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The Common Butterfly Lizard. Leiolepis Belliana
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Welcome the New Year in style at INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit
Bangkok doesn’t hold back when it comes to New Year’s celebrations, and neither should you. If you’re still working on your plans, INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit has the perfect lineup: delicious buffets for a laid-back feast, fancy rooftop dinners if you’re feeling a bit bougie, a rooftop party to dance your way into 2025, and brunches to start the new year in Bangkok on the right foot. Festive dining, elevated at The Kites Eatery Image via INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit The only proper way to start your New Year’s celebration is with a feast, and that’s exactly what The Kites Eatery at INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok offers. With floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Bangkok skyline, it’s the perfect place to enjoy delicious food while soaking in spectacular views. Their Festive Buffet and Brunch will spoil you for choice with signature dishes that practically shout “holiday season.” New Year’s Eve dinner buffet On New Year’s Eve, gather your family and friends for a dinner buffet that’s as vibrant as Bangkok. The spread will feature a mix of festive favourites and chef-curated specialities. These include premium cuts, decadent desserts, and the kind of dishes that make you linger for just one more plate. For those looking to sip on something stronger, there’s an option to add unlimited Spanish wines and local beers. Prices start at 2,600++ baht per adult and 1,300++ baht for children under 12, which includes free-flow soft drinks. Unlimited Spanish wines and local beers are available as an add-on for 1,600++ baht. The New Year’s Eve dinner buffet runs from 6pm to 11pm on December 31, which means you have plenty of time to indulge and soak in the festive vibes before heading to the next celebration. New Year’s Day brunch If you’re not a morning person after a big night out, The Kites Eatery has your back. Their New Year’s Day Brunch is the perfect way to start the year on a delicious note. The brunch will feature an assortment of comforting dishes, fresh salads, decadent desserts, and much more. Everything is cooked to perfection to ease you into 2025. The brunch is priced at 1,200++ baht per adult and 600++ baht for children under 12, with free-flow soft drinks included. It’s served from 12pm to 3pm on January 1, so you have the perfect excuse to sleep in and still enjoy a leisurely meal. An intimate occasion at LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar. Image via INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit If you want to impress someone special or maybe just feel fancy, LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar has your name written all over it. Perched on the 33rd floor of INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit, it boasts sweeping views of the city, a five-course New Year’s Eve Set Dinner, and an atmosphere that’s perfect for ringing in the new year with style. The five-course set dinner will be full of bold and modern Spanish flavours. Expect elevated tapas, fresh seafood, and artfully crafted mains that’ll have your taste buds doing a little happy dance. Plus, you can pair it all with wines carefully chosen to bring out the best in every bite. After dinner, you’ll get exclusive access to the countdown party at The Giant Swing Pool Bar upstairs. So, you can enjoy an intimate meal and then switch gears to full-on celebration mode. The set dinner at LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar is priced at 5,500++ baht per couple, including access to the countdown party or 8,500++ baht with wine pairing. Available only on December 31, you can choose between two sessions: 6pm to 8pm or 9pm to 11pm. Bangkok’s hottest rooftop party at The Giant Swing Pool Bar The Giant Swing Pool Bar. Image via INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit The Giant Swing Pool Bar, on the 34th floor of INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok, is where the real party happens. The panoramic vistas of Bangkok alone are worth the trip, but add a live DJ, sparkling wine, and a glamorous dress code, and you’ve got all the ingredients to start 2025 with a bang. Speaking of the dress code, it’s all about Sparkle & Glitter this year, so wear your best gold, silver, or black outfit and get ready to shine. As the clock inches closer to midnight, Bangkok’s fireworks light up the sky in an awe-inspiring display, and you’ll have the perfect front-row vantage point from The Giant Swing Pool Bar. Entry starts at 1,500 baht net per person, which includes a glass of sparkling wine. If you’re coming with a group, the VIP Lounge offers an exclusive table package with a 15,000 baht minimum spend. The party starts on December 31 at 8pm. When it comes to ringing in the new year, Bangkok knows how to do it right, and INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok is the perfect example. Secure your spot today via email at [email protected], by phone at +66 (0) 2 340 5499, or through Megatix. Sponsored -
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Britain’s Sharia Courts and the Challenge of Religious Freedom
