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By Voicu Mihnea Simandan There are almost one hundred museums and art galleries in Bangkok. This number might not seem a lot if compared to other Asian capitals such as Tokyo or Beijing, but at least in Southeast Asia, the Thai capital is an important art hub and a creative center for both local and expatriate artists.

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While Thai art does incorporate several contemporary fields, including abstract painting, photography, and architecture, to name just a few, most people abroad associate Thai art with traditional religious expressions. This is mainly due to the official stance taken by the government bodies in charge of promoting Thailand as a brand, where temple murals, religious sculptures, and khon (Thai dance drama) are seen as more appropriate representations of what Thai art stands for. While all this might be perfectly true, and the need to establish a traditional cultural identity based on religion and folklore is laudable, however we must not forget that the word “art” encompasses a variety of imaginative and aesthetic forms. New trends and techniques must be given, if not as much importance as

traditional Thai art, then, at least enough importance to be able to leave a mark on the public psyche. One such springboard platform for young artists can be found at Midnice Gallery, a quite recent establishment whose mission is to support “young emerging contemporary artists, either Thai or international.” The gallery manager, Sirirak Chantorn, known to her friends as “Namwan,” herself a young photographer, has been regularly curating exhibitions here since Midnice Gallery first opened its doors in June 2013. “The word ‘mid’ in the Thai language means ‘friends’,” explains Sirirak. “And we’re trying to do exactly what the name of our gallery implies. If we put together ‘nice friends’ with a love for art, we can create a friendly environment where eve-

ryone can share and enjoy art together.” When asked to explain her philosophy as an artist, Namwan’s shy characters surfaced at warp speed, and she immediately diverted the attention to the exhibits in the gallery: “Let the artwork on the walls speak for itself.” The abstract paintings and the portraits on the walls were the creation of JP Pemapsorn Kritsadacharoenpong, a young Thai artist whose solo exhibition, Soul Panopticon was given central space at Midnice Gallery. Speaking of the local art scene, JP says: “Nowadays, I’ve seen new galleries open in Bangkok and other major provinces in Thailand, even in small towns like my hometown. People are more supportive and acceptant of art. However, Bangkok

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is more thrusting in modernity, and active comparison with the art scene in other major provinces will apply only to local culture and its mixture with the Thai style.” In other words, the overwhelming influence of Thai traditional arts creates a certain “burden” on the Thai contemporary artists who want to make a name for themselves. The great thing about Midnice Gallery is that, over time, it has created a strong group of Japanese artists and art lovers who not only exhibit their work there but also support and drive the art movement forward. One of them, Yosuke Nakano, a Japanese artist who had recently opened his first international solo exhibition in Bangkok, believes that Midnice Gallery “is the beginning of a new personal art revolution.”

it should be dismissed. Maybe it is you who are narrow-minded and don’t have the artistic flair to recognize the art.” “Anyway, this gallery is all about giving back to the art scene in Bangkok and to our society in general,” Steve adds. And giving back, they have! Apart from giving their gallery space to tens of young artists to show off their work, all profits from art-related activities are donated to schools in an attempt “to stop child poverty in Thailand.” Through Midnice Gallery, Steve has been running his own outreach program symbolically called “Give Love to Our Children,” which brings smiles to children in impoverished areas by renovating and repainting their schools.

“In a way, it is a revolution,” Pongsakron Jariyaiamudom (aka “Steve”), the owner of Midnice Gallery, says referring to Yosuke’s comment. “We want people to be more open-minded and to understand that art doesn’t have to fit a certain framework. If you don’t understand someone’s art, it doesn’t mean it’s got no quality and

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Midnice Gallery is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and is located on Chockchai 4 Soi 18 on Ladprao Road. Check out their website – midnicegallery.com – for a map and detailed directions to the gallery. Also, follow them on Facebook – fb.com/MidniceGallery – to get a taste of what the art is on display. If you’re an artist who wants to collaborate with them, contact Namwan at 081-361-9957 or email her at midnicegallery@gmail.com.

GET

TING Lost in BENG

MEALEA By Dave Stamboulis

It used to be a joy to visit the jungle temple of Ta Prohm in Siem Reap, with its famed Angkorian col-umns suffocated by twisting and turning tree roots that had taken over the temple. In the early morning light, it was a photographer’s dream and a playground for Indiana Jones wannabes. But a year spent as the #2 destination in the world on TripAdvisor, mega-busloads of Chinese wealth on a daily basis, and a UNESCO decision to chainsaw the trees which were crushing the temple, not to mention the erection of steel braces to support the ancient ruins, has basically left those who remember the good old days with only memories. And then there is Beng Mealea.

