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| The best of Thailand Serving your Thai Business & Holiday Needs. All Singaporeans in Thailand sign in to show your support and bring your Thai "friends" with you for stuff you can't discuss on Facebook! :) ประเทศไทยต้อนรับคุณ! |
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#61
26-12-2005, 02:34 PM
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Map of Soi Cowboy bars
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#62
26-12-2005, 02:46 PM
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Transvestite Cabarets in Bangkok
Transvestite Cabarets
Transvestite (katoey) cabarets are worth a special trip to Thailand to see. Coach loads of foreign tourists, especially Asians, come in to see and take photos with the amazingly feminine transvestites. Sometimes the only thing that gives them away as being 'male' are their deeper voices. Many of the ' katoeys ' have already undergone transgender surgery and to all intents and purposes can be considered female. Bangkok has several places to see this spectacle. Calypso in the Asia Hotel is the biggest and most popular. Mambo, in the old Washington Theater on Sukhumvit Road is another. Several of the gay bars in the Silom Soi 2 and Soi 4 area also offer short cabaret performances in between the regular dance shows. If you've never seen a transvestite show before, go ahead and check it out. You'll be amazed. Calypso Perhaps Bangkok's most famous transvestite cabaret show is at Calypso, located in the Asia Hotel on Phyathai Road. The Calypso troupe offers an amusing Broadway-style drag review, and the Asian 'Spice Girls', five 'girls' who look amazingly like the UK songsters. The shows cater mainly to a tourist audience, but offer a wide range of themes ranging from traditional Thai to 50s New York. Calypso offers two shows nightly at 8.15 pm and 9.45 pm but with a dual pricing arrangement of 350 baht for Thais, 700 baht for foreigners (price includes a drink). 296 Phyathai Road, Bangkok Reservations: Tel +66 2 261-6355, 216-8937 Mambo The old-style Broadway theme, rehashed by local transvestites. Mambo is located in the former Washington Theater, close to Phrom Pong BTS Station. Open daily 8.30 pm to 10.00 pm with a ticket cost of 600 or 800 baht. Two shows nightly. Washington Theater, Sukhumvit Soi 22 Tel +66 2 259-5128, 259-5715 Cabarets at Pattaya Pattaya is other place to see fascinating transvestite cabarets. Two famous shows,Tiffany and Alcazar, located on the Second Road, in the North Pattaya.
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#63
26-12-2005, 02:57 PM
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Re: Anything & Everything About Thailand
 Impressive..... Bro, thanks for all the info... i really take time to read it... If go there chiong u also can lead us with FOC??  Thanks!!
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#64
26-12-2005, 03:25 PM
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Alcazar Cabaret Show in Pattaya, Thailand
Alcazar Cabaret Show in Chonburi, Pattaya
Although a visit here is very much dependent on whether this is your cup of tea or not, places like Alcazar Cabaret have become tourist attractions in their own right. At Alcazar it’s a straight forward theme – men dressed as women, or as they are known in the trade, ‘female impersonation artists’. Impersonate them well they do – only careful attention to fine details such as Adam’s Apples expose these artists as being male. Known in Thai as ‘ Katoeys ’, the performers are almost invariably transsexuals who have had ‘gender reassignment’. The entertainment provided includes full cabaret performances featuring countless performers wearing some of the most extravagant evening wear you are ever likely to see. And this is no low-key event either. The hall housing Alcazar Cabaret Show seats 1,200 people and employs state-of-the-art light and sound technology. In addition, there are a number of restaurants and cafes to enjoy before and after the shows. To push the envelope further, Alcazar Theatre proudly presents an annual "Greatest Lady-man Pageant in the World" – a full fledged beauty contest for transsexuals. Whatever your thoughts on this type of entertainment, a visit to Alcazar will be an unforgettable experience! Address : Alcazar Cabaret Show, 78/14 Pattaya 2 Road, Pattaya,.