Bangkok Trader – Volume 6, Issue 1 – December 2011

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VOLUME 6, ISSUE NO. 1

DECEMBER 2011

You are cordially invited to join us to celebrate our 5th anniversary of Bangkok Trader.

We’re having our annual blowout at Zanzibar at Sukhumvit Soi 11 on Friday, November 25th, from 6:30-9pm, with lots of food and drink, a DJ, dancers, and all of you there!

For more details, go to http://goo.gl/UBsgo or http://goo.gl/EnNbR The International Street Show in Bangkok Page 4

BANGKOK TRADER Volume 6, Issue No. 1 DECEMBER 2011

Published by Siam Gazette Co., Ltd. Publisher and Managing Director: Kaewta Verstein kaewta@thebangkoktrader.com Executive Assistant to the Managing Director: Pla Jaiyen Tel. 02 655 0941 pla@thebangkoktrader.com Sales & Marketing: Alan S. Verstein Tel. 081 761 9302 alan@thebangkoktrader.com Business Development Manager: Andy Hyde Tel. 080 814 9080 andy@bangkokbusinessbrief.com Creative Director: Reid Nixon reid@thebangkoktrader.com Ad Traffic: Joke Chaymanee thailandmagazine@gmail.com Delivery: Cha Lormnak

Siam Gazette Main Office

Ground Floor, Vanissa Bldg, 29 Soi Chidlom Bangkok 10330, Thailand Tel. 02 655 0940 Fax 02 655 0941 Cover photo of International Street Show in Bangkok provided by Dave Stamboulis, who can be contacted at pedallerdave@hotmail.com

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Not Your Everyday Bangkok Rally

By Dave Stamboulis

One thing I have always lamented in Bangkok is that for a large, vibrant, metropolitan capital, the city comes up short on street artistry. European capitals like London and Paris have a tremendous history (dating back to the 1600s!) and bounty of buskers and street performance, with places like Convent Gardens and the Pompidou Centre offering outstanding regular performances by amazingly talented street artists. While both these spots are controlled by market associations who pay licensing fees to the city to allow entertainers to perform, busking or street performance is actually illegal in both these cities, yet the abundance of artists remains, watching out for each other and evading the police while performing in metro stations, parks, and other spots where the public gathers. Unfortunately, other than the odd, stray-corner show in Bangkok, the city is normally devoid of such art, unless one wants to count the wannabe rappers and coyote dancers who perform the mostly repetitive dance moves in front of MBK as artists.

Yet, all this changed three years ago with the arrival of the International Street Show to the Big Mango. Following the success of busking and performance competitions in Asia and Oceania, such as the Daidogei World Cup in Shizuoka, Japan and World Buskers Festival in Christchurch, New Zealand, the International Street Show came to Bangkok, featuring clowns, mimes, jugglers, acrobats, magician, stilt walkers, trapeze artists, unicyclists, fire eaters, sword swallowers, balloon artists, contortionists, and more, with outstanding crowd pleasers from Japan, Korea, the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Thailand enter-

taining huge crowds in Lumphini Park throughout the weekend. The show returned the following year, winning critical acclaim and big media write-ups, and by 2010, the Lumphini shows were jammed packed, with thousands showing up to watch performances. With this success, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration along with Workpoint Entertainment, the enterprise that sponsored the festival, decided to make the event a December regular for the city, bringing almost 100 acts from around the globe for one of the most entertaining weekends Bangkokians can get. Even more amazingly, the entire event is free!

Many of the stars return year after year, like Tom RoughHigh, an award winning tightrope walker and member of the Aerial Acrobatic Circus, who brings his hysterical show where he basically copies the contortions of a doll that looks exactly like him, which is put into stretched out and embarrassing positions by the audience. Another fan favorite is Solsora, a phenomenal high-wire silk trapeze act by a Canadian-Japanese husbandand-wife team. Both rock climbers and trapeze performers who studied in circus art schools internationally and then trained under the famed Cirque du Soleil Troupe, Michel and Tomoko Charron perform acrobatic drops and slides on a long pole and aerial dance and stunts wrapped in silk tissue high above the ground. The level of strength, dedication, and training that goes into such performance is incredible, and the duo’s performances are dazzling. Then there is Thank You Tezuka, featuring Japanese pantomime

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artist Hiroshi Tezuka, who dresses as a woman, sings corny pop songs, and falls in love with various members of the crowd, engaging in antics that are so farfetched and silly that they leave much of the audience in tears of laughter.

What is so fantastic about many of the performances is that they rely heavily on audience interaction and participation. While busking and street performance might be considered by some to be on the bottom rung of the art performance ladder, they are actually a lot more down to earth and closer to the average person than other forms of entertainment. Due to space, the shows take place in a tight environment; being outdoors and free, they bring spectators quickly and intensively together; and outside of the high wire acts, the shows are all at in-your-face, ground level without barriers, creating a special bond between crowd and performer. All of the acts are either so talented (or else just plain funny) that they completely transcend any barriers – race, language, culture, or other – and I cannot remember the

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last time I saw so many people in Bangkok, both foreigners and Thais alike, smiling, laughing, and enjoying themselves like there was no tomorrow.

While the show is completely free, I highly advise you to bring a lot of coins or 20-baht notes to put in the tip hats that the performers put out after their routines. They highly deserve it, and this is one bit of entertainment absolutely worth every last satang available!

The International Street Show in Bangkok will take place December 10-12, from 3-9 p.m., in Lumphini Park. www.bangkokstreetshow.com Dave Stamboulis is a freelance photographer and travel writer based in Bangkok. He is the author of Odysseus’ Last Stand, which received the Silver Medal Book of the Year award from the Society of American Travel Writers. He can be contacted at pedallerdave@hotmail.com.

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DECEMBER 2011 - 7

A Stand for the Second-Hands

By Shei Sanchez

Let’s face it: Second-hand bookshops have it bad here in Bangkok. To those seekers of the preowned print, more power to you.

With the advent and growing popularity of downloads and electronic readers, second-hand shops in the developing metropolis that is Bangkok are hurting.

The inventory of used bookstores pales in comparison to that of the thriving community in the small city of Chiang Mai. Why is that? Perhaps it is the more modern, more urban cadence, as Bangkok speedily moves upward and forward to the beat of technology’s drum. Maybe it is a penchant for the brand new and shiny, wrapped in plastic and betraying a sense of minty freshness.

We can’t blame it all on the late Steve Jobs. Nor on Amazon… or Kinokuniya even.

In fact, there is something to be said about the ease of downloading Jack London’s Call of the Wild and scrolling down through the canine’s adventures.

It is tempting to think of how the script of Arabian Nights can be enlarged with a click or a magic movement with the thumb and forefinger. Reading Tolkien by a lamp light is easily replaced by the screen’s own guiding light, which can be adjusted to your weary eyes’ liking. Indeed, there is, likewise, the veritable attraction to the virginity of the untouched publication. Uncreased and unmarked, eating into a new printed copy of a Richard Dawkins is like digging into a fresh garden salad, crispy pages that sing with every turn. So what is the charm of second-hand bookshops amid all the euphoria of the latter-day sheen?

I’ll tell you: because these books hold the allure that many generations of yore have valued and what newer digitally-inclined denizens of now don’t – the quest for the palpable page.

It’s not just about the price, nor about being an utter Luddite. It’s about finding that title – that elusive volume or collection – only second-hand shop owners dream of having (and not necessarily selling), like a special edition of the Lord of the Rings trilogy or a limited edition on early African art. It’s about the culture of exchange – that wolfish appetite of knowledge reciprocated among readers with a romantic notion for the once-used. Still, there are niches for these bibliophiles to bury their noses in. Out there in the ether, with reading material from stores like Asia Books or gadgets like iPads and Kindles, are these bastions of yesteryear’s copies – literally. Yes, these second-hand bookstores are still around.

The oldest one in the foreign market in Thailand, in fact, is right on Sukhumvit. Elite Sun Books, just a few meters past Soi 33/1, stores a slightly modest potpourri of second-hand books. It used to be located on Soi 24 but moved a few blocks down over 10 years ago. Besides titles in English, Elite also has a considerable amount of selections in Japanese, which fill up two aisles worth of shelves. A cordial clerk explained that a majority of the clientele are Japanese.

It makes sense since this has been a burgeoning business district for them, with countless sushi and ramen restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores dot-

8 - DECEMBER 2011

ting the Sukhumvit area. Present in Elite’s shelves are works in other languages, such as French, German, Russian, Dutch, and Chinese.

Down Sukhumvit a bit is Dasa Books (www.dasabookcafe.com). Not only does this multi-story second-hand shop allow you to meander their neatly organized shelves, they also offer café noshes that you can enjoy at seating areas on the first floor. While perusing your paperback or hardcover and debating to yourself whether this is the only book you’ll purchase (perhaps it is only one of a few), you can listen to light tunes floating unobtrusively to the ceiling.

Past the Emporium between Sukhumvit Soi 26 and 28 and across from the Tops Supermarket, Dasa Books has the vibe and layout of medium-sized bookstores I frequented in the U.S. It’s as if you are walking into a treasure trove of long-lost tomes of a recent or childhood past. For a newbie second-hand seeker to Bangkok, this can be cloud nine. For a passing tourist, this is a decent welcome mat. To boot, they have a ‘dasabase’ on their first floor for searches; and you can do this at home, too, via their user-friendly website.

Their selections of English and other foreign language books rival that of Elite.

At Dasa, it seems like there is more care taken with the books ordered and bought. Like Elite, people can bring their preowned prints to be exchanged, traded, or purchased. As with many shops, the books’ quality, popularity, and resellability are key factors before any exchanges. Dasa has their policy clearly laid out in their website. Their approachable staff can explain these guidelines as well.

But it’s not just on this side of Bangkok’s melting pot where the bookworm can go. The pursuit for the preloved palpables can also be continued in the Khao San area and at Chatuchak Market. Near the Kamphaeng Phet MRT is an almost overwhelming maze of used books at the one-and-only Chatuchak Market. The hunt for your desired copy isn’t child’s play in this second-hand section. You could spend close to an hour just browsing upward, downward, and diagonally at titles both popular and obscure.

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Shaman, tucked away on Suzie Walking Street between sois Khao San and Rambuttri, held the legendary reputation of the best – and most – second-hand readings in this area, with a plethora of categories and a staggering collection on Buddhism and meditation. Unfortunately, this store has since downsized to a smaller space; it used to be on Khao San itself, but moved to the connecting walkway to Rambuttri. It doesn’t just offer an impeccable selection of purely used books. Shaman also caters to those who prefer the new and unblemished publications.

With its mishmash of the used, the new, and the rare, Saraban Booskhop on Rambuttri is one of the few second-hands left standing. Its owner, Thatree Jintawijit, laments the decline of the used bookstores in grungy, touristy, yet upscaling, Khao San. “It’s not a good business now. More and more people are using the Internet.” He has moved his business around the corner, just at the beginning of Suzie Walking Street. An open nook, this pocket-sized version of Saraban sells more newer pulp than your average used bookshop, with Thaithemed fiction and hard covers on Buddhism. Clearly this one considers the short-term traveler, as you can also find a section devoted to Lonely Planet perusal and a glass display case of souvenirs.

Leaving aside either end of Suzie Walking Street, there are a few other second-hand finds along Rambuttri. They aren’t shops per se, but stands that may attract a curious passerby. These have similar stocks as Saraban, as expected, since it is backpacker territory. And, to be sure, it’s not surprising to find a copied copy of a bestseller. For these ad hoc bookstands, there is a less systematic approach to the organization. Only here can you find the Bhagavad Gita in Spanish next to The Lost Stories of Sherlock Holmes. Perhaps, just as with love, there’s something for everyone.

Shei Sanchez is a full-time educator, some-time writer, former professional photographer, gastro-fiend, and budding gardener. She teaches at a university in Bangkok and can be contacted at orangesimple@gmail.com.

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Thai Driving Odyssey

Renewing a Thai Driving License in Bangkok

By Voicu Mihnea Simandan

Chapter 1.

You come to Thailand on a three-week holiday, fall in love with the place and its people, and decide to move – (in)definitely – to the Land of Smiles. Your skin is white enough to secure you a job teaching hordes of Thai students the English language (it doesn’t matter that grammar rules make no sense to you!) and, on the side, you’ve opened the 1,000th eBay business selling Thai kitsch to believers in the Western world.

end up just another road traffic casualty statistic. Things are pretty smooth for you, gasoline isn’t that expensive for your farang salary (or you even changed your car engine to LPG), your lady loves it, and you get to drive out of town on the weekends. But something keeps bothering you: Almost every month, the traffic cops stop you and, true to Thai law, you end up paying a fine (or part of the fine, that is) because you’ve been in the country for more than three months and you should have replaced your national driving license with a Thai one.

