Friday, December 28, 2007

Thai Polls & Analysis


I was guided to a post by New Mandala on the Thai Polls 2007. Please read his analysis for indept view of the above map.

His analysis reflect grass roots opinions. Though the interim government have announced that a coalition government will have their first meeting on the 30th day after the polls, but it seems that the government are formed already & expected announcments will be done 2 weeks after New Year.

The best news I've heard is that this pollings seems to be as clean as it possibly can, though theres a lot of talk about transparency issues (ie. the pre-polling of 3 million voters a week before the 23rd).

Above all, the coup of 19th September 2006 - dubbed as the the 'coup for the rich' is reinstated by the results in the polls.

Finally it is safe for me to say that Thailand politics have enter the new world, started by the Thaksin government and it seems its here to stay.
* Note: Thanx much Notebook. Though am unable to access your blog am very flattered that you will put me in your blogroll. Please do post a comment soon once your blog is ok so I can return the favour. Looking forward to read your posts in return!

Thailand Goes to Poll!!!



As the Thais goes to vote on 23rd December 2007, we are all on a 'look & see' mode, this being the first election after the September coup in 2006 (which spells the end of democracy to a lot of people - internationaly & locally).

Relatively, this election was peaceful & actually far from violent. A relief for the Thais & expats alike. Business as usual seems to be the consensus here.

The above pictures were taken during campaigning in the South & North East of Thailand. The next post will give more details & analysis of the results. So please explore more!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

M FOR MALAYSIA

Currently, I have been prowling youtube for interesting video that's out there for the public eyes to see and what do I get (oh....hehehe & thru the recommendations of someone dear), a propaganda video of Malaysia. Just click on the highlighted words to access the maker's website or if you'r lazy, you can watch the video below.

Here's a video that's in youtube and its about Malaysia - thru the eyes of the maker.



Interesting propaganda and I must say, Malaysians are getting very creative. Previously, we'll have chainletters, advertisements and now a movie remixed to convey the maker's message.

Anyway, hope everybody will enjoy the video and if you have any question, just ask the maker....hahaha....

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Chiang Rai Hill Tribe Project Visit (November 2007)



As the photos says it all, we had an eye opener trip visiting the hill tribe communities Akha & Lahu tribe in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. The trip was carefully organised by Mirror Foundation, an NGO operating which helped with the tribes' transition into modern society. Click here for details of Mirror Foundation - http://www.mirrorartgroup.org/web/whoarewe/index.html

While watching the slide, you'll get glimmers of tribal life in the highlands. The effect of modernisation and this new way of life had and have its rocky transitions but change they did. Some tribes seem to fare better than their counterparts but the overall perception of the community (which includes the head leaders) seems to favour the change.

In the end change seems to hold no stop for the families here from growing up with the best of two worlds. Knowledge of the highland lifestyle and living in the lowlands.

Friday, November 23, 2007

The Organic & The Cultivated


Look at her(left)! She's just gorgeous! She's Ms Tiffany International 2007 and now Ms Queen International 2007, Pattaya, Thailand.

Compare with normal old me, you can see how beautiful she (transgender) is! I watched these gals worked very hard to get the show on the road (at Ms Tiffany, Pattaya)- and may I add very successfully at that. Seeing the gals' tears, frustration and the mounting pressure of the competition made the whole event rigged with suspense and excitement.

Being immersed in a 'community that worship beauty' it made me realise that in this world we live-in is big with diverse cultures waiting to be explored.

Good luck with the exploring everyone!

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Miss International Queen 2007



Held on Saturday November 10th, 2007 at Tiffany's Show Pattaya and supported by Chonburi Province, Chonburi Provincial Administration Organization, Pattaya City Council, The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Pratunam Polyclinic.

Go, go Gals/boys/transgender/katoeys!!! All that hardwork for just one nite. It was exciting and bursting with energy! The talents are benchmarkers for future performances.

Regards,
from awed visitor......

