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A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand
- Thread starter Leongsam
- Start date
Bad bad Consort. So this was what really happened. Any husband would have done likewise.
"According to the announcement, Chao Khun Phra Sineenat had opposed the coronation of Her Majesty the Queen after the royal marriage on May 1, 2019. She had been openly against the ceremony, applied pressure to prevent the coronation from taking place and, driven by ambition, had tried ways and means to get His Majesty to appoint her instead, according to the announcement."
https://www.thephuketnews.com/sinee...AM2-KAr_7ZfTIPUZ3Y8f_xuLc#5QYzDpmBtHm2MSYa.97
"According to the announcement, Chao Khun Phra Sineenat had opposed the coronation of Her Majesty the Queen after the royal marriage on May 1, 2019. She had been openly against the ceremony, applied pressure to prevent the coronation from taking place and, driven by ambition, had tried ways and means to get His Majesty to appoint her instead, according to the announcement."
https://www.thephuketnews.com/sinee...AM2-KAr_7ZfTIPUZ3Y8f_xuLc#5QYzDpmBtHm2MSYa.97
King ousts five palace officials
Oct 23. 2019
By THE NATION
His Majesty the King has sacked five palace officials, stripping them of their ranks and recalling their royal insignia, citing severe disciplinary misconduct and accusing them of exploiting their bureaucratic positions for personal gain.
The Royal Gazette published the announcement on Wednesday (October 23), naming the officials as Major General Tharinee Rodson, Khunying Thidarat Thamraksa, Major Varinporn Kanisornsophon and Army Lieutenants Pheera Mongkholchaireug and Chayanon Phaengsaeng.
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30377684
Six senior officials dismissed on King's orders
His Majesty the King has issued two royal commands dismissing six officials attached to royal guard units and the Royal Household Bureau, for serious disciplinary violations.
The dismissals were published in the Royal Gazette and announced on Wednesday.
The first command, dated Oct 23, ordered that Pol Lt Gen Sakolket Chantra of the Royal Household Bureau be dismissed and stripped of his rank and royal decorations.
The command said he had acted deplorably by misusing his state position for his own and others’ gain and failed to perform his duty in line with regulations, causing serious damage to the state.
The order took retroactive effect on Sept 1.
The second command, also dated Oct 23, ordered the dismissal of five state officials.
They are Maj Gen Khun Tharinee Rodson, attached to the Ratcha Wallop Royal Guards’ Royal Security Command; Khunying Thidarat Thamraksa, attached to the Royal Guards 904 Division; Maj Gen Warinporn Kanisornsophon, attached to the Royal Guards 904; Lt Peera Mongkolchairerk, attached to the Royal Guards 904; and Lt Chayanan Pangsang, attached to the Ratcha Wallop Royal Guards Royal Security Command.
The officials were also stripped of military rank and any royal decorations.
The command cited their deplorable conduct which breached disciplinary rules. Like Pol Lt Gen Sakolket, they abused their official positions for their own and others’ gain and failed to comply with regulations, causing serious damage to the state.
The command retroactively went into effect on Tuesday.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1778469/six-senior-officials-dismissed-on-kings-orders
Oct 23. 2019
By THE NATION
His Majesty the King has sacked five palace officials, stripping them of their ranks and recalling their royal insignia, citing severe disciplinary misconduct and accusing them of exploiting their bureaucratic positions for personal gain.
The Royal Gazette published the announcement on Wednesday (October 23), naming the officials as Major General Tharinee Rodson, Khunying Thidarat Thamraksa, Major Varinporn Kanisornsophon and Army Lieutenants Pheera Mongkholchaireug and Chayanon Phaengsaeng.
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30377684
Six senior officials dismissed on King's orders
His Majesty the King has issued two royal commands dismissing six officials attached to royal guard units and the Royal Household Bureau, for serious disciplinary violations.
The dismissals were published in the Royal Gazette and announced on Wednesday.
The first command, dated Oct 23, ordered that Pol Lt Gen Sakolket Chantra of the Royal Household Bureau be dismissed and stripped of his rank and royal decorations.
The command said he had acted deplorably by misusing his state position for his own and others’ gain and failed to perform his duty in line with regulations, causing serious damage to the state.
The order took retroactive effect on Sept 1.
The second command, also dated Oct 23, ordered the dismissal of five state officials.
They are Maj Gen Khun Tharinee Rodson, attached to the Ratcha Wallop Royal Guards’ Royal Security Command; Khunying Thidarat Thamraksa, attached to the Royal Guards 904 Division; Maj Gen Warinporn Kanisornsophon, attached to the Royal Guards 904; Lt Peera Mongkolchairerk, attached to the Royal Guards 904; and Lt Chayanan Pangsang, attached to the Ratcha Wallop Royal Guards Royal Security Command.
The officials were also stripped of military rank and any royal decorations.
The command cited their deplorable conduct which breached disciplinary rules. Like Pol Lt Gen Sakolket, they abused their official positions for their own and others’ gain and failed to comply with regulations, causing serious damage to the state.
The command retroactively went into effect on Tuesday.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1778469/six-senior-officials-dismissed-on-kings-orders
Touching story here
Loving husband continues long journey with his wife's ashes
Sakchai Suphanthamat, 40, of Udon Thani, pushes his two-wheel cart with an urn containing the cremated ashes and bones of his wife, as he and his three dogs travel through Prachin Buri province on Saturday. (Photo by Manit Sanubboon)
PRACHIN BURI: A 40-year-old northeastern man is continuing the journey he started three years ago, when he set out on foot from Trang to take his beloved wife's remains to visit the places she had always wanted to see, but never had the opportunity.
