March 2020
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: All About Pets: Resources and More Pages 14-20
PEOPLE: Rin Minckler, Owner of Bamboo Spa Pages 28-29
Culture Corner: Understanding Symbolism in Buddhism Pages 42-43
Restaurant: Etage 7 Bistro: New Eatery on Chaengwattana Page 49 Thani Talk is generously sponsored by: September 2019
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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 by hosting the NNR Annual Charity Bazaar. Additionally, NNR hosts socials and organizes 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
Unofficialnichada.com
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NNR BOARD 2018-2019 Chairperson
Sally Elliott
NNRThaiChair@gmail.com
Vice Chairperson
Liz Garrigan
lizgarrigan@gmail.com
Treasurer
Dorothy Dapaah
nnrthaitreasurer@gmail.com
Activity/Tour Coordinators
Pascale Kervyn Maida Muslic-Kovar
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Chantal Bremner
nnrsocial@gmail.com
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Jenna Deacon-Potter
nnrcharity@gmail.com
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Ginny Condra
Thani Talk News Team
Liz Lu (Editor) See below for Thani Talk Team
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Birgit Sund
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Communications Director
Kiki O’Connor
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Thani Talk Team: Advertising Director and Proofreader (Ginny Condra), Graphics Consultant (Bill Fear, Rose Marie Academy), Graphic Designer (Shea Barnett) Restaurant Reviewer (Vara Sumetanon), Grapevine Tips and Community News 2 Coordinators (Positions Open), Distribution March 2020 T h aCoordinator n i T a l( Birgit k Sund).
Letter from NNR’s Chairperson
Love and Protect Nature I am writing this on Valentine's Day when we are reminded of love. What a difference love makes. Think about your life and how full it feels when underpinned by love, and think of all those who have not known it. I think we can all agree that we, in this bubble, are blessed beyond our wildest dreams, yet sometimes, appearances can be deceptive —loneliness, despair & depression can lurk where we wouldn't expect it. My Valentine message is: "Be Kind". Let's remember that love changes everything. A great segue into a new theme for the NNR - our Natural World! Let's focus some of that love into caring & protecting it. Sadly, this is not 'a nice to do', but it is now a necessity. Look to our new dedicated page for upcoming events, projects, and tips for change in which each one of us can engage! Sally Elliott, NNR Chairperson
Inside This Issue
1994 - Present
A volunteer group serving the Nonthaburi community and supporting local charities
Calendar of Events March 2-27: Visual Art Exhibit at ISB, p. 27 March 19-22: Bangkok Community Theatre, p. 23 March 27: NNR Tour, Ayutthaya, p. 4 March 30: Blood Drive, p. 26 April 8: NNR Composting Workshop, p. 9
** Full calendar listing on p. 23 **
NNR Social
Letter from NNR’s Chairperson NNR Tour Thani Talk News Eco News Charity News: Cover Story: Pets Community Fitness & Activities Nonthaburi & Beyond PEOPLE Heard It Through the Grapevine Community News Feature: Culture Corner Restaurant Review
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Nonthaburi Neighborhood Reach March 2020
Nonthaburi Neighborhood Reach
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Cover Photo by Sudha Neeraj Kanchanaburi Thailand 3
NNR Tour
March 27th NNR Tour Around and Near Splendid Ayutthaya
On March 27th, please join us for another amazing tour near the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya. Unlike last year, we will stay just outside the historical park and visit Wat Phanan Choeng which was built in 1324, some 26 years before the city of Ayutthaya. This wat situated near the river is supposed to have served as a 200-strong refugee community from the Song Dynasty (China) and contains a 19-meter high seated Buddha from 1334, a beautiful chapel, and many Chinese sculptures. We will also see Wat Yai Chai Mongkol (Mongkhon), “the Monastery of Auspicious Victory”. Its highlight is its imposing prang dominating the area as well as an impressive reclining Buddha. Wat Yai Chai Mongkol is still an active temple; monks live in kuti (houses on stilts) on the grounds. We will have an early (self paying) lunch in the garden on the river at the “Summer House” and will then proceed to Bang Pa-In Royal Palace. The summer palace was built by Rama V and contains all kinds of buildings from different architectural styles as well as beautiful manicured gardens. If you are tired, we will be happy to pay for a golf cart for one hour to visit the grounds. We should be back at ISB at 2:30 pm. If time allows, we will stop by “Baan Hollanda” an information center on the history of Dutch-Thai relations, and particularly the Dutch settlements in Ayutthaya in the 17th and 18th century. Greetings from your travel team. Pascale and Maida 4
When: Friday, March 27, at 7:30am Where: ISB, in front of Chevron Theater Cost: 600 baht What to bring: Hat, sunscreen, water, comfortable shoes, camera and good mood! To sign up: Please email: nnrtour@gmail.com The tour is limited to 11 participants.
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March 2020
Thani Talk News
In This Issue: Vara Sumetanon, Eco-News, Bamboo Spa’s Rin Minckler
In the March edition of Thani Talk, I’m pleased to introduce you to long-time contributing writer Vara Sumetanon, as well as to flag a new environmental column called “Caring for Our World”. In Community News, we bring you news from the American Women’s Club of Thailand. There is also a community reminder that Thai law requires golf cart drivers be at least 15 years old and have a valid driver’s license. Our Heard It Through the Grapevine column offers recommendations about good local services such as Pastaman and Unicorn Club. In our PEOPLE section, we introduce you to Bamboo Spa owner Rin Minckler, who is celebrating the 12th anniversary of her popular spa in Nichada. In Culture Corner, writer Kelly Kabat shares her in-depth knowledge of Vara Sumetanon Buddhist symbolism. A
better understanding of the culture in our host country will increase appreciation of what we see around us, and enrich our lives. This month’s cover story is written by Vara Sumetanon, a contributing writer for Thani Talk since 2013. She began as a restaurant reviewer and soon started crafting profiles and travel articles, as well as offering tips about good businesses and services for the Heard It Through the Grapevine section. In this issue of Thani Talk, Vara debuts her first cover story “All About Pets” – an overview of community resources on pet care. (pp. 14-20) From where to buy and adopt a pet, where to take them for medical care, and how to care for, train, and travel with them, she covers all the bases. Vara, a Thai-American from Troy, Michigan, is a mother of three and enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, yoga and swimming. An animal lover, she has a 14-yearold poodle named Mushu. In this issue, she shares with readers all she knows about pet care resources in Thailand. Enjoy the read! Liz Lu Editor, Thani Talk
Join the Thani Talk Team!
Restaurant Reviewer, Feature & Travel Writers, Photographers
March 2020
Got a flair for writing? Awesome with a camera? Terrific at meeting deadlines? Contact Liz at: nnrnews@gmail.com T h a n i Ta l k
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Eco News
Caring for Our World
NNR Introduces New Eco-News Column
“In the end we only conserve what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will only understand what we have been taught.” Baba Dioum I will add to that "... and what we are made aware of". Welcome to our first “Caring for Our World” column which focuses on the environmental concerns of our age. At Nonthaburi Neighborhood Reach (NNR), we have decided to use our voice as a volunteer group serving the community, to talk about this issue which affects ALL of us. We cannot fail to notice, and be affected by, the consequences of human activities on our environment. Here, smog has been crippling. It is toxic, rancid and limits our everyday lives. If we extrapolate that out, we can find examples of environmental disaster in every single country; in my own (UK), today they are submerged in floods and storm winds, "freak weather" so they say. Sadly, it is quickly becoming the norm, with such events–and worse–repeated on every continent. Our wildlife and plant life is creaking, and we see heartbreaking images at every turn. It can be overwhelming and depressing. 8
However, our focus is to give hope, and to encourage all of us to understand that we, ourselves, can MAKE A DIFFERENCE to the outcome! Sometimes, it is as simple as thinking about a different way to do things. Our norms need to be challenged, and we should ask: Do we need to buy it? Is there an alternative non-ozone damaging product? What are we eating? Are we adding to landfill when we need not? Will this end up in the ocean or in the belly of an animal? Did this product destroy ecosystems in its production? Every month, we will present workshops, offer practical restorative trips (focusing on oceans, forests, human/wildlife conflict etc), tips, and build awareness. Positive. Fun. Practical. We look forward to engaging with you about this imperative issue of our age!
