You’re special every day,Mom 
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For me, I can do anything for my mother; hugging, smelling or kissing her feet, if it can show how much I love her, I’ll do for her. My mother lives with my sister where about 5 minutes drive from my house. She is the best chef in my world especially Green curry. If you ever feel like want to try real Thai taste and can accept Thai spicy by bird chilli, I’ll take you to try my Mom’s curry. You may forget Thai restaurant nearby your house.
My mother can’t speak English but she studied a little English when she was young. She knows English alphabet but the rest she can only give you a big beautiful smile.
Mother’s day this year, it’ll be the same custom as we always do. I never accept work on this special day from any tourists even one year. And I hope you understand my reason. If I have time, I’ll upload photo to show you our special day this year.
Have you said ‘love’ to your mother yet? For me, I haven’t said yet but I kissed her feet and I thought she knew how I feel to her.
31 July 10... writer: Tan
Thailand situation and my cake
“How is the situation in Thailand now? Is the truth as bad as they show us on TV?” These questions and more, sound like it comes with the worried of my client which I can understand especially the one who is planning to visit Thailand in a near future.
Well, as that excitement and scary part already done since 13th April, shall we start to lean your back and chill out a little bit when I’m trying to start explaining to you now?
Let’s think of Thailand as it’s just like a ‘cake’ to make your picture more beautiful and pleasant.
The reason that I assume Thailand is like a cake because it’s tempting, attractive and enjoyable. If my country was a cake, I’d have to say that the protest and the mess which you saw in the news, was so small like a cherry on the top. And I assume ‘cherry’ is also in only Bangkok and just one day in Pattaya, which both places are located in a middle of the country and it’s so centre too.
Things happened in Bangkok doesn’t really make me proud of it much contrary I feel sad and shame on what Thai people have done to each other. Fortunately, it started to happen and finish quickly within a few days. Just like some one drop the cherry down and another one grab the most important part into their mouth immediately too.
For the travelers, if you’re worry about traveling here, you can look around in another part of cake. There’re still plenty to go in the space of Thailand such as the northern part (mountainous and rich culture) and southern (various beaches and islands).
And even Bangkok itself, besides fighting with the heat in this summer at the moment, I still feel very comfortable to live happily with the rest of this city. It does hardly tell what happened in mid-April before. People continue their normal life but ‘politic’ situation and the opinion between ‘Yellow’ and ‘Red’ is still talk of the town.
One thing I believe is that a problem of the politic will still be around for a while when some human is still greedy and use their ‘God’ (money) to control some other human and a lot of other concern reasons.
If we get too close to a politic news especially the exaggerate one, we can get headache. I think we should just relax, keep aware and find peace in our heart. Or traveling to Thailand is still good option in my opinion.
Don’t be scare of trying this cake. If you never tried to put into your mouth, how can you find out that it could be so good like a heaven?
19 April 09... writer: Tan
Obama, political and Thailand
I’d like to congratulations to American and many people in the world who looked forward hearing about this new changing of the world. Even though I don’t really like much about political but this is hard to avoid knowing about the situation in America for me. The economy in the world changes people’s life and it’s also effect to a little country like Thailand too. Thai people are not so happy much for this crisis. And if you also have heard about the politic news in Thailand, you may have a question if you could fly to Thailand as well.
Thailand is a democracy country. When there’s something wrong or we feel suspect in politicians or a government, it could be some movement from different opinion of people. This time, a politic situation is still messy stable and doesn’t seem like it’ll changed if the government doesn’t change anything. But in my opinion, waiting for the change of the political or getting news about the conflict of each day is like watching soup opera movie.
If I don’t turn on TV, I won’t know what is going on in the country. If I don’t go to join the protest, I still can have fun to walk in a city, shopping or get a nice meal with friends. What I’m trying to explain to you doesn’t mean that I ignore my democracy country but I try to tell you that Thailand is still safe to travel even though we’re having a politic problem at the moment. Thai people love peace and a compromise. Even though some of us disagree but they try not to disturb other people’s life as much as they can. The protester stay at the protest camp where are at 1) Makawan bridge and 2) the government house (5 mins walk from each other). And the rest of almost 1,568.737 km² of Bangkok is still like a freedom city or the city of angels for everyone.
I think a political is part of our life but it’s not the most important. I try to get into ‘heart of living’ and ‘finding the real happiness of life’ but in the same time, I accept the changing, the argument, and conflict of the political situation which it happens every day in Thailand and the world. I’m quietly looking forward to see the next step of America, the world and also Thailand.
I’m quietly looking forward to see new generation travelers who can accept the situation of political situation in Thailand and the world. And if you’re here with me and interested to talk about Thailand political situation, I’m willing to share my personal opinion with you but quietly.
PS. This article is just part of my personal opinion. I’d like to apologize to some reader who disagrees with me. I don’t like to talk about politic but I got the inspiration to write this article from the excitement of getting new president in USA. However, I’m not a fan of Obama or interested much in a political. I’m just a person to like to watch soup opera movie. That’s all.
4 November 08... writer: Tan
I found myself and I’m doing it
 What did you do when you’re tired from hard work?
