Tawandang German Brewery in Bangkok .. oh so good ... cheers!!!!

1st visit in 2008, in good company of three good Thai friends.

Reporter Phill Smith

We were dressed casual and threw ourselves into the mix, well actually they were auto drive and I was quickly consumed by the Thai social culture (a few drinks, food and music and away you go – the genuine smiles creates a happy fever and it’s so contagious).

In 2010 I visited again, this time in formal clobber after an AustCham members Sundowner. Our surviving group of 4 decided on a “roadie”, our Thai team delivered us here and we protested that our formal attire was not in sync (cultural difference).. we had a great time absorbing the happy fever!

I’m reminded "T.I.T." (This is Thailand) as long you smile and show politeness your welcome from anywhere and dressed in anything!  (but be polite).

I'm back in 2015 and it's bigger and better, infact they just opened another branch with seats for 2,000 patrons .. what the !

 video external link - Chong Nonsi branch (Rama 3

Music

The backing band is large the range of music took us from 'sipping ripple wine down in the lightnin' bar' to a Thai country style tune. The various singers were all talented with good strong voices that suited the style of music they performed. The girls wore tiny skirts and showed enough bare waist and navel to be considered on the cutting edge of modern.

Patrons
Mainly conservative middle class audience fill the cavernous room, the younger guys had the right haircuts (look like Japanese cartoon characters) whereas the Thai folk and morlam singers looked either like poor or successful country bumpkins. Make no mistake: this was a good show. The delivery was akin to being in the ring with Mike Tyson in his prime, but without the risk of having your ear bitten off.


Entertainment
The audience was not allowed a moments rest and the amount of dunkels being downed did their bit to contribute to the party atmosphere. The Thais know how to enjoy their music, actually any music just the loud sound and seeing anyone smile is enough to get them jigging and it’s most contagious. The girls have an outstanding ability to be innocent yet so sassy in their dance moves, I'm not so sure if some parents would approve. Despite the slight disappointment in the not so authentic German taste of the viands and brew, I had a blast watching the people genuinely having inspired fun and could not help but laugh in wonder at the play list and the way it was put together. If you want to impress look no further for dinner and entertainment under one roof.

The centre room is bulked with Tables and the wing area is 2 storey all having good view onto the stage show which never ends. The night engulfs you and everyone us standing at their table jigging along to their favourite tune or they wonder to the narrow dance area in front the stage to dance more or offer rewards to the entertainers (free drinks).


Food may be an afterthought to the 40,000 liters of lager and other beers brewed here each month, but the kitchen turns out decent Thai food, with some German and Chinese fare thrown in for good measure.



The taproom (which is really why you should come) especially boisterous when the Band is performing its fusion of Thai and Western music. On nights that the band's not playing, local singers perform Thai and Western favorites. Established 1999, Tawandang is a large venue and you guessed it: is very popular with the locals due primarily to the right kind of entertainment. There are three types of beer brewed on the premises, Lager, Dunkel and Weizen. They are available in containers that range from 0.33L to 5L.

LINKS
Media Hub Page: Video, Photos, and social media menu  - click here

Thai Colours for each Day

Many people are curious about the wearing of certain colours in Thailand. Sometimes photographs coming from Thailand will show a mass of people wearing yellow, sometimes a river of pink and sometimes a sky blue.

It's as though the people all belonged to the same workplace and wore a uniform.  Often the photographs will show Thais dressed in a sea of one colour, lining the streets to pay homage to King Bhumibol, Queen Sirikit, or the now deceased but still revered King Chulalongkorn.

Sometimes they will wear the "royal" colours to make a point at a political demonstration.

Wearing a particular colour does mean something in Thailand. It is based on ancient beliefs and strict Buddhists will wear a certain colour each day – even if the colour is not obvious. More recently however, the coloured tee-shirts have been worn to display loyalty to the monarchy at a time when the political situation was in danger of disintegrating into chaos.

Colour for each Day

There is one colour for each day of the week and although conforming to this dress code is not essential, many Thais like to adhere to the system and will consider it when dressing.

Sometimes it may be just to make sure they don’t wear the wrong colour on that day.

On the King’s birthday, December 5th, most people will try and wear yellow during the day and of course, they will have the yellow flag flying wherever they can. Ditto for Queen Sirikit’s birthday on August 12th, when blue takes precedence.

