Post-Tsunami Photography

Studio Hatyai

This found via Charlene, a collection of very eerie post-tsunami Andaman coast shots of empty building shells, and a land still reeling from the events one year ago nearly. Also check his Georgetown, Yala and Pattani collections.

Great photography!

More Mango Sauce

Mango Sauce is back from it's hiatus. We'r enot sure why he left actually as he was just getting into the big time with citations in the Bangkok Post.

His current postings are a bit more sparse than before and his comment forum has been disabled, but three cheers for the semi-return of Bangkok's naughtiest and funniest blog.

A Bit Too Close To Home

Three bombs hit southern Thailand

Three bombs have gone off tonight in Hatyai and Songkhla. The Hatyai blasts were the worst, one outside the Carrefour shopping centre injuring 15 people and the other outside the domestic arrivals at Hatyai Airport.

Closer to home there was a third bomb outside the Greenworld Palace hotel in Songkhla (about 5 minutes drive from here) where three people were injured and the hotel sustained major structural damage to it's entranceway.

So far 2 people have died and 43 people have been injured from all the blasts.

My sister-in-law was just leaving Carrefour in her car via the side exit when the blast went off and witnessed several people lying on the ground. Another friend lives a minutes walk from the Greenworld Hotel and says that the whole house shook from the blast.

To read how it unfolded check this thread I started from a few minutes after the Carrefour blast on Ajarn Forum.

Ex-pat Builders Guide

Thailand - Expat Builders' Guide and Forum

Useful site for anyone contemplating building a house in Thailand. It's refreshing to see that it's not trying to sell you anything.

Thai People, Photos, and V-signs

A ping I got just recently from Mr iChris, prompted an interesting discussion on his blog as to the origins of the V-sign in photos. Now perhaps someone could explain the other thing with cradling your chin with the space between the thumb and first finger. Kind of like a twee gangsta pose.

Are Thai People Racsist - Discussion

From the Nation Newspaper's discussion board

The Seed of Discontent of Foreign Residents in Thailand

This is an interesting discussion from a board I have not read before, the Nation which is a right-leaning Thai English language paper.

Discussion between Thai and English readers and is on the whole intelligent.

Many decent and respectable foreign residents feel that they are being treated like common criminals who are on parole. They feel insulted and frustrated. But due to many commitments whether family, business or other reasons they have to stay and feel unwelcome.

Infrequency

This week has been my quietest week yet on the Worzone. Well, for 1 my computer's dodgy, well the collection is. It keeps cutting me off every 5 minutes which is annoying indeed. Gonna try a new ISP.

Second, I seem to be spending more time on Ajarn sorting it hacks and mods out.
My big acheivement today was installing a brilliant mod, the nature of which I will not go into right now..top secret!

Oh well, even this one entry is taking me hours to complete..how do these Kotkes and BoingBoings keep up???

This is probably just a phaze and I'll be back posting crap from B3ta before you know it but maybe that was the problem. Is recycling random crap from the internet a noble calling of is it the crazed work of a man with too much time on his hands...either that or slacking off too much at work.

Oh well just two more weeks and ta lot of work and this madness will be over, and that two week paid break has never sounded so good.

Wifey's off to Chiang Mai this week, jetted of by her university to attend some seminar on Curriculum Writing. LDMA not invited :(

Oh an dthe lovely SFB is back in town today....yup WorZone survivor Brainy Janey Ollerenshaw, is coming to pick up her stuff before finally heading west.

K tha's't fer nah!

Masters of Education??

The following question was posed as part of a mid-term test to a group of Master of Education students studying English Children's Literature at a Thai university.

‘Harry Potter’ is said to be the most popular and the most-in-demand among young readers these days. What do you think makes the book so successful? Why does the book appeal to children? Comment on the elements of fiction; plot, setting, characters, characterization, theme, and style.

After the test the marks for the question is struck from the results following a complaint by students that it was unfair as a number of them had never read or even heard of Harry Potter.

It struck me as amusing that the average 10 year old knows more than these would be masters. The unbelievable part is that rather than being laughed out of the course diector's office, it was deemed that hiding under a rock on Mars for the last 5 years should not disqualify one from bearing the title Master of Education, and the complaint upheld and the question deemed unfair and the fault of the lecturer for assuming too much cultural knowlege was known by the students.

T.I.T.

The Party Patrol

Westerners targeted in Bangkok club/drug raids

Bangkok nightlife took another hit last week when authorities, raided several prominent clubs and tested customers' urine for drug use, according to reports in this week’s local Thai media.

Will Hatyai be next? Rumours of the Brass Monkey being due a raid reached my ears a couple of weeks ago.

Ooh..Marko you bad boy!

