join their Facebook page light. Both boys and girls who are at least five years old can start practicing (www.facebook.com/sumo.thailand.3) or call 084 123 8364.

bangkok trader SEPTEMBER 2012 13

Networking

Head over to www.facebook.com/bangkoktrader to check out all the pix from the great time we had at Tenderloins Sports Bar & Steak House!

14 bangkok trader SEPTEMBER 2012

The Dirty Truth about Mud

I

t seems like every other day a new spa opens in Bangkok. Spa treatments have become de rigueur for tourists, and with more and more folks needing a bit of stress relief, it’s no wonder the spa industry is booming.

Yet while every spa might offer a nice stint of relaxing and pampering, face it, most of the treatments are the same. An herbal compress, a bit of massage, and off you go. With this in mind, it might be well worth it to make the trek up north for a weekend to sleepy Mae Hong Son, where Thailand’s only mud spa will offer you something completely different.

Despite sounding a bit dirty, mud treatments are actually one of the oldest spa therapies known to humans. The most well-known mud in the world comes from the Dead Sea in Israel (and Jordan), the lowest point on earth at over 400 meters below sea level. The water in the Dead Sea is ten times saltier than any ocean, containing no life due to the salinity of the water.

This, combined with the abundance of oxygen (much more than at sea level) makes for an amazing mix of salts and minerals. The mud here has been used for treatments for thousands of years, ranging from the Caesar’s Romans to present day, and Queen Cleopatra was said to have established one of the earliest spas along the Dead Sea’s shores.

The Dead Sea’s brine mud is composed of a heavy dose of magnesium, bromide, and sulfur, all of which combine as a great source of relaxing the nervous system and healing the skin, thus making mud treatments excellent for skin problems such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis, along with moisturizing and rejuvenating the skin. Mud treatments have also been shown to be effective for sufferers of osteoporosis, arthritis, and rheumatism.

So what does any of this has to do with Thailand’s mud? Well, the area around Mae Hong Son is known for having plenty of geothermal activity, with hot springs having had a place in local bathing and therapy for years.

In 1995, a group of vacationing Thai and French geologists were travelling through the region and thought they had discovered another potential

bangkok trader SEPTEMBER 2012 15

The Phu Klone Spa was set up on the property, promoted in the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Unseen Thailand book, and soon foreigners and locals were heading up to Mae Hong Son for a bit of black gold.

At Phu Klone, visitors can opt for full-body mud scrubs or just facial masks.

Spa attendants coat you with mud mixed with aloe vera and citronella oil, leaving the cool mixture to cake and harden for about fifteen minutes.

Despite looking like a B-grade zombie movie character, patients are asked to refrain from laughing at their appearance, as this will crack the mud and lessen its effects. After the mud is rinsed off, one’s skin feels soft, rejuvenated, and renewed.

Besides getting a mud treatment, the Phu Klone spa also has a large hot spring swimming pool to soak in, with great views of the surrounding rice paddies and the lush Mae Hong Son countryside, especially verdant in the rainy season. As it is often cool up in the northern mountains, the 35º-40ºC water is pleasant for prolonged bathing, and all that Bangkok smog and traffic-induced stress will be a distant memory.

Tariffs at Phu Klone are quite reasonable, ranging from 60 baht for a 15-minute facial mud mask to 900 baht for a full package that includes a facial scrub and massage, full-body mud mask, a tamarind body scrub, and a hot mineral bath to finish. Thai and oil massages are also available for 200400 baht per treatment. thermal source. They told a local tour company owner, who proceeded to Phu Klone Mud Spa and Country Club, 132 2 Mok Jum Pae, Mae Hong buy the land and dug into it, finding not only a thermal spring, but one with Son. Tel. +66 (0)5 328 2579. www.phuklon.co.th mineral rich mud underneath it.

Phu Klone Mud Spa is located 15 kilometers from Mae Hong Son town.

The geologists had the mud tested and found that its mineral content was Heading from town on Hwy 1095 to Pai and Chiang Mai, there is a turnoff to similar to that of the mud in the Dead Sea, and all of a sudden, Asians didn’t Koong Sai Mak and Ban Rak Thai on the left, with the spa on the right side need to traipse all the way to the Middle East to have a real mud bath. after another 4 km.

