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A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand
- Thread starter Leongsam
- Start date
Simple breakfast today only 40 baht ($1.80)
And then was time for lunch with 3 fellow travelling salesmen at a village stall having simple rice and dishes
Sardine in tomato sauce and chili and onion and lime
Beef stir fry with Thai herbs
Tomyam prawns
Omelette with onions
Freshly cooked lunch for 4 only 320 baht ($14)
And then was time for lunch with 3 fellow travelling salesmen at a village stall having simple rice and dishes
Sardine in tomato sauce and chili and onion and lime
Beef stir fry with Thai herbs
Tomyam prawns
Omelette with onions
Freshly cooked lunch for 4 only 320 baht ($14)
Lorries facing partial city ban
Curb aims to slash choking dust levels
Bangkok Post 17 JAN 2020 AT 04:01
Efforts are being stepped up to curb hazardous ultra-fine dust particles with diesel-powered trucks likely to be prohibited from entering inner Bangkok on certain days during this month and next.
The planned restriction on diesel lorries is one of the measures proposed by the national committee on hazardous dust pollution which met yesterday and agreed to intensify efforts to improve the quality of air in the capital.
The upsurge in dust and air pollution has sprung from fuel use, particularly exhaust fumes emitted by diesel vehicles. In its proposal, the panel outlined measures that related state agencies can implement to reduce ultra-fine dust particles in the air. It has also recommended that the Royal Thai Police enforce rules for diesel lorries and vehicles that do not comply with standard emission regulations.
As for lorries, the proposal says the vehicles should only be allowed to enter inner Bangkok on even dates of the month during January and February when dust pollution is at its peak. It has also proposed that the restricted area for diesel lorries be extended from Ratchadapisek Ring Road to Kanchanaphisek Ring Road.
The Department of Land Transport has also pushed for strict measures against vehicles that emit toxic fumes, while the Department of Industrial Works has been told to inspect factories to ensure they comply with regulations and get them to reduce activities when the pollution situation deteriorates.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and provincial authorities have also been advised to enforce rules on open-air burning. City Hall in particular has to curb pollution from construction projects, including mass-transit systems.
Water is sprayed from the rooftop of Lak Si district office in Bangkok to help with fine dust particles in the air. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
Jatuporn Burutphat, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said the proposed measures will be submitted for cabinet approval and should take immediate effect. He said restrictions can be lifted before the end of February if the air quality improves.
However, Yoo Chienyuenyongpong, chairman of the Land Transport Federation of Thailand, yesterday slammed the proposal, saying the restriction would adversely affect logistics and transport. According to Mr Yoo, Kanchanaphisek Ring Road is the main route trucks take to deliver agricultural produce and other necessities to different parts of the country.
"If trucks are prohibited as proposed, then the number of trucks on the roads during permitted hours will increase, worsening traffic and dust pollution," he said.
Government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat said she will today meet with representatives from agencies concerned to mete out measures to raise public awareness. She said the proposed measures will be put up for cabinet consideration when it meets on Tuesday in Narathiwat.
According to Ms Narumon, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha believes that it is necessary to raise the public's awareness about the situation and what the government has been doing to help.
Suchatvee Suwansawat, president of the Council of Engineers Thailand, has also put forth eight measures, including "dust taxes" and the installation of a warning system.
A policeman inspects a smokebelching truck at a checkpoint near Don Muang railway station on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road as part of city-wide measures to combat the PM2.5 ultra-fine dust in Bangkok. (Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya)
Mr Suchatvee said tax incentives should be introduced to encourage property developers to better control dust and pollution, while those lacking in social responsibility should be slapped with extra taxes.
He said warning systems across the city were also necessary as the degree of pollution varies from area to area. Though adverse weather conditions contribute to pollution, emissions from cars and pollution from construction sites are largely to blame.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police Bureau has set up checkpoints citywide to inspect vehicles for emissions. Those exceeding permitted levels will be banned until they are fixed and resubmitted for inspection.
At a checkpoint in Don Muang area, police found that 12 out of every 25 cars exceeded permitted levels.
The Pollution Control Department yesterday reported that the ultra-fine dust in 10 areas exceeded limits. The pollution was higher than the so-called safe limit of 50 µg/m³.
They were Din Daeng, Soi Lat Phrao 95, Rama III-Charoen Krung Road, Soi Sukhumvit 63, Bang Kapi Intersection, Lat Krabang Road in Lat Krabang district, Sam Sen Road in Phra Nakhon district, Klong Toey, Thung Song Hong, and Phahon Yothin Road in Bang Khen district.
