Thai Cookbook by TAT
Master your favorite Thai dishes in your own kitchen with this interactive cookbook application. Learn how to cook Thai food no matter where you are in the world.
This is now the second iPhone app produced by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The first one was the disappointing Eat and Drink in BKK. As predicted, the follow up is called Thai Cookbook by TAT. This time the app developer is clearly credited as being McCann Worldgroup Thailand. Hopefully the TAT didn't pay them much money to produce this iPhone app as I found it very difficult to do a review. It kept crashing and I had to keep reinstalling it. After the third install I just gave up. I will wait for their update.
The idea behind the Thai Cookbook by TAT is not bad but it is a bit limited as it only has 16 recipes. On the homepage you get a list of the different dishes. Clicking on the pictures brings you to a page with a list of the ingredients and instructions for cooking. There is also a video for each of the recipes where you are apparently shown step-by-step instructions. I say that as I had great difficulty in playing the videos to the end. It kept stopping every few seconds. I had to keep pressing the play button but then it crashed and the app refused to open again.
I know it is free but don't waste your time or energy downloading this app. I'll let you know if they do an update.
Top Free iPhone Apps in Thailand: September 2010
Are you looking for some new apps for your iPhone? Here are the top 10 charts for iPhone apps in the Thailand iTunes store for September 2010.
Top 10 Free Apps in Thailand for September 2010:
- Alarm Clock
- Pirate Nation
- BlueTooth Mania
- Pinball Ride Free
- Stick Skater Free
- Pandora War
- Hired Gun
- Cool Text Emotions For Text Message(iPhone4)
- Veggie Samurai
- Lenses
Top 10 Paid Apps for Thailand in September 2010:
- WhatsApp Messenger
- Photo to Cartoon
- Airport Terminal
- Angry Birds
- All-in-1 Clock - Alarm Weather Talking Time Clock
- Coastal Super-Combat
- PREDATORS™
- Sleep Cycle alarm clock
- Bejeweled 2 + Blitz
- App Shelfs
Every Sunday we are featuring the favourite Top 10 iPhone Apps for Internet personalities living in Thailand. Please contact us if you wish to have your list featured on our blog.
New iPod Touch with Camera!
Do you want the features of iPhone 4 for not much more than 7,000 Baht? Now you can with the release in America of the new iPod Touch. It does practically everything an iPhone 4 handset does without the expensive carrier charges.
Even before the iPhone 4 gets an official release in Thailand, we are already being tempted with new products from Apple. However, it might not be such a wise move on their part delaying the Thailand release of the iPhone 4 as some people might now decide to skip the mobile phone and go straight for the fourth generation iPod Touch. After all, it has most of the same features but at a fraction of the cost. The iPod Touch will retail in America from $229 (about 7,100 Baht) while the iPhone 4 is expected to be about $800 (25,000 Baht). The following are some of the main features according to the Apple website.
- FaceTime: FaceTime brings video calling to iPod touch. So now you can see your friends and talk to them.
- Retina display: The remarkable 960-by-640 resolution on iPod touch makes everything you see and do on it look even more incredible.
- HD video recording: iPod touch lets you record, edit, and share stunning HD video. And because it’s always with you, you’ll never miss a great video op.
- Even better gaming: The A4 processor helps give you even more amazing gaming. And Game Center lets you play against friends anywhere in the world.
Even though the new iPod Touch is not a mobile phone like it's more expensive cousin, it can help you keep in contact by using your WiFi network. These days, most people "talk" with each other on social networking sites. But, if they want to actually speak, then they can use the Skype app to talk for free with anyone around the world. In addition, with FaceTime, you can do video conferencing with anyone else with an iPhone Touch AND/OR even an iPhone 4! So, if you want to keep in touch with a family member or girlfriend, then this might be a cheaper alternative to buying them an iPhone. The iPod Touch has two cameras. The one on the back can record HD quality video which you can edit straight away. However, the stills camera, though good, apparently isn't as good as the iPhone 4.
The iPod Touch will be available next week in America for $229 (8GB), $299 (32GB) and $399 (64GB). No news yet of a release date for Thailand. As my iPod Classic is now on its last legs I am really tempted to get the new iPod Touch. However, I am not sure if I will buy it instead of the iPhone 4. It is important for my work to be able to connect to the Internet wherever I am, and I am out and about a lot away from WiFi networks. I guess I might just have to buy both!
