Thani Talk 2014 February

N ONTHABURI N EIGHBORHOOD R EACH

Thani Talk

F EBRUARY 2014

Serving the Nonthaburi community and supporting local charities since 1994

Now online at: www.issuu.com/nnrthanitalk

Tantalizing Travel Tales: Aurora Borealis in Sweden, Bungee Jumping in NZ, Sun-kissed beaches of Thailand, Disneyland in Hong Kong

Events at a Glance:

Contents: Highlights

Feb. 12: Buddhist Temple Tour, p. 3 Feb. 24: ESL Teacher Training, p. 2 Feb. 27: Mardi Gras Happy Hour, p. 3

Tour: Wat Bua Khwan, p. 3 Grapevine: p. 26-27 Social: Happy Hour, p. 3 Recipes: p. 41 Cover Story: Travel Tales, p. 4-10 Restaurant: p. 49 Feature: Elephant Lovers, p. 46

Thani Talk is generously sponsored by

Thani Talk ~February 2014

Workshop

Free Workshop for Volunteer English Teachers Monday, February 24 10 a.m. - Noon at Chaengwattana Community Church

Lots of Thai charity groups have asked for English language lessons. Lots of volunteers are interested in teaching English. So, NNR has organized an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher training workshop on Monday, February 24, at the Chaengwattana Community Church in Nichada. The class will be from 10 am until noon.

The teacher training workshop will be taught by Olga Steklova, who just retired from ISB as a teacher of EAL (English as an Additional Language). The workshop is open to all.

RSVP to Linda Feltham at lindafeltham@gmail.com. Deadline is February 20.

NNR BOARD 2013-2014 Chairperson

Mare Harvey

billandmare@mac.com

Vice Chairperson

Charlotte Sanders

084-875-7655

Treasurer

Val Mowat

081-849-1466

Activities/Tours

Alexandra Ries

084-388-4457

NNR Socials

Sarah Glaze

081-793-0806

Charity Socials and Volunteer Coordinator

Linda Feltham

091-095-0457

Advertisements

Laura Sadowski

089-924-5306

nnrads@yahoo.com

Newsletter Editor

Liz Lu (Co-editor) Monique Langer (Co-editor) Jennifer Bradley (Proofreader)

086-784-7171

nnrnewsletter@yahoo.com

Distribution Coordinator Heather Powell

083-293-2169

Bazaar Committee: Carla Zeitune (Coordinator), Charlotte Sanders (Raffle Prizes), Mare Harvey (Sponsors), Tipwan Smagpong (Vendors).

Ad Rates

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Rates per issue, discount for annual ad Based on space availability.

Deadline for all ads is the 15th of each month.

Ads must be paid in full prior to publishing.

NNR is a not-for-profit organization of volunteers dedicated to serving the Nonthaburi community and supporting local charities since 1994. We achieve this by publishing a free monthly magazine that has a distribution of 1,400 copies. We host monthly coffee mornings, an annual charity bazaar and organize monthly tours. There are no membership dues.

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Thani Talk ~February 2014

NNR Social and Tour

NNR February Happy Hour Social with a Touch of Mardi Gras!

This month we have decided to add a flavor of colorful carnival atmosphere and have some cocktail fun with our Happy Hour Social.

Amy Sorensen has kindly volunteered to host our February Happy Hour at her home and promises to mix up some Hurricanes for us to experience a taste of Mardi Gras.

Why not drop in and chill out, catch up with old friends and make some new ones over a glass of something cold and a few nibbles. If you are new to the neighborhood this is a great way to meet new people. If you have a mask that you would like to wear then feel free to enter into the carnival spirit, but it’s certainly not compulsory.

Sarah Glaze Date: Thursday, February 27 Time: 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm Venue: Amy Sorensen’s House, 39/1002 Premier Place 2 Please bring a bottle and / or a plate of finger food to share.

For more information call Sarah Glaze on 081-793-0806.

NNR Tour: February 12 Wat Bua Khwan: Our Neighborhood Buddhist Temple Due to ongoing political street protests, NNR Tours has postponed plans for an agricultural tour in favor of a destination just a 10-minute drive from Nichada.

Wat Bua Khwan, a charming neighborhood Buddhist temple off of Samakee Road, is perhaps the only Thai temple we know of that has up and down escalators serving its worship hall. Visitors also get the rare chance to see workers handdecorating the elaborate exterior of the main temple building, which is scheduled to be completed in 2016.

Come explore a neighborhood gem with NNR Tour leader Alexandra Ries. We will carpool to the temple in private cars, so if you can offer a driver and vehicle, please let Alexandra know.

After touring the temple grounds, we will walk down the soi to the Gaengba Thai restaurant for some delicious local cuisine.

Liz Lu

Date: Wednesday, February 12 Time: 10 am to 1 pm Meet in front of ISB Chevron Theatre RSVP: Alexandra Ries, at berlin.bangkok@hotmail.com.

When you RSVP, please provide your cell phone number 3

Cover Story: Tantalizing Travel

Thani Talk ~February 2014

Neighbors are the best “TripAdvisors”! Want to fine-tune your bucket list of things to do and places to go? Well, we’re happy to help. We’ve invited four Thani Talk readers to share first-hand accounts of their awesome winter holidays. Brace yourself for some excellent, vicarious adventures!

Chasing the Northern Lights

It all started with a travel article. My unsuspecting husband tore it out of a flight magazine because he knew I had always dreamed of seeing the Northern Lights. He thought I might enjoy a story on the best places to view this spectacular feat of nature. He was very right. "We're going aren't we?" I whispered plaintively after reading it. "You didn't just bring this home to torture me right?" He was incredulous. "Why would we fly all the way to Europe when Asia is at our doorstep?"

Many months of begging later, we found ourselves on the night-lit ski slopes of Are, Sweden (pronounced AW-ray). This is Sweden's premier ski resort and the one activity the whole family could agree on. While the conditions were icy, the weather was great and we enjoyed many après ski hot chocolates in front of a crackling fire. Are is not for beginners. There are few easy trails and lots of bouncy T-bars. However, the town is adorable with lots of charming restaurants serving up your favorite reindeer pizza and Swedish meatballs with lingonberries.

Stockholm proved a stunningly beautiful surprise. This European city was spared during WWII, so all the enormous, intricate, old buildings still stand. The architecture is a joy to look at. The old city, Gamla Stan, bursts with tiny bakeries, eclectic book shops, colorful town houses and endless Viking souvenirs. We visited a cathedral that awed our children. We wandered through Skansen, an open air museum with houses and shops from the olden days. It's like a Swedish Sturbridge Village, with people in period dress performing tasks from that time.