For me, if it’s so stress work, I’ll go to Karaoke box alone and sing for 20 songs non-stop. Beside loosing money from this, I feel so good after ward. As you’re travelers, please don’t misunderstand that that I have to deal with bad people and it makes me get stress.
I don’t guide only but I do a conference and intensive group which I have to deal with more than a hundred to thousand guests in a short period. And of course, more than 20 requests and 30 changing plans a day can make me take a pill for my headache. And I tell myself, I’m not going to do this job all year long. Even though I’m a freelance and have no salary but I have limit to stop working and relax.
All I want to say is, it’s my time to relax from work now. I’d like to tell you all that I’ll be away from the cyber world and my routine work in Bangkok and fly to Europe for my personal life. I’m backpacking in Europe (4 countries) until mid-September. This is long and scary trip as it’s my first time to travel alone. Life is an adventure. I don’t want to wait until I’m old and start to see the world when I have saving money. Because I’m not sure that if I’ll be that old and (especially) will have money or not !!!!
I’m a tourist guide and totally understand what people want when they’re on the trip. I’m sure that you guy who found me from Internet are not so different from me as a person who like to have an independent trip and interested to know country and local better than reading a travel book. I’m not just a tourist guide but I’m a traveler like you too. So, I hope you understand how I feel when I’ll be away from work. However, you may wonder why I don’t work and leave for a holiday for a long time. Well, I love freedom and activities but I live my life as self-sufficiency by the King’s teaching. I don’t dream to have a big business or expand this website to be well-known and rich. I want to enjoy my work for people who want me to show my city and enjoy my personal life too. This is a Buddhist life of walking in a middle way.
I’m so satisfy with this life and I can smile every time when I feel happy in my mind. I hope you find what you want and can get smile without any reason like me too.
See you soon after mid-September.
31 July 08... writer: Tan
Let’s travel and meet people
“Mingalaba”….. this is the greeting word in Myanmar language. I spent 16 nights on my trip there last month (March). It’s hard to tell how much I miss this country.
Well, this website is still about visiting Thailand and I’m still working as a tourist guide in Bangkok but Myanmar is like my neighbor where I’d like to invite you to visit after seeing me in Bangkok already (well?)
In the opinion of an adventure girl like me, I think sometimes when I travel without any expectation, it’s more fun than when I plan so well. I have so short time to get to know Myanmar before I really go there. So, it’s not so perfect trip when I think of places I stayed or visited in each days but experience that I’ve got is perfect. Myanmar in my opinion is like a blind date which I’m so clicked with this place so much. There’re not so many people visiting there because of their own reasons and many others.
When I’m just a few of tourist there, I don’t feel so different from when Julia Robert is watched by paparazzi. It’s so hard to guess by looking at their face about how they feel to see me as an Asian woman who really look like Myanmar girl but backpack and travel in this country. I have to say “Hello” to them to let them clear in mind that I’m not Myanmar but just a tourist. After they hear my voice, I almost see all teeth in their mouth because they smile a lot to me.
Some of the way of life in Myanmar, is so similar like Thailand such as the religion, belief, manner and some food but if I didn’t go there, I still wouldn’t have had a wider vision and more appreciated in my living life after I return home.
One day, I found myself sitting in the old wooden house in the small village. Everyone who sat surround me, were all my strangers and talks in Myanmar language. One of the leader from this house who is the old lady like my grandmother, gave me a massage with the price of about 2 US$/hour and after those relaxation hour, we become to be friend and they let me record this memory into my Myanmar trip forever.
They served me with hot Chinese tea from the antique teapot with some little rust on the  top. We don’t talk in the same language but hands only. However, the good feeling of our relationship doesn’t make us feel that it’s a problem at all. We’re so different but we know that we like each other so much with a hugging and kissing on my Myanmar grandmother’s cheek. I left them with our good memory.
They’re people who I know that I’ll never met them again in my life if I never return to them. I really agree with many of traveler’s opinion that part of the traveling ‘people’ is probably the highlight of your memory. Even though you will not have chance to see them again but you always see them in your mind when you think of that country.
If you don’t want to go there in Myanmar, please try to come to see the same in Thailand, my country. I don’t have chance a lot to travel. So, I don’t know if there’re anywhere in the world has such a friendly people like my country or not. They’re so simple, easy to smile and sometimes shy when they meet the foreigner.
Oh well, just telling you from me is not enough to believe, you better come here and write to me if you have any question about my city. See you !!!!
20 April.08... writer: Tan
Ready to travel?
“I have free plane ticket with a good tour package included 5 stars hotel for you. Do you want?” My friend said. I asked “Which country?” and he said “Iraq”. Well, that’s the end of my curiousness and he just laughed with my disappointment.
I sometimes ask myself how can you tell which country is not safe or not good enough for your trip. My Thai friend traveled to the most risky place somewhere and he said the most dangerous is the safest place to go as he saw so many policemen and soldiers guarded everyone for more than enough. But luck is not with you everywhere.
For me, I’m going to Myanmar or Burma. Maybe you don’t know where Myanmar is. This country is next to Thailand on the western side. They just had the big news of the demonstration of Myanmar monks in last September. After that, everything is back to normal again. However, it seems like not many people is really ready to visit there again because they’re not sure if it’s really safe to go or not.