Somtow’s iPhone app for his Fans
The iSomtow Fan App is the easiest way to follow Somtow. Now you have access to Somtow's music at anytime, anywhere.
Who exactly is S.P. Somtow? It would seem that he is different things to different people. I first came across him as the author of some popular books as well as stories in the popular magazine "Asimov's Science Fiction". Lately he has provoked controversy online in his blogs and twitter account with his outspoken views on Thaksin and the red shirt protests. However, what he is really well-known for is being a Thai-American composer. He is presently the director of the Bangkok Opera. I have never actually had a chance to go to one of his musical performances, but after downloading this iPhone app called iSomtow, I might actually make a bigger effort.
The iPhone app not only gives you access to the latest blogs written by the world-renowned Somtow, but it also gives a list of his upcoming events. Click on the name of an event and you will get further information such as venue, dates, artists and also some programme notes. If you want to attend there is a handy button you can click to get tickets. In addition, you will be able to listen to and watch Somtow at work. At the moment I am listening to Mahler's Symphony no. 9 in D major and it hasn't stopped to buffer once. When you first install this app you are asked to sign up at InstantEncore to become a fan of Somtow. This is done within the app. You also don't need to confirm your email address. You will then receive occasional emails about the artist. However, if you later log into your account on the InstantEncore.com website you can unsubscribe to these emails.
There are a few things that I find a little annoying. The "buy tickets" button takes you to the front page of thaiticketmajor.com and you then have to navigate your own way to the correct page. Obviously not easy on an iPhone. If you click on the "map" icon you are then taken out of the app to Google maps. For the Thailand Cultural Center there is no problem but for smaller places, Google maps couldn't guess where it was and gave at least half a dozen different marker pins! The final little quibble, is that although it is great listening to the music by Somtow, it doesn't take advantage of OS04 which should allow you to multi task. If you leave the app the music then promptly stops! So I cannot browse the web while listening to some of this great music. Having said all of that, I am certainly glad that I found this app and I will be making good use of it in the future. The iSomtow iPhone app is free to download from iTunes.
Top 10 iPhone Apps by @qandrew
This is a weekly look at popular apps for the iPhone as suggested by people living and working in Thailand. This week we hear from @qandrew who is a founding partner of Bangkok advertising agency Creative Inhouse Limited and owner of Q Bar Bangkok
1. Twitter – I’m a little anti-social by nature but joined the Twitter ranks due to the nature of my business. I juggle several accounts and do all my tweeting from my phone, so I find Twitter to be the best app for my needs.
2. CNN – CNN on television is my primary mainstream news media, so it’s nice to be able to follow on my phone as well. I enjoy the ‘Push Notifications’ they send out once or twice a day when there’s newsworthy breaking news.
3. Acrossair – Surprisingly few people are aware of this Augmented Reality (AR) app. It’s awesome! Particularly in unfamiliar locations. Find banks, hotels, hospitals, museums, parking, etc nearby simply by holding your phone camera up to your surrounding area. Also can find where you parked your car and nearby Twitter & FourSquare users.
4. NeoReader – One of the better universal Barcode and Smartcode readers. You may have noticed these codes popping up more frequently in/on display, print and broadcast media, even T-shirts. With this app, you can scan codes easily (negative & positive formats) as well as product barcodes. Instant info about the product, event or company pops up on your phone.
5. TiltShiftGen – A fun photo-filter app that allows you to take (or create from album photos) “miniature like” images commonly known as “Tilt-Shift” photography. [also a free version]
6. Flickup – Since my iPhone 4 is my only camera now, this app allows me to upload my favourite pics to my Flickr site via WiFi or 3G without having to download to any computer first.
7. Measures (2.1.3) – The most comprehensive unit converter I’ve found. Great for cooking, particularly converting American recipes & oven temperatures to metric. Has all the odd Asian area units including Thai wah2, ngan, and rai and up-to-the-minute currency exchange rates.
8. Schweppes (by Awdio.com) – If you like music and nightlife, this is the app for you! Allows you to listen to live music from the best clubs, concerts, and festivals around the world 24/7
9. Pocket Cocktails – Huge resource on not just cocktail recipes but also on wines, beers and non-alcoholic cocktails. Enter what you’re having for dinner and it will recommend the best wine to accompany your meal.
10. Gravity Hook – Had to throw a game in. This is kind of a new game concept based on gravity. Not to hard to get into it but challenging at the higher levels.
