It’s deja vu all over again – as one famous American journalist once said – the feeling that came over me as we were putting this issue to bed; but a good feeling it was. The rush of excitement in beating an avalanche of deadlines to close a special issue was such that I felt like a nerve-frayed groom getting ready for my big wedding day. Of course the simile had something to do our October theme, which is “Weddings & Honeymoons,” but really it is more than that. This issue marks my first full year with Look East since my big comeback last year, and for some reasons, all the enjoyable, happy moments I have had working for this magazine in my first nine years (before this one) just came back gushing like a flood. Ah, how rotund life is, indeed.
As you browse through our pages this issue, don’t be surprised if you get a sense of that personal excitement of mine. It could start with our main wedding articles, which cover more than a quarter or so of this edition. Inspired by the kingdom’s distinct attractiveness as one of the world’s preferred hub for destination weddings, and supported by many partners more generously than ever as you will notice, who wouldn’t get excited with that?
Then, there’s our Travel Section. Our sub-theme spotlights the Northeast of Thailand, which is also another source of excitement, as we seldom focus on this part of the country indeed. This region of the country has in fact so much to offer to those in search of the “un-touristic,” if you will, that we even got Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova to share with us her recent experiences there, particularly in Ubon Ratchathani. Exciting, huh?
And for our outbound feature, we’re taking you to the “Southeast Asian Alpine,” Mount Kinabalu in Sabah. If mountain climbing gives such an adrenalin rush, try this one. Even just reading about it already lets out “that love for action and outdoors’ juices” flowing.
On a separate vein, we’re also excited about this new trend about “Co-Working Spaces” popping up around in Bangkok – where creatives and young entrepreneurs share spaces to build their budding businesses or what. We believe it’s another great reason that makes the city such a livable place for expats and tourists.
And did I mention already about our Personality Profiles this issue? One, with international financial guru David Gibson-Moore; and another with a hotelier who has just gotten onboard in one of our favorite hotels in the capital, Ian Barrow, the new general manager of Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok.
And of course our Regular Sections reek with excitement as ever – to push the expression a bit — as our writers let us in on Checking In: Trisara Phuket and Mandarin Oriental KL; and Wine & Dine reviews: Knock Bangkok, Siam Wisdom, Mikkeler, Revolucion, Theo Mio, and Drunken Leprechaun, each unique and different, each with its own attractions to be proud of, and each worthy of your visit, definitely.
But don’t let me spoil your reading excitement. This special issue of Look East Magazine is meant for your enjoyment as always. For sure, you will find something interesting, maybe something you can use in their travels, maybe something relate to, maybe something that will touch you, who knows — maybe even something that will lend you your own deja vu!
Whatever, we’re pretty excited to get your feedback, please!
