7/31/2008
Koh Tao,Thailand Travel Guide
Ko Tao (also often Koh Tao, , lit. "Turtle Island") is an island in Thailand located near the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand. It covers an area of about 21 km². Administratively it forms a tambon within the district (Amphoe) Ko Pha Ngan of Surat Thani Province. As of 2006 it's official population number in 1382. The main settlement is Ban Mae Hat.
The economy of the island is almost exclusively centered around tourism, especially scuba diving.
Ko Tao was named by its first settlers for the island's turtle-like geographic shape. Coincidentally, the island is an important breeding ground for Hawksbill turtles and Green turtles. Development of tourism has negatively impacted the health of these grounds but a breeding program organised in 2004 by the Royal Thai Navy and KT-DOC, a coalition of local scuba diving centres has reintroduced hundreds of juvenile turtles to the island's ecosystem.
History
Initially the island was not inhabited, there was only the occasional fisherman from the neighboring islands, looking for shelter in a storm or just taking a break before continuing his tiresome journey.
It would appear from old maps (1600-1850) and descriptions that this island was known as "Pulo Bardia". The best example is a map by John Thornton dated 1685. Page 383 of 'The Edinburgh Gazetteer, or Geographical Dictionary' (1822) also mentions the island and provides a geographical position. In his book titled "Narrative of a residence at the capital of the Kingdom of Siam" by Frederick Arthur Neale (1852 p.120) he describes the people and wildlife of Bardia. According to the account there were farms and even cows in a village on the bay lying to the west side of the island - (probably Sairee?). The book includes a fanciful illustration of 'Bardia' showing huts and palm trees.
On June 18, 1899 King Chulalongkorn visited Ko Tao and left as evidence his monogram on a huge boulder at Jor Por Ror bay next to Sairee Beach. This place is still worshiped today.
In 1933 the island started to be used as a political prison. In 1947 Khuang Abhaiwongse, prime minister at that time, pleaded and received a royal pardon for all prisoners on the island. Everybody was taken to the shore of Surat Thani and Ko Tao was abandoned again.
In the same year Khun Uaem and his brother Khun Oh reached Ko Tao from the neighboring Ko Phangan by trying out their traditional sail boat, for that time a quite long and dangerous journey. Even though the island was still under royal patronage, it did not stop these pioneers claiming themselves a good part of the land on today's Sairee beach. Having brought their families over, they began to cultivate and harvest the excellent soil, forming the first generation of the present-day community. They lived a simple and tough life harvesting coconuts, fishing and growing vegetables, which were also traded with Ko Phangan. Despite the difficulties in reaching the island, the population grew steadily.
In the 1980s the first travelers discovered Ko Tao and their special backpacker network quickly made it widely known and a popular destination. As a consequence, bigger, faster and safer boats were used to allow easier access to Ko Tao. In the 1990s the island finally became known as a diving site.
Tourism
The island is well known for scuba diving and snorkeling, and also offers some hiking. The most popular place for tourists is Sairee on the West coast, which has a white sandy beach of 1.7 km interrupted only by a few huge boulders and a scattering of medium budget resorts and restaurants. A multitude of beautiful granite boulders, which nestle both in the forests and on the beaches of Koh Tao, attract a growing number of climbers who visit each year to enjoy the adventurous aspect of there sport. There is a web site for climbers: www.zengecko.com
Ko Tao is less developed than Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan, but has become increasingly popular especially with the mid-20's backpacker crowd in search of relatively inexpensive scuba diving certification.
As of December 2005, Ko Tao had about 150 resorts offering accommodation and approximately 50 bars/clubs. Most of the resorts are still bungalow-style, not hotel/resort style. As of 2007 there is a trend to more upmarket resorts which do not concentrate singularly on diving. Free WIFI is provided in increasing numbers and even the first sailing charter company on Ko Tao has opened.
Diving conditions have deteriorated tremendously over time because of large crowds of divers and the uncontrolled environmental development of the island.
Koh Tao is increasingly becoming a mecca for game fishermen on a budget. Species targeted include marlin, sailfish, king mackerel, cobia, baracuda, trevally and snapper.
Koh Tao is also turning its hand to the environmental side of the equation. With a large number of dive schools and an ever increasing number of tourist traffic a few local operators are looking to change the environmental consciousness of locals and travellers alike.
Transportation
With few exceptions, almost all roads on Ko Tao are dirt roads and generally are in poor shape. However, new roads are being paved at a quick rate. 95% of all traffic on the island is motorbike, with mopeds and dirt bikes being the main mode of transport. Motor bike accidents are the most common injury on the island. Poor roads, sand, reckless taxi drivers and drunkenness are all a factor.
Ko Tao is serviced by ferry services from Surat Thani (4 to 9 hours) (only night boats), Chumphon (1.5 to 3 hours), Ko Samui (4 hours) and Ko Pha Ngan (2.5 hours). All ferries dock at Ban Mae Haad.
Ko Tao has no airport.
( Wikipedia.org )
7/29/2008
Travel to Koh Chang,Trat Thailand
Ko Chang also Koh Chang is the second largest island of Thailand, located on the Thai east coast 310 km away from Bangkok near the border to Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand. The name means Elephant Island. It is a mountainous island with several waterfalls and rainforest. The island is part of the Mu Ko Chang Marine National Park. During World War II, Ko Chang was the scene of a naval battle between the Royal Thai Navy and a Vichy France squadron, in which the Thais were decisively beaten.
Until the mid-1980s the infrastructure on the island was undeveloped, but tourism has increased significantly since then. Around the year 2000, malaria was eradicated, the area became a national park (and began charging entry fees). The island now receives 655,000 visitors annually, about two thirds of them Thai. The Chang islands are one of the few places with virgin forest, but the mad rush to cash in on tourism has had a heavy toll on its virgin forests. Land prices have skyrocketed, there are also beautiful if not high end resorts now popping up all over the island.
The island is about 30 km long and almost 14 km wide, totaling 217 km². The national marine park covers of 650 km² of which 70 % is offshore. The interior of the island is mountainous, covered by tropical rain forest. The highest elevation measuring 743m is Khao Salak Phet. There are plenty of sandy beaches on the island, dotted with hotels and resorts.
The west coast settlements of Hat Sai Khao, Hat Kai Mook and Hat Ta Nam attract most of the tourists. The village of Laem Bang Bao on the south coast is also a favored destination. There is a single road linking the west coast. The remaining roads on the west coast have a high gradient, while the topography of the east coast prohibits roads. Most buildings are wooden stilt houses. The island is mostly reached by a ferry departing from Laem Ngop near Trat.
The island forms a district (Amphoe) in the province of Trat. It was formed on April 30 1994, when it was split off from Laem Ngop district, at first being a minor district (King Amphoe).
Following a decision of the Thai government on May 15 2007, all of the 81 minor districts were to be upgraded to full districts. With the publishing in the Royal Gazette on August 24 the upgrade became official.
The district is subdivided into two subdistricts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 9 villages (muban). There are no municipal (thesaban) areas, and 2 Tambon administrative organizations (TAO).
In 1982 the island together with 50 surrounding small islands was protected as the Mu Ko Chang Marine National Park. About 85% of the island is part of the national park, mostly the rain forest in the interior of the island. Nearby coral reefs are also contained within the National Park. Notable animals in the park include the stump-tailed Macaque, the small Indian Civet, the Javan Mongoose, and 61 resident bird species. The Koh Chang Wart Frog (Limnonectes kohchangae) was originally thought to be an endemic species, but has now been found on the mainland as well. ( Wikipedia.org )
7/28/2008
Travel to Mae Sot,Tak Thailand
Mae Sot, in Tak Province, is nestled in the cool northern mountains along the Thai-Myanmar border.
7/27/2008
Travel to Koh Samet,Thailand
Source : youtube.com
Koh Samet is a rather small island where you will find some of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand. The water is also normally very clear here. Relaxation is the main activity here, so spoil yourself a little and "refill your batteries". It is a perfect place for hiding away from daily life stress and work. Anyhow, you are still close to Bangkok and it's shopping, night life and attractions.
Reasons to go to Samet islandThere are several reasons to choose Samet as your holiday destination. First of all; the island has some of the best beaches found in the whole country. Hat Sai Kaew (Diamond Beach), Ao Vong Duan and Ao Prao is three of them. Second, the short distance to Bangkok. Convenient! And third, the climate is very pleasant. Even though it is raining a little more in July-September, there is often just short and refreshing showers.
Where is Samet located?The island is located in Rayong province, South-East of Bangkok and Pattaya and West of Trat province and Koh Chang. It is easy to go here from Bangkok, with bus from the Eastern bus terminal. (Ekamai). ( kosamet.net )
7/26/2008
Travel to Northern Thailand
Northern provinces: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Kamphaeng Phet, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Sukhothai, Tak, Uttaradit.
This video is a tribute to Thailand--its beautiful people, land, and culture. Images from Google. Spiritual songs created for healing, relaxing and meditation.