Beng Mealea is a temple complex that only recently started getting a lot of press. Over an hour’s drive from Angkor, on what, until recently, was an old-school Cambodia road, full of red dust, giant potholes, and all but impassable during the rains, this was actually the site where they filmed Tomb Raider, and it makes Ta Prohm look like overdeveloped civilization. While the road to Beng Melea has been upgraded, and the busloads of Chinese have added it to their touring itineraries, it still remains like the Angkor of old, and if you get in early and are willing to get a bit dirty, you’re in for a massive treat. Photographers are early risers, and my companion, Rajesh, nudged me awake at 6 a.m., dusting off his lenses and giv-

ing last minute instructions to Mr. Khun, our driver for the day. We were soon on the road to Beng Mealea, figuring we’d have about an hour and a half before the groups started to filter in. Khun had advised us that if we got there early, the security guards who checked tickets were actually keen to make a bit of pocket money and were willing to abandon their posts in favor of taking us through the ruins via the routes well-less travelled, which sounded exactly like what we had in mind. Travelling through the countryside, there are fantastic rural scenes that make it worthwhile to stop a few minutes to grab some shots. Farmers working in their fields, kids with large smiles riding ox-carts, and men wrapped in krama scarfs

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emerged above the wooden walkway that leads around the temple complex. Below are the first waves of Chinese tour busloads that have now added Beng Mealea to their morning circuits.

for protection against the hot sun, all make for a great lens warm-up, not to mention the tuk tuks or motorbikes glowing in the dust rays sprayed up by passing cars, certainly unpleasant for their riders, and yet incredibly picturesque. Beng Mealea is presumably related to Angkor, as it was built in the same architectural style, but other than this, little is known about the jungle temple. Scholars say it was built during the king Suryavarman reign in the 12th century, making it over 900 years old. Covered with mainly Hindu (with a smattering of Buddhist) carvings, It’s composed of a series of libraries and galleries that surround a central sanctu-ary, but as opposed to the restored and preserved temples of Angkor, Beng Mealea is a diamond in the rough. Collapsed building blocks sit covered with green moss, and trees and branches wrap themselves around walls and doors, and while the Apsara Authority has recently put a raised boardwalk around the sanctuaries for tourists to walk through, the place still feels like the perfect spot for an epic ghost story. The early bird does get the worm, and we are the first ones to arrive. Heading down a path of uneven stones guarded by a pair of broken Naga serpents, a skinny man with a badge and official-looking shirt jumps out of the bushes and checks our tickets. While he makes no offer to guide us, he looks at our cameras and points towards a gap in the stone wall above us, and quietly says, “You can go temple from there.” I clamber up, with Rajesh in tow, and we are soon on what appears to be the top of a moat. Our guide-to-be has silently come up behind us, and he points off to the right, towards what looks like a dead-end, and says, “You can go through there.” Soon, he has us clambering over moss-covered building blocks and through a maze of passages, and I’m wondering if we won’t be needing helmets and protective gear for our cameras as well, as the terrain gets sketchier

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by the minute. On the uneven (and often vertical) terrain, it would be easy to twist an ankle or far worse, and Cambodia isn’t exactly renowned for its medical services. At Beng Mealea, much of the inner sanctuary is composed of crumbled stone, lichen, and dark slippery passages to crawl through, rendering it a living version of Indiana Jones. It gets even more Hollywood-esque when one

emerges out of seemingly dead-ends to find completely intact temple areas still standing, smothered in tree roots, with Ramayana figures entwined by branches. Emerging into the amazing courtyards feeling disBylike Voicu coverers of old, our ticket-taker guide just stands there with a wry smile on his face as if to say, “I told you so.” After a few hours of full-body exploration, we are soaked, dehydrated, and well-exhausted, and we start to hear lots of loud bickering in the nearby forest. Leading us down a narrow ledge, our guide puts a fin-ger to his lips, and we look down to see that we’ve

With the stillness broken and our memory cards almost depleted, our guide whispers that he has to go back to the entrance, a subdued way of telling us that the show is over. We slip him a few notes in ap-preciation, to which he beams a large smile at, and he points at a seemingly impossible-to-descend narrow column that he says we should take to get back on the main route. We clamber down through a chimney of stone, and sure enough, at the bottom, a small passage leads out into the sun, where there is one of

the best-preserved temple columns to be found in the complex. As the hordes start to de-scend, we figure it’s time to go find Mr. Khun and head to Koh Ker, another reputedly untrammelled Mihnea Simandan Angkorian gem that is off the beaten track. Travel Tip: Getting to Beng Mealea is quite easy these days, but it’s best to have a driver who knows the backroads well. Contact Mr. Khun at 012 60 97 65, or else arrange a driver from the Rambutan Resort – rambutans.info – in Siem Reap, which besides being one of Siem Reap’s best stays, has an ex-cellent tour program with top-notch drivers.

