More trouble on the Thai/Cambodian border

Provinces Near Thai-Cambodian Border Brace for Possible Tensions
Villagers residing along the Thai–Cambodian border have been notified of an immediate evacuation plan, for fear of possible fresh clashes, after Thailand's withdrawal from the World Heritage Convention.
Meanwhile, the Region 2 Army commander has reaffirmed troop readiness for combat.

Region 2 Army Commander, Lieutenant General Tawatchai Samutsakhon, along with Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Governor Rapee Phongbupakit, local Red Cross members and business people, visited the 26th Army Ranger Company in Surin's Phanom Dongrak District to give cash aid to families of military officers and volunteer rangers who were killed on duty in clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border, to boost their morale.
Tawatchai said the Army is reorganizing troops for combat and has prepared reinforcements as well as emergency plans.
He added that both Thai and Cambodian troops are in constant communication, and relations remain normal.
There have been no additional reinforcements on the Thai side, but soldiers have been instructed to be on high alert.
In Buriram Province, Provincial Governor Thanee Samartkit has urged the military, police, and other security agencies in Baan Kruad and Laharnsai districts to step up safety measures and surveillance along the border, to prevent possible clashes.
Most recently, there have been reports of mysterious gunfire from the Cambodian side, but no mobilization of troops or weapons was seen at the border.
Thanee said the Comptroller's General Department is considering a budget for the construction of bunkers at border villagers in the two districts.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-29

Blogger Labels: Thai,Cambodian,Border,evacuation,Thailand,Heritage,Provinces

Wheels of China 5

 

OK so from the old to the new. Here are the spectacular Chinese high speed trains

These trains have achieved speeds of 480 Km’s per hour in testing and are now running on the new tracks between the two most important cities in China, Beijing and Shanghai. They were initially going to be run at speeds of 350 Km’s per hour, but this has been reduced to 300 Km’s and hour for safety reasons.

The distance between the two cities is around 1300 Km’s and this will be achieved in 4 hours 48 minutes. The cost of the trip depends on which class you take, but comes in at a basic 410 RMB, around 40 GBP

This mode of transport ha really put the pressure on the domestic airlines as it is faster and cheaper, so the price war rages on.

I hope to try this high speed train journey at some point so I will let you know how it goes.

Blogger Labels: High speed train,China,Chinese,Shanghai

Rawai, Phuket, Thailand

Just a really nice picture of the boats moored on Rawai beach, Phuket Thailand

Well I think so anyway and I wish I was there. Dream on!

Blogger Labels: Rawai,Phuket,Thailand,beach,boats

Chinese electric cycle

This is probably the most common form of transport after the push bike. These things are deadly at a thousand yards, they are quick and totally silent. I was hit by one whilst crossing the road and never heard a thing. Of course the rider did not stop, as he was driving the wrong way down the road. they are now being banned from the cities in most of China. my leg hurt like hell by the way.

Blogger Labels: Chinese,cycle,bike,China

Another Chinese sign

 

By the time I had worked out what it meant I was sat on my arse on the bathroom floor.

Blogger Labels: sign,Chinese,bathroom

Chinese Lions

Here is a very impressive Granite lion standing guard at the gates of a factory that I visited today. It makes a nice change from the usual Chinese dragons.

Blogger Labels: Chinese,Granite,gates

The wheels of China 4

 

This one is a classic all purpose vehicle. The are loads of these on the roads carrying anything from people to cabbages and condoms.

I guess you they are also used to take the family out for the day at the weekend, but not too sure about the helmet on this easy rider.

Blogger Labels: China,vehicle,roads,helmet,rider

Chinese hotel sign

Nothing like accommodating a foreigner, so they say!

Blogger Labels: Chinese,hotel,foreigner

The wheels of China 3

Here is a motorized version of the Rickshaw, Just the thing for a family day out and not so hard on the legs.

Blogger Labels: travel,transport,China,Rickshaw

The wheels of China 2

This is the standard peddle bike ‘Rickshaw’. The thing that I have noticed about these is that although they seem to be very popular for short journeys, the drivers all seem to be over 60 years old, so very slow going, but a cheap and cheerful way to travel.

This guy in the picture is an exception to the rule.

 

 

Blogger Labels: China,bike,Rickshaw

The wheels of China

I have been in China for two weeks now and never ceased to be amazed by the many modes of transport. It is with this in mind that I will post pictures of the ‘wheels of china” I will add more when I come across them.

The first one is referred to as a ‘Rabbit’ by the Chinese and holds up to around 4 people, as I have seen so far. Maybe you could get two Western sized people in at a push, if they breathed in!

 

Blogger Labels: China,Rabbit,Chinese,Western

Buddha Mountain,

 

Information

There are probably as many Buddha images in Thailand as there are people. As Thailand's population is 60 million, this makes for a lot of Buddha’s: rare is the day when you don't see one. Usually their effect on you is exactly what their creators must have intended. Regarding the Buddha's shapely body and serene pose, his Mona Lisa-like smile, and his slightly sleepy eyes, you are transported temporarily to the outskirts of Nirvana, the place where no wind blows.

Imagine, then, the effect of regarding the largest Buddha image in the world, located just outside of Pattaya, Thailand.

Unlike most Buddha images, the largest is not a statue, but a cliff face inlaid with gold leaf in the outline of a sitting, Sukhothai-era Buddha. It is 130 meters tall, 70 meters wide, and can be seen from miles away. The image and mountain are alternately referred to as "Buddha Mountain", Khao Chee Chan, or "Phra Phuttha Maha Vachira Utta Mopas Sasada".

This is really something to see and should be on everyone’s list when visiting the Pattaya area.

Labels: Buddha,Mountain,Thailand,Nirvana,Pattaya,statue,gold,Sukhothai,Phra,Vachira

Fujian Province, China

 

As I was walking to the restaurant last night I noticed this sign on a jewelry shop front. I think they maybe lost something in translation here.

Blogger Labels: Fujian,Province,China,restaurant,jewelry,shop

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