September 2017
N o w o n l i n e a t : w w w. i s s u u . c o m / n n r t h a n i t a l k
Thani Talk NONTHABURI NEIGHBORHOOD REACH
Serving the Nonthaburi community and supporting local charities since 1994
Cover Story: Mega Edition Grapevine Tips Pages 14-21
People: Khun Veerapong, Owner of NY Diner Pages 42-43
Highlights: Charity News Pages 32-35
Feature: Meet the Thani Talk Team Pages 10-11 Thani Talk is generously sponsored by:
NNR (Nonthaburi Neighborhood Reach) 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 Thani Talk, a free monthly magazine that has a distribution of 1,400 copies, as well as hosting an annual charity bazaar. We host monthly socials and organize monthly tours. There are no membership dues, and anyone living in Nonthaburi is already a member.
Connect with NNR
facebook.com/nnrthailand
issuu.com/nnrthanitalk
sites.google.com/site/nnrguide
Thani Talk Ad Rates 1 page
19x26.5 cm.
3000 baht
1/2 page
19x13 cm.
1,800 baht
1/4 page
9x13 cm.
1000 baht
• • • •
Rates per issue, discount for annual ad Based on space availability Deadline for all ads is the 10th of each month Contact nnradverts@yahoo.com for more information
DISCLAIMER: The placement of advertisements and articles in this newsletter does not constitute or imply endorsement by the NNR of any product or service. The NNR accepts no responsibility for any claims made in any advertisement and the opinions expressed in any articles are not necessarily the views of the NNR committee.
NNR BOARD 2017-2018 Chairperson
Henrietta Bullinger
NNRThaiChair@gmail.com
Vice Chairperson
Sally Elliot
sallyelliott@me.com
Treasurer
Sandra Wilson
nnrthaitreasurer@gmail.com
Activity/Tour Coordinators
Susanne Rodrigues Pascale Kervyn
NNR Socials
Chantal Bremner
nnrsocial@gmail.com
Charity & Volunteer Coordinators
Mare Harvey Cyndy Henry
nnrcharity@gmail.com
Adverting Director
Ginny Condra
Thani Talk News Team
Liz Lu (Editor) See below for Thani Talk Team
Distribution Coordinator
Alyson Espinoza Diaz
Communications Director
Kiki O’Connor
092-458-3505
suratoru@yahoo.co.uk nnrtour@gmail.com
095-247-5692 nnradvert@gmail.com nnrnews@gmail.com 090-656-9930 alysonespinoza@gmail.com niall.kiki@gmail.com
Thani Talk Team: Advertising Director and Proofreader (Ginny Condra), Graphics Consultant (Bill Fear), Restaurant Reviewers (John Marinos, Vara Sumetanon, Barb Lewis), Distribution Coordinator (Alyson Espinoza Diaz) 2 September 2017 T h a n i Ta l k
NNR Chairperson’s Letter
Welcome and Welcome Back! Sawadee Kha! Welcome to Nichada if you are a new arrival, welcome home if you’re returning after the summer. Nonthaburi Neighborhood Reach (NNR) is here to get you connected, we are a volunteer group dedicated to serving our community and supporting the needy in Pakkret. Everyone who lives in Nichada, as well as those in nearby communities, is automatically a member of NNR. There are no membership dues. We host a social and a tour every month to strengthen the bond in our expatriate community in Nonthaburi. We also support local charities by raising money through our annual bazaar in November, as well as by harnessing the good will and passion of our community through in-kind donations and volunteer activities. This is the first of eight issues of NNR’s Thani Talk magazine this year. Thani Talk is delivered free of charge to everyone who lives in Nichada, as well as to expat neighbors in the surrounding communities. The magazine usually arrives in the first few days of
the month. You can also access it online at issuu.com/ nnrthanitalk. We also have an online calendar to keep you abreast of activities in and around Nichada and in Bangkok, as well as an online directory. NNR’s first event is a Welcome Coffee on Friday September 8 at Mare Harvey’s home (39/625 Baan Rim Lake) from 10 am to 12 noon. Light refreshments will be served. Please come and bring a friend. We look forward to meeting you!
Inside This Issue
Calendar of Events
NNR Social
Sept. 1: Contemporary Thai Music and Dance Show, at Chulalongkorn University (Free admission) Sept. 5: First Story Time of Fall, at Bumble Bee Free Library (9:30am-11:30am) Sept. 8: NNR Welcome Coffee, at 625 Baan Rim Lake (10am-Noon) p.4 Sept. 13: NNR Tour, at National Museum Bangkok (7:30am) p. 5 Sept. 14: Casual Connections Nichada, at 899 Regent (10am) p. 30 Sept. 23: Living in Bangkok, at Bumrungrad Hospital (9am-5pm) p. 7
NNR Chairperson’s Letter NNR September Social NNR September Tour Thani Talk Team Cover Story: Grapevine Tips, Mega Edition Fitness & Activities Listings Highlights: NNR’s May Farewell Social Highlights: NNR’s July Summer Social Community News Travel PEOPLE: Profile Restaurant Review
3 4 5 10 14 22 28 29 30 38 42 49
Henrietta Bullinger Chairperson, NNR
Sept. 30: Running Dinner, at various homes. p. 6
Cover photo by Nicole Ostmeier
Nicole has moved from Bangkok to Hamburg, Germany. The cover photo was taken in Phuket, Thailand.
Nonthaburi Neighborhood Reach September 2017
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www.nophotography.de info@nophotography.de
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NNR September Social
Welcome Coffee
NNR September Social Friday, September 8, 2017
10 am - Noon 625 Baan Rim Lake
(Mare Harvey’s Home)
The NNR offers a warm welcome to all new Nichada neighbors and a welcome back to all those returning. We are pleased to invite the community to the 2017 Welcome Coffee. The coffee morning provides an opportunity to introduce the community to representatives from various organizations and clubs in the area. Please join us! For additional information feel free to contact Chantal Bremmer, NNR Social Coordiantor at nnrsocial@gmail.com or 092-929-1470 Respectively, Your NNR Board
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NNR September Tour
NNR Tour: Sept. 13 National Museum Bangkok Guided Tour
The National Museum Bangkok is located near the Grand Palace in the historic royal district known as Rattanakosin Island. The museum is on the site of the former Wang Na--the deputy king’s palace and is the largest museum of its kind in Southeast Asia. Opened in 1928, National Museum Bangkok houses beautiful and diverse exhibits including sculptural treasures from Thailand and SE Asia, elephant howdahs, royal furnishings, weapons, porcelain, musical instruments, spectacular funerary chariots and a consecrated chapel with beautiful antique mural paintings of the life of Buddha. Wear comfortable shoes and bring some water. Not all of the rooms are air-conditioned, so please wear light clothing. We ask that you be respectful of the culture, as we are entering one the most important landmarks in the country--no exposed shoulders and please cover your knees. The 2-hour NNR tour will be in English. Following the tour, we stroll through a nearby amulet market and have a coffee or light lunch in a neighboring cafÊ. Pascale Kervyn and Susanne Rodrigues, NNR Tour Coordinators Date; September 13, 2017 Time: Meet at 7:30 a.m. Where: ISB, in front of the Chevron theater Cost: 600 baht includes museum entrance, guided tour, and transportation To sign up: Please email Pascale at: nnrtour@gmail.com September 2017
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Running Dinner
Saturday, September 30, 2017 - Looking for an easy, fun night out? - Interested in connecting with your neighbors? - Want to enjoy a three course meal? - Do you have another person to sign up with you? Sign up for the Running Dinner at runningdinner5@gmail.com by September 19, 2017! Please note, the Running Dinner starts at 7:00 pm. Courses are hosted in homes within golf cart range in Nichada. Your partner does not have to be your spouse; bring a friend along! Please include your name, partner’s name, address, phone number and any allergies.
