Look Ma, I can swim

The little man with his Popo having a leisure Sunday

 

 

Thailand is the best

The reason why I love to be back:
- haircut Sgd 8
- massage Sgd 3.5
- mani+pedi Sgd 8

Less than Sgd 20 for a feel good day versus the rip off just to remove my gel mani back in Singapore (costing Sgd 20). This explains why the Thai ladies are always at their tip top.

Dhara Devi is Chiang Mai's paradise

This Sunday we decided to treat ourselves to some dim sum at Dhara Devi

 

For all the meetings last few weeks, I stayed on longer for some pampering. This is me on my way to therapy, on a horse drawn cart!




The gorgeous reception area



Even the toilet paper speaks Mandarin Oriental



Whoever's here to visit, Dhara Devi is a must. Besides being the best place to experience some royal service, it also serves yummy cheesecake and has the best Sunday international buffet brunch in town.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The thought of money behind every smile

Town planning law to be amended

P and I had constant talks about how badly imposed the restrictions are by the City Planning Authority (not just in Bangkok, but the rest of Thailand). City development in Thailand is characterised by commercial developments mushrooming in zones obviously meant only for residential purposes and massive road congestions at peak hours (and despite the bad traffic situation Prime Minister Yingluck insisted the government's tax privilege policies for first-car and first-home buyers should go ahead). Over a casual dinner, my friend convinced me that the problem is not with the lack of law, but the lack of enforcement which is very much link to corrupted officials.

In the recent budget debate, PM said the policies would stimulate the economy and do not cost much money. The policies were promised by her Pheu Thai Party to the people so they could establish themselves with a car and home more easily.

I am not talking about home ownership here because given the current political situation and lack of effective town planning, it is a pandora box. But establishing themselves with a car? I mean seriously, WTF is she talking about? And there is no mention of investing in support infrastructure. If you think that getting into a sardine-packed train is bad, think of getting stuck in traffic jams and then looking effortlessly for parking spaces and then getting stuck in traffic jams again. As least you are given a choice to opt for public transport. Here in Thailand, public transport does not exist.

Situation in Bangkok - Holding on, holding on

We got back to Chiang Mai safe and sound before the flood moves into inner city. Bangkokians are getting prepared piling  sandbags along the front of buildings. Many shops are now closed and supplies in the remaining are running out. We heard from our contacts that bottled water is now very low on supply.

The tide is expected to rise over the weekend. This is a difficult time for folks in the affected areas, and of course the rest of Thailand (considering the loss of jobs, impact on tourism, inadequacy of supplied). I seriously think the situation has been made worse by the contradicting statements issued by the officials. To think that the flood in Chiang Mai was a month ago, it doesn't take much to expected the water up north to flow down to the central provinces.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Dear Tourists, please get out of Bangkok

The flood situation is getting worse in Bangkok as the sluice gates are now opened to regulate the flow of water at the fully capacitated dams. Despite so, tourists are not putting off their travel plans. Seriously, what is wrong with those people? From what I know, some embassies are closing in preparation for the rise in water level. This is far more serious than the occupation of public areas by the red shirt/ yellow shirt, that deterred the arrival of Singaporean tourists, calling the country unsafe for travel. Ironically the protests were contained geographically with little impact on travel.
FYI some products are flying off the shelf even here in Chiang Mai. I was in the theater this afternoon and was informed that Pepsi and Sprite are now unavailable due to the flood. Supply of many products are low as it is logistically impossible to get them delivered across the nation. A country preparing to counter the flood situation definitely do not need additions to the population to be evacuated.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Chiang Mai underwater

This was what happened in my life last week.

The railway track under water

Our office ended the week early on Wednesday, leaving those unaffected by flood with extended time off. Now as everything goes back into normalcy, the Thais while on guard are still wearing their "mai pen rai" attitude. It is as though the flood was a natural catastrophe that we can blame no one for but the bad weather. The scattered rain could not be the cause, the Government agencies' slow response was. As the water level in the river falls below the crisis alert level, everything seems to be restored. No one's asking what happened to the broken dam and no one's questioning the lack of reinforcement at the river. As usual, the Thais goes amnesic as they to the tune of Beatles' "Let it be" in chorus

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Happy mid autumn

It's hard to believe, but this is my 4th mid autumn in Thailand.