At first, the recklessness of the tuk-tuk drivers and the death-defying zigzagging of the motorcycle taxis during Bangkok rush hour thrills you. But once you see with your own eyes a few bodies (not the pixelated pictures on the front page of Thai newspapers), innocent victims of insane bus drivers or drunk driving, you know that the 200-baht helmet you bought from Big C might not be saving your life in the future. Next time it might be your motorcycle taxi driver who squeezes between two buses, grazing your knees on the bus wheels, and subsequently losing control of his bike, with both of you ending up just another casualty in the oh-so-normal game of life-and-death on the roads of Bangkok.

One day, you finally do it. You take the English-language Thai driving license test, remain baffled at the grammar in the questions, the illogical answers, the questions with no correct answer, or having to choose between a), b) or c), but only answer a) is displayed on the screen. Obviously you fail, but you know the right people and, with some help, you get your Thai driving license. Finally, you’re legal.

So, what to do? You decide to take your destiny in your own hands. First, you buy some good life insurance – so that your Thai girlfriend can bury you in style and be at peace that your ghost won’t be haunting her forever – and then, depending on how much money you’ve saved (or more accurately, how much less you’ve spent) since you’ve moved to Thailand, you buy a small city bike or even dish out a couple of tens of thousands of baht for a down payment on a car.

Of course you have a driving license from back home (which luckily hasn’t expired… yet) and thus you hit the roads, remembering to be careful and not

Chapter 2.

Fast-forward one year later and you’re still alive, you’ve had only a few minor accidents (but no one got hurt), and the insurance took care of the damage.

Then, one night, at a random roadblock in downtown Bangkok, an army of cops pulls you over and asks for your driving license. Luckily, you haven’t been drinking so, really, there’s no need to sweat. Just another crackdown on ya baa trafficking, you think. But, to your shock, you see the brown-clad cop taking out his booklet and starting to write a fine.

“Is there a problem?” you mutter in a farang-accented Thai.

The reply comes like a freight train smashing into your car at full speed: “You license aiu mot leow. Expire leow.”

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DECEMBER 2011 - 11

You muster all your neurons to work towards comprehending what the cop is saying and you finally get it. It’s been a year since you’ve had your Thai driving license issued and you’ve forgotten to renew it!

You try to ‘reason’ with the police officer, but they’re on a mission tonight and not interested in your ‘donation,’ so you say goodbye to your Thai driving license as you swap it for the fine ticket. You’re lucky enough to live in the area, and thus the police station where you go the next day to pay the fine and pick up your driving license isn’t that far. But, you start panicking as your license has expired and what if they say you can’t renew it because it has expired for too long and you have to sit the test once again?

The next day you take a day off from work (or just call in sick – as Thai employers seem to think that farangs have no need for personal days off!), and the night before, you Google for information regarding the renewal process. You get confused with the different opinions posted on blogs, forums, and copyand-paste websites. So, you prepare all the possible documents – just in case – and go to bed in peace, knowing that you have everything you need:

• a signed copy of your passport’s photo page; • a signed copy of your non-immigrant visa and the last stamp from the Thai Immigration Bureau; • a signed copy of your work permit (which replaces the letter of residence issued by your embassy); • two recent 1-inch photographs; • the expired Thai driving license.

You also make a mental note to stop at a doctor’s clinic on your way to the Department of Land Transport (DLT) headquarters office on Phahonyothin Road (between Saphan Khwai and Mo Chit BTS SkyTrain stations) and get a medical certificate. But don’t… you don’t need that for renewals!

You can also renew your driving license at smaller DLT offices in your district area. The best way to get there is to have a motorcycle taxi driver from your neighborhood take you. They will know for sure where to go. Whatever the location, try to be there early in the morning and avoid lunchtime hours when they get pretty crowded.

Chapter 3.

The next morning, you park your vehicle in the crowded compound of the DLT headquarters and make your way to Building 4. It is one of the many white buildings that litter the compound and, in case you can’t read Thai, look for this sign “๔” – which is the number ‘4’ in Thai script – displayed in black on the building. The DLT offers a one-stop service here, so the application process will start and finish in the same building, saving you the trouble of running from one place to another in its huge complex.

Once inside, don’t waste your time at the ground floor reception booth, but go straight to the second floor where your documents will be checked and your application will be processed. In case you have two Thai driving licenses (one for motorcycles and one for cars), you’ll need all the documents listed above in duplicates. I know, it’s a waste of trees, and you wonder when Thailand will cut down on its bureaucracy and smoothen the lives of people living here.

You will definitely stand out from the crowd – big, sweaty, loud, and foreign – and your application will immediately catch the attention of the floor supervisor who will remind the students on practice at the counter that there are two special booths (no. 17 and no. 18) reserved for foreigners. Not only are these manned by English-speaking staff, but they also have a separate queue number system. This is a big bonus for you because the waiting line at these booths is usually short, with just a few Asian students and laborers making its ranks.

Once your turn is up, the ‘officer’ in the booth collects all your documents, takes a digital photograph of you, and then gives you a form that you will have to take to the third floor. Here, in a large room, there are three stations you’ll have to pass to get the required stamps and signatures on your form. The first one is a traffic lights color test. Basically, you have to tell the lady operating a ‘traffic light’ what color is on. Don’t expect her to know the colors in English, so you’d better remember that, in Thai, red is daeng, yellow is luang, and green is kheaw.

Once you’ve passed the color test, you move on to a more entertaining station: brake reaction time. Although you might need some explanations as to what you actually have to do, the lady supervising the test can’t speak a word of English. When my turn came up, I said, “Khun sa mat sa daeng dai reu mai?” which means, “Can you show me?” and pointed at the device. What one man can do, another can also, so I gave it a try. There are two pedals that you have to operate with your feet while seated. A green light shown in front of you means you have to press the ‘acceleration pedal’ all the way down. Then, a few seconds later, the lady in charge changes the light to red and you have to hit the ‘brake pedal.’ Your reaction time is shown on the display console as a vertical line of lights. If you’re too slow, the light will light all the way up from green to red. Obviously, the idea is the keep the vertical lights on green only.

You get to try this station a few times, and I’ve seen some older Thais get their form signed even if the red light limit was lit up by a few notches.

The third and last test is probably the most interesting one, which may actually tell you something you don’t know about yourself. It tests your peripheral vision up close, which means they want to know how well you can see close-up objects to the side while looking straight ahead.

All three stations are in everyone’s view, so placing envelopes in pockets in case you fail one of the tests might be a bit difficult. Still, the tests are not that strict, and you are given enough opportunities to get it right.

Then, you’re sent to the fourth floor where, alongside your form, you need to hand over your passport too. You wait for your turn for the ‘movie room,’ where you will be shown three movies. The first one is an animated presentation of the main traffic rules (all in Thai!), followed by a shocking compilation of road accidents – mainly caused by motorists who ignored the red traffic light. Literally, you’ll see bodies flying in slow motion across intersections, motorbikes disappearing under 12-wheel trucks, and bicycles ending up on the windshield of cars coming from the opposite direction. I think both videos made their point, and for Thailand, they seem to have served their purpose.

What baffled me – bordering on the unbelievable – was the last 30-minute soap opera-like production about two Thai families and the consequences of reckless driving, in comparison to motorists who respect traffic rules. It has English subtitles, and although the grammar is perfect, half of the time you can’t read the text, as the background is very bright (a shadowed border would have helped immensely). If the movie had been ten times shorter and hadn’t been flawed, this article would have also been one paragraph shorter, but unfortunately (perhaps for both of us), it wasn’t so.

For a movie shown in the building of the Department of Land Transport with the intention of being played to a bunch of bored people who only wanted to renew their driving license and get on with their lives, the movie was a total failure. I’m not referring here to the quality of actors. No, there were other major problems with the picture. How about children standing in the back seat of a moving car (as opposed to sitting with their seatbelts on); driving with just one hand on the steering wheel; parking on the sidewalk (typical Thai-style); kids riding in the front seat (a big no-no in Western countries); getting driving lessons from an unauthorized instructor in an unmarked vehicle; drivers not wearing a seatbelt (!!!); and learning to drive a car in a moo baan (a Thai housing compound)?

Towards the end of the movie, a lady encouraged the viewers to buy a 50-baht booklet about… well, something to do with driving, and you might be surprised

12 - DECEMBER 2011

BANGKOK TRADER to see quite a few people purchasing it. Once the movie is over, the Thais collect their forms and ID cards from a table nearby. It’s a pleasant surprise to see that your passport isn’t placed on the table in the open for anyone to just take, but handed to you personally by one of the ladies working on this floor.

With all boxes signed and stamped, you head back to booth 17 (or 18) on the second floor to pick up your brand new, 5-year valid Thai driving license.

It comes as a plastic card, with basic information (including the expiry date!) in English and images of the kind of vehicles you’re allowed to drive. If you’re there for a license for motorcycles and for cars, you might be struck at the inefficiency (once again) upon receiving two almost identical cards, one for each vehicle. There was enough space on any of the cards to squeeze in one more word and one more image! The costs are a bit higher than the last time you might have renewed your driving license here, but they’re still affordable: 305 baht for motorcycles and 555 baht for cars.

In conclusion, apart from the failed attempt at educating motorists with a terribly flawed motion picture, you will leave the headquarters of the Department of Land Transport in Bangkok pleased with their one-stop service. In total, you have spent less than two hours going up and down the stairs to the various test places. Two hours for five years worth of driving and the knowledge that ‘you’re legal’ was definitely worth the trouble. Now all I, you, and everybody else behind a wheel or on the saddle need to do is stay in our lane (for God’s sake, everyone, stop changing lanes every ten meters!), respect the traffic lights, and watch our speed. Basically, take it easy. It’s better to arrive at your destination later than never. Jai yen yen and Godspeed.

Voicu Mihnea Simandan is a 33-year-old Romanian writer, freelance journalist, and educator living in Thailand since 2002. He has published three books of nonfiction, one book for children, and several short stories in different magazines, journals, and anthologies. He is now completing his first novel, The Buddha Head, a historical thriller set in Thailand. He can be contacted at mihnea_voicu@yahoo.com.

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Award-winning ZUMA opens sixth restaurant in Bangkok Co-founders of ZUMA, Chef Rainer Becker and Arjun Waney, opened their sixth restaurant in Bangkok today.

This sixth and latest opening, brings ZUMA’s award-winning contemporary interpretation of the Japanese izakaya style of informal eating and drinking to the capital of Thailand.

The menu at ZUMA is designed for sharing. The dishes come from three different kitchens; the main kitchen, robata counter and sushi bar. The combination of the three different cooking styles results in a mixture of tastes, temperatures and textures that create an exciting and fun dining experience.

ZUMA Bangkok is centrally located on the ground level of The St. Regis Hotel and offers an oasis in which to enjoy its “We are delighted to be opening our sixth restaurant in award winning cuisine.

Bangkok. The city’s lively cosmopolitan, yet traditional character very much complements ZUMA’s energy”, said Diners can look forward to ZUMA’s delicious signature dish- Chef Rainer Becker. “Zuma is a modern Japanese restaues on the menu, such as Suzuki No Osashimi (Thinly sliced rant, yet it respects tradition in not only the food but also in sea bass with yuzu, truffle oil and salmon roe), Gyuhire Sum- the design and approach.” ibiyaki Karami Zuke (Spicy beef tenderloin with sesame, red chilli and sweet soy) Dynamite Spider Maki Roll (Soft Noriyoshi Muramatsu of Studio Glitt has been involved with shell crab, chilli mayonnaise, cucumber and wasabi tobiko ZUMA’s interior space since the first restaurant in London in sauce) and Tsubumiso Gake Hinadori No Obun Yaki (Baby 2002 and has continued his harmonious use of the four elechicken marinated in barley miso, oven roasted on cedar ments – Earth, Fire, Water and Air for Bangkok. wood). In addition, the talented bar team and sommeliers have created an exciting cellar featuring a total of 1,500 Respected for his meticulous attention to detail and clean bottles of some of the world’s best wines, Champagnes fluid lines in his design approach, Muramatsu-san references and sake. both local and Japanese culture throughout the restaurant.

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Organic textured materials and traditional textiles all help create the perfect environment, an oasis of calm in which to enjoy ZUMA’s international award-winning cuisine. At the rear of the restaurant there is a large outdoor terrace that features both a pond and a small garden, ‘Tsubo Niwa’. “My aim was to take inspiration from the natural elements of this ‘Tsubo Niwa’, and make the design flow through the restaurant as one, single energy. To accentuate this further, we used glass as a partition, eliminating the divide between the exterior and the interior space”, explained Muramatsu-san.

The energy continues with the use of granite as a natural stone for the open kitchen, robata and sushi counters. By maintaining the original shape of the surface, the granite emulates the rocks found in the garden. In addition, wood from old railway sleepers and traditional Thai-styled houses, is used to compliment the stone and creates a sense of calm and relaxation. It took Muramatsu-san over six months to source these natural materials alone, selecting each piece of granite, rock and wood himself.