Northern Thailand, one of the 5 regional groups of Thailand, usually describes the area covered by 17 provinces.
1. Chiang Mai
2. Chiang Rai
3. Kamphaeng Phet
4. Lampang
5. Lamphun
6. Mae Hong Son
7. Nakhon Sawan
8. Nan
9. Phayao
10.Phetchabun
11.Phichit
12.Phitsanulok
13.Phrae
14.Sukhothai
15.Tak
16.Uthai Thani
17.Uttaradit
Numbers of the principal highways in this region begin with the digit 3.
Much of the area's territory is mountainous, making it relatively cool compared to Central Thailand.
The history of Northern Thailand is dominated by the Lanna kingdom, which was founded in 1259 and remained an independent force until the 16th century. Their version of the lunisolar Buddhist calendar ran two months ahead of what is now the modern Thai lunar calendar; this is reflected in their version of Thailand's Loy Krathong festival, which occurs in Thailand's Lunar Month 12, but in the former lands of Lanna is the Lantern Festival of Yee Peng, Lunar Month 2.
In 2000, Northern Thailand banned caffeine to thwart methamphetamine production.
( Wikipedia.org )
7/25/2008
Teak Logging With Elephants In Siam 1925
Elephants with riders walking through jungle, rolling a teak log, working with logs in water, and dragging logs along mud road. Footage from this film is available for licensing from globalimageworks.com. ( travelfilmarchive : April 17, 2008 )
Travel to Nan,Thailand - Part 2
Nan-Part 2
Nan is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from south clockwise) Uttaradit, Phrae and Phayao. To the north and east it borders Xaignabouli of Laos. ( Wikipedia.org )
7/24/2008
Travel to Nan,Thailand - Part 1
Nan-Part 1
A quiet and tranquil province, Nan nestles in a verdant valley in northern Thailand. About 668 kilometres from Bangkok, it covers an area of 11,472 square kilometres and is made up of the following districts: Mueang, Wiang Sa, Na Noi, Pua, Chiang Klang, Tha Wang Pha, Thung Chang, Mae Charim, Ban Luang, Na Mun, Santi Suk, Bo Kluea, Chaloem Phra Kiat, Song Khwae, and Phu Phiang. The people of Nan descend from the Lan Changs (Laotians). Their forebears moved to settle around present-day Pua district which is rich in rock salt deposits, about 700 years ago at the time when Sukhothai was becoming the kingdom of the Thais. They subsequently moved south to the fertile Nan River basin which is much more extensive.
Nan's history is deeply involved with its neighbours, in particular Sukhothai which played an important role in both political and religious terms before Nan became a part of Lanna, Burma and Thailand in that order. Today Nan is still the home of numerous Thai Lue and other hilltribes who retain highly interesting customs and traditions. ( tourismthailand.org )
Tourism
Sights
Wat Phra That Chae Hang (วัดพระธาตุแช่แห้ง) It features a 55 metre-high golden Chedi containing a Holy Relic from Sukhothai. Over the Viharn's door frames and on parts of the roofs are plaster designs in the shape of Naga, the great serpent, which represent the artistic best in local architecture.
The building of the Nan National Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติน่าน) It displays exhibitions concerning the town's history and major structures, evolution of arts in different ages, and numerous ancient objects, the most eminent of which is the Black Ivory.
Wat Phaya Wat (วัดพญาวัด) An ancient religious site, it has rectangular Chedi bases on which Buddha states are placed around the Chedi structure. Combined artistic influences of Lanna, Lan Chang and native Nan can be detected.
Opposite the Nan National Museum is Wat Chang Kham Woravihan (วัดช้างค้ำวรวิหาร). Its main features are the sculpted upper halves of elephants adorning around the Chedi, a Sukhothai influence.
Wat Suan Tan (วัดสวนตาล), built in 1230, features an old, beautifully-shaped Chedi and houses a huge bronze Buddha statue, Phra Chao Thong Thip cast by a king of Chiang Mai in 1450.
Pha Chu, or Pha Cheot Chu (ผาเชิดชูหรือผาเชิดชู), is a cliff located within the Si Nan National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติศรีน่าน) which covers extensive forested and mountainous areas. A national flag pole has a lanyard running all the way down to the foot of the hill, the longest in the country.
Hom Chom (ฮ่อมจ๊อม) The site is characterised by a large earthen mould eroded by the elements through the ages, leaving only hard eastern columns, whose exotic shapes and forms can be interpreted as differently as the imagination goes.
The Thai Lu Village-Ban Nong Bua (หมู่บ้านไทยลื้อบ้านหนองบัว) The Thai Lu people living at Ban Nong Bua are noted or producing the traditional tribal fabric, an art handed down from generation to generation.
Wat Nong Bua (วัดหนองบัว) was built by Thai Lu craftsmen who had early migrated from southern China. Apart from the Viharn which is adorned with elaborate carvings, there are also wall murals painted by Thai Lu artists some one hundred years ago.
Wat Phrathat Beng Sakat (วัดพระธาตุเบ็งสกัด) The main Buddha image is in the local style residing on the so-called Chukkachi base. The back of the Buddha image is decorated with a mirror in accordance with the Thai Lue belief.
Ban Pak Nai (บ้านปากนาย) is a fishing village on the bank of the fresh-water lake above the Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit province.
Local Products
The Woven Materials of Nan (ผ้าทอพื้นเมืองน่าน) are distinctively different in terms of designs and production methods from other localities. The most famous pattern is the Lai Nam Lai (ผ้าลายน้ำไหล) which resembles waves or stairs. Other designs also reflect the local artistic and creative skills. The materials are used for making dresses, colourful satchels and Tung, a type of pennant used in religious rites. Nan is also noted for making musical instruments which include the Saloh (สะล้อ), a violin-like instrument, and the Sung (ซึง), similar to a guitar. They are used in bands which can still be heard in certain restaurants . silverware, wood carving and hilltribe handicraft The leading agricultural produce is the Som Si Thong (golden oranges) (ส้มสีทอง) which are of the same species as oranges of the Central Plain. Because of climatic differences, the local version is golden-skinned and more aromatic. They are in season in December.
Culture
Festivals
Wai Phrathat Festival (งานประเพณีไหว้พระธาตุ) Nan is a town in the Lanna kingdom where Buddhism spread for a long period of time. Within the area of the ancient city, both in Mueang Nan and in Amphoe Pua, lie Phrathats on the hill. Every year, festivals paying respect to the important Phrathats are organized as follows:
Namatsakan Phrathat Beng Sakat Fair (งานนมัสการพระธาตุเบ็งสกัด) is organized on the full night of the 4th northern lunar month (around January).
“Hok Peng Waisa Mahathat Chae Haeng” Fair (งานประเพณี “หกเป็งไหว้สามหาธาตุแช่แห้ง”) takes place on the full moon night of the 6th northern lunar month or the 4th central lunar month (around the end of February-March). Sky rockets are fired as an offering to the Buddha.
“Namatsakan Phrathat Khao Noi” Fair (งานประเพณีนมัสการพระธาตุเขาน้อย) takes place on the full moon night of the 8th northern lunar month or the 6th central lunar month (around May). In the festival, there is a ceremony paying respect to Phrathat Khao Noi and sky rockets are fired as an offering to the Buddha.
“Namatsakan Song Nam Phrachao Thongthip” Fair (งานประเพณีนมัสการสรงน้ำพระเจ้าทองทิพย์) at Wat Suan Tan during the Songkran festival on 12-15 April.
Tan Kuai Salak, Hae Khua Tan or Khrua Than Festival (งานตานก๋วยสลาก หรืองานแห่คัวตาน หรือ ครัวทาน) Than Salak or Kuai Salak is an ancient tradition created in the Buddha’s time. For the northern people, it is considered as a major local merit making ceremony possessing local uniqueness. Monks are invited to receive the offerings by drawing lots.
Nan Boat Races (งานประเพณีแข่งเรือจังหวัดน่าน) has been passed on for a long period of time. In 1936, boat racing was organized during the community’s robe presentation to the monks after the end of the Buddhist Lent until the time of the royal robe presentation ceremony. Nowadays, it is around mid-October or at the beginning of November every year. The opening of the races is the date when the food offerings are presented to the priests by drawing lots of Wat Chang Kham Worawihan, a royal temple. The food offering ceremony will be firstly organized.
Therefore, the Nan Boat Races have come together with the Tan Kuai Salak of Wat Chang Kham until nowadays. Later, the province added the celebration of the black elephant tusk which is the precious treasure of Nan as well. Moreover, there is boat racing at Amphoe Wiang Sa in the Tan Kuai Salak Festival. ( Wikipedia.org )
Travel to Lamphun,Thailand
Lamphun is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Chiang Mai, Lampang and Tak.
Lamphun is located in the river valley of the Ping River, surrounded by mountain chains.It is some 670 kilometres from Bangkok and only 26 kilometres from Chiang Mai.