After taking in the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace, the impressive Royal Armory and the Photografiska Museum, we spent a day at the amazing Vasa Museum. The Vasa was a mighty ship commissioned by King Gustavus Adolphos in 1626. The vessel sailed off on her maiden voyage and sank only 20 minutes later while still within the harbor. 330 years later she was raised and restored to perfect condition. Looking at her is like standing on a movie set. There is no question she inspired the "Pirates of the Caribbean" set designers.

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Cover Story: Tantalizing Travel

Thani Talk ~February 2014

For the final days of our trip we flew to Kiruna, over 100 km inside the Arctic Circle. My husband provided hourly updates of the Aurora Forecast. We learned all about solar wind and auroral ovals. The Bz* was bad but the Kp** was good. The solar flares that exploded 2 days ago should be here tonight but it's going to be cloudy. Such an emotional roller coaster! Luckily we were phenomenally distracted by snowmobiling, dog sledding and ice sculpting. We capped it off with a night at the famous Ice Hotel where every room has a unique theme that is masterfully sculpted in ice, even your bed! We had a ball. We also got fat. The Swedes take their bread seriously and it's the best I've ever had the pleasure to gorge on.

Finally the big night came. We donned 5 layers of thermal underwear and Eskimo overalls and rode the chairlift up to the Abisko Sky Station. The reason I chose Abisko National Park is because the article said it was among the best viewing spots in the world. Something about the giant lake in the park keeps the clouds away. There's no light interference because you're 1,000 miles from anywhere, which is critical.

This is where Aurora hunters maximize their chances. We were blessed. The Sky was literally spangled with stars, painted over with bright green and purple stripes that danced above our heads.

Unforgettable, celestial magic.

Laura Shepard *The Bz is a measure of the Earth's magnetic field. As a whole the earth's magnetic field points north. This cancels out much of the incoming solar blasts, which have a southward pointing magnetic field. When the Earth's magnetic field shifts southward it's like allowing the solar wind to come in and be seen, thus great aurora displays. It's measured as negative or positive. **The Kp index is a scale of 0-9 that represents the level of solar or geomagnetic activity. The higher the number, the further south the aurora is visible. The days we saw the Lights, the Kp index was between 4 and 5 which is great. It was right overhead for our location. Had it been a Kp of 2, the Lights would have only been visible on the horizon.

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Thani Talk ~February 2014

Cover Story: Tantalizing Travel

Koh Kood, Thailand One of the many perks of living in Thailand is you can guarantee your friends from home are going to visit you, but with the cost of flights, you want to make their stay memorable. No pressure then as the tour guide. So where do you start when your hard-working friends want to relax on white deserted sandy beaches away from the maddening crowd. I have to say I think Koh Kood is one of Thailand’s few unspoiled islands.

Koh Kood (Koh Kut ) is a small island, southeast of Koh Chang , towards Cambodia. The nearest Airport is Trat and most hotels run a shuttle to the pier and then a speedboat to Koh Kood, for a fee. There is a local ferry that departs each day at noon. We chose to drive down in just over 4 hours, on relatively good roads the whole way.

Koh Kood offers everything for the confessed beach slob to the trekking, diving and adventure junky. The island is mountainous with a few roads accessing the rainforest interior and its beautiful waterfalls. There are mopeds for hire or for larger parties a song-taew, to get you around the island. Be prepared to pay 2,500 baht for the day. Transport is not cheap but that was the only complaint I had all holiday.

The coastline is full of hidden coves and deserted beaches to explore.

Remember to take your shoes as once you land your craft, it is hard not to wonder off over the rocks and into the interior. You never know, you may stumble across a little beach bar, as we did.

For those who love to be under the water, snorkeling straight off the beach was amazing. The water was crystal clear and it offered up an abundance of fish. If you like to dive there are several dive schools offering snorkeling and diving day trips at reasonable prices.

The whole feel of the island is relaxed and quiet. Accommodation is really varied from 5 star resorts to huts on the beach and even a small camping hostel. One thing I noticed, when we journeyed to Koh Kood, it was hard to spot any accommodation along the west coast. There were no high rises to be seen, and buildings merged aesthetically into the hills.

On the eating front, small restaurant’s can be found dotted all over. We stumbled across an amazing Italian restaurant serving fresh very authentic dishes.

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Cover Story: Tantalizing Travel

Thani Talk ~February 2014

The island takes revenue from fishing as well as tourist; and the small fishing village of Ao Salad is worth a visit. There were plenty of fishing trips on offer, even night squid fishing.

We will be back, as this little island delivered everything we could have asked for, but be warned, Cambodia is laying claim to the east coast of the island and if that happens then there is talk of Casino’s being built. So this tranquil oasis will possibly be gone in the near future.

Elizabeth Sinker

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Cover Story: Tantalizing Travel

Thani Talk ~February 2014

New Zealand: Adventure Seeker’s Paradise!

During Christmas break my husband, 13yr and 8yr old sons, and I decided to explore the beautiful land of New Zealand. To plan our trip we used a travel agent, Experience New Zealand, who had come highly recommended from several friends.

To begin our adventure we flew from Bangkok via Thai Airways into Auckland New Zealand and then caught a domestic flight with Jet Star into Queenstown. Queenstown is a resort town in the southwest of New Zealand's South Island. Queenstown is built around Lake Wakatipu with spectacular views of the nearby mountains and much like the rest of New Zealand it is an adventure seekers paradise. Summer activities consist of jet boating, whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, mountain biking, hiking, skydiving, and almost any outdoor activity you could desire. There are also many tours via helicopter, small plane, and bus to the natural attractions in the South Island. Our travel agent was great in offering plenty of options suitable to our interests and the age range in our family.

One specific part of our trip which came highly recommended was a trip to Milford Sound. This trip consists of a taking a small plane over The Great Divide with its glaciers and peaks to land in Milford Sound. During the flight the mountains and glaciers around us were stunning; we flew close enough to almost reach out and touch them. Mitre Peak is an iconic mountain in the South of New Zealand. It is one of the most photographed peaks in the country. Once we landed we didn’t stay on land longinstead we set sail on a catamaran through the sound to the Tasman Sea. Gorgeous!

A must see in Queenstown, which the whole family enjoyed was the Skyline Gondola. This gondola takes you to the top of Bob's Peak which then has a Zip-trek Ecotour, a six zip-line course, to the bottom. The whole family really enjoyed the zip-lines and most, not all, even managed a trick or two including going upside down. Also at the top is a luge ride around a track, fun for the entire family. Or, if you are feeling really brave they have bungee jumping as well as paragliding.

If you travel all the way to New Zealand one other thing that you must take part in is the thrill of jet boating, which they say was invented there. There are many options for the jet boating but some are actually weather dependent. For us the bus ride to Skippers Canyon was just about as exciting as the jet boating. The entire journey through Skipper Canyon was on narrow, winding roads. The views were stunning but the edge of the road overlooking the canyon were thrilling to say the least.