(Between Soi 3 & 4) Tel : + 66 (38) 418746 Show Time: Daily: 6:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m., 9:30 p.m. Saturday: 11:00 p.m. How to get there: As with elsewhere, the Songtaews circling Pattaya are by far the most convenient way to get to Alcazar Theatre. Contact: For reservations: 0-38-41-0224-7 or 0-6324-7243 Email: [email protected] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ One shall not miss a chance to see the world-famous Alcazar or Tiffany show. You will be entertained with music, lip-sings, dances and various shows played by many perfectly beautiful female actresses. If you are unaware of, you cannot imagine that these female actresses were actually male from origin! The Alcazar Show has been delighting audiences from around the world of almost 20 years. Thrilling 1,000,000 with laughter & impressions. You'll experience the magic of Alcazars state of the art computerized lighting system and be dazzled by the effects of its Circle surrounding sound DTS system, but that's only the beginning. Prepared to be entertained in grand style by its 400 staff wonderfully talented artists and entertainers. The Phettrakul Family is the Founder & Owner of the Alcazar Cabaret, which is located on Pattaya 2nd Road. Originally, it was a small theatre of 350 seats with 40 employees on almost 20 years ago. The floor, stage & technical equipment were rudimentary and in fact the business was not so successful in that early day, however, the family never gave up and continued to improve and upgrade its facilities until Alcazar Cabaret Show became "World Famous"! Today's Alcazar features a Grand Beautiful Theatre with a capacity of 1,200 seats & 440 employees. With state of art light & sound system featuring the ultra high tech "Circle surround sound DTS system" & the most modern computer technology. Today, the Alcazar Cabaret is "World Class"!. Alcazar Cabaret of Pattaya is now well known throughout most of the "INTERNATIONAL" in equivalence to both Lido & Moulin Rouge of Paris. But Alcazar is different that Lady-man stages it. Alcazar can successfully blend the art of acting, stage design, costumes & the sequence of the shows so well to be impressed by every one of all ages. So Alcazar is a must to visit for both Local & Foreign Visitors don't miss it ever. Price per person: 600 Baht Include: Transportation with pick up and drop off at hotels in Pattaya Ticket Fees of V.I.P. Seat Pick up time: 17:30, 19:00 and 20:30
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#65
26-12-2005, 05:03 PM
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BTS Skytrain & Bangkok Metro route map
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#66
26-12-2005, 08:26 PM
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Isaan
Where is Isaan?
The Isaan region covers about 1/3 of the country of Thailand. It is bounded by the Mekong River to the north and east, and by high hills or mountains to the west and south. Who Are the Isaan? Isaan (E-saan) can refer to either the name of the Isaan people, their language or the northeast Thailand region. There are about 20 million Isaan people, most of them living in Northeast Thailand. The Isaan are known throughout Thailand as people who want to live life to the fullest. They are seen as a hardworking, hard playing, and hard luck people who have a sturdy sense of independence in spite of being looked down on by some from better off regions of the country. What Do the Isaan Believe? Along with most Thai people from other parts of the country, most Isaan believe that "to be Thai is to be Buddhist." More than 95% of the Isaan identify themselves as Theravada Buddhists, but most do not have a deep understanding of Buddhist doctrine. Most know of and wish to follow the Five Precepts of Buddhism for the lay person (Don't kill, steal, lie, drink alcohol, or commit adultery) and often attempt to "make merit" by giving offerings to the monks or money to the local temple. In reality, however, the type of Buddhism practiced by many Isaan people is actually a mixture of animism (spirit worship), Buddhism and Brahmanism. It is believed that spirits inhabit many natural objects such as large trees and the ground and that offerings to the spirits are periodically necessary to insure they do no harm. What About the History and Culture of the Isaan? The Isaan are mainly descended from Laotian migrations beginning in the about the 15th century. Isaan people speak a variation of the Lao language known as "Isaan". Due to the Central Thai government's policy of requiring all national schools to teach in Central Thai, most Isaan people have at least some ability to speak, read and write Central Thai, although most speak their Isaan language in the home. The Isaan region has remained the poorest part of Thailand, largely due to poor soil and climate for farming. But despite the relatively unfertile soil, agriculture remains the mainstay of the Isaan economy. Around 90% of the population is engaged in farming. More than half of the rice grown is the glutinous variety (sticky rice) preferred by the people of Isaan. The northeast has about 60% of Thailand's water buffalos, which are used in farming. Maw Lom music is indigenous to Lao/Isaan culture. It is traditional music which uses a bamboo instrument, the khaen, and incorporates Isaan forms. One marked characteristic of the Northeasterner is a sturdy sense of independence. This trait is demonstrated by the unusually high proportion of people who are self-employed, owning and operating their own farms. Isaan people also place a high value on having fun, and are considered warm and cheerful people. What About Their Daily Lives? The major occupation of the Isaan is rice farming, but they are also employed