Appon's Thai Life

Welcome to my Thai Life Blog

Here you can find articles on Thailand, anything interesting, unusual, or eye catching that doesn't quite fit on the recipe blog. Over the years of writing 'Appon's Thai Food' there have been lots of articles that have come and gone from the site, simply because they weren't recipes and didn't have a place in the recipe archives. This blog is their new home!
Click here if you're looking for my recipe site.

May 4, 2012

Mega Bangna Megarific

I was just thinking, it's May already and there hasn't been a shopping mall opening in Bangkok this year. Surely this is some sign of the apocalypse? Maybe 2012 is the year the world ends after all! But no, Mega Bangna mall is open, this is a new Mega Mall along the Bangna Trat highway with Ikea, Big C and Home Pro as its anchor stores. We're saved!

Bangkok has a few shopping malls already, Paradise Mall I've covered, Seacon Square's next to it, Central World, Central Plaza Bangna, Gythorn, Centerpoint, MBK. IT Square, Platinum Mall, Pantip Plaza, Siam Paragon, JJ Mall up at Jatujak, the Bang Kae Mall, The Mall Bang Khen to name but a few, oh and Discovery Center and Terminal 21. But as long as there's a piece of green land there's an opportunity to squeeze another mall into Bangkok. Oh forgot Imperial World, River City Shopping....

Continue reading "Mega Bangna Megarific" »

April 28, 2012

Hot today, time for the seaside

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Breaking news: Thailand is always hot! I know that isn't really news to you, but I think it's worth mentioning since this is the humid hot season, it's especially hot and the reason we have the Songkran water festival at this time of year.

It's also the reason there is no hot tap in Thai homes. Take a look at my sink, there is no hot tap and the cold tap water is currently coming out at 40 degrees celsius, warmed by the sun baked concrete it passes through. Bathe in this water and it would warm you up, not cool you down. It's above body temperature, not below it.

Continue reading "Hot today, time for the seaside" »

April 21, 2012

SpokeDark vs ZeFrank's Back

This is Spokedark.tv, a Thai web-show filled with satire and comedy. This episode is a show from last year, under the previous military-friendly government. He uses clever satire to say things he otherwise couldn't speak openly.

Continue reading "SpokeDark vs ZeFrank's Back" »

April 19, 2012

BIG+BIH Show Bangkok

Another year another BIG+BIH show, the twice annual Bangkok gift and housewares show I've covered before. Some of my favorite things were on show, but I've selected a few new items from this years show that highlight what Thai crafts are about.

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Starting with this from the housewares section, these stools are carved from a single trunk of wood. Amazing twists and turns and yet they are so solid and heavy with a real feel of quality about them.

Continue reading "BIG+BIH Show Bangkok" »

April 17, 2012

Songkran in Chonburi, Sand and Crabs

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I have only a one day break from work during Songkran, and I'm not going to waste it. Less than two hours away from Bangkok is the beach resort of Bangsaen in Chonburi, and today and tomorrow (16th 17th of April) it celebrates Songkran with a sand-temple building competition. You build sandcastles, but we Thai's build pagodas and temples, since we don't really have castles in Thailand. I plan on taking a bus down to Chonburi, enjoying the festival and be back by the night, ready for work tomorrow.

Continue reading "Songkran in Chonburi, Sand and Crabs" »

Songkran in Bangsaen Chonburi, Seafood and Sunset

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I'm here for the day, so naturally that means two meals, maybe even three, four perhaps. I don't want to risk going hungry with so much seafood to choose from! Beside's its a long walk the length of the beach and I feel faint! I need a barbecued squid infusion stat!
I decide to eat next to the beach, 700 baht for shrimp, squid, barbecued fish and beer. That's pricey for a Thai seaside resort, more than $20.

