| Saranrom: Tempting Thai Treats Served Up in Style | |||
| UPDATE : 28 June 2010 | |||
Saranrom bar and restaurant, which has just celebrated its first birthday, has quickly become a popular hangout among residents and office workers based in Bangkok’s Bangpo neighborhood. Located right on the corner of Bangpo intersection, the building that hosts Saranrom had previously been deserted for a number of years. But the bar and restaurant currently boasts a convincing retro feel thanks to the successful implementation of an impressive renovation program prior to its opening last year. So, step through the door and take a step back in time. Decisions, Decisions At Saranrom, you can choose to dine al fresco by opting for one of the tables in the outdoor area, or otherwise choose a table in the covered area if the weather is particularly hot or it looks like rain. There's even a wooden Thai house within the compound, surrounded by a pond and landscaped gardens, where you'll likely see some chickens, hens, rabbits and a poodle running around.
When it came to the food, I soon made up my mind, ordering a plate of Pla Kapong Samun Prai ('Deep-Fried White Snapper with Herbs and Chili Sauce'). The large fish that was served was liberally coated in a selection of fresh herbs, including coriander, lemongrass, shredded and fried lime leaves, along with some chopped chili and shallots. While this dish costs 220 baht (US$6.78), the serving is probably large enough to be able to share it with one or two companions. Crispy And Sweet I continued my meal by ordering a plate of Yam Pakboong Tod Krob ('Morning Glory Fried in Batter With Spicy Salad' [120 baht]). It seemed to be popular as an appetizer at Saranrom, since I saw diners at several other tables order this dish. Once it arrived, I could tell why it was such a draw as it tasted wonderfully crispy and sweet. The spicy dip accompanying this dish, which includes minced pork and fresh herbs, featured a subtle blend of lime juice and fish sauce. Overall, this particular dish was absolutely heavenly.
Saramrom opens daily from 4 pm until 1 am. For further information, or to make a reservation, contact Tel: +66 (0)85 115 9447. Transport Connections: Train: The easiest way to reach Saranrom bar and restaurant is to take the MRT subway to Bang Sue station. From the station, take a motorcycle or taxi in the direction of Bangpo intersection. The fare is usually about 40-60 baht, depending on the traffic conditions. Car: From Ratchadapisek Road head towards the Kasemrat Intersection and turn left. Drive through to the end of Prachachuen Road then turn right into Pracharat 2 Road. Drive along this road for about 400 meters and you'll see the restaurant on your left on the corner of Bangpo Intersection. Motorists should note that the restaurant only has sufficient parking space for 10-13 vehicles. | |||
วันเสาร์ที่ 3 กรกฎาคม พ.ศ. 2553
Saranrom: Tempting Thai Treats Served Up in Style
Movies: A Despicable Deed
| Movies: A Despicable Deed | ||||
| UPDATE : 25 June 2010 | ||||
| UPDATE : 28 June 2010 Staff Writer This week we'll take a look at 'Despicable Me', 'Predators', 'The Runaways' and 'The Back-Up Plan', which are scheduled to be released over the coming weeks.
In a happy suburban neighborhood - surrounded by white picket fences and flowering rose bushes – sits a black house with a dead lawn. What the neighbors don't know is that hidden deep within this residence is a vast secret hideout. Surrounded by an army of tireless, little yellow minions, we discover Gru (Steve Carell), planning the biggest heist in the history of the world - he is going to steal the moon! Gru delights in all things wicked. Armed with an arsenal of shrink rays, freeze rays and battle-ready vehicles for land and air, Gru vanquishes all who stand in his way, until the day he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls, who look at him and see the something no one else has ever seen – a potential dad! One of the world's greatest super villains has just met his greatest challenge: the three little girls named Agnes, Edith and Margo. Please note that there is a 3D version of this movie due for release at the same time as the regular version. - Opens July 8.
Directed by Nimród Antal, Predators was shot on location under Robert Rodriguez's creative auspices at the filmmaker's Austin (Texas)-based Troublemaker Studios. The movie stars Adrien Brody as Royce, a mercenary who reluctantly leads a group of elite warriors who come to realize they've been brought together on an alien planet ... as a form of prey. With the exception of a disgraced physician, they are all cold-blooded killers - mercenaries, Yakuza, convicts, death squad members - human 'predators' who are now being systemically hunted and eliminated by a new breed of alien predators. - Opens July 8.
Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning star in this music-fueled story of the ground-breaking, all girl, teenage rock band of the 1970s: The Runaways. The film follows two friends, Joan Jett and Cherie Curie, as they rise from rebellious kids from Southern California to rock stars of the now legendary group that paved the way for future generations of girl bands. Joan and Cherie fall under the Svengali-like influence of rock impresario Kim Fowley (Michael Shannon), who turns the group into an outrageous success and a family of misfits. With its 'tough-chick' image and raw talent, the band quickly earns a name for itself - and so do its two leads: Joan is the band's 'pure rock'n' roll heart', while Cherie, with her Bowie-Bardot looks, is the sex kitten. Written and directed by Floria Sigismondi, the film chronicles Joan and Cherie's tumultuous relationship on and off stage, as the band starts to become a major success. - Opens July 8.
The Back-Up Plan is a comedy that explores the themes of courtship, love, marriage and family. After years of dating, Zoe (Jennifer Lopez) has decided that waiting for 'Mr Right' is taking rather too long. Determined to become a mother, she commits to a plan, makes an appointment and decides to do it by herself. On the day of her artificial insemination, Zoe meets Stan (Alex O'Loughlin), a man who offers some real romantic possibilities. Trying to nurture a budding relationship and hide the early signs of pregnancy becomes a comedy of errors for Zoe and creates some rather confusing signals for Stan. Anyone can fall in love, get married and have a baby but doing it backwards in overdrive turns out to be a major challenge. - Opens July 8. | ||||
วันอังคารที่ 29 มิถุนายน พ.ศ. 2553
Floods kill 23 in northeast Brazil: officials, media reports
Floods kill 23 in northeast Brazil: officials, media reports
June 21, 2010
RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) - Floods following days of heavy rain killed at least 23 people in northeast Brazil, according to figures Sunday from state officials and local press reports.
In the northeastern state of Pernambuco, civil defense authorities told AFP 10 deaths had been registered, while over 14,000 people were left homeless by the flooding.
In neighboring Alagoas state, 13 people were killed by the flooding according to local media reports, although civil defense officials were unable to immediately confirm the deaths to AFP. Some 15,500 people lost their homes in the flooding in the state.
Brazil's Minister of Cities, Marcio Fortes meanwhile said while the state had not been hit by rain, several towns were left devastated by Mundau River bursting its banks and flooding the region.
 |
| By Manager Online | 21 June 2010 15:17 |
|
| ||
|
June 21, 2010
RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) - Floods following days of heavy rain killed at least 23 people in northeast Brazil, according to figures Sunday from state officials and local press reports.
In the northeastern state of Pernambuco, civil defense authorities told AFP 10 deaths had been registered, while over 14,000 people were left homeless by the flooding.
In neighboring Alagoas state, 13 people were killed by the flooding according to local media reports, although civil defense officials were unable to immediately confirm the deaths to AFP. Some 15,500 people lost their homes in the flooding in the state.
Brazil's Minister of Cities, Marcio Fortes meanwhile said while the state had not been hit by rain, several towns were left devastated by Mundau River bursting its banks and flooding the region.
No green light for libido-boosting drug: US FDA
No green light for libido-boosting drug: US FDA
|
| By Manager Online | 21 June 2010 11:29 |
|
June 21, 2010 WASHINGTON (AFP) – A pink pill marketed by German drug firm Boehringer Ingelheimas a libido-booster for women has produced inconclusive results in two clinical trials, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said. Originally intended as an anti-depressant, the drug flibanserin -- in the form of a pink pill -- began being tested years ago as a potential libido aid after women said it failed to fight the blues but did boost their sex drive. Lack of desire is the most common sexual problem in women aged 30 to 60, just as erectile dysfunction is the most common sexual disorder among men in the same age bracket, researchers said. Clinical trials to test flibanserin's efficacy in raising the level of sexual desire in women were held in Canada, Europe and the United States. The results of two US trials with the drug and a placebo were published on the FDA's website: "both failed to demonstrate a statistically significant improvement on the co-primary endpoint of sexual desire," said the FDA. | ||||
Besides the inconclusive results, the FDA noted the drug in some patients caused side effects including depression and dizzyness. The FDA said its is waiting for recommendations on the little pink pill from an independent panel of experts due to report on Friday. The administration is not legally bound to comply with the advice, but usually does. Boehringer Ingelhein has been researching flibanserin as a treatment for post-menopausal HSDD in women since the popular Viagra hit the market for male ED in 1998. The potential market for a libido booster for women has been estimated by some analysts at around two billion dollars. Medical research has found that 40 percent of women suffer from different degrees of HSDD. Flibanserin belongs to a family of anti-depressants that acts on the body's level of serotonin, a molecule that plays a role in mood changes. |
US expert frets over widening resistance to malaria drug
US expert frets over widening resistance to malaria drug
June 19, 2010
HANOI (AFP) - Resistance to new anti-malarial medication appears to be spreading beyond the western Cambodia area where it was first detected, according to a US health official.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned early last year that parasites resistant to the drug artemisinin had emerged along the border between Cambodia and Thailand.
