Welcome to The Bangkok Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Numerology and Lucky Numbers

• Retail group shrugs off Trump’s victory

• Awakening Bangkok Festival 2024

• The Enchanting History of Loy Krathong - Thailand's Festival of Lights

• And more…

Fun Fact

Numbers in Thailand aren’t just symbols; they’re deeply embedded in culture, beliefs, and even daily life decisions.

While we might give a quick nod to unlucky 13 in the West, Thais take things much further. In Thai culture, “13” is so unlucky that elevators skip it altogether, using 12A as a workaround. But numerology’s influence goes well beyond 13—it touches everything from phone numbers to car plates, often at a significant cost.

For example, the number 9 (kao) is the luckiest of all. It’s phonetically linked to “moving forward” or “kaw-nah,” a symbol of progress and resilience. Add in another homophone—kao can also mean “rice,” the foundation of Thai cuisine—and you see why 9 is revered. Food is a universal Thai love language, so a 9 in your life is like carrying a bit of good fortune everywhere. Want a license plate with “9999”? That will set you back around 11 million Thai Baht (about £250,000)!

Then there’s 5 (ha), which sounds like laughter in Thai. The more 5s you have, the more laughter and joy in your life. Whether on birthdays, phone numbers, or even house numbers, 5 and 9 bring fortune, and they’re coveted for their life-enhancing vibes. It’s safe to say that in Thailand, numbers are more than just digits; they’re a pathway to prosperity, joy, and luck.

Trivia

✅The Answer to your Trivia last week = B) Mekong

Here’s your trivia question of the week! Think you know the answer? Find out if you’re right in next week’s newsletter. No cheating!

What is the most popular form of music in Thailand?

A) Classical

B) Jazz

C) Luk thung & Mor lam

D) Country

News 📰

Phuket airport notches 300 daily flights (Link)

Retail group shrugs off Trump’s victory (Link)

IBM to accelerate Thailand's AI adoption (Link)

Embracing a greener economy (Link)

Lifestyle 🕶️

💪 Health & Wellness

Soft Food Boost Health - Ready to treat your taste buds AND body? Soft Food serves health-packed deliciousness that'll make your whole fam jump for joy! Fresh ingredients? Check! Lightning-fast service with a smile? Double check! Whether you're a health guru or just starting your wellness journey, their menu is like a treasure chest of nutritious gems! First-timer tip: Everything's so fresh, you can literally taste the goodness in every bite! (Link)

Paco Bangkok - Smoothie bowl heaven alert! These bowls aren't just Instagram-worthy - they're a party in your mouth! The Acai Bowl? LIFE-CHANGING! And don't even get me started on the Blue Dream and Butterfly bowls (seriously, how do they make them so pretty AND delicious?!) Perfect pit-stop any time of day when you need that healthy, sweet fix! Pro tip: Bring your camera because these bowls are total showstoppers! (Link)

F45 Training Asok - Ready to level up your fitness game? F45 Asok is where the magic happens! Think heart-pumping circuit training that'll have you feeling like a superhero! There are no boring routines here - just pure functional training awesomeness that'll transform you into the athlete you've always dreamed of being! Warning: Side effects may include increased awesomeness and a major confidence boost! It's time to crush those fitness goals! (Link)

🍽️ Restaurants

Chop Chop Cook Shop - Step into a time machine that lands you in the coolest spot in town! Imagine a 60s American diner that got a fabulous Asian makeover - complete with eye-catching Chinese neon signs. The staff? Absolute sweethearts who'll make you feel right at home! Adventure seekers, you're in for a treat with their crispy pigs' ears and that perfectly grilled duck that'll have you dreaming about your next visit. Pro tip: Don't skip their dessert! (Link)

Fat Lamb by Chef Yakup - Looking for an exotic escape? Fat Lamb's got you covered with its clean, quiet vibes that'll transport you straight to flavor town! Their lamb and beef dishes? PHENOMENAL - packed with so much flavor you'll want to do a happy dance! Pair it with their soul-warming tea for the full experience. (Link)