History
Under its old name of Haripunchai, Lamphun was the northernmost city of the Mon kingdom of the Dvaravati period, and also the last to fall to the Thai. In the late 12th century it came under siege from the Khmer, but did not fall. However in 1281 King Mengrai of Lannathai finally seized the city, and made it part of his kingdom.
Symbols
The provincial seal shows the temple Wat Phra That Haripunchai, which was already the main temple of the city Lamphun during the Mon times. The gold-covered chedi is said to contain a relic of Buddha.
The provincial flower is the Flame of the Forest (Butea monosperma), and the provincial tree is the Rain Tree (Samanea saman).
Tourism
Sights
Wat Phra That Hariphunchai (วัดพระธาตุหริภุญชัย) A principal landmark is the 46-metre tall golden Chedi whose present appearance was the result of the restoration work in 1443 by a king of Chiang Mai. Other architectural works include the ancient-style brick arch adorned with fine designs and the pair of sculptured lions at the door.
Wat Phra That Hariphunchai is the Hariphunchai National Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติหริภุญชัย). Displays and exhibits include historical development and archaeological items found in Lamphun. Another displays ancient utensils, Lanna indigenous arts and carvings.
Phra Nang Chamthewi Statue (อนุสาวรีย์พระนางจามเทวี) is located in the Nong Dok public park in town commemorating the first ruler of Hariphunchai.
Suthewa Rusi Statue (อนุสาวรีย์สุเทวฤาษี). Legend has it that the Rusi, or ascetic, was the actual founder of Hariphunchai. As an ascetic refraining from worldly affairs he invited Phra Nang Chamthevi, a daughter of the King of Lopburi, to ascend the throne and helped her to firmly establish Buddhism in the land.
Wat Chamthewi or Wat Ku Kut (วัดจามเทวี หรือ วัดกู่กุด), commonly referred to a Ku Kut (กู่กุด), built in the Lawo (Lopburi) style. The Chedi is a square structure similar to Buddhagaya in India. Ashes of the queen are enshrined within the Chedi.
Wat Mahawan (วัดมหาวัน), an old temple built since the times of Queen Chamthewi. Enshrined here is a Nak Prok statue (statue with mythical serphants overhead) which was brought to the temple by the Queen. Commonly known as Phra Rot Lamphun (พระรอดลำพูน), it serves as the model for the famous votive tablet.
Wat Phra Yun (วัดพระยืน). The Ku Chang-Ku Mah Chedi (กู่ช้าง-กู่ม้า) at the temple is surrounded on four directions by standing statues. The Chedi itself is cylinder-shaped and commemorates Queen Chamthewi's war elephant and her son's steed.
The Ban Nong Chang Khun (บ้านหนองช้างคืน) is the most famous longan growing area in the country. The fruits are in season during July-August. Longans were introduced to the area during the reign of King Rama V and have since spread into neighbouring provinces.
Wat Phra Phutthabat Tak Pha (วัดพระพุทธบาทตากผ้า). Legend has it that the Lord Buddha once stayed here, leaving a trace of likeness of monk's saffron robe and his footprint on stone ground.
Ban Hong (บ้านโฮ่ง) It has several old temples built in admirable indigenous style, e.g., Wat Phra Chao Ton Luang (วัดพระเจ้าตนหลวง), Wat Pa Puai (วัดป่าป๋วย) and Wat Dong Rusi (วัดดงฤาษี). The later two temples both maintain 100-years-old Ho Trai (scripture halls) built with wood in delicate patterns.
Tham Luang Pha Wiang (ถ้ำหลวงผาเวียง), a cave some 15 kilometres south of the district town. Inside the cavern are oddly-shaped stalactites.
Wat Phra Bat Huai Tom (วัดพระบาทห้วยต้ม) is the largest temple in the district, boasting a large Lanna-style Chedi and an extensive place of worship built in laterite by Karens living in the vicinity who were admirers of the highly revered Phra Kru Ba Chaiwongsa.
Chedi Ha Duang (เจดีย์ห้าดวง). The site is believed to have been an ancient town.
Mae Ping National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติแม่ปิง). Its main feature is the Ping River, which flows through the forests in the park. On both sides are fertile forest-lands with sheer cliffs providing beautiful natural scenery. Another attraction is the 7-level Namtok Ko Luang (น้ำตกก้อหลวง), which is fed from lime streams.
Local Products
The Pha Mai Yok Dok (ผ้าไหมยกดอก) is an elaborately woven material in traditional method. Originally used in the northern royal court, it became popular during the reign of King Rama VI. The distinctive craftsmanship and skills in producing this type of silk have endeared it to those who prefer the traditional designs.
A hand-made cotton fabric (ผ้าฝ้ายทอมือ) It is moderately priced and of designs and colours which have been improved yet retaining the indigenous feel and tradition. It is generally made into table-cloth, plate rests, drapes and other household uses.
Wood-carving products (งานไม้แกะสลัก) are made from soft-wood into animal figurines, dolls, utensils and decorative items. The natural textures of the wood are clearly visible which add beauty to the products.
Culture
Festivals
The most well-known event in Lamphun is the Song Nam Phra That Hariphunchai (งานสรงน้ำพระธาตุหริภุญชัย), which dates back to the olden times. Held to celebrate the province's principal religious site, it takes place in May.
Another event is the Longan Fair (งานเทศกาลลำไย) in August which is designed to promote this hugely popular produce. There are the beautifully decorated Longan Parade and Longan contests. ( Wikipedia.org )
PhiPhi Lee, Maya bay : Krabi Thailand
Ko Phi Phi Lee (or Ko Phi Phi Ley) is an island of the Phi Phi archipelago, in the Andaman Sea. It belongs to the Krabi province of Thailand.
Ko Phi Phi Lee is the second largest island of the archipelago, the largest one being Ko Phi Phi Don. The island consists of a ring of steep limestone hills surrounding a shallow bay, the Mahya Bay.
Mahya Bay (or Maya Bay) is popular for diving, and has become even more popular after the 2000 movie The Beach was filmed there. According to the Lonely Planet's Thailand guidebook, the 2004 tsunami dramatically improved the look of Maya Bay. This was due to the fact that the high waves had cleaned up the beach and removed all the landscaping the Fox production team had added.
Controversy arose during the making of the film The Beach due to 20th Century Fox bulldozing and rescaping of the natural beach setting of Ko Phi Phi Leh to make it more "paradise-like". The production altered some sand dunes and cleared some coconut trees and grass to widen the beach. Fox set aside a fund to reconstruct and return the beach to its natural state, however lawsuits were filed as many believed the damage to the ecosystem is permanent and restoration attempts failed.
The lawsuits dragged on for years. In 2006, Thailand's Supreme Court upheld an appeal court ruling that the filming had harmed the environment and ordered that damage assessments be made. Defendants in the case included 20th Century Fox and some Thai government officials.
Prior to 2004 the island had avoided development. However, it is now a part of Phi Phi National Park and has since begun to see the beginnings of development and some clearing of natural plant life. There are current plans to build bungalows on the island and as of 2004 an entry-fee of 40 Baht has been charged; as of February 2007 the charge for private visitors has been raised to Bt200 per person. There are now permanent basic facilities on the island - toilets, a snack bar and camping sites. ( Wikipedia.org )
Chaiyaphum Travel Information
Chaiyaphum is located almost at the center of Thailand about 342 kilometers from Bangkok and it is easily reached by road.
Phraya Phakdi Chumphol Statue located at the circle leading into town center, honors the founder of Chaiyaphum and was built by voluntary donations from the local people.
Not too far from the town center is the site said to be where Phraya Phakdi was killed by invaders from Vientiane. Here was erected a shrine in his memory called San Chao Pho Phraya lae, the title his people bestowed upon him, with a statue of his likeness inside. Every year, beginning on the first Wednesday of May, a week long festival in his honor is held.
Prang Ku one of the oldest religious structures in Chaiyaphum is about two kilometers from the town hall. Built of sandstone, it enshrines a Dhveravati Period Buddha image which is highly revered by the local inhabitants. Bathing rites are held each year on the day of Full Moon in April.
Ban Khwao renowned for its quality and elaborately patterned hand-woven silk, the village is located 13 kilometers from the provincial city on Highway 225.
Tat Ton National Park only 20 kilometers from town along the Chaiyaphum-Kaset Sombun highway, is a highly scenic spot excellent for rest or picnic.
Nam Tok Sai Thong National Pank about 60 kms. from town along the Chaiyaphum-Nakhon Sawan route with another 7 km. after turning right to the Park's Headquarters. Main attraction is Nam Tok Sai Thong or Sai Thong Waterfall, about 1km. away from the headquarters. Another interesting spot is the field of the pink "Kra Chieo'' flowers which will require trekking and 1 night stay in the forest.
Pha Koeng a high cliff on top of the Landa Mountain, is about 47 kilometers from Chaiyaphum proper. Here is a 7-meter tall Buddha image built within a religious park.
