Thailand – Chiang Mai Rail Service CLOSED For Maintenance

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Governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Prapat Chongsanguan disclosed that a 300-kilometer rail line from Sila-art station in Uttaradit to Chiang Mai will be closed for repair after a recent derailment in Phrae. He revealed that SINCE the BEGINNING of THIS YEAR, there have been 13 derailments so far.

According to him, the maintenance will cost around 2.8 billion baht ($87,500,000 USD) which will be spent on new sleepers and tracks as well as the replacement of soil with stone under the track along the route.

The governor also expressed his confidence that there would be no more derailments after the maintenance, adding that suspension of the rail service will help speed up the maintenance as the operation is expected to be complete by December 31st.

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2013/09/07/uttaradit-chiang-mai-rail-service-closed-for-maintenance/

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Let’s see if I have this right.

They say they will repair 300km of rail, by spending $87.5 million USD, in LESS than 4-MONTHS.

HORSE-SHIT! – EVEN ‘they’, can’t spend/waste that much money, in that short of period.

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What I believe is a better approach:

Junk the idea of high-speed rail, and instead spend the money on NEW dual track from Bangkok to Chiang Mai which can handle BOTH passenger and frieght.

Yeah, yeah, I KNOW it’s not as glamorous as high-speed rail, but . . .

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Thailand – 1980-era Vespa

Via: TeakDoor

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See more photos of Siam/Thailand, HERE:

http://teakdoor.com/famous-threads/39970-siam-thailand-bangkok-old-photo-thread.html

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personal note:

I love the old teak house in the background.

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Thailand – Celebrates 76th aniversary of ‘Submarine Day’

Via: NNT

The Royal Thai Navy has celebrated the 76th anniversary of Submarine Day, saying that submarines are vital to the country’s strong military foundation.

Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy Adm. Narong Pipatanasai, during the celebration of Submarine Day, said the navy has to have submarines in order to defend the country against a threat, especially in closed sea areas. If those areas are invaded, the country’s water transport will be cut off completely. (possibly land-locked Laos?)

Although submarines are considered important weapons, the Thai Navy does NOT have one in possession. However, groups of marines have been sent to foreign countries like South Korea, Germany, and Spain, to learn about submarines.

Adm. Narong has, however, assured that despite the fact that Thailand does not have a submarine, the Thai Navy has already prepared armaments in case of emergency. In addition, Thai marines have undergone heavy training and drills in order for them to be well prepared to fight off submarine threats.

The best strategy to fight against a submarine is to use a submarine, said the Admiral, while affirming that the procurement of armaments will be conducted based on transparency and the rule of law, not a decision to be made by any single individual.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/newsen/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNPOL5609050010001

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NOTE: Thailand also does NOT have an ‘International Space Station’ – but next year, ‘ Thailand – International Space Station Day’ – DAMN RIGHT!

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Thailand? (maybe – maybe not) ‘photo of the day’

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Chiang Mai – Selected as one of the most affordable places to retire (that’s right, AGAIN!)

Via: CBS Money Watch

Chiang Mai is a historic city located along the Ping River, nestled within some of Thailand’s tallest mountains, which are dotted with Buddhist temples. The city hosts several festivals, including Loi Krathong/Yi Peng (SEE gif), where residents launch decorative lanterns whose heat sends them skyward, and the Flower Festival, which takes place when the city’s tropical flowers are in full bloom.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8334-35213_162-57601283/the-worlds-most-affordable-places-to-retire/?pageNum=3

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Q: But really, how affordable is it?

A: Without trying, I’m under-running my Social Security by $500 to $600 every month. Try that in the States!

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Q: What about affordable medical care?

A: I have full ‘private’ medical insurance. And when I say full, I mean FULL (physician, hospital, AND meds).

AND, I pay less than my co-payment in 2000!

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Q: Do you think Chiang Mai is a good option for EVERYONE to retire to?

A: Oh, HELL NO!

But, I tell ya what; most expats I’ve met here in the past eight LOVE the place, and can’t conceive of living ANYWHERE else!

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Pattaya – Russian Man Shows His Penis To 7-11 Cashiers

Via: Khaosod English

Seven-Eleven shop assistants in Pattaya were shocked when an unidentified Russian man showed off his penis in front of them in the convenience store.

According to a shop assistant, the Russian tourist, presumed to be between 35-40 years old, went inside the middle-size convenience store late at night. The man, according to the witness, seemed confused and pretended to search for items on the shelf.

The man waited until crowds left the store, before exposing himself in front of the assistants.

A Good Samaritan chased the man away, before police arrested him as he wandered in his neighbourhood.

Police obtained a CCTV record of the man′s behaviour in the convenience store for evidence, and charged the Russian with sexual harassment.

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http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNM09ESTVORFU1TUE9PQ==&sectionid=TURFd01BPT0=

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personal thought:

I’ve always maintained, that sooner or later, ‘ALL the CRAZY PEOPLE in the WORLD’ will show up in Pattaya.

First the Russians, and then the . . .

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Pattaya – Theft On The Beach Shore!

Via: Pattaya Daily News

Mr. Nopadol Wongnom, Pattaya Superintendent, was notified at 12.50 AM that tourists swimming at night in the beach have reported stolen property that was kept on the shore. The incident happened opposite the Tropicana Hotel, 200 meters from the beach, Soi 6 Pattaya Moo 9, Tambon Nong Prue , Banglamung, Chonburi.

After questioning police found the two victims who were MR. Kim Jung Un 35 years old, and MISS. Hyon Song Wong 21 years old the girlfriend, both Korean citizen were asking for help from the beach. They were soaking wet and Mr. Kim Jung Un had removed his shirt while swimming, the shirt was also reported to have been stolen as well along with their belongings.

After inquiry by Mr. Kim Jung Un, he reported in not so fluent Thai (jeez, that’s a surprise) that before the incident took place he bought his girlfriend to the beach and after sometime they wanted to swim because the Pattaya beach looked very beautiful at night. Before swimming he took off his shirt and wrapped his belongings which consisted of 3 Samsung Note 2.0 mobile phones, one passport, hotel key card, an ATM card and a total of 60,000 baht ($1,875USD) of Thai and Korean money that was kept with their shoes on the shore. While swimming suddenly two guys on a motorbike came on the footpath on the beach side, the guy sitting behind on the motorbike ran down and grabbed the property that was wrapped in the shirt and took off on a motorcycle with his friend. He and his girlfriend witnessed the situation and therefore rushed out of the beach to ask for help but it was too late because the motorcycle had already taken off.

Mr. Dennis Rodman 33 years old, good citizen witnessed the incident stated that the motorcycle parked in front of the beach and noticed that the two tourists were swimming in the beach and saw their belongings were kept on the shore. They took this opportunity to steal the property and ran off. Mr. Dennis Rodman tried to help by running after them but they escaped. Even though the beach area has street lights tourists usually leave their property on the shore making it easier for theft to occur (yeah, you think?).

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2013/09/04/theft-on-the-beach-shore/

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personal thought:

Of ALL the beaches in the World, Pattaya would have to be high on the list of where NOT to leave $1,875 USD,

MORONS!

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Thailand – Train Derails for the ELEVENTH time this YEAR! (see gif)

City News – Chiang Mai

At 9 p.m. on 1st September 2013, the second carriage of the train leaving Chiang Mai and heading to Bangkok derailed in Mae Moh District, Lampang. From initial reports, there were no injuries and it was found that the two front wheels had derailed from the track. Most of the passengers were foreigners (morons!). The repairs were made by 2.30 a.m. on 2nd September and is now running as normal.

– Between April and May this year the train derailed 4 times.

– Between June and July it derailed 3 times.

– In August it derailed 3 times.

– In September it has derailed only once, but it’s still fairly early.

http://www.chiangmaicitynews.com/news.php?id=2275

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Thailand – We’re Number One! – We’re Number One! – We’re Number One!

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Thailand – Brit mauled by 400-pound at popular tourist site

Via: Daily Mail

Enjoying the trip of a lifetime to Thailand, university student Isabelle Brennan strokes a young tiger at a popular tourist attraction – one of the few places in the world where you can pet the deadly animals while they sleep.

But just minutes after this photo was taken, another 400lb tiger leapt into the frame, knocking the 19-year-old to the ground with its paw and sinking its teeth into her thigh.

She was saved when keepers at the Tiger Temple sanctuary in West Thailand jumped between her and the animal, while her sister and travelling companion Georgie, 21, dragged her to safety.

Read more, HERE:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2407513/Student-19-mauled-400lb-tiger-Thailand-popular-tourist-attraction.html#ixzz2dbo5xFz6

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side-note:

I few years ago I was chatting with a young Irish lady at Starbucks, and asked her where she has visited while in Chiang Mai?

She said her favorite was Tiger Kingdom, where she able to pet tigers. She asked me if I’d ever been.

I said, “I didn’t want to go because it’s my understanding the ony reason you could pet the tigers, was becaused they are drugged”.

She was VERY OFFENDED and said, “They are NOT drugged, but instead they have been taken care of by very loving trainers!”

I said, “RUBBISH”; and well, she left.

The cats are drugged – PERIOD.

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btw: I wish Ms. Brennan a quick and full recovery.

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Thailand – Dunkin’ Donuts under fire for ‘racist’ ad campaign

Via: L.A. Times

A human rights group on Friday criticized a Dunkin’ Donuts advertising campaign running in Thailand that features a model whose face is painted black to sell a chocolate doughnut.

Dunkin’ Donuts Thailand recently started running ads for its “Charcoal Donut,” which features a model wearing blackface makeup and bright pink lipstick and holding up a bitten doughnut. The translated Thai slogan reads: “Break every rule of deliciousness.”

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A message left with a Dunkin’ Donuts spokesman was not immediately returned Friday, but the chief executive of Dunkin’ Donuts in Thailand told the AP that the criticism is just “paranoid American thinking.”

“It’s absolutely ridiculous,” said CEO Nadim Salhani. “We’re not allowed to use black to promote our doughnuts? I don’t get it. What’s the big fuss? What if the product was white and I painted someone white, would that be racist?”

http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-dunkin-donuts-thailand-racist-ad-criticism-20130830,0,1353917.story

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personal thought:

It seems to me, Thais, and for that matter, Asians in general, look down on people with dark skin; including their own.

I think the ad will be very successful; but not with me though because well, I’m a “paranoid American”.
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