Phuket Happenings - April 2014

The month included Songkran and four weddings.
Kellie and Michael / Christine and Steven and I have not written the others yet...

We visited Phattalung for Chuen's mother's birthday

we went kayaking at Bor Thor - more later

A lake is being illegally filled in Phuket
- does this mean that there is a legal way?


"Over 9,000 chairs, stacked in rows up to seven deep, were on Patong Beach when the Gazette counted them in mid-February.
The number of chairs, though astonishing, is not a violation of Phuket beach chair regulations, which do not specify a maximum. The number of rows, however, is."
- okay?

- where are the beaches where there are no sunbeds?

Tattooed body washed up on the beach believed to be a foreigner
- don't you love the English language
- does it matter what nationality the person is
- does the tattoo make a difference?

The police arrest a suspect for the murder of a French Tourist
 - a murderer from Myanmar

Chinese person dies and prompts a life jacket warning
“Moreover, boat passengers must make sure they are wearing their life jackets properly. The jacket must be fastened at the chest and also in between the legs.

- between the legs?

Reckless Bungy Jump operators 
- but they gave the contract to the builders who gave the
- another thing not to do  

A ladyboy is fined for being topless in Songkran
- does this mean that they should not?
- does this mean that they are fined because they are a topless ladyboy?
confused?

Thai double-deckers are banned during Songkran 
- and the rest of the year?

Two Russians wanted for a killing in Phuket have left the country
- with all that paperwork filled out an nobody knew?

The Thai people are the fourth heaviest drinkers in the world
OR does this mean the farangs that live in Thailand help this?

The dog meat trade is still very big in Thailand
- not just meat but the skin... 

Bungy Jumping - 2 dead 
one more thing NOT to do in Phuket 
- but then I read that it was the constructing people who were killed
- maybe the laws are not so strict...

Young Russians missing, kidnapped,one executed and one escaped - now left Phuket
- so many stories....

then Russian in road rage attack on an Australian 
knocked out his teeth!
- not a good month for the Russian PR :(


Nearly 400 passports were reported lost or missing in Phuket
- i wonder why?

20 land encroachments found in Phuket - names withheld
- i think that i have heard this story before?

Brakes failed on a tour-bus on Patong Hill 
- NOT Pegas, well at least there were no logos?

ATM skimmer at Premium Outlet 
- there is no reason to visit there...

Cigarettes and the beaches

If you really must smoke please dispose of your cigarettes so they do not affect anybody else.

Animals and humans

OR stop completely?

Restaurants popular on Wongnai

This is a Thai App which seems to have a lot of focus but the majority of it is written in Thai.

So I have taken their Popular List from January 2014 (see above) and compared it to whether I have visited these restaurants which are obviously popular with Thai people and I would be interested to know the average age of these people who comment.

Mor Mu Dong - Wongnai reviews - Tim's review.
Paknam Seafood - Wongnai reviews - Tim's review.
Shibuya Yakiniku - Wongnai reviews - Tim's review.
Ra Yaa - Wongnai reviews - Tim's review.
Ko Ben Chuan Chim - Wongnai reviews - Tim's review.
Gluay Nam Wa - Wongnai reviews - Tim's review.
ร้านต้นพร้าว กู้กู ภูเก็ต - Wongnai reviews - Tim's review.
Tung Ka Coffee - Wongnai reviews - Tim's review.
Phuket Tea Station - Wongnai reviews - Tim's review.
Kopi De Phuket - Wongnai reviews - Tim's review.

So it certainly looks like I have a lot more restaurants to visit and post
 on my restaurant blog!

Wats in Ayutthaya - อาณาจักรอยุธยา

Ayutthaya is Thailand's Ancient City. 

We visited Ayutthaya and we chose to make merit visiting temples in succession and they were all special in their own way - here is a list.

1) Wat Yai Chai Mongol

This was a Reclining Buddha situated in the carefully preserved grounds.

2) Jaya Mangala Temple วัดใหญ่ชัยมงคล

This was a series of different Temples over a large area - there was so much to be seen here.

3) Wat Phananchoeng

An enormous temple the Golden Buddha in the centre and a Chinese Shrine adjacent

4) Wat Koh Kaew

This is a set of Wats and temples which have collections which pay homage to the History of Buddhism in Thailand - very interesting. 

5) Wat Klauy - วัดกล้วย

This was a small Wat with only one temple but outside there was a covered area with more space to make merit. 

6) Wat Thammikarat 

This was a small Wat with a fair amount of destruction but there was a smaller temple which had a monk inside to receive us.

7) Wat Nah Pramen วัดหน้าพระเมรุฯ

This was a small Wat with a large number of visitors - well preserved and a place where Buddhism is clearly celebrated.

8) Wat Lokayasutharam

This is a giant Reclining Buddha known as Phra Buddhasaiyart 
- beautiful and also set amid other ruins. 

9) Wat Tha Ga Rong (วดทาการอง)

 This is almost a theme park - there are places to make merit and there are places to feed the fish, eat dinner and then go shopping.

10) Wat Kasatrathirat Worawihan (วดทาการอง)

 This was a quite peaceful temple and there were a number of Thai people, again no tourists - but a school nearby.

10) Wat Chai Watthanaram (วดไชยวฒนาราม)

This was a quite peaceful temple and there were a number of Thai people, again no tourists.