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Cover Story: Tantalizing Travel

Thani Talk ~February 2014

We also travelled to TeAnau on the South Island to visit the glow worm caves. The tour led us into pitch black caves the ceiling of which were dotted like stars on the sky with these tiny little bugs called glow worms. Glow worms are unique to New Zealand. Glow-worms are the larvae of a species of fly called a fungal gnat and they draw many visitors in caves throughout the South Island.

From Te Anau we drove to a quaint town called Wanaka. Wanaka is a resort town with many outdoor activities. The town is situated on lake Wanaka and is the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park. This town is surrounded by beautiful mountains and is less commercialized then Queenstown. Here we enjoyed fishing and a boat tour of the surrounding lakes and islands.

From there we followed the Haast Pass which cuts through the Southern Alps and continued on to Franz Josef, which is a 12 km long glacier located in Westland tai Poutini National Park. Here we enjoyed a thrilling heli-hike on the glacier which was a once in a lifetime experience for us.

Equipped with snow clothes and ice crampons we had a wonderful tour of the glacier face and caves. Definitely an experience we will never forget.

We then drove up the West Coast to another small resort town called Punakaiki. This area is a very popular tourist attraction for its famous pancake rocks. The pancake rocks are limestone formations where the sea bursts through several vertical blowholes during high tides. The pancake layering of the limestone is really something to see.

There certainly is much more to see in New Zealand but that is where our adventure ends.

Exhausted from the trip we made our way back to beautiful Thailand and Nichada to rest from our vacation. If New Zealand is not in your travel plans, it should be!

Christine McCarthy

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Thani Talk ~February 2014

Cover Story: Tantalizing Travel

Magic Kingdom in Asia Disneyland Hong Kong Only 3 hours Away Hong Kong is a perfect getaway for families. It is a 3-hour plane ride via Air Asia to an English-speaking metropolis. Everyone speaks English, and all signs are written in English, making public transportation very easy. Disneyland Hong Kong is a short trip from the airport. You can take a taxi for 150 Hong Kong dollars (about 635 baht) or take the train.

We opted for the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel due to its proximity and its shuttle bus service to and from the park. If you do stay in the Disney Hotel, I recommend splurging for a Club room. It is a bit more expensive but well worth it. You receive free breakfast (with added touches like Mickey Mouse waffles and muffins), juice, sodas and fruit for a day snack, and then a few nibbles around dinner time with free beer and wine for the parents. For Club room To Hong Kong and Beyond! patrons they have a private balcony to watch the fireworks and even have a bedtime story. Mickey or Minnie will stop by in pajamas for a great photo op.

The park worked out well for my family of five. We have three kids, aged 8, Minnie cookies!

7 and 3 years old. The park is not enormous but perfect for my younger child. We could have used two days to do everything in the park with my three year old, but older kids could have torn through the park in a day easily. There are only two roller coasters: Space Mountain and Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars. The rest of the rides are geared toward smaller children.

Fireworks show

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I found it quite easy to find Disney characters in the park as they were in certain spots throughout the day. There is also an option for a character dinner located in the Enchanted Garden at the Disneyland Hotel. It is quite pricey but well worth it, in my opinion. They had an enormous buffet with every food, and a dessert buffet with two chocolate fountains (white and milk chocolate). The four main characters, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Pluto, came to each table and greeted the children, providing plenty of time for photo ops! For my family, it was worth every Hong Kong dollar!

Lisa Widmer Additional photos by Sara Reid

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Charity Reports

Thani Talk ~February 2014

Charity Report: How NNR Has Used Your Donations Equipment for Handicapped Children

In a collaborative effort between Nonthaburi Neighborhood Reach (NNR) and the American Women’s Club (AWC), custom-designed feeding chairs were purchased for disabled girls at the Baan Ratchawadee Home for Girls. NNR donated 21,000 baht and the American Women’s Club contributed 18,000 baht. In all we donated an extra tall feeder chair, two head rests that would elongate two existing chairs, and 3 tip tables. These tables are perfect for feeding and also for doing puzzles or coloring since the girls have trouble focusing visually. These items were specifically requested by CCD (Christian Care Foundation for Children with Disabilities) volunteers who work with the girls on a daily basis. The woman in the white blouse is Khun Supanee from "Kit for Life."

She constructed each piece herself and it's her company that we hired to make all this custom equipment. She is extremely skilled and was able to come up with ways to create exactly what was needed.

Laura Shepard

Food Supplements for girls with cerebral palsy

NNR donated Nutrini food supplements to the Baan Ratchawadee Home for Girls to improve the quality of the lives of 44 girls with cerebral palsy, a motion disorder which limits their movement so they usually lie in bed and need total care.

To feed the girls, about 2 cans of Nutrini powder were used daily. This food supplement powder was either mixed with their rice or given in milk form for those who cannot take solids easily. Compared to other milks or supplements the Nutrini satisfied the girls more, helping them feel “full” and fall asleep.

After having Nutrini supplement for one month, the girls no longer had dry, yellow complexions. The number of skin wounds were reduced to the extent that there were no new cases even among those who were vulnerable to pressure sores.

Most girls have gained 1-3 kg. after eating Nutrini. The rate of pneumonia was reduced, probably because the girls were healthier and stronger overall.

The contentment and health of these now less vulnerable girls is a result of a NNR donation making a nurse’s dream experiment possible. The goal was to increase weight and reduce the rate of pressure sores. The results met the goals and ended up with even more positive changes. A special thanks to NNR and CCD volunteers who continue to feed Nutrini bottled mix 2-3 times a week to 13 of the girls who are most at risk. To maintain the gains made, the nursing and care giving team at Ban Rachawadee Ying will be given another large batch of Nutrini powder early in 2014. Thanks again NNR. Dorothy Klynstra 14

Charity Reports Sports Equipment and hygiene products for Girls’ Kredtrakarn Shelter

Sports Equipment for Baan Poomwaet Boys Home

Thani Talk ~February 2014

Anju Bhatia and I took a load of sports equipment, school supplies, and toiletries to the girl's shelter on Dec.19, 2013. The Shelter is a refuge for girls aged 5-20 who have been abused, trafficked, or exploited in some other way. The shelter is on Koh Kret Island so we had to take everything by boat. It was quite funny to watch a basketball hoop being loaded onto a small boat to cross the river. The staff were very helpful and everything made it ok.

The shelter is looking for dedicated volunteers who might want to come to teach English, or engage socially with the girls. If you are interested please contact Linda Feltham at lindafeltham@gmail.com.

I would like to say a special thank you to Ginger and Scott Duval for donating the basketball hoop, and Linda Feltham and Patrick Callens for donating the rest of the sports equipment. I would also like to thank Angela at I-Care Thailand for helping to facilitate the visit.

