THAISiDE|PRAJUMSOOK.COM

When travelling about the world by yourself or in a small group, there is an excellent way to meet people in the area you are travelling through. It involves drinking, some running or walking and just enjoying yourself.

This is a review of what happened in Thailand during the last week based on topics that I tweeted. You can follow me live for latest news about Thailand @RichardBarrow . Friday 6th August 2010: The Bangkok Post today, including the front cover picture, is in 3D.

Darkest Isan (where decent thais fear to tread), Part Two An 800 year old Khmer ruin, the most ferocious mosquitoes in Thailand, the friendliest of provincial towns, crazy coffee and drinking Lao Khao with Rickshaw Drivers till way past 10 o’clock bedtime. If this has you wetting your pants, Phimai is the place for you. After passing through hilly Khao Yai and some of the prettiest scenery in Thailand, venturing onto the plains of southern Isan, drought, subsistence farmers, water buffalo, Morlam, Rot Tumada, Khao Niaw and all, then surviving the sprawling Lao speaking Metropolis of Korat partied out and verging on dipso, some R&R in the sleepy town of Phimai offers some more than welcome respite. A sort of Betty Ford for travellers.

The other week I wrote about our rabbit having babies . How time flies as that was two weeks ago already. The rabbits grow really fast and in a week they already have plenty of fur and you can see traces of their colours. My amazing niece Nong Ja, she loves them.

Darkest Isan (where decent thais fear to tread), Part One Wat Prayup The gateway to Isan, already I’m scared to enter. This urban malaise of noise, sweat and dirt seems to be trying its hardest to impersonate Bangkok, three colours of pollution on every street corner.

The other day I dropped over to a local muay Thai and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) gym. I have a few friends who train there and I had mentioned dropping in and watching a training session. Legacy Gym is Owned by Ole “Iron Fist” Laursen. Legacy Gym opened 5 years ago and caters for the beginner, right through to the most experienced martial artist

This is a review of what happened in Thailand during the last week based on topics that I tweeted. You can follow me live for latest news about Thailand @RichardBarrow . Friday 30th July 2010: At about 3am @ js100radio reported an explosion on Soi Rangnam on Phaya Thai Road in Bangkok. One person badly injured

I have been quiet again for a whole week. I am sure some are happy for this… I have been keeping myself busy doing many different things, one being spending more time with my niece Nong Ja. This means my blog gets neglected a little. I have been slowly catching up on blogs I like to read and finding a few new ones I enjoy reading.

A 60% Gold Sukhotai style Buddha, a 200 year old Chinese/Thai temple, the first school ever built in Thailand and all just five minutes walk from the Khao San Road. One wonders how this missed all the tour books.

If you have ever arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand then you will surely know about the problem with the taxis and illegal tour guides. As you walk out of customs people would always come up to you asking if you wanted a taxi or go on tour somewhere. Things have got better over the last year or two but there isn’t much the authorities can do as the fines are so small

Spoken by almost 100 percent of the Thai population, Thai is the only national and official language of the country. A survey shows that the people of Thailand take pride in their language, which reflects distinctive culture and traditions passed on from generation to generation. Permanent Secretary for Culture Vira Rojpojchanarat said that the survey was conducted among 6,592 people aged 13 years and over nationwide, on the occasion of National Thai Language Day, July 29. According to the survey, more than 50 percent of the respondents know that July 29 marks National Thai Language Day

The other day I blogged that I thought my newest rabbit was pregnant as she started building a nest. She was pulling her hair and Cola, my male rabbit’s out and gathering paper and piling it together behind the door. I separated the two of them as I didn’t want her getting pregnant again, as she can become pregnant straight away after having her babies.

The other night I wandered down to N-Joy, a local expat bar here in Ubon Ratchathani. If you have never been there, but would like to drop in for a cold beer. Then you can click on this link for rough directions. The other night they were having a topsy turvy night, or in simple terms

Over the recent long holiday weekend in Thailand, we celebrated two important Buddhist holidays: Asarnha Bucha and Khao Phansa. The first takes place on the full moon day of the eighth lunar month. It commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon to his first five disciples. On this day people celebrate the Triple Gem

Various religious groups, government agencies, private organizations, and the general public have joined hands in merit-making as a tribute to His Majesty the King during the Buddhism week from July 22 to 26. The period is in observance of Asalha Puja Day, which coincides with July 26 this year. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva urged Buddhist Thais to practice in accordance with the Buddha’s teachings, which include right view, a way leading to a happy and peaceful life. All temples in Thailand have organized religious activities to observe this important religious occasion