Tag: Thailand

Travel

Mumbai Tops Time Out’s 2025 List as the Happiest City in Asia

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk

Happiness means different things to different people, but sometimes, numbers tell a story of their own. According to Time Out’s City Life Index 2025, Mumbai has been named the happiest city in Asia, with an overwhelming 94% of residents saying that their city makes them happy. The global survey, which asked over 18,000 people across the world about their cities, measured factors such as culture, nightlife, food, quality of life, and overall positivity.

The findings reveal that 89% of Mumbaikars feel happier in Mumbai than anywhere else, 88% say people in the city seem cheerful, and 87% believe happiness in Mumbai has grown recently. Experts point to Mumbai’s entertainment scene, diverse street food, and dynamic career opportunities as key drivers of this positivity. But perhaps more than anything, it’s the city’s deep sense of belonging, resilience, and community spirit that makes it stand out.

“Mumbai has always been more than just a city — it’s an emotion,” said one respondent. “Even in its chaos, there’s connection. Everyone’s chasing dreams together.”

Following Mumbai in the rankings are Beijing and Shanghai, where 93% and 92% of locals, respectively, reported feeling happy in their cities. Both scored high on safety, culture, and convenience and have been recognized as top destinations for Gen Z professionals due to their innovation and modern lifestyle.

Chiang Mai in Thailand and Hanoi in Vietnam also made it to the top five, each with 88% of residents saying their city makes them happy. Both cities were praised for their slower pace of life, community-driven living, and green environments — appealing to those seeking balance and connection.

Not all megacities fared equally well. Tokyo, Seoul, and Singapore ranked lower, with Tokyo recording just 70% of residents saying they feel happy in their city — a figure that experts link to long working hours and high pressure.

The top 10 happiest cities in Asia for 2025 are:

  1. Mumbai, India
  2. Beijing, China
  3. Shanghai, China
  4. Chiang Mai, Thailand
  5. Hanoi, Vietnam
  6. Jakarta, Indonesia
  7. Hong Kong
  8. Bangkok, Thailand
  9. Singapore
  10. Seoul, South Korea

The results underline that the happiest cities are not necessarily the richest or most modern, but those with a strong sense of community and joy in everyday life. In 2025, Mumbai’s blend of ambition, culture, and connection has made it a symbol of urban happiness — proving that in the city of dreams, the biggest dream of all is simply to belong.

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Thailand Mourns as Beloved Queen Mother Sirikit Passes Away at 93

Tanisha Cardozo

Thailand is in mourning following the royal palace’s announcement that Queen Mother Sirikit, the beloved mother of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and wife of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, has passed away at the age of 93.

According to the palace statement, Her Majesty’s health had worsened in recent days, and she passed away at 9:21 p.m. on Friday at Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok. She had been under medical care for a blood infection since October 17. Despite the efforts of her medical team, her condition did not improve.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul cancelled his planned trip to Malaysia following the news and convened a cabinet meeting to discuss funeral arrangements. Government officials observed the announcement dressed in black, reflecting the sombre national mood. The King has declared a one-year official mourning period for the royal family and royal staff.

Queen Mother Sirikit was a deeply respected and cherished figure in Thailand. Married to King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1950, she stood beside him throughout his seven-decade reign—the longest in Thai history—helping promote national unity, cultural preservation, and social welfare. Her August 12 birthday is celebrated nationally as Mother’s Day, reflecting her enduring influence and affection among the Thai people.

Born in 1932 into an aristocratic family in Bangkok, Sirikit met Bhumibol in Paris in 1948 while her father served as Thailand’s ambassador to France. Their marriage one week before his coronation began a lifetime partnership that shaped modern Thai history. The couple had four children: King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and princesses Ubolratana, Sirindhorn, and Chulabhorn.

Throughout her life, Queen Sirikit championed development programs that supported rural communities, women’s empowerment, and environmental conservation. Her elegance and compassion made her a respected figure both at home and abroad. Though she withdrew from public life after suffering a stroke in 2012, her legacy as a symbol of grace, service, and devotion to the Thai people endured.