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September 2017
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About Maid and Nanny บริษัทจัดหาแม่บ้านและพี่เลี้ยง
Ayasan
over
3,000 Clients in BKK
Ayasan Service Co.,Ltd www.ayasan-service.com / www.ayasan-app.com DAE-MA Place - Office Room 105 Soi Rattanathibech 22, Bang Kraso, Nonthaburi TEL 02-043-2612 / 095-947-9584
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Thani Talk Team
Meet the Thani Talk Team Hello everyone! Welcome to the September issue of Thani Talk, a monthly magazine published by our community’s non-profit volunteer group, Nonthaburi Neighborhood Reach (NNR). Contrary to what some people mistakenly believe, NNR and Thani Talk are not part of the Nichada Thani company, but are instead an independent organization and publication. In this issue, I am pleased to introduce the wonderful members of the Thani Talk team. You may have seen their bylines and certainly you’ve seen the result of their work, but mostly team members have taken a behind-the-scenes role. Introducing them to you in this issue is my way of saluting them for their dedication in bringing you an informative magazine each month. We see Thani Talk as playing an important role in uniting members of our community and empowering everyone to help others, especially those who are less fortunate. On the production team, we have Ginny Condra, who wears two hats: as advertising director and proofreader; Bill
Fear, a computer and desktop publishing expert who has been truly invaluable as our design consultant; and new Thani Talk member Alyson Espinoza Diaz, distribution coordinator who makes sure this free magazine is delivered to you each month. In addition, we have three talented restaurant reviewers who take turns introducing readers to new and unique eateries in Nonthaburi and beyond. I’m the last member of the Thani Talk team. I’m an American who was born in Taiwan but grew up in Maryland. I worked as a newspaper journalist before moving to Thailand. My children were all born and raised in Thailand. While they were at ISB, I served on the PTA board and was editor of the group’s Touchstone magazine. Yup, I really like writing, editiing and publishing. I’ve been editor of the NNR publication twice, most recently when I rejoined the NNR board in 2012. It’s a pleasure to introduce the Thani Talk team, and a privilege to create the magazine for you each month. Happy reading! Liz Lu, Editor, Thani Talk
Production & Distribution Team Ginny Condra: My family moved to Thailand two years ago after nine years in Vietnam. We’re from the United States and our two boys, Will (16) and George (15), are enjoying school life at ISB. I joined the Thani Talk team last year after thorough training from long-term advertising coordinator Laura Sadowski! I’ve learned a lot from Liz, Bill and the team and enjoy working on a publication that shares news about NNR’s charity projects, the passionate dedication of the volunteers and community resources.
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Bill Fear: I moved to Thailand some 12 years ago. I am from the beautiful city of Bath in the UK. I have worked for Rose Marie Academy in Nichada for 4 years as an ICT Teacher/Specialist, and last year, I had the pleasure of meeting Liz and Ginny over an informal discussion about the RMA school ad in the Thani Talk publication. I was so impressed by their dedication and hard work producing Thani Talk that it prompted me to assist them with the technical aspects of desktop publication design software and at the same time contribute to the community.
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Alyson Espinoza Diaz: I am from the United States, and our family has been in Thailand for five years now. We have a 9th grade son, Gabriel, and a 2nd grade daughter, Lucy at ISB, so I spend much of my time at school. I have helped deliver Thani Talk to my neighborhood for the past two years. This year I joined the NNR Board as Coordinator of Thani Talk distribution, in charge of getting the news magazine to more than 1,400 households with the help of neighborhood volunteers.
September 2017
Our Wonderful Restaurant Reviewers John Marinos: I’m a US citizen from New York City, and I have been living in Thailand and Nichada for eight years. I have two boys, aged 9 and 11, and I work at the United Nations supporting humanitarian response throughout Asia. I’ve written for Thani Talk for nearly three years. I enjoy reviewing restaurants for Thani Talk because it makes me feel as if my enormous appetite can finally be put towards a good cause! *Check out page 49 for John’s review of PaperButter, which he has crowned as the best burger place in Bangkok.
I’m Vara Sumetanon. My family is Thai-American. I have three children in grades 11, 5, and 4. I moved back to Thailand about 7 years ago after spending over 15 years in the USA; mostly living in Troy, Michigan. I started contributing to Thani Talk (the restaurant review section) about a year and a half ago after getting to know Liz from volunteering with the Bumble Bee Free Library project. I love contributing to Thani Talk mainly because I enjoy reading it so much. It’s always nice to get feedback from people who have tried and loved the restaurants I recommend.
My name is Barbara Lewis. I have been in Bangkok for a little over two years. I volunteered for the NNR and was the Bazaar Coordinator for two years. I also volunteer to visit foreign prisoners held in Thai jails. I am currently working full time as a teacher at Rose Marie Academy. I have two grown children who live in Canada where I am from. I like to write and thought that Thani Talk would be a great place to write restaurant reviews. I also write for Expat Life.
Thani Talk Distributors Needed For Lakeshore West and Nichada Park Interested? Contact Alyson at: Alysonespinoza@gmail.com
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Index to Major Thani Talk Articles
2012 - 2017
Archive issues can be viewed at:
issuu.com/nnrthanitalk Other Travel Articles
Did you know that five years’ worth of Thani Talk magazines (2012-2017) can be accessed online at: issuu.com/nnrthanitalk? To help you search for stories and events of interest, here’s a partial index of recommended articles. We welcome your feedback. To contact the editor, email Liz at: nnrnews@gmail.com.
Cover Stories: Editor’s Picks 2014 April: Meet Our Muslim Neighbors 2014 December: 10th Anniversary of the Southeast Asian Tsunami 2014 September: 20th Anniversary of Nonthaburi Neighborhood Reach (NNR) 2015 December: Religious Venues: Meet Our Diverse Community: Worshipping and Living Side by Side in Harmony
Cover Stories: News Round Ups 2015 September: International Clubs in Bangkok 2016 October: Charities and Volunteering 2015 November: Sports Roundup 2016 March: Libraries of Bangkok 2016 April: Massages
Cover Stories: Tips for Newcomers
* Note: Tips in archive issues may be out of date. For latest updates, please check with social media links listed on pages 14-15. 2012 September: Getting Settled 2013 September: Medical Resources
Annual Travel Issue 2014 February: Aurora Borealis in Sweden, Bungee jumping in New Zealand, Beaches of Thailand, Disneyland in Hong Kong 2015 February: Skiing in Canada, Safari in Tanzania, Safari in South Africa 2017 February: Ballooning in Myanmar; Motorcycle Roadtrip in Thailand; Hanoi to Sapa in Vietnam; Exploring Kyoto; Iceland by Mini Van 12
Nov. 2014: Yunan, China April 2015: Dubai May 2015: Guilin, China Sept. 2015: Australia by Camper Van Oct. 2015: Korat Zoo Nov. 2015: Cambodia Dec. 2015: Bhutan Sept. 2016: Taiwan March 2017: Lotz, Poland April 2017: Katmandu, Nepal May 2017: Myanmar
Annual Farewell Issue May Issues of 2013- 2017 (Where are folks off to next?)
