Phuket

Schmeen · #1 29-03-2003, 08:27

I spend a lot of time away from Phuket with my work....

some recent pics

This is from Ayutthaya

Phra Rachawang Luang - This is the site of the Grand Palace from 1448 at the start of the reign King Borommatrailokanat until the 'capital' was sacked by the Burmese in 1767.

mikegb · #2 29-03-2003, 08:57

Hi Schmeen,

A lot of people probably dont realise that Ayutthaya was the 'capital' of Thailand a long time ago, until it was deemed that Bangkok would become the new area for the King of Thailand.

What surprised me, and what I actually liked, was seeing the Kings guards on parade one day. They were dressed in exactly the same uniforms that the British guards wear outside Buckingham palace (bearskin hats and red jackets, black trousers).
I once went to the cinema in Bangkok with a ladyboy friend. The film was all in Thai. I didnt understand the words, but I understood the story. It was a fantastic film. Many people were crying because it was so sad (I had a lump in my throat also!), but what impressed me most was that before the film started, EVERYONE stood up to pay respect to the King. I was also happy to stand up. Britain has lost this respect for its monarchy. Nearly all shops and houses have a photo of King Bhumipol or his ancestors. It made a nice change to see 'old fashioned' values being observed, especially by people who on the face of it, have a lot less than us materially.

I would be happy to hear more about Thai history if you have any more.

Take care

Dirty Mike

Schmeen · #3 29-03-2003, 09:00

The Phra Thinang Aisawan Thipa-at Pavilion of the Summer Palace of the Great Rama V - Phrabat Somdet Phra Chulachomklaochaoyuhua built in 1876

Small but quite exquisite.

Schmeen · #4 29-03-2003, 09:12

Thanks Mike.....

Yes the great King Bhumiphol is most revered, I was at the asanee wasan gig in bangkok and the Kings Anthem was played and then out came the roaring guitars...LOL....I suspect the Stones will be preceded by the Kings anthem. This is different to the National anthem that is played at 8am and 6pm every day.

I wonder if the film you went to see was Surityothai. A great film that was of courrse remodelled by Francis Forrd Coppolla for the american market. I haven't seen the cut version but do want to to see if it has retained it's quality. I suspect there wasn't many better western directors to choose.

But don't get me onto Thai film, I have a collection that is expanding with the release of many on DVD with English subtitles, but don't worry, no silly Thai soaps, some good serious films made in Thailand, Jan dara, Khang 8, shame you weren't here when Phrang Chompoo was in the cinemas (Saving Private Tootsie)...it was good and your LB friend would have enjoyed it.

As for history....God too much to say...ask if there's anything that interests you and Iill answer.....r I'll just mention stuff as I go on.

Incidentally particularly in Bangkok you will see a lot of the Great King Rama V, mentioned above. Until now, possibly Thailand's greatest King, he was the son of king Mongkut (for short) featured in the FICTIONAL King and I. Rama V abolished slavery amongst other great acts.

mikegb · #5 29-03-2003, 09:32

Hi Schmeen,

I remeber the film vividly. The English name for it was called "Behind the Painting", and the writer/author was called Sibura (I think that is the correct spelling). It is a VERY famous book in Thailand.
When I was at the cinema, there was some kind of promotion on, and my friend got a free CD of the soundtrack to the film. I still have it to this day. What was nice, was the love theme for the film. I listened to the CD in the hotel (Hotel Chaleena in Din Deung), Bangkok. It was a very nice hotel, and they had a grand piano in the dining area. After I listened to this love song, I went to the piano when it was quiet, and played the tune. My ladyboy friend started to cry again. I can still play the tune to this day. Unfortunately, my friend is now in a Thai jail because of Yah Bah.

I also have some beautiful photos from temples that hardly any Falangs will ever see. I will scan some of them and put them on the board.