Where to Eat and Drink in Bangkok
Sometimes, the best way to discover a city is through eating and drinking. EAT DRINK BKK is ideal for those looking for great food & drinks in Bangkok. Drop the guidebook and get locally-approved reviews of the best eats and drinks in Bangkok on-the-go with this application.
Eat and Drink in BKK seems to be the first iPhone app developed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The link for support on iTunes certainly goes to their www.tourismthailand.org. However, it is strange that the developer's name is listed as "Thai Cookbook by TAT". This could possibly be a play on words or maybe it is the name of their next iPhone app and they entered the information in the wrong field! Although the app is developed by the TAT, the content, certainly the pictures, come from the popular Thai language website www.bkkmenu.com. So, this app could be an English translation of that website.
You will find about 50 restaurants listed on Eat and Drink in BKK. These are sorted by neighbourhood and there is also a general list. However, the list on the "All" tab isn't sorted alphabetically which is a bit strange. If you find yourself in the Sukhumwit area you can click on the button for this and you will be taken to a new screen listing 12 restaurants. You get a small thumbnail picture of each restaurant and the first dozen or so words. There is no indication of where each one is so click on one at random. Here I clicked on CooCurry (see above picture). You then get the address, contact details, a brief paragraph about the restaurant and a list of recommended dishes. There is also two small pictures which you can click on to enlarge.
For a free app this is certainly worth downloading. However it isn't very interactive and you might as well carry around a restaurant guidebook. The main problem I see with it is that there are no maps. At the very least they should have a map of Bangkok with marker pins which you can click on to find out more information for each restaurant. In addition, as these iPhones have GPS, it should really tell you where you are on the map which will help you navigate. I have also seen apps that will show you in the listings how far you are away in kilometers from that place. Even the phone numbers are not interactive. We should be able to click on them and it should then start dialling that restaurant. Hopefully in future updates to this app they will make it more user friendly.
Easy Thai Recipes
"Thai Easy Cuisines" offers Thai recipes including appetizers, main dishes, desserts, and drinks on your iPhone making it easier to find the ingredients when you are at the supermarket.
There are quite a few books and videos out to help people cook Thai food. But, they are not always practical to use in the kitchen. Plus, with so many recipes it is sometimes difficult to choose what to eat. That is where Thai Easy Cuisines for the iPhone becomes your best friend in the kitchen. The home screen gives you a picture menu of 64 dishes which includes desserts and drinks. Each dish has a tag so you can make it easier by just listing soups, desserts, vegetarian, curries etc. Click on the picture and you will get the list of ingredients and instructions. If you still cannot decide then you can click on the "today" tab and the app will then choose for you a starter, main meal, dessert and a drink.
I really like the way it is all laid out. Very colourful and simple to use. A couple of extra bonuses is the help you get with the ingredients. For any of the recipes that you want to cook, you can add the ingredients to the shopping list. If you have anything on the list already then click the box. This is really great as I found myself at the supermarket many times not remembering every thing I needed to cook something. It is also nice to have the pictures of the ingredients in the shopping list. Click on the icons and you will then get a bigger picture. I had some fun playing around with this app and look forward to using it on my next shopping trip.
COMPETITION: I liked this iPhone app so much that I asked the developers for FOUR copies to give away in a competition. They kindly agreed. The app is presently being sold for $2.99 but you could get it for free if you post a comment below. On Sunday night we will enter all the names into a randomizer and the four names at the top of the list will win!
iPhone Gets Gmail Push Notifications
Ever missed an appointment or important email because you were away from your desk? Now Google Mobile App can help with push notifications from your Google account to your iPhone -- an icon badge shows you’ve got new mail in Gmail, and Google Calendar event reminders appear right on your home screen.
You can get the update from the App Store by clicking on the link above or by searching for ‘Google Mobile App’.
Top 10 iPhone Apps by @LadyKarla45
This is a weekly look at popular apps for the iPhone as suggested by people living and working in Thailand. This week we hear from @LadyKarla45 who tells us about her favourite apps for the iPhone. Karla is the Bangkok City Editor for CNNgo.
1. Echofon I'm a bit of a Twitter addict, so this is the obvious app I use when I'm out of the house to keep up on my feed. [has free version too]
2. iTraffic This app lets me know what the traffic situation is before I head out of the house. Sometimes it's nice if I can choose an alternate route but admittedly it can also be a form of self-torture if I have no choice but to go that particular way.