Please don’t think that I’m so crazy for being Thai and don’t want to travel in this lovely country but choose to go to the country where it’s quite risky for traveling. Well, I’m just a little crazy. That’s all.
In the dream of the middle class Thai people. We do want to see abroad too and the more possibility of seeing such a thing is the closer countries to Thailand such as Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam, China and Myanmar. The currency of these countries, are not too bad for Thai like us who can afford. Even though we really want to see Tulips flowers in Holland or San Francisco bridge in USA and even Eiffel Tower in Paris but we’re not sure how many decades we must spend time to save money from the small budget for that.
I choose to go anywhere which it seems more real to happen by my effort first. And the rest of those far Western places are depending on the right time for money, the opportunities and luck.
If you want to ask me why I want to go to Myanmar, it’s because I’ve been to almost every countries surround the border of Thailand accept Myanmar. I studied before going there of course but I also have faith that it’ll be o.k. for my trip too. What I want to say to you is, please don’t be too hesitate with your traveling plan. I have seen a lot of reaction when there were some news in Thailand or just the countries surround. People usually cancelled their flight or trip when it’s some news happened here.
Example;
- The plane crashed in Phuket on last September 2007.
- The coup in Bangkok with politic situation in 2006. (Read more information in my article “Bloodless, Flowers and smiles” from this column.)
And when they once arrive Thailand, some of them still worry about food that they will eat, drink with ice or without ice, the security in Bangkok, the price of their shopping stuff, the mosquito and insect, the rate of exchange money and etc.
In my opinion, if you prepare your trip good, you’ll get more advantage on trip. You’ll get less stress and upset and realize that you’re now on the Holiday and it’s just about time to relax.
Myanmar is not the country where I want to go for relaxation but for an education in their culture and life. In the history, Myanmar fought and conquered Siam (Thailand) and we fought back and ward for hundred times. I’ll be like the  new generation who will go to learn the enemy’s history. I’ll be just like Japanese who come to visit the Bridge of the River Kwai in Thailand, Australian who come to visit their ancestor who died during the war, Cambodian who come to visit Wat Arun and see their arts which Thais got influents from, Portuguese who brought many type of food and sweet to Thailand and many things. I’m sure, I’ll understand more about how people feel after the history passed. I’m excited to be a tourist and let the tourist guide to show me their country. I love to play like a tourist too because I’m curious how my client feel when I guide them.
Traveling is like studying by your own from the Open University. Seeing more and get more knowledge is unlimited to learn in this world. Each country is like a library for us to entry and get into. The door in each country is opened but it depends if you’re dare to go or not. The door of Myanmar is opened too. Other wise I won’t get visa from them so easy. Some of you may announce to yourself that you don’t want to go there because the income of the traveling will go to the Government but for me, I think more of people there. If no tourist goes at all, they may not have income too. I just see from the small to big NOT from big to small.
Dear my tourist who wants me during 16th March until 3rd April, I’d like to apologize for not being able to guide you or even answering you mail while I’m there. It’s my time to go to get new experience in new places. I’ll get back to you with strength of work and power love of my country too. See you in Myanmar if you go there too. Or see you in Bangkok if you need me to guide you.
8 Mar 08... writer: Tan
"The flower, it's hidden in my garden."
Today (3 Feb.08) is the Veterans Day. The first thing I think about on this day is my father. My father lives in hometown and I’m in the city so I sometimes forget that this day is special for him and our family. My father is the War Veterans and the member of the War Veterans Organizations of Thailand, under Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King. 
In 1981, my father lost his left foot by the bomb that he stepped on during his cartography work by the border of Thailand-Malaysia. Since then I become to be a family of the Veterans. My father has got support from Sai-jai-Thai foundation (http://kanchanapisek.or.th/kp4/index.html/) which it runs by the Crown Princess of Thailand.
Just wanted to help family, my sister, brother and I studied very hard to get a scholarship from this foundation every year. It’s the benefit for me today that my English is very good from those days that I depressed myself to be a good student. Even though its 27 years pass already but my family never forgot our hard time we had passed through together. That’s why we love each other very much.
I never join my father’s ceremony on the Veterans Day because it’s more privacy activity of the military plus I live too far to help him. The activity of this day is mainly an official ceremony and people from this organization come to public and sell ‘red poppy’ flower to support the veterans and his family.
The Royal Speech given to the veterans on the 23 rd January 1990 said that "War Veterans are most honourable persons. Because they have sacrificed their comfort, the wholeness of their bodies, even their flesh and blood and their very lives for their homeland and for their fellow citizens. Be proud and invite to keep your genuine dignity at all times." (http://www.thaiveterans.mod.go.th)
As daughter to my father, I’d like to thank him for the devotion for family and country. I know how much he was suffer from losing part of body, the pain and bad dream of the bomb day, which it followed him for many years. But thank him for being strong and stay with us until we all grown up today. Even though time is passed and we sometimes forgot that we had a hundred drop of tears together before because today we have a thousand laugh and smile to replace but the Veterans Day is like a reminder to let me not to forget it.
If my heart could have a garden, I’d probably have so many types of flower in here. Today, I found the red poppy, the flower which it’s hidden inside my garden again. I see my love of father to the family and the country again. I remember our pain again.
