“Star Trek Into Darkness” will be released in Thailand on 10 May

April 8, 2013
By
“Star Trek Into Darkness” will be released in Thailand on 10 May

I tweeted the other day about the Hollywood movie Lincoln being released in Thailand months after it had come out in America. In fact, the delay was so long that the DVD had already been released which meant, of course, the DVD shops here were already selling cheap copies at Pantip and MBK. So, I think everyone who wanted to see it had watched the DVD by the time it came out at the cinema. Having said that, we do sometimes get the action movies at the same time as the US. This makes more sense as it helps to…

Read more

Bomb Squad uses a Long Stick to Probe for a Bomb

April 8, 2013
By
Bomb Squad uses a Long Stick to Probe for a Bomb

Is the bomb squad seriously using a long stick to probe the motorbike to see if it has a bomb? I know that the GT200 was an embarrassing failure, but surely that was better than a long stick? And what’s that broom? Were they poking it with that before? Maybe we should have a whip around to help these guys buy some proper equipment.

Read more

Desperate for a Pee in Bangkok’s Traffic Jams

April 8, 2013
By
Desperate for a Pee in Bangkok’s Traffic Jams

What do you do if you are caught in the infamous Bangkok traffic jams and you desperately need to go to the toilet? I must admit, as as car driver that has often worried me. Luckily for this kid, the solution was an easy one. Looks like his mother asked the bus driver to open the door so that he could take a pee. Incidentally, in Thai, this is called “shooting rabbits”. If you are a girl, you say you need to “pick flowers”. What’s your plan if you are caught short in Bangkok away from your home, hotel or…

Read more

Bookstores are Not Libraries

April 8, 2013
By
Bookstores are Not Libraries

Why is it Thais like treating bookstores like a library? Whenever I go into Se-Ed I often see people sitting on the floor reading books and magazines. I wouldn’t mind so much if they didn’t also lie down making it difficult to browse books. However, what is more annoying is that it is sometimes difficult to find a book in pristine condition as they often damage the books that they read. Several times I have bought children’s books only to find out when I got home that someone had written on some of the pages. What do you think about…

Read more

Six Air Purifying Plants for your Home

April 8, 2013
By
Six Air Purifying Plants for your Home

Due to the pollution in Bangkok, it might be a good idea to consider buying some of these house plants in order to make your life more comfortable at home. What about you? Do you use any of these plants at home? 1. Bamboo Palms remove formaldehyde and are also said to act as a natural humidifier. 2. Snake Plants absorb nitrogen oxides and formaldehyde. 3. Areca Palms are one of the best air purifying plants for general air cleanliness. 4. Spider Plants are great indoor plants for removing carbon monoxide and other toxins. Spider plants are one of three…

Read more

“Pee Mak” now the 2nd most popular Thai movie

April 7, 2013
By
“Pee Mak” now the 2nd most popular Thai movie

The new Thai movie “Pee Mak Phra Khanong” has been doing really well at the box office. In just ten days it has made 231 Million Baht, making it the second most successful Thai movie. It’s doubtful though it will grab the crown as this firmly belongs to Suriyothai which has made 550 Million Baht. RT @EarthCDBD: พี่มาก..พระโขนง 10 วัน ทำรายได้ไปประมาณ 231 ล้าน แซง ตำนานสมเด็จพระนเรศวร 1 ไปขึ้นแท่นหนังไทยรายได้สูงสุดตลอดกาล เป็นรอง สุริโยไท 1. Suriyothai – ฿550 Million 2. Pee Mak Phra Khanong – ฿231 Million (so far) 3. Legend of King Naresuan Part 1 – ฿219 Million 4. Legend of King Naresuan Part…

Read more

Husband Day Care Center on Koh Chang

April 6, 2013
By
Husband Day Care Center on Koh Chang

This is a funny picture I spotted on Facebook. It’s a sign for a Husband Day Care Center on Koh Chang. They promise to look after your husband while you go shopping.

Read more

Photo Gallery: Celebrating Songkran at a Thai School

April 6, 2013
By
Photo Gallery: Celebrating Songkran at a Thai School

Songkran isn’t until next week, however that doesn’t mean that students can’t have some fun. On their last day of summer school, these students took part in some traditional Songkran activities. This included offering food to monks, pouring rose scented water on a Buddha image and the hands of elders and, of course, a big water fight in the school playground. See the Photo Album.

