P.N. sister from the north- "Pak Chiang Mai" by Donald

CafeDouble bedroom
Atrium, 2nd floor
Massage sala
Single room


Atrium, 2nd floor


Entrance to the en-suite
En-suite

Hand-painted wall
Room's balcony

Our little sister was born last week in Chiang Mai, called "Pak Chiang Mai". Before I typed this sentence I've been thinking for how to write this in an interesting way since I am very bad at writing. I choose not to polish the words and just tell you what I know ( I mean you have to cope with my awful writing).
Noon, our former staff who used to work in PN as a team leader and also a chef, some of you must remember her if you stayed here before last Oct 2007. In my eyes she is a person filled with enthusiasm & ambition. Last year she told us that her family would like to open a guest house either in Chiang Mai or Trat, everyone fully supported her to start her own business, including me & P Rose.
Last November they had made the decision and invite me to visit the site in Chiang Mai. At first glance the location looks a bit similar to PN in Bangkok, however it has some charm that is only available in Chiang Mai- a really slow pace atmosphere. Opposite to the site (where Pak Chiang Mai is located) is a pottery garden where you can see the process of making pottery sculptures, the garden itself is very refreshing & peaceful. The guest house is surrounded by private residents, a safe & quiet area ( the neighborhoods seem a bit wealthier than in Thewet).
I was honored to help them on the architectural planning & I went back to BKK to spare few days to finalize the plan.
The rest should be told by Noon & her family as they poured their heart into this project for more than six months, everything that you will see in Pak Chiang Mai is their own creation- decor style, breakfast, interior design, graphics & etc.... although you may be able to trace a bit of details from P.N.!
This 9 rooms guest house just opened its door last week, some of our P.N. gangs will also go there in the coming week to see their sister. If interested please contact Noon at noon_jaa@hotmail.com or visit our temporary web page

EVERGREEN by Ake, translated by Boom

I’ve grown up among the ever-greenness of several kind of trees; some can be eaten while some cannot be. But the only one thing that the trees in my home has is the freshness they gave to me in every time that I get close to them. Once I wake up, I usually stand still to welcome the morning sunshine at my vegetables garden which my family and I planted together. I cast a look at the raindrop which is lying itself on the top of them. It is very beautiful when it is lightened by the sunshine.

I lived with my family for 18 years, then had to leave home to earn a living in Bangkok. I worked in this chaotic city for 2 years. I’m very tired. I miss my home, my trees and also warming sunshine at my place but I can’t go back because I haven’t found what I look for yet. Until the day that I knew Phranakorn-Nornlen. This place teaches me to know more about myself, to think and to do. But the coolest thing that PN gave me is a chance to do what I want and that’s the beginning of the PN’s rooftop garden!

When I first opened its gate, I was amazed with something. I saw greenness, heard the sound of water flows plus the music which was played like knowing what I long for. It brought me to life again! I walked around the house (the word I call PN) to greet all trees with happiness until I forgot that I was working. Later I had to take my eyes of them although I didn’t want to.

When time passed in the afternoon, I surveyed my home again with curiosity. My heart was in merry. I looked at the paintings on the wall as if I was hypnotized; they were full of power and the spirit of the painter. I enjoyed looking at them, and then I arrived at the rooftop by chance. My heart was sad when I saw something in front of my face. I sighed while I stared at cement floor which was burned up by the heat of the sunlight then I could see its ray which arose from the floor like the smoke that was launched from a stove! I looked at it for a while and talked to myself that I wouldn’t leave this place into dryness like my heart right now.

I began to think about what I have to do to make this place green like my home. I thought about this for a week. Until the second week, one day I was very hungry, so I bought papaya salad (Som-Tum) from the front of the street. The seller gave me some vegetables ; eggplants, white green and basil which made me very happy. So I brought all of them to eat at the rooftop. While I was about to pick them up, they slipped out of my hand. Soon they were scatted all over the floor. I saw the eggplant rolled with anger in my clumsy. Then I picked and heap them. Suddenly, when I saw the greenness of vegetables which was contrast with the white cement floor, my idea was popped up that I would grow vegetables!

I tried in many ways to present this to the house owner. Luckily, it’s like a will of God that inspired her to think the same as me. I smiled happily after hearing the approval. What is my rooftop garden like?