MANGO BITES brainchild: Brainwake By Reid Nixon It seems there are often two types in the food business: those whose lives have been about nothing but food since just about forever, and then there are those that take a more winding path getting there, yet end up amongst the foodfrenzied nonetheless. Suranand Vejjajiva falls into this latter group, after that winding road took him from politician to corporate leader to politician again to journalist, back to politician, and now, café entrepreneur as proprietor of Brainwake Café on Sukhumvit 33 (the part that connects Sukhumvit 31 and Sukhumvit 39). When asked about his biography, he laughs and says, “My life changes every five years.” Suranand was university-educated in the U.S. with a Bachelor’s at highly-ranked Williams College and a Master’s in International Affairs at Columbia, and then he returned to Thailand to start his political life at the National Economic and Social Development Board before heading the marketing for an Eastern Seaboard real estate company, helping to take it public. But what he was really destined to do was to follow in his ambassador father’s political footsteps by working with Thaksin Shinawatra to set up the Thai Rak Thai political party and serve as its spokesman, then MP, and then as cabinet minister under Thaksin. But, he faced a five-year political ban after the 2006 coup, so he changed careers again, this time going into media with no previous experience, hosting a food show on TNN and writing editorial columns for the Bangkok Post, of course politically related and often criticizing the thengovernment led by his first cousin, PM Abhisit Vejjajiva. He was also a political commentator on Voice TV. After his political ban lifted, he returned to that world, serving as Secretary General to PM Yingluck Shinawatra. References can be found calling him the “little prime minister”, but he plays that down modestly, noting, “It was a lot of paperwork and bureaucratic processes.” After last year’s coup and a week in detention, it was time again for another career turn, and his wife and he built a café and bicycle shop in midSukhumvit on land handed down the family from his (and his cousins’) grandparents, the original owners back when the whole area was rice farms. Abhisit lives just two doors down, but hasn’t visited (family relations are strained), but his other cousin who also lives nearby, the President/COO of Post Publishing (Bangkok Post), drops in often.

Noting photos hanging on the wall or posted to social media of famous customers that have paid a visit and their respects, including fellow politicians former PM Yingluck and former Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong among others, when asked if the current military government suspects whether the café might actually be a secret political enclave, Suranand replies suredly, “I’m doing this as a real business; it’s not political. I have all

walks of life coming in here, from the extreme Yellow (Shirts) to the extreme Red. This is an open space. Whatever your political thinking, you should be able to sit down and have a cup of coffee or enjoy a meal together and talk. It’s senseless to be in such extreme conflict, we should be able to talk to each other. If it’s democratic enough, you should respect each other’s

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truding bolts, brought to life by natural and warm lighting. Unlike many cafes in Bangkok, there is a lot of seating in the L-shaped space, so that people have plenty of room to be alone with their food and their book and their thoughts, or to share a quiet conversation with mates. The space blends seamlessly from café into a small boutique bicycle shop. The fare (see accompanying restaurant review) ranges from coffees, teas, and sodas to desserts to breakfast and lunch selections, both Thai and Western, and there are even a couple of menus of cocktails, with or without coffee. But what really stands out is the stimuli beyond the food and drink: Loads of books, magazines, and newspapers all throughout, from children’s and young adult fiction to local adult fiction writers to nonfiction, including the political, naturally. There is even a shed out on the balcony, full of books to browse. There is a children’s corner with yet more books, along with some small toys and coloring books. A big electronic chessboard sits prominently in the middle of the establishment. And certainly, there is the requisite free wi-fi. Suranand states that the café is an experimental lab, both for the dining/reading areas (he talks of future plans to make the place a library for subscribing customers, so that they can check out the books to take away and read) and in the kitchen, with Suranand and his wife learning and presenting new dishes. He is often taking new food courses, including barista lessons and, more recently, champagne appreciation at the Le Coropinions. I don’t agree with both extremes, I don Bleu School at the Dusit Thani Hotel. think there should be a middle ground where people can talk and we can move together for As for future plans beyond the restaurant: “I will the country. If my coffee shop can be that forum, take up writing again,” noting plans to contribute I’m happy. And even the name, Brainwake, isn’t to Khaosod English’s website and an idea to cremeant to be political; it just means wake up your ate a community-based newsletter for the Watbrain with some coffee and some books.” tana district (the area from Sukhumvit to Petchaburi Road and Asok to Ekkamai). The café has a beautiful industrial/fisherman’s wharf design with glass walls, red brick, and Asked if he plans a future in politics, Suranand wooden tables made of turnbuckles and pro- just chuckles and says, “Well, never say never.”

