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MARCH 2014 • VOLUME 8, ISSUE NO. 4

Not Your Mama’s Phuket Town

Page 4

Volume 8, Issue No. 4

March 2014

www.mangometro.com Published by

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Not Your

Mama’s Phuket Town By Samantha Gray-Proyrungtong

recall venturing into Phuket Town to be somewhat of a tedious chore, this is dating back almost 10 years ago. It was typically the last resort for shopping hauls, sourcing supplies and groceries not readily available in the more touristy-populated beachside areas to which Phuket is so famed for. It was always a pretty town with its historic Sino-Portuguese architectural landscape, quirky rundown family shophouses and the elderly tottering about in sarongs, sweeping porches and drinking sweet iced tea in the shade. Apart from the odd tourist, food or drink vendors, and commuting locals, the streets were mostly left to the breeze, and I often left this provincial island town feeling bored, hot, and lethargic. Little did I know that Phuket Town, like an old sleeping bear, was about to be stirred from its long hibernation. Phuket Town, with a modest, yet impressive, 63,000 inhabitants, boasts a revival of both the old and new, turning this docile central hub into a new attraction for art, culture, and cuisine, which is immersed deeply in its own unique history. A welcome prospective for those seeking something other than the sagging bare flesh, dingy girly bars, and tasteless overpriced restaurants more prevalent in Phuket’s mainstream areas. Here are some of the best places (and reasons why) to seek out when exploring Phuket’s old tinmining town. But, firstly, be sure to wear comfy footwear, as Phuket Town is best discovered on foot. Every hotel or café should provide easy-tofollow map guides of the town’s signature walking tour. •••

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Not only is Phuket Town’s accommodation offerings kind to the eyes, but it is also quite generous on the pocket and offers great deals throughout the year. The town is spotted with colorful and beautifully restored old guesthouses and boutique hotels. A pure delight to wander through and get lost into the romantic glory it once was and now returned to. One particularly iconic hotel is The Memory at On On Hotel on Phang Nga Road, renowned for being the first to open on the island in 1929, and it still stands in its quietly grandiose glory with its lush courtyard entrance, high ceilings, teak wooden staircase, ornate lamps and vintage décor. Other honorable mentions are the stylish Casa Blanca Boutique Hotel, an enchanting colonial structure with crystal chandeliers, indoor garden with fountain and pool hidden in a loft-like alcove. Not to mention the many budget townhouse hotels sporting cutting-edge design features. One newcomer on the scene is the very funky Ai Phuket Hostel on Yaowarat Road, with choices of private or shared rooms/bathrooms that are quaint and immaculately clean. The shared areas are particularly kitsch, with drawings by local artists on the walls, hot-red sinks with hefty mirrors, a private garden, open-air beanbag chill-out area, DVD living room, and retro kitchen. All provided to facilitate those who love to meet others with like minds. So don’t be afraid to stop and step in when you find a place that tickles your fancy, the hotel staff are kind and proud to accommodate the most inquisitive of visitors. •••

From the moment you start the walking tour, you may discover every street has at least two or more shop-fronts providing locally made handicrafts and antiques, some are more obvious to spot than others. It may be just a singular glass door, which above hangs a tiny bell and woven ornament, but once having stepped in, lays a fantastic, wonderful emporium, stock to the brim with amulets, copper jewelry, intricate embroidery quilts, wooden carvings, and bohemian dresses haphazardly, yet purposefully, strewn about heavy oak tables and racks. I’m always half expecting an old Chinese man to appear from under the counter, with long, white hair (yet balding), a glass eye, hairy mole, and talons for fingernails, complete with billowing smoke from under his Ming Dynasty cape, about to foretell my mysterious fate. The antique stores are a lot easier to spot with their wide windowed fronts and cramped insides. Each precious item of furniture and ornament is carefully polished and delicately placed – if you suffer from bull-in-a-china-store syndrome, I’d advise you to proceed with extreme caution. But proceed, you must! At these vintage havens, you shall find an eclectic mix of Thai, Tibetan, and Chinese ceramics, ornately carved dressers, bronzed figures, and other trinkets to decorate the home; again, just be sure to keep your buttocks clenched and elbows in when navigating the aisles. For the budget- and luggage-weight-conscious, some of the most beloved items to take as mementos would be Phuket Town’s handmade post-

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cards with graphics or drawings by local artists and pictures by the island’s photographers. There are also poster replicas of Phuket Town from ancient eras, handcrafted magnets, printed tshirts, made-from-coconut jewelry, trinket boxes, keychains, and a wide array of crafty knickknacks.

Amidst the splayed display of pre-loved shoes, handbags, and other odds and ends are endearing collectable objects at the indie market on Dibuk Road that takes place every two weeks. Tailor-made name-stenciled grains of rice to form key rings or bracelets, as well as options of skilled portraits and caricatures at the hands of struggling artists, are among the goods of bargain prices. All of this abounds while listening to unplugged buskers and school-uniformed solo artists, crooning their heart’s content to enthusiastic shoppers.

