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"The Rounds" Thursday,
November 14, 2002
Mekhong Kurt * * * * * * * * * * In This Edition . . . 1.
New Radio Service * * * * * * * * * * New Radio Service Hello! I want to start with a bit of news I meant to include last week but forgot. The famous Richard Branson, who's all over the place in terms of business interests, is moving into radio right here in Thailand via his local company outlet for his Virgin Bec-Tero Radio, BEC World Plc., according to published reports. He will be operating FM105, FM 95.5, and FM105.5, reportedly starting with FM105. I'm not clear when BEC World will be taking up the reins, but with Branson's superb record at just about everything, this could herald a much better radio option for English-speakers here in Bangkok. I'm looking forward to finding out what changes and improvements are brought to those stations, all 3 of which already exist. * * * * * * * * * * Tourist Arrivals Up? More good news is that tourist arrivals appear to be increasing -- finally! The Venerable Trink speculated in his most recent column that the rapidly-filling budget hotels and guesthouses can be thankful for folks who've been here before and who refuse to be put off by either the threat of terrorism or by warnings by their governments about such dangers. I know Soi Cowboy is getting busier, much to the relief of tavern owners there. * * * * * * * * * * A State of Denial? Thai authorities steadfastly maintain that Thailand is as safe a place as there is, and to a large extent I suppose that's true. However, one does hope they are seriously investigating reports -- for example -- that members of the al-Queda terrorist organization met in Thailand to plan the Bali bombings, investigating despite the public stance that such reports are nonsense. I *hope* the reports are nonsense, but they are far too serious merely to ignore, especially since the reports apparently come in part from foreign intelligence sources. * * * * * * * * * * Turkey Day Feast George Pipas of Texas Lone Staar in Bangkok's Washington Square has announced a free Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, November 28th at 3:00 P.M. Long a tradition at every establishment George has owned, the meal includes turkey, stuffing, giblet gravy, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, candied yams, mixed vegetables, and cornbread. Naturally, George invites you to have a drink or two along with your food. [My own comment: freeloaders not only not welcome, but positively UNwelcome!] Texas Lone Staar is on the east side of Washington Square, i.e., the side nearest the Emporium. From Sukhumvit Road, turn left into the drive, then left again in front of the Mambo Cabaret. A few feet further you have to turn right; once you turn, the restaurant is about halfway down the row of shops on your left. From Sumkhumvit Soi 22, turn into the drive opposite the Regency Park Hotel, then turn left at the first opportunity. When you have to turn right, do so -- that'll bring you in front of the Mambo cabaret; follow the directions above from there. * * * * * * * * * * Hotel Thanksgiving Day Offerings Many major hotels have their own Thanksgiving Day offerings, often in the form of a buffet. If you find yourself in Bangkok for this uniquely American holiday, it'll be easy to find Thanksgiving meals. For example, the last 2 years an American friend and I have gone to The Landmark Hotel for lunch. Another possibility is the offering at Bourbon Street Restaurant, located on the south side of Washington Square. Check the 2 major English-language newspapers to find more. * * * * * * * * * * Christmas Comes Earlier and Earlier. . . . I was out and about the other night when the taxi in which I was riding passed in front of the Emporium. As has been the case each year since this upscale high-rise shopping mall/luxury apartment building opened in the mid-1990's, management has put up beautiful modernistic Christmas decorations in front of the complex. Other such complexes around the city will be following suit, if they haven't done so already. It seems to be that Christmas decorations are going up a little earlier this year than ever -- the Emporiums first went up in early November. * * * * * * * * * * Best Bar in Bangkok? I was surprised recently when an acquaintance announced that for his money, Nana Plaza's Angel Witch is the best bar in Bangkok. Why was I surprised? -- because the speaker was none other than the owner of the hugely successful The Living Room on the Sukhumvit Road side of Clinton Plaza. The third member in our group agreed. I haven't been there in a long while, but with 2 such heartfelt recommendations, it's definitely on my radar for at least a fly-by. * * * * * * * * * * Nanapong Message Board for Information I'd like to remind readers that a great source of up-to-date information, especially about the Sukhumvit area, is the superb message board run by the fine folks over at www.Nanapong.com. There are all sorts of topics covered, and they aren't restricted to Bangkok or the bar scene. But do use adult judgment regarding viewing of the site by children, as some of the comments can be pretty, um, "earthy." As with any message/discussion board, it's better for you to read a fair number of messages to get an idea of the flavour and feel of the board. It's also important to remember that the moderator's do NOT like flaming, nor anything objectionable such as racist statements, etc. -- and the moderators WILL delete an offending post forthwith, and, if need be, block an offender who just won't get with the program and follow the rules. Oh -- I wouldn't mind your telling the Nanapongers you heard about their board from BangkokAtoZ.com! (Hey, every little plug helps!) * * * * * * * * * * E-mail Change Notification Sign-up Sign-up here for e-mail notification when I add or change something on the site. Just go to the sign-up page. * * * * * * * * * * Website Review Had an e-mail recently from Ken and Rattana Bower, whom I don't have the pleasure of knowing. I was delighted, of course, that Ken started off by saying he had spent a couple of days exploring BangkokAtoZ.com and really likes it. He went on to say, almost as an afterthought, that he and his Thai wife, Rattana, had put together an informal site about Thailand, and asked me to take a look. Let me tell you one thing: their site is IMPRESSIVE. The first page is an incredibly rich list of books and websites about Thailand and the region -- including in the books fiction, which can, after all, itself be quite informative. But it's more than that. They have links to all sorts of useful products and services -- in fact, to a degree it resembles a portal website. I haven't had time to explore it all, but I guarantee I sure plan on doing so -- and doing so sooner rather than later! Do drop by their site; just click here. * * * * * * * * * * Travelers' Tales Got a "Traveler's Tale"? -- send me a line! MekhongKurt@BangkokAtoZ.com * * * * * * * * * * County-n'-Western Concert Was pleased to catch up with the talented Marcus Sugg, the C&W singer of increasing fame. I can now confirm he will give a FREE performance beginning about 7:00 P.M., Saturday, November 23rd at The Texas Lone Staar. CD's of Marcus singing both his own songs and old favorites by other performers he does will be available for sale. Texas Lone Staar is on the east side of Washington Square, i.e., the side nearest the Emporium. From Sukhumvit Road, turn left into the drive, then left again in front of the Mambo Cabaret. A few feet further you have to turn right; once you turn, the restaurant is about halfway down the row of shops on your left. From Sumkhumvit Soi 22, turn into the drive opposite the Regency Park Hotel, then turn left at the first opportunity. When you have to turn right, do so -- that'll bring you in front of the Mambo cabaret; follow the directions above from there. Drop on by and hear great music and meet a wonderfully friendly gentleman. * * * * * * * * * * Link Exchange If anyone reading this has a website and would like to place a link there for BangkokAtoZ.com, you can copy-and-paste the banner and text link below into your site; they are live links to this site's homepage:
I'll appreciate an e-mail telling me the URL of where you placed it. If you want me to put a link on BangkokAtoZ.com for your site, do tell me where you have placed our link, and I'll give you a link in a comparable position, of the same nature (i.e., banner-for-banner, text-for-text). * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Until next time -- Sawasdee khrap! Mekhong Kurt |