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Jasmine Nights

By Voicu Mihnea Simandan

J

asmine Nights by Thai-American author S.P. Somtow is a coming-ofage, semi-autobiographical novel that was first published in 1994 and has recently been republished by Diplodocus Press. For those who follow the Thai classical music scene, the author is also well known by his full name, Somtow Papinian Sucharitkul, a renowned composer and conductor at Bangkok Opera, where he spends most of his time as their artistic director.

The action of Jasmine Nights takes place in the Bangkok of the early 1960s and follows the adventures and misadventures of Justin, a 12-year-old inquisitive boy, who feels he’s ‘an alien’ in his own country. Out of the fiftythree books Somtow has published ever since he took up writing – at least in Thailand – Jasmine Nights is one his most well-known books.

Internationally, as a writer, S.P. Somtow is mostly known for his science fiction, fantasy, and horror writings. In 2002, he was the recipient of the World Fantasy Award for Best Novella for The Bird Catcher, a story based on the Thai serial killer Si Oui, whose mummified body can be seen at the Forensics Science Museum at the Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok. He has won and been nominated for many other awards, and in 2011, The Nation named Somtow Sucharitkul as one of the most internationally acclaimed Thai citizens. His novels have been translated into many languages, thus reaching an even wider international readership.

The storyline in Jasmine Nights has quite a complex plot structure and deals with the main character’s philosophical musing, time shifts, metaphysical dialogues, visions, imaginary dialogues, and historical cross-references.

Although Justin is Thai, he speaks no Thai and refuses to make any effort at learning the language.

While his parents are abroad on some unspecified diplomatic mission, Justin is left in the care of aging relatives living in an idyllic compound in Bangkok: “It is January of the year 1963, and I am a creature of two worlds.

In one of these worlds, I am a child. The world is circumscribed by high stucco walls topped with broken glass. By day, the sun streams down and the mangoes glisten in the orchard behind the blue Gothic mansion with its faux Corinthian columns, the houses of my three grandmothers and of our familial patriarch. Evenings, the jasmine bushes bloom, and the night air sweats the choking sensuality of their fragrance. Three other houses stand on the estate: my bachelor uncle’s, uncompromisingly Californian in its split-level ranch style and adobe brick walls; the wooden house of my three maiden aunts, whom I call the three Fates, with its pointed eaves, backing out on to a pavilion above the pond, where I live among intimate strangers; and last, the ruined house, which is the entrance to my other world.”

Although the novel abounds with numerous Thai words, which are clearly explained at the end of the book in a comprehensive vocabulary, Jasmine Nights is a very easy book to read. At a superficial level, one can say that this is due to the fact that the book is structured into short chapters, fiftytwo in number, each of them not more than twenty pages long. According to the writer himself, “The book is written in short chapters because it was serialized in the Bangkok Post, and each chapter was not allowed to be longer than two thousand words and had to end in a cliffhanger.”

One of the most captivating chapters is the 41st one, titled “Inferno.” It deals with one of Justin’s psychedelic dreams. In this dream, he has an interview with his dead chameleon and his great-grandmother who, in real life, was struggling between life and death. The title of this chapter also reveals one of the major themes of the novel: death.

20 bangkok trader SEPTEMBER 2012

numerous relations do not know I understand them, and they address me in a stilted Victorian English, which I refer to as ‘eaughing’, since it so frequently makes use of the phoneme ‘eaugh’. Some of the servants have begun to realize I am not deaf; they regard my refusal to speak Thai as an eccentricity, one of the many inscrutabilities of the privileged. They call me Master Little Frog.”

Jasmine Nights also explores Thais’ beliefs in ghosts, in spirits, in shamanism, and their religious piety. The books also takes a stand against social injustices and tackles the issue of dark skin vs fairer skin, of poor people vs rich people, of the social acceptance of transsexuals (katoeys), and Thais general attitude towards sex.

