This Week in Thailand: 13th-19th August 2010

Posted on August 20, 2010 by | 1 Comment

This is a review of what happened in Thailand during the last week based on topics that I tweeted. You can follow me live for latest news about Thailand @RichardBarrow.

Friday 13th August 2010:

Weekend 14th-15 August 2010:

  • Illegal drug shipments flood Thai border by @seacorro (ABC News) http://is.gd/eghjx in reply to seacorro #
  • While US couple have been sentenced for bribing ex-TAT chief, Thai system plods along at snail’s pace http://is.gd/egi05 #
  • Miss Universe 2010 Pageant: Miss Thailand Universe 2010 Fonthip Watcharatrakul Aims For The Crown http://is.gd/egK5b #
  • Northeast Thailand gets flash flood warning (Bangkok Post) http://is.gd/egKxQ #
  • Thailand’s war with the foreign media (New Mandala) http://bit.ly/cWldbv #
  • Torrential rains cause floods in parts of the North and the Northeast of Thailand – http://is.gd/ehlwS #
  • Thai-Chinese people will soon celebrate Sart Chin Day or Ghost Festival. #
  • They will also take part in ting krachaat which is giving rice to the poor. I will go to one tomorrow. #
  • British murder suspect Lee Aldhouse is sought by police for fatal stabbing of an American in Phuket http://is.gd/ehztX #
  • More details emerge about corruption allegations at Thailand Tobacco Monopoly http://is.gd/ei34V /BkkPost #
  • Late last night, Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, the Crown Prince, flew to Germany http://bit.ly/b1xPWB #
  • Just arrived at a Chinese temple in Taiban, Samut Prakan for their annual “ting krachaat”. http://twitpic.com/2euw11 #
  • 1000’s of poor people here already ready to receive rice & food from local Chinese-Thai. http://twitpic.com/2euxgu #
  • The poor are lining up for tickets & are being herded into tents http://twitpic.com/2ev5oy http://twitpic.com/2ev5th #
  • People are arriving to donate food which will be handed out in about an hour when the Governor of Samut Prakan arrives. #
  • All the food being offered to the Chinese Gods is making me hungry! http://twitpic.com/2evazw http://twitpic.com/2evb8k #
  • The smoke & smell of burning incense and the cacophony of sound at this “ting krachaat” ceremony is very overwhelming. #
  • They are about to open the gates. Get ready for chaos as 1000’s will stampede for free food. http://twitpic.com/2evxv8 #
  • VIDEO: Complete chaos at the moment as they stampede for free food http://twitvid.com/9DGOU http://twitvid.com/VMSQV #
  • Pushing & fighting as they try to get the free food. 1000’s here but still plenty of food. http://twitpic.com/2ew468 #
  • Video of Chinese opera. I guess it is for the Gods as no-one is watching. http://twitvid.com/B8KKP #
  • An hour later the crowds are still large & still plenty of food. As I leave more folks coming. http://twitpic.com/2ewghc #
  • That was my first “ting krachaat” of the season. More will take place all over Thailand this month at Chinese shrines. #
  • Photo Album for the “Ting Krachaat” ceremony this morning at a Chinese Shrine – http://bit.ly/aUjTjB #
  • Suan Dusit Poll: Many people think Thai politicians like to speak rudely, look down on others and are devious /BkkPost #
  • Thailand’s dengue fever toll jumps 83%: 50,000 cases and 63 deaths this year so far http://bit.ly/aYX4DZ #
  • Thailand will fix prices for bottled water at 7 baht (0.5-0.6 liter) and 14 baht (1.5 liter) http://bit.ly/9fL1WP #
  • The dark side to Thailand’s Tiger Temple by @Journotopia http://tinyurl.com/2aw6wzm #
  • The Thai schoolgirl who won 10 million baht in the world cup draw sent in 700 postcards! Her parents will buy a house. #
  • A new building at Burapha university in Chonburi has collapsed, at least 1 killed, 30 trapped inside /via @Tulip_Oum #
  • Photo: The collapsed building was under construction trapping workers http://j.mp/9hHW8U /via @Tulip_Oum #
  • Report on CH.9 about Burapha university said collapsed building was the new auditorium & definitely no students inside. #
  • Latest pictures of collapsed building http://yfrog.com/edf5dg http://yfrog.com/n3gd6g Still many workers trapped inside. #

Monday 16th August 2010:

  • CH.3 now reporting at least 3 workers dead in university building collapse. Rescue efforts continue through the night. #
  • There seems to be confusion among Thai media about number of dead in building collapse. From 1-4 dead so far. #
  • Thailand Tourist Police star in their own music video – 100,000 hits on YouTube – http://j.mp/9A7×4d #
  • American Tourist Murdered in Thailand (Fox News) http://j.mp/ciGKsZ #
  • Chonburi Governor: 1 confirmed dead, 2 missing in Burapa University building collapse /TANN #
  • RT @ThailandVoice: Bangkok Podcast interview with Bangkok Post columnist @voranai now online http://bit.ly/bSnbbX #
  • 16th July: Thai Peace Day – Historians point to forefathers’ sacrifices http://is.gd/ejwTW #
  • PM signs order to cancel emergency decree in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Ubol Ratchathani /TANN #
  • 19 Red Shirt leaders including Veera Musikhapong in Court for 1st hearing on terrorism cases, all deny charges /MCOT #
  • Yellow-shirt protester gets community service for trying to kill 5 policemen http://bit.ly/cD7Jf3 #
  • Manhunt in Thailand for British boxer (BBC) http://bbc.in/bgojEB #
  • The cabinet approves Defence Ministry’s proposal for navy to send ships to help fight pirates off Somalia /BkkPost #
  • RT @veen_NT: Government postpones enforcement on bottled water prices to Sep 1 after receiving complaints from businesses #
  • Watch the video & ask yourself, should the driver get more than 48 hours community service? http://youtu.be/c9bpEm5Jb48 #
  • Some great short videos on places to visit around Thailand. In Thai with English subtitles: http://bit.ly/bSO9PS #

Tuesday 17th August 2010:

  • Some history on Preah Vihear Temple and the border controversy (The Nation) http://is.gd/ekKQl #
  • Red shirt supporters in Chiang Mai will hold their first gathering on Sunday (Bangkok Post) http://is.gd/ekL6z #
  • I’m on my way to TAT HQ on Phetchaburi Road. Have been stuck in traffic for 90 minutes now. I think I’m going to be late. #
  • I’m at RattanaKosin Exhibition Hall on Ratchadamnoen-Klang Avenue in Bangkok with the TAT. http://twitpic.com/2fhrby #
  • This is a picture of Loha Prasat, the Metal Castle, in Bangkok. http://twitpic.com/2fhuas #
  • Model of the Grand Palace at RattanaKosin Exhibition Hall. http://twitpic.com/2fi74c http://twitpic.com/2fi77o #
  • Having a great time learning about history of Royal Bangkok at RattanaKosin Exhibition Hall on Ratchadamnoen-Klang Av. #
  • At the moment there is a special promotion price at Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall of only 100B & 30B. No 2 price system! #
  • Excellent panoramic views from RattanaKosin Exhibition Hall. http://twitpic.com/2fio24 http://twitpic.com/2fio2c #
  • Rattanakosin Exhibition hall is on the Royal avenue near Golden Mount & Democracy Monument. http://twitpic.com/2fiv6q #
  • Website links & info about my trip today in Bangkok is on http://www.RichardBarrow.com. I will post more when I get back. #
  • VIDEO: Excellent views of Golden Mount & Loha Prasat from Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall. http://twitvid.com/1Q0MY #
  • We’re having lunch at S&P Maha Rat by the river. Looks delicious. http://twitpic.com/2fiyzb http://twitpic.com/2fiyza #
  • We’re now at the Arts of the Kingdom V at Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. Not allowed to take pics http://twitpic.com/2fjgi9 #
  • NO PHOTO: Arts of the Kingdom V at Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. http://twitpic.com/2fjgx1 #
  • On an audio tour of the throne hall. She told me to “press the numbers & pray”! (Thai for “play”) #
  • The inside of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall is absolutely magnificent. Really worth the visit. Exhibition is great too. #
  • The ticket for Arts of the Kingdom V at Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall is 150B or free if you went to Grand Palace first. #
  • Public Health Ministry: Death toll from H1N1 virus in Thailand from April 28, 2009 to Aug 7 this year is 245 /BkkPost #
  • A group of dancing policemen has become the latest pop sensation in Thailand with a YouTube video http://is.gd/eloES #
  • Helicopter carrying senior officials of Natural Resources Ministry still missing, search continues amid bad weather /MCOT #
  • Phuket Kickbox Killing: Security camera shows ‘Man in Black’ with knife – http://is.gd/elAUj #
  • Thailand Patriot Network activists staying overnight outside Parliament; announcing next move at 9am Wednesday /MCOT #
  • RT @Juarawee: +300 volunteers set to search for Permanent Secretary of the Natural Resources team in Naan ’til 2AM #
  • You can now download the latest PDF version of Muang Samut News, a local newspaper from Samut Prakan http://bit.ly/aa7vqK #

Wednesday 18th August 2010:

