Stranded tourists at Bangkok Airport: Photo Essay

Here a some pictures of foreign tourists stranded at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.

They are going to remember Thailand for a very long time, as the rest of their lives couldn't be any more boring than this. I wonder if there are any Thai masseurs out there in the airport, as the tourists are going to need a lot of Thai massage.

All Flight Cancelled? Bullshit!



Papa, I want some more coffee



Its your turn dude



Guitar solo playing "One Night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster". Next up.. "Two nights in airport and your ass grows number".



I checked-in first



Sleeping in a trolley with my favorite jeans on



We should have taken that flight to Chiang Mai last night



Check out my new bed



Now, how do we get back to Patpong?



Mommy, that Thai kid is looking at us



I am so frickin' pissed



I checked-in first class



Somewhere, over the rainbow...



(Photo credits: AP)

Sphere: Related Content

Thai Coup Rumors

The words 'Coup' and 'Putsch' are appearing more often on Thai newspapers and websites since yesterday. Coup rumors are being spread widely with a lot of phone calls being made to several newspapers' editorial offices to check whether a coup was being staged.


(Photo credits: Reuters)

Yesterday afternoon, the Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda called on Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to dissolve the House. But Somchai went on TV later in the evening to announce that his government would not resign or dissolve the House.

Will there be another Thai Coup d'état in 2008 / 2009, similar to the one in 2006?




(Photo credits: AP)

It's all up to Gen Anupong Paochinda to stage a coup to prevent himself from being sacked by the Somchai government.

Is the Army chief going to allow Somchai to purge him?

How long Somchai remains in da House is to be seen.

Sphere: Related Content

Tourists have fun at airport despite closure

Despite the closure of Suvarnabhumi Airport, some farang tourists are enjoying themselves with the PAD.



Many stranded passengers, having missed out on their in-flight entertainment, are seen holding hand clappers and smiling as the PAD protesters distribute food and snacks to them.



Wait a minute! They're even wearing the yellow Ku-chart head bands. Looks like PAD's popularity at the airport is soaring.

The PAD are now responsible for providing in-flight food & entertainment to the stranded tourists? What are the airport officials up to?

The PAD has completely taken control of Suvarnabhumi Airport so any airline that wants to take off or land must seek permission from them directly.



They have shown mercy by allowing only one flight for the Muslim Hajj pilgrimage to take off.

The picture below once again reminds me that "with great power comes great responsibility"



Tres BIZARRE!

Sphere: Related Content

Somchai in a Peruvian Poncho

Thai Prime minister Somchai Wongsawat is seen wearing a traditional Peruvian poncho along with the other (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) APEC leaders for a group photo in APEC PERU 2008.



In the pictures above and below, Somchai is seen next to George Bush.



APEC leaders don flowing, brown Andean ponchos spun from baby alpaca shearings for a group photo.



Peru's turn to host the summit came as exports of the soft, luxurious fleeces are booming, driven by demand from international fashion enthusiasts and environmentally conscious designers.

Peru's President Alan Garcia looks really huge standing next to Somchai in the photo below.



That was last week.

Today Somchai is telling himself, my airport is blocked. I have no government house, and my temporary office at Don Muang is also seized. I'm now left officeless and airportless, so where do I land? U-Tapao?

Sphere: Related Content

Suvarnabhumi International Airport Closed

The Suvarnabhumi International Airport has been ordered closed for security reasons after the PAD protesters seized and blocked key entrance areas leading to the airport.



The Anti-government protesters have blocked the airport in an attempt to disrupt Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat who is supposed to return tomorrow from an APEC summit in Peru.



The Airports Authority of Thailand (AOT) has decided to close the Suvarnabhumi airport after PAD protesters entered passenger terminals and scuffled with airport officials.



The closure, ordered around 9 pm Thai time, involved stopping out-bound flights. In-bound planes are still being allowed to land, but can be diverted to key provincial airports if situation gets any worse.

The order was issued by AOT chief Serirat Prasutanont. He made the decision out of safety concern after PAD protesters penetrated some passenger areas.

"The PAD members are now scattered around. I don't know who's who, or who's PAD and who's not," a senior AOT official told The Nation at around 10.30 pm.

How long the closure lasts is not yet known.

Sphere: Related Content

One Two Go Airlines is ready to go

After being grounded for so many months One 2 Go Airlines has finally announced that it is going to start operations from December 5, 2008.



One Two Go's website is ready for online bookings now. They also have a newsletter out, click on the image below for a larger version.