In contrast, the private dining room and lounge were deliberately designed as interior spaces. Locally hand-woven fabrics, inspired by traditional Thai textiles, have been used as wall coverings. The result is an immediate visual contrast to the impact of the open restaurant and creates a feeling of sanctuary within.

ZUMA Bangkok is open for both lunch and dinner. For reservations contact Tel: 0 2252 4707 or E-mail: reservations@zumarestaurant.co.th

DECEMBER 2011 - 15

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BANGKOK TRADER

MARKETPLACE HYPNOTHERAPY can help you make the changes you want. I offer cognitive-behavioural therapy and hypnosis for smoking cessation, weight loss, social confidence, anxiety & phobia elimination, stress reduction, habit reversal, motivation, emotional control, concentration and much more. This is brief yet powerful, solution-focused and effective therapy for people ready to make lasting changes from the inside out. See www. hypno-therapy.net for more details or call me to find out how I can help you: 088-227-0553 (Tom) (J) SCUBA DIVING: R4, are these the world’s greatest reefs?

David Espinosa words: Papua’s Raja ampat islands are remote enough that each dive is a guaranteed seat-ofyour-pants adventure. In fact, the diving is so good it begs the question: Are these the world’s greatest reefs? Yes, they are with Dr. Gerald Allen’s record of 283 species on our house-reef in a single dive. M: 085-8290800 RUDE & 086-5528770 NOTE, email: go.raja.ampat@gmail.com (K)

USA VISA: We specialize in the United States Visa for Thai Nationals. Fiancee (K-1), Marriage (K-3, CR-1 or IR-1), Tourist or Student. Web site: www.americavisa4thai.com Office just of Phloenchit BTS station within two minute walk.

American owned and operated. All English speaking staff.

02-651-4364. We also do visa’s for Australia and NZ. (K) VIDEO IS THE FUTURE of the internet. Whether you need to promote your business, educate, inform, or entertain, if you don’t yet have a professionally produced video for your website, we can help. Visit www.sitca.com, or for a free consultation with no obligation write info@sitca.com. (K) AMERICAN ENGLISH TEACHER – Private and group classes available for children. 300BHT hourly for group classes, 600BHT hourly for private one-on-one class.

Speech, conversation and pronunciation specialized. Located near asok BTS. Email at brianestradaifa@yahoo.com or call 0844632123 (K)

THAI COTTON CLOTHES FOR LADIES, Men and kids Naturally Handmade clothes from 100% Thai cotton by Tong95 Shop. There are variety and unique designs for wholesale and retail. Please visit www.tong95.com THE COVENT GARDEN BAR COMPLEX located at Soi 16, Walking Street, Pattaya has some available space for you to set for more details. (H) up businesses. We have 5 available spaces, suitable for a Beer PROM CONDO FOR SALE: at Phraholyothin soi2, Bar, Sheesha/Beer Bar and/or Take-out counter. There are also 56 SQM, 5th floor, 2 bedrooms, 2 showrooms, 1 living 4 spaces suitable for a Night Club or an Ago go Club. I like to room, swimming pool, near BTS. Please contact invite people to visit the complex and decide if you wish to expand your business. For inquiries call Joseph 088-737-8013 or email b9club@hotmail.com (H) joseph_euperio@yahoo.ca (L) IMMO DE BANGKOK CO., LTD – Real estate Agency.

Welcome to Immodebangkok. If you want to sell, rent or buy condominium, we can help you to reach your objective.

Just visit to our website: www.immodebangkok.com or call us: Khun Kay: +66 081- 825 4363 (H)

CURTAINS, WALLPAPER, blinds, shades & interior painting – sales and installation, in English, free in-home consultation, measurement, and quotations. Showroom on Soi 23 in Sukhumvit, free parking. Condos, single-family, commercial. Reasonable prices, fast service and professional installation. Interior decorator PARTNERSHIP WANTED: smm participation. Highly SEO- with 10 years experience. www.PKCurtains.com. E-mail: Ron@ rated museum-quality website already has plenty of traffic. PKCurtains.com or 0807706741 (mobile). Liven up your home or Now owner wants to build sales with successful proven social business, add some color and pizzazz. (K) media marketing participation. Can you do it? Good % of sales for you depending on results. Please send your CV to PRIVATE TEACHER: TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, GRE, LSAT, or Tom@Jade-Carvings.com or call 02-635-7157 (H) Conversational/Business English. Experienced, professional and one who is already teaching at one of Bangkok’s most exclusive HELP WANTED: artistic Thai female for apprentice prep companies. Degree in Computational Physics from Harvey craftsman needed urgently! To polish exquisite jade carvings. Mudd College, one of the top engineering schools in the US. 1000 Polishing tools ready to start with instructions for precision- THB/hr. I’m not the cheapest, for a reason. Bad grammar and polishing written in Thai. Please telephone 02-635-7157 or irregular accents are nearly impossible to undo, sound like a native 086-781-8039 or email Tom@jade-carvings.com (H) instead. Contact me at private.tutor.bangkok@gmail.com (J)

BANGKOK TRADER

PLATINUM 200CC MOTORCYCLE – small enough for Bangkok traffic, large enough to maintain 130 kph on the highway. Almost new. Half the price of a Honda CBR 150cc. I ride to my health club sometimes and I’ve gone to Pattaya twice.

It was a foolish purchase since I just haven’t been using it. But maybe perfect for you.

Located near Ekamai BTS. Ask for John, 084-558-4788 (H) LEARN TO COOK THAI, fun, affordable, convenient, educational. Don’t be a lost farang in the market anymore, save money by cooking Thai. 12 four hour courses, only 1,250B/course. Price includes market tour, making coconut milk, sticky rice, curry pastes, 5 meals, recipe book, free coffee, tea, water. Located on Soi 23 in Sukhumvit. Western managed, taught by English-speaking Thai chef. www.BangkokThaiCookingAcademy.com Email: Ron@BangkokThaiCookingAcademy. com or 0807706741 Fruit carving classes also available. (K) FULLY FURNISHED studio/room with free high speed internet (in Ploenchit townhouse) for rent. Baht 6,800- 8,800.

Size 23/35 sqm. A few minutes walking from BTS Ploenchit and close to big embassies and expressway. near all wellknown offices, shopping malls / super markets / fitness centers: AllSeasons Place, Fruits court, Central Chitlom / World, Foodland, Gaysorn, Silom Complex, Siam Paragon, Lumpini Park. To view room, please contact Ms Penny Chan.

Tel 081-926-9198 come first, serve first! (J) CONDO FOR RENT - Pattaya, beachfront jomtien, Dong tan beach, studio 48m2, fully furnished, european kitchen, sea view, big balcony, 9th floor, 24 hours security, big swimming pool, available for short and long term rent.

Please, call 087 6117 001 or e-mail dst_zg_po@yahoo.com (J) THIS IS ONE FOR EX-PATS to earn good money. Just go to my website for full how to do info. www.myshoppinggenie/ youaskthegenie (H) TEACH CHA CENTER: Learning Thai for foreigners, Translator, interpreter. Fun and High Quality. Free!! Trial Lessons, Worksheets. Skype. Indoor, outdoor, your company by experience qualified teachers team. Conversation, Reading and Writing.

Well organized curriculum. Can adapt the course to suit individual careers.

(CEO, Business Owner, Manager, Doctor etc.) Our offices: Banglumphu Khoasarn and Petkasem. Please Contact Kru Tisha: www.facebook.com/teach.cha, tisha.tutor@gmail.com 0845696000, 0870853455, 022825832 (J)

DECEMBER 2011 - 19

BAR COUNTER NEW (shaped like an “L”).

It was previously used in a restaurant and had enough storage for all the restaurants glasses, plates and silverware. One side has a marble work counter. Longest side 305 cm, short side 235 cm, height 110 cm. Liquor Shelves/Cabinet (Used for display and and storage) Wide 195 cm, Depth 50 cm, Height 260 cm. Together 150,000 Negotiable. Call or email 083-602-7521 (H) CONDO FOR SALE – mid Sukhumvit. 270 sq mtrs. 4 beds, 3 bathrooms. 19th floor.

Stunning 280 degree views. Renovated kitchen. private lift into apartment. Great security, fitness center, sauna and kids playground plus 40 mtr pool. Contact David on 0818327325 (H) LUXURY CONDO at Pattaya for sale in high standing building on Wong Amat Beach, best location in Pattaya. 163 sqm fully furnished 3bed 3bath European kitchen. Every room has balcony with stunning views on the sea and the islands.

Direct beach access. Infinity swimming pool Jacuzzi sauna fitness centre tennis squash snooker communal gardens restaurant minimart covered car park laundry 24H security Price 14,5 mio Baht Phone 0811535117 (Thai-English) (K) STERLING SILVER CIGARETTE box 11x9x3cm hallmarked by royal jeweler Mappin & Webb. Approximately 70 years old. Baht 3,500 ono. Rare antique book “Bangkok Siam” published 1928 by Royal State Railways of Siam. Superb condition.

Baht 4,500 ono. Classic used man’s watch

by Phillip Charriol. Mother of pearl face with small diamonds on numerals. Baht 9,000 ono. Please email me for picture(s) or appointment to view/buy (Silom) <martinrowleya@yahoo.com> (K)

CONDO FOR RENT @ LUMPINI CONDOTOWN – Bodindecha – Ramkhamhaeng, 43/1 RamKhamhaeng Rd., 1 bedroom 28.28sqm 8th floor with an air-conditioner, a wardrobe, Refrigerator, Bed (5ft), dining table, 2 chairs, two screen door, small shoe shelf. nonsmoker desired, rent 5,800B/M, (If long stay, discount). Contact e-mail:bblbbl@ livedoor.com (name: Toshi) (K) STUDIO FOR RENT – easy access to BTS National Stadium, fully furnished, air con, telephone, cable TV, hot shower, refrigerator. parking and laundry service available. 30,000 Baht per month (includes water and electricity). Contact Pariya on 081-8474736. (K) CONDO FOR SALE / RENT – Pattaya. New 45sqm studio (building just completed).

Located Cozy Beach Pratumnak Hill in prestigious area of Pattaya. 200m to beach. Close to shops, bars, restuarants.

Fully Furnished, A/c, kitchen, Oven hob, microwave. Balcony overlooking swimming pool. Includes sauna, pool bar, restuarant, gym, library, rooftop garden, concierge facilities, 24hr security, cctv, underground parking. TV, internet, telephone. Price only 2.5m Baht or 12,000b month rent. Contact Nick 0800959002, email nickgreen3@hotmail.com Visit: www.emerald-palace.com (K)

TEAM BUILDING cooking parties are a fun way to promote staff and manager bonding, better communications, and improve camaraderie. Cooking together requires team effort; eating together is fun. We can cook Thai or Western— it’s “up to you.” Available day or night, 7 days a week. Classes and activities are in a quaint Thai home, located on Soi23, Sukhumvit, near BTS Asoke and MRT Sukhumvit stations. www.

THE NICHE CONDO SUKHUMVIT BangkokThaiCookingAcademy.com.

49, 43 sqm, 4th floor, Fully furnished E - m a i l : R o n @ B a n g k o k T h a i C o o k i n g 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, living room & Academy.com or 0807706741 (K) kitchen. Free shuttle service to Prompong & Thonglor BTS. Fitness with swimming CONDO FOR SELL URGENTLY – Brand pool and sauna. Rent B.16,000 / month New, Le Lex condo 100m. to Prakanong with a 1 year contract. Contact Vickie BTS, 20Fl. selling only 85,000B./sqm. excellent view like New York City. 52.11 089 897 0017 (L) sqm. 1 bed / 1bath, separate kitchen HOT SALE! Condo Penthouse Suk. selling only 4,400,000B. Pls contact Nata 53 Thonglor area. 257sqm 3br. 4 ba, 3 085-1111-889 (H) balconies, kicthen, maid’s room. Really nice decoration, 100% condition. Fully furnished with electric appliances. Well maintenance Condo, Good neighbours.

Peaceful area. please see pictures at www. chosenmarketing.com/habitat . Full facilities.

Negotiable price! Please call 0891062240 or email to 2purelife@gmail.com (I)

FOR SALE - 228 sqm 3br condo near park and BTS – Located Crystal Garden in Soi 4 near Park entrance. Great view, large balcony. Asking: THB 13.5M. (Negotianable). More info contact: 081-8180796 or email siamtc@ji-net. com (J)

20 - DECEMBER 2011

BANGKOK TRADER

MARKETPLACE BUSINESS / FINANCIA consultants, estate planners, will writers & paralegals are required to join our organization. Full/ Part-Time vacancies are available. (If you don’t have the qualifications, then you may attend our seminars and be certified).