Sakchai Suphanthamat was spotted pushing his two-wheel cart, in company with his three dogs, along Highway 304 (Kabin Buri-Nakhon Ratchasima) before dawn on Wednesday.
Reporters alerted to the sighting found him on the road in Sri Mahat Phot district.
The native of Udon Thani province married his wife in Trang province, but she died from tetanus in 2016 after being attacked by a dog.
He was deeply saddened by her loss. He remembered that she had always wanted to see a mountain in the North and the sea in Trat, and he had promised to take her there.
After her passing, he took her cremated bones and ashes from her hometown in Trang and set off on foot, beginning a long journey to fulfill her dream and his promise. The urn containing her bones and ashes nestled among his few belongings on his pushcart, and their dog accompanied them.
He headed to the North, determined to first take her to Doi Intanon mountain in Chiang Mai province.
“I took my wife to Doi Intanon as I promised when she was alive. Sadly, I could take only her ashes and bones there,’’ said Mr Sakchai.
Along the way, he collected two abandoned dogs - bringing his canine travelling companions to three. (continues)
Sakchai Suphanthamat provdes shade for his dogs during the trip. (Photo by Manit Sanuboon)
Mr Sakchai said he was devastated by the loss of his beloved wife, left without joy or anything to look forward to. So he set off on his trip, so he and his soulmate could visit places together.
“I am determined to take her bones around the country. She liked the sea and wanted to stay close to it. She used to tell me that she wanted to visit the sea in Trat province in the East. During my journey I stop every three kilometres or so, so the dogs can have a rest,’’ he said.
At night he erects mosquito nets for the dogs and for himself and his wife’s bones, and they sleep alongside each other.
Along the way, people who learn of his quest have bought food for him and the dogs, and he has also relied on food from temples.
“I still love her and have vivid memories of our time together, even though she left me three years and four days ago,’’ Mr Sakchai said.
Suchin Khaothawin, a Ruam Katanyu rescue worker, said he felt immediate sympathy when seeing the man pushing his cart along the road in company with the three dogs. He invited him to take a rest at the rescue station when he passed by on Saturday.
When hight falls, Mr Sakchai erects mosquito nets for his three travelling companions, and himself. (Photo by Manit Sanubboon)
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailan...d-continues-long-journey-with-his-wifes-ashes
Loving husband continues long journey with his wife's ashes
Sakchai Suphanthamat, 40, of Udon Thani, pushes his two-wheel cart with an urn containing the cremated ashes and bones of his wife, as he and his three dogs travel through Prachin Buri province on Saturday. (Photo by Manit Sanubboon)
PRACHIN BURI: A 40-year-old northeastern man is continuing the journey he started three years ago, when he set out on foot from Trang to take his beloved wife's remains to visit the places she had always wanted to see, but never had the opportunity.
Sakchai Suphanthamat was spotted pushing his two-wheel cart, in company with his three dogs, along Highway 304 (Kabin Buri-Nakhon Ratchasima) before dawn on Wednesday.
Reporters alerted to the sighting found him on the road in Sri Mahat Phot district.
The native of Udon Thani province married his wife in Trang province, but she died from tetanus in 2016 after being attacked by a dog.
He was deeply saddened by her loss. He remembered that she had always wanted to see a mountain in the North and the sea in Trat, and he had promised to take her there.
After her passing, he took her cremated bones and ashes from her hometown in Trang and set off on foot, beginning a long journey to fulfill her dream and his promise. The urn containing her bones and ashes nestled among his few belongings on his pushcart, and their dog accompanied them.
He headed to the North, determined to first take her to Doi Intanon mountain in Chiang Mai province.
“I took my wife to Doi Intanon as I promised when she was alive. Sadly, I could take only her ashes and bones there,’’ said Mr Sakchai.
Along the way, he collected two abandoned dogs - bringing his canine travelling companions to three. (continues)
Sakchai Suphanthamat provdes shade for his dogs during the trip. (Photo by Manit Sanuboon)
Mr Sakchai said he was devastated by the loss of his beloved wife, left without joy or anything to look forward to. So he set off on his trip, so he and his soulmate could visit places together.
“I am determined to take her bones around the country. She liked the sea and wanted to stay close to it. She used to tell me that she wanted to visit the sea in Trat province in the East. During my journey I stop every three kilometres or so, so the dogs can have a rest,’’ he said.
At night he erects mosquito nets for the dogs and for himself and his wife’s bones, and they sleep alongside each other.
Along the way, people who learn of his quest have bought food for him and the dogs, and he has also relied on food from temples.
“I still love her and have vivid memories of our time together, even though she left me three years and four days ago,’’ Mr Sakchai said.
Suchin Khaothawin, a Ruam Katanyu rescue worker, said he felt immediate sympathy when seeing the man pushing his cart along the road in company with the three dogs. He invited him to take a rest at the rescue station when he passed by on Saturday.
When hight falls, Mr Sakchai erects mosquito nets for his three travelling companions, and himself. (Photo by Manit Sanubboon)
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailan...d-continues-long-journey-with-his-wifes-ashes
Toon's latest run raises B18m so far
Rocker reaches Krabi, halfway through 300km journey to raise funds for eight southern hospitals
PUBLISHED : 25 OCT 2019 AT 19:55
Artiwara "Toon Bodyslam" Kongmalai and other runners prepare to set out on the first day of a four-day journey from Rajamongkol beach in Si Kao district of Trang on Thursday. (Photo by Maythee Muangkaew)
The latest run by rock star Artiwara “Toon Bodyslam” Kongmalai for seven hospitals in the southern region reached its halfway point on Friday evening with donations at 18 million baht.