••• If you’re an art buff of modern art or street art, then you have walking-toured into the right place. What surprised me the most when visiting Phuket Town was stumbling upon these industrial-like open-air galleries with high lofty ceilings, raw-rendered walls where the indie artists were painting on skateboards and canvases that reached the ceiling! Definitely a highlight for stimulating the imagination, one would be hard-pressed not to take home some of the cutting-edge pieces being produced live in front of you. Graffiti sketching, painstaking detailed drawings, glow-in-the-dark tagging, and sculpture made from recycled junkyard items were just a few of the awe-inducing works of art from these brilliantly talented ‘kids.’ One specific studio that comes to mind is the Drawing Room Studio on Phang Nga Road. Also on the same road, the Comics Café & Bar, which is a two-story townhouse decorated with comic art drawings by local artists covering every inch of wall. This is a place that exudes with creative coolness. Not to forget the many other art galleries and studios peppered along every street, borne by local curators and Phuket artists themselves, pioneering the way for Phuket Town to be Thailand’s first cultural island capital.

Equally, the Weekend Night Market on Chaofa West Road has the ever-prevalent buzz of hungry locals perusing through vintage items and thrifty fashion while snacking on yummy stall food. The pretty lights of the cool evenings, plus the combination of town’s smells, sounds, and colors, makes this vibrant market worth a sure visit. If you’re a stickler for wanting the full story behind the places you are visiting, then delve into Phuket’s history at the Thai Hua Museum on Krabi Road. This enormous and wonderfully renovated British colonial-style mansion was once home to the oldest Chinese-language school. Phuket Town’s rich history comes down to its foundations and relevance of its former trade roots, notably the powerful families who forged it. The immigrants who immersed themselves into Thai culture, while evolving their own niche culture, tell stories through pictures, sound, literature, garments, replicas, and relics. The exhibition is well thought out and tastefully put together by the Thai Hua Museum. Walking through the town’s history under this charming structure is an endearing way to study the locals’ past hardships, joys, and legacy that make up the heart of this town today. Now for something a lot less conventional. A bit of goofy play for the whole family is the Trickeye Museum on Phang Nga Road, which captures the imagination via baffling optical illusion and provides interaction through 3-D trickery, the first of its kind on this side of Thailand. Let’s face it. Most of us are kids at heart, compelled to take pictures hanging off cliffs, plunging into hot lava, and hounded by the paparazzi. Even if it is a little cheesy, it’s still art, and most of all, it’s good, clean fun. ••• No doubt you’ll be requiring a few pit stops to replenish along the way, and Phuket Town distinguishes itself from the rest of the island by providing some of the most authentic and tastiest mix of Thai, modern fusion, international, and Chinese cuisine.

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For starters, there is absolutely no going past Pinky’s Gallery Café for a proper European/Westernstyle coffee, breakfast, hot sandwich or dessert. Pinky (the restaurateur) has studied at the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School, as well as in Australia and Europe, bringing together her multicultural talents to create this hip and homely styled cafe. If you feel like spoiling yourself after a delightful sunny walk, head to The Brasserie for a perfectly chilled Belgian beer, glass of French wine, Fine de Claire oysters, and homemade Belgian fries. The Brasserie is creative fine dining, balanced with a friendly ambience, proving itself a new must-go (and a little more pricey) institution in town. One restaurant that should really knock the Southern socks off visitors is the Natural Restaurant, given that it has been integrated into an enormous tree house with multiple split levels. The place is surrounded by thick branches, stringy vines, and bushy leaves. The only thing missing are Tarzan and Jane outfits by the waiting staff. The food is rustic and authentic Southern Thailand influenced… yes, that is a euphemism for spicy! But the taste is exceptional, especially for the price; you’ll be drumming on your chest in gratitude. After searching the ends of Bangkok for good old-fashioned cheap dim sum, I found my resting place in Phuket Town. Hands down, the freshest, and I mean fresh in that they make their dim sum on site before freezing, not the pre-bought industrial bags of dubious meats that taste like licking the pavement. You can find this special dim sum joint on the corner of Satoon Road, with diners collecting choice dim sums onto trays by the large fridges, and which are then expresssteamed on spot. Still, friends claim this is just the tip of the dim sum iceberg in town, and I can’t wait for the next exploration to get to the bottom of the glacier. Now a walking tour isn’t complete without the ultimate in refreshments and entertainment. Sanaeha on Yaowarat Road appears to be one of the most popular, with their glittering chandeliers in the smooth, dim lighting contrasting with the boisterous bands and bottles of whisky consumed by the perpetually thirsty and vivacious young crowds. On the same road, and a step up in class but not necessarily taste, is the incredible Wonderland, a cocktail and champagne lounge inspired by Alice and the rabbit itself. If you’re lucky, you may find a full-costumed rabbit wait-staff to hop to your order… seriously! Stunningly decorated in romantic Victorian décor and furniture comes the concept that you have fallen down the rabbit hole and where a magical Wonderland awaits. The back room holds a long grand dining table, more chandeliers, and black-and-white checkered tiles reminiscent of a Tim Burton-esque tea party. These clever and

daring entrepreneurs of Phuket do not spare any expense, nor do they miss a beat! Other highly recommended chic and stylish joints are the Dibuk Restaurant on Dibuk Road, Kor Tor Mor on Chana Charoen Road, and for a raging night out with DJs and bands, check out either the new Phloen Chit, also on Dibuk Road, or the long-standing Timber Hut on Yaowarat Road. So innovative are these town folk, even their parties come on three wheels. The Tuk Tuk Diner, a brainchild of DJ ‘Tom the Tank’ (large in size and in sweetness), is a fantastic pop-up concept. His pimped out tuk-tuk, serves not only delicious hot American dishes like burger and fries, but also the funkiest tunes from illuminated decks! From a town that once induced mild narcolepsy to one that now never ceases to amaze me, I certainly have become one of Phuket Town’s biggest fans. I have a strong suspicion that, soon, you might too.

