Phuket Happenings - August 2014

The opening Por Tor Ceremony and parade was always worth visiting.

So White Box was threatened and given 7 days...
- what happened?
White box owner answers them
Mai Khao Beach Restaurant closures...

Son of the former Mayor of Patong starts to remove sandbags on beach 
- but then stops?
- watch this space?

The beginning of the Por Tor Festival 
- always worth visiting.

The complete removal of encroachment of the beach is necessary 
- let's see.... 
Military bulldozes property and bills after 30 days and bills owner 
- way to go!
Beach vendors demand support for loss of earnings 
- oopps - i don't think this was on top of the list!
Phi Phi and Krabi are next  
- on a roll with this one
Jet-Ski operators are under a different law - hide under the trees 
- hide? different laws?
Jet-ski operator will be life-guard and beach cleaner  
- i hope that they still employ other people to do this
Government is responsible for compensation 
- there isn't a Government - sorted!
Beach operators ask how are they going to make money? 
- a valid point....

Investors 'urged' to clarify land ownership near the National Parks.
- you have been warned...
- which means you do what? run?
Luxury Resorts are being targeted 
- meaning they paid the most for the paper to build?
-but it is also said that
"The Royal Forest Department (RFD) is untangling the land title documents that account for 90 per cent of what is supposed to be Bang Khanun protected forest"
 - See more at: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/About-90-Phuket-protected-forest-stolen-says/32331#sthash.iMWtWgWs.dpuf
Then
5 to face charges for claiming National Park Area with a 'Flying SorKor 1' 
- must remember that description

Then
Freedom beach land is being argued about.... 
- there are a lot more things that could...

Hard Rock Cafe General Manager arrested for murder 
- guess i won't visit that restaurant!
- how did they get that position?

A Thai lady is scamming Thai people out of money 
- their own money

Phuket International Airport expansion delayed...  
- weather
- money 
- this is....

Homeless Britain with girlfriend found sleeping rough 
- didn't pay his rent
- BUT he must have an amount in the bank for his Visa?
- how was that?

DSI Inspectors for massage parlours were fake 
- how did they get caught?

Phuket Club Med's Rent increased from 3 million to 27 million Baht a year!
- guess that there is a lot of money in the business?
5 Rai returned to Kata  

47 National Park 'owners' explain to the army how 
- sold it to Indigo Pearl and they upgraded title - whoops, paperwork!!!
- but another man declares that he owns some of it - whoops, paperwork!!!
11 people declare that land is in park BUT they own it - whoops, paperwork!!!
29 people give up...
BUT
“If the court rules that your land was illegally acquired, we will enforce the eviction.
“However, if the court rules that certain plots were legally acquired and are legally owned, we will respect that decision.” - See more at: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Phuket-national-park-land-encroachment-hearing-reveals/33598#ad-image-0

Land at a Wang Kee Aon Waterfall outside Patong has been encroached upon
- i did not know that there was a waterfall here
- the water is now diminished
- someone owns the land at the entrance?

14 million Baht lost in ATM skimming 
- glad i do not have a cashpoint card!

Phuket Town to have more overhead cable removed 
- fabulous idea

Army promises protection to the Bus Drivers from the Mafia 
- so there is a Mafia in Phuket?
- the bus drivers need this - there is clearly a lot of money...
Police told by army that failure to protect legal taxi will have consequences 
- what's a legal taxi?

Then there are roving metered taxis on the first of September 
- were there, did it work?

69 taxi Mafia arrested 
- and...

The Thai Parasailor falls into the ocean
- how did the other person feel?
But we are told 
practice safe parasailing 
- the staff do not wear a harness - confused?

Building a roundabout in Chalong - 800 million Baht 
- is this really going to be bitten?

Building in Patong stopped because of height!
- buildings cannot be more than, but tall builds have been built...

Does Phuket need an Aquarium? 
- NO

Taxi with meters and with guidelines...
- when?
By September...
- watch this space

photo from Phuket Gazette

Baby Elephant chained in OTOP car Park - owner says it was well treated 
- watch this space...

Loan sharks plague Patong vendors "Once too often"
- is there a code? 