Pink became popular when the king left hospital last year after his illness, looking frail in a bright pink blazer. Within hours, pink shirts were on sale across the country and were being worn in their thousands to show solidarity and to help the king's recovery. Wearing pink, the Thais said, would bring the king good fortune and good health.

The draping of coloured ribbons and lengths of gauzy fabrics around sacred trees, on special "lucky" sites, on the prows of boats, on spirit houses, chedis and anything else which may influence the gods, is another aspect of this adherence to the special colours.

The Colours of each day relates to planets in ancient Indian Astrology.. read more click here

Related Links

Ancient Thai Calendar system and buddhist names for the Days

Visit AusWaThai for links to all things Thailand

Best tip: Visa issues Thailand

 

• Thai Visa Solutions
• No fees 
• No agents 
• Deal direct with the department

more at  link Thai Visa Solutions

short url this page http://goo.gl/3DNiXU

Want to know more about Thai - Visit a Thai restaurant

Thai food and cuisine is an integral part of Thai culture and Thai people are particularly proud of it. Many foreigners to Thailand fall in love not only with Thai people/land/culture but also Thai food.

The first step taken by many contemplating Thailand is a visit to a Thai restaurant to become familiar with Thai culture and the country. Indeed, as part of the Royal Thai governments’ initiative, an alluring atmosphere and the traditional Thai smile are essential components in making the Thai restaurant experience ‘not just a meal but a journey.

In a recent worldwide poll Thai restaurants and Thai cuisine were voted No.1 out of four of the world’s most popular cuisines.

Image via Wikipedia

There has been a surge in interest in Thai cuisine and Thai restaurants worldwide. There's a mass market consciousness of Thai food that wasn’t there ten years ago.                    

   Reporter: Phill Smith 

 

WA Thai Community website displays Thai Food by Region, Street Food, Eating Etiquette and much more.. read more

Salute to the Majestic Malai a Skal Skipper

Tourism Thailand salutes Khun Malai

His Tourism journey spands more than 50 years.

Mr. Malai Sakolviphak started his career with Pan American World Airways on July 1, 1949. There were about 9 international airlines operating to/from Bangkok at that time. He worked through various departments, until the last position as Director for Thailand, Laos and Myanmar from 1982 to 1985.

Why I Love Thailand

by a Lucky Farang...

Well, apart from Beautiful Beaches, Tantalising Tastes, Warm Weather, Superb Shopping, Dynamic Discos, Sensational Smiles, Breathtaking Beauties , Kinship, kindness….

........ I love Thailand because.......

All Thai Golf courses have a kiosk every three (3) holes (a Beer) and other stuff.

The Caddies always smile and almost all "show" great faith in my golf swing, my singing and my humour!

I admire the authentic culture of Thai family and kinship and Thai Society "Thii Tum Thii Soorng" (explained in the link below)

I prefer hot weather and the thought of enjoying a beer, even when it's raining.

I don’t have to wear a helmet to ride a bike!

I can teach a child respect and be respected

The majority of Thai genuinely volunteer to

· Care!

· Smile more often than not!

· Frequently demonstrate acts of politeness

· Avoid aggression and/or intimidation

· Respect their Elders, Employers and most other people and things

· Encourage and support a philosophy (a way of life) that encourages the above

When I go to Thailand I change back to a Person...(refer video link below)
It doesn't last for long so I gotta go again, if I'm not able to go then I watch the brief video to remind me about a good thing!

The Aussie Golf Centre in Bangkok is a Booming Success

Welcome to Asia's most advanced golf training and fitting center Wilding Golf Performance Centre

Reporter: Phill Smith

For golfers of all skill levels looking to improve their game you will enjoy a blend of world-class training, state-of-art technology and advanced equipment to help you achieve your full golf potential and golf the most out of your game.

Conveniently located in the heart of Bangkok on 5 minutes from our Aussie Exec Tour Residence at Soi 19. This massive INDOOR center hosts an array of features and amenities to optimize your golf game and make your visits relaxing and comfortable. There are more centres and they keep getting BIGGER!

 

The VIP Corporate Suite is SPECTACULAR

 

The Corporate suite is (PRIVATE) seating for your Gallery of guests, Megga Simulator, Bar service and catering to suit!