Curb aims to slash choking dust levels
Bangkok Post 17 JAN 2020 AT 04:01
Efforts are being stepped up to curb hazardous ultra-fine dust particles with diesel-powered trucks likely to be prohibited from entering inner Bangkok on certain days during this month and next.
The planned restriction on diesel lorries is one of the measures proposed by the national committee on hazardous dust pollution which met yesterday and agreed to intensify efforts to improve the quality of air in the capital.
The upsurge in dust and air pollution has sprung from fuel use, particularly exhaust fumes emitted by diesel vehicles. In its proposal, the panel outlined measures that related state agencies can implement to reduce ultra-fine dust particles in the air. It has also recommended that the Royal Thai Police enforce rules for diesel lorries and vehicles that do not comply with standard emission regulations.
As for lorries, the proposal says the vehicles should only be allowed to enter inner Bangkok on even dates of the month during January and February when dust pollution is at its peak. It has also proposed that the restricted area for diesel lorries be extended from Ratchadapisek Ring Road to Kanchanaphisek Ring Road.
The Department of Land Transport has also pushed for strict measures against vehicles that emit toxic fumes, while the Department of Industrial Works has been told to inspect factories to ensure they comply with regulations and get them to reduce activities when the pollution situation deteriorates.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and provincial authorities have also been advised to enforce rules on open-air burning. City Hall in particular has to curb pollution from construction projects, including mass-transit systems.
Water is sprayed from the rooftop of Lak Si district office in Bangkok to help with fine dust particles in the air. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
Jatuporn Burutphat, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said the proposed measures will be submitted for cabinet approval and should take immediate effect. He said restrictions can be lifted before the end of February if the air quality improves.
However, Yoo Chienyuenyongpong, chairman of the Land Transport Federation of Thailand, yesterday slammed the proposal, saying the restriction would adversely affect logistics and transport. According to Mr Yoo, Kanchanaphisek Ring Road is the main route trucks take to deliver agricultural produce and other necessities to different parts of the country.
"If trucks are prohibited as proposed, then the number of trucks on the roads during permitted hours will increase, worsening traffic and dust pollution," he said.
Government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat said she will today meet with representatives from agencies concerned to mete out measures to raise public awareness. She said the proposed measures will be put up for cabinet consideration when it meets on Tuesday in Narathiwat.
According to Ms Narumon, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha believes that it is necessary to raise the public's awareness about the situation and what the government has been doing to help.
Suchatvee Suwansawat, president of the Council of Engineers Thailand, has also put forth eight measures, including "dust taxes" and the installation of a warning system.
A policeman inspects a smokebelching truck at a checkpoint near Don Muang railway station on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road as part of city-wide measures to combat the PM2.5 ultra-fine dust in Bangkok. (Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya)
Mr Suchatvee said tax incentives should be introduced to encourage property developers to better control dust and pollution, while those lacking in social responsibility should be slapped with extra taxes.
He said warning systems across the city were also necessary as the degree of pollution varies from area to area. Though adverse weather conditions contribute to pollution, emissions from cars and pollution from construction sites are largely to blame.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police Bureau has set up checkpoints citywide to inspect vehicles for emissions. Those exceeding permitted levels will be banned until they are fixed and resubmitted for inspection.
At a checkpoint in Don Muang area, police found that 12 out of every 25 cars exceeded permitted levels.
The Pollution Control Department yesterday reported that the ultra-fine dust in 10 areas exceeded limits. The pollution was higher than the so-called safe limit of 50 µg/m³.
They were Din Daeng, Soi Lat Phrao 95, Rama III-Charoen Krung Road, Soi Sukhumvit 63, Bang Kapi Intersection, Lat Krabang Road in Lat Krabang district, Sam Sen Road in Phra Nakhon district, Klong Toey, Thung Song Hong, and Phahon Yothin Road in Bang Khen district.
Masks handy for New Year incense smoke too
National
Jan 24. 2020
Protective facemasks were much in evidence at Chinese shrines in Bangkok on Friday (January 24) as people marked the beginning of another Lunar New Year.
But they were worn more out of concern over the dense clouds of incense smoke than the still-hazardous PM2.5 air pollution.
The Chinese New Year Festival continues through Monday.
The Chao Por Pak Khlong Shrine near the Pak Khlong Market Flower Market was busy and billowing with smoke.
Administrators at Mangkon Kamalawat Temple, also known as Wat Leng Noei Yi, have this year banned a festival staple – the burning of silver and gold paper – in deference to efforts to reduce PM2.5 pollution.
