Thailand Voice

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…

Well, about a few weeks back it was my turn, the first in years actually, to do a visa run to Vientiane, Laos. And I did the visa run on my own and not with some over-priced Visa Run trip company. Thinking back, the…

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…

People are already planning their holidays in Thailand for 2010 and so we thought we would help out by letting you know the dates of the main events and holidays. I know so many people keep asking “When is Loy Krathong…

Look, but don’t touch – these Thailand ‘pretty girls’ could be on a scammer) Once known as the Land of Smiles, pitiable Thailand is now turning into the world’s most infamous Land of Scams – and this year in particular we have been inundated again and again and…

Well, just a short while back I decided on the spur of the moment to pack our bags and get a short flight to somewhere…… and that somewhere was to be Penang Island in Malaysia. The wife, Su, and I went to Hong Kong over the Songkran holidays in April, …

Over this weekend, Bangkok is holding its first Civil Aviation Exhibition and Air Show at Don Mueang Airport. Their aim is threefold: to promote and support Thailand’s aviation industry, the recruitment of aviation personnel, and to promote flying as a sport to Thai people. The exhibition is split into two areas. The …

A glittering temple, a white chedi, and a giant sitting Buddha on the top of a little hill just 20 minutes outside Chiang Mai – this sight is very familiar for anyone who regularly does visa runs. Wat Phra That Doi Saket …

“He fought like a man so he could become a woman” – Still from the Thai movie Beautiful Boxer Thailand here has many-a glorious site to feast ones eyes on, besides just a million temples, two million taxis and three million noodle soup stalls we have the one…

Transfer passengers at Suvarnabhumi Airport will now be able to choose between a range of tours if they have at least six hours to spare before they need to catch their next plane. Paknam Web was invited over to the airport this …

The Nation has the news that 2 million illegal migrant workers will be allowed to stay in Thailand until February 2010 when they will need to register legally to remain. Illegal immigrants are not just a problem for the West, Thailand is plagued with illegal immigrants … Read full story >>>

Think before you drink, before you write…. The average Thai village girl looks upon a visit to the big city shopping mall as a rare treat, window shopping, a low cost meal and a discounted sale bargain being the order of the day. An iced coffee … Read full story >>>

We found an excellent restaurant whilst out and about in Central Lad Phrao in Bangkok. If you ever find yourself on the on Prahon Yothin road, you can't miss the huge King Power Complex about mid way down. It's one of Bangkok's newest one-stop duty free shopping destinations for… Read full story >>>

Bangkok Post : Police have arrested a Briton in Bangkok’s red light district who has been eight months on the run after allegedly embezzling US$150 million from a company in Dubai, police said on Thursday. Michael Bryan Smith, 43, was arrested in the Nana area on Wednesday night after authorities in the United… Read full story >>>

In February when there is a furore over whether Commerce Minister Pornthiva had been denied a visa, but the more important issue as flagged at the time was how the Democrats had given Bhum Jai Thai the Commerce Ministry, but were taking away it powers: However, … Read full story >>>

Some news stories about Aung San Suu Kyi and John Yettaw: Reuters : “ Critics hit Myanmar on “trumped-up” Suu Kyi charges ” YANGON (Reuters) – Western critics slammed Myanmar’s military rulers for pressing “trumped-up” new charges against detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi , but the move… Read full story >>>

Big Willy Yes, that’s a poster for the reality-TV comedy movie Saranair Haao Peng at the Marche du Film in Cannes. Sahamongkol must’ve brought it, thinking that gun-toting Willy McIntosh and his crew of crying, angry comedians will be an eye-catcher and rack up … Read full story >>>

Yes I am now going to display my naivety as a ‘wet around the ears’ Thai newbie, who all you more experienced travelling folk can poke fun at with your superior worldly knowledge. Cambodian border VISA run yesterday, … BANGKOK TO GET IKEA STORE, AT LAST The Bangkok Post reports today that Thailand will … Read full story >>>

Yes I am now going to display my naivety as a 'wet around the ears' Thai newbie, who all you more experienced travelling folk can poke fun at with your superior worldly knowledge. Cambodian border VISA run yesterday, drove 4 hours to the Cambodian border at Aranya Prathet in Sra Kaew province for the 3 … Read full story >>>

The Day of Vesak, or Visakha Puja, falls on the full moon day of the sixth lunar month, coinciding with May 8 this year. About 2,000 Buddhist leaders from all over the world have joined an International Buddhist Conference on the United Nations Day of Vesak in Thailand, scheduled for May 4-6. Visakha Puja commemorates the birth …

Visakha Puja commemorates the birth of the Buddha, his attainment of enlightenment, and his passing away. An extraordinary aspect of the occasion is that the three incidents took place on the same day but different years. The Buddha attained enlightenment at the age of 35 and passed away at the age of 80. He spent 45 years…

Personally, even as a humanist and doubter, it is my favorite Buddhist holy day: Visakha Puja . It’s the day you see the local temples overflow with people of all walks of life and ages. The day in the year that shows an alive and … Read full story >>>

Visakha Bucha Day is the most important day in the Buddhist calendar. It marks the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha which all happened on the full moon of the sixth lunar month. All around Thailand, Buddhists will be going to their …

Crispin* has a post for CPJ on the media being caught in the middle of the Thai political crisis. Key excerpts: Thaksin and UDD leaders hotly contested that official account, claiming in interviews with international media, including the BBC and CNN, that many protesters were shot, killed, and hauled… Read full story >>>

Glorious kingdom. Today’s news alert by ThaiVisa  contained three teasers leading to stories, well … Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra was right on target in the recent Spiegel interview when he assured that “in Thailand, the law of the jungle prevails.”… Read full story >>>

A couple tourists have died from something on Phi Phi island in Krabi province – more possibly than are being publicized according to one commenter on the story at ThaiVisa forum. Mystery illness kills foreign tourists on Phi Phi Thursday, May 7, 2009 KRABI: Two foreign tourists have mysteriously died and two others are seriously Read full story >>>

Tomorrow (May 8th) will be Visakha Bucha day, which is a public holiday in Thailand. The day, which has been recognised by the United Nations since 1999, marks three events in the life of the historical Buddha which are believed to have occurred on the same day – the full moon of Read full story >>>

It looks like some news agencies and blogger’s are starting to take notice. Thank you to Rex for sending me this most recent article. Latest: Phi Phi ‘Poisoning’ Kills Two Tourists – Phuket Wan There are more articles out there too. Please visit the following links and keep the story alive … Read full story >>>

The other day I went out and bought a new printer for school. I wanted to have my own printer as it is just so much easier and convenient. I bought a basic ink jet, a Canon Pixma iP 1980. I … Read full story >>>

One year on from Cyclone Nargis and the figures are pretty disturbing: half a million people without proper housing, 350,000 still requiring food aid from the World Food Program and incomes down about 50 percent on pre-cyclone figures. The first anniversary of Nargis, which killed almost 140,000 people in the Ayeyarwady Delta … Read full story >>>