 

The performance center includes:
12 Swing Bays, 2 Putting Studios, Short Game School (Off-site), VIP Corporate Suite, Equipment Performance Lab with Custom Club-fitting, Golf Shop, Cafe Bar


LEARN

Designed and operated by renowned AUSSIE golf coach, Shane Wilding, the Performance Center is staffed by a team of professional multi-lingual instructors and utilizes an exclusive array of multiple-angle video cameras, swing and putting-analysis software, mention sensors and launch monitors.

This advanced technology combined with the Wilding training system provides golfers with rapid skill development and techniques used by the world's top players to improve performance.

-Swing Bays

The Wilding Golf Performance Center provides the most advanced teaching bays in Asia. Utilizing a combination Thingamibobs and Watchyamacalits (you gotta see or yourself). Within minutes the instructors are able to capture data on all aspects of your swing and provide solutions for immediate improvement along with developing practice techniques that will keep your game on the rise.

LEARN

-Putting Studio

The putter is golf's dominant club, accounting on average for 43% of the strokes in a person's game. That means the putter offers the greatest opportunity for improvement. The Performance Center features a large synthetic putting green that has been meticulously designed to deliver the perfect putting surface, free of variables such as uneven grass, pitch marks, weather obstructions and other obstacles that can impede your short. Working in tandem with the V1 Visual Putting System and Quintic Technology, our instructors can clearly identify the strengths and deficiencies of your putting technique.

-Short Game School (Offsite)

Wilding Golf's Short Game School @ Grand Millennium Sukhumvit is a 1,000 square meter outdoor training area just one block away from the Interchange. This facility allows players to sharper their skills in an outdoor environment, on the rooftop floor with two outdoor practice bays, a putting green, a chipping green and sand bunker.

PRACTICE
Now that you've learned how to improve your game you will need to keep your new knowledge and skills consistent, and on the rise.  However, finding the time to practice in Bangkok can be a daunting. Traffic, rain and heat are often a factor but at the Wilding Performance Center you can enjoy the convenience and comfort of practicing indoors on the world's leading Golf Simulators.

-Annual Memberships

Learn, Practice and Play golf 365 days a year! Membership options include special discounts money.

Pic left Wildings Marketing Manager Khun Tharika discussing special options with Phil Smith for Aussie Exec Tour clients. 

Enjoy a tuneup before you day out on the course or set the challenge for your team in the luxury of the VIP Corporate Suite. 

The best E Networks for Thailand and Australia - free ระบบเครือข่ายอิเล็กโทรนิคที่ดีทีสุด-ประเทศไทยและออสเตรเลีย

Finally we have the solution to everyone's question... What is the Best E Network???

The answer is ... 
There are many, because we are not all the same!

Report by Phill Smith

How it started
We found there are many people sharing links between Aus and Thai but on many platforms and thought there must be a better to consolidate the group share resources.  As we began the research and connected with the different groups (age & lifestyle) it become obvious that each Network has certain attributes that suit the groups.

The reality is we are all different, some of us like to be in Pack and others like to be private or independent.
Our Focus is linking People from Thailand and West Australia on platforms for Social and Business. The home page includes a brief introduction to each of the Networks and how we believe they offer Value.

We have road tested many Networks to determine their suitability for the categories of Community, Travel and Business

Now it's "up to you" (lair-o Dae Khun) visit the AusWaThai Best E Networks page and see for yourself, it's all free.

Each network is displayed on the webiste, we have also created a forum article on each network so you can post comment (feedback).  If you don't wish to post comment to the forum your welcome to send us a reply via the email at networks@austhai.biz

Links
1. Best E Networks - Aus and Thai
2. Community - Aus and Thai

AustCham Thailand Members are Populating in Longdo

Australian Commerce has a substantial presence in Thailand.

It's why so many Australian owned/managed venues are populating across the Longdo Map
click on the photo expand

Reporter:  Phill Smith

It wasn't until we were introduced to AustCham Thailand that we discover the prominence of Australia, as Business owners and/or Managers. So with the help of the ever enthusiastic people of Longdo we embarked on a "Joint venture project" to populate Aussie Venues on Thailands Longdo Map.