Franchises/Agencies are available. For further information and to send your resume/ CV to: legalalliance777@gmail.com Mobile No.(087) 9915655 (L)

LARRYS RESTAURANT SOI 22 Sukhumvit , has one of bangkoks best burgers, the Tijuana Burger. Go to bangkok burger blog.com. Larrys has American cusine with BBQ RIBS from 299.00 friday nights and Larrys famous Rueban sandwich at 275.00. Also with zorbas Greek restaurant next door. The Greek Pita bread Burger is a delight at 250 baht.

Open for Breakfast from 630am and lunch and dinner. telephone 026634563 (L)

VICTORIAN SILVER FOR SALE: various victorian silver items for sale all with authentic hallmarks.milk jugs, spoon sets, ash trays, cigarette and cigar cases, sugar sifter amongst others. For collectors.

Contact David on 0818327325 (H)

MODERN CONDO FOR RENT near BTS - great price – 86 Sqm, 2 B/R & 2 Bath.

Newly renovated & F/F in modern and bright style ( LCD & washing machine), 7 mins. Walk distance to Ploenchit BTS. Only SABAIJIT RESORT AT PRANBURI for THB 26,000 per month. (Negotionable). your holiday: For relaxation, freedom and More info contact: 081-8180796 or email inspiration. Please visit www.Sabaijit. siamtc@ji-net.com (J) com (H) 2 YONEX BADMINTION racquets for

FLOOD SALE - Urgent resale NEW Ideo Verve Sukhumvit Onut BTS, 2 BR condo.

Asking original price 6,400,0000 THB. No Commission. Unit 2702 at IDEO Verve.

Ideo Verve 2br, 57.60 sqm, 27th floor, facing southeast. Unfurnished, Brand New building, This is a beautiful condo in FOR SALE: Horse riding saddle with reins an excellent location. Call 086 797 3712 and bit and riding helmet. All purpose saddle all leather in good condition.

Brian (L) Contact K.Jazz 02-271-0987 ext.333. (K) DESIGNERS OWN HOUSE for sale in Bangkoks green, flood free peninsula THE NICHE CONDO SUKHUMVIT 49, “Bangkachao”. 2-story house 192 sqm, 63 Sqm, Fully furnished 2 bedroom, 1 100 twl land, built 2008. Minimalist bathroom, living room & kitchen, will Scandinavian style 2 bed, 3 WC, front all electrical appliances. Free shuttle / back garden, solar heated water in all service to Phrompong BTS. Fitness with taps, double walls, CCTV. Only 30-40 swimming pool & Sauna. Rent 28,000/p.m. min. to Asoke / Sukhumvit, it’s truly an with a 1 year contract. Contact Mukhlis undiscovered oasis in city. See www. 084-0772518 (H) bomancreative.com/house - 10,7 mill baht I AM LOOKING FOR SMALLER by owner. Call 08 3859 3336. (L) PROTOTYPE / short run shops that CHEAP SHAVING, shaving products ,top can make stamped sheet metal parts, quality shave brushes 150 baht, Old Spice prototype plastic injection parts 100-500 shaving lather 100 baht a tube. After pieces, presssed glass parts, rubber shave lotions at 200 baht, these products parts, etc and also looking for old style are unobtainable in Thailand and are a Blacksmith, Bangkok area would be nice one off,only very limited quantity . Pattaya so I can visit and see work progress, if you area 0832931821 jb4446@hotmail.com. have seen shops like this a treasure map location would be nice! Please email me at Reduction for two or more (L) lax2bkk@gmail.com (H) HOUSE FOR SALE! between Bang Saray and Sattahip, 55 twah, close to Sukhumvit FULLY FURNISHED STUDIO 33 SQM, Road, 2 bedr. 1 air, 2 bathr. 2 kitchen, 16,000/month condo for rent at “Raintree large terrace and carport, own well and Villa” Sukhumvit Soi 53. Can walk to water tank, phone line and cable TV. 1,39 Thonglor BTS. Swimming pool and fitness Mio. THB. 0898681718 engl. 0850745196 room. Contact me for further details. thai. (L) Call, 081 929 1681. (I)

sale, little use, very good condition.

B760 plus model , large head and full strings, developed in Japan light steel shaft and racquet covers for both.

500 baht for both ph 0828128226. (L)

EXCLUSIVE CONDO in chiangmai 1 bed 1bath and kitchen, best panoramic mountain view, no opposit room, good environment and quiet, pool and sounar, 84sqm, wifi, 5 min to city near international convention center only 3.6M .silpaphat@ gmail.com 083-424-9090 sek (L) STUCK WITH YOUR VISA and tired of the v-runs ? ED + Retirement (over 50) visa delivered by special service in Bangkok.

Legal, reliable & cost effective. Also newly established language lessons for companies and/or private students by native teachers.

Contact Gary at aglenn6@gmail.com for in-depth info. in both. Thanks in advance. (J) BANG SARAY LAND for sale Two plots 135 talang Wah and 285 talang wah (5,000 baht per talang wah) stunning mountain view Call Orasa at 081-083-4683 (J) GUITAR FOR SALE Fender Stratocaster bought in Austria 5 years ago, off white color, very good condition for only 14,500 Baht. Please e-mail music4all@yahoo.com (K)

BANGKOK TRADER

VITARA FOR SELL – 2000 Vitara 1.6 auto / benzine & Lpg / leather seat / roof rack / 90% of condition garantee sell 318000 call Tony 0816110190. (H) 5 YEAR OLD, off the shelf company for sale. 2 million registered capital.

Company Limited. THB 200,000 ONO. Registered for all industries. Call Martin on 0817979530 (H) NANA CONDO FOR RENT bts sukhumvit soi 4, 57 sq. mtrs. 1 bedroom 1 bathroom fully furnished 2 air-conditions, hot water, kitchen, microwave, hot plate hood, refrigerator, sofa, television, swimming pool, lift, gymn, cctv, 24 hrs security, keycard, minimart rent baht 13,000 per month interested tel: 081-3519680 peter. (I) SV CITY CONDO for rent (Rama 3 Road in front BRT station, 15 min. to Sathorn & Silom Roads,Chongnonsri BTS station).

Area 75 sq.metre,17th floor,Chapharaya River view. Nicely & fully furnished. 1 master bedroom,1 sitting room convertible to bedroom with movable partition. dining area,1 kitchen & 1 bathroom. swimming pool,jogging track,fresh air,food court for residents,banks,convenient stores.

Contact : Narumon Tan 089-9252510. narumon.tan69@gmail.com (J)

DECEMBER 2011 - 21

THE MET SATHORN 4 RENT 198 Sq.m.

3 Bed 4 Bath with maid quarter high floor.

Rental 110,000 THB. More info. Please contact Jenny 085 071 8396 or visit www.bangkokcondoonline.com (K)

IF YOU ARE BASED in Bangkok and a member of the transgender community we would like to invite you to join The Katoey Connection. This is a non-profit group for socializing. Visit us at: http://members. go-tranz.net/group/TheKatoeyConnection CONDOMINIUM IN SILOM AREA – *Note: This is not a sex or dating group.

Royal Saladaeng corner unit – 3 Br. 3 It is only for meeting new people in our Ba. 145 sq m, fully furnished, selling community. (L) price THB 18,800,000. Contact Unchulee EXCELLENT HOUSEKEEPER – 089 771 3621 (H) Looking for two days of work per week.

HAVE A WIDE SELECTION 1200 She is a good cook. She speaks fair vintage films pre-1960 era worldwide English. Please call her direct number at for sale as well as a large selection 081 286 3134 (J) of 20th century books reasonably priced in newish condition. Contact LUXARIOUS CONDO for sale at Aree, 300 m. from BTS Aree. 116 sq.m. space with 2 nigelinseychelles@gmail.com (L) bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and fully high CONDOS AND HOUSES on prime/ best quality furnished, ready to move. Look locations for rent in Bangkok areas on more info at www.prakard.com/default. or contact; resonable price include free service. More aspx?g=posts&t=451282 087-577-4806 (Van) or 089-513-7635 details contact 08 3 7017059 (Boy). (I) or pavillion@gmail.com (L) SHIPPING CONTAINER going to the UK mid-March 2012. Have plenty of space for anything legal. Please give me as much notice as possible. Tele # 081 490 6275. (L)

36 SQM STUDIO just renoveted in sio 18 sukhumvitnearbtsforrent14000bathpleasecall PHUKET LUXURY POOL VILLA (NAI 087 800 9370 (J) HARN) – 3-4 bedroom, 3 en-suite, PRIVATE ENGLISH teacher private pool in extensive gardens, Experienced, professional and reliable. fully furnished, pool table & western All ages and all levels welcome. Native kitchen. Maid, pool and garden service speaker from UK. Contact Emma for supplied. Short walk to restaurants & further details 0860878173 or e-mail shopping. Contact: Johny, 0878-237371, emz_798@hotmail.com. (L) www.villa-sophia-phuket.com (K) INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY in Melbourne. 1 bedroom fully furnished student unit available for immediate sale from Thai based owner. Located in North Melbourne and a short stroll to Melb University or a 5 min tram ride into the city. Currently rented out till Jan 2012 @ $1217 pcm. Fully secured building with central lounge facility on site enabling residents to socialise with one another.

CONDO AT THE MARKLAND pattaya for Reap the benefits of this desirable secure rent 46 sqm sea view on the 18 flour one year investment. $225,000 AUD. Gordon: contract 14000 bath a month please call gordonb22@hotmail.com (H) 087 800 9370 (L) WIDE RANGE OF HIGH QUALITY LED TEACH THAI LANGUAGE – If you are lighting available – We have a large range interested in learning Thai language. of quality LED products for home, office, Please contact me: Ms. Patcharaporn. outdoor and industry. We can supply any My e-mail: joy24424@yahoo.com or size order, from a few LED replacement 084-0249955 (H) bulbs for your home to container loads of WANT TO LEARN how to play the LED downlights for large developments. guitar? But cannot find anyone who will Products include LED dimmable guide you? Can teach you how to play downlights, LED replacement bulbs LED during weekends only. Your place or spot, track and floodlights, LED striplights, mine for only 350 Baht per hour. Please LED streetlighting and much more. contact K. Sam at 081-3030822 or e-mail: Please contact info@eco-ledthai.com sam_weekendjobs@yahoo.com (H) www.eco-ledthai.com 0841609683 (I) AUTHENTIC VINTAGE watches for sale – We have many private collection authentic vintages watches: Mido, Rado, Tissot, Bulova, West and Watch, Seiko, Citizen, Orient, etc. with reasonable prices. Kindly contact to email: havelada30@yahoo. com with your details, your name, contact number or mobile, type of watches: lady/ gent, brand. (H)

ONE NEAR NEW Rocking Bassinet ideal for putting baby to sleep in very good condtion, 1000 baht. 2 baby rockers with pillows, 300 baht each.

Portable cot very good condition without mattress can see assembly, 1000baht Ph 0828128226 (L) PRE-OWNED OFFICE FURNITURE – Lots of good quality office furniture at great prices. Chairs, desks, filing cabinets, cubicles, etc. Rentals available. Please call Mr. German 089-742-7122 (H) SUKHUMVIT 26 – Condo One-X, 50m2, 1 bed 1 bath, fully furnished, 32”LCD TV + home theater, cooking range/hood, washing machine, refridgerator. High floor, bright unit. 25,000 Baht/month. plese contact 085 480 4618 Pete (J) INVESTMENT – Interesting to invest in Thai stock market with listed broker? call: 081-3070618 (Lee) (H) CONDO AT THE MARKLAND PATTAYA for rent new bathroom flat t v 72 sqm sea view very nice condo on the 17 flour for 20000 bath a month please call 0802736716 (L) CLOSE UP SKY Train-corner unit Condominium 3 bedroom 167 sq m THB 14,000,000. Contact unchulee 089 771 3621 (J) STUDIO AT SOI 18 sukhumvit just renovted for rent 14000 bath a month for a year contract please call 987 800 9370 or 080 2736716 (L) PHOTOGRAPHER looking for all types of people to photo for project! hotmodels2000@hotmail.com (J)

22 - DECEMBER 2011

BANGKOK TRADER

MARKETPLACE ANTIQUE RESTORATION SERVICE – Restoring antiques to their former glory.

House trash & debris hauling service.

