Just saw this piece of news.
WOW! I can't imagine getting 50 roses for less than S$10! And... "Rose vendors who raise prices of their flowers could face imprisonment and a fine, said a senior official - seven years in prison and a fines of up to 170,000 baht. " Wish we could have that in SG. :P
Bangkok Post Breaking News: "Rose sellers under Valentine's watch
(BangkokPost.com)
The Department of Internal Trade has no love for flower vendors on Valentine's Day. Rose vendors who raise prices of their flowers could face imprisonment and a fine, said a senior official - seven years in prison and a fines of up to 170,000 baht.
Siripol Yodmuangcharoen, director general of the DIT toured the flower market at Pak Khlong Talat on Saturday morning.
'Although flowers are not goods under government control, selling them at a price too high is legally wrong,' said Mr Siripol. 'We don't want sellers to set the prices of the rose too high as that would cause problems to buyers.'
A bundle of 50 red or white roses costs about 200 baht while the pink ones are priced at 170. For bigger roses locally planted, a bundle of 50 roses costs about 350 baht.
The average prices of rose this year are slightly higher than those of last year due to lower supply because of a cooler than usual winter in the North, where most flowers are grown."
Saturday, 10 February 2007
Doomsday Cometh?
Have you been reading the news lately? I have, and I'm certainly alarmed at the number of reports about ticking time bombs in the world today. Any of these time bombs can kill millions. Here's the list:
1. Global Warming.
"predicted temperature rise of up to 6.4 C by the end of this century"
Earlier than normal spring in US & China.
Rising sea levels.
Freak weather: record breaking floods in SG, MY & ID.
2. Bird flu
"Cats can become infected with the highly lethal H5N1 bird flu virus, the United Nations warned Friday but advised against killing them as control option, saying there was no scientific evidence at present to suggest that there has been sustained transmission in cats or from cats to humans, said PTI Friday"
3. Superbugs!
"Smoking-gun proof that misuse of antibiotics breeds superbugs.
Medical experts have long assumed that misuse of antibiotics breeds drug-resistant superbugs, but a newly released study has finally provided smoking-gun proof as to how this occurs."
Are you scary?
1. Global Warming.
"predicted temperature rise of up to 6.4 C by the end of this century"
Earlier than normal spring in US & China.
Rising sea levels.
Freak weather: record breaking floods in SG, MY & ID.
2. Bird flu
"Cats can become infected with the highly lethal H5N1 bird flu virus, the United Nations warned Friday but advised against killing them as control option, saying there was no scientific evidence at present to suggest that there has been sustained transmission in cats or from cats to humans, said PTI Friday"
3. Superbugs!
"Smoking-gun proof that misuse of antibiotics breeds superbugs.
Medical experts have long assumed that misuse of antibiotics breeds drug-resistant superbugs, but a newly released study has finally provided smoking-gun proof as to how this occurs."
Are you scary?
Friday, 9 February 2007
Xin De Yi Nian You Lai Le!
Translated: A new year is coming again!Yep. Chinese New Year is just round the corner. Here's a pic of Chinatown with the roads all decorated. Not only is the Chinatown area full of shops selling new year goods, so are the neighbourhood shops near my place. In the last week, the shops have more than doubled in size by putting up tents in front of their original shop space. Talk about property boom!
Back to Chinatown. I've not really walked around the old shophouses. But the roads are already closed off and the roadside stalls are already setup. I only passed through to get to the other side. Had a difficult time walking through though. Because of the recent rainy weather, the stalls have put up covers in between opposite stalls. But the covers are too low and I've to stoop down most of the time. Hope they've removed the covers now.
Tuesday, 30 January 2007
Fleshpacker?
Yesterday, I learned a new word: flashpacker. Well, I didn't find it in the dictionary, but it's found quite a lot on the web. A Google search turned up 50,400 results in fact.
So, what's a flashpacker? A business class backpacker, someone who has a bigger budget than normal backpackers but less time. Basically, a backpacker who takes internal flights instead of overnight buses, who can afford a little luxury when he wants it. I would consider myself a flashpacker.
Today, I created a new word "fleshpacker" for this piece of news:
News from AFP via Yahoo:
Brothel owners accuse backpackers of selling sex in Australia
Foreign backpackers funding their Australian travels through illegal sex work are robbing the legitimate industry of profits and threatening clients' health, a brothel lobbyist has warned.
Many young tourists to sun-soaked northeastern Queensland state were making a quick buck as black market prostitutes, undermining registered operators' attempts to uphold health and safety standards, the Queensland Adult Business Association's Nick Inskip claimed.
"Especially when you go up to northern Queensland, it's not unusual for them to be working in the illegal escort industry," Inskip said.
