gomangosteen

Dogs. There's a privately run animal rescue shelter (Malee's) 6km from us, rural Chanthaburi. Currently (according to their Facebook page) approx 360 dogs and 60 cats.

It was started by an Englishman and his wife, he's now deceased and she has carried it on, supported by donations of food and money for food. Overseas tourists volunteer there.

Appears people just dump pups around that highway area knowing that eventually they'll either 1 get run over 2 starve to death or 3 get picked up and taken to the shelter. 

Don't know how long it's sustainable, or how long she'll have the energy and dedication to keep it going. And if it had to close, what to do with 400+ animals?

46 minutes ago, arick said:

 

Driving license renewal you need to show them your passport because your passport number is on your driving license that's why a Thai driving license is sufficient enough for using on an airplane or at a hotel because your passport number is on your driving license so if there's any problem they can pick up the phone and give them your passport number and they can find out everything about you from immigration. 

Not in all cases.

My new drivers licences car and motorcycle issued 15 December 2023 feature the ID number from my pink non-Thai ID Card - not my passport number as per previous licences.

Mine and daughter's are a week apart, usually a family dinner on the nearest weekend

This may reflect many a poster:

20 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

No ....

 

IMO....a Non-Thai ID card might be a UK driving license for example.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has the following information - clarifies what that non-Thai ID refers to - as others have stated, it is the pink ID Card

10 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

tragic that this is possible indeed.. No responsibility of parents and /or teachers  to let 5 kids drive a motorcycle and of course the lack of real enforcement of the laws in general by the RTP. So sorry for the wasted life, but it could have been prevented

'resistance is futile'

In July one of our daughter's classmates died at scene of an accident, along with her younger brother who passed away in hospital from head injury.

They were n a highway going home from school, overtaking a truck on a corner, no licence, no helmets. 

Head-on into an approaching pickup. As it was Friday after school, kids at the hospital, kids and teachers at the temple in a brief mourning period. Parents lost their only family.

But Monday morning it was business as usual as I took daughter to school, police with their whistles managing traffic into the school, teachers at the gate, kids on motorbikes minus helmets and too young to have a licence. 

Last night I picked her up from school at 8pm they'd been away on a class bus trip. On the way I had to almost stop against the kerb, as three boys in school uniform were racing towards me (they'd be her classmates) - all with pillions, no helmets, one each lane one on the centreline. That's the next candidates for joining the raid fatality statistics.

Good one - for Chanthaburi three national parks are included.

On Sunday we went to Huai Ta Bo which is the northern area of Namtok Phliu National Park - expected to pay a fee but instead just invited to make a note in the visitors' book and given a 'happy walking' from the security guard at the gate. Nice spot, lake, trails and camping.

^ registered and verified ok

On 1/13/2024 at 12:36 PM, scubascuba3 said:

Thailand needs more farang phycologists, counsellors etc, there's a job for you

Phycology is the study of algae.

Gaining a degree in algae may be an option to OP, but whether Thailand needs another phycologist is another matter. 

Phycology, the study of algae, a large heterogeneous group of chiefly aquatic plants ranging in size from microscopic forms to species as large as shrubs or trees. The discipline is of immediate interest to humans because of algae's importance in ecology.

A common misunderstanding between psychiatry and psychology.

A psychiatrist is firstly a medical practitioner (doctor) completing 5-6 years medical studies, internship, two years as a Junior House Officer satisfactorily completing 8 three month placements in a mix of surgical and medical runs (eg paediatrics, ED, O&G, surgery, psych, etc).

Followed by 1-2 years as a Senior House Officer six month placements (often longer), then becoming a Registrar which leads towards their chosen specialist career path.

In the case of Psychiatry - application and acceptance and a further five year training program. Application is a competitive process for all specialties some registrar's miss out year after year.

In my exp few doctors do this without taking a significant break, 6-12 months taken as leave without pay is common as there's limited opportunity to take any lengthy holiday especially during those three month placements where there are minimum attendance days towards gaining a pass.

So the first step for OP is attaining high enough quals to apply for highly competitive medical school acceptance. 

As if!

My best re-invention is "I'm not working any more"

Over Xmas-NY received many messages from former colleagues and work contacts in New Zealand & Australia, several suggested along the lines of "you must be missing work", two from recruitment agencies offering me short-term contracts as I'd worked for them in the past, one offer to work remotely here.

