Wednesday, January 11, 2012

CNNGo.com

CNNGo.com

Mor Lam and Luk Thung: A guide to Bangkok's Thai folk music scene

Posted: 05 Jan 2012 01:55 PM PST

by Maher Sattar

Khao San Road's bars and clubs might paint a different picture, but the most popular form of music in Thailand is actually Luk Thung, or Thai country music.

You're most likely to come across it in Bangkok during a taxi ride as many drivers -- who typically come from up-country –- keep their radio stations set to listen to a steady stream of Luk Thung and its folk music cousin, Mor Lam.

Here's a guide to the history of Thai country music and where to experience it in Bangkok, proving that a night of loud, rowdy entertainment does not have to preclude new cultural experiences.

The music might sound jarringly foreign at first but that's the point, no?

What are Luk Thung and Mor Lam?

Luk Thung developed in the early 20th century in central Thailand in the provinces just north of Bangkok. Suphanburi province in particular became the Memphis of Luk Thung, producing multiple hitmakers in the 1960s including the "Thai Elvis" Suraphol Sombatcharoen, the most influential Thai country musician of that era.

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Dave Perry: Food critics need to look beyond central Tokyo

Posted: 05 Jan 2012 01:55 PM PST

In 2008 Michelin awarded a total of 191 of its coveted stars to Tokyo restaurants, confirming the status of Japan's capital as a dining nirvana.

The city has consistently displaced the once mighty Paris as the culinary capital of the world ever since, racking up 331 stars in the recently released 2012 guide.

Critics, writers and bloggers have all played their part in maintaining the litany of praise.

English-language commentators should also broaden their horizons.

After all, Tokyo is really a collection of villages sharing a concrete veneer that, thankfully, has failed to completely obliterate the individual charms of myriad neighborhoods and the multitude of dining experiences they provide.

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7 tips for bringing up good travelers

Posted: 05 Jan 2012 12:55 PM PST

by Elaine Ee

It's an old saying, but it still holds true: "Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you."

Observe the behavior and attitudes of any child, and you'll see that children learn most from what they see and not what they're told.

This is particularly apparent with children on the road. Being away from home ground tests one's resilience, adaptability and response to new and unfamiliar things and reveals one's mettle.

More on CNNGo: 6 tips for traveling with kids in China

In between the excitement and novelty of holiday activities, can a child sleep soundly in a hotel bed, eat the local food, cope with missing their friends and relatives, all while being able to enjoy different sights, sounds and smells?

Often, a child's responses mirror their parents'. If mum and dad are relaxed about eating the local meat-on-a-stick, then the child is more likely to give it a chance.

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Eureka! or doh! Man-made islands proposed for Hong Kong

Posted: 04 Jan 2012 09:53 PM PST

by Zoe Li, Hong Kong Editor

It is probably the most desperate proposal yet. The Hong Kong government has listed 25 sites for reclamation, including building artificial islands à la Dubai, to ease land shortage.

Sites range from 10 hectares in size to a mega artificial island larger than the area reclaimed for Hong Kong International Airport.

The list will be whittled down to 10 by mid-year for feasibility studies and further consultation.

Civil Engineering Office head Edwin Tong Ka-hung forecasts the Hong Kong population will reach 8.9 million by 2039. This would require an additional 4,500 hectares of land to meet development needs. 

Although most of the land needs can be met by making space from extant land, 1,500 hectares still need to be created.

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at 9:55 AM