Jet-Ski, Parasailors and vendors appear to be ordered from Patong Beach 
- appear?

More claims that Immigration Officials ask for cash for 'fast lane'.
- let others pay and watch your line go down (quote)

A surrogate baby has Down's Syndrome (and a congenital heart defect) and is left by Australian couple.
- the couple were told the baby only had a day to live
- the couple spent 2 months in Thailand and left because of the coup
- the mother changed hospitals which was out of contract
"Ms Pattharamon had gone to another smaller hospital, which made the surrogacy agreement void, according to the couple"
- then the Australian is a conducted child molester
- convicted pedophile...

- abortion was requested but Buddhist mother refused
- Names not witheld 

- but Gammy may be eligible for an Australian passport

- which means that they get free health care

- Gammy offered Australian citizenship 
and

- the surrogate has never met the Australian parents 

- who got the money and who was in the middle?

I don't hear them?
The father wants the little boy Downs Syndrome now - Aussie TV
- the story twists...
- i am sorry but child abuse is not curable... NO
The baby was not created with the egg from the wife
- the story turns...
The Australian Parents - wanted a REFUND?
- there is more...
22 convictions for child sex abuse!!!!!
- and...
60 minutes television interview 
- ouch 
- confusion

New pictures on cigarette packets 
- can they be on display again?

British dies in Thailand 
- more discussion about work permits, drugs and alcohol 
-HE WAS a son to someone... 

Man decorates home with losing Lottery tickets!
- a lot of money!
- an unlucky man?
- bought from the wrong vendor?

All Foreigners must carry a Valid ID at all times
- what's a valid ID - paid for?
- fingerprints?

Sevenoaks schoolgirls still missing...
- and...


This map shows accidents - but i did not update it....

View Larger Map 

and for September

Use Marmite as a Mosquito Repellent

Well this is certainly a printed piece that maybe why I do not get bitten by a lot of mosquitos.

But yes I do eat a lot of it!

Sam Se Ju Hud, Wat Khao Rang, Rang Hill, เบรคแตก (Brake Taek) and วัดเทพนิมิตร Thepnimitr Temple

Sam Se Ju Hud Chinese Shrine was my first stop of the morning. They are currently expanding this Shrine and there is a beautiful Statuette to be admired.

After this came the slow but steady walk up Rang Hill. 

The burial area at the bottom left has now been closed off to all visitors? 

As I slowly walked up various cars and motorbikes passed me beeping and waving, even some Buddhist Monks - I decided to walk steadily to stop thinking about the business of work and let the stress leave me.

On reaching halfway up I reached a new road - a road that took you directly to Wat Thepkajonjit and a beautiful golden Buddha statue on the side of the Rang Hill.

I entered the temple to pay respects. 

I then walked upstairs to the Gold Buddha - finding a small offering / temple underneath - wonderful.

I then walked across to the Wat - a wonderful approach of very steep traditional steps guarded by Yuks.

As I reached the top the top room was open and recently decorated - more pictures to come here.

As I continued I found that there was a roadside Shrine of broken statuettes under a tree, I chose to have a look - clambering over the rails and looking closely (more photographs to come).

As I continued up I was waved at by the monks which were travelling in the back of an open truck!

The previous mystery of the passing monks was made clear as I continued to walk up the hill - monks were clearing an area near a Chinese Burial Area on the hill.

Orange robes were also wrapped around a number of trees - I imagine that this is to 'bless' the trees and stop any further building? An investigation will be made.

On reaching the top I visited the 'not yet finished' outlook spot. 

Then retiring to the Tunka-Cafe BUT it was closed :)

Walking down was a lot easier - so i posted my Instagram picture of the day...

Arriving at the bottom I found a little air-conditioned coffee shop - Sweet 'n Treats - fabulous iced coffee - OR did I need it that badly?

I then met Chuen for Lunch and we had some wonderful noodles at เบรคแตก (Brake Taek).

Time was taken, we picked up Jemma and visited a Local Market on the way home - opposite Wat Thepnimitr - fabulous! More pictures will be on timinphuket - things to do.

Where can I find the Hindu God Ganesh?