Double yolk with lotus seed paste and durian monthong filling

Missing the snow skin and Teochew versions, but well. Mid autumn never fails to bring back memories. This is probably the one festival that reminds me alot about my godparents. Godma usually goes berserk over 4-yolk mooncakes and we used to get cool looking hand held lanterns from Chinatown every year. My goddad kinda like it old fashion and would coerce us into getting the traditional looking ones (i.e. without the music and bulbs). One year, I got a lantern in the shape of a phoneix.

I wonder if Little Guilin is still as crowded as before. I miss those days sitting by the lake, enjoying a good mooncake.

P suggested for us to take a peek at the moon and so we went out to our garage. He went on mumbling a few Chinese words and as always gave me a rub on my back. He probably knew on days like this, I miss home. My dad told me a while ago to appreciate small gestures and I am learning to do so. Each and everyday, I am learning to appreciate moments and people in life.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone ii

#2 Things I hate about Thailand

Thais like to gossip, like ALOT. This coming from me, you know how bad they are.

#1 Things I hate about Thailand

QA team suppose to turn up at 1pm. But it's now 5pm and WHERE THE HELL ARE THEY????? They must have lost their watches AND phones. I know Thais are known for being laid-back, but this is wayyyyy too much.

Where is your sense of responsibility, dudes?

Post visit to Long neck Karen village

My mum has always been immensely intrigued by the Long neck Karen. I guess her curiosity grew from seeing and hearing so much about them on TV programmes. This is my folks 3rd trip to Chiangmai and seriously, I wasn't prepared to bring them to the Karen village myself. I have heard alot about these villages being set up like human zoo and I didn't want to be part of the viewing crowd. I have intended to sign my folks up to visit the Karens on a private day tour but as we were sightseeing last Sunday, we drove past a sign which read "Long neck Karen here". As we exited from the last sightseeing location, we took a turn and there we were, at a so-called village, which obviously was a set-up. We paid SGD 50 for all 4 of us (which could have cost us SGD 200 for a private tour for 2) and found ourselves in a so-called village.

Shops selling local handicrafts and hand woven scarves lined both sides of the narrow dirt road, which probably was 500 meters long. And each shop was tended by a Karen, mostly young teenage girls who could speak minimal Thai. My folks went forward, started staring at the rings around their necks and my dad being a highly inquisitive man, whipped out his camera, took some shots and started counting the number of rings of their necks. I began speaking to the girls and realized that due to unknown reason, some have more rings on their neck than there should be (which should have corresponded to their age). As I walked down the dirt road, I began to feel incredibly uneasy. Halfway, we saw a young girl, barely 12, working on her fabric and as she looked towards us, smiled. Not a welcoming smile, not a forceful smile. Not a smile which was meant as an encouragement for us to patronize her shop. Just a smile that looks somewhat empty. At that moment, I felt my eyes were welling up with tears. I bought some stuff from her, even though I knew that the money would very well be going to the operator. But there was nothing more I could have done.

As I walked out, I told P about how bad I am feeling to be part of the scam. I have participated in creating demand for this form of exploitation. P was fast in providing his comforts. His logic was maybe these girls were happier sitting and tending their stalls all day long, than to walk long distance just to get food and water supplies in where they originally came from.

I don't know. I just know life is not fair and it will never be.

First time catching NDP in Chiangmai

It has been raining so frequently that the skies are in a constant shade of grey. I suspect this winter is going to be cold and I still can't decide yet if it is good or bad news for me.

Had my very first gathering with the rest of the Singaporeans in Chiangmai. Second time in my life sitting in front of the TV set and catching the parade live. It was surreal being in a room filled with Singaporeans and I was glad P and I made it to the party. The people were friendly and the atmosphere was very welcoming. I can't remember how long ago was it that I was in a room of complete strangers, introducing myself and making small talks. I was glad P enjoyed the session as much as I did.

