Happy Sunday, Bangkok!
Busy, as always, in the Land of Smiles, what with the official start of winter, a brand new Apple store with a Thai-inspired logo, and the early beginnings of 7-Eleven’s delivery service.
Plus, this elephant family taking a stroll in Khao Yai:
Let’s see what else has been entertaining and enraging Bangkok this week…
Post Contents
News
Scottish girls claim police on Koh Phi Phi ‘kidnapped’ them over broken loo
An eyebrow raising story here of four Scottish women who claimed that they were ‘kidnapped’ by police on Koh Phi Phi and forced to pay 10,000 baht for a broken toilet in their hotel room.
Apparently they were not allowed to leave the hotel by ‘gun-toting’ police until they paid the damages fee, which they eventually managed to whittle down to 6,500 baht.
The women claim that they didn’t break the toilet seat and that it was actually either a maid (not exactly known for their large toilet-busting bottoms) or a burglar (who presumably just broke the seat and didn’t bother taking anything) at fault.
Sure thing, ladies.
Call for ban on child Muay Thai fighters after brain damage research
A study by Mahidol University has shone a light on the permanent brain damage that can occur in child Muay Thai fighters.
The results of the 5-year study show that child fighters can succumb to brain damage leading to a heightened risk of Parkinson’s Disease, a lower IQ and a lack of emotional self-restraint. This has led medics to call for stricter regulation on children under the age of 15 fighting in the Muay Thai ring, and a complete ban on kids under 13.
Apparently under-15s are more likely to suffer brain damage than their adult counterparts, and there’s believed to be around 100,000 to 300,000 fighters under this age throughout the country.
55 Thais left stranded in Tokyo by fake travel agent
In yet another case of Thais being duped by Japanese travel scams, it was revealed that 55 Thai people were left stranded in Narita Airport, Tokyo, after being duped by a fake travel agent.
The agency, named Nutty Travel Around, had charged each person 28,000 baht for a 5-day trip to Japan, which included a day at a MotoGP race and Mount Fuji, after advertising on LINE.
All they received was a one-way ticket from Bangkok to Narita. Apparently the group waited for 10 hours at the airport before eventually paying for tickets home out of their own pockets.
Blogs
The best thing about living in Thailand
An interesting blog post here on the Ajarn website that attempts to refute the usual cliches about why living in Thailand is so great. Sure the weather, hedonism and low-cost of things are attractive factors while you’re on holiday, but they rarely translate quite so well to living here full time.
In fact, the author argues, the best thing about living in Thailand is the freedom that the expat life offers you. We tend to agree — there’s lots of annoying red tape and bureaucracy here, but there is everywhere in one guise or another. As an expat in Thailand, there’s no social pressure to conform to a certain way of life like there is back home in the West. As long as you stay within the law and respect the way of life of others you come into contact with, it’s very easy to create and live the life you want.
The Thai director inspired by his Exploding Head Syndrome
A fascinating interview here with Thai film director Apichatpong Weerasethakul on his connection to Thailand, the many problems faced by artists and those trying to subvert the zeitgeist in the country, and his Exploding Head Syndrome, which has lead him to create a film with Tilda Swinton in Colombia.
Take a look at this BK magazine round-up of the best new cocktail menus in our favourite city if you’re after a break from the usual watered down Mojitos.
They’ve got bars in Chinatown, Sukhumvit and Sathorn to choose from, so you’ll likely find something at least relatively nearby your ‘hood. We’ve got a special fondness for Dim Dim, although it’s certainly pretty cosy inside — don’t ruin it by descending there with a large group.
Forum Threads
AMA with a journalist covering organised crime in Thailand
An absolutely fascinating AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Reddit with Patrick Winn, a journalist covering organised crime in Thailand and across Southeast Asia generally.
He talks about the types of gangs operating here, the truth behind corruption on the islands, hybrid warfare, unknown red-light districts, and the huge meth trade across the region. He also details some of the craziest and most dangerous situations he’s found himself in thanks to this line of work.
Where is the best place to celebrate Loy Krathong?
A must-read for all tourists and expats looking to celebrate Loy Krathong this year with plenty of good suggestions on exactly where to experience it. Also known as the lantern festival, Loy Krathong will this year be celebrated on November 22.
Chiang Mai is traditionally considered to be the best place to go for the festival, but we’re tempted to try it out at Sukhothai Historical Park this year instead thanks to the responses here.
YouTube
Another 5 meter Python at my colleagues house in the early hours of this morning. This is down town Bangkok pic.twitter.com/MKte3ItrZm
— Glenn (@_GlennCollier) October 26, 2018
Getting a bit fucked off with my family calling to check if I’m ok every time a middle aged, white, bald guy with tattoos ends up dead or glassed by a ladyboy in Pattaya. I hardly even go to Pattaya.
— Somchai the Dog (@bkksomchai) October 22, 2018
“Who DOESN’T love the cheesiest 80s adult contemporary pop turned up loud at breakfast?” – Every Thai restaurant
— Greg (@BkkGreg) October 23, 2018
No matter how good a burger is, it shouldn’t require a 4-month wait just coz the cook has decided to make 4 (yes, you read that right) a night. #Bangkok, when will the BS end?
— Nianne Hendricks (@niannelynn) October 24, 2018
Took 10 pics of the gf holding an iced latte to share in her LINE group.
“Oh.. forget lipstick”
Now we have to do it again.#lifewithathai 🙂
— Thos Major (@ThosMajor) October 24, 2018
Beautiful, waterfront properties are now available to rent and buy all over Bangkok. pic.twitter.com/rlL67vPaQY
— Blake (@bkkblake) October 23, 2018
Phayathai crossing: Old, new rich and poor. All of Bangkok in one place. pic.twitter.com/IuqBVX9gJX
— 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘮𝘢𝘯 (@NeilShelley) October 23, 2018
#Bangkok at Night. pic.twitter.com/469PznQmZO
— Bob James (@NotThatBobJames) October 22, 2018
First time I’ve ever set foot in Central Embassy and my over riding thought is surely Bangkok didn’t need this.
— Phil / Ajarn.com (@Ajarncom) October 22, 2018
A shocking number of cyclists have been killed by reckless drivers in Thailand, which has the world’s highest rate of road deaths. Rather than telling people not to cycle at night, the police should start long overdue road safety education campaigns. https://t.co/SM9IdCoEJD
— Jonathan Head (@pakhead) October 25, 2018
Stunning. Turtle beach, Koh Mak today.
Photos by retired English couple Eddie & Sue, who have been regularly cleaning the beach during high season for over a decade. pic.twitter.com/eaI5wVlRXc
— Ian (@iamKohChang) October 25, 2018
And that’s been The Week On Sukhumvit — see you next time!
