Incredible temple at Chachongsao, Thailand

 

 

This is one of the most impressive temples that I have visited during my time in Thailand. It’s located around35 Km’s from Bangkok going towards Chon Buri., so very easy to get to down the main highway.

History.

Chachoengsao or Paet Rio is a province in the Central region. It has an old history back to the reign of King Borommatrailokkanat in the Ayutthaya period. Most of the people have settled by the Bang Pakong River and along canals. “Luangpho Phuttha Sothon” is a center of faith of the people of Paet Rio. In the past, Chachoengsao was a fourth class city under the Ministry of Defence. During the reign of King Rama I, it was attached to the Ministry of Interior. Until the reign of King Rama V who changed the administration system, Chachoengsao became a city in the Prachin Buri Circle. In 1916, its status was changed from a city to a province. “Chacheongsao” is a Khmer word which means a deep canal. The name “Paet Rio” comes from the story that the city once teemed with giant snake-head fish; up to 8 cuts were required on the sides in making sun-dried fish.

I watched a monster fish documentary on the Discovery channel and it appears that Bang Pakong river is home to huge fresh water sting rays weighing in at a 100 Kg’s plus. I think that I will give the swimming a miss this time.

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Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand

Grand palace guard. I really would not want to argue with this guy!

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Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand

This is on of my favourite places in Thailand and somewhere that I always take my friends when they visit Bangkok. It is breath taking stunning and you fine yourself very quickly running out of expletives.

Blogger Labels: Grand,Palace,Bangkok,Thailand

Seh Daeng (Red Tiger) most popular Internet search last year. Thailand.

 

The most popular searches for people on the Internet in Thailand last year were for "Seh Daeng" with over 700,000 hits,  according to TrueHits.

"Seh Daeng" (MajGeneral Khattiya Sawasdiphol, was a renegade General in the Thai military and was fatally shot during the redshirt rally on May 13th 2010.

General Khattiya has been called a terrorist by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who named him as the chief obstacle to a compromise plan to end the protesters' sit-in in return for an early election in November. Commanding his own paramilitary force of former Rangers, General Khattiya was suspended without pay from the armed forces. A special committee was considering whether to strip him of his rank.

He was shot in the head while giving an interview to a foreign reporter behind the Redshirt Bangkok barricades. Some people believe that he was assassinated by a pro Government sniper and others believe that he was taken out by his own people. I guess that we will never know, but I am amazed how popular the guy has become following his passing.

Blogger Labels: Daeng,Tiger,Thailand,MajGeneral,Khattiya,Sawasdiphol,Thai,terrorist,Abhisit,election,Redshirt,Bangkok,Government

Thai Culture Show, Jomtien, Thailand

There are pictures from a local Thai culture show. I really like the Thai traditional costumes and of course the beautiful girls in the photo’s.

 

Blogger Labels: Thai,Culture,Jomtien,Thailand,pictures,costumes

Tai lake, Suzhou, China

 

Had a meal at a lakeside restaurant on Suzhou island. This is one of the nicest places that I have been in China and I guess this lake is the biggest that I have ever seen.

Blogger Labels: lake,Suzhou,China,restaurant,island

Train ride in China

I had the dubious pleasure of train ride from Yangzhou to Yancheng about 3 hours north East of Shanghai. The train ride took 2.5 hours and cost 25 RMB, so was great value for money. We booked the tickets and boarded the train, we had seat numbers, but the problem was finding the seats. The carriage was very overcrowded with many people sitting and standing in the aisles and of course it was very very hot.I as difficult to get my case through the mass of people and on to the luggage rack, so i was lucky to have my friends there to help me.
The train began to roll and we ere on our way and slow speed for what was probably the longest 2 hours of my life. I just could not get comfortable on the 'rock' hard seat and people were constantly bumping in to me, it was hot sweaty and smelly with so many bodies in the train car.This was a 'no smoking' car and I guess that at least 10% of the population were smoking, so be aware of this. The more the 'no smoking' signs the more the smokers.
We finally arrived at our destination and struggled to get the luggage through the sea of people in the car. If you ever do a trip like this try not to take large luggage and take plenty of water to drink. Better still take the bus!

Chinese Buddhist temple, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China

 

Here is a picture of a Chinese Buddhist temple that I took on Suzhou island, about 3 hours North of Shanghai.

 

Blogger Labels: Chinese,Buddhist,temple,Suzhou,Jiangsu,China,island,North,Shanghai

Traditional Chinese Hotel

I stayed in this hotel last night in Yangzhou which is around 2 hours bus ride from Shanghai. I really enjoy seeing the old ‘pagoda’ roof style buildings. This site was apparently in the past the home of a very rich Chinese guy and it was sold lately to be converted to a hotel. It has not lost any of it’s charm throughout the conversion.