Phu Faek another restful and scenic spot, can be reached by following the Chaiyaphum-Phu Kieo Highway twelve kilometers and turning to a side by way for six kilometers. Phu Faek is a low sloping area with tall trees providing cool shade. The Phu Faek Holy Footprint is located nearby.
Wua Dang Cave Although getting there is still inconvenient, the cave more than makes up for it by its beauty and the surrounding areas. Sixty kilometers from the district seat of Nong Bua Dang, the Wua Dang mount has a number of caves to be explored.
Wat Phra That Nong Sam Mun eighteen kilometers from Amphoe Phu Kieo, is an old place of worship believed to have been constructed in the 17th century. It had been restored and renovated, with a large reclining Buddha and plaster sculptures depicting the legend of heaven and hell, as described in the popular literature of Sang Thong.
Chulabhorn Dam in Amphoe Khon San is popular with both one-day and over-night tourists. Its lake-like reservoir provides beautiful scenery and surrounding. Accommodation, bungalow-style, may be booked at the Bangkok office of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.
Pa Hin Ngam National Park is a forested area in Amphoe Thep Sathit situated 140 kilometers away from Chaiyaphum. Huge rocks of curious shapes are scattered throughout the area. In early season during May to July, Pa Hin Ngam is carpeted with pink flowers growing wild wild. In the cool season around December to January in the rock crevices grow yellow orchids and a variety of wild flowers throughout the forest. Camping sites and accommodation are available.
Ban Khai and Chaiyaphum Elephant Round-Up located 12 kilometers from the provincial city, Ban Khai or Ban Khai Mun Phaeo is Chaiyaphum's elephant village. The main occupation of the villagers is to tame captured wild elephants. Being home of as numerous elephants as Surin, Charyaphum has had their elephant round-up revived and it has become an annual evant which takes place in January. ( thailandguidebook.com )
Thailand Waterfalls : Thi Lo Su,Tak
Thi Lo Su Waterfall Located in the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, is the most beautiful in Thailand. Originating from Huai Klotho, it flows down a mountain valley at a height of 200-300 metres. The fall flow down in tiers surrounded by virgin forest. There is a trail to the waterfall from the wildlife sanctuary office. It takes approximately 15 minutes to walk, and there are places to stop and admire the impressive views from the top. To get there, follow a small road off the main road from Umphang for 27 kilometres. Visitors must follow the set route, or raft and walk through the forest. Vehicles can enter between November to April only.
( discoverythailand.com )
Myanmar faces second wave of deaths
Exactly one month ago Cyclone Nargis devastated Myanmar's Irrawaddy delta region, leaving more than 130,000 people dead or missing. Now aid workers are fighting to prevent a second disaster caused by disease and malnutrition. Selina Downes reports from Bangkok.
( AlJazeera English : June 03, 2008 )
MYANMAR AFTERMATH EXSPOSED
Cyclone Nargis (JTWC designation: 01B, also known as Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Nargis), was a strong tropical cyclone that caused the worst natural disaster in the recorded history of Burma (officially known as Myanmar). The cyclone made landfall in the country on May 2, 2008, causing catastrophic destruction and at least 130,000 fatalities with thousands more people still missing. However, the Labutta Township alone was reported to have 80,000 dead, with about 10,000 more deaths in Bogale; many other deaths are found in other towns and areas, but the Burmese government's official death toll is grossly underreported as they have simply stopped counting the dead to minimize political fallout. It is feared and quite possible that due to lack of relief efforts, a total of a million people already have or will die from this catastrophe. Damage is estimated at over $10 billion (USD), which made it the most damaging cyclone ever recorded in this basin.
Nargis is the deadliest named cyclone in the North Indian Ocean Basin, as well as the second deadliest named cyclone of all time, behind Typhoon Nina of 1975. Including unnamed storms like the 1970 Bhola cyclone, Nargis is the 8th deadliest cyclone of all time, but an uncertainty between the deaths caused by Nargis and those caused by other cyclones (like the 1991 Bangladesh cyclone), could put Nargis as 7th deadliest or higher, because deaths are still being reported. Nargis was the first tropical cyclone to strike the country since Cyclone Mala made landfall in 2006, which was slightly stronger, but had a significantly lower impact.
Relief efforts were slowed for political reasons as Burma's military rulers initially resisted aid. U.S. President George W. Bush said that an angry world should condemn the way Burma's military rulers are handling the aftermath of a catastrophic cyclone. Burma's ruling party finally accepted aid a few days after India's request was accepted. Furthermore hampering the relief effort was the unfortunate fact that only ten days after the cyclone nearby central China was hit by a massive earthquake, known as the Sichuan earthquake which measured 7.9 in magnitude and it alone has taken 69,136 lives, and caused 86 billion dollars in damage (USD), making it the costliest disaster in Chinese history and third costliest disaster worldwide. Furthermore, some donated aids were found to be available in the country's black market, and Myanmar's junta warned on May 15th that legal action would be taken against people who trade or hoard international aid.
The cyclone name "Nargis" , is an Urdu word meaning daffodil, which has its roots in the Persian Nargess (given name), which has the same meaning. The first named storm of the 2008 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, Nargis developed on April 27 in the central area of Bay of Bengal. Initially it tracked slowly northwestward and, encountering favorable conditions, it quickly strengthened. Dry air weakened the cyclone on April 29, though after beginning a steady eastward motion Nargis rapidly intensified to attain peak winds of at least 165 km/h (105 mph) on May 2 according to IMD observations; the JTWC assessed peak winds of 215 km/h (135 mph), making it a weak category 4 cyclone on the SSHS. The cyclone moved ashore in the Ayeyarwady Division of Burma at peak intensity and, after passing near the major city of Yangon (Rangoon), the storm gradually weakened until dissipating near the border of Burma and Thailand.
Burma (Myanmar)
The United Nations estimated in its report that 1.50 million people were "severely affected" by this cyclone. Estimates of the people still missing are 55,917, with 77,738 confirmed dead. Some non-governmental organizations estimating that the final toll will be over 100,000. It is now thought that thousands of victims will never be known because their bodies have decayed so much and because they have been found as far as 4 miles away from where they originated from. Foreign aid workers concluded further, that 2 to 3 million are homeless, in the worst disaster in Burma’s history, comparable with the total damage done by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Andrew Kirkwood, country director of the British charity Save The Children, stated: "We're looking at 50,000 dead and millions of homeless, I'd characterise it as unprecedented in the history of Burma and on an order of magnitude with the effect of the tsunami on individual countries. There might well be more dead than the tsunami caused in Sri Lanka." As a result the Burmese government has declared five regions—Yangon, Ayeyarwady, Bago Divisions and Mon and Kayin States—currently as disaster areas. Thousands of buildings were destroyed; in the town of Labutta, located in the Ayeyarwady Division, state television reported that 75 percent of buildings had collapsed and 20 percent had their roofs ripped off. One report indicated that 95 percent of buildings in the Irrawaddy Delta area were destroyed. Nargis was the deadliest tropical cyclone worldwide since the 1991 Bangladesh cyclone, which killed over 138,000 people. However, because Burma's military leaders did not count the full death toll from Nargis, leaving the area shortly after it hit, and the fact that thousands more people are still missing or washed out at sea, it is feared up to 1 million people may have died in this disaster, and although this is disputed, if Nargis did kill this many people, it would be the deadliest cyclone ever recorded, and the third deadliest natural disaster ever recorded in history, behind the Yellow River floods of 1887 and 1931 in China. At least 10,000 people have been reported to have perished in the delta town of Bogale. One aid worker has claimed that the death toll from the cyclone and its aftermath may reach 300,000; if this was correct it would be the 2nd deadliest cyclone and fourth deadliest natural disaster, behind the Yellow river floods and the Bhola Cyclone.
An aerial view of devastation caused by Nargis as seen in Burma.
A diplomat in the city of Rangoon spoke to the Reuters news agency, giving them a description of the scene. He said that the area around him looked like a 'war zone' as a result of the cyclone. Burst sewage mains caused the landscape to flood with waste, ruining the rice crop. An official from the United Nations also commented on the situation, at the time of the event. "It's a bad situation. Almost all the houses are smashed. People are in a terrible situation," he said. Another UN representative also spoke on the incident. He reported that "The Irrawaddy delta was hit extremely hard not only because of the wind and rain but because of the storm surge." The Daily Telegraph, a UK newspaper, reported that food prices in Burma could be affected by this disaster.
Woradet Wirawekhin , Deputy Director General of Thailand's Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated on 7 May 2008 that, in reference to a report submitted by Bansan Bunnak , Thai ambassador in Yangon, the conditions in the city had degenerated and that most businesses and markets were closed. The Deputy Director General also reported that the locals also faced even more increasing adversity in basic subsistence; local food prices have already been increased two- or threefold.