Finding Aussie Venues became a "Needle in a haystack"

All known Aussie Govt., agencies we approached but they had no interest in the concept (most drew the curtain of "privacy laws"?  What the !  where talking about Business not Facebook!

We got tired of submitting writing requests (no one reads the content) and receiving the standard template response ... refer this (faulty website).  So what's is the job satisfaction?  "mai ben rai"

Fortunately we had some good luck, we found AustCham Thailand.

I had not idea just how substantial Australian Busines in Thailand is until I glanced at the AustCham Thailand website.

Their Key Features:

Promotion of business between Australia and Thailand

Representation and dialogue between AustCham, Thai Government and other business groups

Providing a dynamic networking, social and sponsorship platform

Community Services

The AustCham Management and staff have been a constant source of energy and synergy. Whether your a visitor on Business or Social their DOORS ARE OPEN. It's a productive culture and the reason I became a member. 

The highlight has been the AustCham's people network, it's quite remarkable! The monthly sundowners are the talk of Business Bangkok, it's a must do event.

The opportunity to meet the Expat community on a quality social platform is a credit to the organisers, it's clear evidence of their success. 

Australia Pledges priority funding links with Thailand

The Australia-Thailand Institute (the Institute) was established in mid-2005 to promote bilateral relations with Thailand and to expand institutional, cultural and people-to-people links.

Report by Phill Smith

Wherever possible, the ATI seeks to expand people-to-people and institutional links through programs, partnerships with other organisations and seed funding of projects to enable them to grow.
The Institute seeks to target the next generation of leaders in both countries across a broad spectrum of backgrounds from the arts and business, cultural and community groups.

The Institute comprises an Advisory Board with between 5 and 8 members appointed by the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and a Secretariat provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The current Board Members are as follows:

Mr Mike Courtnall (Chair),  Mr Doug Hall, Mr John Hancock, Mr Michael Laverty, Mr Jim Middleton,

Mr Sidney Myer, Prof Abdullah Saeed, Ms Gillian Bird (DFAT Ex-officio member)

The mission of the Australia - Thailand Institute is to advise the Australian Government, through the Minister for Foreign Affairs, on broadening and deepening the relationship between Australia and Thailand and to undertake and support programs that strengthen links between Australia and Thailand.

The ATI's goals are:

To contribute to the development of Australia's economic and political relations with Thailand;

To broaden awareness and understanding in Australia and Thailand of each other's culture, values and traditions, including sport
To promote increased people-to-people contacts between Australia and Thailand.
To support Australia's broader diplomatic objectives in Thailand.

Funding Priorities: youth; regional Thailand and long-term linkages

At the first Board meeting (17 February 2009) the Board determined the focus for ATI projects will be youth exchanges, programs that involve activities in regional Thailand and programs that will produce long-term links between Australia and Thailand.

The ATI awards grants through a competitive selection process. The ATI will fund programs in three Priority Areas:

Public policy (including democratic governance, public administration and trade and economic reform) Education Culture and the Arts, including sport.

If you have any suggestions or a desire to seek a grant further information is available on the ATI Website.

The page that provided notes for applicants http://www.dfat.gov.au/ati/funding_guidelines.html

You are also encouraged to make contact with the Secretariat at the following address:

Ms Alison Purnell,  Secretariat Manager

Australia-Thailand Institute

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,  RG Casey Building

John McEwen Crescent,  Barton ACT 0221 

Phone: +61 2 6261 3202  Fax: +61 2 6261 2342

Website: http://www.dfat.gov.au/ati/

Bangkok is 101% yummy every Tuesday Night

Shuffling down Soi 19 last week I noticed something very odd …

A Posy of Thai onlookers watching Three Englishmen working!

Something was wrong !

It contradicts Western Management principles "hard work never hurt any supervisor"

 

The venue was the ever “loud” Bangkok Rocks, described by owner and renowned Social Ambassador “Billy Cove” as "the Music venue”.

I slipped in an observed the talents of the three musketeers, Billy, Benny and Ruskie.

It turns out these fanatics of music were applying a makeover for the first gig of Yummy tech 12, a new regular Tuesday night feature at Bangkok Rocks.

The theme is by the synergy from the partnership of "Beat Box Ben" and "Rebelling Raunchy Russell", no they're not tag team wrestlers, mere mortals dedicated to cranking party tune themes for a good of mankind. 