as taxi drivers, construction workers, and beauticians, and professionals such as teachers, doctors, and government workers. Particularly in the provinces of Khon Kaen, Roiet, Surin, and Korat, they are well known for their silk weaving skills, making an especially beautiful type of silk known as "mud mee". The agriculture of the Northeast is primarily rain-fed. This means that there is a drastic reduction in the demand for labor during the dry season. Unemployment can then reach 30-40% of the Isaan labor force. The unemployed often deal with this problem by moving outside of Isaan to look for work. Many Isaan families rely heavily on funds sent back from these outside jobs. However, with the economic crash throughout Thailand and Asia, many Isaan are unable to find work. Most meals include sticky rice as the staple, along with vegetables and usually some type of protein. Many green plants are eaten, including many varieties unknown to Westerners. Hot chili peppers are incorporated into many dishes, as well as garlic, coriander, mint, and dill. Fermented fish (often raw) contributes protein but can also be a source of parasites. Other proteins include chicken, beef, pork, fish, frogs, field crabs, insects, iguanas, field rats, and other animals.
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#67
26-12-2005, 08:52 PM
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Re: Massive traffic jam at Causeway & Second Link
Quote:
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FR FORMAT: Name/Nick: Age: From: Boobs: Body: Skin: AR : BJ: FJ Rating: Damage: RTF: Map to ACE posted in page 692 of this thread POM WILL ONLY EXCHANGE POINTS WITH THOSE WITH POWER OF 5 AND ABOVE
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#68
26-12-2005, 09:10 PM
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Wat Po Thai Traditional Massage Courses
Wat Po Thai Traditional Massage Courses
Teaching Thai Traditional Massage from the fundamental of the stone inscription massage texts and Yoga models, which have been collected and inscribed by King Rama III decree at Wat Po. The expert instructor will teach the fine arts and good ethic of Thai massage. There are 5 courses: 1. General Thai Massage Course To teach the right position of massager, ethics, client's position, caution and rule of massaging. Say to relieve fatique, muscular cramping and nervous tension. To make muscle and joints supple. To stimulate the blood and lymph circulation for physical fitness improvement. To improve body immunity, for antiaging, and longevity. This course takes 30 hours. 2. Therapeutic and Healing Massage Course To teach the Thai Fundamental Massage Points, for curing of more than 80 simply ailments, such as healing of muscle pain, muscle sprain, tennis elbow, stiff neck, low backpain, muscle cramping, muscle weakness, muscle stiffness, muscle discomfort and nervous tension. To make muscles, joints and tendons supple, Massage is for preventing the atrophy (wasting away) of muscles in the paralyzed patients or elderly persons who are unable to exercise. This course takes 30 hours. *Student must pass the General Thai Massage Course (1) before appling for this course. 3. Foot Massage Course Study how to do a foot massage, which is adapted from the Chinese foot reflexology. Massaging under feet soles help to stimulate and improve activities of the internal organs. This course takes 30 hours. 4. Oil Massage and Aromatherapy Course Even the science of oil massage and aromatherapy are originated in the west, Thais also use fragrances and herbs for ordinary health's care from the ancient time. This course takes 30 hours. *Student must pass the General Thai Massage Course (1) before appling for this course. 5. Infant and Child Massage Course Learn how to give a warmth and lovely touch to your baby. This course is suitable for a parent or a nanny who have a little baby under your care.This course takes 15 hours. *Student must pass the General Thai Massage Course (1) before appling for this course. APPLICATION Open daily, the applicant may apply directly at :- Wat Po Thai Traditional Massage School and affiliated schools are open daily from 08:00 to 18:00. Applicant may apply for any massage course directly at our schools everyday. Please bring a photocopy of your passport and 3 photographs (2" size) for each course. 2 Sanamchai Rd., Wat Po, Tatian, Bangkok 10200 THAILAND Office: 392/25-28 Soi Penphat 1, Maharah Rd., Pranakorn 10200 Tel.: (+66) 2 221-2974, (+66) 2 221-3686, (+66) 2 622-3550 Fax: (+66) 2 225-4771, (+66) 2 622-3551 CHETAWAN Thai Traditional Massage School (CHAENGWATTHANA) SAILOM Building, Chaeng-Watthana Rd. Soi 15, Pakkred, NONTHABURI T. 0-2962-7338 to 40 CHETAWAN Thai Traditional Massage School (CHIANGMAI) 7/1-2 Soi SamudLanna, T. Changphueak, A.Muang, Chiangmai 50300 Tel : 0-5341-0360 to 1 Email: [email protected]
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#70
27-12-2005, 12:19 AM
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Re: Anything & Everything About Thailand
thanks for all the info bro!