Having fewer overheads, they could often undercut the legal sex industry on price, making it harder for the state's 23 legal brothels to make a profit, he said.
"They can charge less because they are not paying GST (goods and services tax), staff costs for managers and receptionists," Inskip said.
The tax office, which recently began a drive to collect tax from the industry, was also hard pressed to keep tabs on their undercover activities, he said.
"No one asks to see their passports. If you go to a licensed brothel the first thing they do is ask for your passport and whether you are here legally."
Although prostitution at registered brothels is legal in many parts of Australia, recent research suggests the taxman's attempts to target the industry has sparked an exodus towards riskier illegal sex work.
Academics have also noted that the crippling cost of higher education in Australia has forced some foreign students to seek work as illegal prostitutes to make ends meet.
So, what's a flashpacker? A business class backpacker, someone who has a bigger budget than normal backpackers but less time. Basically, a backpacker who takes internal flights instead of overnight buses, who can afford a little luxury when he wants it. I would consider myself a flashpacker.
Today, I created a new word "fleshpacker" for this piece of news:
News from AFP via Yahoo:
Brothel owners accuse backpackers of selling sex in Australia
Foreign backpackers funding their Australian travels through illegal sex work are robbing the legitimate industry of profits and threatening clients' health, a brothel lobbyist has warned.
Many young tourists to sun-soaked northeastern Queensland state were making a quick buck as black market prostitutes, undermining registered operators' attempts to uphold health and safety standards, the Queensland Adult Business Association's Nick Inskip claimed.
"Especially when you go up to northern Queensland, it's not unusual for them to be working in the illegal escort industry," Inskip said.
Having fewer overheads, they could often undercut the legal sex industry on price, making it harder for the state's 23 legal brothels to make a profit, he said.
"They can charge less because they are not paying GST (goods and services tax), staff costs for managers and receptionists," Inskip said.
The tax office, which recently began a drive to collect tax from the industry, was also hard pressed to keep tabs on their undercover activities, he said.
"No one asks to see their passports. If you go to a licensed brothel the first thing they do is ask for your passport and whether you are here legally."
Although prostitution at registered brothels is legal in many parts of Australia, recent research suggests the taxman's attempts to target the industry has sparked an exodus towards riskier illegal sex work.
Academics have also noted that the crippling cost of higher education in Australia has forced some foreign students to seek work as illegal prostitutes to make ends meet.
Sunday, 14 January 2007
Elephant Gang Ambush & Rob Truck Convoy!
Excerpts from Bangkok Post news on 12 Jan 2007:
Elephants stop, loot trucks on dark road
Chachoengsao _ The chief of Khao Ang Rue Nai wants the road through the wildlife sanctuary closed at night after a herd of elephants held up and looted a string of cargo trucks. About midnight last Saturday a herd of 20 elephants blocked route No.3259 (the Ban Nong Kog-Ban Wang Nam Phon road) holding up 10 trucks, Yoo Senatham said.
They tipped some vehicles on their side, spilling the cargoes on the road so their young could eat, and gorged on sugarcane and tapioca.
...
Elephants stop, loot trucks on dark road
Chachoengsao _ The chief of Khao Ang Rue Nai wants the road through the wildlife sanctuary closed at night after a herd of elephants held up and looted a string of cargo trucks. About midnight last Saturday a herd of 20 elephants blocked route No.3259 (the Ban Nong Kog-Ban Wang Nam Phon road) holding up 10 trucks, Yoo Senatham said.
They tipped some vehicles on their side, spilling the cargoes on the road so their young could eat, and gorged on sugarcane and tapioca.
...
Sunday, 7 January 2007
Photos from Bangkok
Here're some of my better photos from my Canon Ixus 50, not in any particular order:
L: Handheld sewing machine in JJ market. R: Lunch at JJ. Chicken drumstick noodles.
L: Countdown clock outside Siam Paragon. R: X'mas tree
L: Open air chillout area outside Siam Paragon. Looks really cosy. R: 1 of the 3 witches
L: Nah, I got no idea what they are. R: Outside Central World
L: Some model outside Central World. R: X'mas tree.
L: The lucky 5 outside McDonald's Erawan. R: The road where the Countdown concert was to be held about 2 hours later.
L: The police getting briefed. R: Heineken beer garden ticket stall.
L: The Countdown concert. R: The crowd
L: Countdown clock outside Siam Paragon. R: X'mas tree
L: Open air chillout area outside Siam Paragon. Looks really cosy. R: 1 of the 3 witches
L: Nah, I got no idea what they are. R: Outside Central World
L: Some model outside Central World. R: X'mas tree.
L: The lucky 5 outside McDonald's Erawan. R: The road where the Countdown concert was to be held about 2 hours later.