Reporter: Phill Smith

These two Englishman are wired for sound and spirited sensations (spirited means knock out drinks).

The Makeover had me curious?

Bangkgok Rocks received a makeover only last month, transposing her inner sanctum into a Romantic Cave with a new colour combo that inspires your inner workings.

The dark colours from above and Volcano Red walls delivers a stunning effect in stark contrast to what was sterile shades of white.

The new look tickles your breathe with romantic tones and those big lounge booths compliment the feeling of privacy.

So with the cave of delight already looking just right I wondered what these boys were doing with all their tradesmen's tools and scaffolding. 

The tag team were imposing a Yummy culture creating dazzling effects for tonight’s premiere.

The lads scuttled up and down ladders applying Banners, testing sounds blasters and fired up a simulation of star wars  lighting gizmos and then came the music ..

Yep it was stereophonic, megatonistic, squelching and twitching, yet it all infused to a dynamic theme at the hand of the seasoned DJTech 12 Pro, Mr Ben.




The spread word and the faithfulls arrived

The crowd was a mix of young and not so young but never too old and loads of Yummy smiles.

The DJ sounds were stylish and entertaining and the drinks was flowing.

It's fair to say, based on Bangkok's present Tourism drought (post May 19 bomb fire night) the volume of patronage was evidence of a successful night.

Links

Photo slideshow  Photo Album

Bangkok Rocks featured in Exec Tours Website - Click here

Our Bio on - Bangkok Rocks

Longdo Location Map printable in English and Thai

Thammasat is the gateway for Education Australian

Australian and Thai universities collaborate together across a wide range of research and teaching areas that involve over 40 Memorandums of Understanding; Thai and Australian education departments share information regarding policy and education system developments; economic trade between Thailand and Australia has increased nearly 300 percent since their Free Trade Agreement came into effect; and Thailand hosts approximately 700,000 Australian tourists each year.

Clearly, Thailand and Australia’s relationship is strong, multifaceted and offers many benefits for both countries. ThammasatUniversity (Rangsit,PathumthaniProvince) understands the potential role of universities in fostering this relationship and, hence, was keen to host the Australian Studies Centre of Thailand at their Rangsit campus.

The Commission o­n Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Thailand, which also provides supporting funds for the Australia Studies Centre’s operations, recently selected ThammasatUniversity as the Centre’s host university.

The Centre is part of a wider strategy of the Commission o­n Higher Education to develop and support a range of area studies centres within the university sector to encourage a better understanding of Thailand’s international partners amongst the general Thai society.

For example, the Commission aims for the Australian Studies Centre to promote and support the teaching and research about Australia in Thailand, and also to provide a range of information services o­n Australia for the Thai community more generally.

Associate Professor Chulacheeb Chinwanno, Vice Rector for International Affairs at ThammasatUniversity, said the Centre will act as a contact and information resource for the Thai people, and also bring together Thais and Australians people with common interests and concerns.

‘The Australian Studies Centre is essentially about helping Thai people understand Australia better, so that when they conduct business or other interactions with Australians, they have an insight into their background, lifestyle and the way that Australians are likely to think,’ Dr Chulacheeb said.

Based at ThammasatUniversity, the Australian Studies Centre will conduct its activities through a network of university partners from all over Thailand, acknowledging Thailand’s relationship with Australia as a national initiative.

Mr Mike Courtnall, President of the Australia-Thailand Institute in Canberra, Australia, which supports institutional and people-to-people interactions between Australians and Thais, recently visited Bangkok to meet with executive staff at ThammasatUniversity and to learn more of their plans for the Centre.

Some of these planned activities include: a web-based knowledge database for Thais seeking further information o­n Australia; the writing of Thai language text books and teaching resources o­n Australia: the establishment of a network between Thai and Australian researchers; and a number of public seminars and workshops o­n issues where Thais and Australians may learn from each other’s experience.

The Centre will be led by Dr Suphat Supachalasai who will be Centre Director and who is an AustralianNationalUniversity alumni specialising in international trade.

His Excellency, Mr. Paul Grigson, Australian Ambassador to Thailand said the Centre and its university partners can play an important strategic role in further enhancing the harmonious political, economic and social relationship of Thailand and Australia.