PEOPLE: Profiles 2014 April: Cover story includes mini profile of Shawn Akbar, owner, Cafe Kabul and Shawn Carpets. 2014 September: Alex Janney, owner of Que Pasa. 2014 October: Bill Reinsch, co-founder, Transpo International Ltd./ Asian Tigers. Reinsch Field at ISB is named after him. 2016 March: Liz Lu, founder, Bumble Bee Free Library, Editor, Thani Talk. 2016 April: Rose Marie Wanchupela, owner, Rose Marie Academy. 2016 September: Mare Harvey, former chairperson, NNR. Current co-coordinator, NNR Charity. 2016 October: Madison Warta, owner, Madison’s Chicken. 2016 November: Bruno Marchal, owner, Le Bouchon. 2016 December: Wanda Grove, former co-chair, NNR Charity Committee. 2017 February: Cherry Thamthai, owner, Cherry Sweet Kitchen. 2017 March: Anthony Stennes, former owner, Party Guys. 2017 April: Merritt Gurley, co-owner, Thailand Summer Camps. 2017 May: Secillia Schudel, co-founder, White Elephant; former owner, Baan Kimchi. 2017 September: K Veerapong Netiwinyoo, owner, New York Diner.
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Cover Story: Grapevine Tips, Mega Edition
Heard it Through the Grapevine
This column offers a chance to share all those good finds and tips that are helpful to others. If you have tips to share, please send them to Liz at nnrnews@gmail.com Word-of-mouth advice often provides the best tips. Whether you are searching for a good doctor, looking for a fun weekend get-away, or wanting to try a new restaurant, friends and neighbors can point you in the right direction. That was one reason why several years ago Thani Talk started publishing “Heard it Through the Grapevine,” a special column offering readers recommendations shared by others in the community. It’s usually a 2-page column, but in this issue, we are pleased to present an expanded mega edition of “Heard
it Through the Grapevine,” filled with brand new tips, as well as what I call “Golden Oldies,” (on pp. 20-21) which are tips so timeless and useful that they’re worth repeating, especiallly for the benefit of all the newcomers in our community. Hope you find this special edition of “Heard it Through the Grapevine” helpful. If you run across any great product, service, or company that you would like to share with others, please feel free to email your recommendations to me at nnrnews@gmail.com. Liz Lu
Neighbors Stay Connected Via Social Media Our expatriate community of more than 1,400 households inside and outside Nichada Thani has built a strong network of support through social media, including Facebook groups, Facebook pages, texting apps such as Line, Whatsapp and WeChat, and the brand new website expatsofnichada.com, designed through a joint effort by a team of three volunteers. Here’s a quick tour of the internet resources available at your disposal. FACEBOOK GROUPS:
Expats of Nichada (Closed group. Approximately 1,300 members) If you need advice on any and everything about life in Thailand and especially our Nonthaburi neighborhood, be it questions about handymen, doctors, restaurants, bikes and golf carts, 14
business opening hours, domestic help, tipping etiquette, volunteer opportunities, health classes, etc., the Expats of Nichada Facebook Group is here to help. People can join with special permission from the admin even before they arrive in Thailand. Ask a friend to invite you or contact the admin. Nichada Expats Yard Sale (Closed group. More than 1,300 members) This Yard Sale Facebook Group spun off from the original Expats of Nichada Facebook Group when the sheer volume of items posted for sale inspired a separate Facebook Group dedicated to selling second-hand goods. The Yard Sale Group is extremely useful, especially during moving times when people need to sell household items before leaving Thailand. But throughout the year, there’s also a steady stream of posts about clothing, toys, and other things for sale. Nichada Newbies 2017 (Closed group. Approx. 125 members) To help newcomers who have just arrived in Thailand this year, Susan Yates, herself a newbie last year, created this new Facebook Group to provide timely and helpful information about getting settled in Thailand. It’s packed with tips about how to get what
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including academics, sports, PTA, and community programs. www.facebook. com/ISBInternationalSchoolBangkok/
done and where, with special attention to the needs of newcomers.There was also a Newbies 2016 . There is a new newbies group each year, kind of like a Freshman class. Newbies 2018 will start next Spring.
WEBSITE:
Nichada Travel - Life Outside the Bubble (Closed group. 275 members) This group shares travel tips and photos of adventures members have enjoyed. Bangkok Events and Activities (Closed group. Approx. 290 members)
expatsofnichada.com While information about Bangkok and Thailand is plentiful, it can be challenging to sift through information that’s specifically relevant for Nichada area life. Kiki O’Connor, Sara Tighe and Susan Yates from NNR and After the Boxes teamed up to create a website that would put all available information and community resources in one, easy-to-find location. On Aug. 21, they unveiled their solution: expatsofnichada. com. FREE TEXTING APPS
Suchada Smith set up this Facebook group to “inform expat families of all the wonderful and delightful things they can do” inside Nichada and beyond. She provides a wealth of news and updates about interesting events in Bangkok and surrounding areas, including activities from the social calendars of many international clubs. FACEBOOK PAGES: Nonthaburi Neighborhood Reach (NNR) This page is produced by NNR, our local non-profit volunteer organization. With more than 444 page likes, it is updated by NNR Communications Director Kiki O’Connor. Kiki keeps you posted about events in Nonthaburi and beyond, from when the Pastaman is selling at ISB to special shows and events in Bangkok.
Line
The Line app, created by Japanese developers, is the most popular texting app in Thailand. If you want to stay in touch with Thai friends, most likely they’ll be using the Line app. Sharing cute cartoon stickers, including animated ones, is extremely popular in Thailand. Line friends can share texts, photos, videos, and make local and international calls for free. Whatsapp
ISB International School Bangkok This page keeps you up to date on ISB school events, September 2017
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Partially blocked in China, Whatsapp is used by many from Europe and North America.
The WeChat app is the most popular texting app in China. Many in Thailand also use it.
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Orientation For Newcomers After the Boxes, a newcomers program organized by Chaengwattana Community Church, offers a series of info sessions and tours to introduce new neighbors to community resources. Last year, as a newcomer, I found the After the Boxes program extremely helpful. At the ATB Welcome Meeting on August 21, dozens of newbie Nichadans gathered to make new acquaintances and hear about the seven After the Boxes outings and activities scheduled. To participate, e-mail atb@cccthailand.org to be added to the distribution list. Each week we’ll open registration for the following week’s outing and will fill all the available spots first-come first-served. We’ll host a Travel Q & A meeting and trips to tour our neighborhood outside the gates, Khao San Road via water taxi, take the BTS to a downtown mall, Chatuchak, lunch and a massage and to the Christmas Shop and River Tree House. We hope you’ll join us! Susan Yates
English Classes for Domestic Staff This class is a wonderful opportunity for our community. Drivers, nannies, and household helpers really benefit from the course curriculum, which is designed by educators and taught by volunteer teachers. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels are available, and students have fun while gaining confidence in reading, writing, and verbal communication Registration for the next session is September 12th from 7 to 8 pm, at Chaengwattana Community Church, and classes meet on Tuesday nights from September 19th to November 28th. Cost is just 500 baht for the semester, and the teachers are really looking forward to working with new students! Liz Lazich
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Veterinarian Opens MJ Pet Hospital Dr. Korakot is an excellent and very caring veterinarian. We have used her services for five years. She was located at the Lively Pet Hospital, but she has now opened her own shop called MJ Pet Hospital. Dr. Korakot speaks very good English and does house calls. Her new shop is on Chaengwattana Road just outside the expressway gate. Her phone numbers are: 02 116 4492 or 095 512 2499. Mare Harvey
Biking & Scootering at Rot Fai Park For those with littlies a quick post about a nearby fun place for kids to play around with traffic signals and road rules: it’s called the White Road Centre and it’s at Rot Fai Park. A good way to kill a couple of hours or so. Rot Fai Park is next to Chatuchuk Market. There are a few eating options and a good track around about 2.5 km for walk/run/ride. Bring your own bikes or hire them here.