Aftermath
International relief
On May 6, 2008, the Burma government representation in New York formally asked the United Nations for help, but in other ways it remains resistant to the most basic assistance. As of May 7, 2008, the government of Burma has not officially endorsed international assistance, but stated that they are, "willing to accept international assistance, preferably bilateral, government to government." The biggest challenge at present is obtaining visas for entry into the country.
According to Thai Rath Newspaper of Thailand on 8 May 2008. In the afternoon (Bangkok time) of 7 May 2008, the Burmese junta permitted Italian flights containing relief supplies from the United Nations, and twenty-five tonnes of consumable goods, to land in Burma. However, many nations and organizations hope to deliver assistance and relief to Burma without delay; most of their officials, supplies and stores are waiting in Thailand and at the Yangon airport, as the Burmese junta declines to issue visas for many of those individuals. These political tensions raise the concern that some food and medical supplies might become unusable, even before the Burmese junta officially accepts the international relief effort.
India
India, one of the few countries which maintains close relations with Burma, launched Operation Sahayata[56] under which two Indian Navy ships and two Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft supplied the first international relief material to the cyclone-hit country.The two aircraft carried 4 tonnes of relief supplies each while the Indian Navy transported more than 100 tonnes of relief material. On May 8, the IAF dispatched third air consignment carrying over 32 tonnes of relief material including tents, blankets and medicines. India plans to send more aid to Burma. In a separate development, Burma denied Indian search and rescue teams and media access to critical cyclone-hit areas. India released a statement saying it had requested Burma to accept international aid especially that from the United States, to which Burma agreed. According to various reports, Indian authorities had warned Burma about the danger that Cyclone Nargis posed 48 hours before it hit the country's coast. As of 16 May 2008, India's offer to send a team of 50 medical personnel to set up two independent mini-hospitals in the Irrawaddy delta has been accepted by the Myanmar government. An aircraft carrying the team of doctors and approximately 6 tonnes of medicines was being prepared at Delhi's Palam Air Force Base.
Italy
Italy provided 465,000 euros (about $732,282) worth of aid in the form of 30 tons of emergency relief equipment, such as stretchers, generators, and water purifiers in a flight organized by the World Food Program. The flight arrived in Yangon on May 8th. This was the first aid flight from a Western nation, preceded only by aid from Thailand.
In addition to this aid, the Italian government provided 500,000 euros through the World Food Program and 500,000 euros through funding to relief agencies through the UN. An additional 123,000 euros was provided through the Red Cross, as well as 300,000 euros worth of further financing for emergency equipment.
Malaysia
Malaysia is to channel US$1 million (RM3.2 million) in financial assistance and RM500,000 in humanitarian aid to Burma. Humanitarian aid would be transported by Hercules C130 and would include 5,000 blankets, 30 tents and RM100,000 worth of T-shirts, batik sarong, biscuits, instant noodles and medicines. Mercy Malaysia, a volunteer relief organization in Malaysia, is sending a four-member relief team to Rangoon, Burma to assess the situation in the wake of Cyclone Nargis. They would start looking into areas such as shelter, clean water, sanitation and emergency medical treatment. Mercy Malaysia has also trained 180 doctors from the Myanmar Medical Association in Yangon for deployment in the Irrawaddy Delta. RM1.8mil collected for victims of Myanmar’s cyclone victims through The Star Myanmar Relief Fund and handed to Mercy Malaysia executive council member Dr Ahmad Faizal Perdaus. A second Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) disaster relief team was sent to Myanmar on May 21, 2008. MRCS announced they will bring 2.5 tonnes of relief items, which include 1,000 blankets, 1,000 jerry cans, 1,000 mosquito nets, 500 mats, 7,000 mineral water bottles and 500 bags of health kits.
Thailand
Thailand has sent $100,000 USD in supplies, thirty tonnes of medical supplies and twelve tonnes of food supplies from Thai Red Cross. Additionally, Chaiya Sasomsap, Minister of Public Health of Thailand, stated that the Government has already sent medical supplies valued more than one billion baht ($31.3 million) to Burma. Furthermore, the Government of Thailand dispatched, upon the permission of the Burmese junta, twenty medical teams and twenty quick communicable disease suppression units. Samak Sundaravej stated that "if Myanmar gives the green light allowing us to help, our Air Force will provide C-130 aircraft to carry our teams there. This should not be precipitately carried out, it has to have the permission of their government." On 7 May 2008, the aforementioned units, with their subordinate airplanes, were permitted to land in Yangon, carrying drinking water and construction materials.
United Kingdom
The largest pledged sum from any single nation was donated by the United Kingdom which committed ₤17 million (approx USD $33.5 million). The UK's Department for International Development sent an international relief team to help with the co-ordination of the international relief effort. Another team from the same department is also on the ground inside Burma. The Royal Navy dispatched HMS Westminster to the area to assist with relief effort. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has remained extremely critical of the Burmese régime and hasn't ruled out violating Burmese sovereignty by carrying out "forced air-drops" to deliver aid.
United States
US Air Force personnel deliver relief supplies to Burma
On May 5, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Burma Shari Villarosa declared a disaster due to the effects of Cyclone Nargis. In response, the U.S. Agency for International Development USAID deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and immediately provided $251,000 to UNICEF, WFP, and the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for emergency food, water and sanitation, and shelter assistance.
On May 6, an additional $3 million from USAID was allocated for the provision of emergency relief assistance, including $1 million to the American Red Cross and $2 million for NGO partners and on May 12, USAID Administrator Henrietta H. Fore announced $13 million in food aid and logistics assistance through the World Food Programme.
From May 12 to 20, USAID and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) coordinated the delivery of nearly $1.2 million of U.S. relief commodities to Rangoon on 36 DOD C-130 flights. The relief supplies will provide assistance to more than 113,000 beneficiaries. The DOD efforts were under the direction of Joint Task Force Caring Response.
As of June 26, 2008, United States assistance has totaled $41,169,769 and continues to be directed by the USAID DART stationed in Thailand.
Other relief efforts
On 15 May, the United Nations [OCHA] launched the Myanmar HIC website (http://myanmar.humanitarianinfo.org). The purpose the site is to improve information exchange and collaboration between operational agencies responding to Cyclone Nargis. Based in Bangkok, the HIC is providing support to the Humanitarian Partnership Team and other humanitarian partners in Yangon, as well as those based in Bangkok.
As of May 8, 2008, the Foundation for the People of Burma has a team on the ground in Rangoon and beyond providing direct assistance to thousands of refugees. Since this organization is administered by Buddhist volunteers and already has tacit permission from the Burmese government, all donations go directly for supplies. "Foundation for the People of Burma".
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has pledged $189,000 for relief. The Federation has also launched an appeal of a further CHF50 million. Red Cross spokesman Matt Cochrane said that cyclone survivors need everything. They need emergency shelter to keep them dry, including food supplies. He says stagnant waters are a perfect breeding ground for the malaria mosquito, so insecticide-treated nets are needed. The Red Cross suffered a setback when a boat carrying supplies sank when it hit a submerged tree. Everyone aboard survived, but most of the cargo was lost.Ten Red Cross/Red Crescent relief flights carrying medical and shelter supplies were due to land in Yangon on 12 May.
Trocaire, has been active in Burma since 1995 and were the first Irish aid agency to gain access after Cyclone Nargis. Relief work has been conducted mainly through local partners and membership of the international federation, Caritas Internationalis. Trocaire has appealed for the focus of humanitarian work in Burma not to be lost in the wake of China's more recent earthquake.
Save the Children, one of the few agencies allowed to work in Burma, said the toll would likely sharply grow in the next few days as help reaches isolated areas. On May 18, it announced that it believed that thirty thousand children younger than five were already facing malnutrition and could starve in under a month if food does not reach them.
Doctors without Borders - MSF landed a plane full of 40 tons of relief and medical supplies in Rangoon on Monday. After clearing customs the supplies were transferred to local MSF warehouses. They have approximately 200 workers in the region, many whom have been involved in long term projects there and were already in the region.
World Vision has launched a US$3 million appeal and is seeking to get international aid into the country. Staff on the ground are working to distribute food, water and other non-food items while WV Myanmar managers are seeking approval from the government to work in the worst affected areas and to bring in aid from outside.
Avaaz.org has raised over US$2 million for relief efforts in Burma, through over 25,062 individual donations. They have entrusted delivery and dissemination of the aid to the Burmese monks, bypassing the military junta. This unique approach has proved successful. As of 2008-05-24, US$550,000 is confirmed delivered to the religious establishment and another US$1,000,000 is en-route. ( Wikipedia.org )
Village at the heart of Myanmar disaster
One of Al Jazeera's correspondents in Myanmar has managed to reach the area worst-hit by Cyclone Nargis and hear for the first time eye-witness accounts of the true scale of the disaster.