Mare Harvey

350 pillows and 700 pillow cases to Nonthaburi Home for the Destitute In a joint project with the Elder Care Club at ISB, NNR donated part of the funds needed to purchase the much-needed pillows and pillow cases for 350 residents at the homeless shelter.

When the students and NNR representatives presented the pillows in December, the teenagers also danced and sang to entertain the elderly residents. They also personally delivered pillows to the less mobile residents in the five dormitories.

NNR is continuing its collaboration with the teens, who have volunteered to help sell crafts for the Shelter in the community.

Liz Lu

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Charity Reports

Thani Talk ~February 2014

CHILDREN'S DAY PARTY FOR WORKER'S CAMP

(Above lt) Volunteer Dylan Harvey and in striped shirt, Khun Toom, head of Nichada security Khun Toom, head of Nichada Security, hosted a Children's Day Party for the worker's camp located at the edge of Nichada. About 100 families live in the camp, and there are about 100 children. Children's Day is celebrated all across Thailand.

The NNR donated money to help Khun Toom buy toys and savory and sweet snacks for the children. The NNR also arranged to have children from Thanksgiving Home, a recipient of NNR donations, come to perform a magic show for all the kids. There were lots of smiles all around.

A big thanks to Khun Toom and his team for helping those less fortunate in our community. The worker's camp is home to many of the construction workers that we see everyday in Nichada. Some Nichada employees also live in the camp. Thanks also to Dylan Harvey, and the Duval and Powell families for coming to the party to give out the snacks.

Also contributing financially to the party were the Chaengwattana Community Church, and two Nichada families who wish to remain anonymous. I feel very honored to live in such a giving community. The families in the camp were very grateful for the party.

Mare Harvey

Library Renovation for Women’s Vocational Training Center Renovation is almost done. Vocational students are looking forward to the refurbished facility for learning resources.

Volunteers at workers camp party pause for group photo 16

Charity Reports

Thani Talk ~February 2014

Holiday Party for more than 500 children at the YMCA

Yesterday Once Again & Once Upon a Time furniture store Thank you, Khun Hui, for your support and donation of a Chinese suitcase to the NNR Charity Bazaar raffle.

NNR thanks EVERYONE who generously donated prizes to the bazaar.!

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Charity Spotlight: Festive Soiree

Thani Talk ~February 2014

Festive Soirée Raises Baht 307,510 for Kharma Foundation Thank You to Our Hosts, Gill and Vic Adams!

What an amazing event this year’s festive soiree was and a wonderful evening was had by all on so many different levels. Not only was this a spectacular and fun social event, it was also a charity fund raiser for the Kharma Foundation.

There was a great turnout from across the Nichada community and beyond, and, at a guess, there were over 200 people there at one stage in the evening. Gill and Vic are consummate hosts, once again opening up their beautiful home to welcome us all in true festive style.

Gill's eye for detail never ceases to amaze. From the winter wonderland scenes complete with a nutcracker and snowmen as you arrived, the nativity scene, the stunning flower arrangements throughout the house and the Christmas decorations for the first-timer are just jaw dropping.

The food was delicious and wonderfully varied; from their signature crab cakes and late night fish and chips to the sushi bar and the melt in the mouth roasts from The Mandarin Oriental hotel.

The entertainment was also perfectly arranged for this special Christmas party. We had Santa Bill who is the best Santa in town with the voice of an angel which he used to serenade people whilst dining. The band, Superbad, were excellent as ever and had people up and dancing under the stars and twisting by the pool. We also heard some songs from Georgia, amazingly talented for such a young girl. Musical talent obviously runs in the family as she was accompanied by her Dad, Mike from the band on his guitar.

One of my favourite fun parts of the evening was the communal rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas led by Santa Bill with everyone joining in within their groups according to their specific day. It proved to be a great fun ice breaker and it was lovely to see everyone enter into the spirit of the occasion with both song and dance!

Thanks to our team on the door, Anna and Nicholas, for all their hard work and effort in meeting and greeting all the guests, selling raffle tickets and taking donations.

Thank you also to everyone who attended and made such generous donations, I hope your arms weren’t twisted too far! Most of all a Huge Thank You to Gill and Vic for once again opening their beautiful home, for laying on the most wonderful seasonal party and for extending their kind and generous hospitality to the whole Nichada community.

I am delighted to announce that we raised a whopping 207, 510 baht on the night for the Kharma Foundation – amazing! On top of which, some friends of Gill and Vic’s, who could not make it on the night, donated a further 100,000 baht to make a grand total of 307,510 baht. Outstanding!

Gill and Vic feel that Christmas is the perfect time of year to reflect on our blessings and to give back to those less fortunate than ourselves. Although there are of course so many worthy causes here in Thailand, Gill and Vic are especially keen to seek out and help grass root causes. Every baht raised on the night will be going directly to the Kharma Foundation and it will be invested where it is needed most in building a new school. All monies raised on the night will go to Khun Nion's latest project to help under privileged children in the Mae Hong Son district of Thailand. If you wish to know more about this extremely worthy cause please visit kharmafoundation.com.

Sarah Glaze 18

Charity Spotlight: Kharma Foundation

Thani Talk ~February 2014

What is the Kharma Foundation?

Overwhelmed is the good word if I think of the support you have given to the Kharma Foundation.

Born seven years ago on a sickbed in a Thai hospital was the idea to do some good for children in poverty, never realizing a few years later we are actually building little school buildings and have a great support from all over the world.

This year we want to build a Kindergarten for the school of Baan Huai Grataai. We also want to make this school more nutrition independent by creating a chicken and pig house, a mushroom house, but also think of the children’s fun by donating a playground. The school is in an isolated area far from the known world. And of course we are looking to donate the goods they need the most: food, clothing, beds and bedding, school material and sports equipment.

We live with these wise words: “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” ― Franklin D. Roosevelt Thank you for your support. May Buddha, God or Allah bless you all!

Martin Haasbroek and Nion Sunpawishu Founders, Kharma Foundtion Donations being used for: Kindergarten building, mushroom house, fishpond with catfish, 8 pigs and pig house, 50 chickens and chicken house, playground, wheelchair, diesel power generator, 14 bunk beds, & more.

Soiree Highlights

Hosts Gill and Vic Adams 19

Community Bulletin Board

Thani Talk ~February 2014

The purpose of the Community Bulletin Board is to provide information about local organizations and activities which are available for a fee. If you would like to advertise your business here, please submit your announcement by the 15th of each month to nnrads@yahoo.com. Cost per announcement is 400 baht.

Vinyasa Yoga Develop strength, flexibility, balance, focus and awareness coordinating movement and breath.