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And tomorrow, what flower I’d find. Please wait to read until the Valentine’s Day.
Remark : I write this article from my heart but I know it’s quite sad one. If you're the one who like to read or write, you’d probably understand the emotion of each day which you can smile or cry when you’re alone. It’s the reality of life. And I’m also a human. I can get sad too. This homepage is live. Not advertising for the beautiful of the country only. It’s the introduction of myself, a girl who loves father, family and the country too.
3 Feb.08... writer: Tan
"The diary of my(birth)day"
Today (27th Dec.) is my birthday. I just feel a little special when I know that this day is coming again. Last year, I went to offer breakfast to the monk at the monk hospital (this hospital accepts only monk patient). 
This year, I called to the hospital and wanted to do the same but it’s fully booking. About this hospital, there’re lots of people wants to offer food to the monk and we just pay cost of food to the hospital. Many people think it’s double lucky to offer to the sick monk.
I wake up in the morning and just get dress to work as a normal day. I’m not disappointed for not being able to offer breakfast to the monk at the hospital because I believe that if we want to do something good, we don’t need to choose to do only on our birthday but any day.
Today, I dress in Thailand hill tripe’s traditional style. I want to dress in a happy cloth as saying happy (birth)day to myself. The colorful of my costume attract to the baby, my customer, so much. It’s just my normal day that I guide for 3 travelers (parents and baby) to see the flower and vegetable market and the Reclining Buddha temple. During the tour, I received a few messages and phone from very close people who I care. I know that even though there’re not many people know my birthday but these few people who I know, are all real good friends of mine. This is enough for me to have a few but good friends.
After I finished tour, I got invited to have a special meal for my birthday from lovely family, my tourist, but I didn’t have chance to go as I have many things to do today. I went to Siriraj Hospital, a royal hospital which all royalty always go there when they’re sick. It’s one of top good government hospital and its Medical University as well.
I go to donate my body to this hospital for being the cadaver as teacher for student in this University after I die (of course). I feel so release like I did something that I really want to do for long time ago. And today, I have chance to do when I’m still alive. It’s not too late.
Well, I’ll be glad if my body is still useful for someone after I have no breath any more. This is the thought of Buddhism.
In this hospital, there’re many people such as doctors, all officers and student plus there’re more people walking around here as they come to stay at the hospital to be close to the royalty. At this moment, Thai people are sad because the King’s elder sister is in the hospital with her abdominal cancer. Since 7 Nov. 07 that she was admitted there’re about 300,000 people go to sign name for her recovery already. She doesn’t sound getting better as she is less responsive right now. I quickly go to sign my name on this day for her too.
After I’ve done something that I really want, the last thing that many girls love to do is shopping. I walk around the market and bought cloth for my grand mother because I’ll go to my hometown (Sing Buri) for New Year’s Eve. It’s like Thai custom that we love to bring something when we visit someone especially if they live far or we don’t really have chance to meet so often.
I don’t forget to think of myself when I see some nice shirt one. I ask for the owner to try on even though I think I can wear this shirt for sure. Unfortunately, it becomes too small for me. This is unbelievable. I want to scream when there’re so many cloths in Thailand are too small for me. I assume as big tall Thai girl when compare with general girl here. Even though there’re many western tourist keeps telling me that I’m small. (I want to laugh in Chinese language though, if I could) Finally, I didn’t get anything for myself because I’m too big for this general size one. Well, if next life is true, I wish I’d be smaller size than this if I live in Thailand because I can then get lots of nice cheap things in the market. Actually, I may become rich soon because I can save more money because I don’t have chance to spend much. Hahaha….I’ll be rich soon.
(In picture: Thai girl size and Tan)
I drive home and go to rent video nearby my house. I watch Thai movie and felt asleep early. This is boring day for someone’s birthday but for me I’m so happy for my day. I’ve done many things that I always want to do especially body donation. Getting drunk, dance and blow birthday cake is not my style. Our life is different and we can think different. I’m searching for the happiness which it’ll make myself and others to be happy.
Today, I did many things for other people to be happy and I’m also happy too.
What about you? Have you done anything for other people yet? Maybe you can wait until your next birthday or as quick as possible because we can’t predict our future. And after you did good thing, you’ll feel release and relax just like me.
Be happy and smile….
(if you’re interested more about body donations, please read more in this page http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=535977 )
27 Dec. 07... writer: Tan
"Angels from Caribbean"
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Last week, I got work for big group of more than 200 people from Caribbean. “You’ll meet lots of people from Trinidad and Tobago” that’s what my boss told me before. Well, I knew Trinidad and Tobago because I have friend from this country and we traveled together during work for New Yorker's family.
But NOT many people from Thailand know about Trinidad and Tobago and many countries in Caribbean.
One day during work, my Thai friend asked me “Where are they from?”
I said “Mainly they’re from Trinidad and Tobago”.
“Oh, they smoke a lot, right?”….ummmm….. I only gave her smile and said nothing.
I was so busy with this work. I almost had no time to sleep because of long journey to my house plus it’s started early and finished late every day. I couldn’t complain anything about that because I always forget when I meet them in the morning. I have to say that people from Caribbean are very friendly just like Thais. I felt very comfortable to be their friend, made a joke, sing a song and laughed with them like someone who I knew for a long time.
