Cigarette museum proves unlikely Indonesian tourism attraction
Published in AFP on 5 January 2006
SURABAYA, Indonesia - The sweet, pungent scent of cloves and tobacco hangs heavy in the air as women paste, roll and snip cigarettes, their fingers flying faster than the eye can follow as tourists observe the public face of one of Indonesia's most successful companies....more

Amid emerald rice fields, Cambodia's first winery startles but pleases
Published in AFP on 18 August 2005
PHUM BOT SALA, Cambodia - The fresh grape juice ferments in plastic water containers, bottles are labelled in a loungeroom and cheese has never passed the lips of the producer. But Cambodia's first home-grown wine is proving a hit, startling foreign tourists and winning over domestic tipplers in the tropical country....more

Technology trumps Cambodia's royal portrait artist
Published in AFP on 29 October 2004
The dozens of identical photographic portraits of Cambodia's new King Norodom Sihamoni looming over the capital's boulevards to mark his coronation have left royal artist Kimsong Narykun wringing his hands....more

Cambodian children get cyberspace savvy with free Internet kiosks
Published in AFP on 12 September 2004
It may be holiday time, but students still hang out at a handful of schools in impoverished Cambodia, lured by free Internet kiosks aimed at getting more people here au fait with cyberspace....more

Cambodia's fashion designers create tropical chic
Published in AFP on 7 May 2004
Fashion designers in Cambodia are tapping into the kingdom's stunning fabrics, affordable workmanship and tropical inspiration, making for a vibrant although still-tiny industry....more

Cambodia's traditional music fuses with the West in bold album project
Published in AFP on 11 April 2004
In a tiny Phnom Penh studio, US teenagers with musical backgrounds ranging from jazz to punk are collaborating with traditionally trained Cambodian musicians on a unique project....more

Thai architect hits on blueprint for sustainable living in the tropics
Published in AFP on 28 September 2003
PATHUM THANI, Thailand - In a gated community just outside the teeming megalopolis of Bangkok, Soontorn Boonyatikarn's three-bedroom home appears much like any other, with the solar panelling on the roof the only hint that something out of the ordinary lies beneath....more

Thai designers ditch copies and kitsch for substance and style
Published in AFP on 11 August 2003
When it comes to design, Thailand is probably best known as the world capital for pirated goods. But a new breed of homeware designers has ditched copies and kitsch to take international markets by storm with their stylish, useful products....more

Thailand's vibrant art scene struggles for recognition
Published in AFP on 21 July 2003
With hordes of skilled young artists emerging from its colleges, Thailand should be home to a thriving contemporary art scene. But experts in the industry say government neglect has ensured the kingdom is the Asian art world's best-kept secret....more

Wordsmiths of the world find their own paradise in Thailand
Published in AFP on 7 July 2003
In a downtown Bangkok shopping mall complete with blaring muzak and baffled onlookers, 72 of the world's best Scrabble players take their positions for the first match in a gruelling four-day tournament....more

A home away from home
Published in Living in Thailand on 1 October 2001
What do expatriates do when they want to live in a house in Thailand that reflects their own style? Designer Kristina Zanic and her husband Brian found the answer: find a house that has potential, and negotiate for reduced rent in return for you footing the renovation bill....more

Hope diamonds: Beyond sparkle
Published in Living in Thailand on 1 September 2001
A branded diamond: It's a new concept in the world of diamond retailing. And Thailand was chosen as the first country in which to launch the first-ever branded diamond targetted towards consumers....more

Volunteering in Bangkok
Published in thaifin.com on 30 June 2001
It's easy to get caught up in your career, working insane hours so you can buy that new car or save to head away on that exotic holiday. But sometimes it's worth stepping back and considering whether you might gain satisfaction in other ways - by giving your time to help people in a way that means something to you, for instance....more

Getting started with golf in Bangkok
Published in thaifin.com on 30 June 2001
It's been said that if you want to get ahead in Asian business - or politics - you can't afford not to play golf. We can't estimate the amount of money you won't make if you fail to get swinging on a course, but we can give you an idea of what it costs to get started playing....more

So long and thanks for the mojitos
Published in The Nation on 6 April 2001
"It's over," says Rico, owner/manager of down-to-earth Cuban bar and restaurant, La Havana. He's talking about Bangkok's obsession with all things Latin. "The height has certainly already come and gone." ...more

Clubs in Bangkok
Published in The Bangkok Post on 26 March 2001
Networking became big in the 90s as a way of improving your chances at doing well in business, and things haven't changed. Wouldn't you prefer to do business with someone you see occasionally at your club bar, or someone whose kids swim with yours in the club pool? One way of getting to know people is to join a club, and Bangkok has plenty to choose from at prices that compare well to other capital cities in the region. Whether they're called city, dining, recreational or family clubs, their ultimate objective is to allow people to socialise in a comfortable environment. Check membership requirements - most clubs require sponsorship by current members....more

