Brit in Bangkok

Misty Mornings

 

A couple of hours later - what it should look like!


7am in the morning - can't see a foot in front of your face

We've been having a few misty mornings over the last couple of weeks, a good sign it's about to heat up in Bangkok.  And, yep, sure enough - this week has started to get sticky.  I can always tell because now, when I wake up, I need to put on the air conditioning where I haven't been using it much over the last couple of months.  I love Thailand, but I must admit I HATE the heat :-)

NPR

One of the things I miss about America is National Public Radio (NPR).  It has some of the best and most well-rounded news coverage in the world and talks about stories in-depth, rather than the 30 second sound bites most other radio news programs cover.

I do listen to it online often, but I still miss having it on my radio as I walk down the street.

Thailand Accused of Mistreating Refugees

Thailand has always had a pretty bad reputation when it comes to human rights (crowded inhumane prisons, bad treatment of hill tribe peoples,the murder of more than 6,000 people in an anti-drug campaign, and being one of only a couple of countries in the region that won't criticize Myanmar(Burma) no matter what their disgusting military junta does.

Thailand's reputation just got worse though.  This week, Thailand has been accused of setting adrift hundreds of Muslim Rohingya people on the open seas, after they left Myanmar as refugees and tried to seek asylum in Thailand.  According to several reports, they were set adrift on boats with hardly any food or water - hundreds of them died, only a handful were rescued. The survivors were rescued by Indian authorities days later.

Gaza's Children Killed By Israel

The bodies of 3 Palestinian children, killed by Israel's bombing of Gaza two weeks ago.  The children were all from the same family.

At least 450 children are among the more than 1,330 Palestinians who died in Israel's bombing of Gaza.

These are only 210 of the young victims, 44 of which were under five years old.

