Burma Bill

The work of Communist Chinese agents??

IMO the site engineer should be charged with manslaughter for not ensuring safety standards!

What a laugh to start my day! Thanks Soop1130.

High heeled shoes at dawn!!

Simon, out of interest do you sleep throughout the night with air-conditioning switched on? This may be of interest:- (Google) Yes, air conditioning can cause bronchitis symptoms: Mould A dirty air conditioner filter can lead to condensation, which can cause mould and mildew to grow. Mould can cause respiratory problems like bronchitis, coughing, and sneezing. Bacteria and dust The components of an air conditioner can harbor bacteria and dust, which can cause respiratory problems. I regularly get my air- condition unit cleaned, courtesy of my landlord.

With respect, you must be joking, especially in rural Thailand where a bunch of twigs with leaves is the most used warning sign. So a pile of rice drying on the road may be indicated by a bunch of twigs. Of course, no use at night! Warning signs and flashing lights would be far too expensive for most farmers. Photo shows a broken down pick-up with a warning "sign"!

You've had your chips now!

Personally, I would have brought Bangkok to a complete standstill in memory and respect for those unfortunate young school kids and their teachers. Up yours the critics! (from a country bumpkin)

Lead by a man named "Hannibal"?

Must be situated in the dead centre of town!

Same for me, but frequently and not daily! My phone: (blue not red)

Many thanks for posting your photo - very interesting. During my travels around Burma, I saw many old vehicles which these days would be regarded as "classic" and would fetch "a bomb" back home in the UK. My photo below shows an old Dennis Brothers fire engine, converted into a water carrier, that was built around 80 years ago at the start of WW11 or just before, at Guildford in Surrey (UK). It was located just down the road from my hotel jn Mandalay, near a fire station, and its Burmese driver and his family lived alongside in a tented shanty.

A wonderful view Simon. I well remember it. If my memory is correct, in the distance behind you, looking away from the Irrawady River, would have been the high ground of the Shan Plateau.

Yes indeed - your choice. My choice was to leave Thailand, almost 5 years ago, for a hassle free life with no visa bureaucracies.

Although illegal according to Thai Law, three people on a motorcycle is very common, especially in rural areas. Where I lived out in the sticks in Thailand (Isaan), I oftened witnessed this scenario - also with no helmets! RIP teacher and students.

Easy - an illegal Chinese migrant walking during the night in a forest to avoid detection having fled nearby Burma?

What a load of bureaucratic nonsense! No such reporting here in Cambodia.

Any Ukrainian intelligence operatives in the area?

That is good news despite their ordeal.

So that's how potholes are created?

Sure made an ass of himself!!

Yes - quite possibly a Waved Umber Moth: It is harmless, but if you dislike, ordinary fly/mosquito spray will kill it.

Thank you Simon. Just one of the Kuthodaw Pagoda in Mandalay which houses the World's largest book (Google/wikipedia) - absolutely amazing! Created by King Mindon in the 19th century, 729 stone inscription "caves" each containing a marble tablet representing a page of the book Tipitaka Pali canon of Theravada Buddhism, each page being inscribed on both sides in gold. A more recent tablet (730) has been inscribed representing UNESCO recognition.

Hi Simon. With the greatest respect to your fascinating posts, I hope you do not mind me posting one or two photos from my visits to Burma - such happy memories! The lady with the bananas on her head reminded me of three ladies struggling with a heavy basket of pineapples at Hsipaw Station. Not on heads, but the basket was eventually carried on a shoulder, guided by the other ladies!

Burma certainly wasn't boring when I visited Mandalay, Rangoon, Bagan and Hsipaw (Shan State) when I visited during the short period of democracy. A wonderful country with extremely friendly people and food to my taste - mainly chilli free! My most memorable trip in Rangoon (other than to the Golden Pagoda) was to a suburban railway trackside market (name now forgotten - photo below) to the north of the main central station. I was escorted by a Burmese friend and what an afternoon of sightseeing and enjoying refreshments with the local people. I would love to return but only when the Junta is eliminated - it has crushed so much enjoyment and freedom.