Bangkok’s famous Calypso Cabaret has just passed its 25th anniversary, and is now located at the Asiatique complex on the Chao Phraya river, having moved from its longtime theatre located in the Asia Hotel at BTS Ratchatewi. The new neighborhood is decidedly more commercial, as is the show, which is suited for all ages. There […]
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WoWasis book review: John Cadet’s ‘Occidental Adam, Oriental Eve’
If you’re fortunate enough to find one of John M. Cadet’s old books in a used bookstore, you’re in for a treat. His fiction, mostly centered in Thailand, is clearly about another time, although not necessarily a less innocent one. Occidental Adam, Oriental Eve (1981) is, like Venusberg Revisited (which WoWasis reviewed a while back), […]
Read the rest of this entry »Bangkok to be shut down Monday: another coup coming?
Although the major media appears reluctant to discuss it, Thailand may be in store for yet another government coup d’etat within days. All the signs seem to be leading to it, and it’s understandable that the media would be reluctant to fan the flames of revolt. Nevertheless, the situation could be ripe as events march […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis book review: Ron McMillan’s ‘Bangkok Cowboy’
Today’s review is guest-written by Iain Millar. I first met Ron McMillan in the bar at Aberdeen airport too many years ago when we were both en route to an assignment in further-north waters. Within minutes the pints were pulled, the pool balls were racked up and the tales were being spun. And if that […]
Read the rest of this entry »Bachelor in Bangkok: Khun Lee on why you should NOT sleep with Thai women
Bachelor in Bangkok: Khun Lee on why you should NOT sleep with Thai women When I first lived in Paradise 8 years ago I made a lot of mistakes, the most noteworthy of these was exhibiting a total lack of discipline when it came to sleeping around. Now, I know my nickname is Khun Nana […]
Read the rest of this entry »Dunkin’ Donuts blackface poster in Thailand raises ire with NGO Human Rights Watch
Dunkin’ Donuts Thailand is being called on the carpet by the NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) for creating an advertising poster showing the CEO’s daughter in blackface, advertising a “charcoal donut.” Blackface comedy has been a staple in Morlam shows all over Thailand for decades, but it seems that the venerable doughnut institution crossed the […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis Banned Book review: ‘Truth on Trial in Thailand: Defamation, Treason, and Lèse-Majesté’ by David Streckfuss
In our previous review of Paul Handley’s book The King Never Smiles, we quoted from the book’s back cover: “Any journalist or academic who takes an interest in Thailand soon learns that one topic is off limits: the modern monarchy… it is dangerous, and one risks expulsion or jail for lèse-majesté” for reporting on sensitive […]
Read the rest of this entry »Why is my expensive Thai hotel is ripping me off with a 10% dining-in service charge?
The Good Manner: Advice on Thailand from WoWasis’ Pa Farang This week’s scam unveiled: My expensive Thai hotel is ripping me off with a 10% dining-in service charge Dear Pa Farang, I routinely stay at one of the top Western hotels in Thailand, and eat frequently at its top restaurant. Each time, a 10% “service […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis Book review: ‘Bangkok Haunts’ Bangkok Fiction by John Burdett
Bangkok Haunts (2007, ISBN 9780-5930-5544-1) is the third in writer John Burdett’s Detective Sonchai series, in which Sonchai, a colorful character in the Bangkok Fiction genre, attempts to get to the bottom of the death of an ex-lover, with other-worldly implications. Burdett’s protagonist, a Royal Thai Police detective operating in Bangkok’s District 8, offers up […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis Book review: ‘38 Million Dollar Smile’ / ‘Bangkok Free Fall’ by Richard Stevenson
Richard Stevenson is the nom de plume of Richard Lipez, an American author best known for his series of novels involving the world of private eye Don Strachey. Here at WoWasis, we’re always looking at new twists on the Bangkok Fiction genre. The ‘bar girl meets western man’ theme has been covered in dozens of […]
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