Find us at Sukhumvit soi 11 Telephone: 02-651-1098 snappernz@snapper-bangkok.com www.snapper-bangkok.com www.facebook.com/SnapperNZ

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MANGO BITES

Brainwake cafe 27/1 Sukhumvit 33 02-005-0026 www.fb.com/brainwakecafe

Open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Brainwake Cafe serves the usual coffee, tea, and pastry fare and is a nice wakeup to your day. One of small handful of places that serve all-day breakfast, the menu offers the usual American and British sets you would find at a nearby pub but for prices much, much lower than you would find at those establishments (example: American breakfast set, 120.). The highlights for breakfast though have to be the bagels (38. and 85. with cream cheese), powered by Bangkok Bagel Company – but in midtown Sukhumvit! – especially recommended is the bagel and lox (salmon and cream cheese) for 210.; note that you can upgrade the toast in the breakfast sets to a bagel for a very reasonable upcharge. Also highly recommended are the pancakes with bacon and bananas and decent syrup (you know what we mean) for 135.

Leading into lunch and early evening fare, we Fantastically rich and creamy with milk chocolate would recommend Brainwake’s signature of guay frosting, I fell into a welcome chocolate coma. tiew rua, or boat noodles, with beef or pork, but we went with the beef, and it was delicious, 65. We tried a couple of frappes, but the strawberry one (75.) impressed the most, and we also liked the reWe also liked a dish called khao na gai song krueng, freshing cherry soda, 65. or perhaps simplified a bit too much on the menu as Thai chicken rice with Chinese sausage, 95. I hadn’t We decided that the food had less of a “restaurant had this dish before in 10 years here in Thailand, but taste” and more of a home family kitchen palette to found it really good. Chunks of chicken in a brown it. It is good value with prices that will let you come gravy, this and the sausage had a slightly sweet-yet- back again to experiment to find what you favor, rich taste; served with a side of good-quality rice. and the atmosphere is just really nice. We will repeat to satisfy that Sunday morning call for breakfast. Several different dessert options are on hand, but easily the standouts were the blueberry cheese- Located about a 10-minute walk from BTS Phrom cake (75.), brownie with ice cream and chocolate Phong or a 15-minute from BTS Asok, Brainwake sauce (95.), and topping them all, the chocolate Cafe is well-situated for the residents and office cake, 75. Some might find it too chocolatey, but I workers in the Wattana area of Bangkok, but it does just wouldn’t be able to take those people seriously. also have some parking.

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10 Chiang Mai Must-Dos By Voicu Mihnea Simandan The Thai winter is upon us, and people in Thailand (tourists, locals, and expats alike) look to the north when making their endof-year travel plans. Chiang Mai is one of the most coveted travel destinations, as the high temperatures finally drop below 30-plus degrees and the lows into the low-teens until late January. Being such a huge province, with so many tourist attractions, there is a plethora of destinations worth visiting. But, all these famous places attract hordes of people too, so on your next trip to Chiang Mai, consider mixing popular attractions with lesser-known ones. This way, you’ll surely get a better travel experience and really see what the province has to offer. Here are 10 destinations in Chiang Mai province that reflect a large spectrum of attractions, from nature to religion to culture to urban life, and certainly not an exhaustive list. It’s hard to recommend an order for these destinations to be visited in, as on most occasions, you’ll get sidetracked by other attractions you’ll surely see on your way (and, most often, stop to check out).

1. Bhubing Palace www.bhubingpalace.org Built and still used as a royal residence, Bhubing Palace is also famous for receiving and lodging foreign dignitaries who visit Chiang Mai. The log cabin built for this purpose has an amazing view of an artificial lake with huge water sprinklers. Apart from a large variety of trees specific to the cooler climate, the grounds are dotted with colorful flowers beds, including the famous local orchids and roses. The few buildings found here, including the palace itself, are built in characteristic Thai architecture, and although they’re not open to visitors, they make great photo backgrounds.

2. Chiang Mai Zoo www.chiangmaizoo.com Regardless of whether you’re travelling with kids or not, the zoo in Chiang Mai is great not only because it’s got more than 400 animal species, but also because it has two big aquariums. One of them boasts of having “the world’s longest tunnel aquarium”, which gives the visitors an amazing (though quite dizzying) “underwater” experience. Among the animals you can see here are pandas, koalas, camels, lions, tigers, and even a rhino – the only one in Thailand.

3. Doi Inthanon National Park www.dnp.go.th If you like being on top of things, then Doi Inthaon is the mountain to climb. At an altitude of 2,565 meters, Doi Inthanon is the highest mountaintop in Thailand, and a peak to tick off the list of any wannabe mountaineer. The dense forests that encompass the national park are home to over 360 bird species, some of which are visible with the naked eye. The trip to the top can be made both on foot or by car. Make sure that, on the way to the top, you stop by the royal garden project, as well as the two chedis built on two adjacent peaks. The moss covering the trees here is especially beautiful when covered by morning dew, and the view is magnificent. Bring a jacket though, low temps can reach to near freezing, so mornings and evening visits are especially chilly.