Photos (except DJ/tuk-tuk) provided by jamiesphuket.com

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DEMENTIA & ALZHEIMER’S:

Helping patients and caregivers In the last issue of Mango Metro, we looked at the causes and diagnoses of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. To read this article, please visit www.issuu.com/mangomangomedia Earlier intervention offers better options to boost quality of life for patients who have degenerative brain disorders.

Treatment challenges

Dr. Sasitorn Siritho, a neurologist at Bumrungrad, has many years of experience treating patients with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. According to Dr. Sasitorn, once an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is confirmed, de- plements in the event of vitamin deficiencies. veloping an optimal treatment plan depends largely on the nature of the symptoms. “The medications being prescribed for mildto moderate- stage Alzheimer’s patients “Though so far no treatment can stop the pro- – known as cholinesterase inhibitors – help gression of Alzheimer’s,” says Dr. Sasitorn, “in prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain the disease’s early and middle stages, certain neurotransmitter that plays an important role medications can help keep a patient’s symptoms in memory function,” Dr. Sasitorn explains. “The from worsening at least for a period of time.” medication can help delay the onset of symptoms, or prevent them from worsening for some time.” When the cause of the dementia is reversible, the doctor will treat the cause specifi- Non-medication treatments usually involve cally. For example, if the patient has a brain two elements: brain exercises to boost cognitumor, tumor removal is the treatment op- tive functions, and specific methods of patient tion; if the patient is hypothyroid, medica- care designed to enhance patient quality of tion for treating hypothyroidism is an option. life. “Activities or games – puzzles, for example - help reduce stress and promote brain funcWhen the cause of dementia is irreversible, doc- tion,” Dr. Sasitorn explains. “Despite their detors must assess the extent of brain damage pendence on others, Alzheimer’s patients can in order to determine the optimal treatment. enjoy an improved quality of life with proper “In addition,” continues Dr. Sasitorn, “there are care. The role of caregivers is critically important. medications that may help patient symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, wandering tenden- Dr. Sasitorn continues: “In addition to providing cies, agitation, anxiety, and depression. Treating guidance for caregivers and family members these behavioral symptoms is comforting to pa- on what to expect and how to tients and eases the burden of caring for them. cope, doctors can recommend improvements to make the Doctors should also consider a combina- patient’s living environment tion of lifestyle changes, especially nutri- safer, and give tion and exercise, together with medication guidance to caregivers to to target underlying conditions – to manage ensure they protect their blood sugar levels for diabetes, to lower cho- own health and their emolesterol and alleviate hypertension, and sup- tional wellbeing.”

“Mild- to moderate-stage Alzheimer’s patients may benefit from medications – called cholinesterase inhibitors – that help prevent the breakdown of cetylcholine, a brain neurotransmitter that plays an important role in memory function.”

–Dr. Sasitorn Siritho

The critical role of caregivers

Dementia and Alzheimer’s are progressive irreversible disorders that bring tremendous challenges to everyone involved – patients, caregivers and family members – as patients become highly dependent on others. Dr. Solaphat Hemrungrojn, a board certified cognitive behavioral psychiatrist at Bumrungrad, offers some helpful advice for those who serve as caregivers for patients with Alzheimer’s and types of dementia: • Caring with empathy and understanding It’s important for caregivers to understand and be mindful that Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are medical conditions that affect most aspects of a patient’s life and behavior. It’s easy to lose patience dealing with a patient who has memory problems, has trouble learning new things, and can’t make rational decisions without help. In addition, the condition results in behavior and personality changes that make the caretaker’s burden even heavier. In those frustrating and irritating moments, remember it’s the disease, not the patient, that’s causing the changes. • The care of a loving family For most patients, caregivers are also family members; oftentimes it’s adult children who go to great lengths to care for an aging parent who they love dearly. The care of a loved one is an important contributor to a patient’s emotional wellbeing; patients do better when someone who loves them is around to help with daily activities and watch over them so they won’t lose their way. • Be sure to take care of you While helping others in need, it’s easy to overlook one’s own health and wellbeing. It’s important to know your limitations so you don’t fall into the trap of trying to do too much. Build breaks into your normal schedule, and take some extra time away if you start to feel overwhelmed. You can only give a patient your best care when you are feeling your best; especially considering the powerful effect that interaction between patient and caregiver can have on the wellbeing of patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s. “There are still many reported cases of aging patients who, after spending their lives as responsible, valued members of society, become ill and are left on their own without proper care,” says Dr. Solaphat. “At a time of great need, patients deserve respect and care from the people they love. It is always better to be cared for by someone who is known to the patient and has been part of their life. The love of a caregiver is a powerful force for making a patient’s life much better.”

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Head over to www.fb.com/bangkoktrader to see all the great pix from the good time we all had at The Australian Pub & BBQ on Sukhumvit 11.