Homegrown healthy veges
Published in thaifin.com on 19 March 2001
Smile Plants manager Raj Pundarik started his hydroponic garden when his wife challenged him to it a few years ago. The challenge turned into a hobby, and when friends started asking how they could emulate his green garden, he invested around Bt30,000 in equipment and turned his hobby into a business. ...more

A dress to remember
Published in thaifin.com on 19 March 2001
If you've dreamed about a truly unique and special dress for your wedding, you'll need to track down a good designer to turn your dream dress into a reality. This is the one day where you'll want to look your best, so choosing a designer who's in tune with your thoughts will be the key to a fabulous dress....more

Choosing a kindergarten for your child
Published in thaifin.com on 5 March 2001
Although many Thai families hire nannies to care for their children, more parents are putting their children into daycare in the hope that they will start learning more effectively from a younger age. There are a multitude of kindergartens to choose from in Bangkok, so finding the right kindergarten for your child might take some time - but it's a worthwhile effort....more

Children's activity centres in Bangkok
Published in The Bangkok Post on 26 February 2001
Sitting in front of the TV isn't going to keep young children happy for too long, nor is it going to help their development. But playing outdoors in Bangkok isn't an option for many children either, with a severe lack of wide open space. What's the solution?...more

Getting your child in tune
Published in thaifin.com on 19 February 2001
Every parent wants to give their child an edge in life - the question is, of course, how? Attending music appreciation classes from a young age, and learning an instrument from the right age, can be one way of helping your child's development and also enhancing their enjoyment of music right throughout their lives....more

Feeding the wedding guests
Published in thaifin.com on 5 February 2001
Choosing the menu style for your wedding reception is important as it will largely dictate the overall ambience of your special day. Want something breezy and informal? Go for the increasingly popular cocktail menu. Is paying homage to your family's traditions important? Perhaps you'll hold an authentic Chinese banquet instead....more

Wedding centres in Bangkok
Published in thaifin.com on 5 February 2001
Organising a wedding can be as smooth as silk, or as messy as a mudbath. For the reception, there are two main groups of people you should get on your side as soon as possible: those at your reception venue, and those at a wedding studio of your choice. While choosing a venue will largely depend on your personal style (see Wedding Receptions), wedding studios are less differentiated but can be just as vital in ensuring your wedding is memorable....more

Putting a gym through its paces
Published in The Bangkok Post on 15 January 2001
So you've finally gotten around to sticking to that New Year's resolution to lose weight or just get fit - it's time to pound that pavement and find a health club to suit your needs. This is a serious commitment you're about to make - just think of the number of hours you and your new club are going to be spending together - so take a few moments to find out what you should check out before laying your money on the table....more

Choosing a wedding reception venue in Bangkok
Published in thaifin.com on 15 January 2001
So you've each decided to commit for life; besides organising the ceremony, it's time to plan for the party. What should you consider when choosing a venue to have your wedding reception at?...more

Let them have fun
Published in Living in Thailand on 1 January 2001
"We just let them have fun," says Pichet Sithi-Amnuai. ...more

Winning wordplayers
Published in The Nation on 24 November 2000
"Bahuvrihi" Jakkrit Klaphajone answers without hesitation when asked what his best ever word playing Thai Crossword has been. "I don't know the meaning - I think it's Islamic. It was just a word I had memorised. But the best words and the highest scoring words are not necessarily the same."...more

Scoring at soccer
Published in Bangkok Metro Magazine on 1 October 2000
In a country as soccer-crazed as Thailand, it’s surprising that there’s so little of it played here. To Englishman Darren Jackson, a former professional player with an FA coaching badge, this is obviously something that needs to be rectifed. Wth assistant Andrew Jeffries, he’s doing his bit to teach children how to play soccer well with his mobile Soccer Clinic, which has now been running for nearly two years....more

Bangkok-style Bauhaus
Published in planetexpat.com on 31 August 2000
Just the thought of renovating a home can make some people shudder; renovating a home while living in a foreign country presents an even greater challenge. But completely renovating a home overseas when you don’t even own it? ...more

Poetry in motion
Published in Bangkok Metro Magazine on 1 August 2000
A lover’s shirt, motorcycle taxi drivers, an extracted tapeworm, the letters ‘SP’, a hangover, the cremation of a friend. Sweaty palms, lubricated throats, mellifluous voices, nervous coughs and laughs....more

Teeing off for success
Published in The Nation on 19 June 2000
They're quirky bronze sculptures, they're artistically creative and they have a distinctly golf theme - but golfers hardly ever buy them....more

All material copyright Samantha Brown 1997-2005