Artiwara and his running mates are on the second day of a four-day campaign covering more than 300 kilometres. It started at Rajamongkol beach in Si Kao district of Trang on Thursday and will end on Phuket island on Sunday.
Toon and five friends covered all 114 kilometres on the first day to Muang district of Krabi, running for 12 hours straight. His girlfriend, Ratchawin “Koy” Wongviriya logged 80 kilometres. The runners were in Krabi on Friday night.
Donations can be made to the rocker’s Kao Kon La Kao Foundation and will be used for better medical equipment for patients. The funds will go to Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital, Saiburi Crown Prince Hospital in Pattani, Trang Hospital, Krabi Hospital, Phangnga Hospital, Takua Pa Hospital in Phangnga and Vachira Phuket Hospital.
Toon has stressed his interest in seeing people pursue better health as it will ease the workloads of doctors and nurses in all hospitals. “I personally believe that if each of us is strong, our society will be strong and the country will be strong,” he said in a video promoting the latest event.
The lead singer of the rock band Bodyslam said before starting his run on Thursday that he hoped to reach at least 60 million baht in donations.
Toon and his team ran for two days for eight small hospitals in the northeastern region in June and collected 101 million baht from donations that closed on Aug 15.
In late 2017, he embarked on his first run, covering 2,215 kilometres from south to north and raising 1.34 billion baht for state hospitals.
Rocker reaches Krabi, halfway through 300km journey to raise funds for eight southern hospitals
PUBLISHED : 25 OCT 2019 AT 19:55
Artiwara "Toon Bodyslam" Kongmalai and other runners prepare to set out on the first day of a four-day journey from Rajamongkol beach in Si Kao district of Trang on Thursday. (Photo by Maythee Muangkaew)
The latest run by rock star Artiwara “Toon Bodyslam” Kongmalai for seven hospitals in the southern region reached its halfway point on Friday evening with donations at 18 million baht.
Artiwara and his running mates are on the second day of a four-day campaign covering more than 300 kilometres. It started at Rajamongkol beach in Si Kao district of Trang on Thursday and will end on Phuket island on Sunday.
Toon and five friends covered all 114 kilometres on the first day to Muang district of Krabi, running for 12 hours straight. His girlfriend, Ratchawin “Koy” Wongviriya logged 80 kilometres. The runners were in Krabi on Friday night.
Donations can be made to the rocker’s Kao Kon La Kao Foundation and will be used for better medical equipment for patients. The funds will go to Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital, Saiburi Crown Prince Hospital in Pattani, Trang Hospital, Krabi Hospital, Phangnga Hospital, Takua Pa Hospital in Phangnga and Vachira Phuket Hospital.
Toon has stressed his interest in seeing people pursue better health as it will ease the workloads of doctors and nurses in all hospitals. “I personally believe that if each of us is strong, our society will be strong and the country will be strong,” he said in a video promoting the latest event.
The lead singer of the rock band Bodyslam said before starting his run on Thursday that he hoped to reach at least 60 million baht in donations.
Toon and his team ran for two days for eight small hospitals in the northeastern region in June and collected 101 million baht from donations that closed on Aug 15.
In late 2017, he embarked on his first run, covering 2,215 kilometres from south to north and raising 1.34 billion baht for state hospitals.
Too bad, just missed you bud. Did you also try to new TG lounge at D4?
D4? Nope not tried yet. Is there a new one there? Gotta explore.
MISS GRAND THAILAND 2019 ‘COCO’ FINISHES AS 2ND-RUNNER UP
By Asaree Thaitrakulpanich, Staff Reporter
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/life/...thailand-2019-coco-finishes-as-2nd-runner-up/
October 28, 2019 12:16 pm
CARACAS, Venezuela — Thailand’s entry to the Miss Grand International pageant landed in the second-runner up, losing to Venezuela.
Miss Grand Thailand 2019 Arayha “Coco” Suparurk just missed out on the Miss Grand crown during the pageant finals Saturday at the Poliedro de Caracas in the Venezuelan capital.
Venezuela’s Valentina Figuera, 19, was crowned the 7th Miss Grand International, beating out 59 other candidates.
In July, Coco sparked an online controversy when she reposted a meme where she called Miss Universe 2018, Catriona Gray of the Philippines “fat.”
The resulting unpopularity followed Coco all the way to the finals. Not only did netizens constantly comment about her body shaming Catriona, they also posted memes making fun of her botched English grammar when responding in the Q&A session, which asked contestants to describe what is the best thing about Venezuela that they want to tell the world about. Coco speaks at 1:40:59.
“The best thing for me in Venezuela is all of you. Everyone. If no you here, no Venezuela. Ti amo Venezuela, muchas gracias,” Coco answered in English, Spanish, and what appeared to be accidental Italian.Coco drew similar ridicule online when she discussed violence in Thailand’s Deep South in a video posted in October.
But it’s not all haters on the horizon. Some Coco fans congratulated her win.
“Third place is already good. No regrets, you already came far. You made me happy all day at work today, thanks and congratulations,” Facebook user Nuttawut Suksathit said.
Last year’s Miss Grand Thailand, Nam-oi “Moss” Chanapan, reached the Top 20 and did not make it to the question-and-answer section.
By Asaree Thaitrakulpanich, Staff Reporter
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/life/...thailand-2019-coco-finishes-as-2nd-runner-up/
October 28, 2019 12:16 pm
CARACAS, Venezuela — Thailand’s entry to the Miss Grand International pageant landed in the second-runner up, losing to Venezuela.