Can call me anytime but any job can be done during weekends only. Kindly contact K. Sam at 081-3030822 or email: sam_weekendjobs@yahoo.com (H) SUPREME ELEGANCE, 2 bedroom apartment, 178sqm, 2 parkings, bright and airy with balconies at sitting and master bedroom, one ensuite and one guest bathroom. 3M filter windows, low rise with nice neighborhood, accessible with BRT, supermarket closed by and only 8 minutes to Silom by taxi. One kitchen and working area, built in closets and blinds. Outdoor swimming pool, gym and sauna in the building. Contact Holman at 0843265266, direct sale. (J) D65 CONDOMINIUM – New 2 beds for rent. In brand new low rise urban condominium, located in Sukhumvit area, close to Ekamai, Thonglor and prakhanong area, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 74 sqm, for rent fully furnished with all appliances (3 LCD TV...) facilities inclides top roof swimming pool, fitness, library, Wifi space... Rental price: 28000 B/Month. for more details call khun Kay: 081-825 4363 or visit our website: www.immodebangkok.com (H) PRIVATE TEACHER: Experienced, professional and one who is already teaching at one of Bangkok’s most exclusive prep companies. TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, GRE, LSAT, or Conversational/Business English. Degree in Computational Physics from Harvey Mudd College, one of the top engineering schools in the US. 1000 THB/hr. I’m not the cheapest, for a reason. Bad grammar and irregular accents are nearly impossible to undo, sound like a native instead. Contact me at private.tutor.bangkok@gmail.com (I)

SUPALAI PARK (Phaholothin 21) Condo for rent – 60m2, 1bed/1bath, high floor, balcony, fully furnished, pool/ gym, convenient location (near Central lad prao, MRT, Ratchayothin major cineplex). ready to move in. cleaning/ laundry service available. special price for only 18,000baht per month. plese contact 085 480 4618 Pete (J)

OFFICE STAFF URGENTLY required (female): can speak Thai, medium knowledge of English, typing (preferably Thai national), age: 30-40 yrs. Office location: Sukhumvit area (tour / travel / internet office). Contact email: havelada30@yahoo.com (with resume and salary requirement). (H) 20TH CENTURY HISTORY second -hand books in excellent condition reasonablypriced, list supplied on e mailing me. i also have a wide selection of out of copyright world films and music of the earlier part of the 20th century and from 1888 on, reasonably -priced too. The collection is viewable by prior arrangement. Contact Nigel Barrett nigelinseychelles@gmail.com (L)

MORNING WALK PRAYER – Christians of any nationality/sex/age/denomination are invited to join morning walk prayer ministry which will first start once a month as flw. Day: First Sat. of each month (cancel if rain). Time: 7.00-8.00 a.m.

Venue: Lumpini Park (exact meeting point to be advised). Dress: Sport or casualwear. Please register your name at: CONDO FOR RENT - BTS Baring – only w.newt@yahoo.com (I) thb 5’900 per month , 1 Bed / 1 Bath / Living NOBLE ORA - Nice 1 bed for rent Room - 34 sqm. Pool / Parking / 200 m to (Thonglor) – one of the best unit located at BTS, Fully Furnished + A/C + TV. www. area thonglor . Luxury condo fully furnished, stefan.asia for more details, Call: Stefan modern design, 1 bed, 79 sqm, 15 floor, 084 111 3977 (H) facilities are swimming pool, fitness, security. Surrounded by many amenities, 9 ACTIVE – “The Ultimate in Sports & playground, j avenue, villa market, au Event Partnerships” – Enhance your bon pain. close to BTS Thonglor. Rental brands awareness with our exciting sports price: 45000 B/Month. for more details call: and corporate event partnerships. 9active kay: 081-825 4363 or visit our website: specialize in the organization and activation, combining sporting brands with your www.immodebangkok.com (L) business and in addition can enhance your INTERNET HELP NEEDED – Can I get corporate responsibility profile within your help from fellow expats in Bangkok? I ‘ve community. 9active tailor bespoke campaign been turned down for an Adsense account solutions to achieve maximum benefit and six times. I’m told it is because I live in results. Opportunities are available now – Thailand. Please help me get traffic levels contact simon@9active.com (H) up so they won’t deny me again. Sign on to WWW.OldSchoolTriathlon.com - look REPLACE YOUR ENERGY HUNGRY around, “like” something, maybe write a bulbs with Eco-LED bulbs and save Money comment so I get extra traffic at just the – Make the switch from Flourescent, Halogen and Incandescent lighting to right time. Thanks (J) low energy and very long lasting LED WANT TO BUY OLD THAI HOUSE – equivalents and start to save from Day1.

Dream of living in Jim Thompson-style With energy saving of up to 90% and a antique house! Will to renovate. Will consider lifespan of up to 25 times longer LED is all areas, inc.outside of Bangkok. Please the way to go. Contact us for catalogues send full details: photos, location and price and prices today. Call 0841609683 email info@eco-LEDthai.com (J) to Peter – grumbler6@gmail.com (I)

BANGKOK TRADER

BEAUTIFUL LAND OF 20.5 RAI at Huay Yai Gin. Complete with new chanotes and company. High ground fully fenced with four wells, various trees. Ideal for large private residence mansion or village development with concrete road and electricity. Quick access to 331 link road to Bangkok and Rayong, only 15 minutes to heart of Pattaya. Only 29,000,000 for quick sale. Possible part exchange for house. All offers concidered. email carolandcarl@hotmail.com or 038030049 or mobile 0811578760 (J) EXPERIENCED PRIVATE LANGUAGE teacher & interpreter (Thai / English / Chinese / German) for business, or personal requirement.

Lessons are for one-to-one / small group with. (Conversation / Reading / Writing). Price: 400-700 THB/hour.

(Discount: 20 hrs: +6,000 THB, 30 hrs: +8,000 THB, 40 hrs: +11,000 THB) with all material included from 10am – 10 pm every day. Private interpreters: 400 THB/hour or 3,500 THB/day. Contact +6681-791-5621.

Or language_ wisdom_network@hotmail.com (I) TOWN HOUSE FOR RENT – Rachadapisek Soi 13. Two adjacent 3 –storey units. Suitable for residential and business. Approx. 150 sq.m. per unit. Six rooms, 2 baths each, Baht 29,000/mo. each unit. 02-271-0987 ext 301, 333 (H) OFFICE FOR RENT – Payathai Plaza, at Payathai BTS Station & Airport Rail Link. Near Victory Monument transport & entertainment node. Finished office ready to move-in, 161 sq.m., Baht 300/ sqm/mo. 02-271-0987 ext 301, 333 (H) ONE-ON-ONE ENGLISH tuition in the comfort and convenience of your home. All ages and all levels welcome. All aspects of the language covered--grammar, vocabulary, usage, comprehension, and speaking. Native speaker from California and graduate of San Francisco State University. 10+ years of experience offering private lessons in Bangkok.

Professional and reliable. Reasonable rates. Let’s work together to improve your English and make it more effective. David 02-259-5655 #304 (early morning/late night) or bangtowndjs@hotmail.com (J) M.A.P MANSION for rent the convenience place in the center of Aree area that next to BTS Aree station just 300 meters. The studio in space 32 square meters included full furnitures and safety security 24 hours.

We staring price at 5000 bath per month.

Please feel free to call us at 02 6151149 or 02 2784480 (J)

DECEMBER 2011 - 23

ITALIAN PIZZERIA RESTAURANT Enoteca for sell 3,8 MB included company, excellent sell and good customer, Silom Rd 300mt from Patpong Market. Fully equiped.

3+3 years. contract. Rental 37.100 b/ month. Total 120sqm 15 tables. 30 seats.

Call Luciano 084 3361713 or e-mail: bflgqn@yahoo.it (I)

ITALIAN PIANIST and keyboards player and singer performing standard Italian and International songs etc. leaving in Bkk. since 2000. I used to play at the Italian Restaurants - Hotels in Bangkok.

I’m willing anytime. Inquiring Kind contact Sergio on 0813641830 (L)

CHINESE LANGUAGE – Miss Cherry, Chinese native speaker, graduate from Teaching Chinese as a Second Language, has been exchange student study in Thailand last year and now work in Bangkok, can speak, write and read Thai,of course English too! Teach all levels Chines for private person, company staff and institution at home, office, shopping center. Good price. Contact Tele: 0861161799, email: charryqin@ msn.com (H)

GENIEDISTRIBUTE.CO.INT Home Biz Op! Growth in Thailand and the rest of asia accelerating at a phenomenal pace. this is virgin territory for this Biz Op so get in at the start.Full details at www. myshoppinggennie.com/youaskthegenie .

Download your free Genie and get started with this. (H) HAIR & BEAUTY SALON for sale South Pattaya. Great Location in City Walk Pattaya (next to Royal Garden plaza) on beach front. 7 work stations, 2 massage tables, Good clientele base.

Two 5 star Hotels nearby. Free parking.

No Licence required. No Key money.

Profitable Business. Accounts available.

30,000 baht/month rent. Only 780,000 baht. Relocating hence sale price. Call 080-0959002 (K)

D65 CONDOMINIUM - New 2 beds for rent – In brand new low rise urban condominium, located in Sukhumvit area, close to Ekamai, Thonglor and prakhanong area, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 74 sqm, for rent fully furnished with all appliances ( 3 LCD TV...) facilities inclides top roof swimming pool, fitness, library, Wifi Space... rental price : 26000 B/Month for more details call khun Kay: IMMO DE BANGKOK CO.,LTD – 081-825 4363 or visit our website: www. Real estate Agency – Welcome to Immodebangkok . If you want to sell , rent immodebangkok.com (L) or buy condominium , we can help you LUXURY CONDO AT PATTAYA for to reach your objective...just visit to our rent or for sale in high standing building website : www.immodebangkok.com or on Wong Amat Beach, best location in call us : Khun Kay : +66 081- 825 4363 (L) Pattaya 163 sqm fully furnished 3 bed 3 bath European kitchen Every room has large balcony with stunning views on the CONDO FOR RENT Lumpini Ville Pracha sea and the islands Direct beach access Uthit (Huay Kwang - Rachada) Tower Infinity swimming pool jacuzzi sauna E2, 6th floor (35.6 sq.meters). Living fitness center tennis squash snooker room, 1 bedroom, 1 kitchen, 1 bathroom, sauna communal gardens restaurant 1 balcony, parking. Furnished. 6th floor. minimart covered car park 24H security. Rent 9,000 baht/month. Contact : 083 833 54000/month, 14,5 mil. Baht. 0903943933 44 49 (Thai - English) (L) (Thai phone number)) (L) NEW STAFF – 4-5 Reception, Waiter STUDIO NAKLUA nice pool and Waitress, Bell Boy, Maid, Cleaner. fully furnish contract for one year Store. Reception preper good English.

8500 bath a month please call Aria to work is Laungsuan and ratchada.

087 800 9370 (J) siamlilyqueen@gmail.com (I) LEARN ITALIAN LANGUAGE with Mr Angelo 12 years in Thailand, can speak CONDO SALE 50 % below Area Price – thai, good price. anywhere, office, home, 124 sqm - 2 Bed / 2 Bath / Study Room, bar, up to you. call me here: 0806079635, only THB 6’500’000, La Maison, Foreigner e-mail:srikrsna108@yahoo.it , ciao (J) Quota, 4 A/C + Parking. Sukhumvit Soi 22, MORE THAN 1,000 LIST of businesses Fully Furnished, www.stefan.asia for more - for sale, very useful in tele-sales and details, Call: Stefan 084 1113977 (H) marketing. The contact list comprises golf clubs, banks, shopping malls, fitness clubs, restaurants, travel company, hotel and more. With complete details like name of the owner, GM, Manager, phone, e-mail and address. The contact list is in English for 6,000 Baht only. Please contact K. Rain cotto.en@gmail.com (L)

BAR FOR SALE. Open-fronted popular and profitable Beer Bar in Sukhumvit Soi 22. Attached ‘farang take-out’ servicing other bars in the area. Excellent location in busy Plaza. Great returns, low overheads – 650,000 Baht including stock and assets.

Phone 0886 203 025. (L)

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BANGKOK TRADER

MARKETPLACE PRIVATE CONDOMINIUM for sale is in Thonglor six bedroom 642 sq m/ THB 59,968.85 / sq m. Contact unchulee 089 771 3621 (J) THAI LESSONS: for foreign children or adults. 6-yearexperienced with foreign students.

In-house or coffee shop. time can be arranged. Free trial contact 084-119-6661 Or email for more information at: na_ta_nie@yahoo.com (J)

NICE AND COZY house in garden home village for sale/ rent (Paholyotin Rd.Km.23 , 10 Min. drive to Don Muang Air Port). Nicely and fully furnished,2 Bed rooms ,sitting room, dining area, 4 air cons., kitchen with buid-in cabinetowen, refrigerator & Amway water treatment system ,balcony, maid quarters, car parking plus garden, peaceful atmosphere and safe environment. Contact Sirinthip Tel 089-1234205 ,083-7025758 or E mail :rairatkr@ hotmail.com (J)

I AM LOOKING FOR someone to buy huge quantity of clothes TREADMILL 4 SALE; priced to sell, like new, mod. 5020, with kindly price if anyone interesting please contant to me with 3.5 hp with over 6 years left on warranty of motor, bought this number – 0851284150 (preme) (G) new for 34,000 baht, sacrifice for 20,000 baht for quick sale, owner has all the paperwork. tele. 089-2033471 or NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION 2012? stop smoking! fed up with your addiction? want your freedom back? Experienced 02-928-2033. richard or porntepa (J) clinical hypnotherapist helps you quit without cravings! I am CONDO FOR RENT/SALE – Family Park Condominium offers an ex-smoker so I know what it’s all about. 100% money-back studio/1/2 bedroom units for rent starting from 7,000B/month and guarantee. Call 088-2270553 (Tom) for a free consultation, or 800,000B for sale. Locate in Ladprao 48, cosy and convenient, visit www.hypno-therapy.net - This is the best time to make only 10 min to MRT. More info (both Thai and English) please changes happen. Call now! (L) contact sale3@akandorealestate.com T.029298599 (K) NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION 2012? lose weight! had enough of ENGLISH NOW. English instruction at all levels English at home.