One day, me and my friend decided to try to get to the Cambodian border from Pattaya, by sportsbike (suzuki gsx-r 1100), capable of 170 mph. It looked easy on the map, but after about 4 hours we were only half way (and I had been doing 140mph+ every time I could). Anyway, we decided to explore around the local area. It was either Ranong or Rayong, but down a little road there was a beautiful temple. We stopped and had a walk around. In the temple, the monks were teaching the children. In one classroom they were having a music lesson. It was lovely to see them all. They were all happy and smiling at the 'Fat falangs'

. What amazes me most about the school children is how CLEAN they are. Their uniforms are always neatly pressed and clean. In the UK they look like a bunch of rat bags, and if you speak to them they are just cheeky to you.

Oh how I love the UK................

Schmeen · #6 29-03-2003, 10:06

For me classical Thai architecture is the best I have ever seen.

I love roofs, and I love to silhouette them, particularly chao fas.

Here is one of my favourite taken at Wat Pho on Koh Rattanakosin Krungthep.

mike....here's one for you, have you learned to say the real name of bangkok in Thai?...the full version....always a good party trick.?...

Schmeen · #7 29-03-2003, 10:19

Behind The Painting, just released on DVD with English subtitles, I haven't seen it yet, we have a copy on VCD at our house overseas, my wife took it there last time we went home but I never had tiome to see it.

From Pattaya that would be Rayong, Ranong is just North of Phang Nga.

Post the pics, there are some great remote temples here.

My favourite subject is still Wat Phra Kaew.....superb.

Here's another one from Wat Pho

mikegb · #8 29-03-2003, 10:24

Hi Schmeen.

No I have never seen its full name, but if I see it wrote in Thai, I will learn to say it AND write it, if I have enough paper

Have you been to Samui?

Beautiful island, but Chaweng is a bit too commercial (understandable for the amount of tourists). Big buddha is a nice place to visit. Typical thai, the biggest and most famous landmark on the whole island is reached by a small pot-holed road which when it rains turns to mush and is almost unusable

EVERYBODY is covered in red mud.

Schmeen · #9 29-03-2003, 10:32

I like this shot, I never found that angle to take it from.

I lived in Samui for a short time years ago....I don't like it and see no reason to want to go back....but I will one day to see how it's changed.

Schmeen · #10 29-03-2003, 11:13

The Royal Barges Museum - Rua Phraa Thii Nang - Bangkok Noi

The Kings boats, now rarely used....the main serpent headed boat was protected by scaffolding when I took these. You can see this in the background. The Navy are very worried. Last time I went by, you can see into the boats from the khlong, I noticed 4 of the boats were now like this which makes photographing them pointless.

This is my favourite boat. They will appear for a special barge procession (I presume minus His Majesty) for the World summit to be held here in October. If you are in BKK don't miss it. The Navy are most displeased about bringing them out and it may be the last time.

sting · #11 29-03-2003, 17:13

hi dirty the full name is and no drinking the day you try to impress
the ladys

Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amorn Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yudthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasatharn Amorn Pimarn Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukram Prasit:p

eric-the-viking · #12 29-03-2003, 19:57

when i was in bkk ,my thai friend and me hired a water taxi for the afternoon and went to where the royal barges are kept,but when we arrived they were not to pleased to see us (the the guards that is not the boats)and did not let us go to see them,all we could see was the entry from the river and the boats in the distance.i do not know if we had arrived during repair work or if it was some form of cereomany ,but i would love to have a closer look next time im there.
by the way i do love to get away from the tourists when im there and seeing your pics just reminds me why.
i have also seen school children in the city`s and the provinces and like you say mike they are so polite ,clean it makes you wonder why on earth i stay in europe.

mikegb · #13 30-03-2003, 03:13

Hi Sting,

You never fail to amaze me !! You ARE "The research boffin"

Thankyou very much for finding that info for me. Now, I only have to learn it................

I think if I try hard, I can memorize it in 2 or 3 days, then I think about one more week to learn to write it.