Miss Grand Thailand 2019 Arayha “Coco” Suparurk just missed out on the Miss Grand crown during the pageant finals Saturday at the Poliedro de Caracas in the Venezuelan capital.
Venezuela’s Valentina Figuera, 19, was crowned the 7th Miss Grand International, beating out 59 other candidates.
In July, Coco sparked an online controversy when she reposted a meme where she called Miss Universe 2018, Catriona Gray of the Philippines “fat.”
The resulting unpopularity followed Coco all the way to the finals. Not only did netizens constantly comment about her body shaming Catriona, they also posted memes making fun of her botched English grammar when responding in the Q&A session, which asked contestants to describe what is the best thing about Venezuela that they want to tell the world about. Coco speaks at 1:40:59.
“The best thing for me in Venezuela is all of you. Everyone. If no you here, no Venezuela. Ti amo Venezuela, muchas gracias,” Coco answered in English, Spanish, and what appeared to be accidental Italian.Coco drew similar ridicule online when she discussed violence in Thailand’s Deep South in a video posted in October.
But it’s not all haters on the horizon. Some Coco fans congratulated her win.
“Third place is already good. No regrets, you already came far. You made me happy all day at work today, thanks and congratulations,” Facebook user Nuttawut Suksathit said.
Last year’s Miss Grand Thailand, Nam-oi “Moss” Chanapan, reached the Top 20 and did not make it to the question-and-answer section.
The fight to save Bangkok’s affordable and iconic street food
Saphan 55 is a privately-run food complex that tries to bring back street food to a Bangkok road, following a citywide ban roadside vendors. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/author/7576756
BANGKOK: Shortly after the Thai military staged a coup in 2014, it made an announcement that would forever change the face of Bangkok and one of its icons - street food.
Vendors on the city’s sidewalks were told they had to move away or relocate to temporarily designated zones. The ban was part of the government’s wider effort to return order to the capital city, known for its affordable and tasty street food like Phad Thai noodles, papaya salad, and mango with sticky rice.
Since the military took power, the rule has been gradually implemented across Bangkok, including Sukhumvit 55 Road.
Fried rice with shrimp paste is one of the street food dishes enjoyed by Thais. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)
Commonly known as Thonglor, the 2.4km road runs through one of Bangkok’s most expensive neighbourhoods. It boasts a mix of eating options, including fine-dining restaurants, fancy bars and cafes. Previously, a variety of street food stalls was also part of the mix, where passers-by could grab plastic chairs and enjoy decent meals at affordable prices.
Not anymore.
“My staff started complaining about having nothing to eat in 2017,” said Chris Foo, 38, who owns a business in the area.
“They said the food they usually ate had been kicked out of the streets. So my team brainstormed and we thought opening a restaurant where they can eat at cost would be a great option,” he said.
Half British, half Chinese, Foo has spent the past 36 years in Bangkok. He loves street food as much as any Thai and grew to know many small vendors on the street, where his company has operated for 12 years.
Saphan 55 is a new food complex in central Bangkok that aims to offer popular local dishes at affordable prices. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)
After discussing it with his staff, Foo decided to open a small noodle shop near his office so some 100 employees of his could eat at cost and everybody else could eat at affordable prices. But shortly before the opening, he had an unexpected visitor who made a surprise offer - a land-owner who lives just across the street from his firm.
“She said ‘It was nice to hear what you want to do for your staff but this is not just your staff’s problem. It’s a problem for everyone on the whole street - the whole community’s problem. No one has anywhere good to eat good Thai food at affordable prices. I have some land. If I let you rent it, would you be able to do more than just a tiny shop?’,” Foo said.
Nearly two years later, a modern-looking building rose next to an old bridge by a black canal on the less developed end of Thonglor. It is called Saphan 55 - or Bridge 55 in English. For local residents, the venue is a new landmark that looks like a cool warehouse from the outside and an old Thai wooden house from within.
For Foo, it is a street food shelter where good local dishes are available at affordable prices and small vendors are welcome.
The venue had a soft launch about a month ago but it has already welcomed many customers, particularly at lunchtime. Here, a bowl of noodles costs US$1.50, bottled water is US$0.20 and a cup of coffee starts from USS$1. The same items are normally double the price in ordinary restaurants nearby.
A bowl of Thai boat noodles starts from 45 Baht (US$1.5) at Saphan 55. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)
“Downstairs is pretty much a street food shelter - a charity. Upstairs is a Thai restaurant called Baan Saphan, which sells 150-180 Baht (US$5-6) dishes. The reason why we have the upstairs is because upstairs supports downstairs,” he said.
For now, sellers in the shelter are not paying rent. Each month, they only have to pay the power and water bills. In the future, however, Foo plans to charge them a small fee for rent.
“We want to give them a chance to build up because they don’t have savings. We also have to make it sustainable,” he told CNA. His team is in the process of bringing back street food vendors to Thonglor. Only this time, they can operate legally and comfortably at a well-equipped site specifically designed for them.
image: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/ima...c358abd0283be583/oh/bangkok-street-vendor.jpg
Many street food sellers are running out of legal options on Bangkok streets. (Photo: Jack Board)
“I’m quite familiar with everybody down here. They had already left the street and I’m bringing some of them back,” Foo said. In front of him, people get on and off boat taxis and buses. A few metres away, office workers and sellers do their grocery shopping at an evening fresh market.
"This side of Thonglor is dead. There’s nothing down here. So for the fresh market and everyone around here, this is only going to bring more for them. It’s going to benefit everyone’s livelihoods. People will be able to find things to eat at affordable prices." he added.
BANGKOK WITHOUT STREET FOOD
By the end of this year, most of Bangkok’s roads and pavements will be free from street food. The space will be returned to pedestrians and motorists as the Thai government tries to restore hygiene and order to the city’s streets and walkways.