Her Majesty’s remains will be enshrined in Bangkok’s Grand Palace, where citizens are expected to pay their respects in the coming days. Across Thailand, black ribbons and portraits are appearing in remembrance of a queen whose life embodied duty, dignity, and love for her country.

International

Belfast Street Artists Bring Murals and Messages of Unity to Thailand

Tanisha Cardozo

Belfast’s vibrant street art scene is taking its talent global. Three artists from the Northern Irish capital—Zippy, Emic (Eoin McGinn), and Rob Hilken—are currently in Chiang Mai, Thailand, creating murals as part of an international sister event to the Hit the North Street Art Festival, one of the largest graffiti festivals in Ireland.

The new festival in Chiang Mai features live painting, workshops, and musical performances, all designed to celebrate creativity, foster cultural exchange, and explore themes like climate change, cultural identity, and connection through public art.

Zippy, who also serves as co-organiser of Hit the North, painted a mural of a swan in Bangkok before heading to Chiang Mai. The swan, inspired by the Hongsa Swan from Thai folklore, symbolises peace and purity. In Chiang Mai, her mural features centipedes—symbols of unity and protection in northern Thai mythology—alongside native flowers and human hands, reinforcing themes of resilience and connection.

Emic’s mural delves into identity and strength, developed in collaboration with Thai artists. Rob Hilken continues his “Spaghetti” series—looping abstract visuals inspired by motion and human interaction—on the walls of Chiang Mai.

The collaboration is part of a pilot exchange supported by the British Council’s Connections Through Culture grant. Adam Turkington, founder of Hit the North, is also in Thailand to give talks on the impact of street art festivals and their role in building creative communities.

Zippy said reconnecting with Thai artist Sanchi, who previously painted in Belfast, helped bring the initiative to life. “He’s really brought people together and made the whole exchange possible,” she said.

Since its founding in 2013, Hit the North has transformed Belfast with over 750 murals, shifting public perception of the city’s mural tradition from political to artistic. The evolution of the city’s street art culture now serves as inspiration for Chiang Mai, which is already rich in history, art, and folklore.

Zippy hopes the murals in Chiang Mai ignite long-term growth in the local street art movement. “What I love about street art is that it’s accessible—it belongs to everyone,” she said. “It’s amazing to think we might help spark something similar here in Chiang Mai.”

Goa’s finest jewels 💎

Chef Avinash Martins Brings Goan Soul to Iron Chef

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

When Chef Avinash Martins first walked into the Iron Chef Thailand kitchen, he had no idea what was coming. There was no briefing, no prep, and no planned menu — just pure culinary instinct.

“We weren’t prepared at all,” he admits. “We had to rely entirely on gut and creativity.”

This wasn’t just another cooking competition — it was global, unpredictable, and intense. And in the midst of chaos, Avinash had to make every second count.

Running on Fumes and Determination

The competition wasn’t just mentally intense — it was physically punishing. Filming went on for 18 to 20 hours a day, leaving barely 2 to 3 hours of sleep. In between studio runs, travel, and brief breaks, there was no time to recover. To make matters worse, Avinash had just recovered from the flu two days before arriving in Thailand. His stomach was upset, and he survived on bananas and electrolytes for most of the shoot. “By the third day, I was on autopilot,” he says. “But I kept going. That’s what Iron Chef demands — fitness, focus, and a lot of grit.” It was a brutal test of stamina and resilience — both of which he passed with quiet strength.

🥥Cooking Goan Food Without Goan Ingredients

Recreating Indian and Goan dishes in a Southeast Asian kitchen was a huge challenge. The pantry was stocked with sauces and pastes unfamiliar to Indian cuisine, and staples like fresh masalas, curry leaves, and grinding equipment were nowhere to be found.

Still, Chef Avinash adapted. He turned to coconut milk and chili paste, and used basic dry spices like turmeric and chili powder to reimagine Goan classics like caldine and ambotik — dishes known for their deep, layered flavors and heritage.

“It was tough,” he says, “but we made it work with creativity and quick thinking.”

A Dessert Curveball — and a Surprise Win

The real curveball came in the very first round. Chef Avinash was handed saba king mackerel as the main ingredient — but just 20 minutes in, the team was stopped and given fermented soybeans. The twist? Turn them into a dessert.

