Thai roads are the deadliest on the planet - and i travel on them everyday...



Thai roads are certainly a little scary at times but the deadliest on the planet?


Oh - the stats tell me something...


But then if you ride a motorbike is certainly hairy... Then I read that is also very dangerous...



The seven most dangerous day of the year to be on the road in Thailand start today...
Full road statistics here.

Take care on the roads please...


Happy New Year.


Wat Si Bun Rueang - places to visit in Bangkok


Wat Si Bun Rueang is a temple that I walk past each morning on the way to the Ferry (River Taxi).


It is adjacent to a school and it means that the area can also be teaming with students.


It is a wonderful spot and it was the last thing that I had anticipated as I walk to get the River Taxi. 



The main building is used on a regular occasion an outlying ones on a less regular one.


The most interesting thing that we found on our recent visits were the albino animals - possibly donated to the temple instead of put down?


Is it also possible that the dung from the animals is also kept for a specific reason?


Then there were the Sacred Stone balls

"These sacred stone balls, usually nine, are called ลูกนิมิต in the Thai language and are placed at the four corners and other cardinal points of the พระอุโบสถ.  With one stone (often slightly larger)  situated under the main Buddha image inside the ordination hall."

But I do not know whether the colour meant anything else however?



Then there are the rows of bells next to an entrance - which I believe many followers ring when they enter? The significance of this I have not confirmed.



A favorite of mine is the black large circular bell having on two ropes which is struck three times. Or by stroking it in the middle repetitively make a strange echoing sound.



They seem to be taking care of the grounds around at the current moment - but this character is in more than one Wat that I have visited?



A wonderful temple which in the evening has a local food market for those of us going home. 





Christmas Eve Merry Christmas



The Christmas Tree was put up (the lights only exploding once).






Then we made some Christmas Cookies...



Then welcoming in Christmas with a party last night.



and this morning the monks came to the village...



Merry Christmas


Graffiti in Bangkok

Photo courtesy of Coconuts

I read about this Western couple and them 'tagging' places in Bangkok with a big green pen - and a message was out to catch them.

They did and they were fined.

BUT I have no idea why they were doing it in the first place - do you?

      

David Bowie: The Last Five Years

Thailand Travel Guide With Me Offline - App for your holiday (App)

So what shall we do today?

Description

Thailand GuideWithMe is an offline travel guide, which recommends detailed articles around the country in relation to your current location. Developed by travelers and for travelers, GuideWithMe is a rich source of general travel info as well as off the beaten track advice.
Get around guides, phrase lists, warnings how to stay safe and healthy, restaurants and hotel recommendations, local costs and taxes, road rules and a variety of other info are carefully stored in one app.
Essentially complete articles with multiple hotel and restaurant listings are suggested for Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Hat Yai, Chiang Rai, 
Phuket, Krabi and other travel destinations. 

• USE OFFLINE. Save money on roaming fees and refer to the articles even if you are offline and cellular data is not available. 

• DISCOVER ARTICLES RELATIVE TO YOUR LOCATION. Switch between country, region, city, travel topic articles recommended for your travel destination and current location. Thailand travel guide contains around 270 articles covering the whole country. 
• GET RELIABLE INFO. All info comes from wikivoyage project, which is constantly updated by adventurous travelers and aspiring writers. Articles are vividly illustrated with more than 510 well­ chosen pictures and images. 
• VIEW ON THE MAP. GuideWithMe is based on map data, provided by MAPS.ME, offline maps app. An option to view the place on offline map is offered. With MAPS.ME you will always have maps of any countries in your pocket. 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/guidewithme  
Google+: http://plus.google.com/+Guidewithme/  

It was wonderful to see Phuket divided up into so many different places - it simply reflects how much of Phuket is not on the 'tourist map'.


Then the amount of information that was given to was far more than what I normally see - with the Phuket Cultural Centre one place which is certainly a place to visit (if you find that sort of thing interesting of course. (But note that the Butterfly Garden has closed).




Then there are some great descriptions as to the food that you must try.


Then there are all the other places around Thailand to investigate - I first looked at this when I was living in Phuket and it certainly needs me to look at it again since we are living in Bangkok.

Cost: Free
Ease of use: just read carefully the buttons
Comment: certainly an App to have a browse with before you are on holiday

For more App reviews - click here.

December - You know you have lived in Thailand when...



After moving to Bangkok I have become aware of things which are now normal to me because I live here – and subsequently a facebook site about this “You Know You've Lived In Thailand when.....” – https://www.facebook.com/groups/YouKnowYouveLivedinThailandwhen/   

so once a month I will contribute to this.

No longer are you surprised when there are motorbikes going the same way as the traffic but on the pavement...

Suvarnabhumi airport roof - how?

    


The woman, who was described as ‘foreign’ and aged between 20-30 refused to speak to rescue workers or give any explanation for the reasons behind her dangerous stunt.


While the woman was hanging from the cables rescue workers managed to install a large inflatable bed that would catch her if she were to fall - which is exactly what happened.

Original post and image from - ThaiVisa.com   

Do you want to see the video? - https://www.facebook.com/WorkpointNews/videos/546701082365841/ 

With all the security how did the person get to the roof?



Merry Christmas from Bangkok

Central Embassy
Thailand likes to celebrate and no more so than Christmas.

Central World
Here are a few....

Gaysorn Village
Singing Christmas Carols...

Siam Paragon
Quite a spectacular Tree here


And inside was quite dramatic


some restaurants had some


Outside they looked good 

Cape House
and some covered their front!



Inside the roadside shrines

 

Do you ever stop and look inside all those roadside shrines that are so common throughout Thailand?



Somebody must place those red drinks regularly.



Who make sure all these tiny figures are carefully placed and upright? 



Do you do it?
   

Eating dancing shrimps



Well I had a mouthful and happy to have tried a spoonful but I would not have it again. We tried this when we visited the Khao San Road.



Here's some more informationBut here's how to make it at home?