L: The police getting briefed. R: Heineken beer garden ticket stall.
L: The Countdown concert. R: The crowd
L: More crowd. R: The group of policemen whom we saw before the crowd started fleeing.
L: Outside a club @RCA. Shld add #11: Possession of explosives. R: X'mas is over but I'm not complaining.
L: Outside a club @RCA. Shld add #11: Possession of explosives. R: X'mas is over but I'm not complaining.
L: Laser show at the club. R: Local superstar?
Thursday, 4 January 2007
Bangkok Post's Report
ROUNDUP: TWIN WAVE OF BOMBINGS KILLS THREE, PUTS BANGKOK ON EDGE
By BangkokPost.com
An unprecedented twin wave of bombings shattered New Year's Eve celebrations in Bangkok, killing three people and wounding more than 30, including at least six foreigners.
Authorities held an overnight series of emergency meetings that continued into New Year's Day to try to find out who was behind at least nine explosions of bombs or grenades.
Without any clues of claim of responsibility, most suspicion fell on two possible groups: Hard-core supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, or other, leftist opponents of both the Thaksin government and the military regime currently running the country.
The military junta which is effectively in control of all of Thailand remained largely uncommunicative. But the explosions underlined the refusal last month by the Council for National Security to lift martial law in half the provinces of Bangkok. Spokesmen have warned that so-called "undercurrents" were planning violence in the name of the ousted Thaksin regime.
Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin cancelled city-sponsored parties at Sanam Luang and at Central World Plaza, formerly called the World Trade Centre. He advised all Bangkok residents to stay at home on New Year's Day unless travel is essential. He met with Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on New Year's morning to discuss the bombings and what to do next. Both Monday and Tuesday are official holidays in Thailand.
Authorities in Chiang Mai also cancelled their city-sponsored New Year's Eve party, but no violence was reported. Throughout the country, many celebrated New Year's Eve as usual, but the mood was noticably subdued, and TV broadcasts featured more grim news than happy parties welcoming 2007 - or 2550 of the Buddhist Era.
The government issued statements that the situation was under control, but it was unclear what that meant. Mr Apirak cancelled the annual New Year's morning ceremony at the Sanam Luang central park to give alms to monks.
Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Britain all issued urgent new travel advisories, telling citizens to stay off the Bangkok streets and, in two cases, recommending cancellation of non-urgent travel to Thailand.
The explosions took place in two waves, over a wide area of the city - from the northern suburbs of Nonthaburi province to the southeastern Praves region.
They aimed mostly at high-profile targets. These included the city's busiest bus terminus at Victory Monument, the Seacon Centre which is Asia's biggest mall, the central Bangkok market areas at Klong Toey and Suphan Kwai, and a busy expressway interchange area at Sukhumvit Soi 62.
One Thai man was killed in the bloody Victory Monument bombing, the most gruesome of a wave of six explosions set off at 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve. Another was killed in the Kong Toey bombing, outside a Chinese shrine.A third victim died in hospital on Monday.
The most audacious attacks came at midnight, around the Central World Plaza where authorities had hours earlier cancelled one of the world's biggest outdoor New Year's Eve parties, called Bangkok Countdown 2007.
Two midnight explosions wounded at least six foreigners and several Thais at the popular Best Seafood restaurant and at the steps of a pedestrian overpass from the World Plaza to Siam Square.
Two British citizens were among the wounded, and were being treated at a Bangkok hospital, said the Foreign Office in London. Witnesses said the explosion ripped off the leg of one foreigner eating at the seafood restaurant.
Two other midnight bombs targetted Khao San Road, Thailand's most popular and best known gathering place for budget travellers, and the popular, usually packed Lumpini Night Bazaar. Those bombs were found and removed before they exploded.
There have never been terrorist bombings in Bangkok, although southern Islamist extremists have threatened on several occasions to attack the capital. But Sunday night's twin waves of bombings were different in almost all details from terrorist attacks in the South, and few believed the southern insurgents were involved in the Bangkok attacks.
An intelligence source told the AFP news agency that the attacks were likely politically motivated.
"The bombs are not involved with southern unrest," the source said, but did not elaborate. "It is a political issue, it is undercurrents" - the military regime's code word for pro-Thaksin elements.
The Voice of America reporter found a similar reaction. The US-sponsored radio network quoted "Thai officials" as saying Muslim insurgents were probably not behind the New Year's Eve bombings. "Security sources said Sunday the bombings might have been politically motivated," said the radio network.
The current leadership of the Thai Rak Thai party, established by Mr Thaksin, strongly denied anyone from the party was behind the bombs. Spokesman Chatuphon Promphan warned military authorities to be careful in pointing the finger of suspicion.