Read more

Celebrate Songkran on Silom Road 13-15 April 2013

April 6, 2013
By
Celebrate Songkran on Silom Road 13-15 April 2013

One of the most popular places for Thais and foreigners to celebrate Songkran in Bangkok is Silom Road. It has the advantage over Khao San Road in that there is easy access via the Skytrain. However, be warned, if you go, expect to see big crowds. As in previous years, police will close Silom Road between 2pm and 9pm on 13-15 April 2013. The road will be closed from Sala Daeng to Nararom intersections (see map). Police say that they won’t allow any alcohol into this designated Songkran zone.

Read more

Some Bangkok’s Tollways Free During Songkran

April 5, 2013
By
Some Bangkok’s Tollways Free During Songkran

To make it easier for people to travel during the Songkran holiday, some of the tollways will be free. This usually happens every new year and Songkran holiday. The Motorway (Highway 7), the Bangkok-Chonburi elevated tollway and the Outer Ring Road (Highway 9) from Bang Phli to Bang Pa-in are all free from 4pm on 10 April to midnight on 16 April 2013. RT @pr_bangkok: ช่วงสงกรานต์ กรมทางหลวงงดเก็บค่าผ่านทางมอเตอร์เวย์-ด่วนบูรพาวิถีตั้งแต่เวลา 16.00น.วันที่ 10เม.ย.ถึง 24.00น.16 เม.ย. t.co/kEY5Qpuwgf

Read more

How Good are the International Hospitals in Bangkok?

April 5, 2013
By
How Good are the International Hospitals in Bangkok?

Thailand has an international reputation for their hospital services. It seems strange but people fly to Thailand just for “hospital holidays”. For many of them, hospital treatment is not only cheaper here, but of a higher standard. Just take a look at the lobby for the international hospitals in Bangkok and you will be forgiven in thinking that you have arrived at a five-star hotel. As you walk around, some even have the look of a shopping mall. One such hospital is Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok. But, does a big expensive looking hospital mean that you are getting a…

Read more

Speeding Boat on Saen Saeb Swamps People on Pier

April 5, 2013
By
Speeding Boat on Saen Saeb Swamps People on Pier

If you have ever used the canal boat services on Saen Saeb in Bangkok then you will surely be outraged by this CCTV clip from Charn Issara Pier taken on Tuesday night. Saen Saeb is probably the most polluted canal in Thailand that offers public boat services. If you fall into this smelly canal you will surely die. That is no exaggeration as people have died in the past. People are paranoid about getting just a few drops on them while riding these boats. What you see in this video clip is first one and then another boat seemingly racing…

Read more

The Eleven Strict Rules for Songkran 2013

April 4, 2013
By
The Eleven Strict Rules for Songkran 2013

Social media today has been talking a lot about these so-called eleven things that you are forbidden to do during Songkran this year. They say it should be “Songkran” and not “Songkram” which is Thai for “war”. I think most people would agree with many of these rules if not all. 1. Don’t carry barrels of water on pick up trucks 2. Don’t stand or sit in the back of a pick up truck with the intention to play water fights 3. Don’t sell alcohol in designated water fight areas 4. Don’t drink alcohol in a vehicle even if you…

Read more

Have Songkran Waterfights Really Changed that Much?

April 4, 2013
By
Have Songkran Waterfights Really Changed that Much?

Every year people always talk about how bad it is getting during Songkran. Expats say they always stock up with DVDs and food in advance and then lock themselves in at home. This year the government has banned people playing waterfights on the back of pick-up trucks. But, judging by this old picture, people have been celebrating Songkran like this for many years. Why change now?

Read more

No Smoking Allowed at Asiatique The Riverfront

April 4, 2013
By
No Smoking Allowed at Asiatique The Riverfront

This is just a reminder that smoking is not allowed at many places around Bangkok including in many parks, markets and any air-conditioned restaurant. This map of Asiatique The Riverfront shows the only areas where you are allowed to smoke. The fine for smoking in illegal areas or dropping cigarette butts is 2,000 Baht. Don’t say that you haven’t been warned!

Read more

Where my Twitter Followers Come From

April 4, 2013
By
Where my Twitter Followers Come From

It’s always interesting to know where people come from who read my blogs or follow me on Facebook or Twitter. This map above, produced on the twocation.com website, shows where my @RichardBarrow Twitter followers come from. According to their website, most of my twitter followers live in Thailand (57.6%), UK (9.8%), US (5.9%), Australia (2%), Hong Kong (2%) and India, Indonesia & Sweden (1.6%). So, that must means that nearly 13,000 of my followers are either expats or Thais living in Thailand. Good to know.

Read more

Thai Wisdom and Heritage Fair at Wat Pho on 24-28 April 2013

April 4, 2013
By
Thai Wisdom and Heritage Fair at Wat Pho on 24-28 April 2013

The “Thai Wisdom, Heritage Fair for a Healthy Thailand, a Healthy World” will take place at The Temple of the Reclining Buddha in Bangkok from 24-28 April 2013. The aim of the event, which is organized jointly by the Public Health Ministry and Wat Pho, is to raise public awareness of the importance of Thai traditional medicine. A highlight will be 2,556 people who will come together to exercise using the different statues of hermits in postures of yoga as a model. 25,000 handbooks on hermits doing various yoga positions will also be published and distributed. Various activities are scheduled…

Read more

Thai Cops to Get Tough on Sexual Harrasment during Songkran

April 4, 2013
By
Thai Cops to Get Tough on Sexual Harrasment during Songkran

Do you remember this photo that went viral on social media during Songkran last year? The sign around his neck says “I like touching women’s breasts”. He was made to stand there for several hours. But this year it would seem that the Thai police will be far stricter and will arrest straight away anyone guilty of committing sexual harassment during Songkran. In the past they were just given a warning. This is indeed welcome news as  every year I’ve seen drunk Thai men using Songkran as an excuse to grope young women. This needs to stop as it has already gone…

Read more

It’s Forbidden to Drink Alcohol in Vehicles in Thailand

April 4, 2013
By
It’s Forbidden to Drink Alcohol in Vehicles in Thailand

If you are planning a holiday in Thailand, you should know that it is against the law to drink alcohol in any vehicle. It doesn’t matter if you are the driver or passenger. It’s against the law. If caught you face up to 6 months in prison and/or a fine of up to 10,000 Baht.

Read more

Record Breaking Temperatures in Thailand

April 4, 2013
By
Record Breaking Temperatures in Thailand

This is a screenshot that I took from CH.3 news this morning. It shows the top temperatures for Thailand yesterday. As you can see, the hottest temperature yesterday was 42.7°C in Kanchanaburi. In the North the hottest was 42.3°C in Tak. In Bangkok, it was 37.5°C. But, how does this compare to previous years? In 2012, the hottest places in Thailand were Lampang, Phrae and Tak at 41.7°C. The highest in Bangkok was 40.0°C. In 2011, the hottest was Buriram at 40.7°C, followed by Tak at 40.4°C and Lopburi at 39.2°C. The highest in Bangkok was 38.5°C. In 2010, the…

Read more

How Will You Celebrate Songkran 2013?

April 4, 2013
By
How Will You Celebrate Songkran 2013?

These are two contrasting pictures showing the difference in how some people celebrate Songkran. Which one do you think is more fun? There is no doubt that waterfights at the height of summer are great fun as there is no better way to cool down. But some people say that it has gone too far as you can get wet even if you don’t want to play. In the old days they would ask permission first before sprinkling some water on you. Now you are ambushed from behind and have paste rubbed into your eyes and dyed iced water poured…

Read more

Four New Channels for ThaiExpatTV

April 3, 2013
By
Four New Channels for ThaiExpatTV

As I’ve mentioned many times before, I love using ThaiExpatTV to watch British TV here in Thailand. I subscribe to the mobile package and then use my AppleTV to stream the channels from my iPhone/iPad to my big screen TV. I have a 32 inch screen in my living room and bedroom together with an Apple TV in each room. The quality on the screen is excellent and there are hardly ever any dropouts. It’s just like watching back home. You can choose to watch live or catch up with any program over the last seven days. At first I…

Read more


Thailand Blogs