AlJazeera English : May 08, 2008
Bankgkok sinking
The UN is warning that Bangkok is one of thirteen cities at risk of disappearing into the sea because of climate change.Al Jazeera's Selina Downes been taking a look at how authorities in Thailand's capital are trying to tackle the problem. ( AlJazeera English : December 10, 2007 )
Bangkok Soi Cowboy
Soi Cowboy is a red-light district in Bangkok, Thailand. A short street with some 40 bars, it is similar to Nana Plaza and Patpong and caters mainly to tourists and expatriates.
It is located near Sukhumvit Road, between Sukhumvit Soi 21 (also called Soi Asoke) and Soi 23, within walking distance from the SkyTrain's "Asok Station" and the Bangkok Metro's "Sukhumvit Station". The New Milleninum Hotel is nearby.
The go go bars follow the pattern common in Thailand: alcoholic drinks are served and women in bikinis dance on a stage. Topless or even nude dancing occasionally occurs in some bars, but remains technically illegal. Most of the dancers are in fact prostitutes and will join a customer if he pays a "bar fine" to the bar and a separate fee to the woman. Sexual services usually take place in the tourist's hotel room. Thai customers usually are not admitted to these bars unless accompanied by foreigners.
There are also a number of restaurants at Soi Cowboy, including what is perhaps Bangkok's best known fish and chips shop.
The area is named after T. G. "Cowboy" Edwards, a retired American airman who opened one of the first bars there in 1973 or 1977 (sources differ). A tall African-American, Edwards got his nickname because he invariably wore a cowboy hat.
Soi Cowboy during the day, with Fanny's, Dollhouse and Midnite Bar visible on the left
One staple of the Soi Cowboy nightlife are elephants frequently marched up and down the street by their handlers who are in the business of selling elephant food to tourists.
When Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was elected in 2001, his government instituted a "social order" campaign. As part of this campaign, all bars and nightclubs had to close by 2 am, later changed to 1 am for all areas not officially designated as "entertainment zones". (Unlike Patpong, Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza were not so designated). A mandatory midnight closing time was even discussed. As of 2006, the Soi Cowboy bars switch off their outside neon lights by 1 am and usually close at 2 am.
Soi Cowboy's reputation suffered a temporary blow when, as part of the same social order campaign, the area was closed off by police one Friday night in November 2003 and all workers and patrons were required to submit to urine testing for drugs.
Near their entrances, all go go bars carry government-mandated signs in Thai and English; the text reads,
NO-ONE INSIDEUNDER 20 YEARS, DRUG-FREE
During the 2004 International AIDS Conference in Bangkok, a bead sculpture made in Soi Cowboy was displayed as part of the cultural program.
On June 9, 2006, Thailand commemorated the 60-year anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession to the throne. In the evening the employees of all Soi Cowboy bars celebrated the event by stepping outside for about half an hour, holding candles and wearing yellow "We love the King" shirts, and finished by singing the national anthem.
Films and songs
In 2000, the Norwegian group Getaway People released a song called Soi Cowboy about this area.
The Sun City Girls also have a song called Soi Cowboy on their 1996 album 330,003 Crossdressers From Beyond The Rig Veda.
Actor Hugh Grant and his entourage visited Soi Cowboy in December 2003, while shooting the movie Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. The Tilac Bar and several Soi Cowboy bar girls are seen in the film. A London tabloid, The Sun, wrote on 23 December 2003 that Grant was chased by bar girls and had to flee, but that appears to be false.
Two 1-hour episodes of the British comedy/drama Auf Wiedersehen, Pet were shot in the Summer of 2004 in Bangkok, partly in Soi Cowboy.
The bars Moonshine Joint and Dollhouse appear in Jordan Clark's 2005 documentary Falang: Behind Bangkok's Smile (known as Bangkok Girl in the US) which takes a rather critical view of sex tourism. ( Wikipedia.org )
7/22/2008
Pattaya,Thailand
Pattaya (Phatthaya) is a city in Thailand, located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand , about 165 km southeast of Bangkok located within but not part of Amphoe Bang Lamung in the province of Chon Buri.
Meaning the 'south-west monsoon wind" and correctly pronounced "Putt-tuh-YAH" not "Patt-EYE-uh", it ranks as one of the most successful beach resorts in the world, with some 5.4 million visitors arriving in 2005. Increasing numbers of tourists come from the former Soviet Union and East Asia.
The city of Pattaya is a self governing special municipal area which covers the whole tambon Nong Prue and Na Kluea and parts of Huai Yai and Nong Pla Lai. It is located in the heavily industrial Eastern Seaboard zone, along with Si Racha, Laem Chabang, and Chon Buri. However, it remains mostly a tourist city, with very light industry.
Pattaya is second only to Bangkok in high rise buildings, as many condos for foreign residents are built, and has a modest skyline. The city's economy benefits from its relative proximity to Bangkok.
Pattaya is also the center of the Pattaya-Chonburi Metropolitan Area, the conurbation in Chonburi Province. ( Wikipedia.org )
China Town,Bangkok Thailand
Source : youtube.com
the China town district is one of the oldest areas of Bangkok as Chinese merchants were originally moved to this area in the early 1780's when Bangkok was founded. One of the main streets of this area, Charoen Krung (translating as 'Prosperous city'), was actually Bangkok's first paved road, so it's English name, New Road, couldn't really be more inappropriate nowadays. The area has got a somewhat seedy historical reputation for large numbers of opium dens, brothels (which hung green lanterns outside, giving it the name of the Green Light district), pawnshops and a fondness for gambling. Today, gold shops and pawnshops are still very popular in Chinatown and can be found almost anywhere. Drug dealing, prostitution and gambling (all now illegal in Thailand) are also still thought to be widespread in this area, though they are not likely to be very noticeable to the average visitor.
Nevertheless, Chinatown remains a pretty interesting area to visit. With the exception of Wat Traimit, it's almost completely untouristy, though this has the downside that most people round here speak very little English. Though the main roads are not very dissimilar to those of other parts of Bangkok, the genuine Chinatown lies down the busy numerous smaller roads, narrow alleys and backstreets. The Chinese in Chinatown have been living in Thailand for generations, and generally consider themselves very much as Thais - most can no longer speak any Chinese.
Very close to the intersection of Charoen Krung and Yaowarat road is perhaps the only real top attraction in Chinatown, Wat Traimit the Temple of the Golden Buddha. At first glance, the 3m high Buddha image in here looks distinctly average and undeserving of the busloads of tourists that visit every day. What attracts them all however, is the remarkable fact that it's made of 5.5 tonnes of solid gold. The story behind the image is that in 1957 a large stucco Buddha image was being moved by crane during development of a port. To the horror of all concerned, the crane operator accidentally dropped the image, sending it crashing towards the ground. Instead of smashing however, the stucco covering merely cracked and in the process revealed the solid gold image hidden underneath. It is thought to have been covered like this during the early Ayuthaya or Sukhothai period, apparently to protect the image from the invading Burmese, and remained that way for several hundred years. Just north of here is Hualamphong , Bangkok's main train station.
Though other attractions as such are thin on the ground, Chinatown is an interesting place to just wander around. A couple of Chinatown's most interesting roads are Yaowarat road leading westwards from near Wat Traimit, and Sampeng Lane ( also sometimes known as Soi Wanit), running parallel south of Yaowarat.
Busy Yaowarat road is Chinatown's main street, and has surely one of greatest concentrations of gold shops anywhere, reflecting the love of gold the Thai-Chinese are often thought to have. There's dozens of them, all dazzlingly brightly colored, and with mainly very good prices. There's also plenty of restaurants round here also, where you can get birds-nest soup, dim sum, shark fin soup and other traditional Chinese delicacies.
The narrow, crammed Sampeng Lane was previously infamous for the gang fighting and high numbers of murders that took place here. Nowadays, it's a very busy predominately pedestrian street, with the main danger being the odd motorbike that tries to get past. The street is a hive of constant commercial activity, mostly in textiles and cloth, and while it's not really a great place for buying anything, it's an interesting authentic experience that doesn't seem to have really changed in decades.
The Thieves Market, or Nakhon Kasem is slightly north of the western end of Sampeng Lane. Though legitimate today, it was so named because this was where goods stolen from houses inevitably turned up. It's now a good area for looking or buying Thai or Chinese antiques. There's quite a number of shops and reasonable range of supposedly antique and second hand goods.
Details
Entrance to Wat Traimit is 20B, it's open from 9.00am to 5.00pm everyday. The markets in general are open until the late evening. Chinatown is not far from the Ko Rattanakosin area, including the attractions there such as Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho. Banglamphu is also just a short distance north of Chinatown.
Ordinary buses 1, 7, 8, 37, 49 and 75 will take you into Chinatown, some stopping on Charoen Krung, others on Worachak road (near the Thieves Market) though the river is normally a better bet due to the consistent traffic jams round here. The Tha Ratchawong pier is just a few hundred meters from Yaowarat road and Sampeng Lane. ( into-asia.com )
7/21/2008
Burma: SHOOT ON SIGHT
Shoot on Sight
The Ongoing Military Junta Offensive Against Civilians in Eastern Burma
Partner: Peace Way Foundation (Burma Issues) (BI)
Background: Since August 19, 2007 there has been a series of peaceful protests across Burma as monks, activists and ordinary citizens challenge misrule and repression. On September 26, the Burmese military government responded with violence. Thousands of protestors have been seized and taken away.