can't believe can find such lonely-planet kind of info in sammyboy. me the mountain tortoise hvn't been to BKK b4 yet. will be venturing my 1st trip in Feb. Hope the info can comes in handy.
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#71
27-12-2005, 12:33 AM
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Thailand's tourism image rebounds
Report from Bangkok Post dated Monday 26 December 2005 :-
Thailand's tourism image rebounds Thailand southern beaches and islands, as well as Bangkok's luxury hotels, put the kingdom in a strong rebound position in the Southeast Asia's tourist market. Thailand has been voted by readers of a best-selling Australian travel magazine as one of the top world tourists destination, ranked above rival Southeast Asian countries in the highly-competitive Southeast Asian region, according to Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) deputy governor Surapol Savetseranee. Australia's Luxury Travel & Style magazine, 'Down Under's' best-selling travel magazine, conducted a survey in September and October asking its 60,000 subscribers and readers to nominate the world's best hotels, resorts, spas, golf courses and destinations. Thailand placed eighth on the high-flying publication's world rankings, outperforming Indonesia (28th), Malaysia (23rd), Singapore (15th) and Vietnam (22nd) on its list of 30 countries voted as the world's best tourist destinations. Of the world's 15 best tourist destination islands, Thailand's southern resorts of Phuket and Samui were ranked 5 th and 9th, respectively, while Malaysia's Langkawi Island trailed at number 11 in the chart. In the category of world' best city destinations, Bangkok was voted eighth, Singapore 10th and Kuala Lumpur 27th, while in the world's best hotel category, Thailand's Oriental , Peninsula and JW Marriott hotels were ranked 4th, 7th and 12th respectively on the list of 35 finalists. The survey shows that Thailand has maintained its strong position as a leading world travel destination despite a decline in large number of tourists for the entire year due to the tsunami disaster which affected Indonesia and Malaysia as well, the TAT deputy governor said. While Bangkok serves as 'gateway to Asia' for many North American and European tourists, Singapore is the first point of entry to Asia for many Australians. Terrorist bombings in Indonesia have affected the attitude of many Australian tourists who want to discover a more 'traditional' Asia and less shopping-oriented destination than what is on offer in Singapore, and beach resorts that are perceived as being safer than in Indonesia.