George Axelrod, Oscar-winning writer of Breakfast at Tiffany, called S.P. Somtow the ‘J.D. Salinger of Siam,’ and Jasmine Nights has often been compared with The Catcher in the Rye. It is thus not surprising that, a few years ago, Jasmine Nights was compulsory reading in the Master of Arts program at Assumption University of Bangkok. But, I believe the novel should be on the reading lists of all international (and why not government?) schools in the Kingdom. After all, the year 2012 is the Year of English Speaking in Thailand, and UNESCO has designated Bangkok as the World Book Capital 2013.

S.P. Somtow’s soon-to-be released book, The Stone Buddha’s Tears, will be published by Post Books, while his next book, one that he’s been working on for years, is called Jade, and it’s part of the Dragonstones Trilogy. But until these can be found on bookshelves, you can purchase Jasmine Nights at most bookstores in Thailand, while Somtow’s other books can be found on his online bookstore (somtow.net/bookstore.html), at Diplodocus Press (www.diplodocuspress.com), and some at Amazon’s Kindle Store. To read more about his work, visit S.P. Somtow’s official websites (www.somtow.com and Affectionately referred to as Little Frog, S.P. Somtow writes, “Despite having www.somtow.org) or look for him on Twitter (@somtow) and Facebook. absorbed so much from books, Justin’s quite immature in many ways, especially compared to kids today.” Here’s why: “In my other world, I am not a child. I am what I choose to be. I speak the language of the wind. I have synthesized this world out of images in history books and story books and books of poetry and from half-remembered scenes of England. There is a room with as many books as there are stars. There is an attic where I have fought the Trojan War a thousand times over, fine-tuning the outcome with my fellow Olympians. There are more rooms in the ruined house than I have ever counted. I have lived inside the walled universe for almost three years.

Travel in and out of the universe is accomplished by means of a silver-green Studebaker driven by a man in a khaki uniform, whose name I have still not learned. I am an alien here. I sweat like a pig all the time. I forget to bathe.

I have never uttered a word of the language; my tongue will not form the words, even though over the years I have begun to grasp their meaning. My The book was written in English and is littered with references from Greek mythology and Western pop culture. The fact that S.P. Somtow grew up in several European countries and studied at Eton and Cambridge might be one of the reasons why he makes reference to so many Western philosophers, as well as motion pictures, such as Spartacus, starring Kirk Douglas, or Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. It is also worth mentioning that Somtow directed a few low-budget movies during his stay in Los Angeles.

bangkok trader SEPTEMBER 2012 21

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SIVER COINS: US Dollar 1971, UK Crowns: Coronation (x2) 1953, Churchill 1965, Charles & Diana 1981, Florin 1947 & 1948, Shilling 1949.

Haitian 50 cents 1908, Dominican 12.5 centavos 1973. Total price Bt. 2,500 o.n.o. Sterling Silver royal jeweller Mappin & Webb cigarette box circa 65 years old Bt. 6,000 o.n.o. Please contact martinrowleya@yahoo.com (H) EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL GRAPHIC and book/magazine designer for print and web.

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NEWLAND CONDO (SALE) 4,300,000 Bht – Location: Sukhumvit soi 33 (BTS promphong station) connecting soi 31, 35, and petchburi road.

Size: 73 square meter. Allocation: 1 bed, 1 bath.

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URGENTLY RECRUIT! 100-200K per month. A leading automotive parts manufacturer is now looking for a Japanese Senior Sales & Marketing Manager who has at least 5 years’ experience in sales & marketing in management level and has HOME OFFICE in Ramkhamhaeng Soi 24/3. wide connection among Japanese society in Rankhamhaeng Rd,Huamark,Bangkapi Bkk automotive industry. More details call Anna at 10240. Close to ABAC university, Ramkhamhaeng 086-3784251 or anna@mriww.co.th (I) University, and Airport Link Sky train.3 stories, 3 NEED A VISA? VISA ISSUES? Do you need bathrooms,and 3 bedrooms. First and second a long-term or short-term Visa to stay in Floor can be used as office with 2 parkings for Thailand? Do you need to extend or transform each unit. We have 3 separate unit 165 sqm for your current Visa? Do you have an overstay or each unit. Lease each unit is 1.35 Million. Rent blacklist problem? We solve ANY immigration is 23,000 per unit Panasin Place. Contact Naree problem you might have. “ANY” means ANY! 086-537-2557 (I) We provide fast services at a reasonable price.

