Shopping Spree

Beauty- Fashion and many other shopping tips by Ariyada

A visit to Bankudnakham Support Center of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit

Pattaya’s Bankudnakham Support Center is located at 668/16 M. 5, Naklua Road. The owners of this shop are Khun Chaiwuth Patansin and his wife. They opened this shop about six months ago to be able to be part of Her Majesty’s Royal Project (For further details about this project, please turn to center pages.
The shop is small but filled with a large amount of the most beautiful pottery, figurines and almost every kind of handicraft from the Isan region. One can find ceramic vases, beautifully hand-painted, from 200 Baht upwards. The price range is wide, with the most expensive pieces in the shop being a medium sized vase, painted a special color called water-gold (nam tong), which costs app. 7000 Baht, and a large pot with painted pictures on it for 9000 Baht. If someone prefers unbreakable handicrafts, wooden vases and pots are available, carved by hand.

Almost the whole jungle is to be found in this little shop; monkeys, birds, elephants, horses, snakes, cats, turtles and ducks. All those little animals are standing in peace together with Thai dolls, Chinese god images, Buddha images, and genuine Reebok horns fixed on artificial heads, overlooking the picturesque scenery.
If dad needs something nice, canes with bird-handles can be found standing next to Benjarong coffee cups. Fantastic gifts for all moms can also be found, like straw hats decorated with flowers, straw handbags, wooden belts and umbrellas from Chiang Mai, which will definitely attract their attention. Vases from Hua Hin, made out of shells, are waiting to be filled with silk flowers, which you also can find not too far away.
Children will be pleased to see plenty of handicraft toys made out of wood, like trains, cars and dolls. For the rather naughty ones in the family, slingshots can be purchased. There really is something available for the whole family and for each purse. The prices start at 10 Baht and go all the way up to the 9000 Baht pot I already described above.
This little shop is always worth a trip, especially if you need a unique present for your loved ones or your friends.

Recipe

In pre-war Indonesia, school started at seven in the morning and we finished by one o’clock in the afternoon, after which we had lunch. The afternoon was for the siesta. In Tondano we always came home during the recess at ten thirty. Hungry by that time, Mams, who we invariably found in the kitchen unless she was not well, had something tasty for us to eat. One of my favourites was her “Kerrie Schoteltje”, an oven baked curry ragout in small brown casseroles with a handle.
Take three to four hundred grams of sirloin or some other suitable piece. Cover with water and cook until done. Cut the meat in tiny pieces - do not grind it - and set aside.
Peel a not too large onion and cut this also in small pieces. Take four or five spring onions and cut them up as well.
Heat two tablespoons of butter in a saucepan and add the onions. Sauté until they become transparent and add the meat. Mix and add two heaped tablespoons of wheat flour. Mix and add some of the broth in which you cook the meat as well as milk until you have a thick ragout.
Add a tablespoon of a good curry powder and salt to taste. At the very last add the spring onions and let it cool. Spoon the mixture in small casseroles or cups, cover with bread crumbs and a little melted butter. Bake under a grill or in an oven until brown.