Full name of the park is Wachira Benchathat Park, but it’s more commonly known as Rot Fai Park. “Rot Fai” means train in Thai. The land used to belong to the Sate Railway of Thailand.
John Popovic
Rot Fai Park is located at Kampaeng Phet 3 Road. Lad Yao, Chatuchak, Bangkok
September 2017
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Organic & “Non-Toxic” Food at AGW I recently ran across a shop called AGW Farm. They sell organic and “non toxic” products and are located just outside the highway gate on Soi Changwattena-Pakkret 38. If you search for “Foodbowl Restaurant” on Google maps, AGW Farm is directly across the street. They have just opened and are in the process of getting all of their shelves stocked up so selection is a bit limited at the moment. I expect they will be fully stocked before long. Cyndy Henry
MRT’s Purple Line is Complete! The missing link, a 1.2 km gap between the Purple and Blue Lines of the MRTA’s (Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand’s) commuter train system, was finally bridged in August. The gap between the two lines had caused a delay of up to 30 minutes for trips downtown because riders had to disembark from the trains and take a free shuttle bus to ferry them to the other line. Riders in Pakkred can now board MRT trains at Nonthaburi stations such as the Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi Government Center, Tiwanon, and Nonthaburi 1 Intersection. Until Jan. 31 next year, promotional fares will be offered to boost ridership. Liz Lu
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Bag Fixing Shop at Ngamwongwan Mall For our expat community of world travelers, broken suitcase handles or wheels may be a common problem, especially after a long summer break. Good news is that right here in Pakkred at the Mall Ngamwongwan, a handy little shop called Mr. Bag-Fix can be found on the ground floor right in the main parking lot. Just before I left for summer break, I sent my roll-on Samsonite suitcase there to have a broken retractable handle fixed. The repair took only a few days and 600 baht. The replacement handle was not Samsonite, but it worked perfectly. The shop is open daily during mall hours, with breaks from 1:30pm to 2pm, and again from 6pm to 6:30pm. Tel: 086-677-4557; 02-717-1849. Liz Lu
Thumbs Up for Butcher Beef and Beer Restaurant We checked out a new restaurant called “Butcher Beef and Beer� and it was really nice, so I thought I would share! They have a large selection of imported beer, tasty food, big outdoor eating area, extremely attentive staff and casual atmosphere. Best of all, the restaurant is easily accessible by golf cart out the highway (back) gate. Hours: Open daily, 6pm to midnight. Tel: 095-761-7575; 083-494-1882. Cyndy Henry
September 2017
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GOLDEN OLDIES
Each year Thani Talk re-publishes some of the most useful and popular Grapevine tips as Golden Oldies, especially for the benefit of newcomers.
Mr. Kumata the Drycleaner: Free Pick up and Delivery Each year I credit and thank former Nichada resident Rufie Harr for introducing Thani Talk readers to Ishiya Dry Cleaning Service. What a luxury it is to have doorto-door service. Mr. Kumata and his assistant visit Nichada and surrounding neighborhoods every Wednesday and Saturday to pick up orders and deliver freshly cleaned clothing to customers. Prices are reasonable, and the quality of cleaning is excellent. Mr. Kumata can be reached at: 081-814-3128. Liz Lu
Husband & Wife Team Delivers Milk and More
Photo by Dianna Gibson
No need to lug home heavy jugs of milk from the supermarkets; Khun Sa-oat and his wife Khun Maew will do it for you. Their pick-up truck is a familiar sight in Nichada and nearby communities. The friendly and hard-working couple provide a welcomed service by offering door-to-door delivery of fresh milk, yogurts, fruit juice, eggs, and many other frequently needed grocery items. To order, phone Khun Sa-oat at 081-774-4989. Having a Thai speaker make the call for you is recommended. Liz Lu
Bangkok Guide: Packed with Resources for Expats Published by the Australian and New Zeland Woman’s Group (ANZWG), the famous Bangkok Guide is now in its 20th edition. It’s packed with excellent tips for expats about living in Thailnd. ANZWG now also offers an ebook called Bangkok Guide: Relocation Essentials, containing the first three chapters of the full guide; it’s ideal to order (via amazon.com and iTunes) before arriving in Thailand. The full guide can be purchased at Villa, Kinokuniya book store, and Asia Books. Liz Lu 20
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Avid Biker Recommends Nut’s Bike Shop Over my years here in Nichada I used several bike shops to service and fix my 8 bicycles. Lately I have been using the serices of Khun Nut on Tiwanon Road. He not only picks up the bikes for only a little charge but also provides great service. He performs magic and can return bikes to good-as-new condition. His English is flawless, and he is such a pleasure to speak with. Also in case of bigger repairs he makes sure he communicates the cost beforehand. Highly recommended! Angela Kohl
Post Offices in Pakkred
Above: The new Thai post office on 2nd floor of the Oasis shopping complex. Service hours are 9am- 7pm. When you need to mail a letter or package, there are many post offices in Pakkred for your convenience: 1) ISB campus offers postal services at two facilities opposite the Booster Hut. The bookstore provides regular mail service and sells stamps. If you want your letter to go out that day, be sure to mail it at the bookstore by 8:30 am. Right next to the bookstore is the mail room which provides overseas express mail service via DHL, FedEx, and UPS. 2) Oasis Shopping Center on Samakkee Road. From Nichada main gate, turn left on Samakkee. Post office is on the 2nd floor in the same shopping complex as McDonald’s and White Elephant Thrift Shop. This new branch sells decorative stamps. The facility is modern, with seating for those waiting in line, similar to the set-up of branch offices of local banks. Boxes, mailing envelopes, and wrapping supplies are all available for sale. September 2017
3) Just before the HaYaek intersection (intersection of Chaengwattana and Tiwanon roads). From Nichada, drive north on Tiwanon-Pakkred Road. Post office is on the left, between Soi 9 and Soi 11. 4) Near Pakkred Pier. At HaYaek intersection, turn left towards Pakkred Pier, make U-turn at end of street just before the river, take first left turn to Sukkhaprachasan Road 2. Post office is about 200 meters down the road on your left. This is the post office where you pick up packages mailed from overseas. Be sure to bring an ID when picking up packages. 5) At Impact/Challenger Hall of Muang Thong Thani, on ground floor near Flann O’Brien’s Irish Pub. Makes it convenient if you want to mail a purchase bought at an exhibition at the center. 6) Main Thai government post office on Chaengwattana Road. Located between Chaengwattana Soi 7 and Soi 5, this center is where branch post offices send their mail for processing and overseas delivery. It’s where I go for the best selection of decorative stamps.