Bangkok Nichtclubs bounce back

Bangkok has some of the best nightclubs in the world, fantastic music, stylish interiors and lots and lots of very beautiful boys and girls. As if the locals weren’t beautiful enough, they offer free drinks to models on certain nights of the week to make sure the ultra-glamorous are there. It is my favourite place to go clubbing of anywhere I have visited across the globe! Bangkok ’s clubs can easily rival those from London and New York .

report by Phill

Lets be clear at the start, I’m not talking about any of the venues where you can pick up a bargirl in Nana Plaza or Patpong. These are also not the back packer tourist traps of the Khoa San Road .

We’re talking about the Bangkok Super Clubs where middle and upper class Thais hang out.

The music scene is mainly hip-hop. There is also almost always a stage or separate room where a live band will play some more rocky numbers during the night.

You actually see comparatively few farrangs in the clubs and I think this is because to unlock their full potential you need to understand a little bit about Thai culture. Lots of travelers arrive with a Western attitude and completely the wrong approach. Let’s be honest, most of us go to nightclubs to have a good time and meet and dance with gorgeous members of the opposite sex. So how do you succeed? Steve has a number of good pieces on the blog about Thai dating and Thai culture. Hopefully this article below will also give you some advice and the inspiration to visit one of the exceptional nightclubs.

Make sure you go with at least one other friend and take some ID even if you look well over the legal drinking age. (If you don’t want to carry your passport around, a colour photocopy will be accepted almost everywhere.) Entry is usually free. When you arrive don’t just buy a drink from the bar, ask for a table.

Where you get your table can make or break your night. It is important to get the choice right! Pick a table with a good view over the stage and the rest of the club, more importantly make sure it is near other tables containing hot boys / girls depending on your persuasion. Make sure they are not ladyboys as there will certainly be a couple of tables of katoeys in the club (check the size of their hands ).

At your table the norm is to order a whole bottle of whiskey or vodka and some mixers depending on what you like. If you haven’t finished it by the end of the evening you can hand it back to your waiter and they will give you a ticket identifying your bottle. Next time you go to the club you can drink the remainder for free.

You are at your table and surrounded by beautiful people, now for the flirting! Pale skin is seen as attractive in Thailand and you will be one of the few Westerners in the club so you will stand out. Both good starts.

Thai men don’t seem to dance much, so even if you have two left feet, but are prepared to give it a go, you will be one of the best male dancers in the club. Sadly ladies, Thai girls are excellent dancers in my experience.

If you see someone you like, make eye contact and smile. If they make eye contact back and return a smile it is a good sign. The tables are always pretty tightly packed, so start talking to your neighbours. If you didn’t get the position of your table quite right and are making reciprocal eye contact with someone a little further away, ask your waiter to take them a note asking for their phone number. Might sound a bit forward, but it is quite common. If you don’t believe me just watch the waiters and waitresses for a bit! Your waiter will happily do it for a small tip. If they give you their number go over and say hello.

A key piece of advice is don’t overcook it. The worst thing that can happen, is if you are called Choa Shoo or Butterfly. In a country where face is important no one wants to be seen with someone who is choa shoo. If one person calls you chao shoo others will be thinking it and you should change your focus to enjoying the music and club atmosphere for the rest of the night.

What can result in you being called Chao Shoo? Too much physical contact, being obviously drunk or being seen to talk / dance with lots of people who obviously aren’t the friends that you came to the club with. Your flirting needs to be discreet or concentrated on just one person.

So you have met your perfect boy / girl, what do you do next? Public displays of affection are not at all common in Thailand . Kissing in clubs is virtually unheard of. You’ll know if they like you from how closely they dance with you.

There may also be a discreet peck on the cheek when they think no one is looking. Ask for their phone number and if they call you the next day they definitely like you, so make sure you ask for a second date when they call!

The clubs are full most nights of the week, being busier at the weekend. The craziest time of all is Songkran when you need to go armed with a water pistol and expecting to get soaked to the skin.

Finally, where are these places? Try personal favourites: SLIM and Route 66 at RCA or Santika and Bed Supperclub (the only club to charge an entry fee) in Sukhumvit.

Bets Links

1. Forum Aritlce - bottom of page is list of all nightlcubs Bangkok
2. Best Place to stay in bangkok is AusWaThai Residence .. see why