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This month we would like you to tell us what month traditional Thai New Years celebrations are held.
Got an answer?
Prize: A nifty, brand spanking new, white, 2546, Smiling Albino t-shirt, for the first correct answer randomly drawn on Feb 1, 03.
Previous Winner:
Blake Pattersen - Bristol, UK - You'll be listening to the Silly Fools soon!.
Thais hold the Royal Family very dear to their hearts. In fact, most businesses and homes throughout the country will have at least one picture of a Royal Family member hanging on a wall. Even though Thailand changed from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy in 1932, His Majesty the King still commands a reasonable amount of say and will occasionally summon political leaders to heed his advice.
Sue and Todd Kuipers, our public relations, webmaster and all-around support team are winding up their yearlong sabbatical in Thailand. They will be deeply missed when they return to Calgary, AB in February. Check out details of their Asian adventures at www.tallglass.com
We have a great ‘ Traveler’s Tips’ section that helps you best plan for your adventure in Thailand with us. From great packing tips, to language lessons and a hip map to know where you’ll be, it’s all there. Give it a gander.
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Good day Albinos! Hope you’re all doing well, fighting the cold powerful grips of winter and dreaming of your next Smiling Albino adventure. This month we have some great bits for you. Be sure to enter our contest to win your very own, ultra-hip SA t-shirt. Get your wok ready as we’ve got a brand new cooking course for you. Also, we’ve been exploring a fair bit and just finished the second installment of our rural English project. Enjoy!
 It was tough but someone had to do it. We’ve recently put the finishing touches on a Smiling Albino cooking course in the southern beach paradise of Krabi. With such an emphasis on food during our adventures, we figured it was high time we gave you an opportunity to learn how to make some tasty Thai treats, SA-style. Hosted by our wonderful friend ‘Khun Oil’, you’re bound to have the tastiest afternoon of your life as she dazzles you with some secret recipes and her legendary charm. As owner of the hippest pub in Krabi, Bad Habit, she knows how to entertain and also boasts the coldest beers in Thailand (it’s true, we tried them). Be sure to contact us to learn with her while you’re enjoying the ‘Krabi Extension’.
From Dec 2-13, three volunteers led the second installment of ‘English Fun Days’ at Santikiri School in Doi Mae Salong. Ajarn (teacher) Bob of Canada and Molly and Mara from the USA generously donated their time and dazzled the school’s 450 students. If you’re interested in teaching at future installments, check out the English Fun Days page.
Get your snorkel, swimming costume and sense of adventure ready; we’re getting ready to launch a southern Thai adventure like no other. In the next few months we’ll begin offering a weeklong trip to the southern beach paradise of Krabi, Railay Bay and area. Activities will include multiple sea kayaking outings, snorkeling, visiting bird’s nest collectors, jungle river exploration, a cooking course and rubber tree farm hikes. Keep your eyes posted.
February will see us take a group of Canadians on a 10-day biking adventure throughout Thailand. Highlights include biking the canals in eastern Bangkok, cycling the ancient UNESCO World Heritage city of Ayutthaya and six full days biking the mountains of Thailand’s most northern province, Chiang Rai. We can customize biking adventures for groups of four or more. What are you waiting for? Contact us.
Different things Thais do that we sometimes find odd, but sometimes aren't much different from what we as westerners do.
During moments of conflict Thais generally handle themselves much differently than their western counterparts. Faced with a disagreement, westerners would become visibly agitated and volumes would quickly increase. Thais on the other hand tend to remain extremely calm, cordial and deal with such a situation in a very civilized manner. In fact, adapting the western style of conflict management in Thailand will only have negative effects on what you’re trying to resolve.
Armed with a free day, appetite to explore and his mountain bike, Scott heads off to ride mountains that form the border between Thailand and Laos. “Long had I been dreaming of a ride down the mountain range that is home to one of Thailand’s most spectacular views, Phu Chee Fah. Located 1380m above sea level, this sharp peak hangs over the Thai-Laos border in southeastern Chiang Rai province, providing stunning views of Laotian valleys.”
Read the whole story, ‘Ride of my life’ at the site.
Thai Food II: We’re still eating our way around the Kingdom and will report more of our yummy and interesting findings.
Break dancing: Yep, local teens have been spotted around Bangkok head spinning, doing the worm and bringing their slick moves to the streets.
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Interesting sightings on menus and restaurant signs around Bangkok this past month:
- ‘Sit & Smile Toilet Paper’ only 59 Baht
- Same-same, no different, buy here better! (seen at a shop selling t-shirts)
- No ouch! Happy fun smile! (sign at a dentist’s office)
Even though Thais don’t celebrate Christmas as they’re generally Buddhists, malls are trying to promote the cause. As a result Bangkok shopping centers are currently blaring supped-up, KTEL, disco mega mix Christmas tunes. It’s almost enough to make anyone swear off Christmas.
Oil's 'Bad Habit' Spring Rolls
From Oil, proprietor of Bad Habit Pub in Ao Nang, Krabi
Ingredients
Equal parts of:
- Tofu
- Shredded carrots, mushrooms and cabbage
- Meat if desired, chicken or pork
- Glass noodles
- Soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Sugar
- Powdered sesame
- Spring roll wrapping
- Flour paste (flour and water mixture)
- Frying oil
- Using equal parts of meat, tofu and veggies, fry up the meat in oil, add the veggies, pre-cooked glass noodles, soy sauce, oyster sauce, a dash of sugar and powdered sesame. Fry until thoroughly cooked.
- Spoon mixture into the center of large circular soft spring roll wrapping. Tuck in the ends as you roll. Use the sticky mixture to help seal the ends. For smaller rolls, cut the circles in half and use a smaller amount of mixture.
- Deep fry until golden brown, then serve with plum sauce or the Thai Sweet Chicken Chili Sauce.
Whilst purchasing a slush drink at a local convenience store, we almost bought ‘Bird’s Nest Drink’, containing real saliva, from a special bird that uses it to make their nests.
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