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Going Indie

By Dave Stamboulis

hile Bangkok has always had a reputation for being one of Asia’s best party spots, when it comes to the music, it has long been dominated by large DJ-spinning electronica clubs, along with repetitive sing-along pop cover bands. Throw in a heavy marketing industry that isn’t too receptive to the music itself as being the bottom line, and it’s obvious there has been little room for the alternative crowd. However the past few years have seen a renaissance resurgence of the indie scene, a grassroots revival fueled by a more tuned-in young audience and through social media, and for those caught up in the scene, the future has never been brighter. Degaruda, an energetic and talented group of young Thai musicians, are at the top of the Bangkok indie list. While some tag them as math rockers or hardcore, the band refuses to accept a label. As guitarist Dino jokes, “We all like listening to a pretty broad range of music, so it’s hard to identify what exactly influences us. I think it’s generally agreed among us that The Carpenters wrote some beautiful songs, so I guess Degaruda could be classified as The Carpenters… if they were a hardcore band.” Jokes aside, Degaruda is the real deal when they hit the stage at the selection of small hole-in-the-wall clubs around Bangkok that have formed an almost underground, cult-like scene for the rabid indie fans. The band has won quite a following with their distinct and monstrous sound, which features crushing guitars, asymmetrical time signatures, and a pulsating tight rhythm section.

Finding venues to play in for creative bands is still an issue in Thailand, as the scene has been dominated by the major labels pushing for a certain style of music that can earn cash. But Degaruda drummer Van says this is changing, that “the underground is shouldering in on the former monopoly on Thai musical tastes, and the music industry is changing as a whole.” Guitarist Top agrees, chiming in that “it’s cool that bands can’t really rely on just marketing or their choice of pants to get people interested anymore. They actually have to play music!”

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When it comes to indie music in Bangkok, the pioneer behind the scenes, and in front of the stage, is Wannarit ‘Pok’ Pongprayoon. Pok is a former sound engineer who started Bangkok’s most popular do-it-yourself record label, Panda Records. A real jack-ofall-trades, Wannarit also is the promoter for the alternative Stone Free Festival, as well as the recent Noise Market Culture and Music Festival, one of Bangkok’s first in-city, chilled-out free music events. If this weren’t enough, this one-man show is also a professor of music production at Silpakorn University, and he manages to find time to

lead singer and guitarist, says the indie movement isn’t caught up in whether or not it is economically viable to make it as an alternative band, but rather is “just a bunch of good friends concentrating on their passions, as opposed to expecting commercial success, which would probably only soften or ruin the music anyways.” What is very clear is that there is little pretense in Bangkok’s indie scene, which, in a country known for being all about ‘face,’ is most refreshing. As drummer Van adds, “Thai audience reactions are immediate and definitive. They decide instantly whether they like what you’re doing, and if they do, their expression is clear and genuine. It’s fun going up against that when you play. If an audience is loud and wild, you’re doing a good job. If it’s not, play harder.”

play in an experimental duo called Stylish Nonsense, along with another indie band Plastic Section. Wannarit says that in the past, Thais didn’t want to go to shows with cover charges at strange venues or with bands playing that they didn’t know, however these days, social media is changing band recognition, and now there are starting to be more shows combining more popular bands along with newcomers. Another reason for the surging popularity in the indie scene is the large foreign crowd that has added to the mix, both in audience and in bands. Some of the biggest names on the current gig calendar, bands like The Sangsom Massacre, Matthew Fischer and the Fishes, and Bone Clone, are all made up of international artists. Fischer, who says his band plays “Americana rock mixed with two parts Crazy Horse, two parts Dylan, a shot of whiskey, and a raw onion,” is also the owner of Fatty’s, a hole-in-the-wall bar that gets packed to the rafters each weekend when it presents live multi-band shows. The Fishes’ guitarist, Tommie Duncan, says that young Thais seem to be getting around

Indie bands the obstacles to learn about new groups and to listen to music from a wider variety of genres. Duncan says that the present Thai indie scene is a very open one. “Start a band, put together a few songs, and hey, you can get a gig. It is a fantastic place to hone your craft, and I also see a lot more camaraderie between Thai and foreign musicians today than there ever was.” Garage rock and psychobilly masters Bone Clone play regularly at Fatty’s and in Cosmic Café, an alternative venue set smack in the middle of the trendy youth entertainment street, RCA. Spike, the band’s charismatic

Degaruda – www.fb.com/DegarudaMusic Plastic Section – www.fb.com/PlasticSection Bone Clone – www.fb.com/BoneClone333 Matthew Fischer and the Fishes – www.fb.com/matthewfischerandthefishes The Sangsom Massacre – www.fb.com/sangsommassacre

Venues

Fatty’s Bar & Diner – www.fb.com/fattysbardiner – 598/66 AsokDindaeng Road. Tel. 080-557-1959. Cosmic Café – www.fb.com/cosmiccafe – RCA Block C, Rama 9 Road. Tel. 081-304-6907. Harmonica – www.fb.com/HarmonicaBkk – 307 Petchaburi Soi 38/1. Tel. 02-259-5799.