Early English classes for kids English conversation Examination preparation English at work Business English basic to advanced Specific purpose English eg Hotel English. Basic office English.

Classes where you are. Over 10 years experience in Bangkok.

Nowenglish27@yahoo.com. (K) SPANISH TRANSLATIONS AND INTERPRETATION – Spanish native speaker offers translation and interpretation services. Websites, contracts, official letters, manuals etc. Both for private companies and official institutions. Thai translations and Accounting also offered. Call 0870470590 or email: Spanish_Consultant@yahoo.es (I) CENTER-CONDOTEL in South-Pattaya, 14 TH Floor, TukcomView, 50 SQM, fully Furnished, Ready to move in, Price: 2.350.000 Baht Phone: 0896020642 Email: manfredgauff@ yahoo.com (L) FOR SALE CONTACT LIST - More than 1,000 list of businesses in Bangkok, with complete details like names of the owner, gm, manager, phone and mobile numbers, e-mail and address.

The list contains Shopping Center, Tour Companies, Hotels, Golf Clubs, Amusement Parks, Restaurants, Clinics, Spas and Massages etc. The list is in English and for 5,000 Baht only, very useful in Tele-Marketing. Please contact: iggybkk.th@ gmail.com (K)

those extra pounds? Want to control your eating? Experienced clinical hypnotherapist helps you make those changes! It really is possible! Call 088-2270553 (Tom) for a free consultation, or visit www.hypno-therapy.net - This is the best time to make changes happen. Call now! (L)

BEAUTIFUL CONDO FOR SALE by owner casa viva condo - ekamai soi 12 Total area 366 SQM, 18 floor, 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, Living & Dinning area, maids room, spacious kitchen Newly renovated and fully furnished in modern. Great view from every side in the condo.. Asking price THB 19,500,000 for information or viewing please contact 082-4448499 or email to: siamtc@ji-net.com (l) MODERN CONDO for rent near BTS- great price 81 Sqm, 2 B/R & 2 Bath. Newly renovated & F/F in modern and bright style ( LCD & washing machine), 7 mins. Walk distance to Ploenchit BTS. Only THB 26,500 per month. More info contact: 082-4448499 or email siamtc@ji-net.com (L) COMPLETE SET DIVE GEAR, excellent condition, well cared for. BCD (Dive Rite), Mares-Reg & Mares-Alt, Mission gauges, Mission-wrist compass, Seacsub mask, snorkel, Cressi-fins (9-10), Cressi-full wet (80kg-m), ProBlue-shorty,booties (9)-2pr, gloves (m), Fusilier knife Sun Night-light, mini-light, dive marker, Oceanic dive bag. Bangkok (Rachadamri).. Steve.0874538018. (K) X-BANKERS: money loan consolidators, only over 1.0 mb., good credit, bad credit, no credit, everyone welcome. call 081-447-1478 (Mr.Niphon) (H)

BANGKOK TRADER

DECEMBER 2011 - 25

Here’s to Your (and Your Project’s) Health

By Michelle LaBrosse, PMP®, Chief Cheetah and Founder of Cheetah Learning, and Kristen LaBrosse, Co-Author, CAPM®

It is a basic concept, but it is something that many of us have forgotten how to achieve in our ever-busier lives. It is a frame of mind that can be all too quickly brushed aside in the name of efficiency, career advancement, or other obligations. What is this illusive concept that I am referring to? Wellness!

Wellness has been on the backburner for many professionals striving to make careers for themselves in their chosen profession. These people may have been under the notion that in order to be the best, they had to give up their personal needs. Things like rest, exercise, and time with family and friends were thrown by the wayside in order to reap the benefits of hard work in a career.

Finally, there is a new wave of individuals who are challenging this way of life and are claiming their rights to wellness.

I recently received an email from Mike Lamitola, PMP®. Mike wrote to me in appreciation of Cheetah’s article, published in the Cheetah PHAST Magazine (www.cheetahphast.com), entitled ‘Wellness Buddies.’ Here is part of what Mike had to say: “I went through the Cheetah Exam Prep course with Jeff Allen and was so impressed that Cheetah used nutrition and basic yoga/ breathing exercises to help increase alertness and mental clarity.

After 12 years working in the construction industry and living the business professional life, I’ve had some eye-opening experiences and have seen some serious struggles with fellow coworkers. I became such a huge advocate for health and wellness that I decided it was time to move in a new direction that was calling me.”

Mike’s new direction was to enter the wellness profession as a Health Coach/ Nutrition Counselor through a company that he and his wife started called ‘Welcome to Wellness!’ (www.welcometowellnessnow.com). On his website, Mike says, “Life is a series of projects. Some big, some small and some all happening at the same time. We need to make time within these projects to focus on our well being.” So, how do you make time to maintain your health to ensure

that you are successful in all of your endeavors, including being the best project manager you can be?

The good news is that a lot of the same ideals that are followed to maintain optimum health can be translated to project success. Follow the tips below to achieve ultimate health, for you and your projects.

Plan for longevity. How many of you start a project by planning on failure? If you do that, you will be out of a job quicker than you can say, “Negative Nick.”

Likewise, when you begin a wellness plan, you need to think about the futureyou, ten years down the road, and have positive expectancy. What activities and habits can you form today that will benefit your wellbeing? What activities can you eliminate that will ultimately cause harm? In order to enhance the quality of your life, realize that every day counts toward your wellness goals, and set up your day-to-day actions with the mindset of achieving a lifetime of healthy living.

While projects are usually shorter than a lifetime, the same philosophy applies.

While working on your project day-in and day-out, keep your end goal in mind.

Don’t let daily hiccups deter you from your project’s end goal. When you plan for longevity, you give yourself, and your projects, a life force that can pull you, and your projects, through hard times.

Live in the moment. Being present with our surrounding and ourselves is easier said than done. When there is all that noise running through your mind, you may find yourself saying, “Excuse me, what did you say?” far too often.

An important part of your wellness is to be present in each and every moment, because the past events and future possibilities are inconsequential compared to what is happening in the here and now.

This practice can be greatly beneficial to the projects you work on, as well.

Instead of getting lost in the anxiety that can comes with worrying about what might go wrong in the project tomorrow, or how stupid that mistake was that

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BANGKOK TRADER

you made yesterday, focus on the task at hand and what needs to get done today. By being fully present in your project tasks, you are better able to perform them correctly with clarity and confidence.

team members, either individually or as a group, accomplish a major project milestone, don’t let it go by unnoticed. Celebrating intermittent achievements fuels the fire for the entire project.

Stakeholder buy-in. As a project manager, you are the master of communicating with stakeholders and ensuring the project you are working on is meeting the needs of the various stakeholders in order to get their buy-in.

After you read this article, take a moment to evaluate your own wellness goals and how you are achieving them. If you are not where you want to be in terms of wellness, find out what the specific barriers are that are keeping you from getting there. You are, after all, a resourceful project manager that procures resources when needed, manages and communicates with important stakeholders, and brings a project from start to successful finish. Use your skills today for the biggest project of your life – your wellness project.

Use these same skills in your wellness project, and treat yourself as the primary stakeholder. Analyze what your needs and wants are to maintain your wellness goal, and recognize other stakeholders that might be involved with you achieving wellness. For example, your stakeholder might be your significant other, and the buy-in might be to cook dinner every other night so that you can work out after you get home from work. When you get buy-in from all stakeholders, you have set up their expectations of you appropriately, and are more likely to achieve your wellness goals.

Celebrate progressive achievements. When you have achieved a wellness goal, celebrate! After all, you worked hard for it, and you will be more motivated to achieve greater states of wellness if you take the time to acknowledge your efforts and awesomeness. This is also true for your project team. When your

Check out Cheetah PHAST, a great new quarterly magazine at www.cheetahphast.com

Michelle LaBrosse, PMP®, is an entrepreneurial powerhouse with a penchant for making success easy, fun and fast. She is the founder of Cheetah Learning, the author of the Cheetah Success Series, and a prolific blogger whose mission is to bring Project Management to the masses.

BANGKOK TRADER

DECEMBER 2011 - 27

5 Common Afflictions of Sales Teams

By John R. Treace

I’ve been a part of many sales teams in my career, and over and over, I’ve noticed five common afflictions that affect them, each of which reduces morale and sales performance. They can be found to some degree in most almost every organization. Smart management teams are aware of these afflictions and work to avoid their potentially destructive impact. Any one occurrence of these problems will not necessary hurt the sales effort, but if allowed to progress to extremes, or if multiple conditions exist at once, they can be extremely harmful.

Affliction 1: Wasting sales representatives’ time One of the prime afflictions of sales teams is forcing them to spend time on non-sales tasks, for example making accounts receivable collections, managing product recalls, or filling out reports that do not directly relate to the sales process. Non-sales management often requests that reps perform these tasks, but great care should be taken before delegating them to valuable salespeople. If you, for instance, divert five percent of a sales team’s time to managing customer collections, you effectively reduce the number of feet on the ground by the same amount – and the reverse is true, as well. Sometimes it’s necessary to assign non-sales tasks to salespeople, but before this is done, it’s worthwhile to audit a company’s sales processes to determine whether they could be assigned elsewhere. Finding as many ways as possible to remove unnecessary tasks from the sales team’s shoulders will result in sales increases that will more than pay for the adjustments in duties.

Affliction 2: Poor sales meetings Another affliction of sales teams is poor or boring sales meetings. The objective of any sales meeting should be to increase sales – period. Every highperforming salesperson who attends a meeting will be thinking, “Is this meeting making me money, or is my time being wasted?” Powerful salespeople are selfmotivated, and they intuitively know if their time is being wasted. If it is, management is hurting sales and morale. Wasteful or unnecessary meetings also send a clear message that management doesn’t know what needs to be accomplished to increase sales – and no good salesperson will have confidence in that type of leadership. The simple way to ensure effective sales meetings is to develop a statement of strategic intent that includes clear success metrics.

This statement will define, in specific terms, what needs to be accomplished and the metrics needed to determine whether the goals set in the meeting were accomplished. It takes a deep understanding of the business, the market, and the competition to write an effective statement of strategic intent, and managers who can’t write them need a better understanding of the business. The bottom line is that powerful sales meetings produce sales and keep morale high.

Affliction 3: Poor strategy Ineffective marketing or sales strategies will always negatively impact the sales team, and this is especially true for teams selling commodity products or services. A player with small market share who enters a commodity market without a well-defined and well-implemented strategy can be assured of certain death. These types of companies usually say, “It’s a huge market, and we can grab some of it,” but it’s not that simple. The sales team will recognize ineffective strategy and will lose faith in the managers who developed it. If the players on a sports team lose faith in the coaching, the path to winning will be difficult, if not impossible; the same is true with sales teams. Don’t let lackluster or nonexistent strategy cause this lack of faith.

To compound the error, companies often try special promotions to save sagging sales on products that are ill-conceived or supported by poor strategy.

Special promotions can be very effective, but managers should never call for a pointless ‘Charge of the Light Brigade.’ Sending the sales team on a promotion in support of a poor product or service is a severe tactical error. A successful sales effort hinges on good strategy, and companies that fail in this regard severely handicap their sales teams.

Affliction 4: Capping or reducing income Powerful companies have managers who do not get envious when large paychecks go to the sales force. Managers who are resentful of this often respond to rising sales income by reducing commissions, capping earnings, reducing territories, or removing products. These are all practices to be avoided, as they destroy morale, which hurts sales. When it is absolutely necessary to cap or reduce reps’ earnings, it must be done carefully. If it’s done carelessly, management will send the message that future earnings for the sales team have been limited. Powerful salespeople want to leverage today’s efforts into greater sales and income for tomorrow. If their commissions are reduced, earnings capped, or territory removed, they will feel like that ability has been taken away, and the high performers will quickly look for employment elsewhere.

Affliction 5: Favoritism We all have favorites in life, and that’s normal, but playing favorites with individuals on a sales team is very destructive. Salespeople want to work for companies that keep the playing field level for all. If select salespeople are given extra incentives, special attention, benefits, or favors not afforded others, management is sending a clear message that there is a privileged class within the team. This is one of the best ways to lessen team spirit, as reps will spend their time trying to move into that special class and not trying to close sales. Managers can’t buy the loyalty of a team by strengthening a small political power base within a company. Playing favorites within a sales team causes problems for all team members (even the favored ones), but keeping the playing field level will pay big dividends.