4. Doi Suthep Temple www.doisuthep.org Not to be confused with the mountain where it’s located, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a temple that gives the best panoramic view of Chiang Mai city and the surrounding area. The “white elephant legend” – which tells of

a white elephant that climbed the mountain, trumpeted three times, and then died on the spot – was seen as a good sign for the Siamese who built the temple complex there. The trip to the top of the mountain has several scenic spots, and the 309 steps that need to be climbed to the very top make this destination one of the highlights of any visit to Chiang Mai.

5. Doi Pui Hmong Village www.hmongnet.org A Lonely Planet-recommended destination, Doi Pui Hmong Village is a place in the mountains surrounding Chiang Mai that seems to have been transported out of a different century. Apart from taking a nice walk along tight alleys filled left and right with ethnic merchandise of various value, you can also visit a small museum, enjoy a walk in a mountainside garden with a waterfall, and even have a go at shooting a hand-carved mini-crossbow. While you’ll be aiming at big

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9. Wat Pan Whaen

fruits, the local Blue Hmong villagers actually use these crossbows to kill rats.

6. Monthathan Waterfall When most foreigners see an itinerary that involves a stop at a waterfall, the first thing they think of is, “Did I bring my swimming suit?” At Monthathan Waterfall, you don’t need to worry about your attire, as apart from dipping your feet in the rushing water, there’s no pool to go swimming into. But, the big rocks surrounding the vegetation and waterfall are a great place to sit down and enjoy the nature. If there aren’t too many people chit-chatting over food and drinks, it’s also a great location to do some meditation with the sounds of the falling water in the background.

7. Muang-on Cave Exploring caves can be a lot of fun, especially when there’s some climbing and a bit of adventure and mystery involved. Muang-on Cave is such a place. From the parking lot at the base of a hill, you’ll have to sweat it out a bit to the entrance of the cave, but not before having climbed almost 200 steps flanked by two mythical naga serpents. In the main cave chamber, there’s a 10-meter-long reclining Buddha statue, and if your imagination is vivid enough, you might even be able to see the fossilized skeleton of a dinosaur in the ceiling above.

8. Sankampaeng Hot Springs Interested in seeing hot water coming out of the ground? Then Sankampaeng Hot Springs is a neat place where, apart from observing the wonders of Mother Nature with its geysers spewing hot water above the ground, you can also boil eggs directly in the hot spring and even dip your feet in a hot spring “bath”. The surrounding gardens and benches make it a great place to bring your picnic basket along and have something to eat.

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There are over 300 temples in Chiang Mai, and you can easily visit ten of them within minutes of your walking out of the hotel room. Unless you’re an expert in Thai religious architecture, these temples will most likely look fairly similar to each other. Guide books, travel websites, and tourist maps will surely point you to the most “important” ones, but if you’re looking for that serene temple you saw on National Geographic channel, then try to locate Wat Pan Whaen. The temple is made entirely of wood, and although the paint is peeling and the front door golden decorations are fading, the atmosphere is so peaceful and inspiring.

10. Night Bazaar Evenings and nights in Chiang Mai are bustling with people going out to the famous Night Bazaar on Chang Klan Road. The Night Bazaar is a sweaty affair with hundreds of people browsing for bargains, buying food, and drinking refreshments (sometimes at the same time). Even if your luggage is full, it’s worth spending a few hours in the bazaar. It’ll be probably an experience you’ll not forget any time soon. And there is a different night walking street market only on Sunday nights near the city’s main gate that is even more of a delight with local artisan crafts and great street eats. Chiang Mai will require at least a few days if you want to cover the destinations recommended above, but you wouldn’t ran out of things to do or see even if you stayed for a month. To save time, it’s not a bad idea to rent a songthaew for a day or half a day and agree with the driver on the places you want to visit. If time is not an issue, then take Chiang Mai one day at a time, go on walking tours, adventure trips, and explore its nightlife at your own pace. The 700 kilometers from Bangkok to Chiang Mai can be travelled by air, car, bus, overnight train, and you can be there in as little as 70 minutes, 8 or 9 hours, or half a day respectively. If you drive your own car, it’s not a bad idea to break the journey in two days and stop for the night in a province halfway though. Whatever way, it’s always a trip to remember.

MANGO NIGHTS Get Up! Stand-Up!

Since its inception in 2013, the Bangkok Hilarious team has had one clear goal in mind: to make Bangkok ASEAN’s comedy capital while turning the Land of Smiles into the Land of Laughter, one punchline at a time. Being the oldest and first comedy collective to take English stand-up comedy to the four corners of the Big Mango, fly in renowned comedians, set up workshops to recruit and support local talent, and organize Thailand’s first local comedy competition in 2014. These guys have shown that they don’t joke around when it comes to comedy.

This year they have stepped up their game a notch in collaboration with Signal Flair to bring you its most ambitious event to date, “Stand-up Bangkok!”, Thailand’s 1st Annual International Comedy Competition. A two-day comedy extravaganza where 12 comedians from around the globe via Asia will descend on the Land of Smiles and try to take home the trophy and the 2015 Champion tittle.

tures comedians from the U.S, England, Japan, Hong Kong, India, China, and Thailand, as well as the Godfather and founder of the Asian stand-up comedy scene, Mr. Jameson Gong, as the host. Jami, as he likes to be called, is the founder of TakeOut Comedy and The TakeOut Comedy Club Hong Kong, the first full-time comedy club in Asia. Born in New York City, he has performed all over the U.S. and has appeared on the American talk-show Late Night with Conan O’Brien before taking a leap of faith and moving to Hong Kong to start the most successful English stand-up comedy club in Asia. Tickets can be bought at ticketmelon.com for 500 baht for a single or 900 baht for a 2-night pass in advance or at the door on the night of the event for 700 baht for a single and 1,200 baht for the 2-night pass; all tickets come with two complimentary drinks.

coordinators. Together they had a simple goal of expanding the comedy scene and provide opportunities to upcoming comedians in a more democratic and supportive way than it had been done by the existing comedy collective back then. Leo, a Brazilian expat and former DJ with a knack for making people laugh, made a name for himself as a comedian when he won the first-ever open mic competition last year here in Bangkok. Since then, he added a couple more accomplishments under his belt by becoming a semi-finalist at the “Laugh Off 2015” Korean International Comedy Competition, as well as one of the top-20 comedians nominated to represent Asia at the Jokenation Montreux Comedy Festival. He has performed in Hong Kong, Cambodia, South Korea and Japan.

Bangkok Hilarious, Leandro Soares’s brainchild, was founded in March 2013 with the indispensable support of local upcoming and veteran comedians The competition will take place at Sportsman Pub alike, including Graham Wooding and Lucas Olbinson December 11th and 12th at 8 p.m., and it fea- ki, who later went on to become the group’s first

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'DRINK SPECIALS EVERYDAY' 'DRINK SPECIALS EVERYDAY' GRAND OPENING PARTY GRAND OPENING GRAND OPENING PARTYPARTY 19th December 19th19th December December 4/4-5 4/4-5 Sukhumvit Soi 8 4/4-5 Sukhumvit Sukhumvit Soi 8 Klong Toei Klong Toei Klong Toei Bangkok Bangkok 02 653 3117 | 082Bangkok 342 3408

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02 653 3117 |3117 082 |342 02 653 0823408 342 3408 mango metro

DECEMBER 2015

DENGUE HEMORRHAGIC FEVER IN CHILDREN By Dr. Prasong Pruksananonda, Pediatrician, Pediatric Infectious Disease, Children’s (Pediatrics) Center, Bumrungrad Hospital

Dengue hemorrhagic fever in children can prove to be fatal. However, it’s important to know that early treatment can save a child’s life. Dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome are caused by any one of four dengue viruses. The dengue viruses are members of the Flavivirus genus, which are spread by mosquitoes. According to the World Health Organization, the transmission of dengue has increased predominantly in all tropical countries, as warm climates create mosquito-friendly habitats.

Symptoms of dengue, which appear in three phases: • Acute Fever Stage: At this phase, no spe-

cific symptoms are present. Children get a high fever (for about 5-6 days) with aching, nausea, and vomiting. During rainy season, if a child has a high fever for over several days, parents should consider the possibility that they have contracted dengue and seek immediate medical attention. Parents should not attempt to treat their child on their own. Avoid using aspirin and ibuprofen, which may irritate the stomach lining, cause stomach bleeding, and thinning of the blood, resulting in dengue shock syndrome.

• Critical Stage (three critical days of possible shock syndrome): After several days with a fever, the child will be weak with body aches, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, and a loss of appetite, along with redness in the face, palms, and soles. At this stage, the

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child’s pulse and blood pressure should be monitored regularly. Their water intake and urine output should be checked several times a day. Some children may have abdominal bloating, restlessness, cold hands and feet, and a decreased temperature, which can mislead parents into believing that their child is heading towards recovery. However, they may go into shock within a few hours.

cates that the patient may be at risk of going into shock (within a few hours). The patient will then be transferred to an ICU (Intensive Care Unit) for close monitoring. The patient will also be given fluids, intravenously, and their lost electrolytes will be replaced – which is essential for preventing hypovolemic shock. The critical stage may last for 48-72 hours. Some female adolescents with dengue infec-

• Recovery Phase: The body temperature tion have excessive menstrual bleeding; theredrops, without the child going into shock syndrome. The child will have a higher number of platelets, have a stable pulse rate, have stable blood pressure, and pass more water. During the recovery, blood flow increases to all tissues in the body, and the organs begin to function normally. It takes about 48-72 hours for the patients to get back to normal. At this phase, the child will regain their appetite and energy, with less abdominal pain and bloating. There will also be redness and itchy rashes on their palms and soles (without skin peeling).

