Uber Launches The World’s First Rideshare Submarine!
By Lifestyle+Travel
Queensland, Australia, in partnership with Uber, today announces the launch of scUber, the world’s first rideshare submarine experience, coming to the Great Barrier Reef on Monday 27 May.
This once-in-a-lifetime experience will offer riders an unfiltered lens to Australia’s underwater icon. For a limited time only, scUber riders will gain exclusive access to the world’s largest ecosystem, renowned as a biodiverse playground, rich in marine life and offering remarkable underwater experiences.
From 27 May, scUber will be available for a limited number of riders to request through the Uber app and riders will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the exquisite beauty of the Great Barrier Reef – all without the need for a snorkeling mask or a diving license!
The scUber experience will be available starting on Heron Island, off the coast of Gladstone in the Southern Great Barrier Reef region from May 27, before moving to Agincourt Reef off the coast of Port Douglas in Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef region from June 9. Availability is strictly limited.
The scUber experience will cost $3,000 for two riders and includes:
- Pickup and drop off from your location with the Uber app;
- Scenic helicopter ride to either Heron Island (for riders requesting from Gladstone) or the Quicksilver Cruises pontoon off the coast of Port Douglas (for riders requesting from Cairns, Port Douglas and Palm Cove);
- One hour ride in a scUber submarine;
- Return trip back to your original pickup address with Uber.
Today also marks the beginning of Uber’s partnership with Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef. The organisation is committed to engaging the world in the protection and conservation of the Great Barrier Reef and reefs all over the world, using tech, data and a collaborative approach to conservation.
Uber’s partnership with Citizens will focus on supporting several initiatives including their Reef Tracks program and the Great Reef Census through a financial and resource investment program. Find out more about the partnership here.
By Lifestyle+Travel
Discovering A Lifestyle Destination
Discover the newest landmark in Bangkok through the launch of the Jim Thompson Lifestyle Store, a true lifestyle destination for discerning travelers. The grand opening of the Jim Thompson Lifestyle Store in One Bangkok's new retail zone, The Storeys, marks a significant milestone for both the iconic brand and this landmark destination in Bangkok. Spanning an impressive 550 sq.m. with a distinctive duplex design, the Lifestyle Store offers a refined blend of elegance and cultural touch. Its stylish, contemporary layout creates an experiential shopping journey, combining retail, dining, and cultural heritage. The spectacular event started with the arrivals of guests, including top executives from One Bangkok, Thai Airways, Central Group, Siam Piwat, EmQuartier, and top luxury hotels. Dignitaries such as Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and ambassadors from the United States, France, and Germany also attended, as well as representatives from the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The event was further elevated by the presence of notable Thai celebrities, including Anntonia Porsild, 1st Runner-Up of Miss Universe 2023, Kamonwarai ‘Pailiu’ Prajakrattanakul, and actors from Studio Wabi Sabi — Katsamonnat ‘Earth’ Namwirote, Tharathorn 'Oat' Phumpothingam, Methaphat ‘Tonliew’ Chimkul, and Saranvut ‘Pie’ Nittayasuthi. The elegant yet contemporary fashion show, titled Bangkok Dreaming, embodied the essence of the brand in high style. Showcasing a collection of 42 captivating looks, the runway featured renowned Thai models, including Miss Universe Thailand 2021 Anchilee Scott-Kemmis, Miss Universe Thailand 2016 Chalita ‘Namtan’ Suansane, Miss Universe Thailand 2015 Aniporn ‘Nat’ Chalermburanawong, and top models Cindy Sirinya Bishop and Apasiri Nitibhon. The styling reflected a journey through contemporary Thai lifestyles, with casualwear inspired by quintessential Thai settings, from tranquil beaches to the vibrant streets of Yaowarat’s Chinatown. The event also marked the launch of the AQUASILK collection, the brand’s debut in men’s swimwear. At the launch event, guests explored an extensive range of Jim Thompson products, savored delicious Thai bites from Jim’s Terrace – the brand’s first integrated F&B outlet – and enjoyed the Silk Exhibition, which showcases the rich history and craftsmanship of Jim Thompson’s renowned silk products. Jim Thompson Lifestyle Store is located at One Bangkok, G Floor, The Storeys.
By Lifestyle+Travel
Bangkok Patana Hosts First-Ever Insect Food Seminar Led by Student Organization “Amino Insecto”
Bangkok Patana School recently buzzed with excitement as students gathered for the Amino Insecto seminar, an event dedicated to the emerging trend of insect-based cuisine as a sustainable protein source. Founded by Napa-ai Suriyabhivadh, known to her peers as April, Amino Insecto champions insect consumption as a step toward a more sustainable food future. The seminar is also led by Wipharhuck Kongboonma, cofounder of Amino Insecto. April, who developed an interest in insect protein while training with the Thai national basketball team, first tried insect-based snacks reluctantly but soon discovered their nutritional value. Realizing insects’ potential to fight malnutrition and support eco-friendly agriculture, she and her friends launched Amino Insecto to promote these benefits among Thai youth. The seminar drew notable experts in the field, including Finnish food scientist Professor Sara-Maria Kauppi and Chef Topi Kairenius, who both flew in to share their experiences. Professor Kauppi, who teaches at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, highlighted her research on consumer behavior around insect foods, explaining how well-designed packaging could ease consumers into the idea of eating bugs. Chef Kairenius, an advocate for sustainable insect-based dining in Nordic cuisine, treated students to samples of Finnish water bugs, sparking intrigue among attendees. The event’s food booth added a culinary adventure to the learning experience, featuring dishes like mango sticky rice topped with wood ants and Finnish forest mushrooms paired with caramelized locusts. The 180 samples quickly disappeared, with students eagerly returning for more, demonstrating a positive shift in attitudes toward edible insects. The excitement surrounding Amino Insecto’s seminar reflects a global movement that’s growing across Europe, Asia, and beyond. With climate change and resource scarcity pressing issues worldwide, this student-led initiative encourages a fresh perspective on food sustainability.
By Lifestyle+Travel
Savouring the Local Charm
The flavours of travel are experienced through tasting local food and seeing unseen places. Travelling like a local is the best way to learn and experience what a country has to offer. Don’t have enough time? Visiting a floating market provides a quick glimpse of this in just one short trip. Heading further south of Bangkok, Song Khlong Floating Market at Wat Taling Chan, a well-known floating market in Taling Chan, uniquely combines the riverside lifestyle of the locals with nature. Recently, in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the market launched the "Wow