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Sally Elliott March 2020
Eco News
NNR Hosts Composting Workshop on April 8th Coming soon is an April NNR workshop on how to compost right here in our Nichada homes. Imagine millions of trucks lined up filled with garbage. The contents can be found strewn around Thailand's landscape—klongs, fields, roads, sois, parks, rivers, seas—or simply piling up in tip sites or landfills. Waste management is a real crisis across the globe. Simply, we buy too much; we dump packaging, bags, containers, - and on and on; and it all has to go somewhere! If each one of us used one plastic straw a day, that’s 365 straws per person, per year. Then think of the billions of people on our planet and where those straws end up. About a trillion tonnes of trash are generated every year across the globe, and it is poisoning our lands, seas and rivers, getting into the food chain, and ultimately it ends up in us and in our wildlife! (Think of microplastics, and think of those images of whales filled with plastic bags). Did you know that at least 30% of that can be extracted and used for good! Reducing the size of our waste problem.We can make a difference! In simple terms, Waste Management means taking care of the garbage we generate so that it does not end up like that described above. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle & Rot! Composting is where you and I come in! It is one of the simplest forms of recycling that involves every day kitchen waste. And it is where we can change our daily actions to make a difference. Composting is the natural process that breaks down organic material into a dark rich substance which acts as a wonderful conditioner for soil, thereby helping, rather than harming, our environment. March 2020
Composting reduces global waste, greenhouse gases and nurtures our soils as we replenish the earth with nutrient-filled matter which encourages the health of the ecosystem. Come and join NNR’s April 8th Composting Workshop which will demonstrate how to get started (and stop your food waste ending up in landfill). We will learn how to manage on our balconies and in our gardens. (If you already compost, please join us to share your experiences!) Our instructor, Nita Vita, has an eco business with a vision: "We envision the world practicing the culture of sustainable living through connecting waste back to resource," she said. Please visit her website at: www.pakdone.org To register for the April 8th workshop, please sign up with Claire Thieblemont by email: claire.darsonval@ hotmail.com Sally Elliott When: Wednesday, April 8th Time: 10am - 11:30am Where: Nichada Villa, House 39/331 (in the garden) What: Our teacher, Nita Vita, will teach us the basics of composting, her ‘recipe’ for the ‘starter’ which encourages the speedy ODORLESS fermentation process to progress. Appropriate for: Everyone! (for both those who live in condominiums and houses). Slots: 20 persons maximum Cost: 500 baht
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Charity News:
NNR Charity Finds New Homes for In-Kind Gifts, Connects Teens with Volunteer Work
Nonthaburi Neighborhood Reach (NNR) Supporting Local Charities Since 1994 When Maxine Ping wanted to find new homes for her late husband's valuable jigsaw puzzle collection, NNR Charity stepped up to help. When the Coronavirus led to the last-minute cancellation of ISB's overseas high school trips, NNR Charity helped connect students with a local non-profit. NNR Charity, headed by Jenna Deacon-Potter, is in charge of a 3-pronged job: 1) forwarding in-kind donations from the community to local groups; 2) finding volunteer opportunities for neighbors; and 3) recommending grants to the 10 local charities supported by NNR (Nonthaburi Neighborhood Reach) Maxine’s husband, Glenn Ping, loved puzzles. He could finish a 1,000-piece puzzle in just 3 days, she said. The beautiful jigsaw puzzles he collected through the years feature famous works of art, and each is quite expensive. When he unexpectedly passed away during winter break, Maxine wanted to find new homes for her husband's prized puzzle collection. She reached out to NNR's Jenna, who put her in touch with Bumble Bee Free Library (BBFL). Maxine was happy with what BBFL proposed: 1) putting the valuable puzzles to good use in a fundraiser, and 2) hosting Puzzle Night at the library by inviting neighbors to gather and work on the puzzles together.
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On Friday evening, February 21, neighbors gathered at Bumble Bee Free Library on Soi Prasert Issaram (blue house opposite Que Pasa) to enjoy an evening of puzzle making. BBFL board member Jona Sta. Romana was in charge of the Puzzle Project. Not only did Jona sell more than half a dozen puzzles from the collection, she also organized a fun night of ice-breaker games and puzzle making for local children.
The previous week, on Tuesday, February 11, NNR Charity Chair Jenna received a call from ISB. All overseas trips in the schools Global Citizen's Week (GCW) program had been cancelled due to concerns about the Coronavirus. Could Jenna put the school in touch with NNR-supported charities? The school wanted to create alternative GCW experiences for the following week. Jenna contacted Bumble Bee Free Library, which readily offered to host GCW students February 17-21. Five of six BBFL board members were in town, and all pitched in to share 9am-4pm shifts for five days to host the students and assist two faculty advisors. In all, a dozen high school students showed up at BBFL during GCW week to help with library projects such as designing publicity banners, building a bicycle rack out of PVC pipes, doing yard work to clear the front of the library and create a rock garden. BBFL also took the teens to the local homeless shelter to spruce up the BBFL Reading Corner there that serves nearly 500 shelter residents. Students also played with Cambodian children detained at the shelter. Back at BBFL’s main branch outside Nichada,
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March 2020
Charity News:
faculty advisor Kevin Davy and the students discovered that underneath all the overgrown weeds and dirt, there was a colorful sidewalk. Mr. Davy then borrowed a pressure washer and together with the students, totally cleaned up the front area. In the mean time, Dean of Academics Justyna McMillan took students to garden centers in search of landscaping materials, flowers, and plants. By the end of the week, the front of BBFL had been beautifully transformed. Passing neighbors who had gawked at the students working out in the sun all week smiled, marveled at the new look, and gave us thumbs up. BBFL could not have done it without the help of all the GCW students and Ms. McMillan and Mr. Davy. A huge thank you to all! Liz Lu
March 2020
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Cover Story: Pets
All About Pets Buying, Caring, & Transporting
This cover story “All About Pets” came up completely by accident during a conversation that Liz Lu, our editor, and I had one day while we were discussing story ideas. She was giving me examples of cover stories and what they should contain. “Pets” is something she proposed because in the Facebook group Expats of Nichada, lots of people had been asking all sorts of questions regarding pets, especially questions regarding pet relocation. We both agreed it was a great topic worth exploring. Luckily, I have found our local expert, Fabia Feuerabendt, to help out with the topic. Hopefully it will help a little to ease the minds of pet owners who are in the process of moving or travelling with their pets. For those looking to buy or adopt, several resources are listed here as well. For those who currently own pets, lists of suppliers, groomers, and local veterinarians are provided. Have fun reading!
