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A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand

yinyang

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DROUGHT CRISIS

High tides could impact water supply

THE NATION March 31, 2016 1:00 am
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Drought in northern Lampang province’s Mae Mo district has caused Mae Change reservoir to dry out. Local residents yesterday inspected ruin buildings of a |temple and community that were submerged in the reservoir after the dam construction 40 years ago.

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Buddhist monks look at an almost dried up Mae Chang reservoir in the northern province of Lampang. Thailand is facing water shortage caused by the worst drought in decades due to El Nino phenomenon combined with seasonal hot weather which have critically hit water storage as the water levels in the country's biggest dams are lower than 10%. Other major reservoirs are below 50% of their water capacity. The drought, which currently has affected agriculture across country, has taken Thailand's economy growth down by 0.6 to 0.85%.PHOTO BY EPA

MORE THAN 12 million people in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan may have to stock up on water during this dry season, as the high tide and severe drought have rapidly turned the Chao Phraya River brackish.

Narongrit Srisatidnarakul, deputy governor for water transmission and distribution at the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA), said yesterday that from Tuesday until tomorrow, the rising sea will cause high salinity in the Chao Phraya and lead to difficulties in tap water production.

The 12 million water consumers may experience a slowness in the flow of tap water.

"According to our water quality standards for tap water production, we will not pump water if salinity is beyond 0.25 gram per litre.

"And during the high tide these four days, we have to reduce operations at the Sam Lae pumping station," he said.

"However, we have stored raw water when the salinity in front of the pumping station was low, so water users in Bangkok can be assured that there will not be any shortage," he said.

The Irrigation Department reported that salinity at the Sam Lae pumping station, which is 96 kilometres from the delta, was 0.32 gram per litre on Tuesday and 0.27 gram yesterday, higher than the MWA's standard.

The MWA carefully monitors the daily tide forecast from the Hydrographic Department to prepare for changes in saltwater intrusion into the river.

The MWA had a plan to cope with the high salinity situation and is also working closely with the Irrigation Department to relieve the salinity in the river.

"We asked the department to discharge more water to dilute the salinity.

"They've already agreed to increase water flow from 81 cubic metres per second to 90," he said.

Suthep Noipairoj, director-general of the department, confirmed that it had already prepared water to drive back the salt water.

Releasing more fresh water would not reduce the water available for domestic consumption, he said.

"However, on April 8-9, there will be a new high tide, but the salinity level will not be as bad as this high tide," he said.

Not only are Bangkok people suffering from the drought, but also people in many provinces, who have been struggling with shortage of water.

According to the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA), 18 of its branches nationwide have scaled back water distribution, five branches are seeing saltwater encroachment and three in Nakhon Sawan's Tha Tako district, Khon Kaen's Nong Ruea district and Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Thongchai district have had irregular water release.

Suthep said some dams like Ubonrat would dry up soon, but there would still be the dead storage left to use.

"There is nothing to worry about. Even if the available water in Ubonrat Dam runs out, we still have 180 million cubic metres of spare water for the rest of the dry season.

"But I would like to ask everyone to save as much water as possible."
 
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Jah_rastafar_I

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Husband needed! Police pull down 45-year-old virgin actress’ sex billboard

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© Coconuts Media Photo: Natt Nattapat What’s the best way find a nice man in Bangkok? Tinder? Dates with mutual friends? Nights out? The gym?
How about sticking a sexy photo of yourself along with your phone number on a giant billboard in Lad Phrao?
Television actress Aranya "Pui" Pathumthong has sent social media into a frenzy after she put up a billboard which stated loud and clear that she is a virgin and looking for someone to fill that void.
The advertisement said in Thai: "40 and virgin: Pui Aranya is looking for a husband! Let me get it once before I die."
She also listed her phone number on the ad, which was put up near Prasertmanukit 5 in Lad Phrao district.
A source from Thairath TV said the B-list star, who is actually 45 years old, is serious about her intentions stated on the billboard.
The police have ordered the advertising agency responsible to pull the billboard down today after snapshots of it went viral. Too bad, Aranya.
The advertising agency was also fined THB500 for public obscenity. Police will summon Aranya for questioning, Daily News reported.
Related:Hype, swipe and gripe: Sparking some love with Tinder in BangkokIt’s a Match!: 12 tired Tinder cliches in Bangkok
 
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Froggy

Alfrescian (InfP) + Mod
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Generous Asset
Homefresh Restaurant is a farm restaurant owner grows his own vegetables selling them and using in the restaurant





Food tend towards Italian and surprisingly the Thai chef is able to whip up pretty good stuff.

Home made bread and crackers


Ravioli with spinach in rich cream sauce


Snow fish fusion style with plum sauce


What a waste as owner strive to serve healthy food to everyone he don't sell any alcoholic drinks not even red wine which would have been perfect with these food.

