Tim in Thailand : July 2010

Absolute homes in Phuket - part 2

I don't think the Buddha wants anything to do with Absolute

A previous blog questioned the link between Big Buddha and Absolute homes.

Then I am sent a link from a reader about the Absolute Homes Scam. I visited Big Buddha recently and 'low and behold' the Absolute Homes stall is now closed (not the photo above).

A photowalk of Phuket Town

I found about this Photowalk from Jamie's blog about Phuket and subsequently John Gray in Phuket ........... Phuket is a small place sometimes or is it technology?

The walk is actually one of a number of Worldwide Photowalks. There was a number of guests and it was very interesting to walk around Phuket Town without having to think about a number of other things - apart from my camera settings.

I took over one hundred photographs and I think the 2 above are the best.

The most exciting discovery that i made was a little street between Thalang Road and Debuk Road opposite Wat Puttamongkorn - Soi Rommanee - wonderful.

I have collated all of my photographs in the photobucket link below and have tried to craft a video with 4 pieces of video - I chose the wrong settings - guess I need to go again.....

Buddhist Lent Day 27th July

As the rains descend, or have been descending for the past 24 hours, this is the time that the Buddhist monk retreats to the temple - NO to you cynics out there, not to avoid the rain - for a period of spiritual renewal. It is a time of study and meditation and the monks do not leave the temple grounds for a period of 3 months. I read that this was done to prevent the monks from trampling upon the growing rice when they visit the villagers.

One particular province in Thailand called Saraburi has a great many activities which are unique to this province and is referred to as the Tak Bat Dok Mai.

Information and photos from Thai Buddhist.com

Phuket News: July 2010

A number of local people in Sapan Hin decide that they had waited too long for the government to agree that a road (already built) could be completed. The problem was that part of it was through a mangrove swamp and the Environment Minister indicates that a flyover must be built over the protected swamp......

Not for the same reasons but there is an unfinished road at the back of the park that I go to Jemma with - not completed because of no money - now I understand why it was strange road that went no where - watch this space

Did not take part in the Laguna Marathon - next time.

Maybe I should support Phuket FC..... when are they playing Trang?

Tsunami sculpture 'not stolen' but being repaired.

Are you a farang married to a Thai lady?
In 2009 there were 24 divorces of a mixed marriage out of 36 cases - hard to believe BUT i only read the newspaper.

A tour guide looking after 11 guests did a runner with all of their money - returned it to them and not charged.

Who falls for this?
The money that you see is dyed and is waiting to be destroyed. We have a chemical (expensive) which can remove this dye and we can make a lot of money BUT we need some hard cash, some more ....... don't tell anyone...

Sustainable tourism means what?
Ecotourism is something different - are there any normal tourists in Phuket now?
Medical tourism is next...............

Dengue fever is on the rise in Phuket. (213 so far).

A curb on the building - not a bad idea?

I visited the Kathu festival but I did not see the Opium display - maybe I left too early?

Toilets at Suvarnabhumi International Airport are getting a 'make over' to 'make the top 10 rankings of the World's Best airports - is that the only thing they need to change'?

Two kids go on a Mountain Trek in order to raise money for Soi Dog - i am impressed, good luck.

Apparently there are 208,183 motorbikes (registered?) in Phuket. As of July the 1st riders and passengers MUST wear a helmet or be fined - the Phuket Police gave away 800 helmets to the motorbike taxi drivers - is this helmet for their passenger to wear?

Asarnha Bucha Day 26th July

Asarna Bucha day celebrates the Buddha's first sermon to his first 5 disciples after attaining Enlightenment more than 25,000 years ago.

There are candlelit processions in all Buddhist temples.

More wires 2 disappear (Post 1)

In a previous blog I indicated the surprise that the mess of overhead wires were removed from a part of Phuket Town but did not feel that much more would be done -
I am wrong.

Phase II starts in August - The Nation.

Butterfly release - 10th July

We had the day off together so we got up early and drove to the Khao Phra Taew forest area of Phuket in the northeast of the island. Where we were struck by the sheer number of people - wonderful excitement.

Then I met Jamie who was there with his trusty camera - and I am now in wonder of his beautiful photographs - there was only a scattering of other 'farangs' as well. This was the 4th event of it's kind and there was so little written about it - but Jamie's blog has a wonderful report about it so.... please have a read of his writing.

Thank you again to Jaipet - the Director of the Phuket Butterfly Garden and Insect World for his hospitality and to his wife for Jemma's teddy bear - I am writing a blog for you at the moment.

For more photographs please have a look at the photographs and the youtube video.

French National Day - 14th July

Not sure what we will do for his one - a good excuse to get the French Cookbook out.

Collecting ring pulls for artificial limbs

I asked the staff where I work why they collected the ring pulls - as there were always bags of them scattered around - I was then told that they were used to create artificial limbs.

I found one record of this happening in Thailand
BUT
I found another which indicated that it was a hoax

Watch this space.......