This is something that came to light when my daughter and I were shopping in a special shop called Radsada Handmade in Phuket Old Town.

My daughter asked me who was the pink elephant model – both inexplicable and endearing. Luckily I was an ex schoolteacher and knew that this was the Hindu God Ganesh.

Taking my daughter to school recently we noticed that there was a Ganesh figure at the front of the school (with the red soda pop). 

Then I saw it in a shop in Phuket Old Town - Little Monkey.

Then there was a figure on sale at Tesco.

Then I saw the figure on the side on a house on the way to work.

Then it was on the side of the road in Bangkok.

Then in more shops in Phuket Old Town.

Then at the Weekend Market.

This began a routine of Jemma pointing at the figure as we entered the Buddhist Wats and the Chinese Temples scattered throughout Phuket. Which led to me reading an article in the Bangkok Post. 

"Once only in art and entertainment the elephant headed Ganesh is on of the most worshipped deities in Thailand. Ganesh statues of all sizes can be found scattered throughout Thailand – the 24 metre long reclining Ganesh statue at Saman Rattanaram temple in the Chachoengsao province claims to be the biggest of its kind in the world."

BUT some people believe they must whisper in the ear of the Hindu god’s mount – a rat for their wishes to come true!

 - but the rat model is not always there....

Central Underpass, Phuket tea station, Sam Se Je Hud, ราชรส ตมซำ and ice cream

Taking Jemma to school always means that I am able to wander around Phuket Town.

I almost walked from Tesco because I enjoy the local hogs but as it had been raining the mud was everywhere (not that the hogs cared). 

So I got off opposite Central and walked up the stairs to have a look at the Underpass.


Of course nothing could beat this journey!

I walked around the corner but was upset that the 'Best Toy Shop in Phuket' was not open yet! So I continued to wander along the road, dodging the sporadic rain until I reached Phuket Tea Station.

Here I had a fabulous Bubble Tea and some Tau sar Piah at Kanom Keng Tin. Checking in on foursquare and posting on Instagram.

After this is meant a visit to a Chinese Shrine nearby (at the bottom of Rang Hill) - Sam Se Ju Hud. I need to do some more investigation into Chinese Shrines - i keep finding new things...


View Chinese Shrines in Phuket in a larger map
 
After this there was a much needed visit to Kiatsin Stationery Shop - I really need to know how to darn / crochet a Thai Flower Garland - can anyone help me?

After this it was time for Brunch and we visited ราชรส ตมซำ - a relatively new Dim Sum restaurant in Phuket Town. The Dim Sum is very good and it is popular but the best is the  'made whilst you wait' - 

It was then time to pick up Jemma from school - visiting Swensen's Ice Cream on the way home.

Wat Arun - Temple of the Dawn

Wat Arun is a Buddhist Temple that you MUST visit whilst you are in Bangkok.

Again there are so many sites that you can visit to find out the History but I find Wikipedia to be the most helpful and the Lonely Planet Guide.

We travelled over the Chao Phyra River for 3 baht in the local transport - the last time I was dressed as Santa Claus. 

The speeding river boat was the first highlight of the trip for Jemma - the spray was everywhere and there was not really any seats. We arrived within 5 minutes of leaving (guess that was why it was only 4 baht?).

Wat Arun is set just inside a well tended garden - there was a small charge to enter inside but it was definitely worth it.

Wat Arun is another piece of architecture that is on so many brochures but I was surprised that there were so little tourists there though. Wat Arun is named after the Indian God of Dawn. It was actually the previous resting place for the Emerald Buddha before it was brought across the Chao Phyra river by Rama I.

The 82 metre 'prang' (Khmer style tower) is based on the traditional structure but this example has been elongated to produce such an effect.

A architectural technique of using broken Chinese porcelain is all over this monument. This technique was common in the Ratanakosin period when the "Chinese used tons of old porcelain as ballast" - what this actually means needs further investigation by me...

The steep stairs were a joy (2nd highlight and a hazard) for my daughter and I to climb - and at times it did feel like we were climbing but it was well worth keeping going and reaching the top.

Times: 8:30 - 17:30