So far, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has cleared 508 areas in the capital from street vendors. It plans to do the same to the remaining 175 locations in the next few months.
Street food carts are becoming rarer in Bangkok, due to strict new city laws. (Photo: Jack Board)
While the efforts to manage Bangkok’s streets are welcomed by many residents, the ban on street vendors has badly affected others. A number of small sellers were forced to stop their businesses altogether because they had nowhere to continue.
One of them is Lakkana Inket, 61. She sold soy milk in Bangkok for 21 years. The small business had made it easier for a single mother like her to pay a mortgage and her two children’s student loans. Every day, the widow would set up her stall at 5am on the pavement of Taweewattana district and be gone by 9.30am.
In 2015, the district began clearing its roads and pavements from street vendors. Like other food sellers in the area, Lakkana was told to leave.
“They want to make us extinct. They’ve never provided us with any alternative location or assistance. They have no mercy,” she said.
“There are so many street vendors. They don’t have much income and live hand to mouth. We can’t force the private sector to charge a low rental fee either, while the government’s locations aren’t good because they’re far away,” he said.
“For customers like office workers, for instance, you have to be there. If you move, customers have to travel to you and they may not get to work in time. Sellers are willing to move as long as they can continue the business and have customers.”
The complex is newly opened but its owner hopes to welcome new food vendors soon. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)
Renting a little spot in central Bangkok now costs about 500 Baht (US$16) per day, according to Raywat, while the average daily earnings for street vendors are less than 1,000 Baht (US$33). Besides the rental fee, they also have to pay for transport, food, their children’s tuition fee and products they want to sell.
For Raywat, the only solution is for everyone to compromise. He believes the government should provide commercially strategic locations for street vendors to continue their businesses.
“You can’t just chase them away to somewhere they can’t sell. If the pavement is 3m wide, for instance, vendors should be allowed to occupy 1m and leave the rest for pedestrians. But if it’s narrow, then don’t allow them to obstruct the traffic,” he said.
“The government has to manage it in a way that allows sellers to continue their job. We need to keep fighting.”
Saphan 55 is aimed at giving local diners cheap, authentic options in a safe space for vendors. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)
On Sep 11, Jirawat Pangma from the City Hall’s Law Enforcement Department said authorities are in the process of closing down the remaining 175 locations in Bangkok currently occupied by street vendors. However, City Hall will relocate some affected sellers to markets nearby and carry out the plan gradually to minimise the impact on vendors and the public.
For now, Foo’s privately-run hawker centre is providing rare security for those with few other options.
“Many customers come here for lunch. It’s comfortable and clean and this street is full of pedestrians. Although we sell food at 45-50 Baht (US$1.50-1.70), we always use fresh ingredients. Without street food, this is another option for people around here,” said one of the food sellers at Saphan 55, Monthira Takam.
And for customers, cheap street food is back on the lunch menu.
“The price isn’t so expensive here,” said office worker Athiwat Thanapongworapa. “Street food is good and iconic but it should be organised and properly designated.”
Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/thai-bangkok-street-food-ban-thonglor-saphan-55-12035080
Saphan 55 is a privately-run food complex that tries to bring back street food to a Bangkok road, following a citywide ban roadside vendors. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/author/7576756
BANGKOK: Shortly after the Thai military staged a coup in 2014, it made an announcement that would forever change the face of Bangkok and one of its icons - street food.
Vendors on the city’s sidewalks were told they had to move away or relocate to temporarily designated zones. The ban was part of the government’s wider effort to return order to the capital city, known for its affordable and tasty street food like Phad Thai noodles, papaya salad, and mango with sticky rice.
Since the military took power, the rule has been gradually implemented across Bangkok, including Sukhumvit 55 Road.
Fried rice with shrimp paste is one of the street food dishes enjoyed by Thais. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)
Commonly known as Thonglor, the 2.4km road runs through one of Bangkok’s most expensive neighbourhoods. It boasts a mix of eating options, including fine-dining restaurants, fancy bars and cafes. Previously, a variety of street food stalls was also part of the mix, where passers-by could grab plastic chairs and enjoy decent meals at affordable prices.
Not anymore.
“My staff started complaining about having nothing to eat in 2017,” said Chris Foo, 38, who owns a business in the area.
“They said the food they usually ate had been kicked out of the streets. So my team brainstormed and we thought opening a restaurant where they can eat at cost would be a great option,” he said.
Half British, half Chinese, Foo has spent the past 36 years in Bangkok. He loves street food as much as any Thai and grew to know many small vendors on the street, where his company has operated for 12 years.
Saphan 55 is a new food complex in central Bangkok that aims to offer popular local dishes at affordable prices. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)
After discussing it with his staff, Foo decided to open a small noodle shop near his office so some 100 employees of his could eat at cost and everybody else could eat at affordable prices. But shortly before the opening, he had an unexpected visitor who made a surprise offer - a land-owner who lives just across the street from his firm.
“She said ‘It was nice to hear what you want to do for your staff but this is not just your staff’s problem. It’s a problem for everyone on the whole street - the whole community’s problem. No one has anywhere good to eat good Thai food at affordable prices. I have some land. If I let you rent it, would you be able to do more than just a tiny shop?’,” Foo said.
It took Chris Foo and his team eight months to build Saphan 55. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)
Nearly two years later, a modern-looking building rose next to an old bridge by a black canal on the less developed end of Thonglor. It is called Saphan 55 - or Bridge 55 in English. For local residents, the venue is a new landmark that looks like a cool warehouse from the outside and an old Thai wooden house from within.
