Releasing birds in the name of Buddhism

Cape+Kantary is a magazine that you will find in all the Cape and Kantary Properties. In this edition of the magazine  (Page 80) they examine the 

“misconception of freeing birds or other kinds of animals as a merit or boon to their life.” 

– quote from Khun Tirapongse Pangsrivongse – Chairman of Cape & Kantary Hotels.

The original campaign or raising awareness was started in September 2016 and we remind you here least we do not forget. As the writer Tefor Cowles wrote

-      and when the dawn is silent, you must say, “I let that happen”

At Cape and Kantary Hotels, we actively support #SOSChildrensVillages and the Thai Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. We do not serve foie gras, birds’ nest or shark’s fin in our restaurants and we also stand firmly against the exploitation of Thai elephants for commercial or entertainment purposes.

      

Amazing Thai Taste Festival (2018)

One of the attractions of Thailand to many people from outside of Thailand is the food that we have in Thailand and love so much to eat.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has organized the Amazing Thai Taste Festival for us again - it showcases the best food from around Thailand - 'Eat Thai Food, Feeling Good'.

It is organised into eight zones.

 1: Good Reputation - exhibitions regarding types of rice in Thailand and cooking tips

 2: Good Local - signature dishes from the five regions of Thailand

Sai Ua - northern Thai sausage

Khanom La - southern Thai silky crepe

Tam Suea - spicy mixed salad (Isan style)

Seafood from the east

Authentic Thai desserts - from the central region

  3: Good Organic - for health-conscious people

  4: Good Fruit - look out for the sticky rice and durian/mango

  5: Good Taste - with Michelin recommended stalls

  6: Good Idea - chic restaurants, handmade handicrafts and workshops

  7: Good Power - over 30 shops working together under the Pracharat network

  8: Good Enjoy - demonstrations and cooking workshops plus musical performances by famous Thai performers.

Let's Party and Eat!!

It was organized from the 8 to the 10th of June from 12:00 until 20:00 at Siam Square.

      

Thai Food to Try if you Dare

Each week we post a link to an article we have found in Phuket 101 - https://www.phuket101.net/ and this week we point you to an article about the food you might want to try if you are brave.

For a full description of the dish and its smell, taste and aspect please read the whole article here -  https://www.phuket101.net/hardcore-thai-food/  

1)    Phad Sato – ผัดสะตอ – a seed of a tree with the oversized pods hanging down

2)    Kaeng Tai Pla – แกงไตปลา – this is a soup of the internal organs of a fish and vegetables

3)    Kaeng Som – แกงส้ม – a tamarind-based fish and vegetable soup with a real chilli punch

4)    Soup No Mai – ซุปหน่อไม – a clear soup of boiled, sliced bamboo shoots – Isan style; take the time to acquire the taste

5)    Tam Sua – ตำซั่ว – a salad of raw papaya and ‘bits’ (no, don’t ask!)

There are five more in this list but the writer was not brave enough to continue writing

– will you be brave enough to try one?

– but the writer has tried three in 15 years!

#CapeandKantary

      

Songkran Temple Tour in Bangkok

Celebrate the Thai New Year by making merit at ten well-known temples around Bangkok.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand, together with the BMTA, are organising an event called “Sawadee Pee Mai Thai… Wai Phra 10 Wat” (สวัสดีปีใหม่ไทย… ไหว้พระ10วัด). 

Thai Buddhists and foreign tourists are invited aboard a special free bus service from 6th to 17th April to make merit at 10 temples during the Songkran New Year holiday. 

The service runs from 8:00am to 4:00pm and starts from the Victory Monument.

The ten temples are as follows: 

The Marble Temple – https://goo.gl/maps/TAuJdufMkv72

Wat Sam Phraya Worawiharn – https://goo.gl/maps/gEZ5NWJLNSJ2

Wat Chanasongkhram Ratchaworamahawihan – https://goo.gl/maps/DgZg7WP2sNB2

Wat Bowonniwet – https://goo.gl/maps/jmDr7amS2Hq

Wat Mahathat – https://goo.gl/maps/7yiF2ib8RGS2

Temple of the Emerald Buddha – https://goo.gl/maps/4H9XTYxMCvD2

Temple of the Reclining Buddha – https://goo.gl/maps/S16v1yf2EFP2

Wat Suthat –  https://goo.gl/maps/7fZPAgKZdxN2

Wat Ratchanatda (Metal Castle) – https://goo.gl/maps/68nruX9Hubp

Wat Saket - https://goo.gl/maps/uN1qoie3QdF2

 A gentle reminder of what #Songkran and all the water is about, please dress with respect.

And stay with us at Cape House Hotel & Serviced Apartments - or Kantary House.