HUNGRY PACK - Welcome to comfort food heaven! This cozy spot serves up international delights that'll make your taste buds sing! Their burger game is STRONG - we're talking juicy patty, crispy onion ring action, and a secret sauce that'll have you licking your fingers. The pasta? Pure comfort in a bowl, loaded with enough cheese to make an Italian grandmother proud! The fries? Crispy perfection! Plus, the staff treats you like family - minus the drama! It's like they took all your favorite comfort foods, gave them a gourmet twist, and served them up in the most chilled-out setting ever. (Link)

☕ Cafes

RAWR Cafe - Found your new favorite hideaway! RAWR Cafe serves serious zen vibes with its gorgeous garden setting (a total unicorn find in the concrete jungle!). Take your pick - lounge in their comfy indoor space or soak up nature outside. But let's talk about their star player: the White RAWR Coffee. This isn't just coffee; it's art in a cup! Picture-perfect layers of cream and milk that'll make your Instagram feed pop. This green oasis is your spot whether you're working, chilling, or escaping the city chaos! (Link)

Green & Been BKK - Talk about a coffee spot with character! Green & Been BKK nails the perfect combo - killer coffee that'll make your taste buds dance, all while you gaze at the nature inspired deco. Absolutely dreamy. The vibes? Pure bliss. It's like someone took your coffee dreams and turned them into reality. This isn't just a cafe, it's your new happy place where great coffee meets nature's grandeur! (Link)

🍹 Bar & Rooftop Bars

Yao Bar @Marriot Surawongse - Want to feel on top of the world? Head to Yao Bar, perched high above Bangkok's glittering skyline! The drinks? Divine. The food? Memorable. The service? Spot-on. The views? SPECTACULAR! Just one insider tip: while the ambiance will sweep you off your feet, you should skip those low-set seats if you're planning a long evening of skyline gazing. But trust us, with stunning views and perfect vibes, you'll be planning your next visit before you even leave! (Link)

Oasis Cocktail Lounge - Located just a few hours from Bangkok, it isn't just a bar - it's a SHOW! Picture this: you're lounging on plush couches upstairs, surrounded by impeccable decor, when suddenly... your Smoked Old Fashion arrives in a dramatic entrance! Smoke-infused with oak chips in a decanter, complete with a gold-leafed ice cube that turns your drink into a sparkly spectacle as it melts. The whiskey? Rich and smoky. The pour? GENEROUS. And just when you think it can't get better, their Whiskey Sour swoops in to claim the title of "best ever"! These mixologists aren't just making drinks - they're creating magic! Pair that with a premium meat and cheese platter and those perfectly crispy parmesan fries, and you've got yourself the definition of cocktail heaven. Warning: One visit won't be enough! (Link)

👫 Activities

Loy/Loi Krathong Festival locations:

• Sukhothai Loi Krathong and Candle Festival
  8-17 November 2024, Sukhothai Historical Park, Sukhothai

• Loi Krathong Festival at Phadung Krung Kasem Canal
  13-16 November 2024 (16.00-22.00 Hrs.), Phadung Krung Kasem Canal, near Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong), Bangkok

• Somma Nam Khuen Peng Seng Prathip Mueang Roi Et
  14-15 November 2024, Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park (Bueng Planchai), Roi Et

• Chiang Mai’s Yi Peng Festival
  14-17 November 2024, Around Chiang Mai Municipal Areas, Chiang Mai

• Loi Krathong Kap Kluai Mueang Mae Klong
  15-17 November 2024

• Tak’s Loi Krathong Sai Festival
  15-18 November 2024, 200th Anniversary Rattanakosin Memorial Bridge, Tak

Other locations:

💎 Hidden Gems

November 8th to November 17th I Awakening Bangkok Festival 2024 - (Link)

📍 https://bit.ly/AWKN2024

Social 👥

🥳 Social Events & Networking

November 12th I 19:00 - 23:00 I Board Games & Social (Link)

November 14th I 18:30 - 23:00 I Weekly Bangkok Digital Nomads Meetup @ Escape (Phrom Phong) (Link)

November 15th I 17:30 - 21:00 I Loy Krathong and dinner (Link)

November 15th I 19:00 - 22:00 I Chit Chat and Chill @ Sarnies (Link)

November 16th I 19:00 - 22:00 I M/FM SPEED DATING by OMG Matchmaking: OMG! SO/ Fabulous (Link)

November 16th to November 17th I Sukhothai Loy Krathong and Candle Festival (Link)