Jack &Jill

Rolled Down the Hill By Voicu Mihnea Simandan

orbing, which involves rolling down a hill while being strapped inside a giant plastic ball, is one of the most outrageous outdoor adventure activities, sharing the top spot with base jumping, mountain biking on Bolivia’s ‘Road of Death,’ sandsurfing, and a few other select pastime ‘dangerous sport’ activities for the adrenaline junkies. While you can choose to go zorbing unharnessed, it is obviously far more dangerous, as the chances of breaking your neck… or an arm… or a leg if you can’t keep up with the speed of the ball rolling down the steep slope, get quite, let’s say, possible. If you’ve never heard of the word before, or you think that we have made some sort of spelling mistake, then rest assured that zorbing is a ‘real’ word, having made its entry into the Oxford English Dictionary in 2001. Although the activity also goes by the name of orbing, sphereing, globe-riding, or xorbing (in Thailand only), zorbing is defined in the dictionary as “a sport in which a participant is secured inside an inner capsule in a large, transparent ball, which is then rolled along the ground or down hills.” Ian Rauner is the man behind Chiang Mai’s X-Center, a company striving to provide adventure lovers the thrill of their lives. He first tried zorbing at his own headquarters in the north of Thailand when he decided to introduce this new activity to join the other scores of adventure-packed deals he has to offer. As Ian is from New Zealand, and since zorbing is a tourist attraction invented by David and Andrew Akers in New Zealand in 1995, it made perfect sense for him to bring zorbing to Chiang Mai. Ian provides customers with balls specially constructed to fit his company’s strict safety requirements, so he has personally stylized the name of the activity from zorbing to ‘xorbing,’ no doubt also a play on words of his X-Center. Licensed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the X-Center has a high level of credibility within Southeast Asia and has appeared on the television channel AXN and The Amazing Race Asia reality TV adventure game show.

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When you’re ready to give it a go, you step inside the hollow center of the ball and the staff will fasten you securely into the harness. Then, as soon as you give them the okay sign, they’ll roll you out of the gate. A steeply inclined ramp will quickly accelerate the ball up to its maximum rolling speed, and riders inside will feel like they’re flying through a gravitational field in outer space. You roll away from the launch platform down one hundred meters of smooth grass slope, all the way down to a large lake. The ball will stop before the lake, but if you’ve got an adventurous spirit flowing in your blood veins, then water entry is both possible and safe. You can choose to go single, but it would definitely be far more fun to go tumbling and bouncing inside the gigantic ball together with your friends and family members. When you reach the lake, you can continue your joy ride and ‘walk on water’ inside the ball. The xorb balls at the X-Center are inflatable balls of about three meters and a hollow center that can ‘house’ up to three people; the height of the xorb balls are well over double the height of most people. The minimum age to participate is nine years old, and children must be tall enough to fit into the harness. Zorbing is not something specific to Thailand only, and there are other companies providing similar activities within the Asian region. The biggest difference is, obviously, the weather, with Thailand, and especially Chiang Mai, benefiting from a climate that allows people to ride the xorb balls all year round. At the X-Center in Chiang Mai, riders are inside a double-walled air ball, thus benefiting from extra cushioning, together with a full harness securing them in place. Choosing to go xorbing with Ian’s company seems to be the safest option in the local region, and the customers who go xorbing in Chiang Mai are both tourists and locals, with the majority being on vacation. Foreigners and Thais alike participate and enjoy the roll. As no experience or special skills are required to ride a xorb ball, any healthy person can join in this fun and exciting activity, regardless of age. Going down the slope in a xorb ball costs 600 baht per person for one ride, but a discount can be arranged for large groups. There’s no shortage of xorb balls at the X-Center, so the more riders, the merrier it is!

Xorbing takes place

at the X-Centre headquarters, located on Samong Road in Mae Rim, ChiangMai. To find out more details, contact the X-Center at 087-833-6655 or via email at sales@chiangmai-xcentre.com. Their website at www.chiangmai-xcentre.com also offers more information about the other outdoor activities they organize and arrange.

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Forever Love By Voicu Mihnea Simandan

orever Love Foundation (FLF) is a California-based, nonprofit charitable organization that was founded in 1996 and has been operating programs within Thailand since 2000. It was founded by Malissa Behring, a Thai-American citizen who, although having grown up in the United States since she was 12, has still kept close contact with her roots in the Phathumthani province in southern Thailand. The mission of FLF operates to provide assistance to underprivileged children in rural Thailand in the areas of education, health, and social development projects. The ultimate goal of the FLF is to ensure that underprivileged Thai children are equally able to participate in learning opportunities that will better prepare them for successful lives as young adults. Some of the projects supported by FLF include student scholarships, restoration of disadvantaged schools, and employment and training of teachers in rural schools. “The story behind the Forever Love Foundation began back in 1990 as a loving memory of a little boy who was homeless and very ill,” explains Malissa, the president of FLF. “Our paths crossed on the streets of Bangkok in 1990, where I discovered that he had been orphaned by HIVstricken parents and that he had also contracted it. Through this one child, I became aware of the impact the AIDS epidemic was having on the children and the magnitude of their suffering in my country. The boy died shortly after I met him, but his memory remained with me and grew stronger as time passed. I was inspired by this special boy, and his fate deeply touched my heart. Ultimately, the need to do something became so powerful that I chose to commit my life’s work to helping Thai children.”