Ibtihal Kechko Girl 10
Ahmed Riad Mohammed Al-Sinwar Boy 3
Ahmed Al-Homs Boy 18
Ahmed Rasmi Abu Jazar Boy 16
Ahmed Sameeh Al-Halabi Boy 18
Tamer Hassan Al-Akhrass Boy 5
Hassan Ali Al-Akhrass Boy 3
Haneen Wael Mohammed Daban Girl 15
Khaled Sami Al-Astal Boy 15
alaat Mokhless Bassal Boy 18
Aaed Imad Kheera Boy 14
Abdullah Al-Rayess Boy 17
Odai Hakeem Al-Mansi Boy 4
Allam Nehrou Idriss Boy 18
Ali Marwan Abu Rabih Boy 18
Anan Saber Atiyah Boy 13
Camelia Al-Bardini Girl 10
Lama Talal Hamdan Girl 10
Mohammed Jaber Howeij Boy 17
Nimr Mustafa Amoom Boy 10
Ismail Talal Hamdan Boy 10
Ahmed Ziad Al-Absi Boy 14
Ahmed Youssef Khello Boy 18
Ikram Anwar Baaloosha Girl 14
Tahrier Anwar Baaloosha Girl 17
Jihad Saleh Ghobn Boy 10
Jawaher Anwar Baaloosha Girl 8
Dina Anwar Baaloosha Girl 7
Samar Anwar Baaloosha Girl 6
Shady Youssef Ghobn Boy 12
Sudqi Ziad Al-Absi Boy 3
Imad Nabeel Abou Khater Boy 16
Lina Anwar Baaloosha Girl 7
Mohammed Basseel Madi Boy 17
Mohammed Jalal Abou Tair Boy 18
Mohammed Ziad Al-Absi Boy 14
Mahmoud Nabeel Ghabayen Boy 15
Moaz Yasser Abou Tair Boy 6
Wissam Akram Eid Girl 14
Haya Talal Hamdan Girl 8
Ahmed Kanouh Boy 10
Ameen Al-Zarbatlee Boy 10
Mohammed Nafez Mohaissen Boy 10
Mustafa Abou Ghanimah Boy 16
Yehya Awnee Mohaissen Boy 10
Ossman Bin Zaid Nizar Rayyan Boy 3
Assaad Nizar Rayyan Boy 2
Moaz-Uldeen Allah Al-Nasla Boy 5
Aya Nizar Rayyan Girl 12
Halima Nizar Rayyan Girl 5
Reem Nizar Rayyan Boy 4
Aicha Nizar Rayyan Girl 3
Abdul Rahman Nizar Rayyan Boy 6
Abdul Qader Nizar Rayyan Boy 12
Oyoon Jihad Al-Nasla Girl 16
Mahmoud Mustafa Ashour Boy 13
Maryam Nizar Rayyan Girl 5
Hamada Ibrahim Mousabbah Boy 10
Zeinab Nizar Rayyan Girl 12
Sujud Mahmoud Al-Derdesawi Girl 10
Abdul Sattar Waleed Al-Astal Boy 12
Abed Rabbo Iyyad Abed Rabbo Al-Astal Boy 10
Ghassan Nizar Rayyan Boy 15
Christine Wadih El-Turk Boy 6
Mohammed Mousabbah Boy 14
Mohammed Iyad Abed Rabbo Al-Astal Boy 13
Mahmoud Samsoom Boy 16
Ahmed Tobail Boy 16
Ahmed Sameeh Al-Kafarneh Boy 17
Hassan Hejjo Boy 14
Rajeh Ziadeh Boy 18
Shareef Abdul Mota Armeelat Boy 15
Mohammed Moussa Al-Silawi Boy 10
Mahmoud Majed Mahmoud Abou Nahel Boy 16
Mohannad Al-Tatnaneeh Boy 18
Hani Mohammed Al-Silawi Boy 10
Ahmed Al-Meshharawi Boy 16
Ahmed Khodair Sobaih Boy 17
Ahmed Sameeh Al-Kafarneh Boy 18
Asraa Kossai Al-Habash Girl 10
Assad Khaled Al-Meshharawi Boy 17
Asmaa Ibrahim Afana Girl 12
Ismail Abdullah Abou Sneima Boy 4
Akram Ziad Al-Nemr Boy 18
Aya Ziad Al-Nemr Girl 8
Ahmed Mohammed Al-Adham Boy 1
Akram Ziad Al-Nemr Boy 13
Hamza Zuhair Tantish Boy 12
Khalil Mohammed Mokdad Boy 18
Ruba Mohammed Fadl Abou-Rass Girl 13
Ziad Mohammed Salma Abou Sneima Boy 9
Shaza Al-Abed Al-Habash Girl 16
Abed Ziad Al-Nemr Boy 12
Attia Rushdi Al-Khawli Boy 16
Luay Yahya Abou Haleema Boy 17
Mohammed Akram Abou Harbeed Boy 18
Mohammed Abed Berbekh Boy 18
Mohammed Faraj Hassouna Boy 16
Mahmoud Khalil Al-Mashharawi Boy 12
Mahmoud Zahir Tantish Boy 17
Mahmoud Sami Assliya Boy 3
Moussa Youssef Berbekh Boy 16
Wi'am Jamal Al-Kafarneh Girl 2
Wadih Ayman Omar Boy 4
Youssef Abed Berbekh Boy 10
Ibrahim Rouhee Akl Boy 17
Ibrahim Abdullah Merjan Boy 13