Their new promotion sounds pretty attractive as they mention the word 'free' a lot:

Free Food and Drink
Free Fuel Surcharges
Free First Hold Baggage
Free Second Hold Baggage
Free Choice of seat upon check-in
Free Telephone Reservation
Free On-line reservation

They're also giving away Free Mama Cup Noodles on All Flights!!!



FREE!!! Noodles, All Flights!!!

Oh wait, there's a catch... (written in tiny fonts below): May not be available on all flights?

Sphere: Related Content

Chalerm Taweebot aka Eddie The Cute Ghost Dies

Comedian Chalerm Taweebot (Thai: นายเฉลิม ทวีบท), 53, better known as Eddie "The Cute Ghost" died of cancer this morning.



The Noppharat Ratchathani Hospital announced that Chalerm died at 7:20 am Monday morning, 24 November, 2008.

Funeral rites will be held at Mulchinda Temple in Pathum Thani province.



Eddie (Thai: เอ็ดดี้ ผีน่ารัก) played the role of a Caretaker in the 2003 Hong Kong horror movie titled "The Park" (Chow lok yuen). The Park also starred Ploy Chermarn Boonyasak (Laila Boonyasak) who played the character of Pinky.

Below is a poster of the movie The Park (2003)



R.I.P Eddie The Cute Ghost.

Sphere: Related Content

Ong Bak 2 releases on Dec 5, Tony Jaa cheerful

The big-budget movie Ong Bak 2, directed by and starring Tony Jaa, is finally coming to cinemas on December 5, which is His Majesty the King's birthday in Thailand.



Tony Jaa or Phanom "Jaa" Yeerum, Thailand's action superstar returns to the big screen with his directorial debut, amidst controversy. Ong Bak 2 is a 300 million Baht project by Sahamongkol Film International.



A new poster for Ong Bak 2 has also been released, with a new face appearing on it, that of Dan Chupong, the leading man of Born to Fight, Dynamite Warrior and Queens of Langkasuka. The film also stars Sorapong Chatree, sporting a bushy black beard. Sorapong is one of the men who rescues Tony Jaa's character as a child.

Ong-Bak 2 is the first Thai movie starring two top male martial artists in major roles according to Wise Kwai's Thai Film Journal.

Appearing at this week's press conference, Tony Jaa looked relaxed and was all ready to have a nice chat.





Jaa admits that he was at times obsessed with meditation, but says the depth of his focus enabled him to do better work.

Appearing on Channel 3's variety show "Tee Sib" or "Night At Ten" last Tuesday, Jaa claimed he helped a man recover from illness, a by-product of the strength he gains through meditation. He also claimed that the power he released through his fist, burned a stuntman's ear while shooting a scene.

"I don't know what really happened, but that's my personal belief," he says.



Four months ago, Tony Jaa's apparent obsession with superstitious power landed him in trouble with the studio and resulted in producer Somsak "Sia Jiang" Techarattanapra-sert ordering the action star's mentor, Panna Rittikrai, to help him finish the film.

Jaa has worked hard on his directorial debut, combining several martial arts forms and carefully choreographing moves derived from the sacred Thai masked dance known as Khon (Thai: โขน).

Jaa studied Khon with the acclaimed performer Pichet Klunchuen a few years ago and has transformed the gracious slow movements into a new form of Muay Thai, which he calls Nattayuth.

(Photo credits: dailyxpress.net, thaicinema.org, Modernine.mcot.net, Popcornmag.com)

Sphere: Related Content

John McEnroe vs. Bjorn Borg - PTT Legends in Bangkok

Tennis legends Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe have arrived in Bangkok today to play in the "PTT Legends in Bangkok" tennis match tomorrow at 4 pm Thai time.



Tickets for this special tennis match is priced at 2,000 Baht.

The match will be in a best of three format with a super tie-break in the third set if necessary.



The exhibition match will take place at the National Tennis Development Centre (NTDC), Muang Thong Thani, Chaengwattana Road and telecast live on Thai Channel 7 from 4pm - 5.30pm.

The Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand (LTAT) is celebrating its 81st anniversary, and the event will mark the official opening of its headquarters.

Part of the entertainment will feature local boys Paradorn Srichaphan, who will partner Borg in a doubles encounter against Danai Udomchoke and McEnroe.

Sweden's Borg, 49, and American McEnroe, 52, were among the best players of all time, having won 18 Grand Slam titles among them with McEnroe winning 11.