Artemisinin-based medication has been largely credited in recent years with increasing recovery rates from the mosquito-transmitted disease that kills nearly one million people a year worldwide.
Timothy Ziemer, the US government's global coordinator against malaria, said that after first being spotted in western Cambodia in 2007, "there are now indications of artemisinin resistance in other parts of the region".
Signs of resistance to artemisinin had been found in southern Myanmar and possibly on the Chinese-Myanmar border, and in southern Vietnam near Cambodia, the retired rear admiral told a regional conference that ended Friday.
The WHO warned last year that emergence of the resistance could "seriously undermine" efforts to bring malaria under control.
Artemisinin-based medication was regarded as a replacement for older drugs that were fast becoming useless in several areas of the world as the malaria parasite developed resistance to them.
Ziemer said the number of malaria cases had still fallen. In Vietnam, for example, they were down from about 190,000 in 1991 to 15,000 by 2008, he said.
"But it is essential that national governments remain focused to contain and eventually eliminate these multi-drug resistant strains," he told the conference on international cooperation against infectious diseases.
Important to that strategy is the elimination of fake and substandard medicines, which increase resistance, he said in a speech Thursday.
|
| By Manager Online | 19 June 2010 15:34 |
|
| ||
|
June 19, 2010
HANOI (AFP) - Resistance to new anti-malarial medication appears to be spreading beyond the western Cambodia area where it was first detected, according to a US health official.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned early last year that parasites resistant to the drug artemisinin had emerged along the border between Cambodia and Thailand.
Artemisinin-based medication has been largely credited in recent years with increasing recovery rates from the mosquito-transmitted disease that kills nearly one million people a year worldwide.
Timothy Ziemer, the US government's global coordinator against malaria, said that after first being spotted in western Cambodia in 2007, "there are now indications of artemisinin resistance in other parts of the region".
Signs of resistance to artemisinin had been found in southern Myanmar and possibly on the Chinese-Myanmar border, and in southern Vietnam near Cambodia, the retired rear admiral told a regional conference that ended Friday.
The WHO warned last year that emergence of the resistance could "seriously undermine" efforts to bring malaria under control.
Artemisinin-based medication was regarded as a replacement for older drugs that were fast becoming useless in several areas of the world as the malaria parasite developed resistance to them.
Ziemer said the number of malaria cases had still fallen. In Vietnam, for example, they were down from about 190,000 in 1991 to 15,000 by 2008, he said.
"But it is essential that national governments remain focused to contain and eventually eliminate these multi-drug resistant strains," he told the conference on international cooperation against infectious diseases.
Important to that strategy is the elimination of fake and substandard medicines, which increase resistance, he said in a speech Thursday.
วันเสาร์ที่ 26 มิถุนายน พ.ศ. 2553
Exhibition: Be Skeptical@BACC
| Exhibition: Be Skeptical@BACC | ||
| UPDATE : 18 May 2010 | ||
Be Skeptical is a collection of art works produced by Thai contemporary artists Pasut Kranrattanasuit, Pitiwat Somthai, Noppadol Viroonchatapun and Suparirk Kanitwaranun. The four artists have turned to a variety of methods in producing their work, including installations, sculpture, short film and video. The title of the exhibition, which is being held at the Bangkok Art and Culture Center (BACC) would suggest that the artists recommend that people think very carefully before believing what they’re told. Hypnotic Approach A video installation produced by Pasut Kranrattanasuit expresses his desire to bring about new definitions of living, both from a personal and social perspective. Using a hypnotic element, the artist’s installation draws on his personal insight and experience as a way of shedding light on the subject matter. Pitiwat Somthai demonstrates his artistic expertise, which puts the Intaglio printmaking method to great use. While Pitiwat’s work can certainly raise eyebrows, its imagery is often sufficiently powerful in itself to leave the viewer transfixed. I certainly spent a significant period of time closely examining the artist’s work. Noppadol Viroonchatapun demonstrates in his work his perceptions on several important subjects from daily life, such as society and the environment, looking at both the positives and negatives. Noppadol’s work entitled ‘Monday’ includes an interesting installation that features a city gent’s typical daily ‘uniform’, including a shirt and necktie, trousers and briefcase. In line with the exhibition’s general concept, Noppadol’s contributions to the exhibition also seem to seek new meaning from life. On Reflection Through his paintings, the artist illustrates technological development within a contemporary urban environment, just as those living in these city-based environments seem to struggle for a more meaningful form of spiritual existence. I was certainly drawn towards Suparirk’s video installation.