Blogger Labels: Traditional,Chinese,Hotel,Yangzhou,Shanghai,conversion

Yangzhou, China

 

I came across this nice ornamental piece in the restaurant in the hotel that I was staying in last night. It’s a kind of mixture between Buddhism and Chinese art.

Blogger Labels: Yangzhou,China,restaurant,hotel,Buddhism,Chinese

 

Jomtien Beach Road, Thailand

 

Here is a picture of Jomtien beach road taken from a seafood restaurant during low season. it’s nice to sit here during early evening and get the cool breeze blowing in from the sea.

The food is always good and fresh at this restaurant and it is very popular with the Thai’s and tourists alike.

Blogger Labels: Jomtien,Beach,Thailand,restaurant,breeze,food,Thai,tourists

Travelling in China

 

Today I am preparing to travel to china where I will be working for the next three weeks. I will be moving around quite a lot beginning in Jiangsu province and finishing up in Hubei province, so there will hopefully be quite a lot to see. I will take photographs along the way and post them to this site, so watch this space.

Probe team narrows possibilities for Chiang Mai hotel deaths

By Kwandao Jitpana
The Nation
CHIANG MAI

Health official says finding exact cause of deaths may be impossible

The investigation into the Downtown Inn Hotel deaths hadn't determine the exact cause of death yet but now focused on three possible causes: infection, chemical or environment, and would get experts' help to determine the cause of deaths, it was announced at the press conference yesterday.

This move followed headlines about a New Zealand tourist Sarah Carter's mysterious death especially the New Zealand TV3's "60 Minutes" programme, which suggested the chemical spray chlorpyrifos that kills bed bugs was responsible for the death of Sarah Carter, as well as six others who were reported to have died in similar circumstances since January.

At the Chiang Mai Public Health Office yesterday, Chiang Mai Governor Panadda Diskul presided over the threehourlong closedoor conference with Chiang Mai health authority and consulate representatives of 10 countries including Todd Cleaver from the New Zealand Embassy in Bangkok.

In the press conference later, Chiang Mai Public Health chief Dr Wattana Kanchanakamon said they had a lot of meetings and get helps from experts including those from the World Health Organisation and Japan's Osaka City to determine the cause and what to do next.

Full story here

Disputed Preah Vihear Temple

My wife was born around 45 Min's from this temple which is located on the Thai, Cambodian border. We visited there 3 years ago on a trip to see the outlaws.
Over the past few years there has been a dispute as to who this temple belong to and last year it came to a peak when both Countries sent military to claim ownership and lives were lost.
History to the dispute:
In 1904, Siam and the French colonial authorities ruling Cambodia formed a joint commission to demarcate their mutual border. In the vicinity of the temple, the group was tasked by the two governments to work under the principle that the border would follow the watershed line of the Dângrêk mountain range, which places nearly all of Preah Vihear temple on Thailand's side. In 1907, after survey work, French officers drew up a map to show the border’s location. However, the resulting topographic map, which was sent to Siamese authorities and used in the 1962 ICJ ruling, showed the line deviating from the watershed without explanation in the Preah Vihear area, placing all of the temple on the Cambodian side.
As far as I can see this is a Khmer temple which now stands on what used to be Thai land and the Thais have claimed it as there own. 

Thai restaurant Bang Sare, Sattahip, Thailand 2009

This was the first restaurant that we went to since moving from Bangkok to Jomtien. We had a very romantic evening watching the sun go down whilst eating quality local Thai food. There are many similar restaurants along the coast so it's great to explore and you might be surprised at what you find.

Nong Sammy”From Ramkumheang University Crowned Miss Tiffany‘S Universe 2011, Pattaya | Pattaya Daily News - Pattaya Newspaper, Powerful news at your fingertips

Nong Sammy”From Ramkumheang University Crowned Miss Tiffany‘S Universe 2011, Pattaya | Pattaya Daily News - Pattaya Newspaper, Powerful news at your fingertips

Yes these are guys. Amazing Thailand!

Papaya for Thai food ‘Som Tam’

Coming form the UK I am used to seeing potato, tomato and even carrots planted in the garden. In Thailand things get to be a little more exotic. Here is a pic of my wife’s papaya tree, which has grown in around 2 months. Everything grows so quickly here.
Papaya is a stale in the North east of Thailand and is used to make the traditional Thai dish called ‘somtam’. Many Thais eat som tam morning noon or night and I will tell you that this is the most spicy dish that I have ever tried, it’s almost nuclear and not for the faint hearted.. The Isaan (North Eastern Thailand) name for this dish is ‘Tam mak hoong’ and it is a spicy salad made from sliced un ripened papaya.

Blogger Labels: Papaya,Thai,food,garden,Thailand,tree,North,dish,Thais,Isaan,Eastern

6:33am Monks and Buddha image with Central World in the backg... on Twitpic

6:33am Monks and Buddha image with Central World in the backg... on Twitpic

A great pic showing the monks outside the Central World mall in Bangkok. Such a contrast between the old and the new.