This is a benefit of my career. They come to travel, learn new things here. They’ve got me who introduced them my country. In the same time, I learnt so many things about their life and where they’re from too. They might not know how much they promoted Caribbean to me. It’s just by their natural and the way they were. But at the end of the trip, I’m more interested in going to visit Caribbean in the future.
On the last day that I see them off at the airport, many of them cried because it was sad to leave Thailand. Well, they probably cried because of their long flight back home too!!!
I said goodbye and decided to keep them in my memory. It’s just another work of my tourist guide job which it made me happy. I love my work because it’s not boring. It’s bring someone who come far away from Thailand to meet me here, to make friend and to keep in touch as I’ve got many of new friends in the world since I start to work in this job. And I write this article about them to share happiness with everyone who read my website.
Thank you very much for people who were on tour with me from Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Bahamas, Bermuda and Suriname. I’d like to tell you that you’re all like an angels who bring love and happiness to Thailand and me. Nice to meet all of you and I hope to meet you again someday in a future. Hopefully, I’ll have chance to be on the beach somewhere in Caribbean. If I have chance to go, I promise I won’t cry about being on the plane with long flight like you did.
15 July 07... writer: Tan
- - May 2007 - -
"Banana Story"
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“Ruang Kluay Kluay” ….this is Thai words… If it’s translated to English, it’ll be “Just a banana story”. Kluay is a banana. When someone says “Just a banana story” to you, it means it’s just something easy. Someone also likes to says “it’s so easy like pealing off a banana”
But today, I’m not going to come to tell you about anything easy but real story about banana. If you see this picture of bananas in my hand, you can see that they’re so small. My western friend asks me when he sees this banana that “Does it taste like banana?”. I think he makes a joke but he said that he really doesn’t know because it’s so small fruit but looks like banana. I know that I shouldn’t laugh about this to him but I think in the other way round that everyone should travel more and see the world.
This banana question helps me to understand people that no one knows everything about this world. We need to travel and learn them all by your eyes, taste and enjoy with it. The world of each person has different size. It’ll be bigger with more of your experience as much as you travel to many countries.
Thailand has so many type of banana but we don’t have kiwi fruit. One day, I may ask you “If kiwi fruit taste like banana?” Well, don’t laugh at me because it’s not my false for not knowing about kiwi fruit. But I just have to save more money and start to see the world where I can pick kiwi fruit by myself.
Some of my young age tourist has to walk through wet and dirty local market around china town in Bangkok. He walks but his hands are busy to block his nose all the way long. He hates the smell of market. I understand that easily because he is still too young to realize that this smell is rare to find in the place, where he is from. The taste of smell is part of the charm of your trip.
I’d like to suggest you to come to see and try and enlarge your world in Thailand. Please come to taste this kind of banana. It tastes exactly like banana. Come to walk in dirty real fresh market in Bangkok. But sorry, it doesn’t smell like banana for sure. However, I’m sure after you walk through this place, you’ll only says “Just a banana story” or “Ruang Kluay Kluay” in Thai words.
27 May 07... writer: Tan
- - March 2007 - -
"Let's get crazy on Songkran"
Songkran Festival is coming soon. If you don’t know ‘Songkran’, please just imagine that it’s as special as your ‘Christmas’. Songkran is Thai New Year during 13-15 April of every year. This day always ensures me to be proud to born from the countryside. I have place/hometown to return when this day is come. Sing Buri, my hometown, where I’m not exactly stranger and really familiar as local there much because I’ve been living in Bangkok since 1984. However, over there my face tells who I am because someone said they feel like talking to my father when they see me smile.
My parents live there in SingBuri after their retirement. It’s one of very special days to wait for 3 children and one son in-law (not from me, sorry) to visit them. By the way, I’m sorry to some of you that I refused to work on this special day. I want to work but sometimes family comes first for me.
Songkran in SingBuri around my villages, is so simple and hot (of course). However, all farmers here dress up and choose the best one for Thai New Year. We always start to visit my father’s house first because his villages start to make a merit at the temple at 07.00 a.m. and luckily my mother’s village start at 10.00 a.m. I don’t feel different from being a singer who has to travel to be on time for the show. In fact, everyone wants us there to feel proud and give honor to our ancestor.
After making merit at the temple, we all return home and some people have a chat with our relative who comes to meet on this day. The oldest person of family is chosen to be the one who younger will give bless by water. We usually take a shower for him/her and give them new cloth for New Year. In the afternoon, it’s time for young people and everyone to get crazy because we splash water to get wet to each other and put a powder on face for the celebration. It’s amazing festival ever because we only smile, happy and just get wet for many days.
Last year, I missed going to celebrate at my hometown. This year, I’ll make it up. It’ll be last Songkran Festival that my family will meet each other just only 5 persons and one son in-law. Because next Songkran in 2008, we will have one more extra in our family. Yes, we’re having a new member of our family who is from my sister (sorry again parents, not from me). She or he is now 14 weeks and we’ll see her soon in next 7 months. This Songkran will be our special Thai New Year for our new member. I’m ready to get wet and dirty for my celebration now. Sorry dear, auntie is going to get crazy for you.