For Foo, it is a street food shelter where good local dishes are available at affordable prices and small vendors are welcome.
The venue had a soft launch about a month ago but it has already welcomed many customers, particularly at lunchtime. Here, a bowl of noodles costs US$1.50, bottled water is US$0.20 and a cup of coffee starts from USS$1. The same items are normally double the price in ordinary restaurants nearby.
A bowl of Thai boat noodles starts from 45 Baht (US$1.5) at Saphan 55. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)
“Downstairs is pretty much a street food shelter - a charity. Upstairs is a Thai restaurant called Baan Saphan, which sells 150-180 Baht (US$5-6) dishes. The reason why we have the upstairs is because upstairs supports downstairs,” he said.
For now, sellers in the shelter are not paying rent. Each month, they only have to pay the power and water bills. In the future, however, Foo plans to charge them a small fee for rent.
“We want to give them a chance to build up because they don’t have savings. We also have to make it sustainable,” he told CNA. His team is in the process of bringing back street food vendors to Thonglor. Only this time, they can operate legally and comfortably at a well-equipped site specifically designed for them.
image: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/ima...c358abd0283be583/oh/bangkok-street-vendor.jpg
Many street food sellers are running out of legal options on Bangkok streets. (Photo: Jack Board)
“I’m quite familiar with everybody down here. They had already left the street and I’m bringing some of them back,” Foo said. In front of him, people get on and off boat taxis and buses. A few metres away, office workers and sellers do their grocery shopping at an evening fresh market.
"This side of Thonglor is dead. There’s nothing down here. So for the fresh market and everyone around here, this is only going to bring more for them. It’s going to benefit everyone’s livelihoods. People will be able to find things to eat at affordable prices." he added.
BANGKOK WITHOUT STREET FOOD
By the end of this year, most of Bangkok’s roads and pavements will be free from street food. The space will be returned to pedestrians and motorists as the Thai government tries to restore hygiene and order to the city’s streets and walkways.
So far, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has cleared 508 areas in the capital from street vendors. It plans to do the same to the remaining 175 locations in the next few months.
Street food carts are becoming rarer in Bangkok, due to strict new city laws. (Photo: Jack Board)
While the efforts to manage Bangkok’s streets are welcomed by many residents, the ban on street vendors has badly affected others. A number of small sellers were forced to stop their businesses altogether because they had nowhere to continue.
One of them is Lakkana Inket, 61. She sold soy milk in Bangkok for 21 years. The small business had made it easier for a single mother like her to pay a mortgage and her two children’s student loans. Every day, the widow would set up her stall at 5am on the pavement of Taweewattana district and be gone by 9.30am.
In 2015, the district began clearing its roads and pavements from street vendors. Like other food sellers in the area, Lakkana was told to leave.
“They want to make us extinct. They’ve never provided us with any alternative location or assistance. They have no mercy,” she said.
According to the Network of Thai Street Vendors for Sustainable Development, the ban on street sellers has affected some 200,000 operators across the city and hurt the local economy. Its president Raywat Chobtham told CNA that tens of thousands of low-income earners who rely on the businesses will not be able to survive because there are not enough state-owned sites to accommodate them in expensive commercial districts.
“There are so many street vendors. They don’t have much income and live hand to mouth. We can’t force the private sector to charge a low rental fee either, while the government’s locations aren’t good because they’re far away,” he said.
“For customers like office workers, for instance, you have to be there. If you move, customers have to travel to you and they may not get to work in time. Sellers are willing to move as long as they can continue the business and have customers.”
The complex is newly opened but its owner hopes to welcome new food vendors soon. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)
Renting a little spot in central Bangkok now costs about 500 Baht (US$16) per day, according to Raywat, while the average daily earnings for street vendors are less than 1,000 Baht (US$33). Besides the rental fee, they also have to pay for transport, food, their children’s tuition fee and products they want to sell.
For Raywat, the only solution is for everyone to compromise. He believes the government should provide commercially strategic locations for street vendors to continue their businesses.
“You can’t just chase them away to somewhere they can’t sell. If the pavement is 3m wide, for instance, vendors should be allowed to occupy 1m and leave the rest for pedestrians. But if it’s narrow, then don’t allow them to obstruct the traffic,” he said.
“The government has to manage it in a way that allows sellers to continue their job. We need to keep fighting.”
Saphan 55 is aimed at giving local diners cheap, authentic options in a safe space for vendors. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)
On Sep 11, Jirawat Pangma from the City Hall’s Law Enforcement Department said authorities are in the process of closing down the remaining 175 locations in Bangkok currently occupied by street vendors. However, City Hall will relocate some affected sellers to markets nearby and carry out the plan gradually to minimise the impact on vendors and the public.
For now, Foo’s privately-run hawker centre is providing rare security for those with few other options.
“Many customers come here for lunch. It’s comfortable and clean and this street is full of pedestrians. Although we sell food at 45-50 Baht (US$1.50-1.70), we always use fresh ingredients. Without street food, this is another option for people around here,” said one of the food sellers at Saphan 55, Monthira Takam.
And for customers, cheap street food is back on the lunch menu.
“The price isn’t so expensive here,” said office worker Athiwat Thanapongworapa. “Street food is good and iconic but it should be organised and properly designated.”
Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/thai-bangkok-street-food-ban-thonglor-saphan-55-12035080
https://ca.reuters.com/article/idCAKBN1XB2UY
TOP NEWS
NOVEMBER 1, 2019 / 7:58 AM / UPDATED 4 HOURS AGO
Thai king creates boot camp-style 'unity' courses
Panu Wongcha-um
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thousands of civil servants, police and teachers are being sent to a military camp in Thailand for intensive training in community service and loyalty to the monarchy, according to the Royal Palace and interviews with trainees and organizers.