  • Search efforts continue at the break of dawn for missing helicopter in Nan province /TANN #
  • Thai Groups Denounce Web Censorship (Wall Street Journal) http://is.gd/emiBV #
  • 18th August: Today is National Science Day in Thailand. #
  • King Rama IV, Father of Thai Science, successfully predicted a total solar eclipse that took place on 18 August 1868. #
  • The Bangkok-Airport Rail Link will open on Monday. The trip will cost 100 Baht. No baggage check-in yet. #
  • Celebrated Thai pathologist arrives in Malaysia amid heavy security http://bit.ly/dsVPI5 #
  • Missing helicopter has been found in a jungle in Nan Province; 5 passengers presumed dead /via @suthichai #
  • [ThaiPhotoblogs.com] Miss Thailand Fonthip in National Costume http://bit.ly/amEVl6 #
  • Thailand blocks access to WikiLeaks website http://bit.ly/cfVGhI (someone tell AFP it opens for me http://www.wikileaks.org) #
  • Nothing like a bit of censorship and the ensuing publicity to make you go & take a look at what the fuss is all about! #
  • I had a brief meeting with the Inspector of Samut Prakan Immigration just now about the website we are doing for them. #
  • He is excited about my idea to invite questions on visa & immigration issues. He promises they will be answered. #
  • Our aim is to make the Samut Prakan immigration site the most useful & updated immigration site in Thailand. Let’s see! #
  • One problem he admitted is that he might be lenient with some rules at his immigration but cannot guarantee same elsewhere. #
  • AFP have now updated their story on “blocking” of wikileaks after reading our tweets about it http://bit.ly/dceO5X #
  • AFP: “Some users, however, reported that they were still able to access WikiLeaks within the kingdom” http://bit.ly/dceO5X #
  • “Censorship versus security: When is freedom of speech not freedom of speech?” by @smartbrain http://bit.ly/dpFyrJ #
  • 78th Province for Thailand called for in Kanchanaburi’s Thong Pha Phum district /BkkPost #
  • Bodies of senior Ministry of Natural Resources officials and airmen who died in helicopter crash reach Bangkok /MCOT #
  • The Tourism Authority of Thailand and Mastercard launch “Bangkok Welcomes You” campaign http://bit.ly/9JW7Tq #
  • AFP changes the title of their story from “Thailand blocks access to WikiLeaks” to “tries to block”. Just pull the story! #
  • ISP’s have been guilty before of putting up fake “This website has been blocked by ICT” notices. It is “self-censorship”. #

Thursday 19th August 2010:

  • King Power to set up Leicester FC academy in Thailand (The Nation) http://is.gd/enTY0 #
  • Five perish in Thai helicopter crash. King & Queen sponsor funeral (Bangkok Post) http://is.gd/enUgM #
  • When police act selectively: The case of the Bangkok scrap seller fined 133,400 baht (BkkPost) http://is.gd/enWLe #
  • Expressway Easy Pass has sold 180,000 units. In October you will be able to top up at 7-Eleven /via @thai101 #
  • Leicester football stadium to be renamed King Power Stadium in December after takeover by the Thai group /BkkPost #
  • Government urged to develop big attractions that can compete with Disneyland and Universal Studios http://bit.ly/bD6JGL #
  • Scouts making “som tum” in their Scout lesson at school this afternoon. http://twitpic.com/2g3jwp #
  • Scouts showing off the “som tum” they just made themselves. http://twitpic.com/2g3kkp #
  • Facebook app on iPhone has been updated. Thai language display problem has been fixed among other things /via @s_narut #
  • You can now see in realtime on your iPhone what seats are available in a SF cinema & then book it! http://bit.ly/9QZXRK #
  • Culture Ministry to seek amending of film & video copyright laws after garbage collector fined 133K http://bit.ly/dAGXsm #
  • Viktor Bout has been waiting in a Thai prison since March 2008. See pics of how much weight he lost http://bit.ly/aeaorx #
  • RT @Dedatos: How long will trip on Airport link to Bangkok take? => Only 15 minutes! But no baggage check-in yet #
  • RT @philipbkk: Can we go from Makkasan to Ramkhamaeng on Airport Link? => Yes and only 15 Baht #
  • State Railway of Thailand will install GPS devices at railway crossings to warn cars when trains are 1.2 km away /BkkPost #
  • The OTOP Midyear 2010 Fair starts this weekend 21-29 August at Impact Arena. #
  • RT @BangkokDi: Does the airport link stop in Makkasan? => Yes it does http://bit.ly/b3FY4A Map: http://bit.ly/ddvM9g #
  • RT @king_of_tonga: I finished reading ‘Escape’ by David McMillan => You might like to read the interview I did with him http://bit.ly/9EgwzD #
  • This is a map I did showing the route that David took when he escaped from Khlong Prem Prison http://bit.ly/bMTFUz #
  • This afternoon, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn returned from Germany http://bit.ly/cJMuju #
  • Wikileaks now goes on offensive and targets Thailand => RT @wikileaks: ThaiLeaks announced http://bit.ly/a3R9Ic #
  • I wonder how long it will take the government to block the new wikileaks site dedicated to leaking documents from Thailand #
  • Miss Thailand wins the “People’s Choice Award” at Miss Universe 2010 http://bit.ly/bEZRfM #
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