Thailand Stories

The city where I live, Samut Prakan, is a red shirt stronghold as they voted for Thaksin. Today there were about 4-5,000 people parading through the town demanding that Prime Minister Abhisit steps down. You can see more of our photos at www.paknamphotos.com . Original post blogged on www.mythaiphotos.com .

Supporters of deposed Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra take part in a rally at Victory Monument in Bangkok on March 12, 2010. Tens of thousands of supporters of Shinawatra began to mass in their trademark red shirts ahead of weekend protests in Bangkok aimed at toppling the government. (Getty Images) Supporters of deposed Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra…

These are some of my pictures of the red shirt rally and then parade through town. There were an estimated 5000 people there. - Posted from my iPhone

I am at the city hall in Samut Prakan. There are about 300 red shirts in this area so far. Many more are expected. They will pay respect to Rama V statue here before moving out by bus to Bang Saothong at about 1 p.m. Riot police on duty here and outside police station and courthouse. Follow events …

A popular recreation for Thai people at the seaside is playing on a Banana Boat like this one. The whole family jump on the back wearing life vests. They are then towed up and down the beach front by a speedboat as …

A fisherman works on his fish farm on a partially dry reservoir on the Mekong River during a drought affecting the Thai-Lao border area of Wiang Kaen district, Chiang Rai province, north of Bangkok March 11, 2010. Severe drought has hit Southeast Asian countries, parching the region’s major river, Mekong, whose water level has dropped to only 33 centimeters, the lowest in…

We are at Rabieng Ta-le restaurant alongside the Gulf of Thailand in Samut Prakan. It is a great place to come to enjoy the sunset in the evening. The restaurant is at Bangsaen 2. They have some great seafood. We have ordered softshell crab curry, spicy crispy catfish curry, fried shrimp, and fried crab rice. The food has just started…

Anti-government rallies are being planned by the red shirts in Bangkok from 12th-14th March 2010. They are hoping for a million protesters though the final figure is expected to be less than half that. However, it is still a sizeable protest and precautions …

I am at the graduation ceremony for my Primary 6 students. Always a sad time of year. I teach them English and Computer. I used to get close to the students but that always makes this time of year much harder. None of my students were born when I first came to …

A Thai policeman stands guard outside Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s house in Bangkok March 10, 2010. The Thai government has invoked a tough security law, the Internal Security Act, giving the armed forces broad powers to control an upcoming rally by supporters …

I am at the National Science Museum north of Bangkok with Nong Grace and her cousins. This is the first time I have been here. It is an impressive place with many hands-on activities for the kids. Grace is certainly enjoying herself. But for me it…

Thai policemen inspect identity cards at a checkpoint in outskirts of Bangkok. The Thai government has invoked a tough security law, the Internal Security Act, giving the armed forces broad powers to control an upcoming rally by supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra if necessary. (Reuters) A Thai policeman stands …

Bangkok used to be known as the Venice of the East due to its large network of canals. However, most of these have now been built over to make way for roads. One of the main canals still remaining in Bangkok is Khlong Saen Saeb which dates back to the 1830’s. It was built …

The Thai government over the past few years have been so focussed on first the yellow shirts and then the red shirts that hardly anyone has noticed the rampant increase of drug use in Thailand. It is almost getting to epidemic proportions …

I am at the airport saying goodbye to our foreign English teachers. They have been teaching at our school for the last year. In May we will be welcoming a new group of university graduates. The red shirts will be rallying in Bangkok this …

His Majesty the King receives a briefing yesterday on the situation in the country from the prime minister. Abhisit Vejjajiva was granted a private meeting with His Majesty on the 14th floor of the Chalermphrakiat building, Siriraj Hospital. (ROYAL HOUSEHOLD BUREAU) More Thailand pictures can be found at www.ThaiPhotoBlogs.com .

The Three Pagoda Pass in the north of Kanchanaburi Province is historically important for several reasons. It was this route that Buddhism is believed to have taken when it first came to Thailand. The pass was also used by the Burmese when they invaded Thailand. I had heard about these three pagodas for a long time and…

Escorted and guarded by Thai commandoes, Maj. Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol (center), alias Seh Daeng, a supporter of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is brought to criminal court Monday, March 8, 2010, in Bangkok. Khattiya and seven associates were arrested on Saturday on charges of illegal possession of firearms. The Criminal Court on …

It has come to that time of year again to renew my work permit and visa. This allows me to stay in Thailand for another year. In the past my work permit was done by my school, but two years ago I changed …

It is probably not a good idea to venture outside at the moment if you are living in some areas of Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lumpoon, Maehongson, Nan, Phayao and Chiang Mai due to the bad air quality. You…