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#72
27-12-2005, 08:30 AM
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Tsunami : Gone, but not forgotten
Report from Bangkok Post dated Tuesday 27 December 2005 :-
Gone, but not forgotten : Emotional scenes as thousands attend commemorative ceremonies on Andaman coast By Post Reporters Thais and foreigners mingled, tears flowed, and many embraced to console each other yesterday along the Andaman coast as the country's most devastating disaster that struck on the day after Christmas last year was remembered. Thousands of Thais and foreigners who are tsunami survivors or relatives of the dead congregated on the beaches of Phangnga, Phuket and Phi Phi island to pay tribute to the dead in a ceremony marking the disaster's first anniversary. Over 10,000 participants packed the sandy beach of Bang Niang in Phangnga province shortly before sunset to share their remembrance for the victims in the commemorative event highlighting the government's One Year in Memory of Tsunami Ceremony. There were also morning memorial services at seven locations in these provinces, and a ceremony to lay the foundation stone of the official tsunami memorial at Khao Lak-Lamru national park held during the day. Interfaith memorial services were performed by Buddhist, Christian, and Islamic leaders before two young tsunami survivors, Thai boy Patiwat Komkla and British girl Tilly Smith read poems to commemorate the event. ``It wasn't devastation or death that won the day. It was Humanity that triumphed, the shining victory of Generosity, Courage, Love,'' Tilly recited the poem written by noted Thai writer Khunying Chumnongsri Hanjaneluck Rutnin. Addressing the crowd, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said that after the disaster, people had learned another side of truth. ``It was hospitality that we had shared with one another. As long as we have it, our shattered lives one day will return to normal. The incident has made us learn better about the value of our lives, and human's faith,'' he said. Survivors from foreign countries, families of foreign victims, and VIPs attending a memorial service earlier in the day on Bang Niang beach praised the government for organising the moving service. The tsunami killed almost 5,400 people in Thailand, about 2,245 of whom were foreigners. And 2,800 are still listed as missing. Invited guests lined up in the scorching sun to lay flowers and photos of their loved ones and signed a book of condolences. Many burst into tears and embraced as they consoled each other, while hundreds of local people watched from a distance. Several foreign nationals, such as those from Sweden, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany and Japan, also held private memorial services at the sites where their compatriots died. About 500 Swedish people attended a private memorial service in Phangnga, chaired by the Swedish ambassador to Thailand. More than 540 Swedes died in the catastrophe. Sally Jean Nelson, from the United States, who lost her 15-year-old daughter, Kali, thanked the Thai government for having organised this emotional event. ``After going back to the States in January, our family have felt alienated to the others because the tsunami has changed our thought. So, we want to come back here and be with people who've had similar experience and feeling. This is a great healing opportunity for us,'' she said. Lord David Triesman, minister of the United Kingdom's Foreign and Commonwealth Office, thanked the Thai government for cooperating with metropolitan police force from London in the search operation and body identification, even though many were still missing. Japanese Senator Kiyohiko Toyaman, who headed the Japanese delegates to the memorial service, said : ``The ceremony is an important event to mark the turning point of the calamity, from mourning for the victims into a stage of new development of the Andaman coastal provinces. Thousands of foreigners, including some 200 relatives of the dead and survivors, attended a memorial service on Phi Phi island. Emma Lacey Williams, 22, a British volunteer who had spent five months on the island helping with rehabilitation work, said that as soon as she heard the news about Thailand's plans for a memorial service, she knew she had to come back. Christ Patterson, 52, a British man who was plucked out of the sea by some islanders, said he returned because he wished to meet his rescuers again. In Phuket, Patong beach was awash with candlelight when more than 100,000 candles were lit at 7.09pm in remembrance of dead tsunami victims.
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#73
27-12-2005, 09:04 AM
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Death Railway at Kanchanaburi
Death Railway