Friday, November 2, 2007

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Though this forum (http://www.sabahforum.com/forum/index.php) is in mixed malay-english, it keeps me abreast with what's happening at home, Sabah, East Malaysia.

I like to read the http://www.sabahforum.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=14 partly because of it's gossip on political views of individuals. Amusing and entertainting, making the forum a place for everyone. We are lucky to be allowed to do so, unlike other countries.

Finally reconciled to the fact that politics is a human element which means with many handicaps, most political intitution make decision based on 'in the name of OUR people....!' to justify actions that mostly are beyond 'us' The People! Ironic isn't it?

Anyhow, am very lucky to be a citizen of peaceful Malaysia, where public forum is not a death sentence but a mean of expressing oneself.

I end with a question which one should ask self,'would you - a citizen, rather be shot to death just by murmuring dissent in public forums (the incidental soldier?) such as this?'. The answer is always up to you -the citizen (or not?).

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Free Calls in 50 countries!!!

To tell you the truth, Malaysia & Thailand can't use this at the moment - it's more expensive! But friends from Japan can! It's clear (my first testing was for free!). Using this application a mobilephone user in Japan call local to international numbers & pay only local rates - mind you the first 100 minutes are free!!!
Being in beta form, I hope this application will hurry up and include more asian countries coz the it can be so useful to expats (ie: calling using your mobilephone is a big plus +++++....!
Try it and please comment.....

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

ON A BUDGET - TRAVEL TO HUA HIN



It started out bad with the moto driving off with us on their back and not knowing where to go to the budget hotel where I booked earlier telling me that they are full and the only room available was the penthouse. With disgust we went out, found the tuk tuk station and were ripped off by 40bht extra (actual fare is only 20bht) just to go to the next block.

The weekend seemed bleak with steamy hot weather and us being tired we managed to check into better boutique hotels for the next two days. Enjoy our Hua Hin photo essay!

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

EYE PROBLEM? - THE NATURAL SOLUTION...

An inspiration for Natural Vision Improvement educators - Ms Lila C. Mopilin

is Natural Vision Improvement Program. The CD that came along with my Thai True simpack had a section on an introduction for Janet Goodrich's method touting on natural vision improvement.

It's good to know such services & expertise are now available in Asian countries. An Educator based in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, East Malaysia, Ms Lila is currently working closely with eye doctors in Kota Kinabalu to promote such services.

An Orthoptic by profession, she firmly believe that the eye sight can improve without intrusive surgery such as lasik surgery. Performed widely by eye technicians, such surgery sound drastic and guarantees are few and a far.

As the NVIP method's name implies the treatment is based on therapies and the practice of general good health which includes food consumption and exercises. Ever heard about pinhole glasses? You can get them in any Guardian Shop or Watson. Try it on and see whether you'd be suprised that you can see perfectly.

I've had my mum used it and she could read perfect 20-20 vision! She has age old vision impairedness! The arguement is that if the brain believes that it is vision impaired then the eyes sees impaired vision. The NVIP method works the brain & re-train it using specialised and natural therapies to targeting at improving vision.

Did I mentioned that Ms Lila is also an orthoptic? Good news to mothers out there who have children with strabismus syndroms or crossed eyes or 'Mata Juling' - in B. Malaysia.

Not a lot of Asian knows that Orthopticts are specialised in strabismus and children with strabismus have a chance for normal vision if they are treated in their early formative years.

Hope this post will help in your research for improved vision and educate on parents with children who have strabismus. Good luck!

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Muak Lek District - A Place Which Is Not In Lonely Planet



It was a long weekend trip to visit Khao Yai Winery in the Muak Lek District just before Isaan, Thailand. We took the public bus at Bangkok's Mo Chit Norteastern Bus Station.


We anticipated a challenging time to find the right bus but to our relief the station was well manned with English speaking information counter staffs and well numbered counter.

We were told that the bus was leaving in 6 minutes after paying for our tickets of 92bht each (one way). A staff accompanied us to the bus, thoughtfully enquiring whether we wanted to go to the loo before boarding.