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More than two decades later, the FLF has brought great contributions to those in need. Among their past achievements, it is certainly worth mentioning that their partnership with the Thai government’s Department of Social Development and Welfare enabled them to distribute over 10,000 wheelchairs to disabled people in rural areas throughout Thailand. Currently, the Foundation is renovating seven rural schools in Nakhon Nayok and Pathum Thani provinces, as well as in locations throughout central Thailand that were affected by the 2011 floods. “The renovation projects include building libraries, bathrooms, and classrooms, as well as designing classroom activities to help the students gain handson knowledge of the world around them,” says Malissa. However, it definitely hasn’t been an easy journey. Some of the major frustrations the FLF has encountered have to deal with the Thai government bureaucracy that, in Malissa’s own words, “seems to strip us of our time with reports and reports that suffocate our passion and creativity for the work that we need to do.” On top of that, if one adds graft, corruption, and dishonesty in the school system, as well as in dealing with the local politicians, then one can easily realize that helping people isn’t as easy

as it might seem. Then there is also a severe lack of funding by the Thai government for the poorer rural schools and not enough skilled teachers assigned to teach and run these schools, which are mainly located very deep into the countryside. “I have not seen much change in the situation faced by the underprivileged children in Thailand, from my generation to the new one,” affirms Malissa. “Exclusion from education, trafficking, child labor, and other forms of exploitation that children are confronted with are still rampant and directly afflicting kids physically, mentally, and emotionally. A growing economy and the changes that come in its wake have also conveyed a multitude of new challenges for children in many areas, such as the spread of HIV/AIDS, the break-up of traditional family structures, and a rising toll of child deaths from sexual abuse, drugs, abduction, and other death misfortunes.” The sad truth is that the present Thai government has been so busy trying to stay in power (and this goes for both major parties) that they have spent very little time on trying to help and support the poor and underprivileged of their very own country. The FLF is a small foundation with very limited resources that are used to help the

poorest communities that simply do not receive any genuine help from other areas. “Being poor, attending school where the best teachers don’t want to teach, and having a limited set of courses on offer is not a prescription for academic or vocational success,” concludes Malissa. “Much more needs to be done!” Forever Love Foundation remains committed to supporting underprivileged children in Thailand, and at the moment, there are no plans to expand their assistance to other Southeast Asian countries. Still, there are many ways how people can help, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be based on just donating money. You can also volunteer your skills and your time to help schools that are in need of assistance. You can also donate used (or new) school uniforms, books, and other educational supplies; or you can even financially sponsor a poor student to attend classes regularly at his or her rural school. Get involved today by visiting the FLF website (www.forever-love.or.th) or contacting them at foreverlove@forever-love.or.th. The message is this: “Make Happiness Real for Those in Need!”

20 mango metro MARCH 2014

Getting your child ready for “Big” school son for life. It is commonly understood that we are educating students for careers in industries that have yet to be invented. This requires the curriculum to be flexible and to focus on the higher order skills of analysis and evaluation. Shrewsbury students learn to master the “three Cs”: Communication, Collaboration and Creative problem-solving. Our aim is to enable students to think for themselves, to develop the skills and attitudes to be lifelong learners and not to endure hours of tutoring that tends to focus upon rote learning. The teaching and learning that takes place in Years 7, 8 and 9 lay the foundations for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE OR IGCSE) courses in Years 10 and 11 and A Levels in Years 12 and 13. Public examination courses may appear to be distant but the skills, work habits and increasing independence and initiative required of Senior School students, established during Year 7 and enhanced thereafter, form crucial preparation.

The move from primary education to Senior (or Secondary) School is a big moment in any child’s life. Although the average 11-year-old still needs considerable support and nurturing, there is a definite feeling that they are no longer babies and they are ready for a change. It is an exciting and challenging time. Some schools in Bangkok finish at the end of Year 6 (in the British system) forcing parents to start a schools search but others use this milestone as the moment to really think about where their child is heading in terms of their academic, co-curricular and pastoral needs.

• Has your child developed a passion, say for

gymnastics, creative writing or mathematics, that their current school is unable to support because of a lack of facilities or teaching talent?

• Is the current school too small, leading to a

Academic study provides the tools for students to further their education, but an education for life requires far more than book work. Whether in the Art Department, on the stage or in the concert hall, or on the playing field, our very talented Senior students happily balance their academic load with a range of co-curricula activities. The stimulus that these activities provide prepares students for life at the world’s leading universities and the wider world. Our success speaks for itself!

lack of opportunities? Or is it too big, leaving To find more about Shrewsbury International the child feeling swamped or lost in the crowd? School please call Ilka Hodapp on 02 675 1888 or email admissions@shrewsbury.ac.th Shrewsbury International School works with families to ensure that students have high academic aspirations, achieve success in public examinations and discover interests that will stay with them for life. We teach our students to learn, to think independently, to challenge and discuss rather than be treated as empty vessels to be filled with facts.