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The Death Railway (known also as Burma Railway or Burma Thai Railway) was a railway built from Thailand to Burma (now Myanmar) by the Japanese during World War II to complete the route from Bangkok to Rangoon and support the Japanese occupation of Burma. It was so called because of the human cost of its construction. About 100,000 conscripted Asian labourers and 16,000 Allied prisoners of war (POW) died on the project. The Allied POWs were made up of 6,318 British, 2,815 Australians, 2,490 Dutch and the remainder from the USA or unknown Japan was given right of passage to Thailand and occupied Burma during the Pacific War, however when the sea route through the Strait of Malacca became vulnerable an alternative way of transporting support to the troops in Burma was needed. A railway connection between Thailand and Burma was already surveyed at the beginning of the 20th century by the British, but was considered too difficult to be built. The Japanese nevertheless started the project in June 1942, connecting Kanchanaburi with Thanbyuzayat by the Three Pagoda Pass. Construction started simultaneously at the Thai and the Burmese side. Most railway materials (tracks, sleepers etc.) were carted from dismantled branches of the Federated States of Malaya Railways (FMSR - now known as Keretapi Tanah Melayu) rail network. After 18 months the 415 kilometers of railway were finished, when on October 17, 1943 the two lines met about 18 km south of the Three Pagoda Pass at Konkuita. While most of the POW were then transferred to Japan, those left to maintain the line still suffered from the appalling living conditions as well as Allied air raids. The most famous part of the railway is the bridge over the river Kwae Yai, "Mae Klong River (renamed Kwai Yai River in 1960)", named River Kwai in the book by Pierre Boulle and the later film The Bridge on the River Kwai. The first wooden bridge over the Kwae Noi was finished in February 1943, followed by a concrete and steel bridge in June 1943. Both bridges were destroyed on April 2, 1945, by the AZON crews of the 458th Heavy Bombardment Group USAAF, but had been damaged and repaired several times before already. The two squarish central sections of the current bridge were made in Japan and donated to Thailand to repair the bridge as war reparations. After the war the railway was in too poor a state to be used for the civil Thai railway system, and needed heavy reconstruction. It was also converted from 1 metre narrow gauge to standard gauge. In June 1949 the first part from Kanchanaburi to Nong Pladuk was finished, in April 1952 the next section up to Wampo, and finally in July 1957 up to Nam +++. The portion of the railway still in use measures about 130km. Beyond Nam +++, the line is abandoned; parts of it have been converted into a walking trail. Since the 1990s there have been plans to rebuild the complete railway, but these plans have not yet come to fruition. The living and working conditions on the railway were horrific. About 25% of the POW workers died because of overworking, malnutrition and diseases like cholera, malaria and dysentery. The death rate of the Asian workers was even higher; the number who died is unknown, as the Japanese did not count them. Several memorials were built on the Thai side after the war. Directly at the bridge is a memorial plaque, and a historic locomotive is on display as well. Another memorial built by the Australians is at the Hellfire Pass, a landcut which cost most lives of all. The main POW cemetery is about 1 kilometre north of the city Kanchanaburi. 6,982 POW were buried there, mostly British, Dutch, Australian and American. A smaller cemetery a bit further outside city is Chong Kai with 1,750 graves. Both are maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The construction of the Death Railway was only one of many major war crimes committed by the Japan during the course of its wars in Asia. It is regarded as a major event in the Asian Holocaust, during which over 15 million Chinese, Korean, Filippino, Indonesian, Burmese, Indochinese civilians, Pacific Islanders and Allied POWs were killed. Memorials There are several museums dedicated to those who lost their lives constructing the railway - the best of which is at Hellfire Pass, north of the current terminus at Nam +++. Two other museums are in Kanchanaburi, the Thailand-Burma Railway Museum, opened in March 2003, and the JEATH War Museum. There is also a preserved section of line and memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum, England.
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#74
27-12-2005, 09:18 AM
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There's life on the railway of death
There's life on the railway of death By Bjarne Madsen
16,000 allied prisoners of war lost their lives here - and more than 100,000 others who aren't mentioned all that often. Today the " Railway of Death " and the Bridge over the River Kwai are two of Thailand's major tourist attractions. Time has almost stood still at the railway station in Kanchanaburi. The ticket office could have been taken straight from an old film set. At 10:34 the train is due to pull in at the platform. But there's no hectic expectation as the time approaches. Nobody seems to really believe it will arrive at 10:34. And it doesn't! No Western service standards apply here, no passengers wait impatiently, consulting their watches and exchanging tales of bad travel experiences because the automatic doors don't hiss open exactly on time. Here the passengers, mostly westerners, possess a curious patience. An acknowledgement that this is just how things are supposed to be. But when the train turns up at 10:46 things begin to happen fast. Passengers dive for a seat on the hard wooden benches, benches that wake memories of past train rides of the kind that younger generations have probably only experienced on nostalgic veteran railways. Shortly after the train has set off the ticket-collector turns up, asking to see the tickets, punching them all with a friendly smile. The ticket is returned carefully to the shirt pocket. As a souvenir that joins the t-shirt from Bangkok and the photo taken of you riding on an elephant. The ticket from that time you rode on the "Railway of Death" and crossed "The Bridge over the River Kwai". 