Silpakorn University researchers were in the Yaowarat area, Bangkok’s Chinatown, checking both PM2.5 and noise levels.
They were happy to demonstrate the gadget they used for reporters and curious passers-by, explaining that the survey was a part of the university’s “Development of Artistic and Cultural Capital in Yaowarat” project.
National
Jan 24. 2020
Protective facemasks were much in evidence at Chinese shrines in Bangkok on Friday (January 24) as people marked the beginning of another Lunar New Year.
But they were worn more out of concern over the dense clouds of incense smoke than the still-hazardous PM2.5 air pollution.
The Chao Por Pak Khlong Shrine near the Pak Khlong Market Flower Market was busy and billowing with smoke.
Administrators at Mangkon Kamalawat Temple, also known as Wat Leng Noei Yi, have this year banned a festival staple – the burning of silver and gold paper – in deference to efforts to reduce PM2.5 pollution.
They were happy to demonstrate the gadget they used for reporters and curious passers-by, explaining that the survey was a part of the university’s “Development of Artistic and Cultural Capital in Yaowarat” project.
Almost 7,000 people from Wuhan visited Thailand this month
National
Jan 26. 2020
By The Nation
High-level sources in the tourism industry revealed that Chinese tourists made up almost 30 per cent of the foreign visitors passing through Don Mueang Airport every day.
Statistics of foreign passengers travelling to Thailand via Don Mueang showed that of the nearly 24,000 people every day, Chinese tourists, on average, accounted for nearly 7,500 people.
From January 3-24, there were 43 flights from Wuhan city which brought 6,982 people.
However, six flights of Thai AirAsia scheduled to fly to and from Wuhan city to Don Mueang and Phuket airports during January 23-28 have all been cancelled.
National
Jan 26. 2020
By The Nation
High-level sources in the tourism industry revealed that Chinese tourists made up almost 30 per cent of the foreign visitors passing through Don Mueang Airport every day.
Statistics of foreign passengers travelling to Thailand via Don Mueang showed that of the nearly 24,000 people every day, Chinese tourists, on average, accounted for nearly 7,500 people.
From January 3-24, there were 43 flights from Wuhan city which brought 6,982 people.
However, six flights of Thai AirAsia scheduled to fly to and from Wuhan city to Don Mueang and Phuket airports during January 23-28 have all been cancelled.
Glad to be back to Bangkok last night from Singapore. On the way home stopped by a roadside food stall for some simple Thai dinner
Open kitchen
Diner
Start with a Singha
Pork bones spicy soup
Beef jerky
Deep fried duck beak
Grilled pork neck
Stir fry kale with oyster sauce
Cabbage stir fry with fish sauce
Open kitchen
Diner
Start with a Singha
Pork bones spicy soup
Beef jerky
Deep fried duck beak
Grilled pork neck
Stir fry kale with oyster sauce
Cabbage stir fry with fish sauce
'Blind' beggar caught driving Fortuner
A man dressed in ragged clothes is seen after parking his SUV outside a temple in Nonthaburi. He appeared shortly after at a nearby market masquerading as a blind man and begging for money. (A screenshot from the clip)
A blind beggar at a market in Nonthaburi has been caught in a viral video clip arriving for "work" driving a Toyota Fortuner.
The clip, posted by Facebook user Chutala Joy on Tuesday, showed a man wearing ragged clothing getting out of a black Fortuner with Bangkok licence plates parked outside Wat Don Sakae in Bang Yai district of Nonthaburi. He carried a bag inside the temple.
He later showed up at a nearby market, wearing jet-black glasses like a blind man and begging for money.
The clip drew a tirade of criticism against the man. Some people speculated he might be a police agent masquerading as a beggar to gather information.
This attracted the attention of local police, who watched the clip and promised to track him down for questioning.
Pol Col Surapoj Rodbamrung, chief of Bang Yai police, said if found to have ill intentions and to be begging for money under false pretensions he would face legal action under Section 16 of the Beggar Control Act. An offender was liable for a fine of up to 1,000 baht and/or a year in jail.
Thai media reported police had already identified the beggar as Somporn Kueyen, 65. He was not blind and lived with his wife in a two-storey townhouse in Muang district of Nonthaburi. They had two daughters - one working abroad and the other teaching at a university.
Mr Somporn did not return home last night after news of his masquerade hit the headlines. He and his wife reportedly moved to another house and he was expected to meet investigators at Bang Yai police station later on Wednesday, reports said.
Neighbours said they did not know what Mr Somporn did for a living. They just saw him driving his car from the house around 3-4am every day and returning home at night.
Some media reports quoted the man telling reporters he was in dire need of money to pay off gambling debts. Others said he used to have a stall selling pork at a market, but fell into debt.
Vendors at a market in Bang Yai district where Mr Somporn allegedly often begged for money said they were disappointed to learn the truth, that his blindness was just a lie to get money from kind-hearted people.
A video clip, posted on @Perdpongv2 Facebook page, shows a man in ragged clothing leaving a Fortuner vehicle parked outside a temple in Nonthaburi. He later showed up at a nearby market wearing black glasses like a blind man and begging for money.
A man dressed in ragged clothes is seen after parking his SUV outside a temple in Nonthaburi. He appeared shortly after at a nearby market masquerading as a blind man and begging for money. (A screenshot from the clip)
A blind beggar at a market in Nonthaburi has been caught in a viral video clip arriving for "work" driving a Toyota Fortuner.
The clip, posted by Facebook user Chutala Joy on Tuesday, showed a man wearing ragged clothing getting out of a black Fortuner with Bangkok licence plates parked outside Wat Don Sakae in Bang Yai district of Nonthaburi. He carried a bag inside the temple.
He later showed up at a nearby market, wearing jet-black glasses like a blind man and begging for money.
The clip drew a tirade of criticism against the man. Some people speculated he might be a police agent masquerading as a beggar to gather information.
This attracted the attention of local police, who watched the clip and promised to track him down for questioning.
Pol Col Surapoj Rodbamrung, chief of Bang Yai police, said if found to have ill intentions and to be begging for money under false pretensions he would face legal action under Section 16 of the Beggar Control Act. An offender was liable for a fine of up to 1,000 baht and/or a year in jail.
Thai media reported police had already identified the beggar as Somporn Kueyen, 65. He was not blind and lived with his wife in a two-storey townhouse in Muang district of Nonthaburi. They had two daughters - one working abroad and the other teaching at a university.
Mr Somporn did not return home last night after news of his masquerade hit the headlines. He and his wife reportedly moved to another house and he was expected to meet investigators at Bang Yai police station later on Wednesday, reports said.
Neighbours said they did not know what Mr Somporn did for a living. They just saw him driving his car from the house around 3-4am every day and returning home at night.
Some media reports quoted the man telling reporters he was in dire need of money to pay off gambling debts. Others said he used to have a stall selling pork at a market, but fell into debt.
Vendors at a market in Bang Yai district where Mr Somporn allegedly often begged for money said they were disappointed to learn the truth, that his blindness was just a lie to get money from kind-hearted people.
A video clip, posted on @Perdpongv2 Facebook page, shows a man in ragged clothing leaving a Fortuner vehicle parked outside a temple in Nonthaburi. He later showed up at a nearby market wearing black glasses like a blind man and begging for money.
Very lucrative con. Been to Thailand 18X
Japanese-speaking Pakistani man accused of swindle
An image released by tourist police shows the Japanese tourist, left, and Khan Sadam Ahmed, right, the Pakistani swindle suspect, at a department store in Bangkok's Pathumwan district.
A Pakistani man has been arrested by tourist police on charges of swindling Japanese tourists.
His apprehension followed a complaint filed by a Japanese tourist on Nov 21, Pol Lt Gen Chettha Komolwattana, the tourist police commissioner, told reporters.
The complainant said that he was at the CentralWorld department store and was approached by a well-dressed man who claimed to be a pilot with a well-known airline.
The man said he had no money at all and was unable to withdraw cash from an ATM. At his request, the Japanese complainant tried the man's card in an ATM, and a message came up saying the service was unavailable because of an error.
Eventually being persuaded the man was really in trouble, the tourist loaned him 30,000 baht.
The man gave his email address, bank account number and where he stayed, convincing him he would return the money. But when the complainant tried to contact him, he found the information was false.
Police investigators learned the man was Khan Sadam Ahmed, 29, a Pakistani national. He can speak Japanese and is alleged to have swindled other Japanese tourists at Suvarnabhumi airport and department stores.
An arrest warrant was obtained from Pathumwan District Court, leading to Mr Ahmen's dsetention at an apartment room in Soi Bang Pla 63 of Samut Prakan's Bang Phli district on Jan 25.Mr Ahmen's passport showed he had travelled in and out of Thailand at least 18 times.
Tourist police handed him over to Pathumwan police for legal action.
Japanese-speaking Pakistani man accused of swindle
An image released by tourist police shows the Japanese tourist, left, and Khan Sadam Ahmed, right, the Pakistani swindle suspect, at a department store in Bangkok's Pathumwan district.
A Pakistani man has been arrested by tourist police on charges of swindling Japanese tourists.