Wasting time, poor sales meetings, poor strategy, capping income, and playing favorites are, with few exceptions, situations to be avoided. They are destructive to morale and they lead to poor performance. Effective managers will be careful to avoid these situations, and astute salespeople will bring these practices to the attention of management for correction.

John R. Treace has over 30 years experience as a sales executive in the medical products industry. He spent over 10 years specializing in the restructuring of sales departments of companies that were either bankrupt or failing. Investor groups and venture capital firms hired him to manage turnarounds of pre-IPO companies. In 2010, he founded JR Treace & Associates, a sales management consulting business. He is a member of the National Speakers Association and earned a BS in Psychology from the University of Memphis. Treace is the author of the new book, Nuts & Bolts of Sales Management: How to Build a High-Velocity Sales Organization. www.treaceconsulting.com

28 - DECEMBER 2011

BANGKOK TRADER

Do Companies Need to be Told to Do Good?

By Alex Mavro

Whenever those of us committed to business’s prudent and rational use of the planet’s resources come together to discuss priorities, one of the inevitable side conversations has to do with government’s role in the mission. This may even be one of the few social issues where business and civil society can find common ground.

At a recent plenary debate in Manila, during the November annual Asian Forum for Corporate Social Responsibility, the audience (probably slightly weighted in favor of NGOs) voted overwhelmingly in favor of government’s remaining at arm’s length on CSR matters. Similarly, countless industry gatherings around the world have minuted their concern over the impracticality of governments dictating the social priorities of business.

Many see CSR as a strategy that, by definition, must go beyond governmentmandated outcomes. What the company does to meet government demands is viewed as compliance, a word with almost heretical overtones in the CSR/ sustainability world.

“XYZ Company’s new in-house regulations? Forget them. They can’t be considered part of the company’s CSR mandate because the law dictates that all companies maintain current in-house regulations in the first place.”

At least one international body, the European Commission, agrees. It sees CSR as “a concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis.” [My emphasis.]

That is, what a company does on a voluntary basis – and only what it does voluntarily – can be considered as falling within the orbit of CSR. On the other hand, there are those who believe that anything a company does in the interests of lessening the impact of its output on the world at-large should be considered as being within the domain of CSR, regardless of whether or not government encourages that activity.

I find it ironic that we CSR professionals hammer into senior management the need to be sensitive to stakeholders, including local and national government agencies, and then go on to say that when you do engage them, it cannot be considered part of your CSR strategy because it is a regulatory requirement.

This means that if your own enlightened transportation company takes it upon itself to update its fleet in order to lower its carbon footprint, then in the absence of government regulation, your initiative can be lauded as an example of forward-thinking, earth-preserving responsible corporate conduct.

But wait: as soon as the government mandates the emissions-reduction targets you have already met, your company is overnight no longer enlightened!

Yesterday, it was innovative thinking; today, it is law and therefore can no longer be classified as innovative. Does this make sense to you?

You are no doubt familiar with the Zen riddle questioning whether a tree falling in a forest in the absence of a listener makes any noise. Similarly, certain observers seem to be saying that a CSR initiative can retain its credence only

in the absence of government regulation. There is not an economy in the world that wasn’t propped up at one time or another by government spending. Does that mean that every economy in the world is socialist?

The point I am trying to make is that the world is made up not of blacks and whites, but of an infinite myriad of grays. Many capitalist economies experience heavy government involvement and centralized planning; most socialist economies permit private ownership and encourage individual enterprise. Likewise, a few countries regulate corporate use of human resources almost to the point of micromanagement; others focus on corruption or resource utilization or a myriad of other business interests.

If your company has a worldwide policy with regard to one of these areas, it is possible that within those countries where their attention is fixed, your policy would be one of compliance, while in other countries where attention was lax, the same policy could represent ground-breaking, best practice corporate responsibility practice.

Get it? The same policy might be considered as contributing to your CSR brownie points, in the absence of governmental regulation, while it could be mere observation of the law, if regulations have been imposed. Does that make sense to you?

There is yet another arrow in the quiver of those who would keep the state at arm’s length from CSR deliberations: Impact management, which is at the core of responsible business, varies tremendously from industry to industry, country to country, and even from urban to rural within the same country. How can there be laws that can be equally applicable to all these differing situations?

If you view the world in black and white, the choice is between the government establishing regulations that cover everything on the one hand and the government backing off completely, on the other. In a world filled with grays, however, there is a third way. Government can set targets in terms of production: somany tons of carbon dioxide permitted for so-much production, for example.

Or government can set targets in terms of past performance: x% decrease in carbon emissions annually.

Government need not dictate how to reduce carbon emissions (though it might maintain a resource center with a database of best practices), but it can specify the levels permissible. This is a legitimate exercise for government because it has access to cumulative data and can calculate what is needed for the overall good, something beyond the mandate of even the best-intentioned companies.

Government can set green objectives, but only individual businesses can decide what strategies are appropriate for their situations, given their circumstances. In other words, it is time for business to admit the utility of having government maintain a level playing field for commercial and financial transactions. It is not much of a stretch to ask the authorities to do the same for social obligations.

Alex Mavro, is Chief of Operations at the Sasin Centre for Sustainability Management. Reach him at alex.mavro@sasin.edu.

30 - DECEMBER 2011

BANGKOK TRADER

The Big Soak

Hot Springs in Thailand

By Dave Stamboulis Although we were inundated with enough water this past year, along with enough horror stories, to drive any seafarer to land, the cool season is now upon us, and the holiday travel season is the best time to get out and enjoy hot springs in Thailand.

The art of hot bathing has been around long before you or me. Anywhere the earth’s crust produces geothermally heated groundwater, one finds hot springs, and throughout the world, people enjoy hot spring dips for relaxation, therapy, and to keep warm. In Japan, hot springs are known as onsen, and due to the island’s ultra-volcanic activity, the country is loaded with thousands of inviting pools. Not only are they a tourist attraction, but they are at the forefront of the movement known as balneotherapy, which seeks to treat diseases by bathing treatments.

Sulfur is the main mineral found in hot springs and has been used medicinally since ancient times. Never mind its rotten egg smell, it has been found to help cure skin diseases like acne or psoriasis and give pain relief to those suffering from arthritis, rheumatism, and asthma. Sulfur is found in keratin, which makes for strong hair, nails, and skin; and the body uses sulfur to manufacture collagen, which keeps the skin looking young. Other diseases receiving benefits from sulfur include gynecological problems, tension- and stress-related illnesses, and high blood pressure.

Hot spring mineral baths also provide a host of other benefits. Blood circulation and metabolism are increased by hot soaking, helping with digestion and eliminating toxins from the body. The hot water also kills germs and viruses and helps people relax and sleep better. Additionally, mineral springs contain a lot of negative ions, which enhance one’s sense of well-being. Other minerals beside sulfur also function therapeutically, with some springs containing calcium, magnesium, lithium, and other minerals that can be absorbed by the body.

While Thailand certainly isn’t Japan when it comes to Zen and the Art of Hot Bathing, the kingdom does have some nice natural spots to escape the city haze and commune with nature.

The Top Soaks: Samkamphaeng Hot Springs Located in a beautiful park just 35 kilometers from Chiang Mai, these springs offer a huge spouting geyser, a 55º pool, which visitors use for boiling eggs, and a long meandering canal of knee-deep, 40º water set in tree-covered grounds where people can picnic, soak, and enjoy the surroundings. The star attraction of Sankamphaeng though is its large mineral water pool with dreamy, turquoise, 38º water, plus a hot waterfall to massage oneself under.

Pong Nam Ron Tha Pai Hot Springs While nowhere near as luxurious as Sankamphaeng, the Tha Pai Hot Springs occupy a magnificent spot in the forest in the lovely, verdant Pai Valley. Just 8 kilometers from Pai, the springs here boil out at 80º Celsius, but fortunately mix with a cold creek to make soaking tolerable. The pools here are a bit muddy, but the location makes up for it in a quiet forest, with sunlight streaming through the trees and a magical spot to camp in and enjoy an early morning dip. The springs are part of the Huay Nam Daeng National Park area, so foreigners are charged 200-baht entry (remember to always try your various bag of tricks of Thai licenses, business cards, work permits, or long-term visa stamps). If this cost is off-putting, head just down the road to the Pai Hot Springs Spa Resort, where water from Tha Pai is diverted, and non-guests are welcome to soak in a nice outdoor pool for 100 baht.

Khlong Thom Hot Springs If you are headed south, then make sure you stop over at the nam tok rawn

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DECEMBER 2011 - 31 or ‘hot waterfall,’ as the Khlong Thom Hot Springs is known. Located some 70 kilometers from Krabi, hot water from several geothermal springs flows through a forest and then over a cliff, creating hot falls. The rushing water and mineral deposits have created natural pools on the side of the river for bathers to soak in and enjoy the absolutely divine setting. The water temperature ranges from 35º-40º, and there is also a cool river to jump into if it gets too hot. The Khlong Tom springs are located very nearby the gorgeous Sra Morakot Emerald Pools, a series of beautifully colored natural forest pools that are part of the Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve, and a visit to Khlong Thom can be combined with Sra Morakot to make for an excellent full-day outing from Krabi.

In addition to these, head out to some of the more off-the-beaten-path locations like the Hindad Springs along the river 130 kilometers west of Kanchanaburi or the Mineral Springs of Ranong, with pools set inside a temple.

Wherever you go, your feet, shoulders, muscles, not to mention girlfriends and boyfriends, will all thank you.

Sankamphaeng Hot Springs – Moo 7, Tambon Ban Sahakorn Mae-On, Chiang Mai. Tel. 053 929077, 053 929099. Open daily, 6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. 40-baht entry for tourists, plus 50-baht for the mineral swimming pool Tha Pai Hot Springs – Mae Hee, Pai, Mae Hong Son. Open daily, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. 200-baht entry for tourists (20 baht with work permit or Thai driver’s license).

Khlong Thom Hot Springs – Khlong Phon, Khlong Thom, Krabi. Tel. 075 622713, 075 622624. Open daily, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Entry Fee, 100 Baht.

Dave Stamboulis is a freelance photographer and travel writer based in Bangkok. He is the author of Odysseus’ Last Stand, which received the Silver Medal Book of the Year award from the Society of American Travel Writers. He can be contacted at pedallerdave@hotmail.com.

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BANGKOK TRADER

‘Bangkok Noir’

Short stories about the dark side of Bangkok

By Voicu Mihnea Simandan

The recent publication of Bangkok Noir (Heaven Lake Press, 2011), edited by Christopher G. Moore, has created a lot of interest, as it comprises the short fiction of a dozen writers, some of whom are of international fame, while some have long since reached into the hearts of their readership in Thailand. A few of them have succeeded in achieving both statuses, and some have even been featured by Bangkok Trader in previous issues – an extra reason for the reader to pursue Bangkok Noir!

In the introduction to the anthology, Christopher G. Moore makes an attempt at placing the ‘noir’ movement onto the Bangkok literary scene, as it is such an apt term for Thailand in the editor’s opinion: “Noir fiction chronicles a world where a person’s fate is sealed by a larger and more powerful karma, one from which, despite all efforts, they can’t break free.”

Bangkok Noir opens with “Gone East” by John Burdett, a short story about the travel bug we, as expatriates living in Thailand, surely feel on a daily basis. “Gone East” revolves around the folk story of Mae Nak, a Thai wife who remained faithful to her husband even after she died, continuing to take care of her family as a ghost. Burdett’s story is a contemporary remake that has all the ingredients one can easily find in the Bangkok metropolis: a successful farang lawyer, unscrupulous in-laws, a frigid and obedient wife, a mia noi (mistress) from the northeast, ancient Khmer tattoos, and plenty of dark magic.

“Inspector Zang and the Dead Thai Gangster” by Stephen Leather is a short story written in the tradition of the great detective-mystery writers. As if trying to emulate Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, the writer puts Inspector Zang of the Singapore Police Force (an Asian Hercule Poirot wannabe) and his sidekick, Sergeant Lee (a female character fairly reminiscent of Dr. John Watson), in charge of solving a murder that took place on a flight from Singapore to Thailand. A Thai gangster ends up dead with a bullet wound in his chest, but nobody heard the gun shot and there’s no gun to be found. Inspector Zang uses his questioning techniques and logic to solve the mystery and find the murderer.

In “Thousand and One Nights,” Pico Iyer deals with the main character’s confusing feelings and thoughts in the form of a confessional letter sent by email. After he becomes a widower, the male protagonist feels the need to leave England to go aboard. He finds himself in the heart of Bangkok’s red light district, cruising the streets without knowing what he “really wanted here.”

Eventually, two ‘girls’ take him to a short-time hotel, and it is in their company that he discovers the genie he’s been looking for all along.