In terms of diagnosis, the doctor will first evaluate the symptoms and perform a complete blood count (CBC) with hematocrit (Hct) in order to determine the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The doctor will then perform liver function tests (AST and ALT) to evaluate the severity of the disease. An elevated red blood cell count and low platelet count (below one hundred thousand per cubic millimeter) along with a fast pulse, low blood pressure, restlessness, fatigue, and low urine output indi-

fore, it is important to let the doctor know if the patient’s period is due or has already started. If required, the doctor may use hormones to delay the menstrual cycle until after the critical stage. Children with a bleeding disorder or blood cancer should be closely monitored, as the critical stage can be lethal for them. There is no specific treatment for dengue hemorrhagic fever. The only current method of preventing dengue virus transmission is to effectively combat the mosquitoes – but this is no easy task. Parents may eliminate mosquitoes around their residence by getting rid of stagnant water containers where the mosquitoes breed, using appropriate netting to avoid mosquito bites, and using insect spray. Whether such precautions have been taken or not, if a child’s high fever persists for several days during the dengue season, the parents should take their child to the hospital for early medical attention, in order to minimize the chances of shock syndrome and risk of death.

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RSV: THE VIRUS THAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

By Dr. Prasong Pruksananonda, Pediatrician, Pediatric Infectious Disease, Children’s (Pediatrics) Center, Bumrungrad Hospital

RSV, or Respiratory Syncytial Virus, is a virus that causes respiratory illness in young children. This virus can lead to pneumonia as it affects the bronchioles and alveoli, resulting in the production of excess mucus and a narrowing of the airways. The symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing. It is spread through contact with infected bodily secretions, such as saliva and mucus. It is one of the most common viruses affecting babies and young children during rainy season.

The symptoms of RSV are similar to the common cold, including fever (low fever in most cases), coughing, and sneezing. Parents should look out for the signs and symptoms of RSV infection, ing medication to relieve phlegmy coughing, including: medication to keep airways open, medication to reduce fever, and a nebulized bronchodilator. • Shortness of breath Patients who have difficulty breathing and have low blood oxygen may also require supportive • Rapid breathing care, including intravenous fluids, chest percussion, suction, humidified oxygen, and a nebulized • Difficulty breathing bronchodilator. In severe cases, children may need the assistance of mechanical ventilation in • Bluish color of the skin the ICU (Intensive Care Unit), until they recover. • Wheezing (caused by inflammation of the bronchioles and narrowing of the airways) • Phlegm • Barking cough

In seriously ill patients, the complications of RSV include viral infections, such as influenza or mycoplasma, and bacterial infections. The doctor will choose the most appropriate treatment to prevent these infections.

Frequent hand washing can help prevent RSV. If a child develops RSV symptoms, the parents should keep their child away from other children to prevent the spread of the virus. Any infected children should stay away from the nursery or school for at least 1-2 weeks, until they have fully recovered. In some cases, even when RSV is There is no specific medication for RSV. Gener- cured, the child’s coughing may still persist for a ally, systematic treatment is provided, includ- period after. Young and weak children, such as children who were born prematurely or who have an underlying condition such as heart or lung disease and asthma, are at an increased risk of severe infections that may lead to respiratory failure.

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FOR RENT – The Tempo Ruamrudee Condominium, Soi Ruamrudee. Modern studio-2 bedroom unit, furnished, from 16,000Baht, BTS Ploenchit Stn. M. 095 948 7221. (L) OPENING – Nichada & Natakorn Lake Condominiums was launched in May 2015. The 22-floor towers are the newest development in the prestigious Nichada Thani luxury gated community in Chaeng Wattana, Bangkok,just minutes from downtown. Built on a 60acre lake, there are 159 apartments of 1,2,3 and 4 bedrooms for both short and long-term rental. The project features personalized butler services and state-of-the art security. For More Information: www. nichada.com n1n2@nichada.com 02 960 4329-31 (I) SOCIAL PETANQUE – Fancy a game of French Petanque and meeting new people? Can’t think of anything better than playing on a Saturday or Sunday morning 10-11 am around Sukhumvit-Asoke area? Then, wait no longer, join our Petanque Group and join the next event! Email your contact details to Pat at pmbkk@hotmail.com (J)

For sale – Café racer converted from a Kawasaki ER6N 650cc, year 2009. Complete out of frame rebuild, powder coated frame, Yoshi exhaust, super bike YSS suspension, Corsa tires, adjustable rear sets and levers, carbon fiber body panels. Weight saving of 45 kg. 500 km done after rebuild comes with greenbook and tax and insurance are valid till July 2016. Asking Price: 350,000 THB. Contact Mark at 090-659-1065 / email is windsor-th@outlook.com