Awesome meat balls with ricotta cheese filling


Very nice ambience for lunch, should try dinner next time.



restaurant is close to Suvarnabhumbi airport
 

yinyang

Alfrescian (Inf)
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Fuss on the pretties in motor show. Dairy farm show?:p Par for the course:p

Sitting pretty: The naked truth behind motor show models
A raunchy dance routine has enraged the country's cultural guardians, but 'pretties' bolster their careers by causing a stir.


Ladapa Ratchataamonchot first tried breaking into the entertainment industry in university, travelling to Bangkok during her holidays in search of part-time work.

She started off slowly, securing jobs as a hired audience member on TV shows before graduating to a paid extra on several TV series.

But it was an offer to model for a men's magazine that would change her career trajectory.
Now 31, Ladapa is a renowned soft-core porn actress better known by her screen name, Cherry Samkhok. Since appearing in her first erotic film, Namtan Dange 2, in 2010, Cherry has gone on to star in more than 100 R-rated movies.

The actress had grown a loyal following among Thai men, but last weekend her fame reached new heights.
Along with dance partner Abhisit Sae-eung, a bikini-clad Cherry performed a sexually charged routine at the Bangkok International Motor Show. Complete with a soundtrack of loud moaning, the show left little to the imagination and spread quickly online.

It all proved too hot for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who called for legal changes to allow stricter controls on scantily clad models and provocative performances at car shows. "This is a matter of individual conscience and one should never claim she has to do such an immorally wrong act for money," Gen Prayut said.

Cherry and Abhisit were fined 1,500 baht each, but the show ignited fresh debate about the sexualisation of motor show events.

DANCING UP A STORM
When Spectrum contacted Cherry last week, she was hesitant to talk about her controversial performance, saying she didn't want to be famous for negative reasons.

But she went on to defend the routine, saying she believed it was within the bounds of artistic expression.
“I’m not one of the pretties who promote a product. I was hired on that day specifically to perform one sexy dance routine as a guest star,” she said.
“When I rehearsed the dance routine it was a lot sexier, and I truly believe this is a form of art. I didn’t know that it would offend people like this.”

Cherry said she was pleased with her performance, which she thought "went well", and said she got along beautifully with dance partner Abhisit. But she felt remorseful that so many people had found it inappropriate.
“I’m sorry that I have wasted everyone's time on this matter," Cherry said.
"I will be more careful next time before I accept a job like this.
"I have my own limits when people hire me to do this kind of event. I have done sexy car washes and bikini modelling, but I have never done any public nudity as I would be charged by the police.”

DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER
While Cherry has taken most of the flak in the wake of the dance, the routine was actually the brainchild of Pranaya “Pang” Pleankim, 29, a marketer who organised the show.

Ms Pranaya told Spectrum she looked at the product — Mirage car sound systems — and analysed it with a marketing team before coming up with the idea for the dance.
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GUEST STAR: Soft-core porn actress Cherry Samkhok was fined for her dance routine.

The team chose to play on the term "AV" from their client's product. Ms Pranaya noted that as well as standing for audiovisual, AV can mean adult video. Since men were their target audience, the team leaped on the AV idea. And when talking about Thai AV stars, there are none more famous than Cherry Samkhok.

“Our team decided to hire Cherry as part of our opening day at the Motor Show this year," Ms Pranaya said. "When we decided to play on the word AV, the only thing that seemed right was to have them perform an erotic act as part of the performance.”

Ms Pranaya said, like any marketer, she wanted to grab people's attention. But she never expected the show to go viral the way it did.
“I am in the marketing team myself. Trust me, no one wants to have bad publicity," she said.
"One thing I am very surprised about is that Thai people value a Thai AV star less than a Japanese AV star," she added, referring to the lack of controversy when Japanese porn actress Sola Aoi appeared at the Bangkok International Auto Salon in 2012.
"I respect Cherry as a professional performer, and she did absolutely nothing wrong.”

REVEALING STRATEGY
The Mirage speaker booth late last week had a lot more visitors than usual, most likely buoyed by the recent media attention. The "pretties" working there all wore revealing costumes, each of them surrounded by at least 20 men taking photos.

With more than a decade of experience managing successful events, including motor shows, Pornpasorn Chua, the managing director or the Bunjerd Co Ltd, said going viral is the hidden goal of any event organiser.
The most successful event — especially large-scale ones like a motor expo — is one that gives people something to talk about. Cherry’s video, she said, is a prime example of how social media can help determine the marketing and PR value of a product.

Ms Pornpasorn said at the same motor show last year, car speaker company Alpine had four "pretties" perform a goofy dance routine in short, tight dresses. The video went viral, so people returning this year were expecting to see something similar.
“The fact that people take a short video clip and share it online is more than good enough to promote the product," she said. "We all know that it can create traffic at the event. If it goes viral, that will be a big bonus.
“It doesn’t always affect sales, but brand awareness will definitely increase.”

Ms Pornpasorn also explained that the amateur photographers who walk around motor shows with large telephoto lenses add another marketing element.
“Pretties are trained to love the camera and the photographer. At the end of the day, these people will make the product better known and can create viral marketing. At this kind of event, especially car and gadget shows, around 70% of the foot traffic will be men coming in to look at the pretties.
"We have to find ways to make the event look interesting and fresh. Some might prefer 'user experience' activities, while some want nothing but pure entertainment.”