But you are right. Dont try this when you are pissed. I will probably end up calling everybody in the bar a bunch of coconut swallowing reptiles or something like that, without even knowing it

I remember one time in Soi Katoey, the photograph man used to come around. We got friendly with him and asked him what the Thai word for 'friend' was. He told us 'Pur-an'. Me and my friend tried about 100 times each to say this word. He never got annoyed or frustrated. He just stood there calmly repeating the word again and again. In the end we gave up

Schmeen · #14 30-03-2003, 07:57

Mike

If you are into downloading mp3's, download a song called Krungthep by Asanee Wasan...the only lyric in the song is the true name of Bangkok. One of my favourite Thai songs....it'll be about 4MB...if you cannot find it I'll email it to you, it'll help with the translation. Either that or I'll send you a .wav....and you can hear my sexy voice...or shall I get the wife to record it for you?

mikegb · #15 30-03-2003, 09:05

I would love to hear the song, but my hotmail account only holds 1Mb, so if you e-mailed the mp3 it ould be too big. I will try to download it from an MP3 sit. If i cant get it , then I will let you know, and I am having Broadband internet fitted next week so I should be able to download from source quicker.

One Thai song that I do like is "Motor-sigh-hah" (I think thats the way you say it), about the guy who has a motorbike and none of the women will go out with him, so he wants a pick up truck and then the women will love him. It is so typically bar girl. "if you have a truck I go with you. If you have a cheap motorbike, bog off".

Who cares what the person is like

Schmeen · #16 30-03-2003, 09:16

Another Royal barge....this one is now protected by scaffolding.....sadly

Schmeen · #17 30-03-2003, 09:35

Outer island near Phii Phii....not a bad dive site below, couple of (toothless) sharks last time I was there.

sting · #18 30-03-2003, 11:11

hi mike
God to see you are finely getting your connection
To a proper level so i can send you some ditry mails

#19 01-04-2003, 02:37

There a number of down sides with diving out toward Phi Phi, although near Island is nice. If I were to do those I would probably stay on Island! King Cruiser, Shark Point, Anenome Reef, are Deep and often 10 mtrs or less in Vis. I always dive 36% O/2 but still the group are back to the boat in 15-20 min. Kinda of a short dive for a 2.5hrs from Hotel to Dive... Going out there I prefer to make it a long day a go on a 4 tank trip finishing with a Night Dive at the Koh Doc Mai.

I'm often alone in saying that I like to go south to Racha Ya and Racha Noi where the vis is often better and more shallow reefs letting me get my 60 min plus dive times....On 36% O/2..
A trip I have not made is right out of Patong.....I got a Helo Ride when the USS Kitty Hawk was in Patong that indicated there is some very good diving much closer. On the north end of Patong Bay. Seems that a number of operators run trips that P/U same time but you are back by 11:30....That will be my next dive!
Ocean Divers runs that trip daily!

eric-the-viking · #20 01-04-2003, 06:19

wow what a small world , i did not realise you guys were into the dive scene(as in scuba),on my next tour i hope to do a few nights on a live a board taking in a couple of night dives .
i know that if you go from christines towards Vics resturant (nice ex pat and good food)then go to the offices behind his resturant the are plenty of dive operators offering live aboards and island dives ,alas i cant not remember how much they charged.But i also noticed that the was more for divers at Karon beach than at Patong .
im hoping next time Nicke might be able to come along and make a day of it at least and the may be sink a few later on

general question how many members do have either their BSAC or PADI ticket ?

mikegb · #21 01-04-2003, 07:28

Hi ETV,

I know it is always each to their own, but when me and my friend were on Koh Samui we decided to do the full PADI course. 4 days for about 6,000 baht including accomodation on Koh Tao for 2 nights. Our instructress happened to be a girl who lived about 3 miles away from me in England!
We did all the video and safety stuff in the first 2 days, then took the boat out to Koh Tao. We did our first 10m dive. We were down there about 40 minutes. When we surfaced, we both decided it was boring so we gave her the rest of the day off. We went to our bungalow accomodation on the island and the Thai guy who worked at the bungalow resort told us he could get us anything we wanted. We asked him for a pizza covered in marijuana. Within one hour we were on a different planet. The story of events after that is just too long and bizzarre to go into, but im glad we binned the diving. Too much hassle for my liking. If we were supposed to be underwater we would have been born with gills.
I like Terra Firma- Beer, Bikes and Boom

Schmeen · #22 01-04-2003, 13:10

I wasn't aware I'd claimed anything, and I have no interest in discussing my dive history with you.

Good unprovoked attack though.....