Obtaining a Pet Where to Buy After you’ve done your research into what kind of pets are most suitable for your family (for example, how big a dog you want, how much space you have, dogs’ temperament, etc.), the first thing you need to do is to NOT head to Chatuchak Pet Market, even though it is the 14
first Google search result that comes up when one Googles where to buy pets. Puppies sold there are known to have been bred by various puppy mills around Thailand. They are badly treated, caged all day and often have health or temperament problems right after they are bought. Most are in ill health and hence die shortly after. Secondly, conduct more in-depth research before you buy specific breeds. It could be tricky to find good breeders in Thailand. But there are several ways. If you are looking for a pure-bred dog, consider referrals by asking a friendly dog owner whose dog you admire. Ask where they got their dog from. Another venue where you might find breeders is to visit the Thailand International Dog Show. The next one will be held at Impact Exhibition Center from June 2528, 2020. If you cannot wait that long, purchase local pet magazines and start browsing advertising sections Even though the magazines are in Thai, most breeders do advertise there. The final resort is to get on the internet, but you have to make sure that you only buy from responsible breeders. How do you know who’s a good breeder? First rule of thumb is to always visit the breeders’ homes or places where puppies are bred. Ask a lot of questions regarding the puppies’ background, pedigrees, parents, medical history, etc. Be prepared to spend upwards of 40,000 baht for a good, pedigree dog. For a more thorough guideline on how to identify a responsible breeder, visit humanesociety.org.
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Cover Story: Pets The Adoption Option Finally, and most importantly, consider adoption. You live in a country where there are a countless number of abandoned, unwanted animals living on the streets. Thailand has numerous pet adoption channels, including one in our neighborhood called Nonthaburi Animal Welfare Alliance (NAWA). NAWA was established by a member of the Nichada community, Liz Garrigan, with the purpose of sterilizing, providing medical care, and a home for street animals in and around Nichada Thani. Several of us in Nichada have adopted from Soot Liang Woo, a Malaysian native who moved to Thailand about 17 years ago. She founded a home for abandoned animals, called Furget-Me-Not Sanctuary. Currently the sanctuary holds over 200 dogs and employs two employees. Soot herself is out there daily to catch and neuter/spay street dogs all over Bangkok and the surrounding vicinity. She also opened her own home to dogs that can no longer survive on the streets due to permanent disability, safety concerns, or lack of food.
web site at www.soidog.org Dog trainer Fabia recommended Pic-APet4Home (https:// www.facebook.com/ Pickapet4HomeBangkok/), Soi Dogs Matter (https:// www.facebook.com/ soidogsmatter/) and Bangkok Pet Lovers (https://www.facebook.com/ groups/1269576256388857/) Please remember that adopting or getting a pet is a commitment for life. Too many pets here are left behind broken-hearted when their owners leave to go back to their home country and for any reason cannot take their pets with them.
Taking Care of Your Pet
The cost of neutering/spaying these dogs is funded by the Soi Dog Foundation. However, the cost of other necessities, including food, medical supplies, transportation, etc. has to be self-funded by Soot. Although she receives donations from various sources, every little bit helps. In order to help Soot, please visit her Facebook page at Furget-Me-Not Sanctuary or adopt one of the recently rescued puppies featured on page 20. Another very well-run animal shelter is the Soi Dog Foundation. I visited the headquarters in Phuket recently and was amazed by the work of this organization. They must have rescued countless animals over the years, including dogs destined to be exported for the meat trade. They maintain a very good web site with extensive information on how to adopt dogs/cats. Check out their March 2020
Pet Supply Stores Two of the pet supply stores that I really like are Manoon Pet Shop and Kittisak Pet Mart. Manoon Pet Shop is located on Chaengwattana Road about a 10 to 15-minute drive from Nichada Thani (with no traffic). They have been in business for a really long time. Their original store which I used to visit when I was young is still located in the Or Tor Kor market in Chatuchak. Hence their price is very competitive and selection very extensive. Another bonus for us is they just opened an additional store (right next to the one on Chaengwattana Road) that sells special dog/cat food including prescription food. A veterinarian is always at the store to offer advise on how to select the right product for your needs. To get there, just type in Manoon Pet Shop in Google Maps on your phone or computer. Kittisak Pet Mart is another store located near us in Muang Thong Thani. The price at this store is comparable to Manoon Pet Shop. They have a more extensive selection of things such as hamsters and supplies for small pets. The store is bigger than Manoon, but parking
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Cover Story: Pets can be a challenge. To find them you have to type in Kittisak Pet Smart Clinic. It would yield the result to the one closest to us. Of course, there are many stores around Central Chaengwattana and other malls that sell pet supplies. Their prices might not be as good, but trendy items such as pet clothes (for every occasion) can be found there easily. Shops in Central Chaengwattana are located on the ground floor of the parking building B. They are Dee Dog, Star Pets, and others.
Grooming The two most convenient pet grooming facilities for Nichada residents are: - Khun Jum (formerly 4 Legs) now has an inhome bathing and grooming service. Dogs can be dropped off and picked up at the Sichaitong gate. Call to schedule appointment at 084-424-6545. - Buddy Grooming on Samakkee Road is the one I currently use. I like the way they cut my toy poodle. Appointments can be easily made by calling 080-945-4615. Thonglor Pet Hospital and many other hospitals and clinics around Nichada also offer grooming and boarding services. Call them for details. Boarding and Training Khun Jum offers boarding services if she has space. Call her for details. Friendly Dog Village is located on the Pakkred Bypass Road Soi 41. The place offers training, basic obedience class, boarding with training, dog swimming, doggy day care, etc. Find them on their Facebook page by typing in Friendly Dog Village. 16
Fabia currently offers both group training and private training classes for dogs right here in Nichada Thani. Classes offered include, but not limited to, obedience training, cage training (for dogs that need to travel) and others. She mentioned that the most popular class is called Nose Work, on Friday and Thursday mornings. In the Nose Work class, dogs are trained to sniff out objects. K9Bangkok.com is another web site you should check out when looking to train your dogs. Both group and private training classes are offered. Medical Services There are so many veterinarian clinics and hospitals around the area. - Dr. Sayan Clinic: Located right outside the main gate of Nichada Thani. Hours are Monday to Saturday, 10am - 18:30 pm and Sunday, 10am - 3pm. - MJ Pet Hospital: Located on Chaengwattana Road on the same side as Central near the expressway. MJ actually stands for Mor Jeab or Doctor Jeab. The veternarian staff includes Dr. Korakot who is normally there full time unless she is on vacation. Dr. Korakot comes highly recommended by several Nichada residents. Facebook: MJ Pet Hospital; Phone: 095-512-2499 - Monster Care: A fairly new hospital opened on Prachachuen Road accessible by Samakki Road. This
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Cover Story: Pets hospital has a salt water swimming pool for dogs. - Thonglor Pet Hospital: Dr. Thanakorn, specially trained in dermatology, and Dr. Ubonrut, a pet cardiologist, come highly recommended by several Nichada residents. Thonglor Pet Hospital is open 24 hours and is well equipped for emergencies. - Animal Hospital Kasetsart University: The hospital is a teaching hospital located at Kasetsart University on Ngamwongwarn Road, one expressway exit from Nichada. It is one of the two biggest government animal hospitals in Thailand (the other one is Small Animal Hospital Chulalongkorn University in downtown Bangkok). Animal Hospital Kasetsart Univesity has a big swimming pool available for your dogs’ exercise, and it has all the special equipment any hospital should have. The only downside is since the veterinary fee is minimal, the wait could be long. Prepare to spend about half a day there. The hospital opens at 7:30am for people to take a queue number (4:30pm for evening hours). Clinic hours for normal visits are 8:30am - 2pm, and 5:30pm - 8pm.. For emergencies, the hospital is open 24 hours, and it is your best bet if your pet has a major accident, since it’s very well equipped.
sure that they get one for proof of ownership. Local veterinarians can implant one by injecting it under the skin, after which they will issue you a certificate proving that you are the owner of the dog with that microchip. Second, you will need to have a blood titer test done for your dog. It is used to detect the rabies virus neutralizing antibody (level of rabies serum in the blood stream) after vaccination. Most of the countries requiring the test, require that the pet be vaccinated for rabies at least 30 days prior to the blood sample being drawn, even if the pet had been vaccinated before.