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Liz Lu
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Fitness & Activities Listings
Nichada Neighborhood Community Fitness & Activities Listings Yoga & Meditation KUNDALINI YOGA
ASHTANGA YOGA With PanZen
Be the Master of your Mind • Wednesdays &Fridays 7:45-9:15am All levels are welcome! Yoga for Beginners • Tuesdays 9:30-11:00 am 450 THB per class or 10 classes for 1000 THB First class try for free! Danicha Condo 39/289 Contact Kerstin 086-372-9750 kerstin.bangkok@gmail.com FB: yogaofawareness Visit www.Yoga-of-Awareness.com
A great way to improve your flexibility, core strength and get balance in your life. Breath, Body and Mind. All levels - beginner to advanced. • Tuesdays 3:45-4:45pm - Intermediate • Wednesdays 3:45-4:45pm - Advanced • Thursdays 3:45-4:45pm- Intermediate • Saturdays 9:30-10:30am - Beginner For more information: http://panzenyoga.wix.com/panzen Contact: 097227-6999 panzenyoga@hotmail.com
YOGA WITH NAPISA, 500 RYT
IYENGAR YOGA Iyengar yoga classes at Regent from Beginners to Advanced Asanas. • Monday to Friday 7:50-9:20am. Contact: 081-285-3050, Juan Bodan, Iyengar and Ashtanga yoga certified. For more information about Juan please visit http://kripa-yoga.com/
POWER VINYASA YOGA Inspired by Baron Baptiste combining elements of classical yoga, Ashtanga, Iynegar and Bikram. This is a powerful asana practice that will help build overall strength in the mind and body. No Air-con. All levels welcome. Monday 9:30 – 10:30am Tuesday 7:45 -9:00am Friday 7:45 – 8:45am Journey to Power Sequence. Need to have taken 1 Baptiste class before. Contact Kelly: 061 872 7534 yogaporet@gmail.com FB: kellyporetyoga
Alignment Based Yoga Practice • Mondays 8:45-10:15 am: Restorative Yoga & Meditation, All levels; Evening Yoga 5:30-6:45pm • Wednesdays 7:45-9:15 am: Level I - II • Thursdays 5:00-6:00 pm: Yoga for Teens • Fridays 7:45-9:00am: Beginner I-II Contact Napisa C. Pant, 086-975-7187 napisapant.yoga@gmail.com, FB: yogawithnapisa
MEDITATION COURSES Individual or Group Learn TM (Transcendental Meditation). Relieves stress and anxiety. Improves health, academic, athletic and professional performance. Anyone can learn. Expert instruction by a 35-year teacher of meditation. Contact Ellie: eedelhoff@hotmail.com www.TM.org www.DavidLynchFoundation.org
The Community Fitness and Activities page lists local classes/groups that meet regularly. Some have fees associated with them, while others are free. Please contact each group leader for more information. If you would like to list your group here, please submit your announcement by the 15th of each month to nnradverts@yahoo.com. 22
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Exercise Classes and Sports BOLLYWOOD DANCE
ZUMBA
Bollywood dance is an exciting and upbeat fusion of Western and Eastern dances 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! Suitable for all levels. Morning Classes: Wednesdays OR Thursdays OR Fridays 9:30-10:30am. Afternoon Classes (new!): Wednesdays at 5:00-6:00pm All classes held in Nichada Studio above Starbucks. Contact Irit: 086-004-4840 iritmike@gmail.com
Zumba meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Chaengwattana Community Church. • Monday and Friday @ 7:45 • Wednesdays@ 7:30 The cost is a donation basis, and it goes directly to the surrounding community non-profit organizations. If there is a class cancellation or changes to the schedule students can find out via our FaceBook page, Zumba Nichada Thani or Google Group, https:// groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/zumbanichada.
MASTERS SWIMMING
Tutorials
Nichada Pool Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:30-8:30am Every swimmer is welcome. Contact Catherine Miller: solviken66@hotmail.com 06-2001-0000, or Kerstin Wild: kerstin.bangkok@gmail.com 086-372-9750
BIKING
Weekend bike rides leaving from the back gate at 7am, 50+km on mountain bikes. Contact Chris: caoglesby@hotmail.com Weekday rides leave the back gate at 7:30 a.m. Distance and terrain varies with groups for both road bikes and mountain/hybrid bikes. Contact Henrietta Bullinger: hbullinger@gmail.com
TENNIS WITH SAGI Certified tennis coach, teaching the Play & Stay method at Nichada tennis court for all ages and levels. Private lessons and groups of up to 4 players. 7 days a week, flexible hours. Tennis is EASY, FUN and HEALTHY. See you on the court! Contact Sagi Luft at 092-271-2110 Email: sagiluft@hotmail.com
September 2017
WORLD ENGLISH Enjoy refining skills in oral English and composition with American, Deborah Dunthorn, BA, MFA, TESL Cert. 30 years international experience coaching academic, professional and other clients of all ages and levels of proficiency. To discuss private or group tuition contact 083-0559785 or debhata@yahoo.com.
PIANO LESSONS FOR ALL AGES By experienced professional with a Masters from University of Ariz. in Piano Performance. Experience teaching at Westover School in Connecticut. Place: 39/891 Regent Price: 1000 baht per 30 minutes. Contact Info: capricio310@gmail.com Tel: 091-878-6283
PTA Adult Education Program Course catalogue coming out first week in September Registration begins on Sept. 11 Classes run from Oct. 2nd - Dec. 1st. Offerings include foreign languages, cooking, fitness, dance, choir, art & creativity classes, IT & more Small fee applies and varies per class. Contact: pta-adulted@isb.ac.th
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Highlights: NNR’s May Farewell Social
Farewells and Plenty of Shopping at May NNR Social NNR’s last social of the year just before summer break was held on Friday, May 19. It was hosted by Nichada Thani at 1250 Prestige. Delicious food was provided by Vapor restauant. Atttendees got to say goodbye to friends as well as to shop for gifts to take on home leave. Vendors included Arlani Designs, Carry On, Cobber, Pure You, Sea Blue Sea, and Sala Stainless Steel. Each vendor donated 1,000 baht to NNR, and their generous gift will be used to support NNR charities in the Nonthaburi community. Denise Warta
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Highlights: NNR’s July Summer Social
NNR’s July Summer Social Welcomed New Arrivals
Thank you for joining the July 27 NNR Morning Coffee Summer Special at our house. We hope you enjoyed the time and food as much as we did. Special thanks to Sarah Jane from Nancy Chandler’s Thailand for presenting her collection of maps, cards and the new PDF version of the Nonthaburi Map. Even Yuki our host cat had so much fun digging through the boxes of cards and maps, as well as playing with kids. Now she is taking a well deserved nap. Sandra Wilson, NNR Treasurer A beautiful beginning. NNR’s morning coffee on July 27 was wonderfully hosted by Sandra Wilson. I would like to thank Sandra for having me at her NNR first breakfast meeting. Thanks for the gracious introduction of The American Women’s Club of Thailand, of which she is also a member. I have met so many new and friendly faces. I am so touched by the warmth and gentleness shown. This is going to be such a wonderful year to come. Thanks everyone so much for your beautiful connections and welcome back to Thailand. Suchada Smith, American Women’s Club
September 2017
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Community News
Meet Suchada Smith, New Coordinator of Casual Connections Nichada, a Social Program by American’s Women’s Club My name is Suchada Smith. I was born in Thailand but went abroad after graduating from college to spend time in the U.S. and Europe. I’ve now returned to Thailand to settle down. My English husband, a retired geophysicist, and I have a home near Impact Arena (15 minutes from Nichada), where we live with my father and our seven dogs. My special field of interest is multiculturalism, in which I have become immersed while studying for a Master’s degree at the University of Houston. Fluent in Thai and English, I am bilingual and bicultural. I taught English as a Second Language at schools in Houston. I’ve recently become the organizer of the American Women’s Club’s (AWC) Casual Connections Nichada (CCN) program. This program aims at promoting cross-cultural understanding and friendships among all women in Thailand regardless of nationality and background, and welcomes both AWC members and non-members alike. We meet for a potluck luncheon every second Thursday of the month at different volunteers’ homes. In addition, we regularly get together for various philanthropic, educational and entertainment events. Our next luncheon is scheduled for September 14th. Please email me at suchadasmith@hotmail.com if you would like to come. And for more information about AWC, please visit awcthailand.org.
Suchada Smith,
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Above: Gift for September hostess Tara Visani. Suchada presents a gift basket to Tara for volunteering to host the Sept. 14 CCN gathering at her home, 899 Regent, Soi 8.