🌏 Exhibitions & Expos

November 12th to November 14th I 9:00 -17:00 I W2140 BANGKOK WORLD AI+WEB3 EXPO @BITEC - EH 101 - 102 (Link)

November 13th I 19:00 I DENTISTE’ Presents: LISA Fan Meetup in Asia 2024 – Bangkok @BITEC LIVE (Link)

November 13th to November 15th I 13-14 Nov 2024/10:00 - 18:00, 15 Nov 2024/10:00 - 17:00 I Asia Nonwovens Technology Expo 2024 (ANTEX Asia 2024) W2140 BANGKOK WORLD AI+WEB3 EXPO @BITEC - EH 99 (Link)

November 14th to November 15th I 4th ASIA OPTOMETRIC CONGRESS 2024 @BITEC - BHIRAJ Hall1, BHIRAJ Hall2, BHIRAJ Hall3, Event Hall 100 (Link)

Today’s Expat Story 🗺️

Peter’s Story

In the early 1990s, Peter’s life changed in London when he discovered a hidden float tank in a basement. Intrigued, he tried it, and that first float experience sparked a new path. Noticing the lack of such experiences in London, he pivoted from his gym ambitions and opened Floatworks in 1993 near London Bridge. The concept took off, expanding from two tanks to nine within a decade.

Peter then set his sights higher, designing the i-sopod in 2006, a float tank that would set new industry standards, leading him around the world for installations. In 2018, a partnership with Superior Float Tanks in Virginia marked a new chapter. Eventually, life brought him to Bangkok, where a decade-long friendship with a local float center founder turned into a business venture at Bangkok Float Center.

Peter discovered his own sanctuaries in Bangkok - the 24-hour haven of Foodland in Soi 16 Asoke, the vibrant beats of Escape bar at EmQuartier, and the legendary seafood delights of Som Boon, serving since 1964.

Yet Bangkok also taught him valuable lessons, particularly during the great flood of 2011, when rising waters forced his family to evacuate their Rangsit home.

Through his years in Thailand, Peter gained deep insights into cultural differences, particularly the unique Thai family structure where children are expected to care for aging parents - a stark contrast to Western traditions.

His story continues to evolve in Bangkok, where he brings his expertise to enhance an already thriving float center, proving that sometimes the most unexpected currents lead to the most remarkable destinations.

Thailand: Culture & History 🇹🇭

The Enchanting History of Loy Krathong - Thailand's Festival of Lights

Origins and Evolution Loy Krathong's roots run deep into India's cultural soil, blooming from Hindu traditions like Dewali. This luminous celebration found its way to Southeast Asia, where it merged beautifully with Buddhist beliefs. Picture ancient Khmer Empire scenes at Bayon temple - 12th-century stone walls telling tales of royal queens floating their krathongs, just as we do today!

The Name's Story "Loy" means to float, while "Krathong" has an intriguing origin story of its own. Some trace it to Old Chinese words meaning ritual vessel or lamp, while others connect it to the Malay word "kantong." Either way, it perfectly describes those beautiful floating offerings we see today!

Royal Tales and Legends Remember that story about Nopphamat, the Sukhothai court lady who started it all? Well, here's a fun fact - it's actually from a poem written much later, during Bangkok's early days! King Rama IV gave us another perspective in 1863, describing it as a Buddhist adaptation of Hindu traditions, where floating krathongs symbolize a heartfelt 'thank you' to the Water Goddess, Phra Mae Khongkha, for life-giving waters that nourish Thailand's rice fields.

Historical Evolution In 1687, Simon de la Loubère, a French diplomat, wrote about witnessing the river "covered with floating Lanthorns" - imagine that sight! By the time of King Rama III, the festival had grown to include those fabulous "Nopphamat Queen Contests" we still enjoy today.

Regional Flavors Today, this festival lights up not just Thailand but spreads its magic across Southeast Asia:

• Myanmar celebrates as Tazaungdaing

• Sri Lanka knows it as Il Full Moon Poya

• Cambodia calls it Bon Om Touk

• Even parts of China and Malaysia join the celebration!

Modern Times and Environmental Awareness These days, we're seeing a beautiful shift toward eco-friendly krathongs. Traditional banana trunk and bread versions are replacing styrofoam, showing how this ancient festival adapts to modern environmental concerns while keeping its spiritual heart intact.

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❤️ Simeon & Nat

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