How Phuket’s Taxi Mafia Spoils The Beauty of The Thai Island

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Phuket Taxi Mafia

There are many things to fall in love with at Phuket. The beaches sparkle in the prettiest jewel tones, the satisfaction that Thai food brings is unrivalled, the countless gorgeous beach resorts and villas to call home, the cheap Thai massages to soothe those tensed muscles, and the list goes on.

As much as the well-loved holiday destination is popular and sees constant tourism, there is this one system that stains the beauty of the Thai island, one that makes commuting a headache and frustration, one that does not benefit anyone, one that needs change.

Getting around Phuket means you either take a tuk-tuk or you go for “private taxis”. Or you rent a bike, but that is beside the point. Quite unlike Bangkok, the transport here does not offer you an option to “charge by metre”. In other words, everyone sets a fixed price across board, and you either pay them what they ask for, or you are on your own – by foot. Because most places and points are very far apart, sometimes separated by hills, and walking is almost impossible.

So how does Phuket’s Taxi Mafia system come into place, and why do we think it is warped?

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Lime Restaurant at PARKROYAL on Pickering presents The Nonya Set

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Lime PARKROYAL on Pickering

PARKROYAL on Pickering is a gem along Chinatown. The eco-friendly hotel boasts a breathtaking metropolitan architecture, and the star restaurant – Lime – is a crowd pleaser no less. With a strong following from the executives and expats working in the vicinity and local families and couples, Lime dishes out delectable spreads every day for its fans. While the lunch and dinner buffet is particularly popular among its business crowd, Lime has come up with a sweet deal for those who still love dining at the gorgeous establishment – minus the food coma from a heavy lunch.

That’s what buffets always do to us, right? We eat our lunch hour away with all the cold cuts, pastas, cakes and whatnot. And we rub our bellies happily as we leave, only to realize that lunch will have us feeling all restless and dazed when we get back to our desks. So that is why Lime’s new Nonya Set Lunch got our attention, and we thought it couldn’t be a more brilliant idea!

Lime Nyonya Lunch

Beginning from the month of September, the Nonya Set (S$38++) will entice with a Peranakan charm. Individually plated and with a variety of five tantalising dishes, the Nonya Set is specially conceptualised by Lime with the idea of satisfying your cravings for all things Peranakan in a comfortable and laidback environment. Retreat to a menu of Peranakan classics lovingly prepared by the prized Chef Nancy Teo – who has deep Peranakan roots – and indulge in a fulfilling lunch of Kueh Pie Tee, Bakwan Kepiting Soup, Babi Pong Teh, Ayam Buah Keluak, Chap Chye, Bubur Cha-Cha and Durian Pengat Shooter.

It is the perfect dining option – be it a business luncheon or if you are introducing overseas friends to Peranakan cuisine. It saves you the hassle of walking to and fro for your food, and it is never as messy as a buffet can get. But if you still love your all-you-can-eat style, you will be delighted to know that an additional Peranakan section has been added on to restaurant’s daily buffet spread, so you get to enjoy free flow of all these Nonya treats from Lime at PARKROYAL on Pickering Singapore.

The Nonya Set is available daily during lunch and dinner at S$38++ per person.

Lime
PARKROYAL on Pickering
3 Upper Pickering Street
Tel: +65 6809 8899
Email: [email protected]
Sun to Thu: 6.30am – 12am
Fri, Sat & Eve of PH: 6.30am – 2am
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Clarke Quay

This post is brought to you by PARKROYAL on Pickering.

Beast: London’s Hottest King Crab & Steak Restaurant by Burger & Lobster

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Beast London

Not the most pleasant word in the dictionary, but a dinner at Beast King Crab & Steak Restaurant is surely one of the most memorable dinners we’ve had at London. Fans of the ever-popular Burger & Lobster would know that Beast Restaurant is the other brainchild of the same owner, and it is a five-month-old joint that is the talk of the town.

It is similar, yet very different. Beast Restaurant is a posh outlet in Marylebone, and it is a stunning underground restaurant for diners of the after-dark. Longitudinal log tables and seats fill the indoor sitting area, together with endless candles to light up the restaurant. It felt like we stepped right in to a scene from Phantom of The Opera – the regal British atmosphere is second to none. The open kitchen makes the place less intimidating and we had fun exchanging banters with the chefs. The team of wait staff stands all around the space, ever ready to serve.

Be seated, have a drink, and the staff will brief you about how Beast Restaurant works. There is no menu. At £75 per person, you are in for a feast that is fit for even the biggest beast. Like many other things in London that will shock you with its price tag, this dinner is an indulgence, one that only those with a raw love for premium steak and Norwegian red king crab will covet. If you are willing to splurge, Beast Restaurant will promise you a theatrical and gastronomical experience.