Reaching Muak Lek, Cabbages & Condoms Saptai Resort friendly PR rep (Khun Pon) met us warning us that our True mobile phone reception would be none existent!

Excited to reach this uniquely named resort, the view started to look like cowboy country, dairy farms are scattered along the road together with vineyards. It feels like we're in Europe.

Early the next morning after breakfast, we caught a ride with CC's vehicle to Khao Yai winery. Enjoying the fresh air, we went to the winery. Expecting to see a normal cellar, we were suprised to see modern equiptments together with huge wine barrels.

The photo essay tells the story of our visit. Enjoy.

Thursday, September 6, 2007

LEAVE A FREE VOICE MESSAGE IN MY FRIENDSTER!


I only use friendster.com to update and communicate with my INTAN Junior Chamber of Junior Chamber Malaysia International members and one day I found out about the 'Rock You' leave a voice message programme....It's totally FREE!

I got so excited that I've had one up in my friendster that very second (hehehe....it took me awhile to figure out about the html, but i got it!). The only problem with the service is that everyone have to call a US number and leave a voice message.

Imagine my dissapointment...What a down-er! It actually cost more to leave a voicemail in friendster.com for all my Asian friends as compared to leaving a voicemail with my Malaysian mobilephone which the provider (digi.com.my) will forward to my email!

Here's a shoutout - Please let us enjoy 'Rock You' services in Asia!
Let us pray......

CLASHES OF THE TITANS


We used to live at the 21st floor in Evergreen Tower condominium along the Bangna-Trad highway in Bangkok and one day while getting ready for work, I looked out of the window and saw this amazing view of the elements.

I see a colourful rainbow on my left and the dark thunderous clouds on my right all at once, in fact I can photograph it in one click of the camera. It seems like the rainbow is in the middle of chasing away the blues of the world.

Hope such visual will give fortitude to anyone who needs it and good luck to all out there who are making it in this world.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

A Photo Essay of Diana's visit in and about Bangkok

Here's a video clip in a retro-designed and latest True Cafe in Khao San Road. We stopped here to cool off after a day of shopping in Pratunam (Baiyoke 1, Baiyoke 2 and Indra Square) district.


This photo essay tells the story of Diana group's (from Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, East Malaysia) visit to Bangkok 30th August to 3rd September 2007. Click here for the full version of the photo essay.

The Fishes at Thewes Jetty, Bangkok

Wow! There's so many fishes. Looks like that movie called 'The Host' babies, looking as if they eat human flesh. Vendors lined up selling bags of feed and bread for 40bht - 80bht.

Instead the fishes are - the ever popular and a delicacy in Thailand, the cat fish and 'batin' fish, swimming freely against the current at Thewes Jetty, Stop no. 15, fares at 13bht - 18bht from Central Pier, Saphan Taksin.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Trip to Samut Songkhram


On a lazy Sunday, My husband and I along with the thai class group (Jovelle (filipino), Moni (Cambodian), Said (Kahsmiri) accompanied by Ajan Miaow (Thai) was waiting for the van which will take us to Samut Songkhram (Gulf of Siam). For more photos please click here.

The first stop was breakfast or should I say brunch. Delicious scallops at 20bht for 5 pcs straight from the griller, miles and miles of sandbed due to low tide (you can hired a boat to the sea - half hour ride for only 50bht!) and ohhhhh so fresh seafood, which locals have for picnics with around Don Hoi Lot.

Stopping at one very interesting temple (Wat), the most famous abot's body still in pristine condition is kept at a glass room where devotees can visit and pay merits. Near the glass room there's a beautiful stuppa containing the Lord Buddha's relic surrounded by golden mystical statues.

Last but not least is the Talat Nam Amphawa! Beautiful shops, a bit of the old, a bit of the young. Wonderful food, loads to shop about and a thriving floating market where we had our delicious porky noodle soup.

We finished the trip with a boat ride to see the fireflies. It was a good ending for a good trip.