Thursdays 8.15-9.45 am: Clark Hatch Gym above Starbucks. All levels welcome. Contact: Ellie Edelhoff 087-000-2464 or 02-987-9677 Email: eedelhoff@hotmail.com Meditation Courses (Individual or group) Learn to meditate-TM style. Relieves stress and anxiety. Improves health, academic, athletic, and professional performance. Easy natural, anyone can learn. Expert instruction by a 30-year teacher of meditation. Contact Ellie Edelhoff for more information. www.TM.org, www. tmeducation.org, www.DavidLynchFoundation.org Yoga Class with Napisa Mon: 8:45-10:15am, Energize and Restore, All Levels Wed: 7:45-9:15am, Strength and Smiles, Level 2 Wed: 10:00-11:00am, Prenatal Yoga Wed: 7:45-9:00pm, Evening Yoga, Level 1-2 Friday 7:45-9:15am, Back and Core Yoga, Level 1-2 @Studio Above Starbuck's Napisa C. Pant 086-975-7187 napisapant.yoga@gmail.com

Bollywood Dance Class-(Beginners/Advanced Bollywood dance is a fusion of Western, Eastern and Latin dance with traditional classical Indian dance styles. It’s funky, it’s sexy, it’s fun... and it’s a great workout! If you love to dance -this is for you!

Classes: Bollywood for Beginners– NEW!: Monday OR Thursday 9:30-10:30am Advanced: Tuesday 10am OR Wednesday OR Friday 9:30-10:30am All classes held at Regent Dance Studio, Nichada Thani.

For further information, contact Irit: 0860044840 or iritmike@gmail.com Kundalini Yoga Do kriyas to strengthen your body! Chant mantras and let’s meditate to enlarge our consciousness.

That is what we do in Kundalini Yoga. The Yoga of Awareness! All levels are welcome. Only experience is going into the heart! Have a try! Start: Tuesdays, except school-holidays 9.00-10.30am Clark Hatch Gym above Starbucks Instructor: Kerstin Wild–Kamalpreet Kaur at: 08 6372 9750 kerstin-georg-wild@online.de Please contact me for more information!

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Advertise your business here.

Contact: nnrads@yahoo.com

Charity Spotlight: Donations

Thani Talk ~February 2014

White Elephant Shop Makes a Difference As many of you are already aware, there’s a local thrift shop, the White Elephant, where items donated by the community are then sold and the proceeds are used for charity.

In the past, the White Elephant (WE) has donated and supported many different charities. This year, one of the primary goals of WE, is to make a significant improvement for one organization; while still supporting several smaller organizations.

Through many communications, WE is embarking on a large project for the Nonthaburi Reception Home for the Destitute, a shelter housing about 350 residents, of which most are elderly. Many of the residents cannot walk up and down stairs and the facility is currently not equipped with ramps or elevators so residents need to be carried. WE has pledged to fully fund the building of a handicap ramp in the amount of 175,000 baht. WE has also slated 30,000 baht to improve the home’s bathroom facilities and 6,000 baht for holiday gifts to volunteer workers at the home. WE is proud to be able to help the shelter in a meaningful and hopefully ongoing way.

Access ramp for handicapped at the Nonthaburi Reception Home for the Destitute.

WE continues to support other organizations as well, including 50,000 baht to the Philippines and 42,000 baht to the Thanksgiving Home for tuition and books.

Previous donations this year include a donation of sports equipment to Prasart Isalam School in the amount of 26,524 baht; 60,000 baht to the Queen Sirikit Center for Breast Cancer used to purchase two special chairs for women who are receiving chemotherapy; and 20,000 baht for the Thung Khanang Shelter for land mine victims at the Thai Cambodian border.

Thank you to our generous community for all of your many donations— please keep them coming! It would not be possible without you!

Chairs for chemotherapy patients

We welcome volunteers. We are in need of people who can work a 2 hour shift or more on a regular basis.

Please come by the store and check it out.

Jenn Bradley The White Elephant Thrift Shop Oasis Plaza, 2nd floor (near Bewitched) Tuesday-Friday 10-2 Saturday 10-12 You can get there on your golf cart!

Aid for landmine victims 21

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Heard It Through The Grapevine

Thani Talk ~February 2014

Heard It Through the GRAPEVINE This is a column that we hope everyone will appreciate. It’s a chance to share all those good finds and tips so that others can benefit. If you have tips to share, please send them to the editor at nnrnewsletter@yahoo.com.

RECYCLING: Batteries, Printer Cartridges, & Even Cell Phones

If you feel guilty tossing used batteries in the trash, there’s good news. You can dispose of them safely at a recycling point next to ISB’s high school cafeteria. Located in the narrow hallway leading to the restrooms, a variety of recycling containers await you.

From batteries to aluminum cans and can tabs, to ink jet cartridges and yes, even broken cell phones, there’s a receptacle that’s just right.

So please do your part for the environment and recycle safely.

Liz Lu

Key & Shoe Repairs: While-You-Shop Service Most shopping centers have key-making and shoe repair kiosks so that you can drop off a key or shoe order, go window-shopping for 15 minutes (keys) half an hour (new heels), or half a day (new soles) and return to pick them up when you’re ready to go. Copying keys cost about 30 baht, new heels are often 60 to 100 baht, and new soles, especially if stitching is required, may run several hundred baht.

The kiosks are often located near parking areas at basement level (Central Chidlom) or ground level (Mall Ngamwongwan). At Central Rathanathibet, the shoe kiosk is on the ground floor near Tops Liz Lu Supermarket.

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Thani Talk ~February 2014

Heard It Through The Grapevine

Handy List of Utility Service Providers Need to call one of your utility service providers? Here is a list of providers, along with the number to dial for assistance in English: AIS DTAC True Online True Visions

1175 (2 for English) 1678 (77 for English) 1686 (9 for English) 02-725-2525 (9 for English)

To contact the following providers it’s best to have a Thai speaker and/or a lot of patience: Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) Metropolitan Water Authority (MWA) Telephone Organization of Thailand (TOT)

1130 1125 02-240-0701 Monique Langer

Chao Phraya Express Boat Offers Convenience, Value For those looking to avoid the downtown gridlock, the Chao Phraya Express Boat is a great way to get into town. With several stops along the Chao Phraya River, the Express Boat makes for a scenic and relatively quick way to get to several river-bound stops.

At only 15 baht per trip, the boat is a great bargain.

The “green flag” boat is the closest to Nichada with a stop at the Pakkret Pier. However, that boat only runs during the commute hours of 6:10-8:10am (departing Pakkret) and 4:05 to 6:05pm (departing Sathorn - last stop).

The “orange flag” boat has more options for departures and arrivals, but leaves from Nonthaburi pier, which is slightly further out from Nichada. I recently took the boat from Nonthaburi pier to Oriental pier and was there in about an hour.

From the boat, you can access Wat Pho (Tien pier), Chinatown (Rajawongse pier), and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel (Oriental pier). The end of the line is Sathorn, which will put you right at the Saphan Taksin BTS station. Make sure you’re on time when boarding and de-boarding -- the boat waits for no one! Visit http://www.chaophrayaexpressboat.com/en/home for schedule and route information.

