Tattoos in Thailand



After the furore of the Vegetarian Festival, a new camera and simple fascination I realised that I had a plethora of photographs - a post of the whole event is here.




One thing that was clear to me was the fascination with tattoos people have in Thailand - i have written about this on a previous blog.


If you need to see some more have a look - 
do you know where my tattoo is?

Butterflies, more butterflies and smiles...





We were late and this was exacerbated when we went to Tonsai waterfall (last year) instead of Bang Pae waterfall near the Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre.


It was very busy and we had to walk a mile to get to the waterfall - just in time for the girls to put on their butterfly outfits.





The girls danced and money was raised - then we walked to the lake (adjacent to Preang Prai restaurant). The butterflies were released and began to fly all around us.  It was an organised event and I hope that it earned some money.




There were a number of activities for children to do and we wandered along the pathway to the gibbons...




Tired we had a drink in the cafe and walked to Preang Prai for a bit to eat - now I am at work very late...



Phuket Transport Part I (Airport Buses)



There are buses that run from 
Phuket International Airport to Phuket Bus Terminal.


Phuket Airport to Phuket Bus Terminal

Phuket Bus Terminal to Phuket International Airport


The price for the total journey was 85 Baht, but it is not simple to manage luggage.
(thanks Nick).


price list courtesy of  Tourism Club
If you have luggage try a metered cab from in front of the 
Phuket International Airport.


Note: the 5:30 / 6:30  am service is not available on a 
Sunday OR a National Public Holiday.

Another visit to Phuket International Hospital




Not a place to go if you do not have to BUT if you need a hospital then choose here.
There are other hospitals but this is my choice.


3 days on a drip and they looked after me.
This was my view.






Loy Krathong in the Local Village





Jemma was wearing Thai traditional costume in the morning and in the evening joined the local girls in Borae.







I celebrated Loy Krathong at Cape Panwa Hotel.



The 10 rules of the Vegetarian Festival




These are the rules


1. Cleanliness of bodies during the festival
2. Clean kitchen utensils and to use them seperately from other who do not join the festival
3. Wear white during the festival
4. Behave physically and mentally
5. No meat eating
6. No sex
7. No alcoholic drinks
8. People at mourning period should not attend the festival
9. Pregnant ladies should not watch any ritual
10. Ladies with period should not attend the ritual



Well I am not a woman and I ate no meat?
It was a great festival though...

Next year?

Phuket News October 2011






all photos from Phuket Gazette


Ouch - trust the Tourist Police when told to sign a document 
which is written in Thai?
NO
read this report about a SA gentleman in jail.
he did :-)


More accidents - Patak Road 


Be careful driving to the airport - yes, a good idea, crazy fast drivers!!!
NO - they are widening the road and there you might have an accident.


There has been a lot of rain here...




and more rain




The hill road to Patong breaks...




but this was 2009...
Are our Roads Killing us?


An illegal dam bursts!!!!
So nobody noticed a construction of a dam?...


Hurrah 
- Tesco Lotus is staying 


European Bartender School in Patong
well there are a lot or bars....
don't have a fight on your graduation night!
OR
show off your Muay Thai moves...


Man falls off balcony in Patong and dies...

all in Patong - you could not say that Patong was boring?




Worlds largest Solar Powered Boat arrived in Phuket.
Not a lot else solar powered in Phuket?


A neighbour builds an extension for swiftlets in order to make bird's nest soup
- they have been ordered to remove it
Health and Safety?
Noise Pollution?
Building Permit Irregularity?
Phuket Zoning?


NOT good PR for MacDonalds!!!!


Rampaging elephant
Not sure I would have an elephant ride again...


Thieves are stealing water meters from homes.
The homeowner has to pay for a device which is not their property?
Where is my water meter located?



When you are told that you will get a lot of money by gambling 'some'
DO NOT
read the story - and it is not the only time.
BUT haven't we had spam and more cons for a while?

This is NOT Phuket but in the Phuket Gazette


Wait for; 
the power went down - no pics
there was someone in the way - no pic
someone pulled the plug - no pics
the list is endless.

another criminal on facebook!
Does the police simply read facebook and wait...
If found guilty - watch this space...



because

Taxi thugs mentioned previously fined 
BUT what about the damage to the reputation of Phuket?

300 Baht a day - hurrahs through the Phuket....
BUT
Senator Anothai Rittiphanyawong stressed that the minimum wage hike effective tomorrow affects government employees only.


“Is service charge [paid to employees] to be included in calculating the 300 baht a day,” asked Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, a vice president of the Phuket Tourist Association.

To this, Senator Anothai replied plainly that the rate was the flat minimum rate employers were to pay their employees for a day’s work – “this includes overtime and other payments”.



“Will I be arrested if I don’t pay it?” he asked.

To this there was no clear reply.


Do not forget to register your boat for it to enter the Similan Islands...
you need to have a permit to enter
AND
boats without this permit to enter will be fined
how much is it to register and how much is the fine?
AND
“Any boat operators found feeding the fish, disturbing marine life or dumping untreated waste-water into the sea will be fined and their permits canceled. I would like them to be friends with our natural resources and to let damaged areas recover as soon as possible,” said Mr Mana.


Ladies - don't tell the doctor you have


Aphrodite - another katoey cabaret - a soft opening...
who got the tickets?

Thailand's biggest musical fountain at Sapan Hin?
Is a dancing fountain worth it?
it was not working on 11th Oct 2011?


Be careful - Phuket Noodles are dangerous - hot and spicy food!


no wonder it was closed, too many?

ya bah
Taking marketing to a new level... 




White tuk tuk with prices on.
so not painted white they have no guide?



The Chinese (or Italians) do not get a water safety pamphlet
too late for the person of that descent?
but where is it?

For more information or to obtain pamphlets from the OrBorJor, contact the Tourism and Sports Department at 076 217 087.
Who does this?

Laem Panwa Fishing Competition



looks like he had a 'bite' already...
I visited this last year and the locals were very accommodating again offering a chair and coffee to me whilst I tried to take some photographs.



The locals left from the local aquarium on Saturday the 29th of October with their Fishing Rods, their Red Bull and Mekhong and their enthusiasm.

They were not expected back until Sunday the 30th of October with their catches...

Watch this space...