Thailand Voice

Supporters of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra break the police line to pour human blood in front of the Democrat Party headquarters in Bangkok March 16, 2010. (Reuters) A Brahman Priest performs a religious ritual in the pool of human blood poured in front of the Democrat Party headquarters in Bangkok March 16, 2010. (Reuters) …

Thai riot soldiers holding army shields take part in a practice at the Government House in Bangkok March 16, 2010. Tens of thousands of protesters pressed ahead with a mass rally in Bangkok on Tuesday, some expressing frustration that four days of peaceful protests had …

Supporters of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra donate blood during a gathering in Bangkok March 16, 2010. Anti-government protesters will collect one million cubic centimetres of blood to pour outside the Government House in Bangkok, in a symbolic move to denounce the government as part of their demonstration to call …

Scouting was first introduced in Thailand on July 1st 1911 by King Rama VI. Thailand was the third country in the world to take up Scouting. It is also believed to have the largest Scout membership among all countries around the world. This is because Scouting is part of the school curriculum and is compulsory…

Over the past few days, the red shirts have been streaming into Bangkok to join the protest site on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue. On Sunday the red shirts from Samut Prakan came together to join the protest. The local red shirt radio had been broadcasting for several days…

Supporters of deposed Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra take part in a rally at Victory Monument in Bangkok on March 12, 2010. Tens of thousands of supporters of Shinawatra began to mass in their trademark red shirts ahead of weekend protests in Bangkok aimed at toppling the government. …

A fisherman works on his fish farm on a partially dry reservoir on the Mekong River during a drought affecting the Thai-Lao border area of Wiang Kaen district, Chiang Rai province, north of Bangkok March 11, 2010. Severe drought has hit Southeast Asian…

The Thai government over the past few years have been so focussed on first the yellow shirts and then the red shirts that hardly anyone has noticed the rampant increase of drug use in Thailand. It is almost getting to epidemic proportions …

It is probably not a good idea to venture outside at the moment if you are living in some areas of Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lumpoon, Maehongson, Nan, Phayao and Chiang Mai due to the bad air quality. You should also consider wearing face masks in Chachoengsao, Nonthaburi, Samut…

Thai Muslim villagers look at birds in cages during in a bird-singing contest in Yala province, about 1,100 km (683 miles) south of Bangkok March 7, 2010. About 6,000 birds took part in the competition. (Reuters) Thai Muslim villagers look at birds in cages during in a bird-singing contest in Yala province, about 1,100 …

A few days ago, a user called “musicxpresso” put up for sale on ebay a wanted poster for Thaksin and his wife for a mere 99 cents. The photo showed the massive banner used as the backdrop for one of the yellow shirts stages while they occupied the Government House area. However, if you read…

Khan Kluay was a smash hit Thai cartoon when it was first released in Thailand in May 2006. It was the first Thai cartoon made at international standard and did very well in the domestic market. The little blue elephant, called Khan Kluay, was very popular with Thai children of all ages. I know…

Parachutists from the Thai Air Force board a U.S. aircraft, the C-17 Globemaster III, during a parachute jumping training session as part of the “Cope Tiger 2010″ joint Air Force exercise at Royal Thai Air Force headquarters in Bangkok March 3, 2010. About 1,600 soldiers from three…

One of the most important events in the Thai Buddhist calendar is Makha Bucha Day (sometimes spelled Magha Puja). It takes place on the full moon day of the third lunar month which is usually late February or early March. This year it was today, 28th February 2010. Like many…

This morning I drove over to the 100 Year Market at Klong Suan on the border between Samut Prakan and Chachoengsao. They were having their second annual market fair which will take place this long weekend during the Makha Bucha holiday. Mr. Surachai Kanasa, the Governor of Samut …

Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is all smiles during a televised news conference at government house Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010 in Bangkok. Supporters of populist former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra denounced a court order to seize US$1.4 billion of his assets, and vowed Saturday to pursue a nonviolent struggle for what …

Deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is shown on a large screen during a teleconference to his supporters at the Pheu Thai Party building in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, Feb. 26. 2010. Thailand’s highest court prepared Friday to rule on whether Thaksin should lose part of his…

The tension is rising in Thailand as we have now started the countdown to Judgement Day on Friday 26th February 2010. The red shirts have already started their protests though so far the yellow shirts have decided to stay at home. If that is true…

Supporters of former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra sit on a main road during a rally outside the Bangkok Bank headquarters in Bangkok February 19, 2010. The protesters said that the Bangkok Bank has a close relationship with Privy Council chairman Prem Tinsulanonda who has been accused of masterminding…

Competitors take part in ox-cart races in Thailand’s Phetchaburi province some 130 km (81 miles) south of Bangkok, February 16, 2010. The annual event, which locals date back to the time of King Rama V, is a recreational activity for local farmers during post harvest…

The grounds of a Buddhist temple in Thailand have a variety of buildings of all shapes and sizes. At first glance their use might seem to be random. But, there is one building, called the “phra ubosot” which is not only the most sacred but also has distinguishing features that makes it …

Bride Rattanaporn Supha, left, and groom Nitiphong Jittahorg of Thailand hold a bouquet of flowers as they are suspended on sling wires during a ceremony, known as a ‘flying wedding,’ as part of Valentine’s Day celebrations in Prachinburi province…

Traditionally, in Thailand, when a Buddhist dies, their body is cremated and then the bones and ashes are collected and are either kept at the temple or at home or sometimes both. However, there is a third option which is seemingly becoming more popular these days. It is called “loi angkarn” which means the…

(The crime scene of almost every Farang ‘murder’ in Pattaya – the infamous Pattaya hotel balcony) As a Farang in Thailand we have all heard some of the most laughable quack-wack Thailand myths: ladyboys who have coaxed clients back to their rooms only to drug ‘em and cut out …

A U.S. Marine eats a scorpion during a jungle survival exercise with the Thai Navy, as part of the “Cobra Gold 2010″ (CG10) joint military exercise, at a military base in Chon Buri Province February 9, 2010. About 14,073 soldiers from six countries, …

Undoubtedly the most spectacular Chinese temple I have seen in Thailand is Wat Boromracha Kanchanapisek Anusorn in Nonthaburi Province just north-west of Bangkok. I would say it also rivals anything I saw even in China. Parts of the temple reminded me of the Forbidden Palace. This temple, in Bang Bua Thong District, …

Supporters of the New Orleans Saints NFL football club cheer their go ahead touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL Super Bowl XLIV game party at the Roadhouse Bar in Bangkok, Thailand, early Monday, Feb. 8, 2010. The Saints went on to defeat the Colts 31-17 to win the NFL Super Bowl 44. (AP) Football…

Even for those who have never stepped a foot in the Land of Noodle Soup & Nose Jobs, chances are they’ve heard some classic Thailand myth worthy of an editorial column in the most sensational European tabloid. So worthy actually, …

A South Korean Marine rides on an amphibious assault vehicle before it touches the ground during a joint military exercise codenamed Cobra Gold at Hat Yao beach in Rayong province, eastern Thailand Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010. Besides Thailand and the United States, this year’s annual exercise, in its 29th year, also…