Monique Langer 27

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When Life gets Overwhelming Reach Out for Help‌ For 30 years, Carl Janowitz has provided counseling for adults, adolescents and families. Educated and trained in the United States, he also had a private clinic at Bumrungrad Hospital for five years. Now with two locations downtown and also in Pattaya, Carl specializes in clients dealing with life changes, relationship conflict, stress management, school problems, substance abuse and self esteem issues.

For a confidential appointment please call 089 680 3503 or counselor_cj@bangkokhappy.com www.bangkoktherapy.com Carl Janowitz Marriage and Family Therapist First Tower Sukhumvit 1/1 (Behind Bumrungrad)

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Community News

Thani Talk ~February 2014

Nichada’s ‘Secret Garden’ Night Market Fun for All The evening of Saturday, January 18, marked Nichada’s inaugural Secret Garden Night Market.

Located near the new Villa, the night market was very well-attended by residents of all ages. With everything from shopping to delicious food to live entertainment and more, the market promises to deliver monthly family-friendly entertainment in a safe and welcoming environment. Future Secret Garden night markets are scheduled for February 1, March 1, April 5, May 3 and June 7.

A live band performing old favorites and new hits.

The Nichada Thani mascots welcome all to the night market.

The boys of the Baan Poomwaet Boys Home, one of NNR’s sponsored charities, were selling hand-made goods at their booth near the entrance.

Kids jumped in the bounce house until well into the evening.

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Around Nonthaburi and Beyond

Events: Concerts Thaiticketmajor—-www.thaiticketmajor.com

Avril Lavigne: Live in Bangkok February 11, 8:30 pm Impact Arena

Events: Shopping, Impact Arena Bangkok Expo February 15-23 Furniture, fashion, beauty, food and wedding 53rd Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair February 15-March 1

Clubs: International

Thani Talk ~February 2014

Adult Volleyball League: Wednesdays at 6:30 PM (and some Mondays) playing friendly matches in ISB’s Rajendra Hall.

Contact Pat Sethbhakdi: psethbhakdi@hotmail.com Nichada Tennis Leagues Tuesday-Intermediate League Mary McCarty: mrymccrty@yahoo.com Friday 7:30-9:30- Intermediate/Advanced League Ann McVey: tim_mcvey@hotmail.com

Worship Venues The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) 50/33 Moo 4 Chaengwattana Road, Pakkret, Nonthaburi. Church service in English begins at 11 a.m. All are welcome!

CCT - Club Canada Thailand Open to all nationalities. Monthly tours, book group, Lunch Bunch, and other social events. www.clubcanadathailand.com

Chaengwattana Community Church Sunday Service- 9:30am Tues/Wed evenings: Life Groups- Encouraging WedWed 9:30am: Encouraging Women Youth Group (high school) Sunday 6:30pm BWG - British Women's Group Monthly Luncheon, Activities, Coffee Mornings. Youth Group (middle school) Thursdays 6:30pm http://www.cccthailand.org Open to all nationalities.

Contact: Sarah Glaze 081-793 0806 Catholic Mass in Nonthaburi www.bwgbangkok.com; Our Lady of Mercy Church info@bwgbangkok.com 69/13 Moo 1, Tiwanon Rd. Ban Mai, Pakkred.

ANZWG -Australia/New Zealand Women’s English Mass: Sundays at 5:15pm Group Faith Formation Religious Ed/CCD) Classes Monthly Coffee Mornings, Tours, Newsletter & OurLadyofMercyParish@gmail.com Activities Synagogue www.anzwg-bangkok.org Beth Elisheva Synagogue, Mikveh & Jewish Center AWC—American Women’s Club of Thailand 121 Soi SaiNamThip 2, Sukhumvit Road, Soi 22 Monthly Luncheon, Activities and Coffee Tel: 02-663-0244; Fax: 663-0245 Morning. Contact: 02-712-3380/1 awc@awcthailand.org; www.awcthailand.org Mosque Soi Prasert Issaram Mosque Clubs: Hobbies 8 Moo 3 Soi Prasert Issaram, Pakkred, Nonthaburi Neighborhood mosque just outside of Nichada Thani.

Nonthaburi Needlers: Meets Tuesday mornings. Open to quilters, needlers, knitters and Buddhist Temple all who love needle art.

Wat Bua Khwan (วัดบัวขวัญ) Contact Charlotte Sanders at: 1 Moo 9 Ngamwongwan Road, Muang, Nonthaburi NonthaburiNeedlers@gmail.com 02-952-8062; Watbuakhwan.com Popular local temple offering merit-making, prayer, Clubs: Sports blessings and funeral services.

Men’s Softball League: 15 minutes from Nichada. Go via Samakkee Road, on Slo-pitch men’s softball. League runs from No- shortcut soi just before the expressway on-ramp near vember to May. Contact: Troy Regis at: Ngamwongwan. (troyr@isb.ac.th) 33

Tour Tales

Thani Talk ~February 2014

Flower Arranging Workshop Delights All Thank you to Sponsor Asian Tigers, and Hostess Karen Mitchell When I heard that NNR’s December tour will be a flower arranging workshop in Nichada Park, it was exciting news for me. I had thought that traditional Thai flower arrangement is very complex. But after going through the workshop, it became clear that it is an art form that requires passion, and it’s also relaxing and fun.

Our trainers, Khun Pichada, Khun Chalam and Khun Hart, were wonderful teachers. We used different types of flowers such as marigold, love flower, (Dokmai Rak inThai), Buddha flower (Pull in Thai), white jampi (which smells like jasmine), toey orchid (lemon colour with good aroma), golden pandanus leaves, betel, globe amaranth (its Thai name translates into “bachelor button everlasting”).

It was hands-on training. Once we finished arranging the flowers, it became a temple shape.

Thanks a lot to Asian Tigers for sponsoring the workshop. Special thanks to our friend and hostess Karen Mitchell, who provided her house as the venue for this workshop. Big thanks also go to NNR tour leader Alexandra Ries who organized the event.

This year-end NNR tour in Nichada Thani was a fun and obviously amazing get-together for us.

Jesmin Tarana Flower arrangement = cliche'?

NOT REALLY! Now I know Thai style flower bouquet has so much precious meaning. Thanks for Alexandra who organized this NNR tour for us.

Young-Mee Won

Hostess Karen Mitchell (lt) and guests

It's a great way to meet new or old friends while relaxing oneself. For some it's also a great opportunity to discover new talents and develop new hobbies! I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop!

Thanks for organizing the workshop and also a big thanks to Karen !

