Tim in Thailand : October 2015

Dolphins in Phuket

We left Cape Panwa Hotel at approximately 3 o'clock in the afternoon - it looked like a lovely day - there were people canoeing and you can see Panwa House in the distance.

We were taken care of by the John Gray of John Gray Sea Canoe - we reached Mai Ton Island in approximately 30 minutes. I have not visited Mai Ton Island but I was told that it would cost us 500 Baht each to go on there using the pier.

We began to circle Mai Ton Island and we were immediately made aware of a pod of dolphins swimming around us.

Then John Gray told the boat captain to simply follow the pod carefully...

It was clear that there was more than one dolphin pod. A canoe was released to attract the attention of the pod - this didn't work - we had to simply wait...

Then one jumped - it was beautiful...

Sitting on the brow of the boat it was clear that they were swimming around in a pattern.

Then looking carefully the pod was made up of adult and young dolphins.

I kept catching the dolphin and their tail going into the air but there were no more jumps forthcoming.

But we must have sat there and watched for 2-3 hours - lovely.

During that time there was very little other activity - there was the occasional fishing vessel, twice there was a tourist boat one of which took their clientele snorkelling.

It was something that we would do again. If you are interested in this trip please contact John Gray Sea Canoe for more information.

Keep dolphins wild and DO NOT visit the Phuket Dolphinarium.

Halloween is coming

Halloween is only a week away and have you got your outfit yet?

If you don't then I suggest that you go to Central and to Zeen Zone where you can find a marvellous selection of things for Halloween.

We have ours already.

We will see you at Cafe Kantary to get a 50% discount if we are dressed

King Chulalongkorn Day 23 Oct

23 October of every year is a national holiday in Thailand as it marks “King Chulalongkorn Day" or known in Thai as "Wan Piyamaharaj Day". It is the memorial day of the passing away of King Chulalongkorn, otherwise known as King Rama V. King Chulalongkorn led several major reforms in Thailand, for example in the areas of Thai educational system, military affairs, State Railway and Slave Liberation Act without bloodshed in Thailand.
this text is from the Royal Thai Embassy in Singapore.

The most important royal contribution was the announcement of Slave Abolition Act. Slave Abolition made him the Beloved Great King of all people of Siam.
this text and images are from Thailand Life.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2015 - Last Night

The last night of Phuket Vegetarian Festival is always fun...

People are waiting around the ClockTower for the fun to start...

The last night starts very calmly - offerings are laid out on the side of the road like every other time there is a parade through Phuket Town.

The parade this evening starts at Sapan Hin and Bang Neow Shrine, winds it's way through Phuket Town to Jui Tui Shrine and then returns.

I visited Jui Tui first and my first thing was to go into the place where you are not usually able to go - the Shrine area to the right of the main shrine and links to Pud Jow shrine adjacent to it. Then here there are people preparing their Chinese Shrines for the Parade.

I did not stay - I walked back through the busy food market to meet my family at

Clocktower Circle.

It was at this point that I thought that it was getting dangerous and that I thought that they should go home - they did (Note: there was a gun shooting in the later evening and a drunk foreigner taken by police).

Then the fireworks began to escalate....

Then there was a sudden move from a mob of people opposite Mee Ton Poe I - there was some Chinese Dragon Dancers...

5 minutes later there was a second surge - the sedan chairs with the god statues in began to arrive.

Here's Jamie.

Then the parade began in earnest - it was 'politely chaotic' - certainly noisy.

Here are some images of the parade.

(is that child lighting the fireworks?)

Wonderful - on the third time that I was hit with the fireworks I felt that it was time to go home.

The road is always covered in what is left over from the firecrackers! After my last incident and visit to hospital I did promise my wife that I would be more careful...

The camera managed to survive but I think that the video might be fun - coming soon.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2015 - Shrine and Parade

Tuesday starts very early for me - the Kathu Shrine Temple possession and parade is always a favourite of mine. Arriving early means that you are able to go into the actual shrine and watch the piercing.

I do feel that the photographer who set a tripod up in the temple did not know what he was doing and was very disrespectful to the culture though...

There did not seem to be as many obscure piercings as I had seen previously but there were more women.

I think this is who I refer to as Jamie's Banana Man?

My tattooed possessed was there again - more photographs to come.

The amount of onlookers seemed to have grown and there was a lovely aroma of the burning wood and of the incense... The drumming was regular and music consistent - yes it was the Phuket Vegetarian Festival.

There were a number or people who escorted the possessed through the streets and they all carried different things.

Something which was common was the carrying of a specific deity. Some people carried them on their heads!

I met Jamie again - always a pleasure and he gave me a quick lesson in photography - thanks Jamie.

Then the possessed began to leave and the Sedan Chairs were all moved into position...

The Head Mae Song began the procession of the shrines.

The explosions and firecrackers began....

Fabulous - but I tried to make a few videos and they will be posted later - Periscope was tried again but I have not yet ascertained how successful the broadcast was this time...