Sphere: Related Content

Jitrada Tantiwanichayasuk sentenced to 4 years in jail

Jitrada Tantiwanichayasuk (Thai: น.ส.จิตรลดา ตันติวาณิชยสุข), a 37 year old woman who stabbed four school girls at St. Joseph school with a knife in 2005 has been sentenced to four years in jail by the Criminal Court. The penalties were commuted from eight years to four years because the she confessed.



The court said Jitrada has had mental problems for years, and will be sent to receive medical treatment at a hospital after serving her jail term.



On September 9, 2005, Jitrlada or Pet (Thai: เป็ด), then 34, stabbed and seriously injured four students at girls-only Saint Joseph Convent School in the heart of Bangkok. One of the students was critical wounded but later recovered.



After the attack, Jitrada escaped from the school in a motorcycle taxi. She later landed a job at a restaurant in Chatuchak area, and shortly afterwards the restaurant owner alerted police after recognizing her from a police sketch that led to her arrest.

Psychiatrists treating Jitrada after the attack decided she is mentally ill.

Wearing a pink spaghetti-strap top and a pair of blue shorts, Jitrada showed no signs of remorse at a police press conference in 2005, remaining silent and ignoring the throng of reporters and photographers.

Later Jitrada allegedly told police investigators that she had heard an order from heaven telling her to do something to rich Indians and Chinese because they had taken advantage of Thai people.

She said she had visited both the Mater Dei School and the Saint Joseph Convent School and chosen the latter because the children there were richer and the school had a nicer and more orderly environment.





A criminal with that kind of look on her face is easier to spot in lakorns than in real life, just look at her facial expressions in all those pictures!

Sphere: Related Content

Salad Bar Architecture at Pizza Hut

Here is a creative way to maximize your return on investment (ROI) at the Pizza Hut's salad bar. Remember, you only get one trip to the salad bar, so make it count!

Go ahead and try it at your own risk! And don't blame me if you get booted from the restaurant or get into a salad bar brawl over a bowl.

Caution: Please don't try this too often or else the manager dude at 1150 Pizza Hut is going to get really annoyed.

















Hey fellas! Check out my salad bowl!



Thanks to some Taiwanese students who constructed this creative salad bar architecture. There is also a YouTube video of how it's done.

If you dislike the idea that Pizza Hut is expensive and you are not allowed to pick your salad more than once, you can always go to Sizzler where you can sit near the salad bar and make as many trips as you like.

Sphere: Related Content

Thomas Beattie pregnant again

UPDATE - June 10, 2009: Thomas Beattie gives birth to a baby boy

Thomas Beattie, the transgender man dubbed as "The Pregnant Man" who made worldwide headlines when he gave birth to a baby girl named Susan Juliette Beatie on June 29 this year, is again expecting a second child.



The 34 year-old Beatie, born Tracy Lagondino, who transitioned from female to male and decided not to remove his reproductive organs during the procedure 10 years ago, is in his first trimester.



"I feel good," Beatie told Walters. The new baby is due on June 12, 2009.

Sporting a light beard, Beatie told Walters he did not go back on the male hormone testosterone after Susan's birth because he and his wife Nancy wanted to have another baby.

Beatie, who begin a lesbian relationship with Nancy when he was 24, had sex reassignment surgery in 2002. The couple were legally married in 2003 and decided to start a family. Beatie first became pregnant since Nancy, who'd had a hysterectomy, could no longer have children.

Sphere: Related Content

Funny Thainglish at a major Thai website

Found this funny message written in Thainglish at a major Thai website that sells concert tickets. If you've stayed in Thailand long enough, you can easily guess the name of the website.

For those of you who have no idea, the website I'm talking about is called Thai Ticket Major.



I came across the message while checking out the details for Kylie Minogue 2008 World Tour Live in Bangkok concert.


The message reads "Please, present tickets to staff anytimes, limit for tickets, we so sorry for who lose of tickets".

This message is displayed on the details page of the 3rd Acoustic Winter Music Festival at Bonanza Khao Yai, which they call the "3th Acoustic Winter Fest".



They have a warning for everybody that reads "You could to join with fan or friend via to this event together."!

That's not all, they have some more:
Disallow for drink made of glass or tin can at concert zone area
Disallow for weapon at concert zone area
Disallow for video record
Don't smoke at concert zone area (Allow prepare zone area only!!)

Most interesting Tinglish words/phrases I learned today:

1. anytimes
2. we so sorry
3. prepare zone area
4. Disallow for drink made of glass

Looks like I have a lot of learning to do...