Ahmed Attiyah Al-Semouni Boy 4
Aya Youssef Al-Defdah Girl 13
Aya Al-Sersawi Girl 5
Ahmed Amer Abou Eisha Boy 5
Ameen Attiyah Al-Semouni Boy 4
Hazem Alewa Boy 8
Khalil Mohammed Helless Boy 12
Diana Mosbah Saad Girl 17
Raya Al-Sersawi Girl 5
Rahma Mohammed Al-Semouni Girl 18
Ramadan Ali Felfel Boy 14
Rahaf Ahmed Saeed Al-Azaar Girl 4
Shahad Mohammed Hijjih Girl 3
Arafat Mohammed Abdul Dayem Boy 10
Omar Mahmoud Al-Baradei Boy 12
Ghaydaa Amer Abou Eisha Girl 6
Fathiyya Ayman Al-Dabari Girl 4
Faraj Ammar Al-Helou Boy 2
Moumen Alewah Boy 9
Moumen Mahmoud Talal Alaw Boy 10
Mohammed Amer Abu Eisha Boy 8
Mahmoud Mohammed Abu Kamar Boy 15
Marwan Hein Kodeih Girl 6
Montasser Alewah Boy 12
Naji Nidal Al-Hamlawi Boy 16
Nada Redwan Mardi Girl 5
Hanadi Bassem Khaleefa Girl 13
Ibrahim Ahmed Maarouf Boy 14
Ahmed Shaher Khodeir Boy 14
Ismail Adnan Hweilah Boy 15
Aseel Moeen Deeb Boy 17
Adam Mamoun Al-Kurdee Boy 3
Alaa Iyad Al-Daya Girl 8
Areej Mohammed Al-Daya Girl 3 months
Amani Mohammed Al-Daya Girl 4
Baraa Ramez Al-Daya Girl 2
Bilal Hamza Obaid Boy 15
Thaer Shaker Karmout Boy 17
Hozaifa Jihad Al-Kahloot Boy 17
Khitam Iyad Al-Daya Girl 9
Rafik Abdul Basset Al-Khodari Boy 15
Raneen Abdullah saleh Girl 12
Zakariya Yahya Al-Taweel Boy 5
Sahar Hatem Dawood Girl 10
Salsabeel Ramez Al-Daya Girl 6 months
Sharafuldeen Iyad Al-Daya Boy 7
Doha Mohammed Al-Daya Girl 5
Ahed Iyad Kodas Boy 15
Abdullah Mohammed Abdullah Boy 10
Issam Sameer Deeb Boy 12
Alaa Ismail Ismail Boy 18
Ali Iyad Al-Daya Boy 10
Imad Abu Askar Boy 18
Filasteen Al-Daya Girl 5
Kamar Mohammed Al-Daya Boy 3
Lina Abdul Menem Hassan Girl 10
Unidentified Boy 9
Unidentified Boy 15
Mohammed Iyad Al-Daya Boy 6
Mohammed Bassem Shakoura Boy 10
Mohammed Bassem Eid Boy 18
Mohammed Deeb Boy 17
Mohammed Eid Boy 18
Mustafa Moeen Deeb Boy 12
Noor Moeen Deeb Boy 2
Youssef Saad Al-Kahloot Boy 17
Youssef Mohammed Al-Daya Boy 1
Ibrahim Kamal Awaja Boy 9
Ahmed Jaber Howeij Boy 7
Ahmed Fawzi Labad Boy 18
Ayman Al-Bayed Boy 16
Amal Khaled Abed Rabbo Girl 3
Toufic Khaled Al-Khahloot Boy 10
Habeeb Khaled Al-Khahloot Boy 12
Houssam Raed Sobeh Boy 12
Hassan Rateb Semaan Boy 18
Hassan Ata Hassan Azzam Boy 2
Redwan Mohammed Ashoor Boy 10
Suad Khaled Abed Rabbo Girl 6
Samar Khaled Abed Rabbo Girl 2
Abdul Rahman Mohammmed Ashoor Boy 12
Fareed Ata Hassan Azzam Boy 13
Mohammed Khaled Al-Kahloot Boy 15
Mohammed Samir Hijji Boy 16
Mohammed Fareed Al-Maasawabi Boy 16
Mohammed Moeen Deeb Boy 17
Mohammed Nasseem Salama Saba Boy 16
Mahmoud Hameed Boy 17
Hamam Issa Boy 1
Anas Arif Abou Baraka Boy 7
Ibrahim Akram Abou Dakkka Boy 12
Ibrahim Moeen Jiha Boy 15
Baraa Iyad Shalha Girl 6
Basma Yasser Al-Jeblawi Girl 5
Shahd Saad Abou Haleema Girl 15
Azmi Diab Boy 16
Mohammed Akram Abou Dakka Boy 14
Mohammed Hikmat Abou Haleema Boy 17
Ibrahim Moeen Jiha Boy 15
Matar Saad Abou Haleema Boy 17
Ahmed Ibrahim Abou Kleik Boy 17
Ismail Ayman Yasseen Boy 18
Alaa Ahmed Jaber Girl 11
Baha-Uldeen Fayez Salha Girl 5
Rana Fayez Salha Girl 12
Rola Fayez Salha Girl 13
Diyaa-Uldeen Fayez Salah Boy 14
Ghanima Sultan Halawa Girl 11
Fatima Raed Jadullah Girl 10
Mohammed Atef Abou Al-Hussna Boy 15