Same as the Thai Constitution. The Thai King actually has an officially appointed Muslim Adviser (The Grand Mufti of Thailand) https://riyadh.thaiembassy.org/th/page/29025-muslim-in-thailand-2?menu=5d80b46615e39c0a50006465 -
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Latest developments and discussion of recent events in the Ukraine War
Big explosion seen at a Russian ammunition depot near Rostov on Don. Was it a missile? Was it a drone? All we know is that it was Ukrainian. Keep chipping away at the Russian supply lines and depots guys. -
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Remembering the 2004 tsunami in Phuket
A disaster that transpired almost two decades ago, yet the wounds are still fresh for many present on the southern island at the time. Although Phuket has evolved to become a powerhouse of Thailand’s tourism as of late, for those present on the fateful day in 2004, the memories of a sunny day quickly turning deadly remain engraved in their minds for decades to come. On Boxing Day 2004, just after Christmas where children woke up to the presents delivered by Santa just the night prior. The festive season spirits and atmosphere still lingered as many prepared for the short stretch towards the new year. As the festivities continued, the residents and tourists of Phuket carried on with their days, blissfully unaware of the 9.1 magnitude earthquake at an undersea fault in the Indian Ocean. A stark juxtaposition to a characteristically warm and sunny day on the tropical island was yet to come. Soon to be overthrown by nothing but darkness and despair that was the tsunami, claiming many innocent lives and haunting the minds of many, piercing their minds with anguish until this very day. The warm and sunny day was merely a facade after all, but who was to predict this untimely disaster? The tsunami that engulfed Phuket on December 26, 2004, ultimately was the ripple effect of one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded on God’s green earth. If I were to put it in its simplest form, the earthquake caused a tsunami. But of course, there’s a little more to it than that. Let’s imagine the earth’s surface as one giant eggshell. Now think of the pieces of the eggshells as tectonic plates. For millions of years, these plates have been moving very slowly. They can bump, slide, or pull each other apart. In December of 2004, the Indian Oceanic plate was forced under, towards the earth’s core by the movement of the Burma microplate. What then ensued was a rupture along the 1,200-kilometre fault, causing the ocean floor to rise by roughly 40 metres, displacing large amounts of water. You may think that a meagre 40 metres may not account for much, but it was enough to send waves moving at over 900 kph. What steps have been taken for prevention since then? Tsunami warning tower by the coast of Krabi, Thailand | Photo courtesy of ©Studio Concept taken from Shutterstock Before 2004, Thailand lacked a tsunami early warning system, and both locals and tourists were unaware of the threat. There were no emergency response plans in place in the six Andaman coastal provinces, which led to significant loss of life and property. In response, Thailand has since invested in a multi-hazard warning system, regularly conducts drills, and developed a disaster risk management plan based on the “build back better” concept for a more resilient society. Thailand’s disaster management regulations, such as the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act (2007) and the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Plan (2010-2014), have established guidelines for effective preparedness and response. The country has set up the National Disaster Warning Centre, two tsunami monitoring buoys, automatic tidal gauge stations, and over 130 warning towers across at-risk areas. These measures, including multi-language alarm systems, ensure timely alerts and evacuation to protect people from various hazards, including tsunamis. Places and events to remember the 2004 Phuket Tsunami disaster To remember the disaster that was the Tsunami in Phuket in 2004 and those who have lost their lives to it, there are memorials and events held to honour the dead and not forget about this tragedy. *Details are coming in as the date approaches so this article and section will continue to be updated following up to the day. The Wall of Remembrance Pictures taken during the 19th-anniversary memorial service | Photo taken from the Facebook page of Mai Khao OrBorTor Located near the airport in Mai Khao, the Wall of Remembrance or the Tsunami Memorial Wall is a memorial that lists the names and nationalities of the victims who lost their lives in the disaster. The wall is maintained by the Mai Khao OrBorTor (local provincial mayoral government) and they organise the service every year on December 26 at the Mai Khao Cemetery. Although there have been no official announcements right now, based on the pattern, there could be a minute silence starting at 8.30am followed by a formal speech. After the speech, Buddhist, Muslim, and Christian prayers will begin for the souls lost to the disaster. After the prayers, the attendees will hang wreaths on the wall which are lined with the 45 nationalities of the victims who were in Phuket during the Tsunami in 2004. Ban Nam Khem Memorial Park Photo taken from TripNiceDay official website Opening hours: Opens daily from 8am to 8pm, Exhibition hall opens from 8am to 5pm Fee: No entry fee Address: V758+M3G, Takua Pa District, Phang Nga 82190 Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park, located 7 kilometres from Takua Pa District, covers 8,000 square metres and features several areas, including a Resting Area, Health Area, Playground, and the Tsunami Memorial Area, which is the park’s focal point. The memorial includes a curved concrete wall symbolising the tsunami, an old fishing boat damaged by the disaster, and a clay wall with over 1,400 carved names of the deceased. The park also houses a royal statue of the Prince of Chumphon and a Buddha image, revered by local fishermen. Visitors can enjoy the nearby beach with its white sand, clear ocean, and a variety of seafood restaurants, souvenir shops, and tourist information. Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Museum Photo taken from the Khao Lak Centre official website Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 8.30am to 4.30pm Fee: Free of charge Address: พิพิธภัณฑ์สึนามิบ้านน้ำเค็ม Bang Muang, Takua Pa District, Phang Nga 82190 The Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Museum is an essential addition to Khao Lak’s 2004 tsunami memorials, offering both an educational experience and a place of remembrance. The museum provides a comprehensive look at the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, its devastating impact on Khao Lak, and the long recovery process. Exhibits include a mini-cinema that shows documentaries and animations, damaged personal artefacts, and educational panels that explain the causes of the tsunami, the scale of the waves, and the response to the disaster. Visitors can explore the exhibits and learn about the emotional and physical toll of the tsunami while reflecting on the tremendous efforts made by local and international aid organisations during the recovery. The museum also happens to be near the Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park. You can visit both memorials in one day and it will bring back a haunting yet important experience to understand how the Tsunami started, where it went, and the havoc it wreaked on Phuket. Light Up Phuket The candles at the Light Up Phuket event | Photo by Myked taken from Flickr Every year at Patong Beach, there is a memorial service held on December 26 usually starting from 5pm. At this ceremony, there are also multi-faith ceremonies for the many nationalities of the victims of the Tsunami in Phuket and also a minute silence as well. Afterwards, attendees will dig up a hole in the ground and place lit candles in them in order to remember the thousands of lives that were lost in the disaster. This year, at the very moment, there are no official announcements about the ceremony. Keep in mind though that the events have taken place at Loma Park. With that, it would be wise to follow up with the official sources to find out more about the time and place. It has been confirmed with local sources that there will be the Light Up Phuket event at Patong Beach this year and it will start at 5pm to 9pm. Event: The Commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of Indian Ocean Tsunami The event on December 26 at Khao Lak Marriott Beach Resort & Spa will begin with registration and an exhibition tour, followed by the arrival of VIPs and distinguished guests. The opening ceremony will include remarks from key representatives, such as Anutin Charnvirakul, Minister of Interior of Thailand, and other officials from ASEAN, the EU, and UNDP. According to the schedule, a commemorative video marking the 20th anniversary of the Indian Ocean Tsunami will be shown, and the event will also honour the victims of the tragedy. Afterwards, an academic seminar will cover various topics, including public health, early warning systems, and research. The day will conclude with a welcome dinner. On December 27, the day will begin with a memorial ceremony for the tsunami victims. This will be followed by a site visit to Ban Nam Khem, including the Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park, the community, and the Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Museum. After the visit, lunch will be served, and the event will conclude with a return to the hotel. This disaster was a real tragedy not only for the people who lived in Phuket but also for those who have had friends and family visiting there. This has affected Thailand deeply and has encouraged new prevention methods to be established and a lot of efforts to keep the memory of the victims alive. Attend the memorials and events to pay your respects! A lot of suffering occurred back in Phuket in 2004 due to the tsunami and every little piece of mind and support that you offer helps. -
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A Christmas Day bust-up down the 7/11.
Barely a few hours into Christmas Day and I have already had an altercation with a Russian. -
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A Christmas Day bust-up down the 7/11.
I call BS. Restaurants may be confused but if the food bill was paid no one cares and he probably resold it if it wasnt touched -
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I HATE Thai Immigration - 90 day online report frustrations
Not in my experience. For the last three years, or since the new online system was introduced, I have completed my 'first' 90-day report on-line after my annual renewal of my extension of stay. My office is CW.
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