Although martial law was lifted in Bangkok and surrounding provinces just a month ago, the military is authorised to act when necessary. The coup passed its 100-day anniversary on Dec 28.
The junta leader and army commander, Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, is currently out of Thailand, on the Haj in Saudi Arabia, and will not return until Thursday. Officials said he was passing orders to Bangkok from the pilgrimage.
By BangkokPost.com
An unprecedented twin wave of bombings shattered New Year's Eve celebrations in Bangkok, killing three people and wounding more than 30, including at least six foreigners.
Authorities held an overnight series of emergency meetings that continued into New Year's Day to try to find out who was behind at least nine explosions of bombs or grenades.
Without any clues of claim of responsibility, most suspicion fell on two possible groups: Hard-core supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, or other, leftist opponents of both the Thaksin government and the military regime currently running the country.
The military junta which is effectively in control of all of Thailand remained largely uncommunicative. But the explosions underlined the refusal last month by the Council for National Security to lift martial law in half the provinces of Bangkok. Spokesmen have warned that so-called "undercurrents" were planning violence in the name of the ousted Thaksin regime.
Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin cancelled city-sponsored parties at Sanam Luang and at Central World Plaza, formerly called the World Trade Centre. He advised all Bangkok residents to stay at home on New Year's Day unless travel is essential. He met with Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on New Year's morning to discuss the bombings and what to do next. Both Monday and Tuesday are official holidays in Thailand.
Authorities in Chiang Mai also cancelled their city-sponsored New Year's Eve party, but no violence was reported. Throughout the country, many celebrated New Year's Eve as usual, but the mood was noticably subdued, and TV broadcasts featured more grim news than happy parties welcoming 2007 - or 2550 of the Buddhist Era.
The government issued statements that the situation was under control, but it was unclear what that meant. Mr Apirak cancelled the annual New Year's morning ceremony at the Sanam Luang central park to give alms to monks.
Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Britain all issued urgent new travel advisories, telling citizens to stay off the Bangkok streets and, in two cases, recommending cancellation of non-urgent travel to Thailand.
The explosions took place in two waves, over a wide area of the city - from the northern suburbs of Nonthaburi province to the southeastern Praves region.
They aimed mostly at high-profile targets. These included the city's busiest bus terminus at Victory Monument, the Seacon Centre which is Asia's biggest mall, the central Bangkok market areas at Klong Toey and Suphan Kwai, and a busy expressway interchange area at Sukhumvit Soi 62.
One Thai man was killed in the bloody Victory Monument bombing, the most gruesome of a wave of six explosions set off at 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve. Another was killed in the Kong Toey bombing, outside a Chinese shrine.A third victim died in hospital on Monday.
The most audacious attacks came at midnight, around the Central World Plaza where authorities had hours earlier cancelled one of the world's biggest outdoor New Year's Eve parties, called Bangkok Countdown 2007.
Two midnight explosions wounded at least six foreigners and several Thais at the popular Best Seafood restaurant and at the steps of a pedestrian overpass from the World Plaza to Siam Square.
Two British citizens were among the wounded, and were being treated at a Bangkok hospital, said the Foreign Office in London. Witnesses said the explosion ripped off the leg of one foreigner eating at the seafood restaurant.
Two other midnight bombs targetted Khao San Road, Thailand's most popular and best known gathering place for budget travellers, and the popular, usually packed Lumpini Night Bazaar. Those bombs were found and removed before they exploded.
There have never been terrorist bombings in Bangkok, although southern Islamist extremists have threatened on several occasions to attack the capital. But Sunday night's twin waves of bombings were different in almost all details from terrorist attacks in the South, and few believed the southern insurgents were involved in the Bangkok attacks.
An intelligence source told the AFP news agency that the attacks were likely politically motivated.
"The bombs are not involved with southern unrest," the source said, but did not elaborate. "It is a political issue, it is undercurrents" - the military regime's code word for pro-Thaksin elements.
The Voice of America reporter found a similar reaction. The US-sponsored radio network quoted "Thai officials" as saying Muslim insurgents were probably not behind the New Year's Eve bombings. "Security sources said Sunday the bombings might have been politically motivated," said the radio network.
The current leadership of the Thai Rak Thai party, established by Mr Thaksin, strongly denied anyone from the party was behind the bombs. Spokesman Chatuphon Promphan warned military authorities to be careful in pointing the finger of suspicion.
Although martial law was lifted in Bangkok and surrounding provinces just a month ago, the military is authorised to act when necessary. The coup passed its 100-day anniversary on Dec 28.
The junta leader and army commander, Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, is currently out of Thailand, on the Haj in Saudi Arabia, and will not return until Thursday. Officials said he was passing orders to Bangkok from the pilgrimage.
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