3. True's Thai Dict This app is obviously made for Thais as it doesn't have the Romanized versions of the Thai words that come up when you type in the English but it's useful even if you can't read Thai during those times when you're out and trying to communicate something to somebody and don't know which word to use. Which, for me, happens a lot.
4. Hipstamatic I love the unique photos you can take with this app. Great for capturing interesting shots of the city when you're out and don't have your regular camera.
5. Camera Bag Unlike Hipstamatic, this app lets you use regular photos and apply different styles of filters to them. Again, nice for when you're out without your camera.
6. NYTimes Probably my favorite news app. You can get everything from hard news to arts and travel articles on this one.
7. Bangkok Restaurant Finder This restaurant app gives me ideas on where to eat in Bangkok when I can't think of something myself or am in the mood to try something new. Also lists contact details and has a promotions section, which are useful too.
8. Fotopia Thousands of photos of World Heritage sites. Just nice to look at when you're sitting around waiting in a line, on the skytrain or, again, stuck in traffic.
9. IWriteLetters This is my favorite kid app out of the dozens on my iPhone for my three-year-old son. Some might not agree with one letting a toddler use an iPhone, but he actually learns a lot from the apps I've downloaded as most compliment everything that he's learning at school. Best of all, it keeps him quiet during those moments when he needs to sit still. Ie on an airplane or when you're stuck in Bangkok traffic.
10. Epicurious I'm no gourmet cook, but I love getting new recipe ideas from this app. What's cool is that you can enter in a single ingredient and it will pull up all the recipes that use that in its site. Very useful when you're at Villa or Tops and not sure what to make for dinner.
A Thai Musical Instrument
Ránaát Lêk (ระนาดเล็ก) is a small, eight note version of a very famous Thai Ránaát that creates beautiful traditional music and can create a large variety of moods for TV and movie soundtracks.
This iPhone app, called Ránaát Lêk, is simple in concept but beautiful in design. It is a traditional Thai instrument that works a bit like a xylophone. You use your fingers to play the notes. You can pick out each note individually or run your fingers up and down the notes. As you hit each one it reacts. Nicely done and I guess would be popular with a musician. At the time of writing, the app costs 99 cents in the iTunes store. I have one copy to give away for free. I will give it away to the first person who asks for it in the comments!
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การใช้ไอโฟนในประเทศไทย
On this blog I will be sharing with you tips and methods of using an iPhone in Thailand. I am not pretending to be an expert, but I hope that from my personal experience of using an iPhone for my work and pleasure you might gain some knowledge. As well as reviewing apps that I use, I will also post about accessories and also the latest news from around the world.
- Richard Barrow
Twitter: @RichardBarrow
Archives: @TwitterArchives
Contact: @Paknamweb.com
Useful Posts
Recent Comments
- Richard Barrow: Go to a True shop or DTAC shop. Or just cut down a regular SIM! Best place to go is MBK.
- jonahan Tidball: anyone know where i can get a prepaid micro sim in bangkok?
- JR: I have iPhone 4 16GB for sale, price is 26,000. It is from US and still in the wrapped original box.
- David: Doggone, this looked like what I’m looking for. Anyone know of an app with Thai alphabet flashcards and...
- Crazyrat: Iam also interested.what price are you thinking about to sell it?
- Richard Barrow: Thanks for sharing that with us.
- Bill Dahm: If you need a persistent internet connection for the iPod Touch, you can get the MiFi, which creates a...
- LEO: how much are you selling? and where did you buy ur iphone4?
- easymac: How do I sell my unlocked black 32 gb iphone4 in thailand? Is there an online way to do it? Else my friend...
- jumpy: too expensive in thailand you can buy in Hong Kong or singapore cheaper, much cheaper around 500 us for ihone...
Cost of iPhone in Thailand
Recent Posts
- Thai Cookbook by TAT
- Top Free iPhone Apps in Thailand: September 2010
- New iPod Touch with Camera!
- Somtow’s iPhone app for his Fans
- Top 10 iPhone Apps by @qandrew
- Where to Eat and Drink in Bangkok
- Easy Thai Recipes
- iPhone Gets Gmail Push Notifications
- Top 10 iPhone Apps by @LadyKarla45
- A Thai Musical Instrument
- When will iPhone 4 Come to Thailand?
- Share on Twitter/Facebook
- I Know My Thai Alphabet
- Choosing Lucky Days in Thailand
- Free Bangkok Guidebook