Sphere: Related Content

Suan Amporn Garden 100-year Carnival Photos

Here are some pictures I took at the Amporn Park (Thai: สวนอัมพร) fair which runs from 12 to 16 November 2008 (10am to 9pm), near Royal Plaza. Oh and the admission is free!



The event is held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the equestrian statue of King Chulalongkorn. The fair, organized by the Royal Thai television foundation, has recreated the atmosphere that surrounded the new statue exactly a century ago at Royal Plaza. The equestrian statue of King Chulalongkorn traveled all the way from France, and arrived in Bangkok on November 11, 1908.



At the entrance to the carnival I was greeted by cycle rickshaws offering a short ride within the fair for 10 Baht to get a taste and feel of good old Bangkok. I had the opportunity to photograph a group of Thais who were all dressed up in Rama 5 style Thai traditional costumes.



The market section was full of Thai dishes and desserts popular in the last century. A stage was also set near the market with amazing performances including martial arts and traditional Thai dances. A pair of young girls performed a thrilling Thai sword fighting duel, with sparks flying every time the swords struck each other.





Moving over to the exhibition, there were lots of photographs of King Chulalongkorn and other interesting pictures from the last century. A dome with several projectors screened the story of the struggle back in those days. A special postcard with the picture of King Chulalongkorn was being given away to fairgoers for free.



Thailand Post had a booth with postcards and special stamps for visitors to send them off to friends!

Most of the visitors to the fair wore pink, which was the color of King Chulalongkorn. The atmosphere at the carnival was very pleasant, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, also because I went there on Wednesday, which was Songkran festival. I'm planning to show up at the fair again this weekend, I just loved the Som Tam at the market.

Sphere: Related Content

Loy Krathong Night in Bangkok

Today is Loy Krathong (Thai: ลอยกระทง) and I have yet to decide where to go and celebrate!? I used to go to Chaophraya River near BTS Taksin (Sathorn) to celebrate but this year I want to catch up with the festivities at Lumpini Park to place my Krathong, as its been a very long time since I've went there.





Loy Krathong is one of the most popular festivals in Thailand, and yet it is not a public holiday. "Loy" means to float and "Krathong" is a traditional raft hand-made from parts of banana tree trunk, bread or flowers, decorated with folded banana leaves, flowers, candles, and incense sticks.





I wish I was in Chiang Mai for Loy Krathong celebrations, I want to light up one of those Lanna-style hot-air Yi Peng lanterns.

Sphere: Related Content

Karla Henry is Miss Earth 2008

Miss Philippines Karla Paula Henry was crowned Miss Earth 2008 held on November 9, 2008 at the Clark Expo Amphitheater in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines.



The 8th edition of Miss Earth beauty pageant, was contested by 85 delegates from October 19, 2008 in the Philippines. Miss Earth is described as one of the three largest beauty pageants in the world in terms of the number of national-level competitions to participate in the world finals.





Henry had earlier won the Miss Earth Designers Award and Miss Photogenic Special Award.

Profile of Karla Henry:
Birth Name: Karla Paula Ginteroy Henry
Age: 21
Height: 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Eye color: Brown
Hair color: Black



Final Question in Miss Earth 2008: "What would you tell US president-elect Barack Obama about the state of the global environment if ever you were to meet him?"

Answer of Miss Earth 2008: “Environmental knowledge is something that all of us must share, but most importantly we must teach the youth that this is something that we should instill in them so that in the near future they will be the ones to take care of our mother Earth." - Karla Paula Henry



The winners:
Miss Earth Air (1st runner-up): Miriam Odemba (Tanzania)
Miss Earth Water (2nd runner-up): Abigail Elizalde (Mexico)
Miss Earth Fire (3rd runner-up): Tatiane Alves (Brazil)

Special Awards
Best National Costume: Shassia Ubillus (Panama)
Best Swimsuit: Abigail Elizalde (Mexico)
Best Long Gown: Daniela Torrealba (Venezuela)
Miss Earth Designers Award: Karla Paula Henry (Philippines)
Miss Friendship: Andrea Carolina León (Ecuador)
Miss Photogenic: Karla Paula Henry (Philippines)
Miss Talent: Rachael Smith (Australia)

Piyaporn Deejing from Thailand was one of the top 16 semifinalists.

Sphere: Related Content

Thais going Ba over Obama

I'm glad that Barack Obama has been elected as the US President. This makes Obama the first African-American US President!



I haven't been following much about the policies of John McCain or Obama but I just like Obama. I must say the foreign media has played a major role in influencing my decision. To me, McCain is like an old bad guy from the movies, but he is no doubt a war hero.