Traveling with Pets
This may come as a surprise to many of you, myself included, but to travel or relocate with your pets to some countries, including EU countries, you should start getting your paperwork in order at least 90 days in advance! That means if you plan to travel in June, you should start the process right around March. According to Fabia, because your pets will be traveling from Thailand, a country where rabies is endemic, your dogs need to have their blood tested (Serologic Testing by the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN)) and certificate presented before they can travel with you. The procedure is as follows: First, if your dog does not have a microchip implanted, you will have to make March 2020
Please note that the vaccination certificate issued by local veterinarians are sometimes either stamped or signed. However, this will not be sufficient when travelling. The vaccination record must BOTH be signed and stamped. Most major hospitals previously listed should be able to collect a blood sample to be sent to labs abroad. But for certain, the blood titer test can be done at the nearby Friendly Dog Village or at Dr. Sayan’s Clinic. Pet owners should expect to get results back via e-mail within 7-14 days. The original test result documents will then be mailed out to the owners. This process can take up to 40 days. In some cases, only original documents will be accepted. However, in some cases, e-mailed results have been accepted. To be safe though, always present original documents.
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Flying with Pets Whenever you travel with pets, it’s always best and cheapest for the pets to fly, either as excess baggage or in the main cabin, with you. Shipping pets separately could cost you in excess of several thousand US dollars. Every airline’s rules are different. Normally the weight of pet and carrier combined must not exceed 20 pounds (about 9 kilograms) in order to fly in the main cabin with their owners. The carrier must fit under the passenger’s seat, and your pet must remain in there the whole time. Rules vary by airline, so do check beforehand. Larger pets can be flown as excess luggage.
pointsguy.com
Within 90 days from its blood having been drawn, the dog must travel. Before you travel (1-3 days prior), you must take your dog to the Suvarnabhumi airport to the Animal Quarantine Station to show: 1) The microchip certificate; 2) Vaccination record (that has been both signed and stamped); and 3) The original document (an e-mail copy may not be accepted) of the blood titer test results. Then if everything is in order, the Thai authority will issue: 1) an export permit from Thailand; and 2) an import document for the countries that you are visiting. Keep in mind, if you take your pet out of the country for travel and plan to bring them back, you MUST keep the export permit issued to show them when you come back into Thailand in order to avoid paying import fees when you re-enter the country. For the USA (except Hawaii), it’s much simpler because you only need to show proof that your dog has received the proper rabies vaccinations and that it’s updated. For info regarding blood titer test, check out PetTravel.com. To avoid all the headaches above, two agencies handle pet moving/relocating. They are United Pet Express at www.unitedpetexpress.com and Boonma Pet Movers (https://www.boonma.com/pages/pets). Fees charged could be quite steep, so do check and compare rates.
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Cover Story: Pets
Fabia recommended not sedating your pets when flying since that could lower their blood pressure too much and endanger them. Best airlines to fly pets are KLM and Lufthansa. For the reasons above, flight volunteers are always sought after. Contact jan@soidog-foundation.org and let her know that you are interested and indicate your interest as far in advance as possible. There is no expense on your part. Vara Sumetanon
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Cover Story: Pets
Fabia the Dog Whisperer Fabia Feuerabendt, her husband, Stefan, and their two dogs came to Thailand 15 years ago from Germany as volunteers for Soi Dogs Rescue (currently Soi Dog Foundation). She then went on to get an undergraduate degree in tropical agriculture and international trade from Kasetsart University. She was then offered a scholarship to complete her Ph.D. in polymer science from Chulalongkorn University. When she first came here with her dogs, she was hoping to do dog sports with her dogs here in Thailand before (disappointingly) finding out that there is no such thing in Thailand. Her love of dogs has led her to obtain several certificates in dog training such as a Certified Trick Dog Instructor, Certified Canine Conditioning and Fitness Coach, and she is also certified according to the German Animal Welfare Act. She is currently working on obtaining her AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator license. She currently lives in Nichada with her husband, an 8-month-old baby boy, Tom, and five dogs including Natasha (8-year-old female Belgian Shepherd), Shauna (4-year-old female Boston Terrier), Leki (9-year-old Belgian Shepherd), Ogi (8-year-old Great Dane), and Stella (6-year-old wolf). Ogi and Shauna are therapy dogs working with special needs children at ISB. The family also has five other dogs at her house upcountry.
Liz Garrigan: Our Local Dog Rescue Hero Liz Garrigan, who regards herself as a simple country girl from North Carolina, relocated to Thailand from France two and a half years ago. She, together with two other ladies in Nichada (who have since moved), started working with street dogs a few years ago by rounding up the dogs near the Nichada Thani Expressway gate to have them neutered/spayed. She continued her work by helping to take care of the dogs in the two dog runs that were started by one of the Nichada guards. One of the runs is in Premier Place 2 and has four dogs. Volunteers were recruited to help walk the dogs daily. The dogs receive veterinary care and yearly vaccinations. The other run, started by the same guard, has seven dogs. However, since the dogs in there are not comfortable with strangers, volunteers are not allowed to help walk them. Liz herself was bitten by one of the dogs in this run. The wound March 2020
required six stitches and it took eight weeks for it to heal (including six weeks of going to the hospital daily to clean the wound). Liz proudly calls it her “Thailand tattoo”. Last y e a r, Liz established Nonthaburi Animal Welfare Alliance (NAWA) as a place where volunteers can be solicited and donations can be collected in order to keep up with the good work they’ve been doing. To support the work of NAWA, please contact Liz at the group’s Facebook page: @NAWAlliance.
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Cover Story: Pets
Adopt a Puppy!
To adopt one of the cute puppies above, contact: Soot Liang Woo, Founder of Furget-Me-Not Sanctuary Facebook Page: Furget-Me-Not Sanctuary 20
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Cover Story: Travel
March 2020
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Community Fitness & Activities Yoga & Fitness Classes Nichada Neighborhood Kundalini Yoga - Baan Shakti Yoga with Napisa Community Fitness & Activities Listings Kerstin Wild, 086-372-9750 Napisa Pant, 086-975-7187
Ashtanga Yoga with PanZen PanZen, 097-227-6999 panzenyoga@hotmail.com http://panzenyoga.wix.com/panzen
napisapant.yoga@gmail.com FB: yogawithnapisa
Ashtanga & Yin Yoga with Marie Marie Massard, 098-882-8990 marie.massard@gmail.com Class fees donated to BBFL.