16,000 allied prisoners of war lost their lives when this railway was built during the Second World War, dying together with 100,000 slave labourers from India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Burma and Thailand who aren't mentioned all that often. After all, there are lots of Indians and Chinese. 16,000 allied soldiers and civilians are far easier for the tourist to identify with. All the same, every kilometre of railway track cost the lives of 38 allies. Just like when Dad was a lad The "Railway of Death" left such a gruesome number of bodies in its track, in stark contrast to the number of wooden sleepers supporting the tracks themselves. Today there's life on the railway. Thousands of visitors to Thailand travel annually on the hard seats, sensing the gory past mixed with the glory of railway history. A choo-choo from the days when dad was a lad. Smiling vendors of local foods appear from time to time, selling their wares between the rows of benches. Now there's a chance to consume exciting Thai delicacies, similar to those found in countless stalls on the rather dirtier Bangkok streets, where there is little temptation to stop and buy. In the train on the "Railway of Death" the smell is somehow different. And ready-to-eat fruit and other things on sticks are consumed with relish for just a few Baht. Pleasantly cool in the tropical heat, Pepsi and Sprite complete the perfect illusion of a school excursion in bygone childhood days. The cheerful vendor hauls them deftly from a plastic bucket that is filled with blocks of ice. The journey takes us over the famous bridge over the Kwai River, immortalized by Alec Guinness and William Holden yet filmed in Sri Lanka and showing a completely different bridge. But all the same... This is the real bridge. This is the genuine bridge that was bombed several times in 1945 and first rebuilt after the war. Two of the arches were supplied from Japan. Quite grotesque considering that Japan was the nation that was responsible for the loss of the lives of thousands of prisoners and slave labourers while building the railway. Today the bridge stands as a memorial to the prisoners of war and slave labourers who died of illness or as a result of torture by the Japanese. The "Railway of Death" was built as a strategic railway between Thailand and Burma. 263 kilometres in Thailand and 152 kilometres in Burma. Later the Thais and the Burmese agreed to destroy the tracks from their common border and 100 kilometres into each country. Construction of the railway began on the 16th of September 1942 with a labour force of about 30,000 prisoners from the allies and more than 100,000 slave labourers. First estimates by the Japanese engineers suggested that it would take at least five years to build, but the Japanese army forced the prisoners to complete it in only 16 months. On the 25th December 1943 the " Railway of Death " was completed. Those who built but never rode Today not many people seem to be thinking particularly deeply about the gruesome history of the railway as the train rattles and rumbles down the track. People discuss the old luggage nets, the wooden benches, the old-fashioned ceiling lighting and other things remembered from ancient local railways. They marvel at the beautiful lake views, the Kwae Noi River and the small temples. And they remember the last evening in Bangkok. An hour or so after Kanchanaburi the train reaches Nam +++. Crowds of tourists and a few local inhabitants get off, leaving the "Railway of Death", the tourists with the ticket in their shirt pocket. Back at the hotel it joins the other souvenirs as a permanent remembrance of the "Railway of Death". Back in Kanchanaburi you will find the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery with its 6,982 graves and the Chungkai War Cemetery with 1,750 graves. Visit them in remembrance of almost half of the many thousands of the allied soldiers who built, but never rode the "Railway of Death". Published on 3/14/01
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#75
27-12-2005, 04:12 PM
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One in 10 Thai students carries weapon: survey
BANGKOK, December 25 - Half of high school students skipped class at least once and one in every 10 carried weapons to school, a Social Development and Human Security Ministry survey has indicated.
The poll found that 50 percent cut classes because they were fed up with teachers and the school system, and seniors tended to skip class more often than juniors, according to local newspaper The Nation internet news. The survey, conducted by the ministry and the National Institute of Development Administration, explored "risk behavior" that students were engaged in over the past year. About 280,000 Mathayom 1-6 students from 1,400 schools nationwide took part in the poll. The poll also found that one-tenth of the respondents carried weapons to schools, thought about committing suicide and suffered physical abuse at home. When asked about sexual orientation, 7 percent preferred people of the same sex while more male students suffered sexual violations than females. Males had twice the risk of sexual harassment compared to females and most of those suffering sexual abuse were sexually deviated. Sexual violations were closely related to suicides and sexually- abused students had four times the risk of committing suicide compared to others.
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