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Contact:087-904-4683. Give us a try. We will not disapointed you. (I)

CASA CITY Ramkhamhaeng main Rd. close to Soi 76 Ramkhamhaeng Rd. Huamark, Bangkapi Bkk. 10240 3 stories home office, 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, Living room, kitchen and dinning room, 2 car parks, Fully furnished with air condition in every room. Corner unit. 23 wah.

House nos. 1056/39 Sale 6 Million. Contact Naree 086-537-2557 (I)

22 bangkok trader SEPTEMBER 2012 BIG CONDO LOW PRICE! Bangkok, Bang Na area, 64sq m 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, corner room, nice views and bright. low maintenance 800 THB per month, cable TV, internet with True vision, Use of 3 swimming pools and 3 gyms. Reduced price for quick sale 2.2 million, will except good offers! Phone 0879907626 – 0890533143 (I) POOL TABLE FOR SALE: All in new condition “Professional Competition Size ( 8 foot by 4 foot )”.

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NEW 45SQM STUDIO. Located Cozy Beach, Pratumnak Hill in the prestigious area of Pattaya.

200m to Beach, close to shops, bars, restuarants.

Fully furn, Aircon, fitted euro kitchen, oven hob, microwave. Balcony overlooking swimming pool with views Koh Larn Island. sauna, pool bar, restuarant, gym, conference room, rooftop garden, 24hr security, cctv, underground parking.

Also Lcd Tv, Wifi Internet, Telephone. Sale 2.8m baht or 14,000b mth. Contact Nick Green 0800 959 002 (Pattaya). Email: nickgreen3@hotmail.com (I) SUPER-CHARGE YOURSELF! See yourself as a more elegant communicator! Does NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) ring a bell?

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SOLID WOOD F&B KIOSK FOR SALE. ideal for HEAVY DUTY ELECTRIC conveyor toaster oven coffee, cakes etc. on six wheels. dimensions: 2.4 for sale. from taiwan. clean. works well. price: meters wide x 2.2 meters tall x .80 meters deep.

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GOOD NEWS! For God so loved the world… And I am looking for a couple of English-speaking Thai [potential] partners / associates for my [pursuing of a possible] new business venture here in Bangkok; with or without venture capital / seed money. Please contact Alfred at Mobile Handphone / Viber / WhatsApp: 0-900-317-371 HOME OFFICE SALE – On-Nuch main road, (Bangkok) or E-mail: alfred@a2d.us (H) Nirvana Suwannaphum 4th Floor Home Office VALUE ORIENTED APT in a private setting – 4 rms, 5 bth, 2 parking, 8 air, wallpaper, tel & Located in a beautiful quiet part of Sukhumvit lane lines, ready to move in at flood free area. (Thonglo/Ekkamai), is a beautiful new apartment 5 min to Ring Road and high ways, 15 min to complex which is likely one of the best value Suwannaphum airport and 20 min to downtown. apartments on Sukhumvit. Nice pool, easy Urgent sale at under market value at B7.9M. access to the BTS & in a quiet estate like setting Contact : 081-916-4726 (H) with an owner who is modest and easy to talk INTERNET WEB DESIGNER wanted to design a page for me. please contact n.barrett tel.

0871053664 huay kwang bangkok (H) APT FOR SALE – Baan Siri 24, 1 bedroom, 1 living room 60.5 sqm for sale: 7.8 mil contact: lee 0813070618 (H) RENTS & SALES 14 LUXURY ROOMS: started 120 sq.m to 300 sq.m, price in 60,000 Baht per sq.m to 78,000 Baht per sq.m (cheaper in Thonglor area), in Royal Castle at Sukhumvit soi 39 (BTS close Emporium). *Also sales BMW 520i dark blue (Year 2006) price in 1.2~1.3 million Baht. Whats App & Viber: 0898101950, SMS & Call in: 0844515723.

(H)

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GOLF PUTTERS – Brand New Prokennex golf putters – Left or right handed, ex promotional items, never used, retail at Central for approximately Bt3,800.

For sale at Bt750 each. Photographs available.

