With Thaksin’s recent interview with the Times released this week it has all suddenly taken on the air of a Harry Potter book with everyone exclaiming the words ” He who must not be named” and ” The interview that must not be named”. The Thai government in all of it’s archaic grandeur have proclaimed that this interview with he who shall not be named shall also not be published or spoken about online.
I originally considered Thai politicians to be the same ... Read Full Story
With tourism down dramatically many Thai companies are trying new advertising to combat the the ever growing slump they are seeing in their bottom line. It’s not enough that the world wide economic situation is keeping tourists away, Thailand can’t help itself when it comes to making even dedicated travelers think twice.
Thai politics have been a major concern since the coup in 2006 and the recent events regarding Cambodia have some travelers on edge. The continued violence in t... Read Full Story
The news has been dominated this week by stories pertaining to Thaksin and Cambodia but there have been a few gems to be found otherwise.
Thaksin Becomes Cambodian Advisor
Photo Courtesy The Nation
This week saw Cambodia appoint Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand’s former Prime Minister, as personal advisor to Cambodia’s Prime Minister and economic advisor to the government. This is comes on the heels of Cambodia offering Thaksin refuge and then offering him the job of economic adviso... Read Full Story
I love Mukdahan, it’s a small quiet city bordering Laos on the Mekong. As I’ve said before there really isn’t much to do in this sleepy little town but the locals will always have a smile for you and the night market has some of the best food Issan has to offer.
Just off the main promenade on the Mekong is a small street called Song Nang Sathit Rd, you’ll know you are in the right place when you see the sign that spans the road that says in English Food Safety Stree... Read Full Story
Last trip to the Land of Smiles found me all over the place and seeing all kinds of new things. One night while in Pattaya I happened across the sign posted above while walking up Pattaya Third Road, and thought to myself…why the hell not? Well, it might have been the half bottle of Sangsom that I drank at the Thai Karaoke or the three beautiful Thai women I had with me egging me on. Either way I was up for a little fishy foot fetish.
For those of you that don’t already know t... Read Full Story
PETA Saving Seals in Bangkok
Photo Courtesy Reuters
Obviously no one told PETA that the seal trade in Thailand is nill. Canadians on the other hand are not and this week PETA decided to protest the Canadian slaughter of seals not in Canada, which would have been the obvious choice, but in Bangkok at the Canadian embassy. Well, they had one woman painted to look like the Canadian flag protest in front of the building which houses the Canadian embassy.
I’m not sure who should be more emb... Read Full Story
I had an interesting conversation with Catherine of Women Learn Thai last night that really made me sit back and think about what I would like to see for Thailand in the future.
Catherine is very passionate about a number of things in Thailand but one of her biggest passions is the law concerning seat belt use. I had thought it was the law that everyone in the car must have a seat belt on but Cat quickly corrected me to the fact that only the front passengers are legally required to wear a... Read Full Story
Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the temple of the Emerald Buddha, resides within the grounds of the Grand Palace in Bangkok and is considered the most revered Buddhist shine in all of Thailand. The Emerald Buddha itself is actually carved of jadeite, stands 26 inches tall and sits atop a large gold alter in the center of the temple.
Only the King of Thailand is allowed close to the Emerald Buddha when the seasonal gold costume it wears is changed three times a year. The summer costume consis... Read Full Story
Don’t let the picture fool you this is a very serious situation that is rapidly heading towards defcon 4. The picture above is of my father and his great grandson taken during Easter this year. The chocolate rabbit, great grandsons first ever, was a present from my father and the source of the strained relations.
I was in Thailand during Easter and since I was sending photos home my sister thought I would love to see this photo, I did and it really made my day. When I got the e-mail I ... Read Full Story
It’s been a rather busy week for Thailand news with some big stories and a lot of interesting smaller stories making the rounds. The two biggest stories revolving around the King’s health and the ASEAN summit finally taking place without protests.
I’m thinking this might become a regular weekly post so we’ll see where it goes. I’m sure there will be more than enough interesting stories weekly to fill a few blogs to say the least.
Officials Seize 22 Pounds of Opiu... Read Full Story