All killed by Israeli bombs.  Israel was "doing its best" not to harm civilians.  They did a great job, right?  And how any Israeli can live with themselves supporting this policy is beyond me.

Welcome, President Obama

A new day in America.  Hope, promise and much much more.

Two Countries - What a Difference

Today, the United States of America is swearing-in the first African American President in its history.

In Thailand, an Australian writer has been jailed for the offense of 'lese majeste', writing something against the Thai royal family in a book he wrote that sold 10 copies.

Today, in Thailand, Giles Ungpakorn, a Thai political science professor, was also charged with 'lese majeste' for comments he made in a book he wrote about the coup in Thailand a couple of years ago.

Two countries.  What a difference. 

Makarm Tawt - From the Tamarind Fruit Family

Tua brought me a Thai fruit to try yesterday.  She had bought an HUMONGOUS one and a half kilo bag of the stuff and really wanted me to taste it.  Apparently, in Thai, it's called Makarm Tawt, and is from the Tamarind family.  It's an interesting enough taste (not sweet, very dry) but I don't think I would choose to buy it.  Tua loves it though and says she and her Mum eat tons of the stuff during the month or so it's in season.

Cool New Year's Gifts

Two very beautiful pillow cases that two students gave me for New Year - they're the perfect color and size for my sofa - really awesome!

One thing I've always loved about working in Thailand is how generous Thais are when it comes to gifts.  I got some fabulous Christmas gifts from my students then, when I got back to my office after New Year, I got more gifts from other students for New Year.  Bubble bath, body lotion, skin buffer, pillow cases, scarves and shawls, bookmarks, a make-up bag and more.  I got some really great gifts. Thanks everyone!

Bunny Blog

 

Obviously, I have more free time than I should have as I started a new blog last week.  This one is for my rabbits.  The Bunnies' Tale - ' nuff said.

Boycott Bucks Total

As my boycott of US products continues, I've added up how much money I WOULD have spent on US products this week if the US was NOT unilaterally supporting Israel.  The total comes to $62.26.  That's just for a week.  I will be continuing NOT buying US products next week.  The weird thing too, is I've actually saved money.  Where I would normally spend over $5 on lunch at Au Bon Pain, I've now switched to eating Thai food and am spending less than $1.60 on lunch.  It's healthier too!

If you're reading this and in Thailand or another place outside America, some businesses you can avoid so that the US doesn't get your money are these:

Starbucks, McDonalds, Burger King, Au Bon Pain, Dairy Queen, Bourbon Street Restaurant, T.G.I. Friday's, Hard Rock Cafe, Tony Roma's, Trader Vic's, Subway, Haagen Dazs and much much more. 

I'm putting a list up in my classroom this week and will add to it as my students give me others.  And, no, I'm not anti-American, I am however anti-US government policies and one way to make known your disagreement is to boycott US products.  After all, it's all about money in the US and money equals power.

Don't also forget, if you agree with me, boycott all Israeli products too.

What's even more interesting is several very influential Malaysian Muslim groups are also encouraging Malaysians to boycott US products.  I suggest if you're in on this boycott to also e-mail Bush at President@whitehouse.gov, and let him know WHY you won't be buying US products.

My Swiffer

The Swiffer display at my local Carrefour supermarket

So....I'm normally really obsessed with the environment and try not to throw away products that pollute the environment.  I have to admit though, I just bought a new product (new for me, at least!) that I'm so in love with, simply because it makes my life easier, but it definitely isn't good for the environment.

