gomangosteen

It's only a matter of weeks (January 26 2023) since another incident with a longtail boat from Krabi. On that occasion a passing fisherman hauled them out of the water but a mother and her 5 year old daughter died. AseanNow thread here (Update: Boat capsize latest: Two tourists - mother and daughter - die after long tail boat capsizes in Krabi)

There used to be a 'poster of the year' ... this could be pinned towards 'expat of the year'. When she was 4-5yrs old, our daughter would threaten me "I'll tell mum" and make pretend calls on my phone ... here we have what is apparently a grown man doing the same "I'll tell mum - or else" Expat comedy. But as always, from a very high horse expat vantage point "It's the principle "

The 80-baht martyr The National Maritime Museum is in Chanthaburi province, about 7km from the city at Bang Kacha inside the walls of a fortress built around 1834 during the reign of Rama III against invading Vietnamese, walls still lined with cannon. This review from a farang visiting from Bangkok - hope whoever he was traveling with also agreed on his 'principle' and missed seeing the museum altogether. Guessing it was a sour journey home with a miserable git moaning the whole way. "It's the principle!"

No money involved in this one - should I feel discriminated against? This morning we were at the temple adjacent to the Taksin Military Camp in Chanthaburi, noticed there was an open day and went to walk in with our group. One of the soldiers cut in and explained that no foreigners, only Thai nationals, were permitted inside the gates. New policy it seems, I've been three times previously in past ten years without any fuss. Anyhow, no drama, just taken by surprise, my first experience as a foreign spy.

Experiences may vary. The two National Parks near us had new signage in 2013 which made clear one price - the lower one - was for Thai ID card holders only. Everyone else, you pay the higher rate. As I do, regularly, regardless of my visa status here. They're good places to visit, the fees are not on my worry list. Of course this thread can go on forever as others have. Interested as to why should holding a Thai driver's licence somehow make the holder eligible for discount? It's not a Monopoly game 'get out of jail free' card.

Nothing smart about this - they got away with living here over three years. From the article: "officers received an anonymous tip-off from a concerned citizen that they (Foreigners from the African continent) stayed in an area where not many people lived and were suspected of being involved with romance scams."

Nothing surprises. When we lived in Sa Kaeo there was a brief craze of high school students fitting mirrors facing forward to reflect back at oncoming traffic. Either the police or high school put a stop to it. Another not so clever idea.

Singing at the rugby. No Delilah. Swing low sweet chariot is not popular. And, next, Flower of Scotland: The former Scotland rugby coach Jim Telfer has reiterated his stance that his country's national anthem should be changed on the eve of the Six Nations. Telfer, 82, believes it is time for the anthem to be shelved because of its anti-English connotations. He has long vocalised his desire for change for the song that was first adopted by the Scottish rugby team when he was forwards coach back in 1990. Telfer has now reiterated his stance on the song that references Scotland's victory over English forces at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. "Back then [in 1990], it really got the crowd behind us, but I’d like to think we have moved on..."

Sir Tom Jones' hit, Delilah, has been banned ! Good. Ghastly sound. Something more recent please, rather than a relic from parents/grandparents era.

That's a long way north from Trat province.

Chanthaburi, east side of the river near Chantaboon; house being reclaimed by nature on a bright sunny day

From Sunday at Khamong, Khlong Khut, Chanthaburi A nice social day in the sun, enjoyed it. Next races are on the other side of the road, a little further along at Wat Kamong on 5 March. Eastern Thailand: Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, Trat

No-alcohol, ever; same with her boyfriend and his family. And to simplify things in case someone's hoping, there's no bar in our town of 9,000; no pub, no licensed premises. Never had an explanation, it just 'is'. Suits us just fine.

Good grief, what level of society do you occupy? Plenty of English-speaking people in professional occupations. My partner, senior accountant, worked with multinationals through internship and post-graduation, now deals on a daily basis with companies in Japan, Germany, Malaysia all in the common business language, English. As do her colleagues and friends. I don't expect any were working as bar girls prior to accountancy, law, pharmacy and dentist careers. Daughter #1 graduated last year, double major in Employment Law and HR Management, and you may be surprised to be told she speaks English too.