Tao Yu

Our wonderful flower-arranging teachers 34

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January Social Recap

Thani Talk ~February 2014

January Coffee Social: White Elephant Gift Exchange On January 24 we held our Coffee Social with a White Elephant Gift Exchange game. I would like to thank Charlotte Sanders for inviting us into her beautiful home and for making everyone feel so welcome. It was a small but very friendly gathering and was the perfect opportunity to catch up after the Christmas holidays. We also got to meet and chat to some newcomers. Thank you to our wonderful hostess and all who attended!

Sarah Glaze The January coffee social was a great way to meet new people and reconnect after the holidays. Charlotte opened up her beautiful home and it was a blast doing the White Elephant gift exchange. Everyone left with a taste of good food and something new – the bathing-suit clad lady pot holder was really something. Thanks to all for providing information on the many opportunities to volunteer and contribute to the local area (specifically the White Elephant Thrift store at Oasis and working with the Breast Cancer Support group in Bangkok).

Lee Derr

Lovely way to for a newly arrived person to meet the "local" ladies. The White Elephant game is a great ice-breaker.

Veronica Leaney (Five weeks in Thailand)

A White Elephant Poem White Elephant gift exchange, Keep your gift or state: “Revenge!”

Open the gift, close it, hide it As another pair of hands might get it!

It was a great opportunity to share holiday travel stories. I got tips on visiting Vietnam and Australia. There was a very informative presentation from Renee about the White Elephant store in Oasis. The food was excellent, a good variety of both sweet and savory.

Karen Johnston

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A black feather boa and a bag in my hand Next minute they turn into sand.

Instead there is a soap and a lavender sack Wrapped in a small yellow pack!

It’s fun and it’s fast and it’s for a good cause Like my gift? Well, I like yours!

Sanya Stanley

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Recipe Corner: Mardi Gras

Thani Talk ~February 2014

Mardi Gras Recipe: Easy Shrimp Étouffée Mardi Gras is a big deal in many Southern states in the US, and especially in my home state of Louisiana. Mardi Gras is of French and Catholic origin, and while it’s popular throughout the US, it is celebrated famously in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The exact date of Mardi Gras Day changes every year based on the Lenten season of the Catholic Church. This year, it falls on Tuesday, March 4. In the US, Mardi Gras Day is also called “Fat Tuesday,” which is the final day of Mardi Gras season. This day is always the day before Ash Wednesday, which kicks off Lent and traditions of fasting. So Mardi Gras season is a time of celebrations, indulgence in rich foods - among other vices! - in preparation for the Lenten season, a time of ‘cutting back,’ which runs from Ash Wednesday until Easter.

Mardi Gras in New Orleans is most well known for parades of elaborate floats, marching bands, and revelers who come out to catch the throws of beads, plastic cups, toys and trinkets!

In New Orleans, one of the most common local dishes we cook is Crawfish Étouffée (pronounced "ay-too-fay"). Here in Thailand, we modify the recipe to swap the crawfish out for shrimp. And voilà! It's Shrimp Étouffée.

So how does this tie into Mardi Gras? ‘Crawfish season’ is often starting during Mardi Gras time and therefore overlaps some of Mardi Gras season. A personal favorite time of year in New Orleans is when the two seasons overlap! Crawfish boils are the most common way to eat crawfish - by the pot full! So it is not same-same but when living abroad, this recipe still serves as a little taste of home.

EASY SHRIMP ÉTOUFFÉE 1 cup butter 1 cup chopped green onions 1/2 cup chopped celery 1/4 cup chopped parsley 1 kilo shrimp 2 cups broth of choice (seafood, chicken, etc) Salt Cayenne pepper 1 tsp cornstarch Peel & de-vein shrimp, set aside. Melt butter in large skillet. Sauté green onions and celery for 10 minutes until tender. Add parsley, shrimp, broth, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper (can add more to personal taste). Bring to a boil, cook minutes or until shrimp are pink. Dissolve cornstarch in a small amount of water and add to sauce.

Serve over rice, garnish with lemon slices. Bon appétit!

Sheri Gros If you have a favorite holiday or everyday recipe you would like to share, please contact us at nnrnewsletter@yahoo.com. We’d love to hear from you!

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Why Diets Don’t Work

Source: Allfunnystuff.com

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Thani Talk ~February 2014

Community

Road Safety Tips Reminders for living in the Nichada Thani Community. The rules state: • Drivers of golf carts must be over 15 (ISB requires students to be 16 and have a valid drivers license) • Drivers must be 18 or older to operate a motorcycle.

• Due to the width of the roads, passing is prohibited • Bike lanes are reserved for pedal bikes only • Parents dropping off children must enter the ISB gate, stopping at the crosswalks is prohibited • In addition to the Nichada Thani traffic guard who patrols the community, parents, teachers, and Nichada Thani employees have the responsibly to report violations to the appropriate school administrator and the Nichada Thani Customer Relations Office.

Nichada’s handbook outlines all vehicle regulations and fines and a copy is available at the Nichada office or by contacting the Customer Relations Office for an on-line copy.

Lee Derr

Bike Safety * Always wear a helmet when riding a bike or motorcycle * Use locks after parking bicycles * Wear white or bright-colored clothing, reflective vests or use flashing lights to stay visible to passing cars. You can also add reflective tape to your backpack if you're wearing one. * Do not wear lose clothing or pants that may get caught in the bicycle chain or spokes. If pant legs are too loose, place a rubber band around pant legs. When you reach your destination, simply slip rubber band around your ankles, under the pants. * Ride in the direction of the traffic. Riding against traffic on the wrong side of the road is illegal and increases a cyclist's risk dramatically because motorists making turns may not check traffic for wrong-way cyclists. * Do not use earphones to listen to music while riding your bike. You need to be on maximum alert for sounds and traffic around you at all times.

Some Info adapted from WikiHow 44

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Feature

Thani Talk ~February 2014

The Tragedy Behind Elephant Tourism Elephants, the impressive and magnificent grey giants, have become a huge part of the Thai tourist industry, and are one of the “must-sees” for people visiting the country. Understandably, most people jump at the occasion to interact with them, whether it may be riding, feeding or petting them. Although elephant rides are most popular, there are many other forms of elephant tourism such as shows, festivals, and circuses that are also common. Despite the fact that most people consider these seemingly innocent activities fun, they are often unaware of the terrible consequences such activities have on elephants.

(Below) The Phajaan The Phajaan is the training method elephants undergo in order to be a part of the tourism industry. This generally accepted and widely used method of training is incredibly abusive and stressful for the animal. As babies, the elephants are stripped from their mothers and put in confined spaces. Then, they are ritualistically beaten with sharp sticks, such as bamboo riddled with sharp nails, as well as starved and deprived of sleep. This horrible practice continues until the elephant’s spirit is crushed and has become completely submissive to humans.

Elephants, which are highly intelligent animals, can be traumatized by this experience, leaving permanent emotional scars. As if this already wasn’t bad enough, elephants used for rides are often worked every day without rest, chafed and sore from the uncomfortable saddles unfit for their spine.