We were happy and tired that we had done this trip.

UNESCO are keen on preserving Ayutthaya and it is nominated to be on their World Heritage List - and in my opinion it should be.

This was extraordinarily special - we stayed at Kantary Hotel Ayutthaya and then we spent a night in Bangkok with family.

A visit worth making again.

Panoramio and Google map

The meanings of the postures of the Buddha - Thursday

This is from Wat Koh Sirey

In every temple there a number of different Buddhist states and each one has a different meaning - this does not remain consistent when I read all the documentation BUT I have chosen this one from Willy.

The Buddha image on Thursday is sitting in a full lotus position with soles upward and visible, the hands resting in the lap, right above left with all fingers extended, palms upward (the dhyani mudra).

After receiving bundles of grass from Sotthiya , he scattered it and made it as seat under the Banyan tree. He made a vow “ Skin , sinew and bone may dry up as they will , my flesh and blood may dry in my body , but without attaining completed enlightenment , I will not leave this seat.” With his strong determination, he achieved enlightenment. .

If you were born this day:

You are peaceful, calm and honest, likely to be a teacher or in the legal profession. Your lucky day is Sunday and lucky color is orange. Your unlucky day is Saturday and unlucky color is black.

View Buddhist Temples in Phuket in a larger map

My birthday, coffins, Chinese Shrine (มูลนิธิกุศลธรรมภูเก็ต) and the Vegetarian Festival

It was my birthday and we made  a visit to a Chinese Shrine  - มูลนิธิกุศลธรรมภูเก็ต.

Chuen purchased 3 packets of what looked like white bed sheets. We kneeled in front of the Shrine and Chuen read the words which were at the foot of the table in front of us, I repeated them.

We then moved to the top of the offering table and burnt a piece of paper. Then we moved to something which I had not seen previously - this was a pile of stacked white coffins with a plethora of purple paper on the sides.

We moved towards the stack and place 'my piece' on the sides of it and then the white blankets were placed on the coffins. 

We had a chat at this point and Chuen told me that these white sheets were for the people who had died but nobody was going to take care of them!

We walked quietly away in thought and then I notice that there was a ambulance at the front of the Shrine - it was the same type of ambulance which had taken care of me after the accident that I had at the Final Parade of the Vegetarian Festival in 2012 - strange how things come full circle...

View Chinese Shrines in Phuket in a larger map

Phuket Happenings - March 2014

So what was this month? - I had a birthday, Jemma's graduation, went to Khao Lak for a wedding, we went to Ayutthaya for two days but I remember it being a busy month so what else did we do?! I will have to read my blog....

WOW - fabulous cheap Copy Toy Shop (ธดาพร ของเลน) but sometimes the LEGO...

is cheap!

I really do not think that I would follow this sign to the Panwa Beach Resort - where has the real sign gone?

The story of the lost aeroplane deepens - a passenger on the aircraft was carrying a passport which was lost in Phuket after being left to rent a motorcycle.

Motorbikes are more than dangerous in Phuket

Then there was the comment from a person who lived in Phuket and asked what she should do when the Chinese Tourists surrounded her daughter to take a photograph - I suggested a tip hat - what about you?

229 years ago was the Battle of Thalang 

- missed this celebration (again)

Dive Instructors taken to the Police Station but no one charged 

- couldn't this be done at the pier?

- and what about the tourists?

The National Park encroachment is going to be investigated 
- again?

Shark Killing posted online raises anger  

- but the report is that it was legal - OK

BUT why was the man wearing that outfit on the beach?

what else was the man involved in which was not posted?

Myanmar workers are given a curfew because of a murder 

- and the foreigners who have murdered Thai people, was a curfew given?

Phuket Tour Bus Driver on Patong Hill found with drug in blood  

- more interesting was the choice of photograph 

- Pegas Holiday coach but a disclaimer printed - sorry 

2012

Big Buddha construction is possibly a hazard - work stopped

- the structure might fall over
- more projects are starting without permission - it is never ending
but my favourite

"Suporn Vanitchakul, president of the Phraphuttha Mingmongkol Sattha 45 Foundation and head of Big Buddha construction, apologized.

“I would like to apologize for the inconveniences caused by the construction. My actions are well-intentioned,” he said.

The Wastewater made the water change colour 

- but it was safe

- the pumps are blocked (sic) - how long does it take grass to grow? because that was what was in the waste...

Phuket Governors are looking at access to Freedom Beach

The future of Freedom Beach is being decided...
- is it all that it is built up to be?
- 120 Million Baht 


View Beaches in Phuket in a larger map

Then I read that the Bike Hire Firm is warned of the scam involving fake passports given by the tourist in exchange for the bike!
Round and round...

Terminal X at Phuket is for the Russian's and the Chinese
I wonder why they chose these two cultural groups? 
A management decision?

A Phuket Murderer (suspected) is on trial 
and the media is not allowed to take notes - because?

Rice scheme money is found
It's in Hong Kong - politicians and civil servants
that's a lot of money 'missing', when did they realise?


The kidnapped Russian gets a lot of bad press on facebook for being Russian
The Phuket News publish an editorial comment that all Russians are not the same!

10,000 complaints received about the taxi's in Phuket in 5 months
is that all?