The program, established last year, highlights the way in which King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 67, is asserting his will on Thai government and society to a greater extent than any sovereign since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932, some experts say.
Seven program graduates who participated in the “Volunteer Spirit 904” training told Reuters they woke at 5 a.m. for light group exercise, then lined up to practise military-style salutes before classes on the history of Thai kings and training for community service.
At the end of the training program, which lasts from 15 days to six weeks, they are declared “Karatchakan Suan Pra-ong”, or “Officials in His Majesty’s Service” and tasked with promoting the monarchy, and their efforts are tracked through messaging apps, the graduates said.
The 904 courses are coordinated by the permanent secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office, Theerapat Prayurasiddhi. The palace directed all questions to his office.
“The king has the royal policy to create unity among the people,” Theerapat said. “Then everything will lead to the people’s happiness and a secure nation.”
About 3,000 people have completed the courses in groups of 500 since March 2018, he said, describing the program as “strictly voluntary”.
The goal of the 904 program - named after the king’s security call sign - is to create a corps of influential people to “develop and defend the country and create people who are loyal to the monarchy,” the Royal Palace website said.
Reverence for the monarchy has long been part of traditional Thai culture, but King Vajiralongkorn, a career military officer, is formalizing and organizing public devotion in a way that hasn’t been seen since the end of absolute monarchy, said Joshua Kurlantzick of the U.S.-based Council on Foreign Relations.
“It builds on the past, but it’s much, much clearer with this king and much more assertive,” Kurlantzick said.
Few details have been made public about the program, which is linked to the palace-sponsored "Volunteer Spirit" here community service corps of nearly 6 million volunteers.
The training is run by officials linked to the palace and military officers, according to the seven graduates, a lecturer and an organizer who spoke to Reuters.
“THERE MUST BE DISCIPLINE”
Live-in courses are held at the Bangkok headquarters of the First Infantry Regiment, which was recently transferred to the king’s personal command.
“There must be discipline and there must be rules,” said Sumet Tantivejkul, 80, who teaches the courses about King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the king’s widely revered father.
“Participants live together, eat together, sleep together ... Old people stay with young people so the young learn from the experience of the old and the old can also learn about the young,” Sumet said.
Graduates of the program said that along with training for community service, one main focus of lessons is the monarchy as an ultimate solution to Thailand’s problems at a time of political division which broadly pits military-royalist conservatives against supporters of populist parties.
In the past 15 years, street protests led by conservatives have led to the eventual removal of four populist prime ministers by court rulings or military action.
Tensions have spilled into violent protests by both camps in recent years and two military coups - in 2006 and 2014. An election in March did not heal divisions.
The most recent coup leader, Prayuth Chan-ocha remained, prime minister despite allegations of cheating here from opposition parties, who were in turn branded as disloyal to the monarchy by Prayuth's pro-military party. No Thai party says it opposes the monarchy.
ASSERTIVE KING
Sinchai Chaojaroenrat, an independent scholar who has written books on Thai culture and religions, describes the 904 program as part of a “strategy in merging the monarchy with every government agency.”
Thailand has been a constitutional monarchy since a 1932 coup, but the king has never been a mere figurehead. To some Thais, he is an infallible demigod.
Following the seven-decade reign of his father, Vajiralongkorn has asserted his personal authority in several ways, according to analysts observing his public actions.
In July 2017, the military-appointed legislative assembly amended a 1936 law to give the king full control of the Crown Property Bureau, which manages the crown’s holdings estimated to be worth more than $30 billion.
They previously had been managed by the Finance Ministry.
Last month, he took over direct command of two Bangkok-based army units, citing emergency provisions of the constitution.
Such changes have met little open criticism in a country where insulting the king can mean 15 years in jail.
“INSPIRED TO TEARS”
Since they were first established, the 904 courses have been expanded from palace officials, soldiers, police and civil servants to include university lecturers and students.
Among those proud to be part of the program is Phunyawee Suwanleela, 38, who recently helped lead royal volunteers in cleaning up Bangkok’s iconic Temple of Dawn - after first saluting a portrait of the king.
“We are trained to spread the word to make others more conscious, so they will love the country like we do,” said Phunyawee, who works in Thailand’s version of the FBI.
Graduates are divided into groups of 30 and they use instant messaging chat groups to share their progress in spreading the message, said civil servant Nattaporn Rathasilapin, 34.
“Our group were given a target of 8,900 people to reach out to over several months,” Nattaporn said.
But one man in his 40s from outside Bangkok, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of repercussions, said that despite being a strong royalist he found certain aspects of the program too manipulative.
Specifically, he complained that he was now expected to spread the message to school children and to prove that they had been affected.
“There must be at least some photos that show our audience teared up with gratitude,” he said. “We have to find someone who cried.”
Theerapat confirmed that the 904 graduates are encouraged to give public talks to share their knowledge.
“On the training activities, each group has to take photos to report on what they have done,” he said. “But there is no specific goal to make people cry. Whoever may be inspired to tears, that is up to them.”
Writing by Kay Johnson; Editing by Mike Collett-White
https://ca.reuters.com/article/idCAKBN1XB2UY
TOP NEWS
NOVEMBER 1, 2019 / 7:58 AM / UPDATED 4 HOURS AGO
Thai king creates boot camp-style 'unity' courses
Panu Wongcha-um
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thousands of civil servants, police and teachers are being sent to a military camp in Thailand for intensive training in community service and loyalty to the monarchy, according to the Royal Palace and interviews with trainees and organizers.