Underdog Wellness Fitness Classes (UW) Yoga, Booty Barre, Mat & Reformer Pilates Stacy Klob, scklobhome@icloud.com FB: Underdog Wellness
Iyengar Yoga Juan Bodan, 081-285-3050
Nice to See U Yoga - For kids & family Kay-Rosukon, Certified Kids Yoga Instructor www.budharasyoga.com, 087-929-9641
Monday Iyengar Yoga 7:50-9:20 Napisa Restorative Yoga 8:45-10:15 All levels Meditation Mon with Marie 8:00-9:30 Kids & Teens Gong 3:30-4:15 (Kerstin)
Tuesday Hatha Yoga w/Katja 7:45-8:30 (Baan Shakti) Iyengar Yoga 7:50-9:20 Gong Bath & Meditation 9:45-10:30 (Kerstin) Underdog Wellness 9:30 Booty Barre 10:30 Yoga Ashtanga Yoga PanZen 3:45-4:45
Weekly Schedule Wednesday Kundalini Yoga 7:45-9:15 (Kerstin) Iyengar Yoga 7:50-9:20 Underdog Wellness 9:30 Yin Yoga Ashtanga Yoga PanZen 3:45-4:45
kerstin.bangkok@gmail.com www.yoga-of-awareness.com Private classes available
Das PowerHaus Pilates + TRX Reformer, Mat with props, TRX Joanna Brittingham, 089-846-6610 joanna.brittingham@gmail.com FB: @daspowerhausnichada Charity Vinyasa Flow Kelly Poret - yogaporet@yahoo.com
Thursday
Friday
Hatha Yoga w/Katja Kundalini Yoga 7:45-8:30 (Baan Shakti) 7:45-9:15 (Kerstin) Iyengar Yoga Iyengar Yoga 7:50-9:15 7:50-9:20 Underdog Wellness Gong Bath & Meditation 9:30 Mat Pilate 10:15-11:00 (Kerstin) Ashtanga Yoga PanZen 3:45-4:45 Napisa Teen & Tween Yoga **Saturday** 5:00-6:00 pm Charity Vinyasa Flow 8:30-9:30 Das Powerhaus
Meditation Learn TM (Transcendental Meditation) Expert instruction by a 35-year teacher of meditation. Â Contact Ellie: eedelhoff@hotmail.com www.TM.org www.DavidLynchFoundation.org
Meditation - Dynamic & Vipassana Meditation Monday 9:00-10:30, Terrace Residence/Nichada Thani Teaching, meditation and Q&A Marie Massard, 098-882-8990 (What’s App & Line) marie.massard@gmail.com
Sport Masters Swimming - Nichada Pool, Tues & Thurs 7:30-8:30; Contact: Kerstin Wild, kerstin.bangkok@gmail.com Biking - Meet at Sichaitong gate! Weekday rides - Mon & Wed at 7:30 am - Contact: Henrietta Bullinger, hbullinger@gmail.com. Weekend rides - Sat & Sun at 7:00 am - Contact: Chris Oglesby, caoglesby@hotmail.com Tennis with Coach Sagi - Nichada tennis courts; Contact: Sagi Luft, 092-271-2110 or sagiluft@hotmail.com
Dance Bollywood Dance Colorful, expressive, exciting & sexy! Morning Class: Tuesdays 11:00 am-12:00 pm Afternoon Class: Thursdays 3:45-4:45 pm Evening Class: Wednesdays 5:00-6:00 pm Classes held in Nichada Studio above Starbucks Contact Irit: 086-004-4840 or iritmike@gmail.com
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Zumba - Chaengwattana Community Church Mon, Wed & Friday FB: Zumba Nichada Thani - Class fee donated to charity!
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Nonthaburi & Beyond
Exhibitions and Events
What: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) Brought to you by: Bangkok Community Theatre When: March 19, 20, 21, 22 - 7:30pm; Matinees, March 21, 22 - 2:30 pm Where: Creative Industries, M-Theatre, New Petchaburi Road, Bangkok Tickets: Adult 800 baht; Student 600 baht Discounts available for groups of 10 or more. Book your tickets here: www.ticketmelon.com For group discounts (10+ tickets) please contact shakespeare@bangkokcommunitytheatre.com or 081-741-0703.
What: Disney On Ice: Live Your Dreams When: April 1-5 Where: Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok Tickets: Available at ThaiTicketMajor.com
Calendar of Events
March 2-27: Visual Art Exhibition - ISB, p. 27 March 11: Green Day, p. 23 March 19-22: Bangkok Community Theatre, p. 23 March 27: NNR Tour, Ayutthaya, p. 4 March 30: Blood Drive, p. 26 March 31: High School Jazz Night, p. 26 April 2-30: HS Visual Art & Film Exhibit, p. 27 April 7-9: MS Musical, p. 27 April 8: NNR Composting Workshop, p. 9 April 28: HS Concert, p.27 What: Green Day Live in Bangkok When: 8:30pm, March 11, 2020 Where: Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok Tickets: Starting at 2,000 baht, available at LiveNation.co.th Tel: 02-262-3838 March 2020
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Did you know that Thani Talk is also online? For archive editions (2012-Present) check out this link: issuu.com/nnrthanitalk
Need Your Thani Talk Magazine? For delivery information, please contact Birgit Sund at: nnrttdist@gmail.com.
Cover Stories: Editor’s Picks
Annual Travel Issue
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 2017 October: In Honor of King Rama IX 2018 April: Growing Trend: Men as Trailing Spouses 2019 March: Discovering Nonthaburi 2019 April: Bangkok Shopping District 2019 Nov.: NNR’s 25th Anniversary
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. 2018 February: Nepal, Red Lotus Lake in Udon Thani Thailand, Koh Rong Samleon in Cambodia 2019 February: Maldives, Dubai, Train to Laos, Cruise to New Zealand and Australia, Day Trips: Snorkeling in Sattahip, Maeklong Railway Market
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 2018 March & October, 2019 Oct.: Interest Groups 2018, 2019 September: Mega Edition, Grapevine tips
Annual Farewell Issue: (Each May)
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PEOPLE: Profiles 2014 Sept: Alex Janney, owner of Que Pasa 2016 Apr: Rose Marie Wanchupela, Rose Marie Academy 2016 Nov: Bruno Marchal, owner, Le Bouchon. 2017 Feb: Cherry Thamthai, owner Cherry Sweet Kitchen. 2017 Sept: K Veerapong Netiwinyoo, owner, New York Diner. 2018 Apr: Delfin Solomon, founder of Comedy Den 2019 Feb: Jum Chemnasira, owner, OC Organic Shop
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ISB International School Bangkok
Upcoming events at ISB Arts, sports, educational and cultural events open to the public.
MARCH 2020 Elementary School Art Show
18 Feb - March 27 Chevron Theatre Foyer, Administrative Offices, ES Office and other locations throughout ISB
Elementary School Visual Art Exhibition Chevron Theatre Foyer, Administrative Offices, ES Office and other locations throughout ISB 18 Feb-27 March
Elementary Art welcomes you to our annual March Exhibition. “A Celebration of Learning” will be on display in clay, collage, construction, sculpture, pastels, paint, printmaking, and more!
Blood Drive MPB 2-3 | 30 March | 9am-3pm
Donating blood to save life is one of the greatest donations. It is a safe procedure for person aged 17-65 years who passed the blood donation criteria.
High School Jazz Night MPB | 31 March | 6:30pm
ISB’s annual Jazz Night Concert will take place in the MPB on Tuesday, March 31st, 2020 beginning at 6:30 pm.
www.isb.ac.th
MARCH – APRIL 2020
ISB International School Bangkok
APRIL 2020
High School IB Vishual Art & Film Exhibition CCT Foyer | 2-30 Apr
Throughout April, CCT foyer there is an amazing display of student artistic creativity and endeavour presented by our Senior IB students.
Middle School Musical CC Theatre | 7-9 Apr
We are very excited to announce the Middle School Musical coming to the CC Theatre this April 7th-9th. You won’t want to miss this show!
High School Music Concert Borch Chevron Theater | 28 Apr | 6.30pm
ISB HS Music Department Presents the annual BORCH (Band, Orchestra, Choir) Concert! April 28th in the Chevron Theatre beginning at 6:30 pm. This concert features the HS Music performing ensembles alone and in collaboration. Free admission and everyone is invited!
Welcome Wai
“Rongsi Studio” Cafe & Restaurant at Koh Kret island | 09 Apr | 10am Be Inspired! Join our last Welcome Wai coffee event on Thursday.