A "thanks but no thanks, no longer available". Decided a long time ago I wouldn't be working full-time beyond middle-age, can't understand the people I know / have worked with still employed while receiving superannuation. And then they die.

Eleven houses all built 2016-18, none have changed hands all in original ownership. Ours was #9, completed April 2018.

Three are 'absentee' owners from Bangkok, who use their houses as holiday homes, investment maybe, they're a mystery to us.

We're one of just two on the left side, ours a corner section adjoining a vacant block which is our jungle, left it wild, trees and a pond, squirrels, water birds and rumour of a water monitor I've never seen.

Furthest house has three kids under 12 otherwise ours the only younger ones; a single school teacher, a couple who work at the tessaban, others retired. 

Quiet, no through traffic, sited 300m back from the road. Two cats, two dogs one of whom has the ability to bark. 

We'd lived in the area since 2011 at two locations, had a good vision of where, and how, we wanted to live, smallish house that will be easy to lock and leave when we want to travel though at present that's ok with daughters old enough.

All good neighbours, respectful, and friendly. Previous place (rented) was just as good, last house of seven in a short no-exit we tried to buy but not for sale. 2013 we'd bought and developed a section about 8km away but regretted the location and re-sold as bare land, too remote and on the wrong side of Sukhumvit Rd 

These things take time.

39 minutes ago, LosLobo said:

Yet the OP clearly gives the photo credit to India Today, for anyone who cares to read it.

Agree.

In future I will get all my local Thailand news accompanied by relevant Indian photos from India Today rather than reading my usual Thai language news sites.

12 January 2024. Fishing at Paknam Laem Sing with the 1060m Taksin Maharat bridge across the Chanthaburi river as background; Sunday 7th Jan we competed in a running event with start finish on this side which involved a bridge crossing, scenic sunrise running. 

On the bridge

Eastern Thailand: Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Chonburi, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, Trat

No change for 2024 except the HTMS Phosamton / HMS Minstrel may be a few cm more embedded in the riverbed

and from 09/04/1947

Minesweeper HMS Minstrel at Naval Dockyard, Singapore, during its handover ceremony from British Royal Navy to Royal Thai Navy
 

Some further info from Khaosod - appears that Hamish wasn't overly concerned:

Quote

According to the preliminary inquiry, Ms. Chatchaya had a quarrel with Mr. Hamish, her 40-year-old New Zealand boyfriend, at the pool around 1:40 p.m. on January 6.

Following that, this man carried Ms. Chatchaya, who was unconscious, downstairs and asked the hotel staff to call an ambulance. 

Mr. Hamish went back up to have a shower and returned to notify the hotel personnel that he would visit his girlfriend at Patong Hospital to check on her condition.

That time was almost half an hour after the incident occurred.

46 minutes ago, thecyclist said:

They seem to prefer Ban Laem to Ban Pakard. 

I've used both previously (from Chanthaburi) there is a 5km distance difference.

Ban Laem is 5km further - my guess is as it's the bigger border crossing, more staff, faster processing.

10 minutes ago, degodasilva said:

 

Very helpful, thank you.

 

Do you have any idea what kind of times they leave Pattaya?

Worth making a call, we've used them several times, prefer the 4pm Pattaya departure which is the last of the day but on one occasion 2pm was latest - but maybe due to driver not available, still, save some time by giving them a call.

In terms of minivan drivers, the ones we've had have always been ok.

Not due for completion until late 2024, the International Mangrove Botanical Gardens at Samet Ngam, Chanthaburi. 

Dedicated to Rama IX; at present many of the trails through the mangroves are accessible, as is one observation tower, but the raised walkways remain a work in progress. 

We went on Sunday, just a couple of electricians working on site.

Eastern Thailand: Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Chonburi, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, Trat

When we lived in Sa Kaeo we visited Pang Sida National Park and got permission at the ranger station to take the dirt trail a further 20km on our motorbike.

Given a briefing about conditions, and what must have been his all-time best joke, told us to keep the windows up, and if we saw a tiger take photos and note the location.

It was only after returning home we found that it wasn't completely a joke.

From the Thai National Park website: Some of the interesting mammals of Pang Sida are; elephants, tigers, marbled-cats, gaurs ... and so on.

And a bonus photo!

Highway 317 heading north towards Soi Dao.

Many a foreigner will have been through here Pong Nam Ron to go east to the Cambodian border crossing at Ban Pakkard or Ban Laem.

Khao Soi Dao Tai is its highest peak at 1,675 metres (5,495 ft).

Minus the cloud