The program, established last year, highlights the way in which King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 67, is asserting his will on Thai government and society to a greater extent than any sovereign since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932, some experts say.
Seven program graduates who participated in the “Volunteer Spirit 904” training told Reuters they woke at 5 a.m. for light group exercise, then lined up to practise military-style salutes before classes on the history of Thai kings and training for community service.
At the end of the training program, which lasts from 15 days to six weeks, they are declared “Karatchakan Suan Pra-ong”, or “Officials in His Majesty’s Service” and tasked with promoting the monarchy, and their efforts are tracked through messaging apps, the graduates said.
The 904 courses are coordinated by the permanent secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office, Theerapat Prayurasiddhi. The palace directed all questions to his office.
“The king has the royal policy to create unity among the people,” Theerapat said. “Then everything will lead to the people’s happiness and a secure nation.”
About 3,000 people have completed the courses in groups of 500 since March 2018, he said, describing the program as “strictly voluntary”.
The goal of the 904 program - named after the king’s security call sign - is to create a corps of influential people to “develop and defend the country and create people who are loyal to the monarchy,” the Royal Palace website said.
Reverence for the monarchy has long been part of traditional Thai culture, but King Vajiralongkorn, a career military officer, is formalizing and organizing public devotion in a way that hasn’t been seen since the end of absolute monarchy, said Joshua Kurlantzick of the U.S.-based Council on Foreign Relations.
“It builds on the past, but it’s much, much clearer with this king and much more assertive,” Kurlantzick said.
Few details have been made public about the program, which is linked to the palace-sponsored "Volunteer Spirit" here community service corps of nearly 6 million volunteers.
The training is run by officials linked to the palace and military officers, according to the seven graduates, a lecturer and an organizer who spoke to Reuters.
“THERE MUST BE DISCIPLINE”
Live-in courses are held at the Bangkok headquarters of the First Infantry Regiment, which was recently transferred to the king’s personal command.
“There must be discipline and there must be rules,” said Sumet Tantivejkul, 80, who teaches the courses about King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the king’s widely revered father.
“Participants live together, eat together, sleep together ... Old people stay with young people so the young learn from the experience of the old and the old can also learn about the young,” Sumet said.
Graduates of the program said that along with training for community service, one main focus of lessons is the monarchy as an ultimate solution to Thailand’s problems at a time of political division which broadly pits military-royalist conservatives against supporters of populist parties.
In the past 15 years, street protests led by conservatives have led to the eventual removal of four populist prime ministers by court rulings or military action.
Tensions have spilled into violent protests by both camps in recent years and two military coups - in 2006 and 2014. An election in March did not heal divisions.
The most recent coup leader, Prayuth Chan-ocha remained, prime minister despite allegations of cheating here from opposition parties, who were in turn branded as disloyal to the monarchy by Prayuth's pro-military party. No Thai party says it opposes the monarchy.
ASSERTIVE KING
Sinchai Chaojaroenrat, an independent scholar who has written books on Thai culture and religions, describes the 904 program as part of a “strategy in merging the monarchy with every government agency.”
Thailand has been a constitutional monarchy since a 1932 coup, but the king has never been a mere figurehead. To some Thais, he is an infallible demigod.
Following the seven-decade reign of his father, Vajiralongkorn has asserted his personal authority in several ways, according to analysts observing his public actions.
In July 2017, the military-appointed legislative assembly amended a 1936 law to give the king full control of the Crown Property Bureau, which manages the crown’s holdings estimated to be worth more than $30 billion.
They previously had been managed by the Finance Ministry.
Last month, he took over direct command of two Bangkok-based army units, citing emergency provisions of the constitution.
Such changes have met little open criticism in a country where insulting the king can mean 15 years in jail.
“INSPIRED TO TEARS”
Since they were first established, the 904 courses have been expanded from palace officials, soldiers, police and civil servants to include university lecturers and students.
Among those proud to be part of the program is Phunyawee Suwanleela, 38, who recently helped lead royal volunteers in cleaning up Bangkok’s iconic Temple of Dawn - after first saluting a portrait of the king.
“We are trained to spread the word to make others more conscious, so they will love the country like we do,” said Phunyawee, who works in Thailand’s version of the FBI.
Graduates are divided into groups of 30 and they use instant messaging chat groups to share their progress in spreading the message, said civil servant Nattaporn Rathasilapin, 34.
“Our group were given a target of 8,900 people to reach out to over several months,” Nattaporn said.
But one man in his 40s from outside Bangkok, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of repercussions, said that despite being a strong royalist he found certain aspects of the program too manipulative.
Specifically, he complained that he was now expected to spread the message to school children and to prove that they had been affected.
“There must be at least some photos that show our audience teared up with gratitude,” he said. “We have to find someone who cried.”
Theerapat confirmed that the 904 graduates are encouraged to give public talks to share their knowledge.
“On the training activities, each group has to take photos to report on what they have done,” he said. “But there is no specific goal to make people cry. Whoever may be inspired to tears, that is up to them.”
Writing by Kay Johnson; Editing by Mike Collett-White
https://ca.reuters.com/article/idCAKBN1XB2UY
KNN.. this is cheeky!
Oh no my house keeper’s name is not cheeky
Yes brand new Royal Orchid at D4. 5am-2am. opened oct 2019. Has bunch of manager types walking around smiling, saying hello and answering questions.
Bar area, chefs prepping fresh pasta and pad Thai a la carte, 5 shower rooms, ice cream. nice. Looks like TGs next gen lounge concept. On the other end of D from the SQ lounge.
Food at SQ still the best though.
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