MartiniThigh - A Threat To No-one

A Marko in Bangkok spoof of TIT rejects board MartiniThai (ma ti ni Thai - come here to Thailand)

Amusing stuff...the spoof that is...even Dirty Dog's three holer thread can't save the real thing.

Cuckoo Clocks and Sticky Rice

Thailand's 'Swiss village'

This from the Beeb. A village in Roi Et Province in Issan where the spoils of Swiss Farrang marriages have amounted to 6% of the areas regular agricultural income.

To many Thais, Baan Jarn is known as the Swiss village - though it is surrounded emerald-green rice paddies rather than snow-capped mountains.

Scores of tall white-washed villas with tiled roofs stand out from the normal wood-and-concrete homes built in the area.

Mass Fallang Cull Planned By Thai Government

The Phuket Gazette via Thai Visa

Retirees would be careful to note the small print here. Theres a fair few round here that are going to get kicked out...then again this is the usual silly Thai Visa scare story. If I see the stupid phrase "times they are a-changing" once more on Thai Visa, I'll scream with blind fury.

Only foreigners staying in Thailand on a retirement visa are required to show a medical certificate verifying that the applicant is healthy and does not suffer from elephantiasis, tuberculosis or leprosy, and is not addicted to alcoholic or a user of illegal drugs.

People found to be suffering from any of these conditions are not permitted to enter Thailand.

Naratiwat Teachers' Strike

Thai teachers strike over violence

Thousands of teachers in southern Thailand have gone on strike to demand better protection after a string of violent attacks.

The teachers, from Narathiwat province, have vowed not to reopen schools until security is improved.

Can't say I blame them. I wonder if any Fallang treachers are involved...maybe not!

Why the BBC have to include Songkhla province in their news graphic truly escapes me. The only incident remotely involving the religion happened in this stupid district right on the edge of Pattani province, and had nothing to do with the actual town of Songkhla, or Hatyai, some 60km away. Whats more nothing has happened there since. This crap is needlessly putting people off teaching here.

Untranslatable Words

Congo word 'most untranslatable'

The world's most difficult word to translate has been identified as "ilunga" from the Tshiluba language spoken in south eastern Congo.

It came top of a list drawn up in consultation with 1,000 linguists.

Ilunga means "a person who is ready to forgive any abuse for the first time, to tolerate it a second time, but never a third time".

How about this one - Krengjai

This Thai word is an adjective that describes a person who is obliging to a social superior or elder, only for the reason that he does not want to make them lose face or wants to keep them happy.

For example, if my boss wants me to work late on Fridays, and to do otherwise would cause a problem for him, then I would be krengjai for doing so even though I was not really happy about doing it myself.

Another Wor Zone - Another Place

The perils and frustrations of teaching Prathom are vividly described by new blogger Unassuming in his Blogger page The Daily TEFL Grind. A great read that made me laugh out loud in sympathy. Only three posts long but great potential with this one. Keep it up!

I sometime think when I am venting my spleen at these kids it must be like a Gary Larsson Far Side cartoon where a master is yelling at his dog for eating the couch again and all the dog hears is " BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, ROVER, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, ROVER!" Ah well, it usually makes me feel better anyway and that's the main point. I think they only freak out when they pick up the pitch of my voice or the edge in it. The actual content could be the receipe for Lemon Meringue Pie for all they care.

This Is Thailand

Read all about it! Headlines You are unlikely to see in the Bangkok Post.

From the Ajarn.com Forums

THAI MOTORCYCLIST LOOKS BOTH WAYS BEFORE EMERGING FROM A JUNCTION- Police spokesperson says "We're Baffled"

ISAAN SONGTAEW DRIVER DISPROVES THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY WHILST USING INDICATORS ON HIS ISUZU

UDON THANI POLICE MOTORCYCLIST WEARS A SAFETY HELMET SECURELY FASTENED- Reprimanded by superior officers for setting a good example

EX-BAR GIRLS PARENTS BUY FARANG HUSBAND NEW HOUSE AND PICK-UP AS WEDDING GIFT.- "It's the least we could do" says mother

ISAAN BAR GIRL'S 25 YEAR OLD BROTHER HAS A JOB

TAKSIN ADMITS HE IS WRONG-APOLOGISES TO DEMOCRATS

THAI RAK THAI MP PROVES HIS "UNUSUAL WEALTH" CAME FROM HIS WIFE

M.B.A. STUDENT AT CHULA UNIVERSITY FINDS INDIA ON A MAP WITHIN 5 MINUTES- Parents say "We're so proud we bought him a new BMW"

ISAAN FARMER GETS UP AT 5 A.M. AND DOESN'T BLAST MORLAM FROM HIS HI-FI AT FULL F##KING VOLUME- " Other people in the village might be sleeping. We have to be coinsiderate" he says

SOI DOGS- THE NEW MAN'S BEST FRIEND

HI-SO WOMAN SPOTTED WALKING HER POODLE INSTEAD OF CARRYING IT- "I must say this is unconfirmed" quotes a police spokesman

CHINESE S-CLASS BENZ DRIVING BUSINESSMAN ACTUALLY OWNS A SOFA, CHAIRS AND A BED.

Gizzajob

No degree, no TEFL, but gizzajob anyway

Bangkok Phil from ajarn.comphones several schools up posing as a no-hoper KSR backpacker-type, to see how many would offer him a job. Not surprisingly most fobbed him off with call again later in the week, some were more direct and just told him no, whilst others could barely communicate with him. One or two it seems appeared slightly interested, but it wasn't the outcome I believe that Mr Bangkok was fishing for. Anyway, my favourite.

Kindergarten Teachers wanted for Bangkok area (This school is forever advertising) The phone is eventually picked up by a young girl who I suspect has never handled a phone in her life. Her lack of ability in English is surpassed only by the girl she hands the phone to. Within seconds we are reduced to communicating using a series of basic nouns. "teacher......ajarn.com.......job........yes" (that's me not her. This is what she's reduced me to) "You......er.....call again soon.........boss may yoo" I know a phone call that's going nowhere when I see it. Click.

Whilst we're on Ajarn.com again, make sure you check out the hillarious A-Z of TEFL, which has had me chuckling for the last 10 minutes.

72 Virgins

Discussion of Southern Thai Situation on Ajarn.com

Here's another interesting discussion between posters on Ajarn.com, most of who live here or used to live here. 'Here' means not just in the quiet bit that I'm in, but in the thick of it also, down in Pattani.

The revelation that PULO, the Pattani United Liberation Army, has posted warnings to foreigners has hardly made any of us feel anymore comfortable. For readers in Thailand, you will have to use an annonymiser service such as annonymouse as many Thai ISP's have blocked their site.

WARNING

DEAR PEOPLE OF THE WORLD,

Due to the political unstability, persons who plan to visit Thailand NOW are adviced not to travel to Patani Raya Region, (Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Satun, Songkhla) and the neighbour provinces (Phuket, Pangnga, Krabi, Pattalung).

A little worrying you might think, though as I mentioned on ajarn.com, I don't think that everyone outside the REAL hotspots are going to be leaving just yet. If they do I bet there'll be some good discounts at some of those 5 star hotels in Phucket!!

Ho hum life goes on. Pass the beer Chang!

Red Sky At Night, Pattani's Alight

Scotsman.com News - Latest News - Pile of Bodies Signals End of Thailand's Bloody Day

Another article that has just appeared from the Scotsman, which focusses on the incident at the cursed Kreu-Se mosque in Pattani.

The Kreu-Se mosque – which local legend says is cursed – became a virtual slaughterhouse today after 32 separatist militants holed up inside were killed during an eight hour stand-off with police, dying in a hail of tear gas, gunfire, and rocket-propelled grenades.

Meanwhile the London Times wonders whether this is just a continuation of Thaksin's shoot-to-kill policy that he employed in the recent
"war on drugs"

It's plausable, that Thaksin wanted to make an example of the same people that earlier this year raided a military base and stole guns, whilst burning down 20 schools as a decoy. Did Thai authorities set this up knowing that they would outgun, and put down once and for all this earlier victory for the rebels?

Another theory I've heard is that this was not the work of militant group Jemaah Islamiyah at all, but another local muslim security force disbanded recently. This unit enjoyed many perks of the job, which were consequently denied to them after disbanding.

Other reports on Thai news point to the possibility of Agent Provocateurs within the Thai army who set the whole thing up, promising a repeat of the January gun raid, but designed to lead them straight into a police trap.

I must say that I've gone of the Jemaah Islamiyah theory somewhat since the BBC have taken it as gospel. Thaksin's stance is deeply suspicious, and although I have no patience for these young hooligans, does the ratio of muslim youths killed to policemen killed, not suggest nothing less than a shoot to kill policy?

Whilst I'm here, I've got to say I respect Thai news a hell of a lot. Whilst the media is stifled by the self-censorship that Thaksin's cronies enforce internally, it is not shy of showing the reality of the situation. Dead bodies, mosques caked in blood, and people dying on screen in front of you makes Thai news gruesome but fascinating viewing, and much better than the sterile version the BBC showed.

More as it happens...if it happens.

Wor Zone or War Zone?

Scores killed in Thai gun battles
Pictures from the BBC

Security forces have killed at least 100 suspected Islamic militants in a spate of gun battles in south Thailand.

Shit hit the air conditioning today, as a village on the Southern tip of Songkhla was involved in the violence that erupted in the the 'usual suspect' states of Pattani, Yala, and Naratiwat. Upto 30 people were killed in Pattani when police launched RPGs and teargas into a Mosque where youths were hiding after launching attacks on military bases and police stations with guns and machetes.

The police it seemed had bigger guns.
According to my mate down in Pattani, most of the youths involved were local kids as ol' Toxin Shinawatra suggested, but according to locals, Jemaah Islamiah has been offering these kids money and drugs to kick up trouble. The more Toxin buries its head in the sand about this the worse it is going to become.

This is worrying because for the first time my province has been hit, though the trouble happened in an area right on the edge of Pattani and not in the Buddhist centred part I live in.
Let's just set this straight though, do you really think that this is what the majority of the Muslim minority want? Of course not. They might have and old grudge against the Thai government, but they don't want change to occur from this usury of local drug addicts, what the hell are they trying to acheive, and when I say 'they' I mean Jemaah Islamiah who are clearly behind this.

I will keep you all posted on this.

Why do farang girls hate Thailand?

Why do farang girls hate Thailand?

Posts and discussion on the excellent Mango Sauce. A website seemingly dedicated to the Bangkok Farrang male, but well designed and good thoughtful articles.

Have you ever seen an ex-pat with a farang girlfriend? Me neither. Throughout Thailand, farang girls have been swapped for Thais in a manner reminiscent of the 1950’s science fiction classic Invasion of the body snatchers - "it’s some kind of pod... aaagh!" Why does this happen?

The Visa Game is a commentary on the state of affairs with regards to Thailands increasingly restrictive immigration policies. A lot of this rings true for me, but the 90 minute car ride which includes duty free shop and a full 30 seconds in Malaysia every three months on my 15 month Non-Imm-B multiple entry isn't all that bad. I feel sorry for Bangkok dwellers who live on 1 or even 3 month tourist visas.

Why do farang girls hate Thailand?

Why do farang girls hate Thailand?

Posts and discussion on the excellent Mango Sauce. A website seemingly dedicated to the Bangkok Farrang male, but well designed and good thoughtful articles.

Have you ever seen an ex-pat with a farang girlfriend? Me neither. Throughout Thailand, farang girls have been swapped for Thais in a manner reminiscent of the 1950’s science fiction classic Invasion of the body snatchers - "it’s some kind of pod... aaagh!" Why does this happen?

The Visa Game is a commentary on the state of affairs with regards to Thailands increasingly restrictive immigration policies. A lot of this rings true for me, but the 90 minute car ride which includes duty free shop and a full 30 seconds in Malaysia every three months on my 15 month Non-Imm-B multiple entry isn't all that bad. I feel sorry for Bangkok dwellers who live on 1 or even 3 month tourist visas.

Advanced CSS Layouts

Advanced CSS Layouts: Step by Step - WebReference.com

This splendid page has got me a little more up to speed on the seemingly undecipherable babble that is CSS, and I am now the proud owner of a great template, that is desparately in search of some content...I'll keep you updated as to it's progress.

A gentleman by the name of Filco has been cartooning his way around Thailand, this sketches are doing the photocopy rounds at the moment and as far as I know they are not online. They are pretty well observed, if a little OTT, and they certainly made me chuckle more than the "funnies" in the Bangkok Post (does ANYONE find the Wizard of Id funny?)

Click on the thumbs to see the full-size pics.

The Longtail to Rayley beach, Krabi.

Budget beachside accommodation at Hua Hin.

LDMA's Holiday Snaps From Samui

Ok here's the moment you've "all" been dreading. Yes LDMA is getting his holiday snaps out from Samui. Ok,ok, theres only four and their mostly landscape shots so I might even be accused of photoblogging at this rate! Ok, well here goes.

First of all, here's a shot of the beach 20 metres from our bungalow.

Next we have a couple of shots shot of one of natures most entertaining rock features, called Hin Yai (Grandmother Rock). It has a partner rock which thrusts more skywards about 10 metres away called Hin Ta (Grandfather Rock).

Finally, what tropical holiday snap showing dullard would be complete without the obligatory sunset photo (or 20).

Ok hope you like them.

Whilst I'm here, more shouts out to that Man In Japan Tim for mentioning me yet again for pointing him the direction of the Blog I used to test out my Blogroll. I'm getting a feeling that he is becoming obsessed with wrestling, sumo and otherwise, as there have been no less than three references to it over the past week that I have been reading his blog. Today's wrestling related treat is a quite frightening link to one John Paul Riley a somewhat camp individual, who's minimalist home page belies his very contrasting two interests. Wrestling and Philosophy! Thanks for yet another fascinating wrestling link Tim!