Sadly, most elephants involved in elephant tourism live this reality, and lead a very poor quality of life, resulting in physical and mental illness, and often, premature death. Unfortunately, most tourists are unaware of the terrible treatment the elephants they are so keen to interact with, receive, and unknowingly perpetuate these practices.

(Above) Chained elephant (Rt.) Baby elephant being loaded with tourists 46

Thani Talk ~February 2014

Feature Alternative: Elephant Sanctuaries

Thankfully, for elephants, not all hope is lost.

The answer comes in the form of elephant sanctuaries. North of Chiang Mai, the 250-acre Elephant Nature Park rescues and rehabilitates elephants that have been victims of cruel treatment.

The park provides a natural and peaceful environment for disabled, orphaned, blind, and rescued elephants of all ages. The park gives tourists the unique opportunity to work hands on with the elephants and to take part in their healing by bathing or feeding them. Instead of participating in the harsh treatment that unfortunately surrounds most elephants, the park encourages the positive type of elephant tourism, where tourists can interact with the animal in an environment of love, respect and hope.

So, whether you’re looking for new family activities for an upcoming trip or recommending adventures in Thailand for foreigners, make sure to enlighten them about the true story behind elephant tourism and what they can do to help their plight.

Street Elephants It is illegal to have elephants walking the streets of Bangkok, and yet, there are currently more than 100 elephants in the Thai capital used for begging. These elephants suffer from extremely harsh treatment, both physically and psychologically. Poor nutrition, injured feet, lung damage, hearing impairment and skin damage are only some of the consequences which living on the street brings to elephants.

These highly intelligent animals are being misused and treated with the utmost cruelty, and it is vital for this practice to be stopped. Although it is a big problem to tackle, there are several small things we can do to help.

A baby elephant far too young to be separated from its mother.

Olwenn Fruchart

How You Can Help Elephants Boycott. Despite how pitiful the animals look, paying to feed them will only encourage the practice of begging. If there is less demand for feeding street elephants, the owners will have to make different choices–perhaps looking to sell their elephants to sanctuaries.

Donate to organizations or sanctuaries that help take care of mistreated elephants. Although doing this won’t put the problem to an end, sanctuaries take care of elephants that have been saved from the streets, and giving money helps participate in these elephants’ healing.

Educate those around you. Getting enough people to be aware of the terrible treatment elephants on the street face is one of the most important steps to getting rid of this problem permanently.

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Thani Talk ~February 2014

Restaurant Review

Roast Coffee & Eatery ‘Comfort Food’ with Sophistication Another gem in the eating world that Bangkok has to offer, Roast Coffee & Eatery has been open for a few years and offers what they describe as “comfort food,” serious coffee and a passion for excellent, fresh, organic fare. This eco-friendly establishment says ‘quality’ – both in terms of the food they produce and the service that goes with it.

The atmosphere in this chill, urban setting is relaxed and yet has a vibe that is often found in eateries that have somehow found the secret of getting it ‘right’. The floor to ceiling windows, urban yet countrified décor, and sophisticated overlay ensure that most people will feel very comfortable here. It is simply a great place to chat, to eat and to enjoy.

The “comfort food” is definitely “comfort food with sophistication,” and is created with a great deal of thought and passion from the team who both created the concept of Roast, and also the team who operate it on a daily basis. Ingredients are fresh, combinations creative, and prices are good. The menu is charmingly presented in newspaper style, and features interesting background about what is happening behind the scenes.

Roast Coffee & Eatery SeenSpace, 2nd Floor Thonglor 13 Tel: 02-185-2865 www.roastbkk.com Mon – Thurs: 10am – 11pm Fri – Sat: 9am – 11pm Sun: 9am – 10pm

Breakfast and brunch are a big thing here, and range from 180 to 420 baht (e.g., basil & goat cheese frittatas/cassoulet).

Lunch is in the same price range as breakfast and offers delicious favorites.

Dinners range from 180 baht (New England clam chowder) to 1290 baht (herb roasted beef tenderloin). Yummy desserts will set you back 150 to 240 baht (e.g., Choccy soufflé with Grandmarnier sauce). Their famous drinks (e.g., Strawberry honey iced tea and lychee & orange smoothie) are served in cute glass jars, and coffees need a separate paragraph, as the eatery’s name would suggest!

Take your friends, your partners, your teenagers. It is a great place to hang out and enjoy yummy food!

Sally Elliott

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Providing highquality quality custom custom tailoring forfor more Providing high tailoring more than 45 years, Raja’s Fashions has been featured in than 45 years, Voguehas Magazine, International Living,Vogue Raja’sMen's Fashions been featured in Men's Worth Magazine, Esquire, Fortune, Bangkok Guide, Magazine, Lonely Planet, Frommer’s Guide, Fodor’s Guide, International Living, Magazine, Esquire, The Washington Post,Worth Vivre A Bangkok, Conde Nast Magazine and Fortune, many other travel magazines.

Bangkok Guide, Lonely Planet, Frommer’s Guide,

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DELIVERY RESTAURANTS

PHONE

Baan Kimchi Korean BBQ/Thai Cuisine 02-952-0031 BBQ Sandwich King

086-773-4140

Bukhara (Afghan/Indian)

082-443-1398

Burger King/Pizza Company

1112

Food Loft

02-831-5588

KFC and Pizza Hut

1150

Le Bouchon Food Delivery McDonald’s Milano’s @ Pro Club

02-962-2850 1711 02-582-1555

Mr. Enzo’s

02-960-0412

New York Diner

081-624-2099

NICC Club

02-960-4326

Olive Restaurant

02-960-3286

Que Pasa

02-960-3821

Sapna (Indian and Afghan food delivery) 02-960-3141 Scoozi

02-715-8555

Subway

02-960-3232

Sudhathai

02-583-2694

Slider Shack

086-773-4140

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BUSINESS

PHONE

Bamboo Spa Bank Krungsri Bumrungrad Family Clinic

02-583-9871 02-582-2669 02-960-4216

Clark Hatch Fitness Center Crystal Holiday Travel Gain Florist

02-960-4326 / 27 02-960-4469 081-644-0590

Hair By Jib Happy Teeth Dental Clinic Great Massage

02-960-3783 02-960-3988 02-960-3691

ISB

02-963-5800

Le Studio Hair 084-022-9928 Nichada Customer Relations 02-960-4300 Pandit Carpets Panipa Pum’s Salon Rex Pharmacy Rose Marie Academy Shawn Carpets Smile Beauty Starbucks Twist Villa Market

081-828-2562 02-960-3934 02-583-7117 02-960-4001 02-960-3663 090-564-8927 081-828-1637 02-967-9686 02-911-6839 02 -584-5444

Wash-N-Dry 085-945-4132 4 Legs Pet Shop Grooming 02-960-4189

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