Traditional Thai New Year known as Songkran has kicked off early this year. It’s only April 12th, but the water wars are well under way in Pattaya and Bangkok.
Here in Bangkok, the last day of the water wars is April 15th, but down in Pattaya it continues for at least a week. If you really hate the water fights, there is no escaping it down in Pattaya. (more…)
PAVEMENT PUB PATROL IN BANGKOK’S CONCRETE JUNGLE
Nowadays, taking a late night stroll down lower Sukhumvit Road is very different to what it used to be years ago. A continuous row of makeshift mobile bars set up shop after midnight along lower Sukhumvit, right on the roadside. The pavement pubs stretch from Sukhumvit Soi 3/1, right along towards Sukhumvit Soi 19. Some of the pavement pubs sell booze from around midnight until cockcrow. Most of the pavement pubs charge 80 baht for a standard drink, which is reasonable enough. However, this concrete jungle is a dodgy place, with various creatures of the night on the prowl. (more…)
Below are Youtube videos from the British TV series ‘Big Trouble In Tourist Thailand’ filmed for Bravo Channel. The videos that are shown will hopefully raise awareness for all foreigners about Thailand… (more…)
NANA PLAZA BY DAVE THE RAVE 2009
This Friday, May 8th is Visakha Bucha Day. It is a very important Buddha Day, which unfortunately falls on a Friday. It is looking very very probable that the bars and other nightlife entertainment venues will be closed on Friday. I want to give you some notice in order that you can plan for the weekend. Saturday night will now become the main party night for the weekenders among you. I think you will find that this applies widespread across Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and Koh Samui. Time to stock up the fridge with booze for Friday, visit a restaurant, or watch a movie. Alternatively, there will be additional reinforcements to swell the number of freelancers. If there are any changes, I will keep you posted.
Fortunately, the proposed alcohol ban for the forthcoming Songkran Thai New Year celebrations has been lifted. Previously, there was confusion surrounding Songkran, because some factions of the Thai government proposed an alcohol ban during Thai New Year (traditionally April 13-15th). Wisely, the Thai government did the sensible thing and the alcohol ban was opposed by the vast majority. The Thai government do not want to further damage an already weakened tourist industy. This means we can all get wet on the inside, as well as the outside. Party on!
Today is Chakri Dynasty Day, which is a national holiday in Thailand. I’m pleased to announce that the bars, go-go bars and other entertainment venues in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket will be open as normal. Good news for a booze cruise!
Today I woke up on Boxing Day morning and the world was much the same for me, as it was yesterday on Christmas Day. But, for thousands of people their world was changed forever on Boxing Day 2004. It is exactly 4 years to the day that the deadliest Tsunami in recorded history devastated the tropical island of Phuket. On Koh Phi Phi alone out of the 3,000 people on the island that morning only 1,500 people survived. It was a devastating loss of life.
My good friend Aaron Le Boutillier was on Koh Phi Phi that fateful morning, but fortunately he survived. Aaron has since then published “And Then One Morning” which tells the harrowing tale of the horror he witnessed. This is a very special book. It is not only well written, but the most important thing is – ALL AUTHOR ROYALTIES TO BE DONATED TO THE VICTIMS OF THE TSUNAMI.
BOXING DAY IN BANGKOK (PHOTO COURTESY OF STICKMAN)
LEST WE FORGET – Please take a moment to visit the Page that I have entitled, “Tsunami Thailand.”
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