Meanwhile, in eastern Burma, a 45-year catastrophe has reached one of its worst moments, as the country's military junta escalates its attacks against the area's ethnic minorities. The government's efforts to assert control over ethnic border areas have emptied over 3,000 villages in a decade, an average of almost one village each day over the past ten years. The forces of Burma's military junta, the State Peace & Development Council (SPDC), are mortaring villages, looting and burning homes to the ground, and destroying crops in an effort to obliterate the livelihoods of rural communities. Burmese soldiers are ordered to shoot civilians on sight.
Act Now to demand change for the people of Burma!
Over 500,000 displaced people live in constant insecurity in eastern Burma, and over 30,000 more have been displaced because of this most recent offensive. Those who are captured by the Burmese army face forced labor, conscription, torture, rape and even execution. The rest are unable to return to their homes for fear of stepping on landmines laid after their escape. Instead, the displaced live in makeshift camps in the jungle, enduring some of the worst health conditions in any world crisis today.
As this crisis escalates, it threatens to destabilize not only Burma but the region at large. The increasing refugee exodus places a burden on neighboring states, and regional politicians are concerned that epidemics of HIV/AIDS and other diseases will spill over into their own communities.
Only broader international consensus and diplomatic pressure will bring an end to these human rights abuses, allow entry of adequate amounts of humanitarian aid, and provide a political solution and a transition to democracy for ethnic minorities and the broader population in Burma.
This video was filmed, produced and edited by documenters from WITNESS partner Burma Issues. Learn more about our work with Burma Issues. ( witness.org/shootonsight )
7/20/2008
Vietnam War: Bangkok R & R
American soldiers head to Bangkok for a good time while on leave. Business is booming for massage parlours, leaving some Thai officials lamenting the decline in morality. (1968)
7/19/2008
Elephant vs Silk Village : Surin,Thailand
Source : youtube.com
Surin is a town in Thailand, capital of Surin province. It is the site of the annual Surin Elephant Round-up. The town is also an access point for the Khmer temples of Phanom Rung historical park, Prasat Preah Vihear and potentially Angkor Wat.
Surin town is located approximately 450 kilometres North East of Bangkok, about half way between Nakorn Ratchasima (Khorat) and Ubon Ratchathani (Lat 14.90, Long 103.50). The population of the town is in the region of 150,000, the majority being of Khmer and Laos decent. Thai is the main language of the area but many, particularly older residents, speak Khmer, Lao, and/or Suway. Surin can be reached from Bangkok by air (to Buriram Airport near Satuk), train (regular services throughout the day) or bus. By private car or taxi, take the route through Saraburi, Khorat and Buriram.
The main industry in Surin Province is agriculture, and the most prevalent crop is rice (khow). The land is very flat which facilitates paddy field construction. It is apparent that around 80% of the provinces population is either farming or at least involved in farming during part of the year (planting and harvesting).
There are two seasons in the Surin Province of Thailand; the hot wet season (between April and October) and the cool dry season (between November and March). The average temperature in the hot wet season is 30oC (but can rise as high as 43oC) and the average in the cool dry season is 23oC falling as low as 10oC at night. Precipitation averages in the region are 20 mm/month in the dry season and 180 mm/month in the wet season. September is normally the wettest month and January the driest.
The Surin Elephant Fair/Roundup is held every year, usually on the third weekend in November, although the elephants may start converging on the town as early as September.
The weekend proper starts with the parade of the elephants through the centre of the town on the Friday morning. The elephants and floats congregate by the railway station and thereafter parade down Tanasan Road to what is locally called the "Elephant Roundabout". Here, the local population has already set up trestle tables of food for the elephant breakfast After a few words of welcome from the local dignitaries, the elephants are allowed to eat their fill of fruits and vegetables.
The elephants and mahoots then make their way to the "Elephant Stadium" for the rehearsal of the weekend's highlight, the "Elephant Roundup".
The official show is on the Saturday and repeated on the Sunday. Here the elephants and mahoots show their skills and strengths to both locals and tourists alike. The show culminates in a re-enactment of the historic battles between the Thai, Laos and Khmer armies.
Surin has a substantial population of expatriate westerners married to local women. At this time, there is an estimated population of foreigners (known as farangs in Thai) of 6,000 living in Surin or surrounding villages. These men are mostly married to local Thai ladies they have met in other parts of Thailand while on vacation here. There are three "farang" restaurants located in Surin, where one could meet local expats having a beer and a chat. They are the Farang Connection and the Oasis located behind the bus terminal and Norbie's German Beer Bar located in the heart of the nightlife area known as Soi Cola. ( Wikipedia.org )
Monkey Food Festival,Lop Buri Thailand
Source : youtube.com
Lopburi is the capital city of Lopburi Province in Thailand. It is located about 150 km north-east of Bangkok. As of 2006 it has a population of 26,500. The town (thesaban mueang) covers the whole tambon Tha Hin and parts of Thale Chup Son of Mueang Lopburi district, a total area of 6.85 km².
The city has a long history, dating back into the Dvaravati period more than 1000 years ago, when it was known as Lavo. When the Khmer empire incorporated it, they destroyed all former buildings, so that the oldest ruins that can now be found in Lopburi are Khmer temples. It later became part of the Thai kingdoms and, during the reign of King Narai the Great of the Ayutthaya kingdom in the middle of the 17th century, Lopburi even served as the second capital, with a second summer palace, King Narai's Palace. The king stayed here for about eight months a year.
Today the city is most famous for the hundreds of Crab-Eating Macaques (Macaca fascicularis) that live in the middle of the city, especially around the Khmer temple, Prang Sam Yot, and a Khmer shrine, Sarn Phra Karn. They are fed by the local people, especially during the Monkey Festival in November. Because they are not afraid of humans, they steal whatever food they can find from unwary diners.
Prang Sam Yot, originally a Hindu shrine, has three prangs that represent Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva (the Hindu trinity). It was later converted to a Buddhist shrine.
The Crab-eating Macaque (Macaca fascicularis) is a primarily arboreal macaque native to Southeast Asia. It is also called the Cynomolgus Monkey, Philippine Monkey and the Long-tailed Macaque.
Being "ecologically diverse", the Crab-eating Macaque is found in a wide variety of habitats, including primary lowland rainforests, disturbed and secondary rainforests, and riverine and coastal forests of nipa palm and mangrove. They also easily adjust to human settlements and are considered sacred at some Hindu temples and on some small islands, while a pest when around farms and villages. Typically it prefers disturbed habitats and forest periphery. The native range of this species includes most of mainland Southeast Asia, including the Malay Archipelago islands of Sumatra, Java, and Borneo, the islands of the Philippines, and the Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.
Macaca fascicularis is an introduced alien species in several locations, including Hong Kong, western New Guinea, Anggaur Island in Palau, and Mauritius. Where they are non-native species -- particularly on island ecosystems whose species often evolved in isolation from large predators -- M. fascicularis is a documented threat to many native species. This fact has led the World Conservation Union (IUCN) to list M. fascicularis as one of the "100 Worst Alien Invasive Species". Insofar as they are present as an alien invasive on several islands, they have been labelled a "weed" species and are yet another significant ecological threat to those ecosystems and the species within them. It is important to note, however, that M. fascicularis is not a biodiversity threat in their native range, as other species therein have adapted to their presence through evolutionary time.
There is significant genetic diversity within the species and these differences are classified into at least 10 subspecies:
· Crab-eating Macaque, Macaca fascicularis fascicularis
· Burmese Long-tailed Macaque, Macaca fascicularis aurea
· Nicobar Long-tailed Macaque, Macaca fascicularis umbrosa
· Dark-crowned Long-tailed Macaque, Macaca fascicularis atriceps
· Con Song Long-tailed Macaque, Macaca fascicularis condorensis
· Simeulue Long-tailed Macaque, Macaca fascicularis fusca
· Lasia Long-tailed Macaque, Macaca fascicularis lasiae
· Maratua Long-tailed Macaque, Macaca fascicularis tua
· Kemujan Long-tailed Macaque, Macaca fascicularis karimondjawae
· Philippine Long-tailed Macaque, Macaca fascicularis philippinensis
Although this species is often referred to as the Crab-eating Macaque, this name is something of a misnomer since its diet is by no means limited to crabs. Other food items are in fact far more common. They are an opportunistic omnivore, meaning they can and will eat a wide variety of animals, plants, and other materials. Although fruits and seeds make up 60 - 90% of the dietary intake, it also eats leaves, flowers, roots and bark. It also preys on vertebrates (including bird chicks and nesting female birds, lizards, frogs, fishes, et al.), invertebrates, and bird eggs. Although it is ecologically well-adapted in its native range and poses no particular threat to the overall populations of prey species, in areas where the Crab-eating Macaque is non-native it can pose a substantial threat to biodiversity.
