gomangosteen

I had proper conversations (as opposed to the walking past "Hi how are you...") with two foreigners in 2024, an Australian in January, a German in November; a decrease of 2023 when total was five - three UK, two USA. We're 15km from the city and since Covid seems I'm the only farang in town of 8,000, before then some older German and Dutch I'd see regularly at the market, beach or cafe. May already; this year I'm on zero; did have a smile and a 'gidday mate' from an Australian in Central on Tuesday. We're active in sports events, cycling group, all Thais; compete in running events local and adjoining provinces, my celebrity status as usually the only overseas entrant incl a field of over 1800 in March. I always greet / acknowledge any I see in the city at Central Chanthaburi or Lotus but they're a funny bunch, staring at the floor or pretending they haven't seen/heard me. Often in the company of my daughter who asks why they're so rude as she likes to speak in English to someone other than me. Whatever...

It's durian buying season; 400k baht maybe two D-Max pickups of good durian. For many it's their sole income for the year in a few days sales unless they've diversified into other fruits. Friends sold 90% of their total crop direct to an exporter, trucked to China, and a truckload (almost) of cash.

None of the above. Moved here in 2011 for two years, now nowhere else I'd rather be. Nearest sea swimming, 7.2km of beach, an easy cycle from home.

Thunderstorm forecast.... 34C and a few clouds, a deserted Chao Lao beach 7 May 2025, just me and the ice-cream man Eastern Thailand: Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Chonburi, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, Trat

Waiting for his next one, the Prophet Trump wearing a beard, accompanied by a 7 year old girl and a goat; a DIY Mohammed kit - not that this would upset anyone in this free speech world

Daily occurrence. A local [Chanthaburi] emergency responder regularly posts on FB for the accidents she attends, not rare for a fatality like this one during a night shift; so many are single vehicle accidents - mostly motorscooters, second place to pickups, the racing D-Max drivers who lose control at speed. When my daughter did her driving school course for her licence, she was told that on average there is one road fatality every 24 minutes. Don't know how accurate that is but possibly not far wrong.

TV news stated the boat operator has also had their permit to operate in the national park suspended (but didn't say how long the suspension was for). Good scheme, hit them financially.

Saw this Wednesday evening in Central parking area, thought it was a repaint, but turns out Vespa made some like this in 2022, Justin Bieber Limited Edition Vespa 150, sold for 181,900 baht.

We had an experience of lost/found property at Terminal 21, most likely related to the CCTV. Picked up a purse at one of the seating areas, found security and opened it in her presence; US cards inside plus stuffed with US currency, $100s; she took a photo of me with the purse open and we had to wait for police . . . my contact details, again my photo plus photo of my ID, photo of the purse, ID and money . . . can only guess worried about being blamed for missing $. Never heard back. Maybe it was all for show and they shared the money after I left? Anyhow, seemed a thorough process.

Shrine at the King Taksin the Great Shipyard, Samet Ngam, Chanthaburi Eastern Thailand: Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Chonburi, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, Trat

Locally (Chanthaburi) it's durian theft season; where a single fruit sells for more than a farm workers daily pay, too tempting for some. There will be the annual photos on Facebook of police accompanying a thief pointing at a durian.

i guessed it was this one, but the ages don't match, Nov 20 2024. A 75 year old man narrowly escaped a life-threatening encounter with a giant Asiatic black bear while collecting fishing traps near Khao Yai National Park. The bear attack left him with severe facial injuries and a desperate struggle for survival. source

The bridge at Phang Rad, border of Chanthaburi and Rayong provinces; don't feed the monkeys, but feeding cyclists is ok. Wednesday 26 March 2025, 89km ride. Eastern Thailand: Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Chonburi, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, Trat

Drive belt life - I saw the latest vlog from Life with Serg he's touring Isaan on a 160 ADV - drive belt disintegrated at just over 12,000km (and only a few weeks since a Honda service - guessing they didn't look?) - he says: "I've been pushing this bike beyond its capabilities for a year. The high heat and humidity here attributed to the belt breaking prematurely." My Click also had it's 12,000km service last month, I see they've ticked the box for belt check (of course they have) - what do you expect to be its normal lifespan? Thought I'd replace at next service, under 500B for peace of mind.

On the weekend 7-9 Feb we were in Bo Rai district in the eastern hills of Trat province near the Cambodian bordervfor a running event - Valentine's Run For Love 3/6/10/21km races. Race started at Dan Chumpon and coincided with a gathering of classic Jeeps and their owners who got into the spirit of things. decorating their vehicles. I know little about cars, and less about Jeeps, but these may be of interest hopefully to someone...? And for the record, didn't win, but we both came home with age-group place trophies