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Community News
4Legs Pet Care is Still in Nichada! 4Legs has a new location! In May, we were sad to hear of the upcoming closing of 4Legs Pet Shop, formerly tucked away back near the expressway exit. Thankfully, Khun Jum was offered a new lease with Nichada and will remain open for business. Hours are Mon.-Sat. 8;30am to 6pm. Great news to her clients both human and canine! Her shop, her entire shop, has moved to Secret Garden. She is very happy to be in an easily accesible location. Khun Jum offers expert grooming & boarding services and has had a loyal following for many years. She’s also a good resource for local breeders for those interested in getting a new puppy! Tel: 084-424-6545. Line ID: jum4legs. Ginny Condra
OPEN
New 7-11 Opens Inside Nichada The community’s newest 7-Eleven is now open at Nichada Club on the site of the former hydroponic garden. 7-Eleven’s “new concept” store will feature surprise new enhancements to go along with the traditional 24 hours per day / 7 days per week operating hours, bill payment services, and multiple ATM facilities. The area will include a children’s playground and al-fresco seating.
MON-SAT
08..30 30AM AM-06 -06..00 00Scott PMRoman 08 PM
Tel.Main 084-424-6545 Domino’s Opened Just Outside Gate In June, Domino’s opened a new branch of its pizza parlour on Soi Prasert Issaram outside Nichada’s main gate. The little shop is at the corner just before 7-11, and it’s opposite the street from New York Diner and Slider Shack. There is sit-down dining, as well as delivery service (50 baht for delivery). The new shop offers one more neighborhood place to grab a pizza. Domino’s is competing against pizzas at New York Diner, Scoozi, Que Pasa, and Le Bouchon. Liz Lu
September 2017
ID Line : jum4legs
Move to
Secret
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NNR Charity Team Takes 3-Pronged Approach Mare Harvey and I took on the responsibilities as the NNR Charity Coordinators this past spring, and we are looking forward to continuing our efforts for the upcoming year. Mare comes to this position with a wealth of experience and knowledge. Over the many years she has lived here, she has been very active in volunteer work and contributed so much in Nichada, including serving three years as the NNR Chair. Compared to Mare, I am a relative “newcomer”, having been in Nichada for only two years. As we look forward to the upcoming year, I wanted to provide some information about our goals and hopes for supporting our Charities. Mare and I will take a “three prong” approach to supporting our charities, including: Funding Allocations, Outreach/Volunteers, and In-Kind Donations. Funding Allocations One of our main roles as Charity Coordinators is to meet and work with the charities on an ongoing basis to assess and better understand their needs. This past spring, we visited each of the charities and encouraged them to complete a comprehensive “wish list” which outlines what they anticipate needing in the upcoming year. This information will help us to make informed recommendations to the NNR Board on how funding raised will be allocated amongst the charities. Examples of how funding is used include: covering student tuition, physiotherapy equipment, home improvements, purchase of equipment (sewing machines, fridges, household goods), purchasing school uniforms, etc. We also will retain an “emergency” fund in case of unforeseen expenses. As an example, last year one of the homes had a water pipe burst, and they needed an immediate repair, so the NNR provided the funding to fix this problem. Most of the funds for the NNR are raised from NNR’s Annual Bazaar in November. However, occasionally we will also receive donations from individuals. In June, we were so thankful to receive 55,000 baht from John Olson and his family. John was moving back to the United States, and before leaving he generously donated the proceeds of the sale of his household goods 32
to the NNR. As a result of the Olsons’ generosity, Thanksgiving Home was able to do much needed renovations to a recently acquired home that will be their Developmental Learning Centre for the Disabled. Our goal this upcoming year will be to continue our on-going visits with all the charities and to maximize the NNR funding to meet their most urgent priorities and needs. Outreach/Volunteers Our main goal for this year is to increase the volunteer presence at the charities we support. Time and time again, the charities have told us that they really appreciate
the funds and goods that we are able to provide but that they would love to have more volunteers. We have also heard from Nichada residents that they want to volunteer but don’t know where to start. So, this year Mare and I will continue to liaise with Nichada residents who are interested in volunteering and to match them to charities that are of interest. A few examples of current volunteer opportunities include: • Assisting with lunch/fruit service at the Home for the Destitute (Thursdays from 10:00 – 12:00) • Visiting and playing with detained Cambodian children at the Home for the Destitute (Thursdays from 10:00 – 12:00) • Assisting with library services at Bumble Bee Free Library (various times) • Teaching English classes (kids and adults) at Bumble Bee Free Library (Sunday afternoons) • Teaching English and playing with children at Sparrow Home (Thursday afternoons) • Visiting and caring for babies and toddlers at Phayathai Home for Babies (various times) • Assisting SaiLom Project as a “buddy” for physically and/or intellectually disabled boys and young
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men on a monthly outing (Last Saturday of every month 9:00 – 2:00) • Assisting I-Care with monthly “Activity Days” at Baan Poomwaet Boy’s home (last Sunday of every month 10:00 – 12:00) There are so many other volunteer opportunities that Mare and I want to explore for this upcoming year, and we really hope to increase the number of volunteers assisting our charities. With that in mind, we encourage you to contact us at nnrcharity@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering some of your time to these amazing charities.
Mare and I have also reached out to many of the community groups and organizations to see where we can partner with them to further support and assist our charities. We are excited to work more closely with ISB’s CAS (Community Activities & Services) coordinator, Becky Hansberry, to see where we can link up ISB students with volunteer and service project opportunities. We will also continue to work with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and other community groups to see where we can match them up with one of our charities. An example of a wonderful initiative that the Girl Scouts had last year was to put together much needed personal hygiene kits for the kids at Home for Hope. Our goal for the upcoming year is to increase these valuable and rewarding partnerships between the charities and community groups/organizations.
In-Kind Donations The third and final “prong” that Mare and I want to focus on is in-kind donations. This past spring, Mare and I put out a call to Nichada residents asking that if they had any household goods, clothing, furniture, toys, etc. that they did not need, to consider donating them to NNR. We were completely overwhelmed with the huge response we got and were happy to spend many, many hours collecting, sorting and distributing these generous donations to the charities we support. We estimate the value of donated goods from April to June to be more than 560,000 baht……Wow! As a result of the donations we received, the charities now have beds, tables/ chairs, bikes, toys, clothes, shoes, computers, printers and many other household goods. Any items we were not able to match to a charity were donated to the White Elephant. The White Elephant is a volunteer-run thrift store (located in the Oasis shopping plaza on Samakkhi Road) that sells donated goods and uses all the profits to support charities around Nonthaburi and beyond. Our goal for the upcoming year is to continue the collection and distribution of in kind donations. Mare and I are really looking forward to the upcoming year and know that through the generosity and kindness of our Nichada neighbours we can have a huge impact on the deserving charities that we support. Please feel free to contact us at nnrcharity@gmail.com if you would like to discuss volunteer opportunities or if you have any questions. Cyndy Henry and Mare Harvey, NNR Charity Care Coordinators
To donate, contact: Mare & Cyndy at: nnrcharity@gmail.com September 2017
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Olsen Family Donates 55,000 Baht of Moving Sale Proceeds
The NNR would like to give a special thank you to John and Stacey Olsen for donating the proceeds from their moving sale in June. They donated 55,000 baht! What a generous and much appreciated act of kindness. Through discussions with John, it was decided to direct the money to Thanksgiving Home so the home serving disabled children could complete the renovations on their new Learning and Development Center for Disabilities. The Learning and Development Center will benefit local Thai children in our community, as well as across Thailand. NNR has worked with Thanksgiving Home founders Khun Wanchai and his wife Khun Maetim for many years. Thanksgiving Home has become a model for other organizations to follow. If you are interested in learning more about this charity and getting involved, please contact nnrcharity@gmail.com. I would also like to thank my maid Khun Ann and my driver Khun Suthi, who both worked very hard for 3.5 months to help us move all of the donated items to the charities. 34
Khun Ann let us use her half-ton truck and Khun Suthi used ours. They were very giving of their time and energy to help us. After I left for Canada at the beginning of the summer, they continued to help my charity co-chair, Cyndy Henry, deliver donated goods to charities all over Nonthaburi. The NNR would also like to thank Khun Ann and Khun Suthi for their tireless support in organizing and transporting donated items to the NNR charities. Their enthusiasm to help went above and beyond their jobs and for that the NNR is very grateful.