Phuket NEWS: Phuket Crime: A special report on teen gang violence

Phuket NEWS: Phuket Crime: A special report on teen gang violence

Things are not always what the seem on the paradise Island of Phuket. Many of these incidents never reach the International press, but they are a reality in Phuket today.

On the bright side I have been to Phuket numerous times and I have never seen anything other than what Phuket is famous for. I think the gangs keep this as a Thai on Thai thing, so i feel that it is still safe for tourists, so long as we are aware of the possibilities.

Nongnooch Tropical gardens, Pattaya, Thailand.

 

 

Nongnooch tropical gardens is located about 20 min’s from Pattaya and about 90 min’s from Bangkok going out on Sukhumvit road towards Sattahip. They offer accommodation of various standards and prices, so overnight stays are possible for distance travellers.

I took this on the last visit to the Nongnooch tropical garden center. It’s famous world wide for it’s fantastic tropical gardens, elephant and cultural shows. the above is a picture of one of the Thai cultural shows which are shown around every two hours and are really something to see. This is great for a family day out because there is something for everyone, so take the kids along and they will have a ball.

Blogger Labels: Nongnooch,Tropical,gardens,Pattaya,Thailand,Bangkok,Sukhumvit,Sattahip,accommodation,garden,elephant,Thai

Thai restaurant Bang Sare, Sattahip, Thailand 2009

This was the first restaurant that we went to since moving from Bangkok to Jomtien. We had a very romantic evening watching the sun go down whilst eating quality local Thai food. There are many similar restaurants along the coast so it's great to explore and you might be surprised at what you find.

White plate day.

 

 

 

When you buy a car in Thailand it is delivered with red number plates to show that it s still to be registered. after one month the red plates will be replaced by white plates to show that the car is filly registered to the owner. There are some restrictions on driving a ‘red; plate car at certain times of the day and also outside the Province of purchase, so it’s good to get the white plates as soon as possible.

Mt car is now 3 months old and still has the red plates, so is a pain due to the above restrictions and the chance of eing stopped by the Thai Police and having to donate ‘tea money’ (bribe).

We have been trying to get the white plates since day 1 but have been told that there is apparently an aluminum shortage, so no plates are being issued. The plates are made in Thai prisons by the way, maybe that’s why the aluminum has gone missing mmm!

Anyway we got the call and our legal plates have arrived, so happy day and no more tea money to pay!

Blogger Labels: Thailand,plates,owner,restrictions,Province,Thai,Police

Train goes through Bangkok market.

This video is one of my favorites and just typifies the Thai ‘Mai pben rai’ attitude.They just get on with life and take things as they come. I just can not imagine this happening elsewhere in the world.

Chiang Mai information

Thailand's second-largest and second-oldest city, Chiang Mai is far removed from the hectic metropolis of Bangkok. A charming city with a moat and remnants of fortified walls, Chiang Mai is the kind of place where a simple stroll from the hotel to a café turns into a sightseeing experience.
Chiang Mai is sprinkled with hundreds of temples, and wherever tourists venture they'll see pagodas peeking up over the tree line. Most of the hotels in Chiang Mai city center offer views of nearby temples and shrines. The most dignified temple crests Doi Suthep Mountain on the fringe of the city center. It's visible from all corners of central Chiang Mai Shopping is a must while in Chiang Mai, whether that means spending an afternoon in the mall near Chiang Mai International Airport or strolling through the city's extensive evening markets. Ideally, it involves both, as the handicrafts, delicate carvings, silk fashions and original artwork in Chiang Mai are first rate.
This is also a great place to learn about Thai culture. At relatively low cost, tourists can enroll in cooking, language, yoga or massage classes. Guided meditation retreats to mountain monasteries are also popular, as are visits to elephant camps, including the conservation project, Elephant Nature Park. Chiang Mai is also home to the famous panda cub, Lin Ping, who currently resides with mum Lin Hui at Chiang Mai Zoo and draws hundreds of visitors a day.
After hours, the city's modern vibe ignites. International restaurants, live music venues and nightclubs are well-located across town. A string of riverside clubs play a mix of Thai music and well-known international covers. Other prominent strips include the hostess bars of Loy Kroh and the ultra-chic lounges on Nimmanhaemin Road.
Apart from its blend of cosmopolitan and rustic charm, Chiang Mai is also famous for its outdoor activities. Tourists based here can arrange treks through the northern jungles; adventure activities like rock climbing or mountain biking; and homestays in remote hill-tribe villages.
Blogger Labels: Chiang,Thailand,walls,hotel,temple,Suthep,Mountain,temples,tourists,shrines

Agoda.com hotel list for Chiang Mai, Thailand

Doi Satep, Chiang Mai. Thailand.