Continue reading "Songkran in Bangsaen Chonburi, Seafood and Sunset" »

Songkran - Choose Your Weapons

Authentic Mang-Da Nam Prik, Bangkok

Liew Khiewchanta, Dead at 21

Bitec Thai Food Fair, January 2012

Chinese New Year, Bangkok

Chinese New Year

Home Made Acne Cream

Children's Day (2nd Sat in January)

Ekamai Bus Station Shortchanger

Sunken Markets

Ikea vs SB Design Square, Bangkok November 2011

Thai Red Cross Flood Relief

Lucky 235612, How the Thai Lottery Works

Flood Land, Phra-Khanong, Bangkok 30/10/2011

Terminal 21, Asok, Bangkok

Cassa Khiewchanta Street Cleaning Notice

Flooded Don Muang by Chihiro Train

How to Disinfect Fruit & Salad Vegetables

BIG+BIH Crystal After Shave

How to Clean Dirty Water

Flood Check 23/10/2011

BIG+BIH Wall Coverings

BIG+BIH I'm Not a Paper Cup

BIG+BIH Gift & Housewair Fair, Bitec, Bangkok 2011

Photos of the Floods

Flood Preparations 21st October 2011

Lightning Storm

Neck Warmer

A tale of two piers, Bangkok

Pork Chocolate Strawberry Crepe

Bituoy Flower

Chinese Buddha Temple, Samrong, Bangkok

Bangkok Island and the Flood Gates

Old Style Thai Candy

Womens Tonic

Handicraft Kit - OTOP

Dried Bananas with Honey Glaze, OTOP, Tak

Noni Juice & Galingale Health Drink -OTOP Nongkhai

OTOP - One Tambon, One Product

Bangkok is Sinking

Coiled String Bowls and Pots

When Localization Goes Wrong

Luang Por Waen Sujinno Model

Cardboard Model Books

Google Thailand, กูเกิลไทยแลนด์

Wok as a hand basin

Carved Coconut Duck

Familiar Photo??

Lacquerware Salad Bowls Jatujak

Dog Bottom Paper Dispensers

Walk through a Slum

Cable Noodles

Shy Plants

Cooking with Dog (It IS what you think)

Witches Pie Factory

Baiyoke Sky Tower, Bangkok

Sa La Pow - Cooking With Dog

Give up your seats for monks

I dare you

Say it with Chocolate

Jatujak Cock Fighting

Bullet Hole Decal

Food in Jatujak Market Bangkok

Jin-Joks Everywhere

Jatujak Little Find

Melonpan - Cooking with Dog

Bubble Blowing Penguin

Mystery Object Quiz

Mugging in Nakhorn Phanom

Seafood Filled Omellette Balls

Crazy Clocks Bangna Central City

Alien Statue Jatujak

Chopstick Shopstick

Huggy Bears

Clever boy plays the khene

Ghost Vendor

Handbag-ography

Custard + Cake + Cute = Corn Cob

Roasting Chestnuts, Bangkok

Lighting Thailand

Traditional Thai Nougat

Chinatown Ingredients

Fresh Chips/Crisps + Street Show, 20 Baht

Vibrant

English Taught To Thai Children

Thai Cut-less-lery

Black Thai Toothpaste

Another Jatujak Novelty

Bento Box Egg Moulds

Jatujak Market, Wooden Elephant

Iced Sweet Thai Tea

Big vs Little

Chinatown Fish Stomachs

Feeding Fish in Bangkok

Chinese Paper Funeral Possessions

Fortune Teller

Rainy Season Thailand

China Town Food

Jatujak Market Coffee Machines

Buddha by Day

A side order of democracy

70's Retro Chic Bangkok

Traditional Thai Condiments (Noodles)

Cooling Spray at MBK

Jatujak Horses

Clever Boy Plays Xylophone

Button Shoes at Jatujak

Viles Sold on the Street

Wan Assanhabucha, July 15th 2554

Dish Washing Soap Kit

Imperial World - Dynamo

Ice Crushing - Old Style

Centipede15" Scary, Ouiuuuwwww

School Supply Shop Bangkok

And the winner is.....Thailand

Red Light Jumping

Superstar Monks : Pra Mahasompong

String Wishes

Beansprouts Growing

Khiewchanta Wallpapers

My Father