Funnily enough, “Halfhead” by Colin Cotterill is set, not in Bangkok as you would expect, but rather in the north of Thailand in Chiang Mai. Samart Wichaiwong, also known as Teacher Wong, is a charlatan who plays the role of a shaman. He lies to people about being able to contact the spirits of

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dead relatives, gives desperate people bogus lottery numbers, and spends all his days drinking beer. But, when the police recruit him to help them catch some “bad people,” the shaman meets his match in the person of Colonel Thongfa and a hideous spirit that visits him at night in his dreams… which soon become nightmares.

For the readers used to Moore’s novels, “Dolphin Inc.” by Christopher G. Moore is quite a surprising story that brings thoughts of William Gibson’s Neuromancer and the movies Inception and The Matrix. Anyone familiar with these titles understands that “Dolphin Inc.” is set in a virtual reality world, with Bangkok as its background and ‘base.’ The short story starts with the aborted attempt of an assassination, but soon becomes a complex web of narratives and dialogues that take the readers from the port of Klongtoey to a fishing village in Taiji, Japan.

Maybe the short story that most long-time residents of Thailand will identify with is “The Mistress Wants Her Freedom” by Tew Bunnag. Nong Maew, the mistress of a wealthy Thai man, feels the need to break free from the relationship, but at the same time, finds it difficult to give up the financial security and the hi-so lifestyle her status as mia noi offers her. When she discovers that her friend, Pi Nok, a young gay Thai, was once ‘involved’ with her benefactor, Nong Maew decides it’s time for her exit. Unfortunately, greed is a powerful feeling, and retribution finally catches up with everyone.

“Hansum Man” by Timothy Halliman is the story of Wallace, a foreigner once considered a “hansum man,” who returns to Bangkok after being away for a very long time. Only a few days in his stay, he realises that “Bangkok is changing” and a sense of a forlorn destiny soon imbues the short story. Remembering the old Bangkok, when Don Muang was still the gateway to all international and domestic flights in and out of the capital, Wallace succeeds in getting in trouble everywhere he goes. All the while, his search for Jah, a bar girl he once knew, proves to be an impossible mission. “Hansum Man” epitomises the hopelessness and gritty realism specific to noir fiction and is, by far, the most ‘noir’ short story in the entire collection.

In “Daylight” by Alex Kerr, we read about the fruitless tries of a New York correspondent based in Bangkok to find out more details about a murder that occurred in full daylight and in front of many witnesses on a BTS SkyTrain platform in downtown Bangkok. His investigation leads him to some shocking but ‘well-known’ facts about the victim, however the name of the attacker remains unknown to him. But, in the end, “Who cares…? […] It’s time to focus on serious news.”

“Death of a Legend” by Dean Barrett brings us into the world of paid assassins and the myths that are built around them. A job to eliminate another hitman turns out to be exactly the opposite. The feeling of regret that the main character feels after he has successfully completed the job is one that perfectly aligns with the noir ethos surrounding the genre.

Bangkok Noir, with its twelve short stories, makes up a brief but exciting read.

The anthology is part of a more and more distinct Bangkok noir movement that brings to the surface the darker sides of this city, exposing all its ugliness, hardships, and injustices that the powers-that-be would like kept at bay, right where they are… in the dark.

“The Sword” by Vasit Dejkunjorn is the story of how Yuddha, a police superintendent, became the proud owner of a BMW Series 5, a car far too expensive for his colonel’s salary. On completion of another successful ‘transaction’ that involves collecting money from the driver of a wealthy businessman, Yuddha remembers his training at the Police Academy and the pledge he took “to perform my duty with utmost integrity and honesty.” All these memories bring him back to the day of his graduation and the moment he accepted the ceremonial sword “directly from the King’s hands.” As he pulls the sword from its scabbard, he has an epiphany and… it rests with you, the reader, to find out what the power of his pledge was!

It is worth mentioning that Bangkok noir does not refer to literature only, it can also be portrayed through other artistic means. The cover of Bangkok Noir by German photographer Ralph Tooten is just one good example, while Chris Coles’s paintings of Bangkok noir people takes us to a different visual spectrum.

“The Lunch that Got Away” by Eric Stone is a short story that tries to instill in readers a sense of social justice. If society as a whole combines its efforts and, most importantly, takes action, then people’s power will prevail. Although not too noir, Stone’s short story does pinpoint some of the injustices the lower strata of Thai society have to endure at the whims of the rich.

The French rights to Bangkok Noir have already been sold, and a second English-language edition is already on its way to the press. Learn more about the authors on the book’s official website at www.bangkoknoir.info. The book can be purchased in local bookstores and for download via Amazon’s Kindle store.

The anthology ends with “Hot Enough to Kill” by Collin Piprell, a short story based on the more recent socio-political unrest that rocked the streets of Bangkok. Chai, a former Red Shirt demonstrator, and Dit, an ex-Red Shirt guard, are driven by poverty and dreams of a better life to take on a job as hitmen: “Chai has finished his business for the day, and he has money. Now, finally, he’s going to eat. He is hungry, hungry.”

Voicu Mihnea Simandan is a 33-year-old Romanian writer, freelance journalist, and educator living in Thailand since 2002. ������������������������������ Since 2008, he has been a member of Bangkok Writer’s Guild, a group of English-language writers based in Bangkok, and he is now completing his first novel, The Buddha Head, a historical thriller set in Thailand. He can be contacted via his website at www.simandan.com.

The writers will donate half of their royalties to needy children in Thailand, via charitable organizations such as Father Joe’s Mercy Centre (a leader in helping poor kids in the Klongtoey community) and Labour Rights Promotion Network in Samut Sakorn.

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BANGKOK TRADER

Relishing Ramen

By Shei Sanchez

This is not about the squarish plastic sack of hard, dry noodles that you stored with your cigarettes in your university dorm room. It’s not about the accompanying pouch of powder which imparts that familiar chicken flavor aftertaste. To the Top Ramen and Mama Noodle junkies, what is about to follow may offer you the best drug yet.

Yes, folks, ramen has been a hot (literally) and cheap (thankfully) commodity since pop artist Andy Warhol’s polychromatic cans of Campbell Soup. These noodles have been a staple among starving students, as well as among households that have compromised food budgets. Not only are they affordable, but also accessible. In Bangkok, they can be found and consumed as easily as deep-fried chicken.

Except for the good ramen. Correction – downright good ramen, the kind that extracts beads of sweat from your brow and produces satisfying bellows from your belly. But how can you discern the good from the superb? Before you digest any more images of steaming bowls of noodles, slurp on this scene in a ramen shop first.

As he watches the venerable ramen master of forty years humbly observe his bowl, the young acolyte waits with visible hunger and sweet naiveté. The ramen student desires the knowledge of how to eat it properly – not just with relish, but with proper respect. Appreciate the gestalt, the master asserts. Savor the aromas, he proclaims. The aged teacher continues to regale the wide-eyed novice by describing the role of each ingredient with the precise poetry of haiku legend Basho. Once he picks up the chopsticks, the master begins to express affection by caressing the surface of the bowl. Poke the pork, he reminds the student. After much poking and appreciation, the master and his trainee proceed to partake of the noodles.

Lesson: It is only with sincere fondness should you eat a bowl of ramen. Only with a well-prepared bowl could you experience this gestalt of noodles, soup, and toppings.

This unforgettable scene from the 1985 Japanese comedy Tampopo is rarely practiced in ramen shops in Bangkok, I am sure. But it serves as a reminder of how a good bowl of ramen should not be overlooked. With a vibrant Japanese mania in this dynamic city of noodle hounds, finding that divine, reasonably priced bowl can be a bit challenging. Here is a clue that screams for your attention: Japanese businesspeople. Sniff out their trail and be sure to find among the surfeit of restaurants some quality ramen.

Momotaro near BTS SkyTrain Sala Daeng station has been slaking ramen appetites for a little over 15 years. Its low-key presence is part of its charm.

Tucked away on the right toward the end of Thanon Thaniya, before hitting Surawong, it is surprising that Momotaro has been a hotspot amid the bold Vegas-like signage of this heavily trafficked area among Japanese business folk. In fact, its exterior is so nondescript that it looks closed. You would have to peek through the lattice woodwork behind the thick glass to see if the lights are on and if chefs in the back are toiling away. The restaurant’s sign is only in Japanese with no English transliteration; the Thai translation is submissively placed on the top right corner of the marquee in much smaller font. This sign is indeed telling of the kind of authentic gastronomic experience you will encounter upon entering. It’s as if you are part of the inner circle – only those who have been knighted with the cause to eat good ramen dine here.

A one-floor establishment that seats about 80, Momotaro’s offerings are displayed on a simple two-sided menu. Along with 18 different types of ramen, there are à la carte familiars like gyoza, shumai, and mabo tofu. I recommend

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the fried garlic, an inviting starter before diving into a large bowl of noodle soup.

Besides ramen, there are other soups (egg, wakame seaweed, and vegetable) to slurp to your fancy. Rice dishes are also options if you aren’t in the mood for broth. But why wouldn’t you be in this restaurant?

According to the staff, the most popular dish among their Japanese customers is the miso ramen. Thai patrons, on the other hand, usually order the curry and chashumen bowls. With a cost of roughly 150 baht a bowl, it doesn’t hurt to have more than three favorites.

Across town, on Sukhumvit, is another Japanese business district that caters to ramen devotees. On Soi 33/1 is Tan Tan Men around the corner from Robin Hood pub. Like Momotaro, this three-story ramen haven is at its busiest during lunch. Nothing like a quick, delicious dive into savory soup before heading back to work. Unlike Momotaro, this is hard to miss. For one thing, this part of Phrom Pong isn’t brimming with blinding neon signage. Another eye-catcher is its simple and inviting exterior with a kick of Japanese humor. By the entrance is a cartoon of a ramen master proudly and intrepidly handing the inquisitive customer a bowl, quite the opposite of the meek sage of Tampopo. This cartoon seems to exclaim “Poke this pork now” instead.

But really you should. Tan Tan Men’s extensive menu is worth leafing through.

With 24 different types of ramen, you could poke, caress and slurp all you want. Patrons have been doing this for about eight years now. You could start with their top-ordered bowls: the Tantan men, which has a sesame and chili oil broth, or the Tonkotsushoyu with a pork-bone broth. Of course, there are ramens that can indulge Thai tastes as well; combinations include kai jeaw (omelette) and radna ruam mit (soup with thick sauce). Prices here are similar to Momotaro, but it can be slightly more, depending on the protein ingredient.

For a more complete indoctrination into ramen in Bangkok, there is the famed Soi Thong Lor (Soi 55). This long street hosts a throng of Japanese eateries.

Just around the bend on the right is ramen row, displaying almost one shop after another amid Korean barbecue places here and there. Sendai Ramen Mokkori on Soi Thong Lor 2 is for those who want both the offbeat and familiar.

Its small size and welcoming chef and owner Mr. Nobuhiro Kimura lends to this noodle shop’s homey atmosphere.

Its menu is as expansive as its wall décor. Posted almost everywhere are popular menu items and pictures of staff with elated customers. These add to the feeling, as if this place has been here for decades. Eating in Sendai Ramen is like hanging out in your living room with your family and friends. The tight quarters and friendly outbursts from the chef make for a unique noodle experience.

A customer noted that Sendai’s noodles are made just right – firm yet pliable.

Their al dente quality contributes to the overall texture of the soup. Another distinguishing factor is the spicyness and sweetness of the sauce, a fusion that is favored among Thai eaters.

Perhaps it’s time to save those packs of dry noodles for a very lazy, rainy day. Appreciate the gestalt, savor the aroma, and dive in to your own ramen adventure.

Shei Sanchez is a full-time educator, some-time writer, former professional photographer, gastro-fiend, and budding gardener. She teaches at a university in Bangkok and can be contacted at orangesimple@gmail.com.

36 - DECEMBER 2011

BANGKOK TRADER

Bangkok Trader’s Networking Night Ladies Night Launch Party

Meets

Thanks to Thai Floods 2011, we had a more, shall we say, intimate crowd than usual, but it was no less fantastic, thanks to Outback Steak House and to you that braved the waters (or non-waters, depending on where you live) to celebrate our last party of the year. From what we can see here, it looks like all who did come had a good time, too, with the drinks and snacks and even a lucky draw or two from Outback. A big thanks again to all of our parties’ sponsors and to everyone that came. We couldn’t do it without you (well, we could, but it would just be a Tuesday night instead of a party). See you in 2012!

Please check out our Facebook pages – either http://goo.gl/UBsgo or http://goo.gl/EnNbR – every month in 2012 for all the details on our parties... or just to see a lot more great pix of the fun we had at the Outback. Just go to www.facebook.com and then search for “Bangkok Trader”. Add yourself on to get a monthly invitation to the parties. We’ll see you at the next one!

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c. e D f o Middle

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