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Mare Harvey
September 2017
*** Spotlight on Volunteers *** Rebecca Armstrong Leads Volunteers to Help the Homeless A great majority of the residents at the local homeless shelter (Nonthaburi Reception Home for the Destitute, (or H4D for short) are Thai men and women from Bangkok and surrounding areas. These men and women have nobody to care for them and cannot care for themselves because of age or lack of social skills required to work. A lesser number of the residents are Cambodian women and their children who are awaiting deportation. In total, there are over 300 residents. When visiting this government shelter, other volunteers and I briefly visit with the craft team of about 10 residents first. We place purchase orders for their handmade products or check on new products. Once a month we bring a fresh fruit donation -- funded by NNR -- to add to the residents’ lunches, and occasionally we stay to serve. We play with the Cambodian children who remain locked indoors for most of the day. Thanks to the generous donations of NNR members, we have accumulated a good amount of sports equipment, so we play outside on the grass, then usually do a drawing activity or coloring books. We visit with some of the elderly women as well--playing bingo, painting their nails, offering yoga classes, etc. The more volunteers we have, the more activities we can plan with the residents! Bumble Bee Free Library recently opened a reading corner at H4D! I’m happy I was able to help by painting the sign for the Reading Corner and preparing for the grand opening in June. With the Reading Corner available to shelter residents, perhaps now we can begin new programs related to reading! I really enjoy visiting with my friends at the shelter, both residents and staff. Though I have little Thai language proficiency, smiles and hugs are a universal language! Visiting with women and playing with children who always seem so happy, even in their difficult circumstances, is always a great lesson to me. Visiting H4D gives me a wonderful perspective of my life and helps me to be grateful for the blessings and good things I enjoy everyday. September 2017
Come join us! We visit H4D on Thursday mornings, leaving at 9:45am from the Nichada main gate. Visits to H4D usuallly last two and a half hours hours. We return a little after noon (longer if we decide to serve fruit). To confirm that we are visiting on the Thursday you’d like to go, just send me a quick email at andybeccakids@ gmail.com. We visit most Thursdays, but occasionally we do not have enough volunteers available to go visit. We have a group of about 6 energetic, fun, and loving volunteers that visit regularly, though never all at the same time! We could really use the help of four volunteers each week, as there are usually about 25 small children. My family has lived in Nichada for two years now, and we will be leaving summer 2018. I have visited H4D for the same amount of time, when a friend invited me to join her. I have four children: my son who is at university in the US; my daughter Grace, who is a senior at ISB this year; Sarah, who will be a sophomore; and Rachel, who is in 7th grade. I’m from California, my husband is from Utah, and we’ve moved every one to three years since we we’ve been married! It’s a wonderful life!
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Rebecca Armstrong, NNR Liaison to homeless shelter
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Travel
Island Paradise of Koh Kradan
Koh Kradan is a small island with a beautiful beach, and is my favourite island in Thailand. I like Koh Kradan because it has a nice laid back vibe and has the best fringing reef to snorkel I’ve seen in Thailand. The scuba diving in the area is quite good as well. I have been to the island three times and stayed at two different resorts. There are seven resorts on the island to choose from. There are backpacker style accommodations, middlelevel resorts, and one higher-end resort called the Seven Seas. I stayed there once and it was comfortable – little cottages with your own outdoor bathroom. The pool was refreshing and the restaurant had tasty Thai food. It is definitely more expensive than the other places. The Seven Seas also has a good dive shop, which is the only one on the island. My favourite resort on the island is the Reef Resort. I have stayed twice and will go back again. The Reef Resort has a friendly atmosphere, pleasant rooms, and yummy Thai food. As you pull up to the beach in a long tail boat, Genta and her team come out to greet you, take your bags, and give you the welcome speech. Genta goes out of her way to make your stay enjoyable. The reception desk, bar, swimming pool, and rooms are right at the beach, and resort life all revolves around a nice C-shaped area. People pull up to the bar and have a chat with whoever is around. It reminds me of the Thai 38
beach vacations I had 20 years ago as a backpacker, now with a nicer room. There is no bad view on the island. The beach is 100m away from every room. The water is usually very calm so the beach is good for small kids and swimming. The two resorts where I stayed had snorkel gear, beach toys, and kayaks to borrow, but if you have it, bring your own snorkel gear as it will probably be better quality. There are two good places to snorkel right off the beach. The best one is the southern point of the island. You only need to swim out about 50 meters to hit the coral, and then it is a leisurely swim along the coast. The other good snorkel area is straight out from the beach at the Reef Resort about 300 meters and then a left turn. If you are up for an extra adventure you can hire a long tail boat to go across to the island of Koh Muk and see the Emerald Cave. The boat ride is about 20 minutes and you need to go when the tide is lower to be able to swim into the cave. You will swim in a dark tunnel for about 150m to the inside of the lime stone rock. As you swim out of the dark you enter a little beach area where you can get out and walk around. The tourist season on Koh Kradan is from October to the end of April with the highest season being from mid-November to the end of March. Starting in May the weather gets more unsettled and the jellyfish come
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Travel
near shore. Having said that, my last trip there was the middle of May, we had great weather, and only saw three jellyfish. Traveling to Koh Kradan involves taking a plane, car, and a long tail boat. Three airlines fly to Trang – Air Asia, Nok Air, and Thai Lion. Genta organized our transport from the airport to the island and back. The car ride to the pier was 1 hour and the boat ride took 40 minutes. It is a bit more work but that is why the beach and snorkeling are good. If you want to relax and enjoy what the island and the reef have to offer I would highly recommend this getaway. Mare Harvey
September 2017
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PEOPLE: Profile
Khun Veerapong, Owner of New York Diner A Culinary Career in USA and Thailand As fast-food chain restaurants continue to open in our community – McDonald’s a few years ago and Domino’s this past summer – a little family-owned diner that has been in our neighborhood for more than two decades continues to thrive amid growing competition. New York Diner, owned by Veerapong Netiwinyoo, has a charming history to share. Located opposite 7-Eleven outside Nichada’s main gate, New York Diner is actually the successor of a previous diner called American Diner, which K. Veerapong, also known as Vee (pronounced Wee), and his older brother Chase opened at nearly the exact same location, back in 1997. The original American Diner was much bigger, stretching from where the current Subway sandwich shop is, to where the current CP frozen food store sits. Nowadays, New York diner is nestled between those two establishments in a shopfront less than half the size of the former American Diner. Modest in size, but still cozy. Brothers Chase and Vee, born in Thailand to a Chinese immigrant father and a Thai mother, learned the restaurant business by working at a diner in the United States for 12 years, beginning in 1984. In search of work, K. Vee moved to Bethesda, Maryland 33 years ago to work with his brother at the Chevy Chase Café in Friendship Heights. He could not take his family with him, so his wife Khun Prayoon and baby daughter Earth stayed behind. K. Prayoon worked as a nanny for relatives and neighbors, taking care of 5 children, including Earth. At the Chevy Chase Cafe, K. Vee started as a bus boy, then as a dishwasher in the kitchen, then as a sous-chef. “We loved it,” K. Vee, now 65, said of their years working in America. “It was very cold,” he said, but he
Above: Hard at work in Maryland kitchen. (K. Vee, rt) 42
didn’t mind. He fondly remembers the occasional road trips to New York City to treat themselves to Chinese food.