P.S. I’m welcome for all reader who is interested to visit Sing Buri on Songkran Festival. It’s 1.5 hours from Bangkok but during festival the journey could be longer to 3 hours because everyone wants to go back to their hometown. If you want to see something simple, hot (from the weather), wet (from the festival celebration) and crazy (from me and everyone), I’ll be your guide for free on my special New Year. Welcome to contact me.
29 Mar..07.....writer : Tan
When the tourist guide
Take a holiday
Koh Samed is a small island in Rayong province, the east coast of Thailand. It’s only 3 hours drive from Bangkok to get there. After I had too much stress and tiring from work, I decided to take a break to visit there. Koh Samed is one of the most popular destinations for Thai people who live in the area of Bangkok and central of the country. It’s still closer and cheaper when compare with going to Phuket or Koh Samui, the famous beaches for all tourist.
My friend makes a big smile to know that I was born for more than 30 years but never been to Koh Samed when many people love to get there for an easy trip and beautiful beaches. A few years ago, I went to Rayong with parents but just stayed by the city side, not crossing the sea to the island at all.
It’s good to drive by myself with my little old car. Even though it’s not fast as I want but safe and never been broken to upset me. “Tongpoon”, my car’s name, took us safety to the port of Rayong and I left him for 4 nights to the island.
This island is developed with nice accommodations and also cheap places for bag packer like me. I took the b ungalow with a/c and share with friends who are girl and gay. So, we feel like 3 sisters finally.
I took one day tour to visit a few islands nearby Koh Samed. The sun is so strong but the sea water is so clear and clean. I can’t find anywhere to run away from the sun as Asian don’t like to get dark skin but this time I have to face with the fact that I’m so tan and tanner every day that I was there.
I enjoyed staying by the beach at night and get some nice dinner and relax on the beach with good drinks and good drinks and good drinks……
I took an oil massage on the beach and felt like heaven. I had henna paint on body like a tattoo for fun. I rent a bike to ride by the local road in the island. The road is real dangerous as it’s too rough and rocky. Thank you Buddha to safe my life from that riding adventure. I’m not sure that I want to rent a bike in Koh Samed again but I’m glad that I did it once which it could be enough for my life.
My holiday is ended with good memories and I always get new experiences and funny stories to keep talking about it when I get back home. I love traveling just like you. As my life is a tourist guide and always make people to be happy on trip but when its my time to travel and have fun I always think about you, the traveler, and really understand how you feel when you come to take adventure in Thailand. I want to be part of your trip and make you happy too.
13 Mar..07.....writer : Tan
- - January 2007 - -
"What have you done on
New Year's Eve?"
 For me, I didn’t go for counting down but I took a car to return home for visiting my parents and relatives. There’re no light and sound but nice and cool weather with the clear sky in a middle of rice field. Sometimes, I heard an echo of the music from party in somewhere around home which it comes with the wind. Me and family had a very good conversation and slept together in a tiny bedroom of parents.
In the morning, I went to visit the temple, donated money and give presents to my family and cousins. My sister and her husband brought the statue of the Buddha images to offer for the temple. My parents enjoyed their special day with us and so did my grandfather.
I feel so lucky to be with my family in hometown as it wasn’t so good situation in Bangkok during New Year’s Eve. (By the way, thank you very much for all mails from VTers who concern about me and Bangkok.)
My New Year in Thailand is not 2007 as Westerner but 2550 of Buddhist Year.
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My New Year or Your New Year is not so matter but it’s about new starting (and hopefully in a better way) of our life and just another year that I hope everyone will be happy with all you will do in this year.
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Enjoy your journey in New Year too!!!
- - December 2006 - -
"December"
It's December again …..
It’s so special for me because it was Father’s day on 5th Dec. and my father’s birthday on 25th Dec.
No, we don’t celebrate Christmas in Thailand because we’re Buddhist but wait!! I know how to sing “Jingle Bell”.
On 5th Dec. is His Majesty the King’s birthday and it’s also Father’s day. Thai people decorated their house with the national flag and the King’s flag. we wore shirt in yellow color as this year we wear them practically for 60th anniversary for His majesty the King accession to the throne.
We love the King as the father.
Each family also gave this special day to their father too. For me, my father was sick but still went out to celebrate for the King. I called and said “love” to him while i was on tour with one of you at the floating market. That’s all what my father loves to hear from kids. By the way, this picture that you see is me and my father.
December is getting cooler for Thai, not the tourist. However, it’ll be less hot and humid when compare with other months in a year. There’re many open airs ‘Beer festival’ in town. You can find many interesting local beer which it’s strong and good taste.
December is also my birth month. I don’t want to remember how old I am but I want to think that what else I haven’t done in this life. What about you? What else you haven’t done in life? If you think of coming to visit Thailand, it’ll be nice to visit here in December too. Who know! You may love December like me too.
- - November 2006 - -
My warm little home
Suvarnabhumi Airport is ready
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 Since the end of September 2006, Thailand has new International airport in Bangkok where it replaces Don Muang airport as Bangkok’s primary airport for all commercial airline flight. This new airport is called “Suvarnabhumi Airport”.
