Bangkok History

Interestingly, “Krung Thep” is an abbreviatedname of the city. Its full name is listed in theGuinness Book of World Records as the longestname ofa place: Krungthep Maha NakhonAmon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yutthaya Maha Dilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udom Ratchaniwet MahaSathan Amon PhimanAwatan Sathit Sakka Thattiya Witsanu KamPrasit.

The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed withnine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous royal palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated God, a city given by Indra and built by Vihnukarn”.

Bangkok today widely is considered to be one of the most dynamic and colorful cities in Asia. Its history is no less a colorful transformation from a sleepy village to a fast-paced 21st century megacity, with a modern city skyline. Bangkok has considerable cultural and historical signifi cance, from the early days of the “Rattanakosin Era” to its expansion in the nineteenth century. Bangkok’s evolution into the current regional hub of Asian came about while preserving the city’s unique soul and character, with its landmarks of temples and palaces that remain relatively unchanged over the years.

Virgin's Richard Branson dresses as stewardess on AirAsia flight

Kuala Lumpur - Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson dressed like an air hostess and served passengers on a flight after losing a bet to AirAsia chief Tony Fernandes over their Formula I motor racing teams.

Branson performed the duties of a regular stewardess, including serving Fernandes and other passengers with refreshments during aspecial flight of AirAsia from Perth to the Malaysian capital.

Branson, in red-hot AirAsia stewardess uniform and black stockings, was flanked by Fernandes and passengers as he departed from the plane after more than four-hour trip.

Virgin's Richard Branson dresses as stewardess on AirAsia flight

Kuala Lumpur - Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson dressed like an air hostess and served passengers on a flight after losing a bet to AirAsia chief Tony Fernandes over their Formula I motor racing teams.

Branson performed the duties of a regular stewardess, including serving Fernandes and other passengers with refreshments during aspecial flight of AirAsia from Perth to the Malaysian capital.

Branson, in red-hot AirAsia stewardess uniform and black stockings, was flanked by Fernandes and passengers as he departed from the plane after more than four-hour trip.

Airline suspends pilots after they 'left Airbus carrying 166 passengers on autopilot and air hostesses in charge while they slept in business class'

The Phantom of the Opera is coming
to Bangkok, Thailand

DSI turns to Facebook to catch illegal foreigners in Phuket

Credit to Thai Visa Website and Phuket Gazette Webesite

DSI Deputy Director-general Yanapol Yungyuen is considering using Facebook to catch foreigners working illegally in Thailand. Photo: Saran Mitrarat

Siriraj Medical Museum

Credit to Trip Advisor website

Central bank chief cautions as baht gains extra strength

Credit to MCOT and Thai Visa Website

Songkran Tips

Credit to Events Planing Div TAT website

• Songkran is the tradition Thai New Year. The festival offers not only the fun water throwing, please help protect the environment.
• The purpose of bathing or splashing water in the Songkran Festival is to give and request for blessing through water, not for rigorous water war.
• Applying soft chalk power called "Din Saw Phong" on one's face or body is traditionally an individual's choice of dressing and, thus, a personal business. You should not offer unsolicited help with it. To touch others without their permission is considered an ill manner by civilised Thais.
• The proper bathing is divided into two categories:
  • The bathing rite for the elders (aged over 60 years old, according to the old custom) as a tribute of respect and for blessings. As a youngster, you can pour scented water onto the hands of the elders with out pronouncing any blessings. The elders in return will bestow their best wishes upon you.
  • The bathing rite for the peers or juniors. You should ask for permission before gently pouring the scented water over the person's shoulder and down his/her back and uttering words of blessing for the New Year. However, if you are close friends, you can enjoy splashing water on each other as you wish yet with appropriate manners and moral and safety cautions.
• The water used for bathing and splashing is regarded as sacred. Thus, it must be clean water. "Nam Ob" (water saturated with perfumes, either of Thai or Western origin) or scented water with floral pedals, and NOT dirty water or ice.
• Traditionally, upon the bathing ritual, the elders are presented with toilet items, namely clothes, "Pha-nung" (loin cloth) , handkerchiefs, towels, soap, perfumes and powder. However, not every aforementioned article is required. You can prepare the toilet gift set as you see fit and may not add other presents such as flowers and sweet.
• Making obeisance is the highest form of respect by prostrating oneself with palms pressed together and them bowing until the pressed palms, arms and forehead touch the floor in front of the person or the image one pays respect to. The palms must be kept pressed together and separated when making obeisance to the Buddha image or monks only.
• To bathe the Buddha image or any idol, it is more appropriate to pour the scented water on other parts of the Buddha image than on its head.