Nikki Blog

While the Bangkok crowds rushed to Siam Paragon on the weekend, I stimulated my natural sense by taking an easy stroll around the famous urban escape at Lumpini Park. But while it is easy to make my way down to Lumpini, other good quality parks are harder to track down even with the help of Google map. Despite Bangkok being shown in a tropical region according to the map, I found it puzzling to see that green spaces are a challenge to find in this latitude of the world. Continue Reading »

Note: This article was inspired by http://streetsmartsukhumvit.multiply.com/.  Nikki would like to express her deepest apology for not citing the source sooner. 

Thailand is still awash with cosmetic companies offering whitening products. The lastest racism- in-disguise is the launch of POND’s flawless white, which claims to give consumer a whitening skin within 7 days after first try. The adverstising series called “7 Days to Love” were shown on the BTS and TV, staring a “low-so” woman winning back her ex whom were about to tie the knot to a “hi-so” lady, after using POND’s whitening product. Does POND really thinks that consumers are that naive to believe whitening the skin could bring back their ex? 

I picked up a few fashion magazine this morning and saw the first few pages plastered with whitening creams ads or pictures of models with fair skin. And yes, a few of them were displaying “POND’s visible Lightening Daily Lotion, POND’s  Deep whitening Facial Foam, POND’s visible lightening day cream, POND’s Anti-Spot Intensifies Whitening Serum, POND’s Precision Lighening Spot Eraser, and last, wait for it, POND’s Light infusing Under-Eye Cream.”  Is it me, or has the world suddenly seems rather crowded with whitening offered?

Since when did we become so preoccupied with fair skin, isn’t it unnecessary and demeaning? Is it some form of self-loathing so much that people think they will be deemed more attractive if they have a lighter shade, or different color? It sounds like a clear statement about how we perceive our racial image or class image. Is it racism? Or are we merely a victim of beauty companies cashing in on society’s desire for white skin? Continue Reading »

Booth Bunnies, or commonly known as “Pretties” in Thailand, are now used to sell everything from cars to light bulbs. I’m talking about the almost half naked women standing at a booth 8 hours a day allowing onlookers to photograph them next to whatever they are selling. Continue Reading »