Avinash had never even tasted fermented soybeans before, and desserts weren’t his strength.

“That’s usually my partner’s department at the restaurant,” he laughs.

Still, he pulled together a dish under pressure — and won the round.

🌊Storytelling on the Plate: Where the River Meets the Sea

Despite the pace and pressure, Chef Avinash never lost sight of his philosophy: every dish must have a story.

At Iron Chef, that story became Where the River Meets the Sea — a dish pairing mackerel, symbolizing the sea, and prawns, symbolizing the river. Each was complemented by a distinct Goan sauce — a mild, coconut-based caldine, and a tangy, spicy ambotik.

“I wanted to bring Betul, my village in Goa, to that global stage,” he says. “Even if storytelling wasn’t a judging criteria, for me, it was all heart.”

A Proud Moment for Goa — and the West Coast

To Chef Avinash, it was about more than representing a region.

“It wasn’t just Goa — it was the entire west coast of India,” he reflects. “Once you’re in the Iron Chef kitchen, it’s about instincts, execution, and heart.”

Despite misconceptions from judges — including the idea that all Indian food is “just curry” — Chef Avinash and his team broke through those assumptions with flavor, technique, and innovation.

Iron Chef Legacy at Home

Back in Goa, the Iron Chef title follows him — and with it, expectations. Diners now walk into his restaurants, Cavatina and Janat, expecting nothing short of world-class.

“It’s changed how people see our work,” he says. “But we don’t take it lightly. We work even harder now.”

Iron Chef also reignited something personal — the drive to be physically ready.

“I’ve started hitting the gym after 15 years. Because now I know — cooking is also about stamina.”

✨Always Ready for the Next Challenge

For Chef Avinash Martins, success isn’t defined by awards or media coverage. It’s about legacy — giving back to Goa, telling its stories, and lifting up its artisans.

At Cavatina, he collaborates with toddy tappers, bakers, and basket weavers, infusing their work into a 7-course experience.

“If people one day say, ‘This chef did something for Goa,’ that’s success to me,” he says.

As for what’s next?

“I’m open,” he smiles. “Whatever the universe sends, I just want to be ready — in better health, sharper mindset, and able to give it my all.”

#TravelwithAllycaral 👒

Opal Suchata Chuangsri Makes History as First Thai Woman to Win Miss World Title

allycaralgoa

In a groundbreaking moment for Thailand and the world of beauty pageants, Opal Suchata Chuangsri has been crowned Miss World, marking a significant milestone in pageant history. As the first Thai woman to achieve this prestigious title, Opal has not only brought pride to her nation but also inspired countless individuals around the globe with her compelling message of compassion, cultural pride, and confidence.

Opal’s journey to the Miss World crown was not just about showcasing her beauty and poise; it was about sharing a powerful message that resonated with people from diverse backgrounds. Her advocacy for compassion and cultural pride struck a chord with audiences worldwide, demonstrating that beauty can indeed be a force for good. Through her platform, Opal has highlighted the importance of embracing one’s heritage while fostering empathy and understanding towards others.

With her historic win, Opal Suchata Chuangsri has etched Thailand’s name in the annals of Miss World history. Her achievement serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for young women in Thailand and beyond, showing them that with determination, hard work, and a strong sense of self, they too can reach the pinnacle of success in their chosen fields. Opal’s reign as Miss World is expected to pave the way for future generations of Thai women to pursue their dreams and make their mark on the world stage.

Opal’s confidence and self-assurance were evident throughout her journey, making her a role model for many. Her ability to connect with people from all walks of life, coupled with her passion for making a positive impact, has made her a beloved figure in the pageant world. As Miss World, Opal is poised to use her platform to advocate for causes she is passionate about, further empowering women and girls around the globe.

The crowning of Opal Suchata Chuangsri as Miss World is a momentous occasion that will be remembered for years to come. It is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and the support of her family, friends, and nation. As she embarks on her reign, Opal is set to inspire a new generation of leaders, advocates, and change-makers, leaving a lasting legacy that extends far beyond the pageant world.