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SPACE FOR RENT near Kasetsart University area. Total rental area 125 sq. m. suitable for Office or Tutoring school. Contact Khun Art (094 654-8740) or Khun Ann (089 890-5473) E-Mail artann1512@gmail. com (J) APT IN SUKHUMVIT SOI 11 FOR SELL. 2 bedrooms + 1 study room, 2 bathrooms. 118 sqm F/F open kitchen and living room on 9 FL. sale: 7.9 mil baht. contact: 081-3070618 Lee (K)

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LOOKING FOR CONDO TO RENT (6 MONTHS) (Nov 2015 - April 2016) size 35 sqm - 70 sqm; rent 15,000 - 28,000 THB / month; walking distance to BTS or MRT; the apartment should be clean and in good condition. You get for your good-quality property a good-quality German tenant (no party, no drugs, no noise)! Please send e-mail: erichanderl@ yahoo.com (K) COLLECTIONS, DELIVERIES AND RELOCATIONS Nationwide in Thailand. Call 090-659-1065, e-mail windsor-th@outlook.com or Facebook: Windsor-TH. Collections, Deliveries and Relocations. (I) HONDA BRIO (ECO CAR) 2012 FOR RENT: 4 Doors, Auto, 1.2 litre. Full Insurance. Daily: 600Bt, Weekly: 4,000Bt, Monthly: 15,000Bt. Contact Phiang 080-6177070 (TH/EN) (I) FOR SALE – Over 2,600 DVD movies, including some documentaries. You may view the entire list at: http://healththai.org/DVD_List.pdf. They are all neatly alphabetized in 17 DVD caddies. From your browser type in 192.168.1.44, click on the “DVDs” link on the top left, and login as “Guest.” If you have specific questions, please email me at edbkk2010@ gmail.com. I would expect around B45,000 for the entire collection (including the caddies). Make me a reasonable offer. (L) WITHIN A WALKING DISTANCE TO BTS CHIDLOM, available a 2 bedroom unit for short / long stay rent. Rent from 38000 Baht a month. Call 0959487221 (L) BEAUTIFUL 2 BEDROOM CONDO FOR RENT (75 M2) – Sukhumvit Soi 11 - Stylishly newly designed All furniture, A/Cs and Fully fitted Kitchen Brand New – Very nice onsite Pool, Sauna & Fitness Facilities – Car park - Walking distance to BTS Nana & MRT Sukhumvit / Asoke - Only THB 29,000 per month (1 year contract min.) - To arrange a viewing, call Pat 087 517 4129 - pmbkk@hotmail.com (K)

X-BANKERS – business loan consolidators, only over 1.0 MB. good credit, bad credit, no credit, everyone welcome. “We make it possible for you”. Phone: 081-447-1478 (J) LEARNING ENGLISH AT THEPRIMEENGLISH – Learning English; Grammar, Vocab, Writing, Conversation. Taught by the professional Thai teacher. Learning with integration & creative activities. Kindergarten level to adults level. Located at Soi Ramindra19, Bangkok. More Info, pls contact 084.449.1201 (J) ANYONE INTERESTED in joining a music and film appreciation society with emphasis on old quality recordings particularly jazz,dance band,great artists of the past and classical music please contact nigel 0871053664 (I) CONDO LPN near Thailand Cultural Center, for rent and sale, 8th floor, corner 60.23Sq.m, 1 living room, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Kitchen. 2 balconys. Furnished in modern light and fresh style. Rent 20,000 THB per month Swimming pool. Sauna. Fitness. Close to MRT Huai khwang. 089 870 5009 easy1624@hotmail.com, line ID joeqi (I) HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY. After more than 30 years hotel management experience, of which the last 7 years in Myanmar, I am exploring the possibilities to establish myself in Bangkok. Keywords: Operation optimisation, interim management, training (vocational and English for staff, management technics for HoDs), market and inside knowledge of the Myanmar tourism industry, Mystery guest visits. Looking forward to hearing from you: Frank.Janmaat@gmail.com (preferred). (I) featured in FB/groups/dsbkkpromo

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STUNNING AL FRESCO VIEWS

If you’re in need of intense flavour from the heart of The Mediterranean, whilst taking in the glorious Bangkok sunset that rivals any Balearic skyline, then we are proud to offer you the most exquisite setting. The warmth of Europe’s most popular destination is brought to Bangkok in three unique settings as you embark on an unforgettable journey of culture and cuisine through the vibrant Iberian Peninsula. Indulge in our semi al fresco Tapas & Raw bar and experience the infinite selection of Mediterranean seafood that we have to offer. The allure of our semi al fresco Dining Deck puts you in the heart of our first-rate cuisine, culminating in an outstanding tapas taste, which is simply unforgettable. An astounding setting, remarkable food and drink and wondrous music beats that will bring the soul of Spain to your table, UNO MAS will forever have you asking for… one more!

FOR RESERVATIONS PLEASE CONTACT 54th Floor, Centara Grand at CentralWorld 999/99 Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10130, Thailand T: 02-100-6255

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