Lake Nam Khao at Tha Chang, 3km up the Chanthaburi river from Chantaboon on Thasing Rd, venue for boating and jetski racing events Eastern Thailand: Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, Trat

More from NZ Herald Rain is expected to continue to batter Auckland today with thunderstorms. A new heavy rain warning was issued for Auckland yesterday afternoon, with up to 80mm of rain possible to 10pm in addition to 120mm that fell earlier in the day. Flooding at Auckland International Airport. Flooding in Auckland on Beach Rd Central city - Queen St

Now confirmed three dead and one missing. Bad news for Elton John fans with both his farewell concerts cancelled due to weather. In the 24 hours up to 9am on January 28 2023, 245.3mm of rainfall was recorded at Auckland Airport. Two Auckland stations — Albert Park and Harbour Road in Onehunga — both recorded 271.0mm. In the four hours between 5pm and 9pm, more rain (170.4mm) fell at Auckland Airport than was recorded during the previous record 24 hour period (161.8mm in 24 hours to 9am on 17 February 1985). Auckland Airport was flooded on Friday night stranding hopeful fliers in the terminals. International flights in and out of Auckland are due to resume from midday Sunday, to allow infrastructure in the terminal to dry out and undergo safety checks. Hanging on the edge - Landslides threaten homes on Colwill Road, Massey, Auckland after Auckland record deluge of rain which caused major flooding across the region. 28 January 2023 New Zealand Herald A car was been trapped in flooding on Auckland's Northern Motorway as rising water brought traffic going in both directions to a standstill last night

Krabi makes the list, eighth place: 12 top climbing spots in the world 20 January 2023 08 Railay, Thailand Another oceanic dream for many climbers, the pristine Railay beach boasts steep limestone cliffs posted right on the beach. Only 21 feet of elevation, you won’t be huffing and puffing—although hundreds of multi-pitch, sport climbing, bouldering, and even deep water soloing, could leave you breathless. There’s a climbing school on the beach, so friends of all levels can tag along to this southeast Asia hotspot. http://youtu.be/nBox0dJEFTk The Rock Shop: There are many climbs to choose from, here you will find some of the basic rock climbing information for Krabi. Here is a sport’s climbers paradise, there are over 1000 bolted routes, ranging from easy 5’s to 8b+’s. While most climbs are overhanging, you also find balancy and slab climbing, and stalactites.

But wait there's more Pic from Sanook Teekhawut Sriburin, head of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, Krabi Province, said they will be locating the local Hua Thong tour boat operator. And spare a thought for Teekhawut. On Sunday he was involved in a ten hour recovery operation to locate and retrieve the body of a 30 year old German who committed suicide in the park. It's all happening in Krabi. On Wednesday a chartered long tail boat carrying tourists sunk and two of the three tourists died - a woman aged 36, 4mths pregnant and a six year old child.

No mention that this was a sacred place. Just that climbing is prohibited inside the National Park. There are several climbing business operators in Krabi, who carry out their activities in approved areas. But (and there's always a but in Thailand) as Thairath news points out, he and his friends were taken there by a licensed tour boat operator who should/must have known the regulations is this climber may not have been aware of restrictions. So, a little huff and puff from the bureaucrats. He hasn't been charged with anything just 'under investigation' (as is the boat operator) so let's not get too carried away. A couple of pictures from Thairath. It's also pointed out that this is a national park bird nesting area and it's breeding season. I'd be more concerned about snakes.

Opinions may vary. We've had two Yamaha Finos for the family, sold first at 54,000km to colleague of my partner, it was still running at over 100,000km. Fino #2 has just clicked over 85,000km, four years of daughter going 15km each way to uni, hundreds of trips to the beach - 30km return. Yes replaced the shock but for mostly one-up riding they've been faultless and extremely reliable. Maybe a different story comfort-wise with a large farang plus gf as pillion though. Very much depends on what the buyer wants.

This is my year #15. Dealt with four regional immigration offices in that time and yet to be declined or have issues. Since 2011 in Chanthaburi and maybe it's different to the big centres, but never a problem, wouldn't say they're friendly but certainly no hostility or attitude. When we lived in Sa Kaeo it was a 180km round trip to Aranyaprathet immigration, always sorted ok in one visit, made sure I had everything to avoid a second trip. There was a UK man who lived a few km away, he was declined/sent back for something else every time he attended Aranyaprathet, attitude issues I believe (plus hygiene and basic manners), he once asked if he could accompany me and I said no, really didn't want to be associated with him and share in his 'double visit' curse.

There's a successful pre-release program in Chanthaburi, providing training in cooking, hospitality and retail skills at a cafe and restaurant "Inspire By Princess". Inmates built the buildings over a small lake, raised boardwalks, two replica French buildings (jail and barracks - originals at Laem Sing) and ongoing development of gardens. Nice project think this would be it's seventh year of operation.

Echoes of John Key who left his National party pre-election - his farewell speech: Quote:"On a family basis, I don’t think I could commit much longer than the next election.” "All I can say is I gave it everything I had. I have left nothing in the tank.” The next election, National crashed and burned. Even worse in 2020 they dropped to 25.6% of the vote and just 33 seats. A lot of ground to make up v Labour whose 2020 results an even 50% and 65 seats.

The coronation concert. Excuse my lack of knowledge but what's a deaf signing choir? "diverse group comprised of Britain’s Refugee choirs, NHS choirs, LGBTQ+ singing groups and deaf signing choirs, will form The Coronation Choir and also perform at the concert"