Power glitch

Campus wide power failure yet again (on a lazy Monday morning).


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Farang loves Thailand

If Thailand is lawless, the happiest bunch would most probably be them




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Be back soon

Finally, we got the moving in ceremony over and done with. I guess it was ok-ish. We didn't have a splendid full-filled day but well, we survived.

We had a really rough week and I am glad everything's pretty much back to the norm. I am so glad that I am going to be home in less another 4 days. Seriously, I need some really good rest and I need some chilling out sessions with everyone back at home.

Day visit to Fang district, Chiangmai

Took a 3-hour car ride yesterday and ended up in Fang, a district to the north of Chiangmai.

(freshly laid egg in a flower pot!)

Had the opportunity to do a bit of sightseeing in the not so touristy Fang district. We visited the new Chedi Kaew in Thaton and I was pleasantly surprised by its architecture, a deviation from the grandeur of most Thai temples.

On my way up Chedi Kaew, I could not help but notice the contributions of my fellow comrades!



Made our way to the top of the Chedi. The massive use of stainless steel is not a regular sight in most Thai temples. I thought Chedi Kaew is really kinda a modern interpretation of Buddhist architecture.

(My in-laws!)

Magnificent view of Fang from the Chedi

On my left just across from where I stood, I spotted a small settlement located in the midst of greens. It must be really frustrating to watch the construction and subsequent completion of a 200 million Thai baht temple right across from your village while your dilapidated living condition prevails.




Some "I-didn't-force-him-to" shots

And I thought I was fearless

The whole situation in Bangkok became a total frenzy though things seem to have cool off for the moment. The situation here in Chiangmai is still very much under control (seemingly). Even so, for the first time since the whole Red vs Yellow saga started, our lives were impacted. On Wednesday, we had to take a Soi instead of the main road to get home. The Reds were burning tires at the Mayor's office (approximately 250m from our place) and the government had to close off that area. We stepped out onto the balcony last night to catch a glimpse of the town under curfew. The usual buzz at Warorot market was gone and the town had become quiet. We found some motorbikes/cars on the road at 10pm, not the Reds, probably some locals getting home. And when I was checking out a stray who was looking kinda lost (probably not used to the void of human presence), the wind blew and the door slammed with a loud bang. I freaked and ran into the house almost immediately.

At that split second, I thought it was a gun shot.

Summer in Thailand - Are you leaving yet?

The heat was so unbearable for the past couple of days that we stayed at home most of our Sunday. It's so hot that our room is turned into an oven even with AC running.

I am glad that finally, the long-awaited rain is here!




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Exploitation of cheap labour in Thailand

We were at our new place last Thursday first thing after work and were looking forward to see the place all done up. So we drove in and were shocked to find plants sparsely planted in the garden.

I fumed. The instruction before we left was loud and clear: Do not plant.

P tried convincing me that it looked okay but seriously, I thought he was just sick of clearing messes. He probably wanted to get everything done up asap. They planted 3 trees in our garden (with a bunch of fugly looking bushes scattered all over senselessly). The trees looked malnourished and one stood right at the spot where shade is required.

So P spoke to the architect, who referred us to the landscape architect who in turn refered us to the gardener. This morning, we collected the trees we bought from the orchard, delivered them to the gardener and instructed him to plant them at locations that we marked. The fugly bushes are to go. I am not sure if it would be hard work for the poor gardeners but there will definitely be a major garden revamp.

Because labour here is so cheap, communication need not be good. And Thais give shit about efficiency.

Thailand, the shopping haven

Mdm was at the mall this evening, saw a top going at half price (800 baht, down from 1600 baht), asked for my size and headed to the fitting room. I was very pleased with the fit. So I went ahead to make payment and was told of the current buy one get one promotion, i.e. I get to pick another apparel and pay 800 baht for 2 pieces instead of 1 (which I would have to fork out 3200 baht for if not for the sale).

You know what, I guess this only happens in Thailand.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone