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A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand

yinyang

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Froggy, you did good at Khmer Surin restaurant. I been there couple times, even stayed at hotel nearby. Good middle class suburb. Food, ambience doesn’t disappoint.
 

yinyang

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Will we now be less inconvenienced by ah tiong hordes at airport?
This new sino Q is possibly in the wake of falling nos. after the recent Phuket accident
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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/around_thailand/30351469
 

Leongsam

High Order Twit / Low SES subject
Admin
Asset
Will we now be less inconvenienced by ah tiong hordes at airport?
This new sino Q is possibly in the wake of falling nos. after the recent Phuket accident
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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/around_thailand/30351469
Thai minister blames Chinese tour operators for boat disaster

Reuters Staff
3 MIN READ

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A Thai government minister on Monday blamed Chinese tour operators for the deaths of more than 40 people, most of them Chinese tourists, in a boat accident off a resort island last weekend, as divers searched for 11 people still missing.


Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha comforts a relative of Chinese tourists involved in a sunken tourist boat accident at a hospital in Phuket, Thailand, July 9, 2018. REUTERS/Sooppharoek Teepapan

The boat, the Phoenix, went down in high seas on Thursday off the west-coast island of Phuket with 101 people on board, including 89 tourists, all but two of them from China, and 12 crew, during an outing to a small island for snorkeling.

The death toll, which is likely to surpass 50, makes it the worst tourist-related disaster in Thailand in years and underscores long-standing concerns about the industry’s safety.

The rainy season now under way can bring fierce squalls and high seas in southern Thailand, especially off its west coast, and questions have been raised about why the boat had set out to sea despite warnings of bad weather.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan blamed Chinese tour operators for not respecting Thai safety legislation.

“Some Chinese use Thai nominees to bring Chinese tourists in ... they did not heed warnings ... which is why this incident happened. This needs to be remedied,” Prawit said.

He did not elaborate.

China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism issued an urgent circular on Saturday, stressing the importance of researching online travel companies when booking overseas trips.

Many of those onboard the Phoenix had booked travel independently via online tour operators, the ministry said.

Earlier, authorities said the boat was carrying 105 people. They later revised the figure saying that some of those booked did not join the outing.
“Officially, 11 people are still missing,” Phuket provincial governor Noraphat Plodthong told a news conference.

“We will continue the search today.”

Thailand’s tourism ministry said it would give 1 million baht ($30,202) in compensation to each family of the victims.

Tourism accounts for about 12 percent of gross domestic product in Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, making it one of the most important drivers of growth, and such disasters inevitably raise questions about damage to the industry.

China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Monday that China had asked the Thai government to expand the rescue effort, protect the rights of Chinese citizens and fully investigate the cause of the accident.

Chinese tourists accounted for nearly one-third of last year’s record 35 million arrivals.


But despite accidents, political turmoil and even bomb attacks over the past decade, the tourism sector seems immune to bad headlines, earning it the nickname “Teflon Thailand”.

In August 2015, 20 people were killed, many of them Chinese tourists, in a bombing at a Bangkok shrine, the worst attack of its kind on Thai soil.
Chinese tourist arrivals dipped slightly after the attack but soon recovered.
 

yinyang

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Leongsam said:
But despite accidents, political turmoil and even bomb attacks over the past decade, the tourism sector seems immune to bad headlines, earning it the nickname “Teflon Thailand”.
Well put, quite apt for LOS. :geek:

...only attache on duty :rolleyes::rolleyes::sneaky:
We miss Chon's 'on the ground' reporting and inside knowledge of Patts:geek:
There are others (like Dredd) who also has in depth knowledge (and experience) too
 
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Froggy

Alfrescian (InfP) + Mod
Moderator
Generous Asset
Early dinner or shall I say late lunch (photos taken at 4pm)

Thai fried rice
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Rice noodle in gravy
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Thai herb with shredded fried fish
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Lemon chicken
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And with some music what a perfect meal
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yinyang

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Anyone been to south Pattani? Only been to Hatyai, Danok. Many steer away due to regional violence (bombings)
Thought this was an interesting travelogue piece


The peaceful side of Pattani
Thailand August 04, 2018 01:00

By Pattarawadee Saengmanee
The Nation Weekend


Long beset by insurgency, this southern province bordered by Narathiwat, Yala, and Songkhla has plenty to offer the visitor

THE FORMER capital of the ancient Langkasuka Kingdom, Pattani province in Thailand’s far south has traditionally been feted for its multiculturalism, though sadly the ongoing violence has kept it well off the tourist path for more than a decade.

But not all the residents have given up on drawing visitors to their home. On a recent visit that saw a group of journalists wrap up a tour of all three southernmost provinces, we were taken around China Town by Melayu Living, a club of innovative artists who are hoping to bring tourists back to this thriving trading hub on the bank of the Pattani River and the border of Thailand and Malaysia.
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Pattani's China Town is located on Anoru Road and lined with old Chinesestyle houses built in the reign of King Rama III


The group has also collaborated with the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage to create maps and guidebooks to illustrate the city layout and indicate the locations of tourist attractions.
Along the 1.4-kilometre walking route, visitors can learn about history, enjoy some local delicacies and get a feel for the simple way of Southern life. Contrary to the negative pictures painted by the media, it’s normal to see Muslims sitting alongside Chinese-Buddhists eating roti and drinking coffee or tea and sharing space in an art gallery.


Sulaiman “Lee” Chemae is our tour guide for the walk and one of my travel companions greets him not with “hello” but a question – “It is safe to roam on foot?”
Lee doesn’t appear put out. “This area is like the yolk of an egg, protected by checkpoints controlled by armed soldiers. So, yes, tourists can feel safe. I admit we can’t guarantee 100-per-cent safety but we can recommend places to which visitors can go as well as those best avoided,” he says.
China Town is populated by Hokkian Chinese, whose ancestors migrated from Fujian and set up shop on Anoru Road. Lined with old Chinese-style buildings mostly constructed during the reign of King Rama III, it’s home to the Lim Ko Nieo Shrine, worshipped by local residents and seafarers alike to ask for fortune, success, good health and protection. Built in 1634, it was originally called Leng Chu Kiang Shrine.
Legend has it that Lim Ko Niao crossed the South China Sea from China to Pattani to bring her brother back home to be with their dying mother. The young man, Lim To Kiam, declined her request, preferring to stay in Pattani because he had married a daughter of Phraya Tani and converted to Islam. Lim Ko Niao was frustrated by her brother’s refusal and ended up hanging herself from a cashew nut tree. The villagers later carved a wooden statue to her memory.
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Lim Ko Nieo Shrine is always packed with pilgrims and seafarers praying for protection and good fortune.


A short distance from the shrine is the former residence of taxman Luang Wichit Sulkakorn. Made from wood and cement, the main structure has been maintained to celebrate its long history.
When Wichit and his family moved out, the house was turned into a Thai dessert shop by Xuan Lui Kowittaya and became the first grocery on Anoru Road. Today, it’s under the care of the Kamolwittaya family.
“In the past, the Chinese residents traded with sea merchants from Singapore, Malacca and the Malay Peninsula, while the Muslims made their living from fishing. King Rama III recognised the potential for border trade, so he sent a tax collector to Pattani, making our community stronger,” Lee explains.
Next door is the White Building, which was constructed in 1883 by Luang Cheen Kananurak. Anan, the third generation of the Kananurak family, recently had it completely refurbished and gave it a more modern look.
The building is divided into three zones linked by walkways from the front building to an old wooden house in the middle. There is a kitchen and a lush courtyard at the back, where the air-raid shelter hastily constructed during World War II, has been turned into a fish and lotus pond.
Commonly known as Baan Kongsee, the bright blue, 150-year-old house was constructed by another tax collector, Luang Samret Kitjakorn Jangwang – an ancestor of the Kanaurak family, during the reign of King Rama III.
The roof has a perforated design that resembles ancient currency, symbolic of fortune, while the front of house features two windows to protect against inauspicious happenings in line with feng shui beliefs.
The structure is built with glazed bricks coated with white honey-mixed lime and oversize earthenware tiles cover the floor. The living room has a huge stand to accommodate the many statues of Chinese deities.
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Baan Kongsee boasts traditional Chinese architecture and is based on feng shui philosophy.


Khun Phitak Raya, the two-storey house in the corner of the compound now belongs to Senator Anusat Suwanmongkol, who runs the Pattani’s
CS Hotel. He has poured some Bt8 million into restoring the old structure, working with skilled craftsmen from the Fine Arts Department.
Lee leads us to Pattani Phirom Road, once home to a theatre, a smattering of opium dens, Chinese-style taverns, a foundry and gold shops. Surrounded by European-style buildings, the Melayu Living club has set up its own In_t_af Cafe & Gallery and this has become a hip hangout for Pattani’s younger generation.
“It’s not easy to teach other local residents what this art space is all about, which is setting aside fear of violence and bringing tourists to Pattani. Even with the support of the provincial officials, it took us a few years to persuade the Chinese residents to open their houses and welcome visitors,” Lee says.


Our sightseeing tour ends at the present-day shopping district on Ruedee Road, home to a block of colonial buildings influenced by British construction designs with a gap between them to prevent fire from spreading. This street once housed a big market that sold fabrics and spices and was operated by Indian entrepreneurs.
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The newly opened Sky Walk offers a panoramic view of the Gulf of Thailand and the swamp forest.


“Before the violence, this area was really colourful. It was lined with restaurants and always packed with foreign labourers and local fishermen. Because of its proximity to the huge fish market and pier, some Bt100 million changed hands every night,” Lee says.
“We want to promote other tourist routes that take in artisan villages and encourage people to take a cruise to a swamp forest in Yaring district so that visitors can experience our culture.”


Just a 15-minute drive away from downtown Pattani next to Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Garden is the recently opened Pattani Adventure Park, which is billing itself as the best vantage point for admiring Tachee Cape and azure waters of the Gulf of Thailand.
The 400-metre skywalk stands as high as a three-storey building and can hold up to 400 kilogram per square metre, thus ensuring safety for all visitors. It’s also connected to a long nature trail on the ground, home to a lush massive swamp forest.
A mere 35 kilometres from town is Sai Khao, which won the Most Outstanding Community-based Tourism Award back in 2007 for its eco-cultural tours and homestay services. Local residents have modified their vintage Jeep trucks to transport visitors to the Namtok Sai Khao National Park, where a golden statue of the Buddha looks down at visitors from the top of the mountain.
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Baan Sai Khao village arranges farm tours in a jeep.


“The province invested Bt32 million to construct the Buddha statue and it took 41 years to complete. It is a great viewpoint to look out over the verdant landscapes of Sai Khao district,” says Uncle Chanin Siannin, the head of Baan Sai Khao community.
The mountain is also home to a sacred pond, which the monk Luang Pu Tuad discovered during a pilgrimage in the jungle, a huge snake-like rock attached to the steep cliff and the Sai Khao waterfall, which is a popular picnic spot for local families.
Our day out ends with a visit to the massive rubber plantations and orchards, where we’re allowed to pick durian, bananas and rambutan straight from the tree and stock up on such snacks as preserved garcinia and miang kham made from banana to remind us of our visit.

IF YOU GO
>> Tourists can arrange a walking tour with Melayu Living by visiting its Facebook page.
>> The eco-cultural tour organised by the Baan Sai Khao community costs Bt500 per person. For a private tour by jeep, you pay an additional Bt1,000. For more information, call (089) 737 9553.


http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/thailand/30351403
 

Froggy

Alfrescian (InfP) + Mod
Moderator
Generous Asset
Share some Thai local market scene took these photos on Sunday

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Chili paste sauce delicious with rice

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Fried river fish

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Somtam and fish

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Desserts

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Kuchai

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BBQ Chicken

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Colourful vegetables

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Shrimp past tice

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Peanut pastry
 

Froggy

Alfrescian (InfP) + Mod
Moderator
Generous Asset
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Farang selling cookies and cakes (home made, zero cholestrol all natural)

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Thai curry

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Hormok

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Braised pork knuckles

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Muslim girl selling sticky rice desserts

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Busy market

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Chilis with shrimps

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BBQ

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My noodle breakfast
 

Froggy

Alfrescian (InfP) + Mod
Moderator
Generous Asset
So from the marketing this is the result when I am free - steamed pomfret, melon soup, steamed egg with minced pork, clams, red spinach with prawns

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The workshop :biggrin: really relaxing
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eatshitndie

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
So from the marketing this is the result when I am free - steamed pomfret, melon soup, steamed egg with minced pork, clams, red spinach with prawns

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The workshop :biggrin: really relaxing
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wah! your kitchen is like a commercial kitchen for a chinese restaurant. can serve 69 diners at one go. mine is more like a cuntry workshop. can only serve 6.9 diners.
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workshop at the other cuntry home.
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Froggy

Alfrescian (InfP) + Mod
Moderator
Generous Asset
Decided to eat home and cook again tonight before I go for a long trip tomorrow

Dinner
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Sesame oil ginger chicken
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Pan fried Spanish mackerel
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Stir fry kale with oyster sauce
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Highlight of the meal is this fish maw soup - fish maw, dried scallop, abalone, chicken thigh, pork ribs. Soup is great after 5 hours of boiling
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This is not the normal Thai fish maw, its thick chewy solid fish maw
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