I FEEL PRETTY
Nansinee “Tangmo” Chaowalit has been interested in the world of "pretties" ever since she was young. At age 14, she applied to work as an MC for a small event at a local convenience store in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Although her family was not struggling for money, Tangmo said she wanted to work simply for the joy of it.

These days Ms Nansinee, now 26, is a professional MC at many major events. She doesn't have the "complete package" like other pretties, she said, referring to her relatively small bust size. But she said other pretties who can’t do MC work will often need to have cosmetic surgery done, particularly to their breasts, if they want to earn more money.

Nansinee said she has never done anything extra to her body, since she prefers to present herself in an elegant way. This is one of the reasons that allows her to secure work with top-tier brands that generally shy away from using scantily clad models.

Still, she sees nothing wrong with other women who prefer to walk their own sexy path.
“Each person has their own way. There is no black or white for me," she said. "I have a certain look to maintain, while other people are doing the same thing."

Parepilai “Pare” Dutsdeesopaporn, a pretty for BMW who earned the title of "Miss Favourite" at this year's Bangkok International Motor Show, told Spectrum she has to maintain a professional look at all times. Sexiness is part of the job, but Parepilai makes it clear that she won't wear anything revealing. Instead, she said, sexiness can come from knowledge and attitude.

In a large exhibition hall with hundreds of pretties gathered together, there are some fine lines that can separate them from each other. Those representing premium car companies are called “models” and must look neat and professional, always wearing high heels even when they go to the bathroom or have lunch.

Meanwhile, the pretties on the far side of the hall, representing mid- and low-tier brands, are called the “dairy farm” due to their enormous breast size and revealing dresses. They are not paid equally. Motor show pretties can earn as little as 1,000 baht per day for the 15-day event, or up to 3,000 baht a day if they perform MC duties. But the premium car companies can offer their models at least 50,000 baht for the whole event.

Supathra “Pupae” Srisuwan, 23, one of the four Alpine girls whose dance at last year's motor show went viral, is back again this year.
Her booth is situated directly across from the Mirage speaker stall where Cherry performed last week. Supathra was there when Cherry performed and said she saw nothing wrong.

“It’s only a matter of choice. I have my own limits of what I will and I won't do. I am sure Cherry does too," she said. "She is not a pretty, she is a sexy model. What she did is what she does for a living anyway. I really don’t see why people think it is too much.”

WHAT WOMEN WANT
Naiyana Supapung, the coordinator of the Teeranat Kanjananusorn Foundation, which focuses on women's rights, said society needed to consider why women were being held to different standards as men.
In the video clip, she noted, Cherry was dancing with a shirtless Abhisit, but it was only Cherry who was drew public condemnation.
“Why don’t we ask the same question of men: whether or not it is appropriate to express their sexual needs in public? When males do it, it is considered a heroic act and that person earns respect. But when women do it, like in Cherry's case, we blame her even though they both did it at the same time,” Ms Naiyana said. She said Thai society imposed culture control to force women to act a certain way. Women have to be shy, polite, quiet and are unable to express their sexual needs, she said.

Meanwhile, men are given ample space to express their sexual desires, and they are able to get away with being loud and impolite simply by virtue of being male.
“I won’t answer the question of whether what Cherry did was right or wrong. I have to ask a question back: Why is what Cherry did wrong?" Ms Naiyana asked.
"She is just a woman who is being used by marketers to serve their purpose.
“Why is Thai society scared to discuss sexuality while it is OK to portray sexy images in advertising? It is a kind of conflict, that we do not want to promote sex yet sex is always used as a tool to promote products or events.”
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DRIVING THE DISTRACTION: With models and pretties bringing in about 70% of the foot traffic, car companies are competing for attention.

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http://www.bangkokpost.com/print/919305/

 
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Froggy

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Arriving in Bangkok head straight to Isaan restaurant Hom Plapao in Huaykwang. First time to this restaurant



Somtam corner


Non-aircon


Roast chicken GaiYang in cumin seasoning


My special order sauce for the chicken, jeem-jiao-lao made up of chili, lime juice, fish-sauce, parsley, roasted sticky rice powder


Ant eggs Thai herb soup


Larb moo thod - meat ball


Tom Saab


Fried rice




All for $35 with a bottle of Singha. Like this relaxing and casual restaurant will be back for more
 

yinyang

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Red tape, loud music blamed for fatal train-bus crash

Passengers look at the bus wreck after the fatal crash in Nakhon Pathom province on Sunday. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
See video of crash [video]https://www.facebook.com/js100/videos/1096508327039400/[/video]

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Froggy

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Beautiful Bangkok night time



Surprised to find krapow moo served



Tasted pretty original

 

yinyang

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Customs officers arrange confiscated elephant tusks before a news conference in Bangkok. They seized 315kg of African ivory worth about 28 million baht (US$792,000) that arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport from Mozambique.PHOTO BY SOMCHAI POOMLARD

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