Thailand Voice

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 …

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…

Along with having its own alphabet that’s used for the national language Thailand also has its own symbols for numeric digits. They are not used much in normal communication or commerce – the Western system is much more common. Here are the digits from zero to… Read full story >>>

On my recent visit to Bangkok I took the chance of a free day to wander around the area between the Democracy Monument on Rajdamnern Avenue and the Giant Swing at Wat Suthat. I spent most of the time on Bamrungmuang Road because I wanted to explore the shops which… Read full story >>>

Don Sambandaraksa in the Bangkok Post: Article 237, holding party executives liable for their actions and calling for party dissolution if they turn a blind eye to fraud, might sound draconian, but let me ask, is it that different from the various compliance rules we in the IT Read full story >>>

Mizuno Kosuke and Pasuk Phongpaichit, eds., Populism in Asia . Singapore : NUS Press in association with Kyoto University Press, 2009. Pp. xii, 228; ill., map. The logistics for this innovative volume were overseen by collaborators from Thammasat University in Bangkok and the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Kyoto University… Read full story >>>

Over at East Asia Forum there is a short essay I wrote late last year on Thailand in 2009. It also canvasses, very briefly, the country’s prospects for 2010.  I conclude that: …some of the many contradictions, inconsistencies and hypocrisies of Thailand’s … Read full story >>>

I woke up early on New Year’s Day morning. I had nothing to do and I remembered that there is one train a day from Bangkok to the beach resort of Pattaya (พัทยา). On the spur of the moment I decided to take a day trip to the… Read full story >>>

Years ago when men living in the furthest eastern parts of Isan planned to travel west, they would say they were “going Thai”. This was when the country was still known as Siam, so what they meanjt was that they were going to where the … Read full story >>>

Many Buddhist Temples in Thailand will have at least one Bodhi tree and where you find a Bodhi tree you will often see long sticks with a V shaped end which are known as Mai Kam ไม้ค้ำ. It appears that these… Read full story >>>

In an post last week, BP briefly mentioned an op-ed by former Senator Chirmsak Pinthong in Naew Na which Privy Councillor Prem had apparently stated was a “must-read”. PPT has helpfully summarized the op-ed and has added their own comments to it. BP: Don’t have too much to add to… Read full story >>>

This blog certainly does critique The Nation at times, but when some of their conduct is so blatant well it is necessary. Now, there is another instance of what is, at best, called unprofessional behavior. This involves the copying of of sentences by The Nation from the Phnom Penh Post. The Phnom… Read full story >>>

Bangkok Taxi Driver ID All licensed Bangkok taxis require the driver to post an identity card like this on the dashboard. It also shows the toll-free number of the Passenger Protection Centre – 1584. It’s a good idea to remember (or take … Read full story >>>

Flying home to see family for Christmas. Booked a flight with Egypt Air on Lastminute, cheapest one I could get (pushing 600 quid). As I usually fly with Etihad I thought it a good oppo to see how another airline compares. In short, Egypt … Read full story >>>

I received this email today: Please share your happiness and good time with “Khun Da Torpido” by sending her a card for the coming Christmas and New Year of 2010. You can send a card via a regular mail service to Khun Da at: PO. BOX 58 , P.N.S.(P… Read full story >>>

Girls wanted … by expat. Well that’s a pretty familiar theme in Thailand of course, but one apparently bewildered farang is in need of a whole bundle of Thai girls; at least according to this appeal he’s placed on the internet: “Could anybody give me any pointers of how to recruit Bar Staff… Read full story >>>

Camellia Here’s another find from my ancient Flickr history that I’d completely forgotten. I used to live in Santa Clara, California. It’s a small city about 70km south of San Francisco. It is famous for a few things including having an excellent private university . The Camellia Society … Read full story >>>

Canon MP610 Printer in its Box Further to this post about my Canon printer problems: I have no choice but to take my Canon MP610 All-in-One printer back to Canon for servicing. I hoped I could buy a new print head and install it myself. But… Read full story >>>

Have already blogged about the idea of autonomy for the Deep South when Chavalit raised the issue here, the idea of a referendum here… Read full story >>>

Poor Gen Surayud Chullanont. He was only trying to be nice and accommodating to reporters. But when some newspapers ran a headline saying he was ready to talk to Thaksin Shinawatr, things got badly exaggerated. I did listen to the interview. The former premier and present privy councillor He was asked by a … Read full story >>>

Bangkok University has a new poll (Thai version here and Bangkok Post story here). Have adapted from the Bangkok University version although have made some changes for style, format, and content to reflect what the poll states.Sur… Read full story >>>

http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/telecom/29341/bts-dear-oil-driving-traffic This article in the Bangkok Post (Thailand’s major English-language newspaper) has two interesting snippets of information: 1. “BTS has ordered 48 new Chinese-made trains worth US$70 million. The new carriages will enter… Read full story >>>

Recently, blogged on this excerpt from a Wassana Nanuam story in the Bangkok Pos… Read full story >>>

On the north side of Asok Skytrain Station on Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok used to be some car showrooms for Ford and Volvo vehicles. They were demolished about two years ago. The site is being redeveloped as the Terminal 21 office, condo and shopping centre. Reportedly it will be a 42 storey tower … Read full story >>>

Thai people like eating bugs and in Thailand there are many species of edible insects. Eating bugs like Mengdah, whilst unsavoury to some people, is very healthy as many are high in protein. Mengdah (แมงดา) or Mengdah nah is a giant water bug used to belong … Read full story >>>

Here’s an interview with the man who claims to be behind the BNE graffiti and stickers.  See http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09bne.html . They are common in Bangkok. I suspect there may be many copycats who use the same initials in… Read full story >>>

Somewhere I read of parties thrown overseas to deliberately get the swine flu in the hopes of becoming immunized. Well, somehow I managed to come down with the flu without a party. Actually not me alone. My wife showed her first symptoms a few hours after mine started. Yes, it seems… Read full story >>>

Expat Blogs are the best Guide to Thailand ever written. Expat blogs are a bit like mini Wikipedias with attitude and personality. Virtually every subject of interest is covered from news and current affairs, places of interest, humour, Religion and Politics to rural life, nature and food. Read full story >>>

I just remembered I have a photo of the computer book section at Chula Books from a visit in July. I am sure photography is not allowed there, but nobody caught me. Please don’t tell! Computer Section at Chula Books Some of the books in the foreground are interesting. They… Read full story >>>

Rarely plagiarizing blogs have some good effects, but in this case it helped me to reread an article where I missed an interesting point at first reading months ago. The Huai Hee village blog copied an article without giving any sources, and as I vaguely remembered the maps included and also… Read full story >>>