Soon we will be able to watch Hollywood blockbusters and action movies with a president who's Black. And if they make one of those terrorist films them we might get to see a face-off between Obama and Osama Bin Laden.

Thais are just going 'ba' (Thai: บ้า) over Obama.

In the past few days, Thai television and radio channels in Bangkok have been talking a lot about Obama and seem to have forgotten about PAD protesters. Every Thai person I know supports Obama and even the radio jockeys and news presenters love him. Soon we can expect Obama dolls and other goodies being sold on the Thai streets.

Barack Obama Doll might look like the one in the picture below



Actress Hayden Panettiere from the TV series Heroes has recently spoken about the importance of the youth vote in this year's US presidential elections and why she is backing Barack Obama.

Most expat bloggers in Bangkok are also happy that Obama has won.

Here is what some Bangkok bloggers have to say:

"We will FINALLY have a US President that we can be proud of. Bye bye Bush!" : Brit in Bangkok

"Never, ever, did I think I would live long enough to see a Black progressive elected president. He did it! He did it with integrity, honor, truthfulness and a commitment to a higher ideal. Congratulations, President Obama!" : Finding My Way Home

"Hail Obama" : GnarlyKitty

Absolutely Bangkok has lots of pictures from the celebrations of the mock US election at Bangkok Hyatt’s Ballroom which was packed with diplomats, Democrats & Republicans, journalists and hundreds of students. Some of them were seen sporting a Obama/Biden AND a McCain/Pailin button on their chest.


Change we need, indeed.

Sphere: Related Content

Sornsilp Maneewan wins Miss Teen Thailand 2008

Miss Sornsilp Maneewan or Nong Manao has been crowned Miss Teen Thailand 2008 beauty pageant on October 31st, 2008, at Bangkok Convention Hall.



Miss Teen Thailand is a beauty contest for Thai girls aged between 15 to 18. The contest was to promote tourism of Thailand and Pattaya city and the activities during the contest were the publication of Thai cultures to other countries. This year's theme was "Present from The Stars".



16 year old Nong Manao is a high school student at "Sa-gnoun Ying" school, Suphanburi province. Nong Manao takes home the winning cash prize of 120,000 Baht, along with a sash, trophy and a golden pin.

The first runner up was No. 18, Miss Thanit Tanasophon (Thai: นางสาว ฐานิต ธนะโสภณ) or Nong Cream (Thai: น้อง ครีม), a 15 year student from Chiang Mai, who received a cash prize of 70,000 Baht.

Personal Profile of Sornsilp Maneewan:
Name: Sornsilp Maneewan (Thai: นางสาว ศรศิลป์ มณีวรรณ์)
Nick name: Manao (Thai: มะนาว)
Age: 16
Height: 167 cm
Weight: 47 kg
Favorite Sport: Badminton
Education: High School student at Sa-gnoun Ying School, Suphanburi



You can find more pictures of Miss Teen Thailand 2008 contestants at Pattaya Daily News.

Sphere: Related Content

Michael Learns to Rock Live in Bangkok

Michael Learns to Rock (MLTR), one of my all time favorite bands is performing a live concert in Bangkok on November 26, 2008 at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani.

Before visiting Bangkok, MLTR will perform a concert in Manila, Phillipines on 22nd November.



Michael Learns to Rock have just released their new album "Eternity" in Europe on 27th October 2008. Their new single "Sweetest Surprise" is currently being aired on the most popular Danish radio stations.



MLTR is a Danish soft rock band formed in 1988 and performs songs in English. The band is well known in Europe and especially popular in Asia, where many of the albums have gone gold and platinum. Their current band members include Jascha Richter, Kåre Wanscher, and Mikkel Lentz. Søren Madsen, a former band member left the band in 2000 to pursue a solo career.

I love their talent for writing fine pop songs, with lyrics which are fairly easy to learn and sing along. MLTR has always had a very strong fan base in Asia. MLTR will always remind me of fond memories of my school days.

Some of my favorite songs include:

• That's Why (You Go Away)
• Sleeping Child
• 25 Minutes
• The Actor
• Paint My Love
• Someday
• I'm Gonna Be Around
• How Many Hours
• Breaking My Heart
• Complicated Heart
• Love Will Never Lie
• Nothing To Lose
• Out Of The Blue
• Take Me To Your Heart
• Blue Night
• Crazy Dream

MLTR has an offical website at www.mltr.dk

Sphere: Related Content