Follow us to find out more about ISB events
www.isb.ac.th
PEOPLE
Rin Minckler, Owner of Bamboo Spa
Entrepreneur Extraordinaire Spans Two Continents
Just 12 years ago, on Christmas Eve 2007, Nichada resident Rin Minckler opened Bamboo Spa near Starbucks in Nichada. From Day 1 the quaint little spa retreat was a success, she said. Rin and her family now live in Portsmouth, New Hampshire (about one hour north of Boston), but Bamboo Spa is still going strong here in Pakkred with Rin expertly running the business from the other side of the world. Rin, born in Thailand, returns to Nonthaburi four times a year. But when she is stateside, she puts technology to good use to stay in touch with her 8-member staff, including six therapists, a receptionist and a manager. "I manage the spa remotely, with the help of my family in Bangkok, when needed," said Rin. "...my team and I communicate daily with emails, messaging apps and calls. The time difference is 12 hours, which can be challenging, but I still manage to keep in touch with the business daily." Rin, 42, graduated from Assumption University (ABAC) with a major in marketing. She met her husband Andy Minckler, an American, at a trade show in Bangkok in 1998. Andy is with InsurExcellence Insurance Brokers (self-employed). Andy still runs his insurance business in Asia, so he has to travel back and forth to Asia frequently. The couple has two teenage sons, 17-year-old Ryan and 15-year-old Matthew. Both boys started pre-K at ISB before moving to the United States in 2018 after finishing 9th and 7th grades, respectively. "The primary reason for our move was so the boys 28
could attend high school in the US, as preparation for going to university in the US, including playing baseball in college," said Rin. One of the family photos she shared shows the boys in the baseball uniforms of the local Bangkok baseball league when the family lived in Nichada. The boys now attend Portsmouth High School in New Hampshire. The Mincklers are a very sports-oriented family. When living in Thailand, the boys played a variety of sports at an increasingly higher level, necessitating frequent travel in Asia and the US for the family. Now that they are in the States, the Mincklers remain equally active in their American community. "We support the basketball and baseball teams that our boys play on with things like fund raising and helping out on game days," said Rin. Rin said she and her relatives are very entrepreneurial. "My family and I still own a customized apparel business," said Rin. "My husband and I used to be partners in a healthy food and beverage business called Twist Smoothies, with one shop in Nichada and one downtown." During her family's 14 years in Nichada, and before opening Bamboo Spa, Rin worked as a merchandiser in the leather goods and footwear industry. But she was always on the lookout for other good business opportunities. "First of all, my husband, my family and I are all entrepreneurs, so we enjoy starting new businesses" said Rin. " After taking time off to raise her sons, Rin decided to start a business that would offer the flexibility of parttime hours. Bamboo Spa turned out to be the perfect answer. Setting up a business wasn’t all smooth sailing. The biggest challenge was staffing. "For me, it was how to find and keep good therapists, and to have low staff turnover," said Rin. "For the Nichada market, finding a receptionist who spoke good enough English proved quite difficult, so I had to do dozens of interviews. I have always believed if you treat your staff like your own family, they will also treat you the same. After 12 years of being in business, I’m very proud to say most of my staff have been with Bamboo Spa a long time, and some from the very beginning." Before opening Bamboo Spa, Rin spent plenty of time researching the spa industry, studying service standards, ambiance and pricing. "Firstly, I hired a spa consultant
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PEOPLE
to advise us on all aspects of setting up the location, services, equipment and so on. Secondly, I hired an interior designer to create the customer experience and ambience that we wanted," she said. Lastly, she took a spa management course at Chiva-Som, a leading spa business and training program. "This really helped me to conceptualize Bamboo Spa, but also to understand the other key parts of the business, like finance, management, staff training and retail," said Rin. "Our business model was to create a ‘high end’ spa experience, but priced at a reasonable level so customers would want and could afford to come back again and again," she said. It took about nine months to go from the idea for Bamboo Spa to opening day, said Rin. Most of the spa's marketing and promotions are done through social media, which Rin handles herself. All products sold at Bamboo Spa are made in Thailand by Pranali Wellness, said Rin. "Every product I use at my spa, I have to test it myself and make sure that there is no allergic reaction or any other issues." Although in the US Rin has no outside job, she spends several hours a day running Bamboo Spa from afar. Even when Rin relaxes, she constantly challenges herself to learn. "I am very interested in learning about how social media can help grow a business," she said. "I spend a lot of my time studying this area, and have taken some online courses. I’ve also enjoyed becoming a micro influencer to help brands promote and review their products (health and skincare) on Instagram." The success of Bamboo Spa for more than a decade has brought Rin tremendous satisfaction. Said Rin, "Starting and operating any business is never easy, but it’s been very gratifying to see Bamboo Spa become one of the anchor businesses within the Nichada community." Liz Lu March 2020
Bamboo Spa (Near Starbucks in Nichada) 39/20 Moo 3 Bangtalard, Nonthaburi Tel: 02 583 9871
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Heard It Through the Grapevine
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.
Pastaman Pop-up Sales Offer International Food Products ‘Pastaman’ sells a wide variety of products such as pasta, dairy, breads, jams, nuts, seeds, oils, vinegars and delicatessens. Once a month Pastaman has a pop up shop at ISB’s canteen, where a good selection of their products are sold. You’ll find homemade breads and chocolate croissants, yoghurts, cheeses, gourmet butter and cream, salami, ham, olive and truffle oils, vinegars, honey, jam, syrups, olives, artichokes, tapenades and seeds. The pop up shop is open from 2pm - 4pm. Pastaman also offers an email ordering service with home delivery from an even more extensive catalogue of products. To get on their emailing list for the ISB Pop Up schedule or to enquire about home delivery, send an email to nutcha.me@aepthailand.com stating you are a Nichada resident. Kiki O’Connor
New Laundromat at Oasis The newest business at the Oasis center on Samakkee Road is Otteri Wash & Dry, a clean, well-lit laundromat open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In fact, the shop has an open-design plan, with no doors. You can walk in at all hours of the day, or night, to wash a load. While waiting for your laundry, you can enjoy free Wifi and magazines.. Prices per wash or dry depend on the size of your load and whether you select cold, warm or hot water. The brand new machines can handle wash loads between 9kg to 28kg. Laundry detergent is available from a vending machine. Another machine makes change for bills. This new shop may come in handy for bulky items your home washers/dryers cannot handle, or for your domestic staff whose options for their own laundy, until now, may have been at old, outdoor machines on street corners. Liz Lu 32
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Heard It Through the Grapevine
Unicorn Club Available for Kiddie Parties
Need to book hassel-free party entertainment for your child’s birthday celebration? Try Khun Mai’s Unicorn Club. Founded by Vararin Mai Tripiyachart, a former teacher’s assistant at St. Andrew Samakee, Unicorn Club provides balloon art, slime making, face painting, scavenger hunts, t-shirt dyeing, magic shows and more. Mai’s Unicorn Club team members are young people from Thanksgiving Home, a Pakkred home founded by her parents to serve youths in need. Unicorn Club’s experienced team has entertained at the NNR Bazaar, Sweet Poppy, BAMBI events, private parties, and other
venues. Last year, Mai donated the services of Unicorn Club to entertain Thai chidlren at a Halloween party at Bumble Bee Free Library. For more info, contact Mai at: 081-611-1210. Her line app ID is: vrqueen. Facebook page: @unicornclubthailand Liz Lu
Life Coach Sona Agopian When I met Sona, I was struggling with the issues that come with being a parent of a teenager. I heard about Sona’s parents group coaching sessions and decided to join. After the first session, I was already able to see light through the tunnel. My relationship with my daughter began to shift. I became more empowered and more confident. I was able to manage my emotions and my daughter’s effectively. Eventually, I found that we began to understand each other better and are now enjoying each other’s company much more than before I received Sona’s guidance. I love Sona’s approach because I feel that she listens to me without judgement and guides me to March 2020
find my true self, my answers and inner peace, and then to move forward with a more effective parenting approach to my teen. I would recommend this course for anyone seeking a more peaceful relationship and deeper connection with their children. Jum Chemnasiri
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Community News