We visited Doi Setep in Chiang Mai during 2008 and I never got round to posting the pictures, enjoy.

Things I like about living in Thailand

You can see from my profile that I originally came from the Yorkshire in England. People often ask me why I moved here and what I like about living here,
I think that the thing that makes Thailand different from other countries is the people.They are generally very warm and open and always seem to have a smile for you, whatever the situation.
The climate is another main factor because it never really gets below 25C the whole year round. There is of course that rainy season, but a shower is often welcome to cool things down and they only last for about an hour a day.

Floating restaurant off Koh Samet.

Thai food of course is fantastic. There are so many choices from the traditional Thai dishes to the local area dishes. The thing that you have to be careful with is that there are so many spicy dishes and when I say spicy I mean very spicy. It's often better to get some local advice when ordering and the Thais will usually oblige. The word for spicy in Thai language is 'Phet' and the word for no is 'Mai;. So if you want to keep you taste buds intact always ask for 'Mai Phet'. Not spicy.
If you live in Thailand what are your favourite things?

About Me

Pattaya, Banglamung, Thailand

Hi my name is Rick and I first came to Thailand when I was offered a position in my company's Bangkok office. I have now been living in Thailand for the past 12 years with my Thai wife kanlaya ans we are staying on Thailand's eastern Seaboard. Since I have been here I have learned a great deal about the Thai lifestyle, Thai culture and what it means to be married to a Thai. The purpose of this Blog is to share my experiences along the way. This information might be useful to anyone who at some point will either visit Thailand or make a new life here. I personally love living in the land of smiles and hope to never leave.

Map of Thailand

Click the map for a larger version.

Children locked in well as expat businessmen is robbed of all his property in Phuket.

This is an absolute must read article if you are thinking of living in Thailand.

Children locked in well as expat businessmen is robbed of all his property in Phuket
Do not on any account sleep with your housekeeper. In Phuket, which judging by stories on the net is fast establishing itself as an international rip off destination, Colin Vard did just that and he is paying the penalty.
Working with ‘influential people’ , well not to put too fine a point on it, criminals, she defrauded his of all his property, his car, and rent money she said she was depositing for him in the bank.
This was real low society stuff, but there are indications that people in the establishment in Phuket were involved. (Seems a relative of a senior policeman has one of his houses etc)
Vard and his two kids are homeless and on the run. His housekeeper is fighting the case in court but the cash involved , over 60 million baht means that his many people might think they are better off dead.
Andrew Drummond reports

http://www.andrew-dr...ory.php?sid=389
-- ANDREW-DRUMMOND.COM 2011-05-02

Blogger Labels: Children,Phuket,article,Thailand,account,destination,Colin,Vard,money,establishment,policeman,kids,cash,Andrew,Drummond,reports,indications,expat,businessmen,housekeeper

Bangkok Post : Troops hammer out ceasefire

Bangkok Post : Troops hammer out ceasefire

This is a photo that I took a few years ago at the Preah Vihear temple showing an aged field gun, probably from when the Khmer Rouge holed up there in their latter days.

Thank goodness that they have a last seen some sense and negotiated a ceasefire. There have been too many lives lost already on both sides of the border in this meaningless conflict.

Emerald Golf Course, Banchang, Thailand

Flickr Tags: Thailand,golf

I promised to post a picture of the Emerald golf course in Banchang following my game there yesterday. As you can see this is a typical links course with rolling fairways and lush green grass with a mountainous back drop. It really is a pleasure to play here if only to take in the magnificent scenery.

Background:

The Emerald is a genuine country golf course with excellent course conditions and quality services. Its clubhouse and other facilities are by no means excessively luxurious, but full of warmth and friendliness in the tradition of the Thai rural lifestyle. The emerald course  is a veritable work of art by two well-know golf architects. "Nick Faldo" and the late "Desmond Muirhead" The18-hole world-class design is carved through a pristine rain forest of full-grown trees that still provide sanctuary to a variety of native birds. The gentle, yet stunning contours of the fairways, the volcanic-like greens and the subtle water placements all combine to make the Emerald one the most challenging golf courses in Thailand.

The greens are some of the most difficult that I have ever played, so if you ever play there make sure you spend a day at the range practicing your putting.

Choke - D bar Jomtien beach road. Thailand

Choke-D means good luck in Thai, so the good luck bar! 
Here is one of my favourite restaurants on Jomtien beach front. It’s called the Choke-D bar and it offers delicious local Thai food dishes. Good quality food at very reasonable prices. The bar overlooks Jomtien beach, which is literally just across the road.
The owner is a skilled wind surfer, so runs a wind surfing club from the bar, so there is something for everybody. I guess that he must be pretty good at it because he always seems to be busy teaching the tourists.