The Crab-eating Macaque is sometimes known as a "crop-raider", feeding in cultivated fields on such items as young dry rice, cassava leaves, rubber fruit, taro plants, coconuts, mangos, and other crops, thus often causing significant losses to the cash incomes of local farmers. It also takes food from graveyards, garbage cans, and garbage pits. The species is often unafraid of humans, and is found in many cities and villages. It has been involved in aggressive interactions with people.
Depending on sub-species, the body length of the adult monkey is 38-55 centimetres (15-22 in) with comparably short arms and legs. The tail is longer than the body, typically 40-65 cm (16-26 in). Males are considerably larger than females, weighing 5-9 kilograms (11-20 lb) compared to the 3-6 kg (7-13 lb) of female individuals.
Macaca fascicularis is a very social animal that lives in groups anywhere from 5-60+ animals. These groups are multi-male groups, normally containing 2-5 males and 2-3 times as many females. The number of immature is usually comparative to the number of females. Their group size often depends on the level of predation and availability of food. Their groups are female-centred, as the females are philopatric (i.e. remain in one place across generations) and the males move in and out of these female-based groups. Males generally first emigrate from their natal group at the age of 4-6. They will remain in a group up to four or five years and thus will emigrate several times throughout their life. These monkeys are highly despotic and have a strict dominance hierarchy. Adult males rank higher than females. Female ranks are more stable than males, as males from time-to-time will be defeated and lose rank. High-ranked males generally are more successful at reproduction and high-ranked females generally fare better at raising surviving offspring. The females are organized into matrilines, which are the female-based families consisting of the resident females and their offspring. Matrilines are ranked and some families have greater social power than others and this difference in rank is maintained over several generations. Matrilineal overthrows rarely occur and when they do they have severe consequences to the reproductive success of the defeated matriline in the following year.
After a gestation period of 167-193 days, the female gives birth to one infant. The infant's weight at birth is approximately 350 grams (12 oz). Infants are born with black fur and this fur will begin to turn to a yellow-green, grey-green, or reddish-brown shade (depending on the sub-species) after about three months of age. It is suggested this natal coat indicates to others the status of the infant and other group members treat infants with care and rush to their defence when distressed. Newly immigrated males will sometimes commit infanticide on infants not their own, and high-ranked females sometimes kidnap the infants of lower-rank females. These kidnapping usually result in the fatality of the infants, as the other female usually is not lactating. Young juveniles stay with the mother and relatives mainly, and as male juveniles get older they become more peripheral to the group. Here they play together forming crucial bonds that may help them when the emigrate from their natal group. Males that emigrate with a partner seems to be more successful than those that move off alone. Young females on the other hand stay in the centre of the group and become incorporated into the matriline they were born into.
Results of a research shows that male Crab-eating Macaques will groom females in order to get sex. The study found that a female has a greater likelihood to engage in sexual activity with a male if he had recently groomed her, compared to males who had not groomed her.
The scientific name of the Crab-eating Macaque is Macaca fascicularis. Macaca comes from the Portuguese word macaco, which was picked up from makaku, a Fiot (West African language) word (kaku means 'monkey' in Fiot). Fascicularis is Latin for 'a small band'. Sir Thomas Raffles, who gave the animal its scientific name in 1821, did not specify what he meant by the use of this word although it is presumed it had something to do with his observation of the animal's colour. The common name of this animal varies. It is commonly referred to as the Long-tailed Macaque because the tail of this macaque is usually about the same length as its body and because its long tail distinguishes it from most other macaques. The species is also commonly known as the Crab-eating Macaque. Another common name for M. fascicularis is the Cynomolgous Monkey, which literally means "dog-milker" monkey, which is the name most commonly used for these animals in laboratory settings. In Indonesia, M. fascicularis and other macaque species are generically known as kera, possibly because of the high-pitched alarm calls they give when in danger ("krra! krra!")
The Crab-eating Macaque has the third largest range of any primate species, behind only humans and the Rhesus Macaque. Since the wild harvest of the species for animal testing has been reduced by captive-breeding programs, the total population of M. fascicularis is not under significant threat. The IUCN Red List categorizes the species as "Lower Risk"; and CITES lists it as Appendix II ("not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival". The umbrosa subspecies is argued to be of important biological significance. It has been recommended as a candidate for protection in the Nicobar islands, where its small, native population has been seriously fragmented (Umapathy et al., 2003). One main conservation concern is that in areas where M. fascicularis is non-native, their populations need to be monitored, managed, or eradicated where they have a negative impact on native flora/fauna.
Macaca fascicularis has been used extensively in medical experiments, in particular those connected with neuroscience. It has also been identified as a possible vector for Ebola virus, monkeypox and is a known carrier of B-virus (Herpesvirus simiae). Nafovanny is the largest captive-breeding non-human primate facility in the world, and houses 30,000 macaques. The Crab-eating Macaque is one of the types of monkeys that have been used as space testflight animals. ( Wikipedia.org )
7/18/2008
Full Moon Party,Thailand
Source : youtube.com
Full Moon Party in Thailand: There are about 10,000 to 20,000 people attending every month at this Koh Phangan beach party. It is of course known as the Full Moon Party. International and Thai DJ's are entertaining the party until the crowd go wild. Paint yourself in UV colours and let your body lose control. The DJ's play all kinds of music; techno, trance, goa, drum n' bass, dub, reggae, commercial hits, house etc. on about 15 sound systems along Haad Rin beach. There are also many small tables on the beach where you can sit down with your friends or meet new friends from all corners of the globe. You can order drinks and food from the restaurants and bars next to the Haad Rin Nok beach.
Full Moon Party Schedule 2008
IMPORTANT! We are not the organizers of the event. Some of the dates below might be incorrect. Dates might change if there is a Buddhist holiday at Full Moon Parties.
Saturday 19 July, 2008
Saturday 16 August, 2008
Sunday 14 September, 2008
Tuesday 14 October, 2008
Wednesday 12 November, 2008
Friday 12 December, 2008
Saturday 10 January, 2009
Tuesday 10 February, 2009
Tuesday 10 March, 2009
Thursday 9 April, 2009
Saturday 9 May, 2009
Sunday 7 June, 2009
Thursday 9 July, 2009
Thursday 6 August, 2009
Friday 4 September, 2009
Sunday 4 October, 2009
Monday 2 November, 2009
Wednesday 2 December, 2009
Thursday 31 December, 2009
Location
Fullmoon party is at the south-eastern part of the island at Haad Rin Beach, Koh Phangan, Suratthani, Thailand.
Getting There
The regular boats are running 4 times per night from Bophut and Big Buddha Beach, Koh Samui (70 Baht). Speedboats are operating all night long. They can be booked at nearly every travel agency for 300-400 Baht per roundtrip.
Koh Phangan Accommodation
There are approximately 3000 beds at Haad Rin, Koh Phangan which is of course not enough in that Full Moon Party night, so make sure that you arrive a day or two before the party. If you can't get a room at Haad Rin, then take a taxi to the other parts of the island where you can find all kinds of accommodation. Most resorts require a 3-4 nights stay during the party time.
Full Moon Party Information
Please remember to keep this lovely island, the beach and the sea clean! Some people use Haad Rin as a trash can. Other people get very upset by this. If nothing can change this behaviour and nobody keep the environment clean, we can actually assure you that the authorities will finally stop this party! Act now and let the party live on forever!
Don't bring any valuables to the party...take only the money you will need for the night.
Don't take any drugs or drinks from strangers.Wear shoes to be protected from broken glass and hot cigarette butts. (fullmoon-party.com)
Floating Market,Amphawa Thailand
Source : youtube.com
Floating Market There are several floating markets in the vicinity of Chagwat Samut Songkhram. A visitor can hire a boat from Mae Klong Market Landing to visit them. They are :
-Bang Noi Floating Market This floating market, located in the vicinity of Kradang-Nga Sanitary Area of Amphoe Amphawa takes place on the 3rd, 8th,and 13th days of both waxing moon and waning moon from 06.00 to 11.00 hours.
-Tha Kha Floating Market This floating market is located in the vicinity of Tambon Tha Kha, Amphoe Amphawa and it takes place on the 2nd, 7th, and 12th days of both waxing and waning moon from 07.00 to 12.00 hours.
-Amphawa Floating Market In Front Of Wat Amphawan Chetiyaram This floating market, located in the vicinity of Tambon Amphawa, Amphoe Amphawa, takes place everyday from 06.00 to 09.00 hours. ( hotelthailand.com )
Amphawa is a district (Amphoe) of Samut Songkhram Province, located slightly inland at the northwestern tip of the Bay of Bangkok. ( Wikipedia.org )