Of course, many children will stay in the same school, particularly if they attend international school. But this might There is much that is new, or at least different, about not be the right decision for every child. the Senior School. Shrewsbury prides itself on helping children make the transition from primaConsider this: ry school into Year 7, irrespective of whether he is new to the school or has been there since he was 3. • If your child an exceptional learner, is the current school offering enough individualized support Learning to adapt to change is a key compoin order for them to reach their true potential? nent of the experience and an invaluable les- www.shrewsbury.ac.th

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FOR RENT CONDO LPN RAMA 9, B Tower 10th floor, 37 sq m, 1 br, 1 bath; kitchen with electrical stove, hood, fridge; 2 a/c, built-in furniture; kingsized bed; 29” LCD TV; close proximity to MRT station, Rama 9 expressway; condo equipped w/swimming pool, fitness, parking, keyguard security system; priced at 15,000 baht/month; contact Da 081-699-3773 FOR SALE ONLY 24.9MB – 218 sqm. Prime Mansion Sukhumvit 31, Promphong & Thonglor BTS. floor 10th with spacious balcony. Swimming pool, fitness centre, sauna. 3 bedrooms with a city view. 085-146-4694 Punchyta (A) PLUS 38 STUDIO, 33 sqm, kitchen, bathroom, balcony, fitness and swimming pool. Convenient to BTS, 400 metres to BTS Thonglor. 5 minute walk. Surrounded by trees. Peaceful and relaxing. Sukhumvit soi 38. Only 17,000 per month, for 12 month lease. Two month deposit. Room 35 on 5th floor. Call at 086 797 3712 or bayport22@yahoo. com (B) PRICE REDUCED FOR URGENT SALE at The Address, Chitlom. Luxuriously designed 2 bed, 2 bath 17th floor, 72 sqm condo in this award-winning development for sale at 10.6MB, or just 147,000B per sqm. The original owner has left Bangkok and needs to sell quickly so is offering this stunning property at well below market price. Contact Barry on 081 496 8782 or barrygrussell@gmail.com. (A) URGENT SALE 4.4MB – 61 sqm Waterford Diamond Sukhumvit 30/1, Phrom Phong & Thonglor BTS . 2 swimming pools (indoor & outdoor pools), squash, sauna, jacuzzi, jogging track, Muay Thai gym and yoga room. High floor 2 bed with view of Chao Phraya river. 022-59-3269 / 08-1496-8782 Chaophraya Property. (A)

LEARN FRENCH LANGUAGE in Bangkok – Level: beginner and advanced. Private and group lessons. Courses for children and adults. Class by a real French teacher. Class of 1.30 hours. Price 300 THB if group lessons. Price 500 THB if private lessons 1/1. Promotion 10 classes for 4000 THB. For more information. Call 0915743075 (B) 3-BED 335 SQM DUPLEX CONDO with private pool at Le Raffine 31 for rent. 3 bathrooms, guest powder room, living room, dining room, balcony, two kitchen areas and maid quarters. 220,000 baht per month, negotiable. Contact Indy 089 474 1124 indy.jiab@gmail.com (A) CONDO FOR SALE – Ramkamhaeng Soi 40, 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 77 sq meter, fully furnished, all electric equipped, just move in. Everything is ready to use. Baht 5,500,000. Mp) 081-916-4726 (B)

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FOR RENT CONDO RIVER HEAVEN 49,500 baht/month. 6th floor, area 102 sqm. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 living room, 1 kitchen, Full front garden and Stunning river view balcony, Fully furnished with 4 air conditioners. Swimming pool, gym, steam room, sauna, tennis court, 2car park, 24-hr security, key card, cctv. Please contact Khun Piyawat 089 156 1271, 086 577 9261 (C) CONDOMINIUM FOR SALE / rent Ivy River Ratburana Bangkok. Stunning river and Bangkok view. Unfurnished 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 living, 1 kitchen, 1 living room waiting for you to put your own stamp on this beautiful condo unit. Swimming pool, gym, car park, 24 hrs security. Please contact Khun Piyawat 089 156 1271, 086 577 9261 (C)

OFFICE/SHOP SPACE W PRIVATE TOILET. Just 4 mins. stroll to MRT Suthisarn. The space 33sq. m., faces the road on the ground floor of a spacious 6-storey apartment bldg. Rent: Bht.12,000/month. Tel: 089-7798436. (C) THONGLOR SOI 9 – Single house has at least 10 large rooms. Ground floor, 3 large open plan areas, kitchen area (not furnished), large pantry, outdoor/indoor patio area, carpark, two half-baths; Second floor, 4 large open plan areas, full bathroom with tub and shower, outdoor roof balcony; Third floor, 3 rooms, large roof balcony, full bathroom with tub and shower. Suitable for office, residence, retail, restaurant, spa, etc. Tel: 662-271-0987-88 Ext. 333, secretary1@thai-choice. com (C) SUKHUMVIT SOI 33 – 33 Tower Condominium, near to Phrom Phong BTS. 12th floor, 242 sq.m, 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, LR, DR, Kit, maids quarters. Fully furnished. Carpark space. Gym and pool. THB 50,000 per month. Tel: 662-271-0987-88 Ext. 333, secretary1@thai-choice.com (C) LEARNING ENGLISH, THAI, MATHS by native and qualified teachers. For work and academic. Free worksheets, model presentation. Pls check website www.teachcha.com Tisha.tutor@gmail.com 0870853455 (C) URGENT SALE 8.5MB – 143sqm condo Thonglor close BTS . 3 bed maids rooms. Swimming pool, basketball, snooker, sauna. 022-59-3269 / 081-3553573 K. David (C) THE 49 PLUS 1 - 51 sqm one bed for rent. Top floor fully furnished and ready to move in. Midway between Phrom Phong and Thonglor BTS. 022593269 / 085-1464694 K. Punchyta (C)