His apprehension followed a complaint filed by a Japanese tourist on Nov 21, Pol Lt Gen Chettha Komolwattana, the tourist police commissioner, told reporters.
The complainant said that he was at the CentralWorld department store and was approached by a well-dressed man who claimed to be a pilot with a well-known airline.
The man said he had no money at all and was unable to withdraw cash from an ATM. At his request, the Japanese complainant tried the man's card in an ATM, and a message came up saying the service was unavailable because of an error.
Eventually being persuaded the man was really in trouble, the tourist loaned him 30,000 baht.
The man gave his email address, bank account number and where he stayed, convincing him he would return the money. But when the complainant tried to contact him, he found the information was false.
Police investigators learned the man was Khan Sadam Ahmed, 29, a Pakistani national. He can speak Japanese and is alleged to have swindled other Japanese tourists at Suvarnabhumi airport and department stores.
An arrest warrant was obtained from Pathumwan District Court, leading to Mr Ahmen's dsetention at an apartment room in Soi Bang Pla 63 of Samut Prakan's Bang Phli district on Jan 25.Mr Ahmen's passport showed he had travelled in and out of Thailand at least 18 times.
Tourist police handed him over to Pathumwan police for legal action.
Over 300 Phuket tour buses idled
Beijing's ban on Chinese outbound group tours hits resort island's operators hard
Bangkok Post PUBLISHED : 1 FEB 2020 AT 14:18
Tour buses are parked at a private lot in Phuket as operators say there are no Chinese visitors to ride in them. (Photo by Achadtaya Chuenniran)
PHUKET: More than 300 tour buses in Phuket have been parked for over a week with no Chinese tour group arrivals because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Many operators have been badly hit since the Chinese government banned all outbound group travel by its citizens on Jan 25 as it tried to contain the spread of the virus that originated in Wuhan.
“With no (Chinese) tour groups, we have no jobs and no money. Tour bus operators are under stress due to heavy financial burdens such as wages for bus staff, parking rental fees and household expenses,” said a tour bus operator who declined be named.
Since Jan 25, more than 300 tour buses, which mostly serve Chinese visitors, have been parked at a private lot covering 30 rai. The parking fees are 1,000 baht a month per bus, said a source at the Khon Su Cheewit 30 tour bus group.
The coronavirus outbreak is affecting Thailand due to its reliance on arrivals from China to boost the economy. (Bangkok Post video)
Reduced travel from China alone could result in 50 billion baht of lost tourism revenue for the country, the Tourism and Sports Ministry has estimated.
“The coronavirus situation has had more negative consequences for our tour bus group than the tour boat (Phoenix) disaster and the tsunami. If the government had measures to help us, our hardship might be eased,” said one Phuket bus operator.
The capsizing of the Phoenix boat in stormy seas off Phuket on July 5, 2018 killed 47 Chinese visitors. Arrivals from the country plunged in the following months and only began to recover at the end of the year.
Beijing's ban on Chinese outbound group tours hits resort island's operators hard
Bangkok Post PUBLISHED : 1 FEB 2020 AT 14:18
Tour buses are parked at a private lot in Phuket as operators say there are no Chinese visitors to ride in them. (Photo by Achadtaya Chuenniran)
PHUKET: More than 300 tour buses in Phuket have been parked for over a week with no Chinese tour group arrivals because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Many operators have been badly hit since the Chinese government banned all outbound group travel by its citizens on Jan 25 as it tried to contain the spread of the virus that originated in Wuhan.
“With no (Chinese) tour groups, we have no jobs and no money. Tour bus operators are under stress due to heavy financial burdens such as wages for bus staff, parking rental fees and household expenses,” said a tour bus operator who declined be named.
Since Jan 25, more than 300 tour buses, which mostly serve Chinese visitors, have been parked at a private lot covering 30 rai. The parking fees are 1,000 baht a month per bus, said a source at the Khon Su Cheewit 30 tour bus group.
The coronavirus outbreak is affecting Thailand due to its reliance on arrivals from China to boost the economy. (Bangkok Post video)
Reduced travel from China alone could result in 50 billion baht of lost tourism revenue for the country, the Tourism and Sports Ministry has estimated.
“The coronavirus situation has had more negative consequences for our tour bus group than the tour boat (Phoenix) disaster and the tsunami. If the government had measures to help us, our hardship might be eased,” said one Phuket bus operator.
The capsizing of the Phoenix boat in stormy seas off Phuket on July 5, 2018 killed 47 Chinese visitors. Arrivals from the country plunged in the following months and only began to recover at the end of the year.
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