It’s named 'Suvarnabhumi' (meaning 'Golden Land') by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand (Rama IX). At 563,000 square metres, the passenger terminal is currently the largest in the world. The airport also features the world's longest runway, 75.3 metres by 4,000 metres long and the world’s tallest control tower, 132.2 metres high, providing the best visual coverage of overall airside.
Suvannabhumi is about 30 Km. east of Bangkok. It’s just the same distance from Don Muang Airport to Bangkok. The traveler won’t feel any different but just it’s all new, bigger, better quality, security and standard system as same as other good airports in the world.
For Thai people, we’re glad to have this airport because it makes us proud to have such a wonderful International airport for this country. It’s like a front door of our house for visitors, who cross the ocean, to visit this country. In the future visitor will get more convenience with the good commute as it’ll be airport rail link from the city to Suvannaphumi. I hope it’ll be built and finish quickly for everyone.
After the coup news last month, Bangkok today is like a brighten day after it was big a storm. I found that some of you might be hesitated in coming to have a holiday here as it’s about the security and or the right timing. In my opinion, it’s very good and so safe as always. The coup situation is more about politic situation. Right now, the military with tanks and guns are gone back to their normal work. We have the new Prime Minister who had got permission by His majesty the King since 1st October 2006. It seems like the political in Thailand is getting on the right way. It should good and even better for the future.
Thailand is still like a little house where it always welcomes you all to come and visit. Last month, inside this house got some little argument as the coup thing but now it’s o.k. and return to be peace and harmony again. We have new reception room as the Suvannabhumi Airport. We want to let everyone to come and see and accept us as some house that it’s getting develop to be better so far. We have a great ‘father’, who is our King and a wonderful ‘mother’ who is our Queen. Welcome you all to visit this little warm home and you’ll not disappointed.
Meet me, you’ll show you some corner of our room. It’s Bangkok !!!
- - September 2006 - -
Bloodless, flowers
and smiles.
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As some you may know about Thailand break news.
As some you may know about Thailand break news.
After follows months of growing tension in Thailand, with protests against Mr Taksin, the Prime minister, and a general election which was annulled due to concerns about its legitimacy. Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin is a coup leader. He and the heads of the three services and the police had agreed that the caretaker prime minister [Taksin] has caused an unprecedented rift in society, widespread corruption, [and] nepotism. So, the constitution, the senate, the house of representatives, the cabinet and the constitutional court had all been "terminated", and a newly formed Council of Administrative Reform would "restore normality".
In the capital Bangkok, tanks have cordoned off the government district. They have yellow ribbons tied around their barrels to signify loyalty to Thailand's revered king.
On that night, I went to shop at the area of all tanks are stopped by. It was exciting and surprising to see those all military with guns and tanks surrounds me but I feel quite safe when I don’t see anyone against them or hear any sound of shooting to scare us. Military become to be a traffic police to let us go home safely. Under the rain, in the city I lots of military are everywhere.
The atmosphere remains calm and no outbreaks of violence at all. Tanks and gun look scary but how beautiful picture to see many Thais and tourist go to the area of coup and take a photo with the military, bring food and drink to them and give flowers for cheering. I heard that the world calls this coup as very classic clue. We have poll report about the coup in Thailand. 83.98% of 2,019 Thai people are in favor of the coup.
For me, I feel like this coup is like our hero. They come to stop all political messy situations in Thailand. Even though it doesn’t look good in the democracy but it’s good solution for this time. If there’s no coup, Thailand would be messier. There’ll be more demonstration and it could get worse to fight and get hurt, which it luckily hasn’t happen yet.
And now on, I hope everything will get back to a better way soon. Even though the politic situation is not so good now but I’m still glad to see Thai military and policeman are all friendly soft people and only want to do a good thing for His Majesty the King and country. I still love Thailand and never felt like want to leave to somewhere else.
I still think that it’s so safe to live in this country.
I love Thais.
You can read Thai army chief's statement in full http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5362332.stm
- - July 2006 - -
"Long Live the King"
Last month, Thai people have had such a wonderful time for the His Majesty the King's 60 th anniversary accession to the Throne. We all ware yellow T-shirt as King’s color for him every Monday. We decorated Thailand and King’s flag for the celebration in this year until December 2006. We keep talking about the happiness day of the celebration and the ceremony. I hardly could explain how much love we have for the King. Thai people all agree that we’re very lucky to be born in Thailand under the reign of His Majesty the King, Phumipol Adulyadeth.
This week we got this news
“Doctors to perform surgery to cure lumbar spine stenosis for His Majesty"
A team of doctors will perform a surgery to enlarge the lumbar spinal canal for His Majesty the King on Thursday 20th July, the Royal Household Bureau announced Monday.
The bureau announced in a statement that His Majesty developed problems when making right steps in 1995 and doctors diagnosed that His Majesty had developed problems at the lumber spine due to His age.
The bureau said doctors had prescribed medicine for His Majesty and the condition had improved.
The statement said His Majesty developed the problem of difficulty in making right steps again in 2003 and doctors performed a magnetic resonance imaging scan and computerized tomography scan for His Majesty and found that he had developed lumbar spine stenosis.
In 2005, the doctors performed a check on His Majesty again and recommended physical therapy for His Majesty.