THE STATION SATHORN 12,000 Bht/month. 1 bedrrom studio, river view, facilites: gym, swimming pool, sauna, mini mart, coin-op laundry, restaurant, beauty salon, coffee shop, parking space, 24 hours security system. Nearby places: BTS Sathorn, Robinson department store Bangrak, Shrewberry international school. Please contact Khun Piyawat 089 156 1271, 086 577 9261 (C) PRE-TRANSFER SALE – HQ Thonglor high floor 2-bed condo 12.044MB. Sansiri’s classical, contemporary masterpiece in the heart of Thonglor. Completion August 2014. Contact Barry: barrygrussell@gmail.com or call 081 496 8782. (C) BUDDHA, Ganesha, Kwan-Yin or Christian – masterfully hand-sculpted by Thai artists on the Burma border. Unequalled quality. Unbeatable prices. Please see http://stores.ebay.com/JadeCarvings-Factory?_rdc=1 or search eBay Stores for Jade-Carvings Factory. Note: When you select and buy, if you say you found us on MangoMetro, you earn an automatic 10% discount on your first purchase. (C) CONDOMINIUM FOR SALE by owners in JC Tower. Large sitting-room with AC, separate kitchenette (4.31 m²), king-size bedroom with AC, bath-room (5 m²), poky cubby hole (2.90 m²) for computer. Surface: 64,33 m², 8th floor, numerous parking. Access by Soi Phrom Phark from ThongLo 25 or Sukhumvit 49/6. Ready to move. Now! After payment: 3.3M baht (75.000 Euros). Include to foreigners abroad Thailand — help and assistance to become owner. Contact: daengmoon@yahoo. com (C) URGENT NEED CASHIER for Arabic Restaurant sukhmvit soi 3. good english speakers, reading and writing recomended. contact no. 0800474534 (C)

CONDO FOR RENT at naklua just renovated new kic separate bedroom sealing fans new air very nice condo good location please cal 0878009370 (C) 1 BR CONDO, floor 29 furnished, 72sqm at Soi 13, Sukhumvit 35. Just THB 3.5 million, Tel 08 1344 7876, anchowa@gmail.com (C)

WE TURN DREAMS into great living space at Bangkok Renovators. Home organization, drywall installation, garage storage, bedroom ideas, kitchen ideas, bathroom remodeling, painting, tiling, roofing, carpentry, faucet repair, plumbing, doors, electricals, outdoor lighting, airconditioning, energy efficiency. Ron at 083-7777-152.

Office / Retail Space for Rent in the arcade of condo building near Nana BTS Includes a delivery area, 2 executive suites, 3 loft-like zones, 2 secure stock rooms and a conference room. 201 sq.m 105,000 baht/month Call Owner: 0818390020

FOR SALE ONLY 24.9MB – 218 sqm. Prime Mansion Sukhumvit 31, Promphong & Thonglor BTS. floor 10th with spacious balcony. Swimming pool, fitness centre, sauna. 3 bedrooms with a city view. 085-146-4694 Punchyta (A) X-BANKERS: project loan consolidators, only over 10.0 MB. Good credit, bad credit, no credit, everyone welcome. “we make it possible for you” Phone: 081447-1478 (C) MR. VISA – we specialize in doing visas & work permit for all expats in Thailand. Please contact mail: tdjsel@gmail.com or 084-3842778 Joseph (A) BAAN SAE CHUAN, Hua Hin – 2 br condo, 95 sqm, 300m pool, direct on the beach, walking distance to Market Village, fully furnished. Asking price THB 10 million. Andreas Funck: phone +66 8 1344 7876, Skype: anchowa12 (B)

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www.cafecaps.asia 02 392 1978 MR. VISA – we specialize in doing visas & work permit for all expats in Thailand. Please contact mail: tdjsel@gmail.com or 084-3842778 Joseph (A) PLUS 38 STUDIO, 33 sqm, kitchen, bathroom, balcony, fitness and swimming pool. Convenient to BTS, 400 metres to BTS Thonglor. 5 minute walk. Surrounded by trees. Peaceful and relaxing. Sukhumvit soi 38. Only 17,000 per month, for 12 month lease. Two month deposit. Room 35 on 5th floor. Call at 086 797 3712 or bayport22@yahoo. com (B) PRICE REDUCED FOR URGENT SALE at The Address, Chitlom. Luxuriously designed 2 bed, 2 bath 17th floor, 72 sqm condo in this award-winning development for sale at 10.6MB, or just 147,000B per sqm. The original owner has left Bangkok and needs to sell quickly so is offering this stunning property at well below market price. Contact Barry on 081 496 8782 or barrygrussell@gmail.com. (A) URGENT SALE 4.4MB – 61 sqm Waterford Diamond Sukhumvit 30/1, Phrom Phong & Thonglor BTS . 2 swimming pools (indoor & outdoor pools), squash, sauna, jacuzzi, jogging track, Muay Thai gym and yoga room. High floor 2 bed with view of Chao Phraya river. 022-59-3269 / 08-1496-8782 Chaophraya Property. (A) FOR SALE ONLY 24.9MB – 218 sqm. Prime Mansion Sukhumvit 31, Promphong & Thonglor BTS. floor 10th with spacious balcony. Swimming pool, fitness centre, sauna. 3 bedrooms with a city view. 085-146-4694 Punchyta (A)