      

Chakri Memorial Day - 6th of April

วันจักรี
ซึ่งตรงกับวันที่ ๖ เมษายนของทุกปีนั้น เป็นวันที่น้อมระลึกถึงพระมหากรุณาธิคุณของ พระบาทสมเด็จพระพุทธยอดฟ้าจุฬาโลกมหาราช (รัชกาลที่ ๑) เสด็จเถลิงถวัลยราชสมบัติเป็นปฐมกษัตริย์แห่งราชวงศ์จักรี และทรงพระกรุณาโปรดเกล้าฯ ให้สถาปนากรุงเทพมหานครเป็นเมืองหลวงของประเทศไทย ตลอดจนพระมหากรุณาธิคุณของพระมหากษัตริย์ทุกพระองค์ในราชวงศ์จักรีที่มีต่อประเทศไทยจนปัจจุบัน

Chakri Memorial Day celebrates the start of the Chakri Dynasty and the founding of Bangkok by King Rama 1 in 1782 CE as well as the contribution of all the Chakri kings to the present day.

Thank you https://goo.gl/pKh5xZ for picture

      

Monks in Lumpini Park

Songkran is a time for family reunions, visits to temples and spring housecleaning – and the celebration of the traditional Thai New Year and lasts several days.

During the festival, revellers participate in traditional water pouring, which varies from a gentle pour into the cupped hands, to a full body splash! The symbolism of the water is important because it represents the cleansing of all the misfortunes in the previous year and a new beginning for the New Year.

There are many images of Songkran and in Lumpini Park recently there were some monks from the E-Sarn province to mark the coming of the Songkran Festival.

But here there was no water throwing - monks were there talking to local people about the on coming celebrations.

Some of the people came in traditional Thai dress and then they offered sticky rice to the monks.

      

Ayutthaya - what to do, eat, visit and stay

There are a number of things that you can do when you visit Ayutthaya.

1) Rent a bicycle from nearby the Ayutthaya Railway station and take a leisurely ride.

2) Visit the Tapestry Restaurant and indulge in some traditional dim sum. (The traditional Chinese soup kra por pla made with fried fish maw is highly recommended.

3) Visit Wat Mahahat. This is the temple best known for the head of the Buddha lodged in the roots of a tree close to the temple. There are a great many more temples to visit here, this is only one.

 4) Close to the ancient ruins  there is Classic Kameo Court which is an ideal place to stay. It offers fully-equipped deluxe studios and one-bedroomed suites ideal for short and long stays.

The text is from the latest edition of Cape + Kantary magazine and the full article can be found in - http://www.kasemkij.com/ckmagazine/index.html.

              

Where you can find Dim Sum in Phuket?

There is a history of the Chinese in Phuket and subsequently there was a growth of the small, usually family owned and run restaurants. This is our selection.

To experience the best Dim Sum you must get up early because the better the dim sum is the quicker it runs out!

Boon rat Dim Sum - บุญรัตน์ ติ่มซำ 

This restaurant is currently run by the 4th generation of an original Chinese family. The first restaurant is on Bangkok Road and is still very popular – try the steamed stuffed buns  (or salapao) here. Boonrat proved to be so popular that are now actually 2 more branches; Tilok-U-Thit 2 Road and opposite Dowroongwittaya School on Chao Fa East Road.

Chockchai Dim Sum - โชคชัย ติ่มซำ 

This restaurant is a little different because if you arrive with people who would like to eat local Thai food then there is that option. This is a wonderful place to visit and please do not be put off by the steel table and the noise. Here just choose a large tray with a selection of dishes and have a bite of each different thing!

Janjira Dim Sum - จันทร์จิรา ติ่มซำ 

This is certainly one to visit early in the morning – I hear that Tim stops here before he plays a round of golf. Here you must request to have a pot of fresh Chinese Tea as it is bursting with flavour. Then you must try the deep fried fish balls.

Mala Dim Sum - ตมซำนงสด ติ่มซำ   

There is a very big selection of the Dim Sum here but you must try the dim sum that is stuffed with fresh shrimp. I am told that if you arrive early enough you are able to watch the chef roll them – fascinating.

Somjai Dim Sum  

This is a small restaurant that is near to the Bus Station in Phuket Town. Here is the one of the few Dim Sum restaurants that is open in the evening – until 11pm. The steamed stuffed buns are wonderful and available with 8 different fillings.

Laan Dim Sum

This is a small restaurant that is relatively new in Phuket, it was established in 1999. The dishes here are many but one that you must try is the chicken feet served with a spicy sauce (I was not sure to begin with but only for the adventurous). There is also a traditional Thai noodle station for those who would like Thai food as well.

instagram #Capepanwahotel

For many of the travellers to Thailand this is not an exhaustive list to the plethora of Dim Sum Restaurants in Phuket but if you just want to have a try you do not need to leave early because there are steamed stuffed buns and Dim Sum served at the International breakfast at Cape Panwa Hotel.

              

View Dim Sum restaurants in Phuket in a larger map