Contact Andy: 0808149080 or email to anhyde@gmail.com ♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣ (I)

HOUSE SALE – On-Nuch 44, Arena Garden, 2nd Floor House (about 300sq meters), 4 bedrooms, 4 bath, 2 park, big garden with 6 air, partially furnished. Flood free and safe area. Urgent sale at under market value at B7.9M. Contact: 081-916-4726 (H) THAILAND SPA & WELL-BEING AWARDS 2012 – Voting is now open for the Thailand Spa & Wellbeing Awards 2012. Invitations have been sent to all registered Spa Operators for the Industry Categories, but People’s Choice Categories can be voted for on line at www.thailandspaawards. com. Voting closes 17th September 2012. (H) THAIS – YOUR ENGLISH IS GOOD, but you want it better. Socialize with other Thais at an excellent restaurant at Bang Na and let a professional American IELTS instructor help you improve your pronunciation and grammar. You will have an enjoyable time and improve your English for travel abroad or visiting with foreigners in Thailand for business or pleasure. You will be proud of yourself. Classes are forming, so e-mail your preference of time to vic1p@yahoo.com. (H) FOR SALE BANGKOK THAILAND – luxury studio condo, 35sq metres. River view 11th floor. Fully furnished, automatic washing machine on balcony, fridge, oven, microwave, tv, bedroom sliding partition, built in closets, parking, security, mini mart, wifi in lobby. CCTV, 600 metres from Saphan Thaksin BTS. Near Asiatique Riverside Complex. Many transport options on doorstep. 2.9m baht. Tel: 087-0065-272 Email: Customprogress@Gmail.com . Call damian and mention bangkok trader. (I) FIGHT OFF JET LAG WITH AN HERBAL MASSAGE – there’s nothing better to help you relax than a great herbal massage. This month, we are offering a 1 1/2 hour thai & herbal combo massage – special price of 299 baht. We offer all the spa massages for great prices starting from 149 baht / hour for foot / thai massages. Located around the corner of Sukhumvit 64 at BTS Punnawithi station (Exit 4). Call 086-733-1495 for info or reservations. (I)

OKONOMIYAKI ANYONE? If you have been looking for a perfect spot for a Okonomiyaki or pancake restaurant, this is your chance! This restaurant is situated next door to a Korean and Japanese restaurant. The kitchen set up to. If this what you are looking for, call Randy is unbelievably clean, new and top quality.

(086-733-1495-English) or K. Nuch (084-321-7101 It showcases the preparation of the house specialties and even has a viewing window from Thai/Japanese). (I) the 2nd floor. Call Randy at 086-733-1495 for RENTAL HOUSE IN BANGKOK central 3 inquiries. (I) bedrooms with pool and garden for at least 3 years, at a good pris phone english 08 69006744 BOOK SALE – 20th century books. name your price within reason. Contact nigelinseychelles@ phone thai 08 92167099 (H) gmail.com (I) EXPERT APPLE/MAC HELP – have less frustration!

Be more productive! Macintosh troubleshooting REMARKABLE – do u want beautiful skin / hair and instruction, IT support. All Apple products. / nails? Get visible results in short time! Have (Only basic Windows help.) Setup, backup, u tried rice germ oil (Oryzanol)? We have the installations. There are no dumb questions! strongest, cold press rice germ oil in Thailand. to Your place or mine, 15 years experience. (Sorry, nw re e-mail rob.rice33@gmail.com (I) no hardware repairs.) Dave, 085-141-5627, LUXURY FOR PENNIES AT S & S CONDOS – BangkokMac.com (is contact form on website; or the best value in the new BTS extension area. email [myname]@bangkokmac.com) (I) Stroll through the spacious breezy garden area,

CONDO FOR RENT – downtown Sathron, Soi Yenakat. 72sqm, fully furnished 2 beds & 2 baths, living room & kitchen. Quiet and Cozy.

Rent 30,000 baht/month for 1 year contract.

Call 081-1721783 (Mimi) or Email: write2mimi@ yahoo.com (I)

then lounge at the beautifully landscaped salt water pool. It is located in the most modern neighborhood past BTS Phrakhanong which includes Starbucks, McD’s & Top’s Market. Call Randy (086-733-1495 English) or Khun Nuch (084-321-7101 Thai / Japanese). (I)