Then on May 3, a team of specialists from Siriraj Hospital and other hospitals held a meeting and resolved to perform a surgery to cure the lumbar spine stenosis.
The doctors agreed to wait until the celebrations of the His Majesty the King's 60 th anniversary accession to the Throne to provide the operation.
As a result, the doctors have sought a royal permission to perform a microsurgical decompresion to cure the lumbar spine stenosis for His Majesty at the Siriraj Hospital on Thursday.
source: The Nation newspaper”
 Thais across the country were expressing love and concern for His Majesty the King as the monarch prepares for an operation. In the provinces and different parts of Bangkok yesterday, people gathered at temples, mosques, and Christian churches to pray for a successful operation and His Majesty's speedy recovery
Today (20th July 2006) The Royal Household Bureau announced that the operation to correct for his lumbar spinal stenosis had become successful. I’m so glad to hear about this news.
There’re many people want to do something good in their life for the King. Some of them stop drinking or smoking.
For me, I keep doing my best on tourist guide job for the country and the King.
I wish he will recover so soon.
- - June 2006 - -
"My Trip with Dorothy"
I just got back from touring around Bangkok for 5 days 4 nights. There is an English couple, Dorothy and Michael, on this trip. It’s very interesting trip for them especially in a country. We started 2 nights in Bangkok and 1 night, Kanchanaburi (the River Kwai) and last night in Ayutthaya (the second capital city of Thailand). They’re on holiday for a special moment after their retirement. This is their first time for visiting Thailand. It’s my opportunity to introduce all about Thailand to them. From Bangkok, we started to see temples, the Grand Palace, the Bangkok canal and Thai dancing dinner. They were so impressed in our culture and also taste of Thai food as well.
“I never tried Thai food before, Tan”
Dorothy was not so sure if she would like food or not but after first time she tried, it was no more fear to taste new food dish any more. Thai Spring roll seemed to be her favorite dish.
I took them to visit the River Kwai Bridge at Kanchanaburi province. We had nice lunch at the local restaurant at a beautiful view point of the highlight of train trip. It’s called "Death railway” Dorothy and Michael prefer Kanchanaburi than Bangkok as their home is in a countryside and it’s reminded their home. On the train, Dorothy closed her eyes and smelled the fresh soil for long time.
They both didn’t talk much but I understand how much they’re happy.
On the way to Ayutthaya, we drove pass the rice field. I stopped the car to pick an ear of rice grain.
They’re so delight to see this plant for the first time in their life.
A few minutes after we continued from rice field, I saw the ordination ceremony parade. I stopped to let them see this ceremony. There’re about 30 villagers in this parade. They put the man, who was going to be a monk, on the shoulders and carried him all the way to the temple. There was live local music with many people danced in a front of the parade.
“Dorothy, I bet that those dancers will come to invite you to join with them” I said to her.
Dorothy started to get excited and shy in the same time. She never been to Thailand before but there're so many things for her to learn in each day.
As I thought as we’re Thais, they come to invite Dorothy to dance with and I asked for her to try. We joined this parade until we arrived the temple. No one can speak English but they’re so happy and felt like got honor to see the tourist come to this ceremony. Parents of the new monk asked for taking a photo with my clients. And I also donated money for this ceremony as well.
In a car, Dorothy cried as she was so appreciated and impressed in Thai people and culture. I’m also proud and said to her that
“Now, I hope you understand why I love my country.”
“Yes, I do, Tan” Dorothy said
There are many things that we never expected to see on the trip. It’s sometimes good or bad which I also never knew. We open our mind and tried new things when the opportunity come to us. And we found that sometimes it's even more special than a special schedule that we planed.
At the end of this trip, I learn many things from them by our conversations. They really love their Queen as same as I really love my King.
And their Queen and my King are a good friend also.
Dorothy cried again when we said good bye. It’s not sadness but it should be a great feeling in her heart. ....That’s what I believe.
On the way home, I carried my bag under the shower of rain in Bangkok. Yes, rainy season is starting already. The city is getting wet. And I’m starting to enjoy my fun time with next tourists, who come is coming with rain.
Maybe it’s you !!
Tan
- - May 2006 - -
Ready for next step
Last April, I went to Cambodia. It’s still stunning even though it’s my 3rd visit. Cambodia shares the same border with Thailand. I feel very comfortable with the Cambodian as many of them can speak Thai to me. I think it could be one of the special Asian destinations for you especially the Angkor Wat, one of the 7 wonders in the world.
After my wonderful and unforgettable trip in Cambodia, I got full energy and clear mind. That’s why I really understand how much you all love to travel !!
I’m ready to present this homepage to you all now. It’s about 80% of this hard work though. Well, I have to say ‘hard work’ because I’m not good in computer. This website is a ready made website which I chose and put details in the section that I’d like it to be. You're more than welcome to give me suggestion about this homepage if you have any good ideas to make this page better.
It’s just another step of my life to have my own room to present my work and some part of my personal after I’ve got requests from many people whom I met on tours. I feel like I’m growing up but just don’t feel old yet. How about you? Would you like to take a break and see something different from your actual life?
Thailand is here and I’m here to guide you.
Tan
I'm really welcome for all your opinion...
Just write to me !! |