I bought a Swiffer, yes I did!  Or, should I say, I bought the Chinese version of the Swiffer, this being Thailand and all.  For those not familiar with it, the Swiffer is a mop that you attach either a disposable duster or a disposable cloth soaked with cleaning fluid to. Then you clean your house with it.  It takes me about 8 Swiffer cloths to clean my apartment, so it's not cheap (they're about $2.50 for a pack of 10 cloths) because I clean my floors every day.  But.....having 4 rabbits, this product is amazingly useful for me.  Now, I not only have a clean floor every day, but it takes me one quarter of the time it did with a regular mop and it SMELLS so nice after I've finished.

So, sue me, but I'm in love with my Swiffer.  I'll try to help the environment in other ways but you really are going to have to pry my Swiffer ('Chwiffer' being Chinese?) from my cold, dead hands.

New Friend

 

The very nice 'Tangmo Pan' (Watermelon Shakes) we had at my favorite bar at Chatuchak

I write for Associated Content and so do several other people who live overseas.  Over the weekend, I had breakfast, and then went shopping in Bangkok, with one of the women who also writes for AC.  Her name is Heather and she and her husband currently teach English in Pakistan.  She's in Bangkok for a vacation and on business, so we arranged to hook up to meet and to shop.

We spent 6 hours at Chatuchak Market on Sunday and had a very nice time.  So far, she seems to love Bangkok and is planning on spending the next week and a half seeing as much of it as she can. I really enjoyed meeting her and plan on getting together with her again before she leaves.

**Different subject, yesterday, I DIDN'T spend $5.75 on US products. 

Boycott of US Products Begins

Won't be buying US peanut butter.

Yesterday, I began my boycott of US products.  Here's how I changed my buying habits.

I didn't buy lunch at Au Bon Pain - normally spend $5.11.  Bought Thai food, spent $1.40.

I didn't buy the jar of peanut butter I wanted - normally $3.65.  Bought Thai instead, $1.86.

Avoided the American cheese and bought Edam instead - cost of US cheese $5.35.  Edam cheese $3.10.

So yesterday, I did not spend $14.11 on US products.  I will be continuing to do the same today.

I'm also teaching a module this week to all 90 of my adult EFL students explaining to them why they should NOT be buying US products.  They will pass this information onto family and friends.  Should have reached 1,000 people by the end of the week. :-)

Until the US stops unconditionally supporting Israel, I will continue to do this. 

Why I Won't Be Buying Any American Products

America is the only country in the world that supports Israel unconditionally.  This latest incursion into Gaza and mass murder by Israel is unacceptable.  'Nuff said.  Yesterday, I didn't spend 2,300 baht ($67) on my normal US products (food etc) and instead spent it on Thai products.  Will be continuing to do the same today.  No more lattes and lunch for me at Au Bon Pain (an American company). Instead will be buying it at Coffee Alley (a Thai company).  Saves me $5 a day too!

Agalico - Tea, Coffee and Cakes in The Most Beautiful Location

 

At Agalico


Miss Tua ordering at Agalico's counter


In Agalico's lovely garden

I had lunch with Tua at Emporium mall today, then we headed out to a coffee and tea house that I haven't been to before.  It's called Agalico, and is just off Sukhumvit on Soi 51 in Bangkok. Outside, it looks a little like a normal elegant white house but, inside, it's even lovelier.  It has a beautiful interior all in white with old-fashioned painted bird cages, palms and lovely glass top coffee tables.  You order inside then, if you want, you can walk through to the garden, and a waitress will bring your tea or coffee out there for you to enjoy in quiet seclusion. The garden is gorgeous, all pebbles and palms and greenery with black wrought iron chairs and tables and flowers.

Tua and I had coffee and cake inside (I had delicious blackcurrent cheesecake), as it was a tad too hot for outside.  Then, after hanging out talking for a while, we wandered off to find vitamins for me (had to go to 7 pharmacists before I found what I needed!) and then off to Siam Paragon, where I bought some little things from one of the King of Thailand's shops and a book for work.

Tomorrow, I'm meeting Tua and a woman I met online who is currently teaching in Pakistan, and we're off to Chatuchak Market.  I love my weekends!