Above: Relaxing with friends in USA. Being so far away from home was not always easy. K. Vee missed his wife and daughter. His daughter Earth, now 33, was just a baby when he left. “I never saw him until (I was) 12,” she said. Father and daughter bonded through occasional and expensive long-distance telephone calls. “I’m the one to call from there (America),” said K. Vee. He would wait to call during hours when long-distance calls were available at a discount. “I called my wife and daughter on their birthdays.” Earth was always in his thoughts. K. Vee remembers Earth’s exact age when he left for America in pursuit of work. “One month, 12 days,” he said. During his first 10 years in America, he was only able to return to Thailand once. Little Earth was understanding. “Earth never asked for anything,” her father said. “Just talking with Baba. Asked him to come back early.” When K. Chase and K. Vee’s mother, as well as K. Chase’s daughter both became ill in Thailand, the brothers made several trips home. Eventually, Chase sold the restaurant and both brothers returned to Thailand to take care of their family. The brothers had a wealth of restaurant experience, so they decided to open American Diner outside Nichada in 1997. It was very popular with the locals. Pancakes, American breakfasts, and Maryland-style crab cakes all sold well. K. Chase’s son, Saharat, whose name in Thai means United States, attended ISB. K. Chase, now 69, retired some years ago. K. Vee said he is also planning to retire soon, perhaps when his younger daugher Unni, born in 1997, the year he
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In fact, one recent June day shortly after Domino’s opened on Soi Prasert Issaram, new comer Gary Risser and his 14-year-old son Narai stopped by New York Diner for a meal. Gary said that before he arrived in Thailand from the U.S., he had read online about local restaurants outside Nichada. But that particular day, Domino’s was already full, he said. So Gary and Narai decided to try New York Diner instead. “We’re from the U.S, so the diner style food is familiar to us,” he said. “We moved here from New Jersey. That’s where a lot of diners are.” So, K. Vee was right that Domino’s would bring a serendipidous increase in customer traffic for him.
moved back to Thailand, graduates from Dhurakij Pundit University in Nonthaburi. K. Vee continues to work hard, 7 days a week. On weekdays he works 8:30 am to 8pm, and on weekends from 8 am to 8:30 pm. About 97% of his customers are foreigners. “We do a lot of breakfasts, like on the weekends and holidays -- pancakes, banana pancakes, sausages...” He only takes one day off a year, during the traditional Bai Wai or Qing Ming observance, when many Asians of Chinese ancestry visit the tombs of their late relatives to pay their respects. Each year, K. Vee takes one day off to go to Saraburi and pay respects to his ancestors. “It’s difficult to find help,” K. Vee explained about his long work hours. Staff members would “stay for only one or two months.” It was one reason why he and his brother closed down the American Diner. Later they ran a pizza and pasta restaurant in downtown Bangkok near Sukhumvit Road’s Ekamai area. After a year and a half, they closed the pizza restaurant, and K. Vee decided to try running a diner outside Nichada again. “Because my experience is in food,” he explained. “That’s why I have to come back. There’s a lot of farangs (foreigners) here. And they have the school.” Another business challenge is that the cost of supplies and ingredients keeps soaring. “Prices going up,” said K. Vee. “Shrimp used to be 250 to 300 baht a kilo. Now it’s 500 baht. Crab used to be 600 baht a kilo about 10 years ago. Now, it’s 1,700 a kilo.” Surprisingly, the arrival of Domino’s pizza restaurant aross the street from New York Diner does not worry K. Vee. “I like it. Brings more people here (to the shopping corner outside Nichada.)” September 2017
Above: New York Diner, a Family Affair (lt to rt): Daughters Earth, Unni; wife Prayoon, and Veerapong together at the New York Diner. With both daughters grown now, K. Vee is enjoying running the New York Diner as a family business. His wife K. Prayoon, now 51, works side by side with him, and their daughters Earth and Unni come help at the restaurant on weekends whenever they can. Earth works for a trading company in nearby Muang Thong Thani. After work and on weekends, she would go to the restaurant to help. Unni attends Dhurakij Pundit University about a 15-minute drive from Nichada. She is a sophomore studying business. How does K. Vee unwind after a long day at the restaurant? He loves dogs. After fighting evening traffic each night to return to his home in Lardprao sometime between 9:30pm and 11pm, he enjoys playing with his pet soi dogs. He has more than 10 of them. Summer in our community was a quiet time for local restaurants as most families leave Thailand on home leave. With folks returning for the start of school, business should pick up a bit. Said K. Vee to all his customers, “Thanks for coming to help for so many years!” Liz Lu
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Restaurant Review
PaperButter and the Burger: Best in Bangkok Cheese Bacon Fries are “Deliciousness Followed By Guilt”
Facebook Page: PaperButter and the Burger
However, I simply cannot NOT order the Chiangmai spicy beef burger. It is heaven on a charcoal bun. It is juicy, spicy, good texture…. Really the best way to scratch your hamburger itch. It’s probably too spicy for most kids, so my children had the PaperButter burger. I stole a few bites and can confirm it is also delicious. On your table, you’ll find ketchup, mustard, mayo, and the special paperbutter sauce (something like a tangy mustard-mayo mix). My kids and I had fun experimenting with different ratios of mustard, mayo and ketchup. In fact, this mix-and-match was one of the best parts of our visit. There are a selection of sodas and beer available. There are several Thai craft beers available, as well as a personal favorite, Beer Lao.
Facebook Page: PaperButter and the Burger
No place is perfect however. The place keeps weird hours. They are closed on Sundays. On Monday through Friday they are only open 11am-2pm and 5pm-10pm. So its like they are only open when there is traffic, as most of us from Nichada will be driving. Also, there is no dedicated parking. Every time I’ve gone, I’ve parked on the street directly in front, but it is possible that parking could be an issue. Also, it’s cash only. No credit cards. Logistics aside; If you are looking for a great burger, in a relaxed atmosphere, that is easy with kids, you could do worse than checking out Paperbutter and the Burger. John Marinos
John Marionos
My kids and I are ready to make a bold declaration. The hamburgers at PaperButter and the Burger are the best in Bangkok. We don’t say that lightly. I first heard about this place because it is in Ari, which is close to my office. After trying these ‘fusion burgers’ I was hooked. The place is located on 51 Soi Phahonyothin 5 in the Phayathai district of Bangkok. Basically, it is a few minutes’ walk south from the Ari BTS station. Driving, you’d get off the expressway at Phayon Yothin (Victory Monument) and drive north about 800m and take a right. It is located in a quiet garden which it shares with a hostel called The Yard and a small café called Lilou. The garden holds several picnic tables. There are also a few tables in a small air-conditioned room. The place has a feel of a hipster backyard BBQ. The menu is blessedly simple. You choose between five burger options (of which one is vegetarian). You decide whether you want your burger made of beef or pork. You then choose your bun. If your carb-free diet does not permit charcoal, challah, or a whole-wheat bun, you can opt for a “naked burger”. The burgers range in price from THB 130 – 200. A burger needs sides, and there are many options to choose from. I’ve had the takoyaki fries which were surprisingly good and embodies the ‘fusion’ spirit of the restaurant. The cheese-bacon fries are what you would expect: deliciousness followed by guilt. The waffle fries remind me of Nathan’s on Coney Island. When it comes to the burger, I know a more professional critic would have tried them all by now. September 2017
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PaperButter and the Burger 51 Phaholyothin 5 Tel: : 084-448 7908 Closed on Sundays 49
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