Let’s hope that under the current circumstances such feelings can help provide greater insight and foster a desire for democratic ideas to benefit the lives of the people over the long term. Be Skeptical is located on the 7th floor of the BACC and runs through June 13. The BACC opens Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 9 pm. For further information, call Tel: +66 (0)2 214 6630-32, or visit http://www.bacc.or.th. Transport Connections Train: The Bangkok Art and Culture Center (BACC) is located opposite MBK and Siam Discovery Center by the Pathumwan intersection. The easiest way to reach the center via public transport is to take the BTS skytrain to National Stadium. | ||
Baan Nong Khao: Weavers' Colorful Wares a Source of Civic Pride
| Baan Nong Khao: Weavers' Colorful Wares a Source of Civic Pride | |||
| UPDATE : 22 June 2010 | |||
While traditional handicrafts representing ‘Thainess’ are held in great esteem, they can easily become restricted to display cabinets and lose their relevance in the modern world. But members of a community called Baan Nong Khao in Kanchanaburi province intend to ensure that their highly original patterned fabric maintains its precious cultural legacy. A Shield From the Sun Visitors to Kanchanaburi province may see local people wearing a colorful, traditional form of head covering, designed specifically to protect the wearer’s skin from sun damage. Resembling a kind of balaclava, the garment completely covers the head when worn, although some slits are provided that allow the wearer’s eyes, nostrils and mouth to function normally. The most outstanding features of the head covering are its patterns and colors. Typically, they are produced in bright colors, such as blue, green, orange, purple and red. Take a closer look and you’ll see that these highly original items are made by adapting a locally-produced loincloth, which features the distinctive pattern referred to earlier. Nationwide Recognition I recently got the opportunity to visit the village of Baan Nong Khao, where the colorful textile is produced.
Sixty-five-year-old Makob Buchaleoy, known as Pa ('Auntie') Makob, is the leader of the weavers at Baan Nong Khao. Wearing a traditional, Thai-style, tailored vest made from this distinctive textile, Auntie Makob described how important the cloth is among members of the local community. Unique Appeal Auntie Makob says she has worn traditional clothes made from Pa Ta Jak since she was a young child. During those times, her parents would only wear clothes made from the cloth at home once they had completed their regular daily farming duties. The material would only be sold to traders in the case that supplies exceeded demand. “The fabric's most outstanding quality is that it is has a delicate, shiny look – like silk – even though it's produced using cotton thread alone,” she says. The excellent quality of the final product is down to the skilled weavers, according to Auntie Makob. Since each thread is woven extremely tightly, this provides a high level of loom stability, ensuring that the texture is silky smooth. Another interesting feature is that the surface of the cloth features a curved surface by means of using layers of different thicknesses. A Pragmatic Approach At one time, members of the community were able to complete the whole process 'in house'. This included separating the fiber from the cotton seed, spinning the thread and weaving the fabric. The cotton thread spun by the weavers at Baan Nong Khao tended to be more durable than the factory-produced thread, according to Auntie Makob. Nevertheless, although the group would prefer to use handmade thread, the cost involve means that it is prohibitive, so they used factory-produced thread these days. Pa Ta Jak was originally produced in a natural cotton color, but after some time a basic form of dyeing was introduced. “We dyed the cloth in boiling water using the bark from an ebony tree rather than dyeing the thread beforehand,” Auntie Makob points out, adding that the bark produces a nice, rich black color.
Product Diversification As Pa Ta Jak gained increasing recognition among members of the public, several new lines have been introduced, including bags, scarves and shirts. However, the community continues to recognize the importance of the fabric at a local level as it is still worn by men before and after being ordained into the monkhood, representing an important part of the religious ritual among villagers. Transport Connections: Car: From Bangkok, head west on Highway 4. Shortly after reaching Nakhon Pathom, switch on to Highway 323. On reaching Kanchanaburi, take Highway 324. The village is located just off this highway and is signposted. | |||
สมัครสมาชิก:
บทความ (Atom)
