Thailand Voice

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…

Thousands of red shirt supporters from Samut Prakan, 30 kms south of Bangkok, make the long journey into Bangkok on 14th March to join the rally in Bangkok. They went on foot, by motorcycle, on the back of pick-up trucks and in …

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 …

In Tak, in northern Thailand, there is a shrine and statue for King Taksin the Great (1734-1782). He is not only the most famous native of this province, but he is heroically known for expelling the Burmese from Thailand after the defeat and subsequent destruction of Ayutthaya in 1767. …

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 …

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…

(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 …

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, …

On Sunday, we went for an enjoyable bicycle ride in Bangkok. At first glance, this would sound like a crazy idea. But, it is amazing that after only a short boat ride across the Chao Phraya River, we were surrounded by lush green vegetation and almost complete silence. In fact, for most of the…

The central province of Suphan Buri, about 107 kilometers from Bangkok by car, is holding its major cultural event, “Don Chedi Memorial and Red Cross Fair,” from now until February 1. The two-week fair takes place in the Don Chedi Memorial compound in Don …

One of the amazing sights in Pattaya is this gigantic wooden palace which dominates the landscape alongside the sea. The highest point reaches 105 meters high. Practically every inch, both inside and outside is covered with exquisite wooden carvings. It has taken them years to build…

It was a year ago now that I first visited the tranquil little village of Baan Nam Khong and enjoyed gliding from tree to tree with the amazing Jungle Flight adventure. I got a chance to fly again last weekend and try out the longest, fastest and…

On reading the title, most of you are probably wondering “Who the heck is she?” Well, she was one of Thailand’s most well-known farang names during the early to mid 1990’s; a name that was highly controversial, but in the stupidest way possible (She even has her very own Wikipedia entry). So, who was…

Phra Pathom Chedi is located in Muang District, Nakhon Pathom Province, 56 kilometers west of Bangkok. The pagoda is the largest structure of its kind in Thailand. It rises more than 120 meters into the air with the radius of the base of 233.50 meters. The present chedi was built in the reign of King Rama IV to…

When I first came to Thailand fifteen years ago there wasn’t really that much in the way of English media. All we had at the time were two national newspapers in English and a few programmes on television if we tuned in to …

Some of the best orchids in the world can be found in Thailand. They grow here easily and can also be bought at a good price. However, with over 1,000 species of orchids in Thailand the price can vary from cheap to extremely expensive. If you are interested in flowers or like taking pictures, …

Thai soldiers stand guard during an operation to repatriate thousands of ethnic Hmong asylum-seekers to Laos, at the Ban Huay Nam Khao camp in Phetchabun province, about 416 km (258 miles) northeast of Bangkok December 28, 2009. The Thai army began the forced repatriation of thousands of ethnic Hmong asylum-seekers…

One of the most spectacular cultural shows in Bangkok is undoubtedly at Siam Niramit: Journey to the Enchanted Kingdom of Siam. So many people had been talking about it on the Paknam Web Forums that I thought that I should make an…

One of the most ambitious plans for a tourist attraction in Samut Prakan Province is the 139 meter high tower that will give fine views of the Gulf of Thailand. The plan for the tower has been around for a while and for the past few years it seems it had been put on hold…

Today, people from all around the country are coming together to celebrate the 82nd birthday of H.M. The King. Many of them are wearing pink which is an auspicious colour believed to help make the King better. The Thai monarch has been in Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok since 19th September for …

Tomorrow is the 82nd Birthday for H.M. The King. In past years, most Thai people would wear yellow in honour of His Majesty. In Bangkok there would be a sea of yellow. However, after the PAD hijacked the colour yellow and forever took it away from representing His Majesty…

Samut Prakan was built as a frontier town to protect the approach to Bangkok upriver. Fortresses were built on both sides of the river from the estuary all the way up to Phra Pradaeng. Not many of these forts are around today. They are either in ruins …

Pang Yok, a six-year-old elephant at Nongnuch Garden Resort in Pattaya wields a skillful trunk to paint a portrait of His Majesty the King and the words “Rak Por”. This was just the rehearsal: She’ll repeat the performance for the public …

This year I have been to several Loy Krathong Festivals. The first was Loy Krathong Jay which was held back in October during the Vegetarian Festival. Then the normal Loy Krathong during the full moon of November. Then, this weekend I went to …

Cambodian police officials patrol in front of the Thai embassy building in Phnom Penh on November 5, 2009. Thailand recalled its ambassador to Cambodia on November 5, after Phnom Penh gave a job to fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, further raising tensions between the countries. (Getty Images) Prasas Prasavinitchai, Thailand …

About 30 wives of foreign diplomats in Thailand went on a trip to Petrified Wood Museum, silk factory, pottery community, and Prasat Hin Phimai in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. (manager.co.th) More Thailand pictures can be found at www.ThaiPhotoBlogs.com .

Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand is seen here changing the cloth of the Emerald Buddha to mark the start of the cool season, November 3, 2009. (Matichon) More Thailand pictures can be found at www.ThaiPhotoBlogs.com .

Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej (2nd L) lights a candle to a krathong before floating the krathong onto a river during the Loy Krathong festival at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok November 2, 2009. Believers float krathongs during the festival, which is held as…

Ai Haruna, 37, from Japan, celebrates after winning the Miss International Queen 2009 transsexual beauty pageant in the Thai resort city of Pattaya, about 150 km (93 miles) southeast of Bangkok October 31, 2009. (Reuters) Miss International Queen 2009 Haruna Ai of Japan (C), flanked by first runner-up Kangsadal Wongdusadeekul of Thailand (R) and second runner-up Daniela…