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Travel Savvy with Insure & Travel Enhanced and Win Air Tickets to 5 Dream Destinations

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Travel Savvy

How travel savvy are you? Do you feel prepared for every trip that you take, and equipped with all the knowledge that would enhance your experience? Apart from reading up on the places you are going to visit, and shopping for the clothes and necessities you would need, how else do you prep yourself and ensure you are truly ready for your holiday?

Have you missed out on getting yourself a reliable travel insurance? If you are having second thoughts or even considering if getting one is necessary, you should hesitate no more, because being insured is as vital as needing an air ticket to board your flight. You would also want to travel without worries, and to know that should something untoward happen, you are covered, right?

UOB Travel Savvy

So we celebrate our recent partnership with Insure & Travel Enhanced distributed by UOB, and we would like to share with you the incredible travel insurance plans that are made readily available – no matter where and when you are traveling.

From now till 5 October 2014, Insure & Travel Enhanced is having a weekly challenge where you can play a simple travel quiz to win air tickets via Singapore Airlines to Bali, Taipei, Seoul, Melbourne and Maldives. The game is extremely easy and incredibly addictive. There will be a series of questions on food, culture, landmarks and all you have to do is to choose the correct answer (out of two options) to the picture shown.

The top 10 highest scorers every week will win prizes and anyone who participates in the online quiz will be eligible for a lucky draw to win air tickets. Challenge yourself at www.uobtravelsavvy.com

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Beginners Guide to Gin

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Guide to Gin

One of the best cocktail spirits around is gin; a clear alcoholic spirit distilled from grain or malt, flavoured thereafter by infusing a variety of botanicals (this process is known as compounding), including juniper. Its diverse flavour profile makes this un-aged spirit perfect for cocktails. We speak to some of the industry experts to give you a crash course on gin (and save you from the embarrassment of mistaking vodka for the former).

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Where to eat at Phuket Patong Beach

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Patong Beach

Phuket is one of the most well-known beach destinations in Asia; travellers fly in from all around the world for some soaking up in the sun and relaxation at the prized Thai island. Among all the beaches in Phuket, Patong Beach is the largest and busiest one on the island.

While Patong Beach is known for many things – from water sports, to nightlife and luxe resorts – it can be quite a challenge to find affordable authentic Thai food when you are there for a holiday. Most restaurants along Patong Beach are tourist traps, and they serve mediocre Thai food at exorbitant prices.

We made several trips, and picked out some fantastic places to dine at when at Patong Beach. They may not be the cheapest by Thailand’s standards, but they are authentic enough with reasonable price tags, some of which are favourites even among locals. Here is our guide on where to eat at Patong Beach, featuring five restaurants and eateries that offer delicious Thai classic dishes and seafood.

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10 SCOTTS Afternoon Tea at Grand Hyatt Singapore

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10 SCOTTS

10 SCOTTS at Grand Hyatt Singapore is more than just a hotel’s tea lounge. Impeccably designed with a collection of rooms, it makes you feel right at home. Like being in your living room where you can host a group of close friends over drinks, the cosiness is unrivalled and one that replicates the warmth of home. Or, it can make a quiet meeting place to have coffee with your clients over some corporate talks. It also works as a lovely library where you can enjoy some me-time and retreat into your shell.

On days when you feel like taking a break and giving yourself a little treat, the afternoon tea at 10 SCOTTS at Grand Hyatt Singapore is just the thing you need. It comes in an elegant two-tier glass tray that is packed with lots of goodies. The items change periodically, but there will always be a staple selection of sandwiches, tarts and quiche, as well as all-time favourites like the delicious crab cakes with remoulade sauce that we are not ashamed to admit wolfing down several of it at a go. Other snacks include the freshly-made seafood popiah (spring roll), samosas, and scones served with homemade raspberry jam, clotted cream and kaya (coconut jam).

10 SCOTTS Afternoon Tea

There is a also a self-serve freezer that houses a varying selection of salads, cold dishes and homemade ice cream as well as a communal table with over six different freshly made desserts. The stars of the show include the anti-griddle fried egg – with vanilla ice cream forming the egg white and mango passion puree representing the yolk – and a beautiful flower pot dessert that is really a generous helping of salted caramel ice cream and chocolate soil, topped with chocolate brownies and delicate edible flowers.

In addition, the afternoon tea comes with a selection of hot dishes from the live station, cold cuts, artisan cheese and bread. And the best part of it all? Everything that you are served with at 10 SCOTTS’ afternoon tea is refillable. The only danger is you will end up eating more than you should. But sometimes, all of us deserve to indulge a little, so go ahead and spoil yourselves.

On weekdays, the afternoon tea at 10 SCOTTS is S$43++/pax with refillable tea, coffee and fruit juices; and S$73++/pax with free-flowing of Perrier-Jouët Champagne. On weekends and public holidays, the prices are S$53++/pax and S$83++/pax respectively.

10 SCOTTS
Grand Hyatt Singapore
10 Scotts Road
Tel: +65 6732 1234
Afternoon tea: Daily 12pm – 2.30pm, 3pm – 5pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

This post is brought to you by Grand Hyatt Singapore.

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