Back to Felicia Design for a Good Cause This month, in response to popular demand, NNR again offered the opportunity to see the process of jewelry making. The tour took us to the Silom district, where a lot of gems and jewelry factories are located. Some thirty years ago, Norwegian Vibeke Lyssand Leirvag came to Thailand to work as an intern in the jewelry industry for one year. She stayed and now is the managing director of an impressive jewelry factory called Felicia Design, which produces for many big designers. We arrived at the factory and were warmly welcomed by Vibeke with coffee and snacks. She explained the long and precise process of jewelry making showing models for each step. We learned that Vibeke not only has a passion for jewelry, but she also makes an effort to help out with Kids Action for Kids (KA4K). This is a non-profit charity organization, run and initiated by children and youth, with the help of adults. KA4K helps provide surgeries for children born with cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities. We finished the coffees and then had a tour through the factory and saw all the interesting steps. From the drawing room to the polishing of the pieces and everything in between. And I can tell you, there are a lot!! It still takes so much handwork and skill, that we appreciated the end result even more. To help Kids Action for Kids, we had the opportunity to buy Vibeke’s jewelry. Almost all the proceeds went to KA4K, and while we are still waiting to know how many operations our purchases helped finance, we are confident our shopping will help bring smiles to a couple of faces. After all the excitement of seeing so much shine and sparkle, it was time for lunch. We went to a lovely little courtyard where the vegetarian Indian restaurant Suananda is situated. They serve tasteful vegetarian and vegan meals and have a full sustainable ethos, even using pure plant-based dish soap made of soapnuts. Vibeke’s husband introduced us to Luna Blu, his line of plantbased organic cleaning products and body and hair washing products for humans and pets. A big thank you to Vibeke and Pascale for this fun, social and meaningful morning! Annabel Kersten-de Jongste
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Felicia Design: feliciadesign.com Kids Action for Kids: kidsactionforkids.org Luna Blu (organic plant-based care products): lunablucare.com Suananda Restaurant:suananda.com March 2020
Community News
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Community News
American Women’s Club Welcomes New President, Invites Scholarship Sponsors The American Women’s Club of Thailand is happy to welcome Andrea DiCastro as the new 2020 president. Andrea arrived in Bangkok with her husband Michael from New York City in 2019. Prior to moving to Bangkok, she had a demanding career in Technology Product Development, including running her own consulting business. She hopes to use her previous skills of management, planning and strategy to assist with AWC. With her midlife sabbatical, she plans to take every opportunity to explore hobbies and new adventures in Bangkok. AWC was founded in 1955 and supports women in developing friendships and to help expatriates assimilate into the country by providing opportunities for social, cultural and philanthropic endeavors, thus fostering a positive experience living in Thailand. AWC membership is open to any woman living in Thailand, and we welcome all nationalities. Along with supporting expat women in Thailand, AWC is committed to providing scholarships to over 325 rural Thai high school girls in 2020. Founded in 1995, the AWC Scholarship Program is supported by a group of AWC volunteers. The club hires and pays for the services of the EDF (Education for Development Foundation) to handle the administrative logistics of the program. The AWC Scholarship program has helped thousands of girls to pursue one common dream: an education. In Thailand, the compulsory education system requires students to attend school only through grade 9. The final grades, 10-12, which mainly focus on academic or vocational training, are often sacrificed because of financial pressures on individual families. The AWC program offers scholarships to female students who are at great risk of dropping out during these crucial years. AWC is currently fundraising to support 325 students in 28 schools throughout Thailand this year. An AWC Scholarship sponsorship of a mere 6,000 baht covers most educational expenses for one 38
year, enabling a student to further her education. The fees for books, uniforms, supplies, meals and transportation are all the responsibility of the student’s family. The scholarship money can be used to cover anything school related: tuition, books, uniforms, supplies, transportation, etc. The students can choose how they use the money and turn in receipts to the school advisor for approval. The scholarship money is not enough to fully cover all expenses for the year as the girls need more than one uniform and have to pay for the other expenses, even if the school is “free”. If you are interested in learning more about AWC or would like to sponsor a student, please visit the AWC website at www.awcthailand.org.
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Jennifer Sparks
March 2020
Community News
In September 2019, three AWC members and I flew to northeastern Thailand to visit scholarship students. We toured three schools in Udon Thani province near the Laos border and had the chance to meet 70 sponsored girls in grades M4-M6 (Grades 10-12). As a sponsor, I had the amazing opportunity to meet four girls that Team Orange and my family sponsored during the 2018-2019 school year. The girls were as excited to meet me as I was to finally meet them. We traded photos and Line IDs to keep in touch. After each of the school visits, we drove to each student’s home to visit her family and tour the house. All of the families are low income with few resources and some cooking over an open fire each night. It was an honor to meet the girls, their families and teachers. My family and I look forward to sponsoring Team Orange and our thirteen students again this year, knowing we have made a difference in each girl’s education. Jennifer Sparks
March 2020
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Community News
Goft Cart Driving Safety Tips & Regulations
Driver must be at least 15 years old and have driver’s license
The Nichada Thani Customer Relations department would like to offer some reminders about traffic safety in Nichada Thani. Please note that all golf cart drivers must be at least 15 years of age and have a valid driver's license. Allowing staff or minors who have not had mandatory training and testing to drive is a risk to their safety as well as to the safety of others. The maximum speed limit in Nichada Thani is 30 kph, and we ask that drivers slow down and drive with added caution in school zones and when negotiating bends in the road. Never impinge on the bicycle lane when operating a motorized vehicle. Please take the time to review the traffic safety rules with members of your family and household staff. The Nichada Thani Resident and Homeowner Guide is available at no cost at the Customer Relations office in both English and Thai. Scott Roman General Manager Nichada and Natakorn Lake Condominium
Rose Marie Academy Offers Free Trial of International Transition Program Rose Marie Academy, an international school inside Nichada Thani, is celebrating its 25th anniversary by offering a free one-day trial of its International Transition Program on March 13th. “The program we designed is to help the child and to improve their English,” said Maxine Ping, Language Department Head at Rose Marie Academy. After attending the full International Transition Program, students will have the English skills needed to attend international or bilingual school, she said. The International Transition Program will be separate from the school’s regular Grade 1-8 program. The full program, offered at affordable rates and payment terms, will begin on March 16th. During the March 13th trial offer, students can attend a complimentary session of classes in a variety of academic subjects. The free trial session runs from 8am to 3pm. For more information, email Rose Marie at rma@rosemarie.ac.th; or Wanchai at wanchai@rose-marie.ac.th Liz Lu
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Feature: Culture Corner
Aniconic Buddhist Symbolism
Representing Buddhism Without Idols or Images Lotus buds, flowers and even their floating round large leaves are everywhere in Thailand, appearing plentiful in images and growing beautifully in rivers, klongs, ponds and pots. You can’t go wrong photographing a lotus flower; every shot is a work of art. But have you ever wondered about its significance and why it’s such an inherent symbol of Thailand and Asia? This month’s Culture Corner article is another scavenger hunt of sorts, and after reading it, you may have a deeper appreciation for the quintessential flower. The lotus flower is one of many things known to artists and historians as an “aniconic” symbol that represents Buddhism. Here, the term refers to an item that symbolizes or suggests rather than literally representing something in a human form. The earliest surviving Buddhist art represents Buddha only as symbols such as an empty throne or chair, or a riderless horse with an umbrella above. There are several theories as to why it was not permitted to make an image of Buddha’s human form. One was based on an interpretation of the Buddha’s own words speaking out against idol worship. Likewise, there are also many theories as to why literal Buddha images were eventually created, the most likely reason being the influence and spread of Greek culture. Regardless, prior to about 300 CE (Common Era), it was customary NOT to depict Buddha (or Christ) in a human form, so people used several non-human symbols to represent Buddha’s life, path, enlightenment, teachings, and death. These “aniconic” symbols appear frequently throughout countries where Buddhism is prevalent including but not limited to China, India, Japan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and of course Thailand! The largest school of Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism, frequently cites “eight auspicious symbols” that have been used to spread Buddhism to many countries, some of which you’ll also recognize in Thailand. T he L otus F lower represents enlightenment and purity of the body, speech and mind. It comes from the mud and floats above the murky waters of material attachment and physical desires. Blossoming in the seven steps of the newborn Prince Siddhartha (Buddha pre-enlightenment), the 42
lotus also represents rebirth and self-regeneration. Shaped like Mount Meru, its characteristics are an analogy for the human condition: even when its roots are in the dirtiest waters, the lotus produces the most beautiful flower. The Endless Knot, or in some references, the Mandala: The eternal knot reminds us of our interconnectedness and also of the Buddha’s endless wisdom and compassion. It is also a reminder of the endless cycle of life, death and rebirth. The Mandala is a complex representation of the universe. During meditation it is a source of deep meaning and universal knowledge. Various mandalas exist with distinct concepts and purposes. In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the mandala of the medicine Buddha radiates healing power in all directions. The Golden Fish: In Tibet, the two golden fish represent auspiciousness of all sentient beings in a state of fearlessness without danger of drowning in suffering. Fish symbolize happiness as they have complete freedom of movement in the water. The Dharma Chakra (or Wheel of L aw ): This symbol represents knowledge and Buddha’s teachings including the universal moral order (called Dharma). It also symbolizes Buddha himself and walking the path of enlightenment. It is said that when Buddha gave his first sermon, he “set the wheel in motion.” This shape often looks like a ship’s steering wheel and can be seen as adornment within Thai temples or wats. The Victory Banner: In Tibet, victory banners are often found as flags on the roofs of temples. It celebrates enlightenment, more specifically the stage of higher consciousness when an individual has mastered his/her emotions. The Victory Banner was likely an ancient Indian military standard and was adopted by early Buddhists to celebrate enlightenment and the triumph of self-mastery over ignorance. T he T reasure V ase : Google this and you will immediately recognize it as common here in Thailand. It is an image representing the abundance of knowledge and spiritual wealth. Some also believe that the parts of the vase represent the chakras or energy points within
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Feature: Culture Corner the human body, relating to Buddha’s teachings of self-realization. The Parasol: An image of a parasol over the Buddha is frequently used to imply enlightenment (not unlike a halo). The dome of a parasol’s top cover also represents the sky and when it’s carried over an image or an important person during a ceremony, we understand the image or person to be the center of the universe. It is also implies protection and royalty and conveys honor and respect. The Conch Shell has been used as a spiritual symbolism in many cultures throughout history. Some sources relate its sound to “Om,” the first sound of the primordial universe and the sound that wakens the ignorant from their slumber. It is associated with Vedic mythology and is known to hold water and to call people to battle. It is associated with courage, power and sovereignty. In Buddhism, the conch is associated with truthful speech and strength.
This symbol may have been the first hint of human representation and also might have been influenced by Greco-Buddhist art. The footprint reminds his followers that he walked here on earth and that they too should keep on the path. The Stupa: The stupa or chedi is one of the most venerated religious structures of Buddhism. It originally enshrined relics of Buddha and now is a symbol of the Buddha himself. It is said that on his deathbed, he demonstrated how burial mounds should appear by folding his robe into a square, turning over his bowl and placing it as a dome on the square, and then leaning his staff on it. A stupa is a reminder to his followers of death and rebirth, which are not to be mourned but to be celebrated as the result is Nirvanna (Niribanna). Monk Bowls: The monk bowl is said to be another sacred symbol of the Buddha and his teachings as it represents “the middle way” between the giver and the receiver where both are united in one act. The Trident or “Trishula”: This three-pronged spear has several meanings, commonly said to represent dozens of trinities (birth-life-death, past-present-future, mind-body-breath, etc.) In Buddhism, the most common is the representation of the three jewels or “triple gems” which include the Buddha, his teachings (Dharma) and the monkhood (Sangha).
Other Aniconic Symbols of Buddhism Although many of the eight symbols are common here in Thailand, there exist several other non-human symbolic images that also represent the lessons and qualities of Buddha. These are some of the earliest symbols used in Buddhism that are common in Thailand. The Bodhi Tree and Leaf: This tree is significant as the Buddha was seated under it as he reached enlightenment during meditation, and therefore it represents liberation. The leaf of the Bodhi tree is shaped much like the lotus leaf with a single point, bringing to mind the peak of Mount Meru, the center of the Hindu and Buddhist spiritual universe and a single point of consciousness. A Buddha Footprint: You may have come across the impression of an elaborate footprint within some Thai wats. According to Buddhist legend, after enlightenment, his feet made an impression on the stone where he stepped. The footprints of the Buddha symbolize the Buddha’s presence and at the same time, his absence now that he has entered nirvana. March 2020
Religions all over the world incorporate various symbolism to convey the most important aspects of their teachings to followers. Buddhism is no exception, and by recognizing the significance of such symbols within the culture and art of Thailand, we are able to better relate to something very different from the structures we are familiar with. As we make these connections, we bridge gaps and can begin to appreciate and enjoy the things here that had been previously quite foreign and unfamiliar!
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Kelly Kabat
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Restaurant Review
Etage 7 Bistro
Thai siblings return from Sweden to open restaurant on Chaengwattana Road We decided to sample one of the newcomers in the area, Etage 7 Bistro, which is located between Maguro and the defunct WaffleMe (near Health Land) on the other side of Chaengwattana Road. We liked it so much we offered a review to Thani Talk magazine with the hope of helping these young entrepreneurs with a well-deserved chance to get established. Meanwhile, we found out that the restaurant’s Google rating is 5 stars (including our rating for full disclosure). The young owners are Anurak and his sister Weena who have grown up in Sweden where their family has a couple of restaurants. Anurak and Weena got homesick and decided to move back to Thailand and open a restaurant. The restaurant is bright with floor to ceiling windows on two sides. The space, the ceiling, the brick wall and the furniture is industrial. The organization of the space is inviting and flexible: comfortable armchairs around low tables in one corner, small tables that can be arranged to become communal tables for large groups, and high chairs along the bar. There are also tables and chairs outside for overflowing parties.
Co-owner Weena (left) with a staff member The lunch menu is Thai inspired with personal creations, while the dinner menu is larger, with more international dishes. As we went for lunch, we opted for the more unusual selections on the menu, which also happened to be best sellers: the signature eggs in homemade tamarin sauce (Kai Luk Koey, 150 baht) and the stir-fried soft shell crabs with curry powder (250 baht). Both dishes were creative, delicious and served in generous proportions by very gracious staff. Weena is also quite proud of her homemade Pad Thai March 2020
sauce which we did not sample. The prices are friendly for such quality cuisine, made exclusively with fresh produce. For Valentine’s Day, Weena was preparing mussels with fries! Etage 7 Bistro also boasts a good selection of international red and white wines as well as cocktails. Whether you plan an intimate escapade or a community event, Etage 7 Bistro can accommodate you and your party. While the menu is not vegetarian, they will cater to your needs. If you want dessert, they will offer to purchase and bring it to you. To top it all: they also do home delivery! On weekends, the restaurant offers extended evening hours for late diners. Inderbir Broca and Pascale Kervyn Address: 5/46 Chaeng Wattana Road Telephone: 094-946-9366 Facebook: Etage7 Bistro Closed on Mondays Hours: Tues- Thurs (12pm to 10pm); Fri. (12pm to 12 am); Sat (1pm to 12am) Sun (1pm to 10pm)
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